The Weekly Post
Thursday March 14, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 4 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Elmwood zoning board approves elevator plan By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post
ELMWOOD – Elmwood’s Zoning Commission on Tuesday unanimously recommended the City Council approve Ag-Land FS’ revised development of its Elmwood Elevator at the foot of Magnolia Street. It was the month-old board’s first hearing, chair Tom Mottaz reminded the room. The $2.5 million project needed the board’s support for a special use under zoning regulations plus variances on the height of a new bin, setbacks from adjacent streets, the number of buildings on the lot, plus
landscaping and parking requirements. “This [project] is consistent with the goals of the city and its land-use plan,” said Elmwood Economic Development Officer Dick Taylor. “It will benefit public health by reducing dust and help public safety by re-
ducing traffic congestion.” Ag-Land Grain Manager Chuck Doubet said besides improving collection of corn-chaff dust from the air and reducing traffic congestion in the neighborhood during the busy season, the expansion also will benefit grain producers by streamlining the process. The new complex will change Elmwood’s skyline by adding a 122foot-tall bin that’s 105 feet in diameter, with a capacity of 750,000 bushels. That compares to the nearby 125-foot water tower and the elevator’s 90,000-bushel Continued on Page 2
Ticket to work offers help By DAVID L. GACA For The Weekly Post
The summer of 2007 felt like a bad dream for Terry Anderson. Reeling from a recent cancer diagnosis, she was downsized from the company where she’d worked for 11 years. “There was no severance. I had no insurance,” she said. “I was terrified.” Terry began receiving Social Security disability benefits and took an extended period of time away from work. Later, Terry learned about “one-stop career centers” that provide free employment-related support services through Social Security’s Ticket to Work program to people receiving Social Security benefits. She decided to
Weekly Post area recipients of old age, survivors and disability insurance premiums
see what the Iowa Workforce Development Center, her local one-stop, had to offer. There are more than 1,000 one-stop career centers across the nation. The one-stop staff explained that Social Security’s Ticket to Work program is designed for people who receive Social Security disability benefits and are committed to achieving self-suf-
ficiency through eventual full-time employment. Through the program, Iowa Workforce helped Terry coordinate her career preparation and job hunt. She updated her computer skills and built confidence in her prospects for long-term success. “They offered workshops on interview Continued on Page 2
Here is an artist’s rendition of the planned $2.5 million elevator expansion at the Ag-Land facility in Elmwood.
Area crime down in 2012 By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post
Rosefield Township last year had seven acts of vandalism, according to 2012 Crime Statistics Reports from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. That might be a typical weekend for Peoria or Galesburg, but to everyday crime victims, even one incident of breaking the law is serious. More serious crimes occurred last year in Kickapoo Township, which had higher numbers in assaults, burglaries, domestic battery, theft, criminal damage to property, accidents with injuries and accidents withStories? Ads? out injuries Visit with a staffer from The Weekly Post than other Weekly Mondays from noon Post-area to 1 p.m. in the Brimfield Public Library’s townships, conference room. according to the Peoria Sheriff’s Office. Kickapoo had 2 assaults, 12 burglaries, 12 cases of domestic battery, 64 thefts, 22 incidents of criminal damage to property, 13 accidents with injuries and 120 accidents without injuries, records show. Elsewhere in The Weekly Post circulation area, Brimfield Township and city together and Rosefield Township – between Edwards and Oak Hill, with Ill. Route 8 running through it – last
Capt. David Briggs of the Peoria County Sheriff's Office, looks over crime data from the Weekly Post area. Photo by Bill Knight.
year had a lot of accidents with injuries – 39 and 55, respectively. With a population of more than 7,000, according to the 2010 census, the number of Kickapoo Township residents is a factor, said Capt. David Briggs, Undersheriff of the office. “More residential subdivisions are going up, so: more people, more crime,” he said. “Generally, though, everything’s down some.” For example, there were 308 accidents county-wide in 2012 (not including the City of Peoria), compared to 310 the previous year. A drop in vandalism was more pronounced, from 41 in 2011 to 22 last year. Kickapoo Township extends from Continued on Page 2
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
Kickapoo chemist receives top honor
ZONING: Traffic will be reduced Continued from Page 1
From Weekly Post News Sources
KICKAPOO – Dr. Gregory Cote of Kickapoo was recently presented with the Chemist of the Year award by the Illinois Heartland Section of the American Chemical Society. Cote is a biochemist with the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria (or the Ag Labs as many people call the facility.) A native of Massachusetts, Cote earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at North Dartmouth, and his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He completed postdoctoral fellowships in Florida and New Mexico before moving to Central Illinois. Cote has more than100 publications in professional journals, is a frequent presenter at
Chemist Greg Cote of Kickapoo receives the Chemist of the Year award from the Illinois Heartland Section of the American Chemical Society.
