Thursday May 28, 2015 Vol. 3, No. 14
The Weekly Post
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Crawfords opening furniture store in Elmwood By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – A Fulton County institution may become another Elmwood institution when it opens its doors at the former Hick’ry Stick site on the south side of the square in time for Strawberry Festival here next week. Crawford’s Home Furnishings is a family business, too – one that hopes to make their enterprise part of the local business community. “Elmwood came to us,” said Crawford’s owner Aaron Thum. “We’ve been talking with [Elmwood Economic Development For The Weekly Post
director] Dick Taylor for about a month, plus [Every Little Thing store owner] Tracy Parrish – who worked for us for about eight years – and our goal is to partner with the city and work with everyone to be a good addition here. “There’ll be a grand opening later,” Thum continues. “We’re moving some things in, but it takes four weeks or so for our orders to get here.” The Elmwood store will have furniture and home décor only, including lamps, area rugs, etc., and plans to use the upstairs to showcase its inventory. Like the Canton location,
Princeville starts $8.2 million school project
Crawford’s Elmwood store will have a coffee area, Thum says. “We like to be a social gathering area, too,” he says. “In Canton we have two Bible study group, a book club and Chamber of Commerce meetings held there.” Customers should expect delivery service within days of purchases, Thum adds. “We’ll be delivering to both Canton and Elmwood to start,” he says. “Probably one or two days a week.” Thum says the Elmwood store will have two or three employees and hire locally. “We’re looking to fit in, to be members of the community,” he says.
MEMORIAL DAY 2015
By BILL KNIGHT
PRINCEVILLE – Groundbreaking for an $8.2 million building project at Princeville District 326 was Friday (May 22), but that was just a middle step. The final one will be a new Junior High School and gym and interior renovations throughout the Grade School and High School. The real start might be traced to last year’s referendum authorizing a bond by a vote of 782-387; or a similar April 2013 referendum, which barely lost, 480-463; or even four years ago, when the Board of Education hired Shannon Duling as superintendent and launched a facility needs assessment. Throughout, the community has been a vital part of the process. “There’s been a lot of community input and a lot of community support,” Duling said shortly before the school’s glee club began the ceremony by singing the National Anthem. “The community is strong. “Princeville has a long tradition of offering an exceptional educational program helping students reach their full For The Weekly Post
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The Thum family is bringing Crawford’s Home Furnishings to Elmwood's square where Hick’ry Stick formerly operated. Pictured are, clockwise from upper left, Aaron, A.J., Jessica and Vienna Thum. Photo by Bill Knight.
Billtown students shine at STEM By BILL KNIGHT
WILLIAMSFIELD – Eight Williamsfield students were among more than 600 students and 40 teachers from 17 Illinois high schools partnering with experts at top Illinois companies to solve complex, real-world Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Challenges last week at Motorola Mobility’s office in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart The Second Annual R&D STEM Learning Challenges Student Showcase on May 20 had the Illinois Science & Technology Institute (ISTI) and nine industry and academic partners assign school groups with realistic problems to help excite them about possibilities For The Weekly Post
As part of the Elmwood Memorial Day celebration, World War II veterans were honored in the annual parade. Pictured above, (clockwise from top left) in the wagon are Vince Hulslander, Lee Zink, Gene Shissler, Connie Dement, Al Dorich and Don Taylor. Not present was George Boyer. Farmington also recognized veterans at various stops throughout town. Photos by Jeff Lampe (top) and Dave Giagnoni (right).
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