The Weekly Post 3/12/15

Thursday March 12, 2015 Vol. 3, No. 3

The Weekly Post

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Elmwood school board united behind junior high project By BILL KNIGHT

ELMWOOD – The Board of Education at a special meeting on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution declaring its intent to issue $1.5 million in Funding Bonds in connection with the renovation of the Junior High School. The move follows a 5-2 vote on Feb. 23 to contract with Performance Services, Inc. of suburban Chicago to supervise the project’s first steps for For The Weekly Post

$723,037. After the meeting, Board Vice President Terri Osmulski sounded upbeat. “This is all about the kids and giving the best quality education we can,” said Osmulski, who voted against the pact with Performance Services. “I have never been opposed to the project as a whole; I have had concerns with the process as it was presented and the time line. That being said, the project is going to move forward and I will fully support it.”

The intent to issue the bonds starts a 30-day petition period, and the board is united and confident about the improvements. Last month’s other no vote came from Dean Cantu, who shared some of Osmulski’s concerns. “My vote at the February Board meeting was based on a concern I had with the process, i.e., the means, not with the goal of improving the Junior High School building, i.e., the end,” Cantu said. “All of the members of the Board share the same vision relative to

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

Edwards illustrator Young offbeat, but not off-balance

ing comic books, graphic novFor The Weekly Post els and a variety of art projEDWARDS – New York ects. Times best-selling graphic “I’m hard-core disciplined,” novelist and area illustrator he says. “But I’m not a Skottie Young might be offworkaholic or recluse. I’m rebeat, but he’s not off-balance. ally more of an extrovert, outWhether work and fun, his going and social, in the real job and his family, or words world. People who email me and pictures, through my web Young is about site or whatever balance, despite a might not get a visual style that’s reply and think somewhere beI’m some kind of tween Tim Bura-hole, but I’m ton and Tim just working. McGraw: wild Thank goodness yet homey. for social media Talking after like Twitter, behis five-year-old cause I’m active son went to bed there.” after seeing “The Young’s take on the Tin But “creativity SpongeBob is like a fuel Man and Dorothy. Movie: Sponge tank,” he adds, Out of Water,” Young says his “and you use up what you son enjoys movie studio logos have and pretty soon you’re and “playing” with them as near empty, so you have to re“toys.” plenish it. So it’s a matter of That’s not unlike Skottie, prioritizing time – and having who turns 37 on April 3. He a good time. spent his childhood discover“In some ways it’s like a ing different inspirations – in- Cat worker who works 40 spirations that continue to hours a week on heavy equipdrive his enthusiasm for creat- ment and each weekend

the Junior High School improvement project; my concern was … the expedited process and … time frame. I now believe it is critical to move forward and ensure the actions of the board, relative to this project, are executed in an efficacious manner so that we can realize our shared goal of providing our students with the best learning environment possible.” In other action, the Board unanimously approved a two-year lease Continued on Page 2

Donkeys on guard more often lately By WILLIAM C. BAILEY

Recently I was at a farmer’s market and stopped briefly at a booth to take a look at a catalog describing the beef and pork products available from a local farm. The farm’s emphasis was on the way cattle and hogs were raised – outside as much as possible, pasture grazing for the cattle, and a lot of room for the hogs to roam and explore. As I looked through the catalog, I noted a picture of a donkey. Inside “Do you use Farmington held guard donkeys to a college and caprotect your anireer fair for stumals?” I asked. dents last Friday. It was at that Page 8. point I immediately made a friend of the young man, who was at the booth to sell his products. He said I was the first person to understand the picture was not used to sell donkey meat but to inform people how his animals were protected – by guard donkeys. As it turns out, donkeys have been used to guard cattle, sheep and other livestock for some time. Their use has increased as the demand has grown for local foods, or more naturally raised meat and dairy products. Farming operations that focus on local markets often are smaller than traditional livestock For The Weekly Post

By BILL KNIGHT

Graphic novelist and illustrator Skottie Young of Edwards has had graphic novels on the New York Times bestseller list. Photo by Bill Knight. Graphic illustrations by Young.

works on cars or whatever,” he continues. “I draw and write from 9 to 5, and then, when I’m done and at home when things settle down and my son’s asleep, I grab my sketchbook and write and draw. It’s fun.” Young started writing and drawing as a kid who savored the Sunday funnies, especially “Calvin & Hobbes” and “Bloom County,” and Mad magazine. Continued on Page 9

Young’s drawing of a young Thor.

Continued on Page 2

Page 2

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

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DONKEYS: Guards keep predators at bay Continued from Page 1

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operations, and the livestock on these farms spend much of their lives outside. A reality of spending so much time outside is that predators can appear. Over the years, dogs have been used to guard against these predators. More recently, guard llamas have appeared in fields to protect the grazing livestock. However, the young man at the farmer’s market was a strong proponent of

guard donkeys. He told me that, because donkeys are territorial, they are not as protective of the herd as much as they are protective of their territory. When thinking of guard donkeys, don’t think of them carefully patrolling a pasture’s perimeter. Instead, they socialize and eat with the herd, springing into action when a threat appears. When the guard donkeys see a threat, they make a real racket, braying so loud it will hurt your ears, he informed

me. If the loud noises aren’t enough to scare the predator, the guard donkey’s next move is to charge the intruder with the clear intention of biting and kicking it – all to protect both the donkey’s territory and the herd. While there is a lot of pasture at Western Illinois University’s farm for cattle to graze on, the idea of

a guard donkey has not yet been seriously considered. Once upon a time, there were two fainting goats hanging out with the cattle, but their guarding skills were not wellhoned. Someday you may spot a guard donkey among the Angus and Herefords, as they calmly and safely graze in the pasture.

BOARD: Keeping bus drivers Continued from Page 1

agreement with Midwest Transit Equipment to provide to the District eight 2015 buses with diesel engines plus one minivan with wheelchair access for $90,485. Midwest Transit also is buying about a dozen District vehicles, some inoperable, for $77,900, according to Superintendent Chad Wagner. Wagner sought estimates for a different transportation approach, but bids were about twice what was expected by the District, which has five routes plus extracurricular activities most days. The current fleet is relatively old, he said. “The average age of our buses is 13 years,” he said. “Everyone seems happy we’ve moving in this direction.

We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion

Candidate forum March 18 ELMWOOD – Six candidates for four seats on the Elmwood Board of Education are invited to take part in a special board meeting March 18 at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The event will be set up to offer a community “meet the candidates” forum. The hour-long forum will feature candidates’ opening statements, followed by questions

The drivers are supportive.” The District is retaining its bus drivers and keeping two activity buses it owns. Also, after a closed session, the Board announced that there will be no Reduction In

drawn from members of the public in attendance, said Superintendent Chad Wagner. As people arrive, note cards will be available for audience members to write down questions. Questions will be picked based on appropriateness and time. Candidates will have one minute to respond. Bill Knight of The Weekly Post will moderate.

Force for 2015-16, and instructed Wagner to start the auction/bid process to sell Districtowned houses on Morgan and Althea Streets with buyers moving them in order to expand parking. Both measures also passed unanimously. “The unique thing about being on this board is that we all bring something very valuable to the table and in doing so, have learned to respect each other’s opinion,” Osmulski added, “even if it differs from the majority.”

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

Page 3

THE WEEK AHEAD HOT PICKS This Week!

s School Carnival – Inflatables, games, food and prizes highlight the 2015 Candy Land Carnival Friday (March 13) 4-7 p.m. at the Williamsfield Schools. Armbands $10 for access to more than 20 inflatables, games, activities. Public invited to this fund-raiser for the Williamsfield Parent and Teacher Organization. s School Carnival – The Elmwood Elementary School Carnival is Saturday (March 14) from 4 p.m.7 p.m. at Elmwood Elementary School gym. To volunteer, call Anne Hollis at (309) 219-5889.