national and international meetings, and completed a sabbatical at the University of Reading in Reading, England. In the past, he has also received the District Award of Merit and the Presidential Thousand Points of Light Award for his volunteer work with local Scout groups and the Patriot Guard Riders. He has lived in Kickapoo for more than 25 years with his wife Melinda. His three children are all graduates of Brimfield High School.
bin damaged by straightline winds in 2009. Traffic will be reduced by adding a scale and with better routing. “We’ll be able to unload a truck within three minutes,” Doubet said. Also, “we had 1,100 truckloads last fall. Since we’ll have more storage, we’ll also cut traffic about 40 percent because our outbound loads can be spread out over nine months instead of six weeks.” Ag-Land will move a sanitary sewer line before construction, and will accommodate a B Y E radio tower under language the zoning board stipulated – along with clarifying that they were recommending AgLand’s site plan as presented.
Here is an artist’s rendition of the planned elevator expansion at the Ag-Land facility in Elmwood.
It was more specific than the application, which had fewer details because of survey delays due to recent snow cover. The council on Feb. 19 unanimously approved vacating parts of the right of way of Rose and Lynn Streets adjoining Ag-Land FS’s elevator lots, and an alley on the north side of the site if the corporation agrees to pay $20,000, reimburse
the city for related legal fees, and pay to relocate any affected infrastructure. The council on Feb. 11 also voted to support Ag-Land’s general proposal. “The property taxes will increase with the increased value of the facility,” Doubet said. “And there’ll be jobs, in construction and in the operation itself.” Doubet said if the
council approves, construction could happen this summer to open in time for the fall harvest. As of press time, the City Council was to consider the measure on Wednesday evening but had not acted on it. The Zoning Commission is made up of Andrea Clark, Larry Cox, Jim Grimm, Pat McGuire, Mottaz, Allan Naumann and vice chair Val Ramirez.
WORK: Work without losing SSI benefits Continued from Page 1
skills,” she said. “I had my resume refurbished. I learned fresh strategies. At first, I was too proud to ask for help. I’m glad that I did.” While Terry was eager to move on, she was apprehensive about finding work and losing her benefits. Terry learned about special Social Security rules called “work incentives” that help people who receive disability benefits transition to the workforce and become financially self-sufficient. For example, people receiving disability benefits can keep their Medicare coverage and their cash benefits while gaining work experience during a Trial Work Period. Terry was relieved to learn about another Work Incentive called “expedited reinstatement,” allowing her Social Security cash bene-
fits to restart without a new application if she has to stop work within five years because of her disability. Another helpful Work Incentive, known as a “Plan to Achieve SelfSupport” (PASS), allows Social Security disability recipients who meet the income rules for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to set aside money to pay for items or services they need to reach a specific work goal. These can include educational expenses, training, job-related transportation, business startup costs, tools and equipment, childcare costs and even the cost of job interview clothes. By approving a PASS, Social Security agrees to exclude certain income that would normally lower an SSI payment amount. At the same time, the person agrees to go to work, with the
goal of eventually leaving disability benefits behind and becoming financially self-sufficient. In 2009, Terry found work as a Loan Servicing Specialist and a second job in retail where she trains cashiers and enjoys interacting with customers. Terry says she’s grateful that Social Security helped her “get through the storm.” She built a better life through work. She no longer receives Social Security disability benefits. “Now I’m healthy,” she says. “I have two jobs. I love both of them. Life is good.” With support from Ticket to Work and Iowa Workforce Development Center, Terry found her path to self-sufficiency. To learn more, call the Ticket to Work help line at 1-866-968-7842 (1-866-833-2967) or visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work
CRIME: Property crimes up slightly in area
My Place
Continued from Page 1
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east of Route 6 to Wildlife Prairie State Park in the west, with the area between Ill. Route 8 and Interstate 74 in its center. Its population is twice or more the size or more of Brimfield, Elmwood, Jubilee, Millbrook, Radnor and Rosefield Townships. But crime occurred to some degree throughout the area. For instance, Brimfield city and township together had 24 thefts; Elmwood had 10 incidents of criminal damage to property; Millbrook had a rape; and Radnor had a Driving Under the Influence arrest. Property crimes are up a little, Briggs said. “County-wide, we’re seeing a bit of an upswing in burglary in recent years,” he said.
In fact, the City of Peoria showed a 15.5 percent rise in burglaries from 2011 to 2012, plus increases in violent crimes overall (+15.2 percent) and aggravated assault (+14.4 percent), according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, which showed reports of theft, property crime and murder were about the same as 2011. Some of the property crime incidents county-wide could be tied to drugs, Briggs speculated. “We still have some of the meth-lab problem, with theft of anhydrous ammonia tanks and so on, but nothing like Tazewell County had,” he said. “Frankly, we see heroin as a growing problem, even in rural areas outside the City of Peoria.” Since the year-end report was
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compiled, crime statistics have reflected the 2012 experience, with Kickapoo Township once more leading, but Radnor Township – around Dunlap – in January and February also showing several serious crimes. Aside from traffic citations and accidents, the following isolated crimes were reported: Brimfield had one theft and one violation of an order of protection; Elmwood had one burglary; Jubilee had one domestic battery complaint; Millbrook (pop. 488) had no reported crimes besides a traffic ticket and an accident; Radnor had three drug arrests, one battery and 3three thefts; and Rosefield had one burglary and one act of vandalism.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
THE WEEK AHEAD Community Events s Meet candidates – Voters have a chance to meet candidates for the Brimfield School Board on March 21 at 7 p.m. in the high school commons area. Those running for the local school board include Lori Kreiter, David Harmon, Constance Johnson, Dan Heinz and John Moon. The public is invited and residents of the district can ask questions. Refreshments will be provided. The election is Tuesday, April 9. s Elmwood library – A program for adults and a program for kids are scheduled over the next 10 days at the Morrison and Mary Wiley Library on West Main in Elmwood. At 6:30 p.m. March 21, they’ll have an Adult Craft Program to make “Domino Necklaces.” Registration is required; phone (309) 742-2431. Later next week, they’ll have a “Little Princess Tea Party” at 10:30 a.m. March 23. Again, because space is limited, registration is required, so call or stop in to sign up. s Fall Festival meeting – The Elmwood Fall Festival committee meets to plan for its 2013 event today (March 14) at 6:30 p.m. at the Morrison and Mary Wiley Library, 206 W. Main St., Elmwood. The meeting comes days after the theatrical release of the new film “Oz The Great and Powerful,” which is timely since the 2013 festival will have a“Wizard of Oz” theme: “There’s no place like Elmwood.” The Fall Festival committee is asking for more volunteers. s Harvest Home meeting – Yates City’s Harvest Home Festival is scheduled for Aug. 16-17 this summer, and it’s having a fund raiser from 4:30-7 p.m. on March 21 at the Yates City Community Center. Dinners – available to dine in or carry out – will be beef stew, salad, roll and dessert. The festival’s these this year is “Heroes.” s Blood drives – Blood drives are being held in the area during March. March 22 at Elmwood High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3-6 p.m. s Dinner Theater – Maquon United Methodist Church has a dinner theatre presentation of the comedy/mystery The Wedding Gift Goof Up on March 22-23 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 to the play directed by Kenny Knox. For reservations call Gail Coffman at (309) 358-1222. s Band concert – Elmwood’s March band concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. today in the high school auditorium. s School carnival – The Williamsfield Elementary School Carnival is Friday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and the Elmwood Carnival is Saturday from 4-7 p.m.
Fund Raisers s Brimfield fire – Three events in the next two weeks will have the Brimfield Community Fire Protection District presenting community feeds: From 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, they’ll put on a fish fry at the Kickapoo Sportsman Club, on the south side of U.S. Route 150 between Kickapoo and Brimfield; From 6-11 a.m. March 24, they’ll have a pancake/sausage breakfast at their Kickapoo Station a block north of U.S. Route 150; and From 4:30-7 p.m. March 29, they’ll put on another fish fry at the Kickapoo Sportsman Club.. s Steak dinner – Williamsfield United Methodist Church has scheduled their annual Steak Supper for Saturday, March 23, 4:30-7 PM at the church at 407 Chicago Ave, Williamsfield. Besides rib eye steak cooked to your order, the menu includes a baked potato, salad, roll, dessert and drinks. The cost is $13, and carryout orders are also available.