This Week’s Events

s Family Bingo – Families with chil-

Future Events

s Craft Night – Ladies 18 and older dren can play bingo today (March 12) at can make an Easter Egg Tree March 19 6:00 p.m. at the Morrison and Mary at Morrison and Mary Wiley Library, Wiley Library, Elmwood. Elmwood, at 6:30 p.m. s Ag Museum – Midwest Agricultural s Free Movie – Teens ages 13-18 inMuseum annual dinner is March 20 from vited to come watch “Divergent” March 5:30-8 p.m. at Wildlife Prairie Park. 19 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Brimfield RSVPs required by today (March 12). Public Library in the Call (309) 995-3839. Study Room. Popcorn s Fish Fry – Shrimp Publicize Your Event provided. and whole catfish Call us at (309) 741-9790 s Tree Sale – Peoria served Friday (March or email information about County SWCD taking your upcoming event to 13) 4:30-7:30 p.m. at orders for “bare-root” martha@wklypost.com. the American Legion transplants and seedling Hall in Brimfield. trees. Tree order deadline Friday (March s Fish Fry – St. Patrick’s Church in 20). Pick-up April 17-18 at the USDA Elmwood has fish/shrimp fries Fridays Service Center, 6715 N Smith Rd., Edin Lent (March 13, 20, 27), 4:30-6:30 wards. Call (309) 671-7040, Ext. 101. p.m. s Beginning Quilting – Get started in s Free Bread – Free bread is available quilting by making a 9-patch hot pad Friday (March 13) at 10 a.m. at ElmMarch 21 at 10 a.m. at Princeville Liwood Methodist Church. brary. Sewing machine with white thread s Craft Event – Make an Easter basket and basic machine knowledge needed. Saturday (March 14) between 9 a.m. and Pre-registration required. Must be at 1 p.m. at Mary and Morrison Wiley Lileast 18. Call 1-(800) 872-0222. brary in Elmwood. Craft will take 20 s Dodge Ball – Second Dodge Ball for minutes. Dakota Ramp fund raiser March 21 at s Chicken Dinner – A chicken and nooElmwood High School gym. Money dles dinner is Sunday (March 15) to supgoes to Dakota Ramp scholarship fund. port the Williamsfield Cub Scout Pack Teams (of 5 or more) play 3 matches at 221 from 4-7 p.m. at the Williamsfield $10 per person. Call (309) 742-8464. American Legion Hall. s Donate Blood – Blood drive March s Cemetery Walk – First meeting for 23 at Brimfield High School, 9 a.m.- 2 committee looking into proposed Elmp.m. Visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800wood Cemetery Walk is Monday (March 733-2767, or call (309) 446-3349. 16) at 6:30 p.m. at Morrison and Mary s Story Time – Dynamite Dinosaurs Wiley Library, Elmwood. story time March 26 at 6 p.m. at Morris Chess Night – All skill levels welson and Mary Wiley Library, Elmwood. come to play chess Tuesdays at FarmChildren 4-8. Call (309) 742-2431. ington Public Library, 6-7:30 p.m.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

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The Weekly Post The Weekly Post is published every Thursday (except the last weeks of December and June) by Lampe Publications LLC, 115 W. Main St., Elmwood, IL 61529. All phone numbers listed are in area code (309). Postmaster - Send address changes to The Weekly Post, P.O. Box 745, Elmwood, IL 61529 Phone - 741-9790 Fax - 741-9365 Email - news@wklypost.com Office Hours - Mon-Wed 9-3, Thurs 9-12, Fri 9-3 News - Jeff Lampe 231-6040, jeff@wklypost.com Classifieds - Shelly Brodine 741-9790 Advertising - 741-9790 Subscriptions - Subscriptions $50 for 50 issues. Deadlines - News due Tuesdays by noon. Retail ads and classifieds due Mondays by noon. Quotable - “Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.” – Robert A. Heinlein Illinois Press Association Member

Of buzzing flies, cute cats & spelling bees

Rambling through central Illinois pondering how flies can already be buzzing around on the first really nice day of 2015. uuu There are disadvantages to working next to a veterinarian – particularly if you have a wife and kids who want a cat. Seems like these days it is impossible to walk into a vet office without passing a few free kittens waiting for a good home. That’s certainly the case at Brown Animal Jeff Hospital in ElmLAMPE wood, where Rosie had lived happily for the past month ... until my family somehow sweet-talked

me into adoption. I would rather have a monkey or a chicken. But those “troublesome” animals are illegal. Not so the cat, which will kill any small thing it encounters should it get loose. Sigh. ... That being said, Rosie is very cute. uuu Dallas Self of Billtown is a perceptive lad, in addition to being a master of money-making bar tricks. Self contacted me to question whether Curtis Sherman of Brimfield could be both an official and a commentator at the girls state basketball tournament, as I reported last week. The answer is no. Sherman also noted my miscue and said he was more than content to do his commentating with a whistle while patrolling the floor in black and white stripes. Sorry for the error. ... My favorite two mornings of Satur-

day television start this weekend at 9 a.m. with the Peoria County Spelling Bee on WEEK-TV. Then comes the Grand Final Spelling Bee March 21 at 9. Julia Bledsoe will represent Elmwood and Rachelle Toniny is in for Brimfield. ... My favorite bee was a few years ago and featured an attractive television anchor mispronouncing word after word and confusing the poor kids involved. ... Parting shot: Money was flowing in Elmwood last weekend. In addition to the Elmwood All Outdoors Show netting more than $25,000 for athletes, a dance held in honor of the late Dakota Ramp raised $1,123 for a scholarship in his name. Thanks to all the generous folks who helped make that possible.

In the 1960s, Russell Baker, a Washington reporter for the New York Times, described his job covering government as sitting around waiting for officials "to come out and lie to me.” Unlike his doubt, journalism marks hope March 15-21 – Sunshine Week 2015. It’s a time to recognize and celebrate transparency in government, whether on Capitol Hill, Bill Springfield or KNIGHT local townships. Government openness is a critical pillar of Americans having a voice – of democracy itself – and that’s true on local and county levels as well as state and national. Fortunately, an overwhelming number of area public officials are responsive to citizens and are appreciative of the accountability that’s part of their jobs. Almost all officials are honest and competent, and are willing to work at making at least their part of the planet a better place. Public records are made available. Corruption is so rare as to be nonexistent (especially compared to Washington and Springfield). Of course, as with almost anything, there are ways government can be more open. Better.

• Accessible officials. Members should list phone numbers and email addresses so constituents can contact them. There’s decent privacy, and there’s needless secrecy. • Online presence. Boards, councils, etc. should maintain web sites – or at least Facebook pages. There, they can let the community know when and where they or their committees are meeting, issues planned for consideration, special events, forms to complete and other useful references. • Public comment. If taxpayers want to address a board, it should be easy – even if there’s a time limit so regular business isn’t disrupted. Similarly, boards should welcome items from constituents to put on agendas for public discussion. • Executive sessions. These secret sessions shouldn’t be used routinely, but just when appropriate, as specified – and limited – by law. Further, when a lively debate occurs behind closed doors, it should at least be summarized when the group resumes open deliberations. Otherwise, the public is kept in the dark about officials’ thoughts, opinions and points of view. Excluding individual members of the public from meetings also excludes the entire community, and it hides details that may be important for the public to know. “When the flow of information about our elections, our govern-

ment, and our democracy is curtailed, we’re nurturing a culture of mistrust and cynicism,” says Edwin Bender of the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Plus, it’s practical. Very few folks who work and raise a family have the time to go to several public meetings every month to see what officials from counties, villages, townships, fire protection districts, school boards and other governments are doing. Reporters try to connect What Goes On with Who Will Care. In that sense, journalists try to perform their trade as a public service, too, helping to equip everyday people with facts to make their own informed decisions. Government officials don’t pursue public service to be popular. Sometimes difficult decisions are needed for the greater good, or actions may be popular with some voters but not all. Public employees, whether elected, appointed or hired, work in a climate requiring open government and accountability to the community. Likewise, as the late Helen Thomas, UPI’s longtime White House reporter, once remarked, “We don’t go into journalism to be popular. It’s our job to seek the truth and put constant pressure on our leaders until we get answers.” Sunshine is the best disinfectant, it’s been said.

Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com

‘Sunshine’ can help local government

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

GUEST VOICES

Staying up late, wasting the night away

There’s an old joke that asks for the definition of an agnostic, dyslectic insomniac. It’s someone who stays awake all night wondering if there really is a Dog. Now that I’ve managed to insult three different groups of people (maybe Jon more), I can tell GALLAGHER you I am far from being agnostic (trust me, there IS a God), and I only suffer from temporary bouts with dyslexia. I am, however, an insomniac. I wish I knew what started this whole staying-up-at-night and sleeping-during-the-day business. Had I been a third-shift worker of some sort, I might understand it, but I’ve only worked a handful of graveyard shifts in my life. (I think I slept through most of them.) Maybe it comes from staying up late during baseball season as I listen to my Dodgers finish up baseball games on the West Coast. They usually are done playing by 1 or 2 a.m. at the latest, but since they’ve

been off since October, I don’t think it’s that. I’ve tried to cure my insomnia by reading, and sometimes that works. I read Dwight Eisenhower’s memoirs recently and not only did that nearly cure my insomnia, I think it also lowered my IQ by several points. Because of this, I often turn to TV in an effort to drift into dreamland. The stuff that’s on from 2-7 a.m. is an interesting mix of things that I never knew I needed, which someone is trying to sell me via the ubiquitous and mostly evil infomercial. I never knew how lousy my hair looked (although I had an inkling) until I watched an infomercial about how using shampoo was a bad idea. According to this, I really need a bottle of their “non-shampoo” to fix all the damage that the over-the-counter stuff has done over the past 50-some years. But that’s not enough. Since I’ve got so many years on my body, I also need some stuff to slather on my face that will keep me looking young. At least that’s the claim by a supermodel who has Dick Clark

Syndrome (she never ages). To prove her points, she squirts some of the product on melons and they don’t spoil. And I’ve been wondering what the secret sauce on Big Macs was! Now since I’ve got the body from the shoulders up looking good, I better start doing something with the lower part. There are a multitude of workout programs for sale via the infomercial, some which take just 15 minutes a day, some which take 30, and some which just have you hang upside down like a bat for a while. If you hang upside down long enough, you can be ready for the loony bin in no time and prove it by demonstrating your four-inch vertical leap after proclaiming your advanced age. All of these exercise programs have one thing in common: They look painful. I have an old adage that I try to live by: No pain, no pain. I might have taken up jogging earlier in life except that whenever I’d drive by a jogger, they acted like they were about to expel their

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Learning to be a citizen is satisfying work To the Editor: The question usually comes toward the end of a public meeting. Some knotty problem is being discussed, and someone in the audience will raise their hand and ask, “Okay, so what can I do about it?” I love that question. Not because I’ve ever answered it to my satisfaction, but because it bespeaks such a constructive outlook. The usual advice politicians give is to vote, work for a candidate, let your elected officials know what you think and participate in community life. This is good counsel – but only as far as it goes. With a little more time to answer the question, I’d add a few other points. First, it’s important citizens appreciate how hard it is to solve problems in a representative

democracy. Every issue – even a stop sign at a corner – is more complex than it appears. Understanding and appreciating complexities is the only way to see how and where you can make progress. It’s also vital to learn that solving problems means working with all kinds of people. It requires bringing different points of view together, developing connections to key players in your community, talking face-to-face with others who may not agree with you and communicating your ideas effectively. It also means learning differences can exist without personal animosity, and recognizing common ground to help build agreement. There is a key lesson that comes from trying to solve a particular problem: it tends to make you less

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ideological and more pragmatic. Politics is not a game for everyone, but there are other ways to be involved in community life. Regardless of the avenue, it’s the people who step forward who refresh this country and make it stronger. Our Constitution’s preamble begins, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union ...” At heart, that’s what getting involved means: shouldering the challenges, shared responsibilities and opportunities that democracy thrusts upon us as we pursue a more perfect union. That’s what I want to say to the people who ask, “What can I do about it?” The journey is hard and complicated, but it’s the most satisfying work I can imagine. – Lee Hamilton, Director, Center on Congress

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

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PUBLIC RECORD

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Peoria County crime statistics for February

The Peoria Sheriff’s Department released its monthly Crime Statistics Report for February for the seven Peoria County townships in The Weekly Post’s circulation area: • Brimfield city and township together had 1 criminal sexual assault, 1 domestic battery, 1 identity theft, 1 vandalism/ criminal damage, 1 accident with an injury, 7 accidents without an injury, and 10 traffic tickets. • Elmwood city and township together had 1 domestic battery, 1 accident with an injury, and 1 accident without an injury. • Jubilee had 1 drug arrest, 2 thefts, 1 vandalism/ criminal damage to property, 1 DUIs, 7 accidents without an injury, and 8 traffic tickets. • Kickapoo had 2 assaults, 1 battery, 1 burglary of a non-residence, 2 domestic battery, 2 drug arrests, 4 thefts, 2 charges of vandalism/ criminal damage to property, 1 violation of an order of protection, 4 DUIs, 2 accidents with injuries, 17 accidents without an injury, and 24 traffic tickets. • Millbrook had 1 assault, 2 fatal accidents, and 4 traffic tickets. • Radnor had 2 drug arrests, 2 incidents of vandalism/ criminal damage to property, 2 accidents with injuries, 8 accidents without an injury, and 6 traffic tickets issued. • Rosefield had 1 theft, 1 identity theft, 1 violation of an order of protection, 1 accident with an injury, 6 accidents without injuries, and 1 traffic ticket.

Home burglary reported in Elmwood on March 8

ELMWOOD – Wilma Haney, 86, of Elmwood on March 8 reported the theft of more than $4,000 in jewelry from her home, Elmwood police said. She suspected the loss occurred sometime between Christmas and Jan. 14, according to reports.

Missing are an assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Police are investigating.

Driver injured in Princeville crash

PRINCEVILLE – Betty Schindler, 84, of Princeville was transported to UnityPoint Health Proctor after her 2008 Chevrolet Impala, westbound on Spring Street here, was struck by a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by John Davidson, 68, of Dunlap, police said. A witness told police that Davidson did not stop at the intersection with Cottage Grove Road, according to reports, which listed “disregarding a stop sign” as a contributory cause of the wreck.

Rural Williamsfield break-in reported

WILLIAMSFIELD – Lucas Doubet, 33, of Williamsfield on February 21 reported the illegal entry to a shed he uses in the 2200 block of Knox Road 1750 N, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office reported this week. Someone knocked out a window screen to enter, but nothing seemed to be missing or damaged, according to reports. Police suspect would-be thieves may have been seeking scrap metal, but there was none there.

Motorist injured in wreck, license confiscated

PRINCEVILLE – Dick Stubbs, 73, of Princeville was transported to UnityPoint Health – Proctor after his 2012 Chevrolet crossed the center line on Santa Fe Avenue near High Street and collided with a 2003 Dodge pickup driven by Joshua Bird, 34, of Laura. Police ticketed Stubbs for improper lane usage and seized his driver’s license due to concern that he has a medical condition affecting his driving.

Hit-and-run reported on Kickapoo-Edwards Road

KICKAPOO – Nicholas Carlson, 29, of Monmouth was behind the wheel of a 2005 Ford Taurus parked in the 7000 block of Kick-

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apoo Edwards Road when he felt his car struck from behind. He saw a dark gray or black pickup driven by an elderly white male behind him, but when Carlson went to retrieve his insurance card, the truck fled the scene, according to reports.

Brimfield pedestrian struck by car on road

BRIMFIELD – Susan Devries, 63, of Brimfield was transported to OSF St. Francis Medical Center on March 7 after she was struck by a 1998 Toyota Avalon driven by Kerry Smith, 58, of Canton while she was walking across Farmington Road at Main Street in Hanna City, police said. Devries seemed to slip before the mishap, according to reports, which listed “failing to yield the right of way” as a contributing factor in the accident.

Police reports

• Eric Brown, 50, of Dunlap was ticketed for operating an uninsured vehicle after a minor accident in Brimfield, and given an April 6 court date. • Jessica Mattson, 29, of Farmington on March 5 was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and transported to the Peoria County Jail. • Michael Snider, 23, of Canton was cited for improper backing following a fender bender in Elmwood, and issued a Notice To Appear.

Deer accidents

• March 3 – Morgan Sheckler of Peoria on Illinois Route 91 near Orange Prairie Road in Radnor Township. • March 7 – Ryan Asbell of Brimfield on Thousand Dollar Road near Schlink Road in Kickapoo Township.

Marriage license

• Karl Lee Dietrich and Sue Ann Carruthers, both of Brimfield.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

Farmington school board retains same bus service By MICHELLE SHERMAN

FARMINGTON – The Farmington Community Unit School District 265 Board of Education voted on Monday (March 9) to maintain the district’s relationship with its transportation provider. The district has used Illinois Central School Bus to get students to and from the campus for the past three years. Because that initial contract is up in June, administrators put the contract out for bid. Only two companies, Illinois Central and First Student, returned bids. By law, the board must accept the “lowest responsible bid,” said Superintendent John Asplund. Expressing some concerns regarding a reported lack of heat on buses, board member Anne Stufflebeam was the lone no vote on the motion to approve the contract. “My children come home and say there’s no heat on their bus,” Stufflebeam said. “Bus drivers have blankets on the bus it’s so cold.” The contract with Illinois Central stipulates there must be three extra working buses in the fleet to cover for non-operational buses. There currently are at least three such buses available. “I will not put buses out there on the road that I know do not have heat,” said bus barn manager Bill Ethington. For The Weekly Post

He said he personally checks all buses, as do his maintenance workers, for operational heaters in cold weather. The new contract, which will last through the 2017-2018 school year, is more than 11 percent higher than what District 265 is paying Illinois Central now. First Student’s bid came in 18 percent higher than the district’s current transportation contract, Asplund said. In other business the board: • Heard presentations on the progress of the solar panel project and proposing a potential sustainable garden. • Put the alternative energy curriculum and updates to the agricultural courses on second reading. • Voted to renew membership in the Illinois High School Association for another year. • Approved the development of an in-district emotional disabilities program for approximately eight students in seventh through ninth grades to begin next school year. • Granted tenure to several full-time teachers. • Approved an overnight trip to Six Flags in Gurnee for members of the senior class.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

T HE G R EAT O UT D O O R S

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Farmington holds college, career fair

20 5 E as t Ma i n S t . K n ox v i l l e , I L P. O. B ox 5 61 448

By MICHELLE SHERMAN

( 309 )38 8- 015 9

FARMINGTON – The Farmington Community High School gym put aside basketballs and volleyball nets last Friday to give students an opportunity to investigate options for their futures. As part of a district-wide Farmer Families program, sixth- through 12th-grade students were able to talk with representatives from area colleges and universities, as well as multiple trades and occupations. Students could talk with representatives from colleges as close as Spoon River Community College and as far away as Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. They could learn about becoming an EMT or an investment banker, joining the military or learning a trade such as plumbing. “We always talk about, ‘How do we know that our kids are succeeding beyond Farmington?’” said Ryan Lambert, media specialist for FCHS. “Instead of them asking us and we refer them to someone, we can just bring them here ... and they can ask direct questions.” The Farmer Families program is Farmington’s way of implementing Social/Emotional Learning Standards, a mandatory part of school curricula in Illinois. Students across the district are split into “families,” small multi-age groups led by faculty members. Families meet

Farmington students talk with a representative of Southern Illinois University-Edwards ville at a college and career fair last Friday. Photo by Ryan Lambert.

For The Weekly Post

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throughout the year to discuss topics ranging from fitness to bullying. “The whole point of Farmer Families is to create a community within our community,” Lambert said. Senior Matt Williamson, 18, of rural Hanna City, said he wishes the program had been in place a few years sooner. “I think it would have really helped me make my mind up on future plans, especially regarding which college to attend,” he said. “In talking with other students, a few said they thought it was very beneficial in opening their minds to things they never thought about, and also closing their minds to others.” Next year, Williamson plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville and major in music business. At the moment, he hopes to become an agent or producer.

During the fair, he visited the Cumulus Radio booth to talk with someone at least somewhat in the music field. Williamson said his conversation led him to consider another occupation within music. The senior also talked with some engineers in attendance and said the most interesting occupation was that of meat scientist. “I am not even interested in (meat science) for a career,” he said, “It was rather interesting listening to what kinds of things he does in the field.” That broadening of horizons is what Lambert and the rest of the college and career fair committee had hoped for. “Even though a lot of our seniors have already chosen” what they will be doing in the near future, he said, “it still exposes them to other things. ...The students really seem to enjoy it.”

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lungs onto the roadway. They never smiled, and that wasn’t the way I wanted to start off every morning. Still, if I get my body into shape, there are all sorts of things I can buy to reward myself for putting into such glamorous shape including ovens (I came close to buying one of these), juicers, stoneware cookers, pots and pans, pasta makers, and a host of other things – which will make you need to double up on the exercise.

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There are things to help you clean, including mops that spin and vacuums that suck and vacuums that really suck, but not the way you want. Wait a little while and “American Idol” judge Keith Urban will pop on to urge you to let him become your personal guitar teacher with his course in learning to play which includes a guitar and (are you ready for this?), PICKS! He promises that you, too, can be playing the guitar and slaughtering songs like “Old Time Rock ’n’ Roll” in no time. He even has a guy on demonstrating how bad you can sound. And wasn’t “Old Time

Rock ’n’ Roll” written for piano? Of course, there’s always some washed-up rock stars from the ’70s and ’80s pushing a CD collection of the music they used to play, at a cost of just slightly less than a modern-day concert ticket. Everything advertised seems to be available in easy installments, and most of the products will even take one payment off if you act right now. Others will throw in some other “freebies” to get you to buy, but most of them will DOUBLE your purchase if you just pay extra shipping and handling. I’m not sure what I was

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Page 9

ARTIST: Part of Marvel’s series of award-winning “Oz” stories Continued from Page 1

“That’s how I learned to draw, really,” he says, “copying everything from Mad.” He continued through school, but didn’t go to college. Instead, he drew and built a portfolio, and at a table at a comic convention he made contact with Marvel writer/editor C.B. Cebulski. Within months he had an offer to fill in for Marvel’s “Iceman” title. From there he’s worked on “New X-Men,” “The Human Torch,” and “Spider-Man,” plus a wonderfully goofy series of “baby variant” covers for dozens of Marvel titles, showing heroes and villains as children. That led to collaborations with Eric Shanower for a modern version of L. Frank Baum’s Oz tales and with Newbery Medalist Neil Gaiman for a children’s book, “Fortunately, the Milk.” Born in Fairbury, Young lived in Chicago for about 10 years and was thinking of moving to Nashville, but “looked around the country” and settled in central Illinois. He continues to attend comic conventions – he’s scheduled to appear at Planet Comicon in Kansas City this weekend and at C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo) in Chicago April 24-26 – and has a website, skottieyoung.com. The award-winning Oz series started with Marvel’s graphic novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and its follow-up “The Marvelous Land of Oz” (both 2009) – both NYT bestsellers. Taking on a series based on Baum’s classic was less of a chal-

lenge than a fun-filled opportunity, Young says. “It was easier,” he says. “I was playing with an old ‘toy,’ a cool foundation. It’s super-fun stuff, interpreting, taking a world and reinventing it instead of working from scratch. It feels like a collaboration, taking all the stuff [from before] and sort of sprinkling some magic on it. “Maybe I’m naïve or arrogant, but I had no concern with the fan base’s expectations,” continues Young, who’s worked with Shanower on four other Oz titles. “If you let that [concern] creep in, it can start to inform what you do and that’s a creativity killer.” His HarperCollins collaboration with Gaiman – a middle-grade novel described as a book about “time travel and breakfast cereal ... an ode to the pleasure and wonders of storytelling” – also was a NYT bestseller. “That was very cool,” he says. “It was a weird thing, too, because you’re working six months ahead most of the time. I remember getting an email, a heads-up from an editor, that ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ was about to debut at Number 2 or 3, and it was there for 20-some weeks. “Comics and graphic

novels on the New York Times best-seller list was new then [so] it was never on my bucket list or anything,” he adds. “But it was really neat.” Now, in a modest, messy studio in an otherwise unassuming Peoria strip mall (Young says it’s “insurance agents, lawyers and a comicbook artist”), Young looks over piles of books, Starbucks coffee cups and, of course, copies of Mad magazine, inking with a Kuratake Brush Pen or a Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and drawing in Sketchbook Pro and coloring everything in Photoshop CS5 or Corel Painter 11 to work on “Rocket Raccoon,” the character featured in last summer’s blockbuster film “Guardians of The Galaxy.” “I couldn’t wait to work on this guy,” Young said. “It’s going to have a connection to that nostalgic feeling for ‘Looney Tunes,’ that old animated flavor where everything wasn’t squeaky clean. Daffy Duck would get his bill blasted off with double-barrel shotguns… “That’s what I grew up watching, and being able to play around with that in this hyper-superhero intergalactic universe will be a lot of fun.” For personal fun, Young goes to movies, concerts and reads, but prefers fiction. “Even as a boy, I always liked He-Man more than G.I. Joe,” he says, laughing. “G.I. Joe was too real for me.” Realty can be fun, too, of course. Young has to go check on his son’s preparations for a Valentine’s Day party at school.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

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FISHING FOR BARGAINS Showgoers turned out in force last weekend for the sixth annual Elmwood All Outdoors Show in the Elmwood schools. Attendance was up from last year and the event grossed more than $22,500, while the athletic boosters netted $3,500 on food sales. Photo by Walt Avery.

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Elmwood School District #322 “MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT” The public is invited to the Elmwood High School Auditorium Wednesday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m. There are 4 available positions as a School Board Member, each with a 4-year term • Tom Conklin • Katherine Christine • Dean Cantu (Chrissy) Jacobson • Claude W. Keefer • Val Ramirez • Teresa L. Osmulski

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BRIEFS Habitat for Heroes home gears up for Schock visit

ELMWOOD – Things are heating up for the Habitat for Heroes home to be built here this spring. On March 21 from 2-4 p.m. at Elmwood Presbyterian Church, the family who will live in the new home will be introduced by U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock. Donors will also be honored at the event, which includes dessert and coffee, several presentations and Color Guards representing VFW and American Legion members. The Kiwanis Club of Elmwood recently donated $1,026 to Habitat for Heroes, which represented half the net profit from the group’s 17th annual pancake breakfast. Siding for the home will be donated by Midwest Building Supply of Tremont, and Habitat for Heroes picked up other donors: Crystal Prahl of Forever Me Photography (official photographer), Gary Maness of G&O Disposal (dumpsters) and American Rental of Peoria Heights (tables and chairs).

Peoria Heights and Lewistown, and its third straight regional title on Monday by defeating Spoon River Valley, Knoxville and Brimfield. Sectionals are Saturday at Wethersfield High School, where Elmwood will face Riverdale, Peoria Christian and St. Bede. Ian and Taylor Armbruster were named to this year’s all-conference and all-sectional teams.

Elmwood’s Scholastic Bowl team won its fifth straight conference championship last Thursday by defeating Havana, Beardstown,

PRINCEVILLE – The final program in the Lillie M. Evans Library District’s Created Equal series will be “Oh Freedom! Songs of the

Harold Jehle of the Kiwanis Club of Elmwood hands over a check for $1,026 to Gerri Pettit of the Habitat for Heroes project in Elmwood.

Elmwood Scholastic Bowl Songs of Civil Rights wins conference, regional Movement at museum

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Civil Rights Movement” on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Princeville Heritage Museum. Award-winning folk singer Chris Vallillo will perform songs that inspired and sustained participants in the Civil Rights Movement. There are also two more video presentations at the Lillie M. Evans Library. The first on March 25 at 2 p.m. is the program, “President William Jefferson Clinton: Civil Rights Lessons from the Cassidy’s” Programs are free and open to the public.

Jews for Jesus to speak at Presbyterian church

ELMWOOD – First United Presbyterian Church invites all to hear a presentation given on the Model Seder by Jews for Jesus on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:15 p.m. Jews for Jesus is an agency that believes Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. The late Moishe Rosen, a Jew who has believed in Jesus for over 35 years, founded the organization. For those who say Christianity contradicts the meaning of Judaism, Jews for Jesus say there are answers a representative can discuss after the presentation. For details call (309) 742-2631 or visit firstpresbyterianofelmwood.org.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

Page 11

Billtown board OKs bond, roof work By BILL KNIGHT

WILLIAMSFIELD – The Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved its intent to sell more than $1 million in bonds guaranteed by an alternate revenue source after a public hearing during which it once more clarified the arrangement. It followed that with a regular meeting, where it unanimously approved a $300,000 bid for roof work. People’s concerns during the brief hearing included the bond sale’s effect on property taxes, how the district will cope with this debt if the State makes further cuts to education, and why the school is “unnecessarily” improving security by upgrading its Kentucky Avenue entrance. Superintendent Tim Farquer again explained that the bond won’t be repaid out of property taxes but out of receipts from the Knox County School Facilities Sales Tax, which pays the District about $150,000 a year. That “penny tax” also is limited to improving school facilities and cannot be spent on transportation, education or other expenses, so if the State reduces or reneges on funding, penny-tax revenue can’t be transferred. Also, Board president Janet Collopy For The Weekly Post

reminded the meeting that the Board has not approved of proposed renovations except for the roof. The Board also previously approved upgrading needed heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The District will sell $1,050,000 General Obligation Bonds/alternate revenue source through First Midstate. The Board received a report from architect Josh Singleton of Phillips and Associates of Canton, and OK’d the lowest of five bids for the roof work – a $304,904 bid from roofing contractor R.A. Oldeen, Inc. of Kewanee., which will start about June 1 and finish before Aug. 7. Initial estimates for the roof work were about $100,000, but an inspection revealed considerable more work required to address long-time problems. The District will use a $50,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to help defray the cost. Since the work will be mostly funded by revenues outside state and District sources, it will have little impact on finances, which remain stable, Farquer reported. “We’re well-positioned to survive through this

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[state financial] turbulence,” he said. “Our [property] tax rate is one of the lowest around and we’re maintaining about 360 days of Cash On Hand to absorb [any cutbacks].” The liveliest portion of the regular meeting was a series of general complaints by a few parents who alleged that: teachers are being mistreated, the administration improperly held school during March 3’s icy conditions, students’ performances in math and reading fell, and unspecified “conflicts of interest” exist. Parent and local businesswoman Debbie Newell said, “This administration is coming down hard on good teachers [who] do not

feel appreciated.” No teacher made comments, and the Williamsfield Education Association labor union hasn’t filed a grievance. In other news, • Friday (March 13) is the deadline for high school students to register for the ACT, which will be offered at Carl Sandburg College on April 18; • also Friday, the P.A.T. (Parent and Teacher) group is holding its P.A.T. Carnival from 4:30-7:30 p.m., when food, inflatables, games and other activities will be offered; and • two coaches were named: Joe Newman for middle school track coach and Megan Foglesong for junior varsity softball.

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CLASSIFIED AND LEGAL ADS SALES • INDOOR SALE, PLUS GARAGE: Everything MUST go! Cash only. Corner of First St. and Main St. in Maquon. March 14 9 am to 4pm. Moving Sale - 2 Family March 12 & 13 - 9-3 200 S. Althea, Elmwood Old High School – Inside Use lower south door to enter. Antiques, entertainment center, table w/4 chairs, curio cabinet, benches (wooden), storage cabinets, area rugs, wall deco, dishes, kitchen items, lots more. For info (309) 231-2255. Kid’s Clothing, Toy, Equipment Sale - April 20 Faithful Friends Preschool at the Union Church of Brimfield is having a Kid’s Clothing, Toy and Equipment Sale - Saturday,

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COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 322 PEORIA AND KNOX COUNTIES, ILLINOIS TO ISSUE $1,500,000 FUNDING BONDS

Classified ads cost $5 for up to 20 words and must be prepaid. Call (309) 741-9790 or visit 115 W. Main St. in Elmwood.

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that on the 4th day of March, 2015, the Board of Education (the “Board”) of Community Unit School District Number 322, Peoria and Knox Counties, Illinois (the “District”), adopted a resolution declaring its intention and determination to issue bonds in the aggregate amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of paying presently outstanding and unpaid claims against the District, all of which unpaid claims have been heretofore authorized and allowed for proper school purposes and it is the intention of the Board to avail of the provisions of Article 19 (Sections 19 8 to 19 14, inclusive) of the School Code of the State of Illinois, and all laws amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, and to issue said bonds for the purpose of paying such unpaid claims.

April 20th - 8am to 2pm. Rent a booth for only $20, bring all of your gently used children’s clothes, toys, supplies, and equipment, man your booth, and keep you own profits OR FFP will gladly accept any donations of gently used children’s items, we’ll do all the work and the money will benefit Faithful Friends Preschool & UC. Please call (309) 446-9432 with any questions.

A petition may be filed with the Secretary of the Board (the “Secretary”) within thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice, signed by not less than 267 voters of the District, said number of voters being equal to ten percent (10%) of the registered voters of the District, requesting that the proposition to issue said bonds as authorized by the provisions of said Article 19 be submitted to the voters of the District. If such petition is filed with the Secretary within thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice, an election on the proposition to issue said bonds shall be held on the 15th day of March, 2016. The Circuit Court may declare that an emergency referendum should be held prior to said election date pursuant to the provisions of Section 2A 1.4 of the Election Code of the State of Illinois, as amended. If no such petition is filed within said thirty (30) day period, then the District shall thereafter be authorized to issue said bonds for the purpose herein above provided.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE INTENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 322, PEORIA AND KNOX COUNTIES, ILLINOIS TO SELL $1,500,000 FUNDING BONDS PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Community Unit School District Number 322, Peoria and Knox Counties, Illinois (the “District”), will hold a public hearing on the 23rd day of March, 2015, at 6:00 o’clock P.M. The hearing will be held in the High School Auditorium, 301 West Butternut Street, Elmwood, Illinois. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comments on the proposal to sell bonds of the District in the amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of paying claims against the District. By order of the President of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District Number 322, Peoria and Knox Counties, Illinois. DATED the 4th day of March, 2015. Bill Frietsch Secretary, Board of Education, Community Unit School District Number 322, Peoria and Knox Counties, Illinois

Please Help Us Out!

By order of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District Number 322, Peoria and Knox Counties, Illinois.

this 4th dayAll-Stars of March, 2015. TheDATED Elmwood 4-H Club, in Bill Frietsch cooperation with the Scouts, will be Secretary, Board of Education, collecting canned goods Community Unit School District Number 322, on

Sunday, 8th,Illinois starting at 1:30 pm Peoria andMarch Knox Counties, This is part of the local Foodshare Tom Conklin President, BoardThese of Education, Can-a-thon. items will be used in Community Unit School District Number 322, our local food pantries to help with Peoria and Knox Counties, Illinois needy families. Place your CLASSIFIED for just $5 or LEGAL AD for $4 per column inch Call Shelly at (309) 741-9790

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Page 12

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

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Carol Dene Dare

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YATES CITY – Carol Dene Dare, 85, Abingdon, formerly of Yates City, died on March 5 at the Care Center of Abingdon. A past president of the Yates City Junior Woman’s Club and the Yates City Woman’s Club, Dare is survived by her husband Bernard, a son and daughter in law, eight grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. A celebration of life service was March 9 at Abingdon United Methodist Church. Cremation was accorded following the services with private burial of her ashes in the White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton at a later date. Condolences may be left at www.h-p-w.com

Don Dunbar

PRINCEVILLE – Don Dunbar, 97, of rural Princeville, died Feb. 27 at Toulon Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. Cremation has been accorded. There will be no services. Condolences may be left at www.haskellhott.com.

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BRIMFIELD – Marian L. Giles, 87, of Peoria, mother of a Brimfield man, died March 3 at her residence. Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Robert Earl Giles, and son James R. (Karen) Giles of Brimfield. Funeral services were March 6 at Davison-Fulton WoolseyWilton Funeral Home, with burial in Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Condolences may be left at www.woolsey-wilton.com.

Karen Harper

PRINCEVILLE – Karen Sue (Petrakis) Harper, 50, of Glasford, sister of a Princeville woman, died on March 5 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Survivors include sisters Gloria Schooley of Princeville and Mari (Carl) Doubet of Hanna City; three other sisters; and five brothers. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service was held March 8 at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Condolences may be left at

This Week’s Obituaries • Carol Dene Dare, 85, Yates City • Don Dunbar, 97, Princeville • Marian Giles, 87, Brimfield • Karen Harper, 50, Princeville • Linda Horner, 72, Farmington • Richard Lance, 76, Brimfield • Yvonne Shurtz, 85, Farmington • Lettie Ellen Sloan, 89, Elmwood • William Van Petten, 91, Trivoli • Al Zuccarini, 57, Brimfield www.Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com.

Linda Horner

FARMINGTON – Linda L. Horner, 72, of Peoria, sister of a Farmington woman, died on March 5 at UnityPoint HealthMethodist in Peoria. Survivors include a daughter, Julie (Lonnie) Hutchinson of Hanna City; and a sister Sue Unes, of Farmington. Cremation was accorded and no services will be held. The Cremation Society of MidIllinois Co. Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left at wwww.csmico.com.

Richard Lance

BRIMFIELD – Richard G. Lance, 76, of Eureka, formerly of Brimfield, died March 4 at UnityPoint Health-Methodist in Peoria. A graveside service was held on March 7 at Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka. Condolences may be left at www.argoruestmanharris.com.

Yvonne Shurtz

FARMINGTON – L. Yvonne Shurtz, 85, of Forest City, mother of a Farmington woman, died March 6 at Grand View Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Peoria. Survivors include eight children, including Kathleen (Terry) Benedict of Farmington. Services were March 11 at Maas Funeral Home in Manito, with burial at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. Condolences may be left at www.hurleyfh.com.

Lettie Ellen Sloan

ELMWOOD – Lettie Ellen Sloan, 89, of Avon, brother of an Elmwood man, died on March 4 at home. Survivors include a brother James (Judith) Howard of Elmwood. Graveside services were March 7 in the Avon Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.cormanmh.com.

William Van Petten

TRIVOLI – William Veeder Van Petten, 91, of Trivoli, formerly of rural Farmington, died March 3. He is survived by his wife, Lorene Jacobs Van Petten; children, Aleeta Van Petten of Seattle, Wash., Arlan “Tuck” Van Petten of Pahrump, Nev., and Toni Van Petten of Trivoli; and stepgranddaughter, Kelsey Boland. Like many men of his era, Bill was born into farming. He was expected, from the age of 6, to help with the farm before and after school, starting before dawn and working late into the night. After his father’s early death, Bill managed his family’s farm single-handedly, while completing his schooling at Farmington High. Despite what many might consider a harsh introduction to this way of life, Bill always loved farming and the land that he farmed. Memorial services are being planned for the spring.

Al Zuccarini

BRIMFIELD – Alfonse “Al” Zuccarini, 57, of Brimfield died March 2 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born Aug. 11, 1957, in Freeport, N.Y., to John Louis and Marie Deloris (Gannatti) Zuccarini. He married Kathy Gisslen on May 7, 2004, in Peoria. She survives. His funeral was on March 10 at World Famous Big Al’s in Peoria, with cremation accorded following the service. Condolences may be left at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.

Obituary Policy: We print basic obituaries for free. Longer obituaries cost $1 per column inch and $5 per picture. Call 309-741-9790.

PUZZLE ANSWERS CryptoQuote Answer In Hollywood, all marriages are happy. It’s trying to live together afterwards that causes the problems. – Shelly Winters

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Page 13

FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 12

1. LITERATURE: Who wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of India? 3. HISTORY: In what year were East and West Germany reunified? 4. MUSIC: What pop music artist’s first live album was titled “11-1770”? 5. ANATOMY: What is a synapse? 6. ART: What are putti? 7. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: What 18th-century doctor and writer once said, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” 8. NATURAL WORLD: What kind of creature is a merganser? 9. ENTERTAINERS: What was Bob Hope’s real name? 10. LANGUAGE: What are the two shortest words in English that contain the letters a, b, c, d, e and f? Answers 1. Washington Irving 2. New Delhi 3. 1990 4. Elton John 5. Gap between two neurons 6. Naked infant boys in artwork 7. Samuel Johnson 8. Duck 9. Leslie Townes Hope 10. Feedback and boldface (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

MOVIES 1. Focus (R) 2. Kingsman: The Secret Service (R) 3. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (PG) 4. Fifty Shades of Grey (R) 5. The Lazarus Effect (PG-13) 6. McFarland, USA (PG) 7. American Sniper (R) 8. The DUFF (PG-13) 9. Still Alice (PG-13) 10. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (R) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

SECTIONALS: Lutheran stymied by Brimfield’s 1-3-1 zone defense Continued from Page 16

1:59 to mark the start of an inside-outside attack Lutheran couldn’t stop. The first quarter concluded with Brimfield up 8-2. From there Lutheran scored one point over the next 8:59. By that time, the Indians had built a 13-2 advantage. Moments later, Wallace’s three ball at 2:56 put Brimfield up 17-5. Indians’ senior Brett Gilles put in three more to expand it to 20-7 at 2:07. “I couldn’t make a basket but everyone else stepped up,” Cuevas told the Peoria Journal-Star. “They had open

shots and knocked them down.” Lutheran made only 15 of 41 shots in the game (36 percent). “We kind of thought our defense might give them some trouble, Carlson said. “They hadn’t experienced it.” Scoring in the third period belonged primarily to Cuevas and Swietek, but did begin with a Wallace three after 21 seconds that opened a 12-point lead. From there on the Indians’ lead never again fell to single digits. Two long balls from Swietek in an 18second span exploded the lead to 37-20,

as Springfield Lutheran could barely make layups and free throws. Cuevas kept chipping away with short-range jumpers and an awesome spin move finishing in an easy layup that kept his team and Brimfield fans bursting with excitement. Even though Indians big man Brad Novak was stuck on the bench and eventually disqualified with five fouls, he frustrated Lutheran’s inside game with five monster blocks. Another Gilles swish behind the arc at 1:07 gave Brimfield its biggest advan-

tage at 46-26 and got a big fist pump from Carlson and had the Brimfield side of the gym rocking. Ryan Smith, who along with Koby White, ballhandled through Crusader traps and also forced Crusader turnovers all night, made a steal and fed Cuevas for a layup to expand the lead to 50-28 early in the fourth. Junior Sean Wilbur, who more than admirably filled in for Novak much of the night, scored on an offensive rebound at 3:51 to make it academic, if it wasn’t already.

AREA CHURCHES BRIMFIELD

EDWARDS

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod “Liturgical & Reverential” Pastor Michael Liese 204 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3233 Sun. Divine Service: 10 am Sun. School: 8:45 am Bible Class: 8:45 am

Bethany Baptist Church 7422 N. Heinz Ln., Edwards (309) 692-1755 www.bethanycentral.org Sat. Evening Worship: 6 pm Sun. Worship 8:15 & 11 am Wednesday Awana: 6:15 pm Christ Alive! Community Church Pastor Lance Zaerr 9320 W US Hwy 150, Edwards (309) 231-8272 www.christalivecc.com Sun. School: 9:15 am Worship: 10:30 am

Brimfield United Methodist Church Pastor Leonard Thomas 135 S. Galena St., Brimfield (309) 446-9310 Sun. Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 9 am Thurs. Bible Study: 7 pm Union Church at Brimfield United Church of Christ Pastor Stephen Barch 105 W. Clay Street, Brimfield (309) 446-3811 Sunday Worship: 9 am Tuesday Bible Fun Night: 6 pm

ELMWOOD Crossroads Assembly of God Pastor Tim Cavallo 615 E. Ash St., Elmwood (309) 830-4259 www.crossroadselmwood.org Wed. Worship: 7 pm Sun. Worship: 10:30 am Elmwood Baptist Church Pastor Dennis Fitzgerald 701 W. Dearborn St., Elmwood (309) 742-7631, 742-7911

Sun. School: 9:30 am Sun Worship: 10:30 am, 6 pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 7 pm First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood Reverend Marla B. Bauler 201 W. Evergreen, Elmwood (309) 742-2631 firstpresbyterianofelmwood.org Sun. Worship: 10:30 am Sun. School: 9:30 am St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Father Paul Stiene 802 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-4921 Sat. Confession: 3:45 p.m. Sat. Mass: 4:30 p.m. Sun. Mass: 10 am Tues. Rosary: 8:15 am United Methodist Church of Elmwood Pastor Bradley F. Watkins II 821 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-7221 www.elmwoodumc.org Sun. Worship: 9 am, 10:30 am Youth Sun. School: 9 am Adult Sun. School: 8 am

FARMINGTON First Presbyterian Church of Farmington Reverend Dr. Linda Philabaun 83 N. Cone Street, Farmington (309) 245-2914 www.firstpresfarmington.com Sunday School: 9:30 am Fellowship: 10:30 am Worship: 11:00 am New Hope Fellowship Assembly of God Pastor Tom Wright 1102 N. Illinois Route 78 Farmington (309) 245-2957 Sun. Worship: 10 am Wed. Worship: 7 pm

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YATES CITY Faith United Presbyterian Church Reverend Marla B. Bauler 107 W. Bishop St., Yates City (309) 358-1170 Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 10:15 am Thurs. Choir: 7 pm

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 12, 2015

,

ALL SPORTS ROUNDUP

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Area basketball players named all-ICAC Nineteen area basketball players were named to ICAC all-conference teams this year. On the boys side, three local players made the six-player first team: senior Carson Cuevas of Brimfield, senior Matthew Jehle of Elmwood and junior Garrett Wight of Williamsfield. The other first-teamers were George Foust of Illini Bluffs and Delavan’s duo of Andy Long and Karson Arrenholz. Second-teamers were SEE ANSWERS PAGE 12

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senior Jack McKinty and sophomore Isaiah Groeper of Elmwood and senior Nate Wallace of Brimfield. Honorable mention picks were juniors Jace Swietek and Brad Novak of Brimfield, junior Jake Roberts of Elmwood and senior Tyler Jones of Williamsfield. On the girls side, firstteamers included juniors Kennedy Dura and Shayla McCormick of Brimfield, senior Ryleigh Keith of Brim-

field and seniors Ashley Perryman and Shyann Jones of Elmwood. Other first-team picks were Jill Berg and Abbie Miller of Midwest Central, Sydney McClintock and Lani Young of Illini Bluffs and Jordan Maxwell of North Fulton. Second-teamers were junior Kenzie Schlipf of Brimfield and a trio from Elmwood: senior Abby Frietsch, junior Morgan Ledbetter and sophomore Allie Meyers.

JH Volleyball – Eighth grade girls volleyball regionals are underway this week, while seventh grade teams have moved into the sectional round. Farmington (13-9) was the lone area winner in the seventh grade regionals, topping Havana 2511, 25-21 to advance. Following that title, the Lady Farmers fell to Deer Creek-Mackinaw (19-5) on Monday in the Farmington Sectional, 21-25, 25-7, 25-14. In 7-2A action, Elmwood lost its regional final to Lewistown, 259, 25-16. In another regional final, Princeville went to three sets before falling to Peoria St. Vincent de Paul, 27-25, 1325, 27-25. In eighth-grade action Tuesday night, Brimfield won its 8-2A regional against top-seed Peoria St. Vincent de Paul, 2516, 25-13. The Lady Indians play in the Peoria Christian Sectional Monday (March 16) at 6 p.m. In 8-3A, top-seed Farmington lost at home in a regional final against Havana, 25-19, 9-25, 25-22. Elmwood lost in the semifinals at Oak Grove West against Lewistown Central, 25-8, 16-25, 2515. Et cetera – Beginning with the 2015 high school baseball season, teams will be allowed to use video monitoring or replay equipment for coaching purposes during games. That is thanks to a change by the by the National Federation of State High School Associations. ... In softball, two rules were revised to state that the batting helmet and the catcher’s helmet shall have a non-glare surface (not mirror-like). Email information to jeff@wklypost.com.

Hannah Huber, Elmwood

Hannah Huber looks forward to attending St. Ambrose University this fall to go into a career in teaching at the elementary level. Teaching is definitely in her genes, and she’ll have a great deal of experience when she begins that career, partly from her four years as a Lady Trojan basketball guard and Lady Indians outfielder. This Elmwood senior’s basketball career came naturally, by going against her brothers in the driveway. Her love of softball started in the Elmwood summer youth program. She points to her parents, Steve and Eileen, and brothers Andrew and Nick as her best supporters over the years. Hannah excels on defense in terms of her favorite fundamentals for these two sports. She most likes to stop opponents from scoring. Hannah is a Bears and Cubs fan in the pro arena. “The Proposal” is her favorite movie, while “The Voice” is her top TV show to watch. Besides being a ballplayer she’s very busy in the EHS experience with band (flute), Key Club, Art Club, National Honor Society and student council. In her spare time Hannah enjoys playing live games such as “Catch Phrase,” and she stays busy making crafts. She has a number of sports thrills, but her top two are being a team member of an Elite Eight softball team her junior year and contributing to the Lady Trojans hoops team that won the Princeville Holiday Tournament last December. Hannah will miss the closeness of the student body at EHS, along with teachers and coaches. “Work hard and enjoy every minute of your school years, “she advises to future Lady Trojans and Lady Indians. Elementary students Hannah Huber hopes to teach someday will also be fortunate to acquire that advice! – Phil Johnson Sponsored by Elmwood Insurance Agency, Inc.

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Brimfield players, coaches and cheerleaders were all smiles after the Indians won the Jacksonville Supersectional Tuesday night with a 53-38 rout of seventh-ranked Okawville. Photo by Anita Novak.

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OKAWVILLE: Novak shined inside for Indians Continued from Page 16

Novak was inside.” While 6-foot-3 senior guard Carson Cuevas scored his usual 22 points, those buckets came on drives, step-back 2-pointers and off screens by teammates – not treys. And against an Okawville manto-man defense designed to shut down the long ball, 6-8, 275-pound junior center Novak shined. After not scoring in Friday’s sectional final win over Springfield Lutheran, Novak tripled his season average with 16 points against Okawville, while also grabbing numerous key rebounds and helping Cuevas elude defenders. “Novak was big all night. He helped turn me loose,” said Cuevas, who now has 1,819 career points. “When he sets a screen it’s hard to get through.” The Indians jumped to a fast start at Jacksonville’s unique gym, The Bowl, leading 17-9 after one quarter. Novak had seven of Brimfield’s first nine points and Cuevas hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer. But Okawville rallied to within 25-23 at halftime, with only a Bret Gilles bucket halting a 10-2 run by the Rockets. In the third, Okawville took a lead at 26-25 on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Noah Frederking at 7:18. The Indians did not trail for long. From there Cuevas and Novak mixed baskets to take back the lead, including one Novak tally on a sweet series of passes from Jace Swietek and Nate Wallace. After Ryan Smith hit a trey for a 39-28 lead, Cuevas had a step-back jumper at the end of the third quarter for a 41-31 edge that got the Indians crowd roaring.

Memories of Brimfield’s 1979 team

The last Brimfield boys basketball team to earn a state berth also rolled into the tournament with just two losses. But Brimfield’s run in 1979 ended in the quarterfinals at Champaign’s Assembly Hall in a 74-43 loss to Timothy Christian. The Indians led only twice in that game, both on shots by Eddie Mathews in the first minute. Then after going up 54, Brimfield (29-3) watched Timothy Christian take over. Timothy Christian went on to lose the title game to Provi-

“We complement each other as a team and the crowd really helped,” Novak said. Okawville, which had won 13 straight despite a starting lineup of two sophomores and one junior, got no closer than eight in the final quarter as Cuevas, Novak and Swietek all had big baskets. Frederking led Okawville with 17 points (five below his season average) and Brad Fuhrhop had 10. Next up for Brimfield is a semifinal showdown Friday at 2 p.m. with fourth-ranked Colfax Ridgeview (31-1) at Carver Arena. Ridgeview avenged its only loss Tuesday with a 57-38 win over Flanagan-Cornell (23-10) at Normall. William Tinsley had 21 points to lead Ridgeview. Coached by Rodney Kellar, Ridgeview has started the same five players all year. Tinsley is a 64 gunner who made 89 treys as part of a school-record 319 treys (before

dence St. Mel, 33-21. Mathews finished with a team-high 18 points – five under his season average – but was 7-for-24 from the field. Mathews finished with 2,092 points in his career. Other key performers for Brimfield that year were 6-foot3 Duane Dunn (17 ppg), 6-3 center Greg Nevells (12 ppg), Joe Hanks (11 ppg) and Rod McKown (10 ppg). Brimfield’s only other supersection appearance was in 2012, a 58-48 loss to eventual Class 1A runner-up Carrollton.

the supersectional) – fourth-best in IHSA history. Other shooters include juniors Luke Ward (79 treys) and Drew Jones (69) and sophomore Tyler McCormick (56). “We have guys who can stretch a defense,” Kellar told the Bloomington Pantagraph. In other Class 1A action Tuesday, Mounds Meridian defeated CaseyWestfield 51-40 at Carbondale and Forreston ousted Chicago’s St. Francis deSales at DeKalb, 67-53. Those two will meet in Friday’s 12:15 p.m. semifinal. The Indians head to state with plenty of momentum, as Brimfield’s only defeats this season came within 24 hours to Elmwood (44-39) and Delavan (51-46) at the ICAC Conference tournament. Cuevas averages 21.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals, while Swietek (9 ppg), Wallace (9.5 ppg) and Novak (5 ppg, 7 rpg) offer balance.

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Weekly Post Sports

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Brimfield boys advance to 1A Final Four Brimfield routs No. 3 Springfield Lutheran

Okawville no match for Cuevas, Indians

By PHIL JOHNSON

By PHIL JOHNSON and JEFF LAMPE

LEWISTOWN – Brimfield crushed yet another highly ranked team last Friday to win its second sectional in six seasons and to advance to the Class 1A Elite Eight. Using turnover-forcing defense, inside and outside scoring and key contributions from all eight players in the regular rotation, Brimfield (31-2) had this game out of reach for opponent Springfield Lutheran well before the end of the third quarter of a 59-37 final. The loss was just the second of the season Swietek for Lutheran (30-2), Five 3-pointers which had been ranked No. 1 in Class 1A for part of the season and ended the season at No. 3. Meanwhile, Brimfield dropped out of the same final poll. So much for rankings. “All season we’ve had an eight- to nine-man rotation that can interchange so well, create scoring from a variety of spots on the floor and be able to deFor The Weekly Post

JACKSONVILLE – For much of this boys basketball season, Brimfield thrived on its 3-point shooting prowess. But not in the biggest game of the season Tuesday night at the Class 1A Jacksonville Supersectional. With a 53-38 State Finals win over No. 7 Friday Okawville, Brim• 12:15 - Mounds field (32-2) showed emphati- Meridian vs. Forreston • 2 - Brimfield vs. cally that it is a Ridgeview complete, balSaturday • 12:15 - Third place anced squad. Despite making • 2 - Class 1A title game just two 3-pointers, Brimfield routed Okawville (25-10), for its 18th straight win and first state visit since 1979. “We are a complete team,” said Brimfield Coach Scott Carlson, who is 391148 in 18 seasons at Brimfield and was visibly emotional in the closing seconds of this game. “Our seniors were all business on the bus ride here and our zone was good. And what a force (Brad) For The Weekly Post

These windows at Sherman’s Pharmacy in Brimfield were painted by Brimfield art students Monday to cheer on the boys basketball team. Photo by Jeff Lampe.

fend,” Brimfield coach Scott Carlson said. “Also, we make each other better in practice to prepare for games. “The very strong schedule we play during the season in the Prairieland, the ICAC, the ICAC tournament and the regionals has definitely prepared us well for this run.” Springfield Lutheran inside man Pierson Wofford led the team with 24 points. Carson Cuevas paced the Indians with 21 and Jace Swietek’s 15 were all on 3pointers.

The sectional final began like a baseball pitcher’s duel, with the Crusaders scoring first at 5:30. On the other end, Cuevas missed his first six shot attempts and Brimfield didn’t get on the board until the 2:36 tick with Nate Wallace’s basket. For the quarter, Brimfield shot 3for-13. The Indians avoided digging a hole, though, by forcing six Crusader turnovers early and many more as the game proceeded. Swietek hit a trey at Continued on Page 13

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Continued on Page 15