Elmwood youth league signups ahead From Weekly Post News Sources
Ballplayers can be signed up for the Elmwood Youth League from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday March 20 at the Morrison and Mary Wiley Library, 206 W. Main St. Youngsters 5 and 6 years old can register for Tee Ball; Boys 7 to 14 will participate in baseball; girls 7-14 years old will take part in softball. The fee is the same as last summer: a $10 concession deposit must be paid with each child signing up (with a maximum of $20 per family). Parents who volunteer in the concession stand will receive the $10 back. For more information, phone Tony Hart (7423422).
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Richerson giving voice recital ELMWOOD – Klinton Richerson will give a voice recital at Elmwood Baptist Church on Sunday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. Klinton is the son of Jay and Deborah Richardson of Elmwood and is a junior at Maranatha Baptist Bible College. His recital will consist of sacred and classical numbers. He will be accompanied by Andrea Ly, who is majoring in music performance in piano. All are welcome to attend.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
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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 Website – www.wklypost.com Office Hours – 9-5 Mon-Thurs, 9-4 Fri News – Jeff Lampe 231-6040 Classifieds – Shelly Brodine 741-9790 Advertising – Jeff Lampe 231-6040 Contributors – Mit Beres, Terry Bibo, Keith Butterfield, Melinda Cote, Amy Davis, Kasey Eberle, Jon Gallagher, Roger Kepple, Bill Knight and Crystal Prahl Deadlines – News due Tuesdays by noon. Retail ads Mondays by noon. Classifieds Fridays by 2 p.m. Circulation – The paper is delivered via mail for free in Brimfield, Edwards, Elmwood, Kickapoo, Laura, Oak Hill, Williamsfield and Yates City. Subscriptions are available if you live outside the communities listed above. One year in Illinois $100. One year outside Illinois $150. Obituaries, Births, Weddings – Forms are available at our office at 115 W. Main St. in Elmwood. Quote of the Week: – “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West Seen by 10,000+ readers every week!
AGENDA 21 on MARCH 21
Leading authority on Agenda 21 and international speaker BILL JASPER will speak on Regulation Overload on Thursday, March 21 at 6 p.m. The FREE meeting will be at the Peoria Public Library, North Branch, 3100 Grand Parkway, Peoria, IL 61615 (off Allen Road beyond Menard’s).
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The missteps of youth and joys of sports Rambling through west-central Illinois pondering the misguided steps of my own youth. uuu At what age is a kid responsible for their actions? That’s the question we’ve been pondering for the past few days in discussions about what age threshold The Weekly Post will apply Jeff when it comes LAMPE to printing names in police reports. This issue contains news of an Elmwood pot bust that included youngsters whose ages ranged from 14-17. Are they old enough to be named? By Illinois law, a 17-year-old is not considered a juvenile. Some papers print the names of 17-year-olds. There are also cases of felonies or serious crimes where youngsters under the age of 17 have been named. So what is our policy? This is not something I take lightly, having encountered my own share of youthful indiscretions that – fortunately – nobody read about. That said, to me the age of 18 seems like a fair threshold. When you are 18, you can legally vote and once upon a time could be drafted. So if you are listed in a police report in this area at age 18 or older, plan to read your name in the pages of The Weekly Post. uuu Some feathers were ruffled by Mit Beres’ column about what he
perceives as an over-emphasis on youth sports. I agree he made some interesting points. There are too many organized activities for kids – so many that some kids have little idea how to play games by themselves. I also think parents spend too much of their lives watching kids play games. It is OK to miss a game here and there, and is probably healthy for both parties involved. Then again, I’m as guilty as the next parent of spending long hours at gyms, ball diamonds, tracks and grassy patches where kids kick balls or run races. Why? Part of me loves the experience of last weekend, when I was fortunate to watch two sons compete successfully in basketball tournaments at Bushnell. And I remain convinced the most important lessons kids learn in team sports have nothing to do with balls, nets or clocks. There is great value in dealing with teammates, handling adversity and learning to work hard enough to excel. Plus, some of the best “family time” I have with my boys comes driving to and from those games. uuu Talk about flashbacks, we got a copy of Madison Rodgers’ winning artwork promoting the Elmwood Carnival (this Saturday from 4-7 p.m.) and I was instantly transported back to the late 1970s. For a minute there I thought I was looking at a poster for a Blue Oyster Cult concert, or maybe a reunion of Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Whatever. Good work Madison, particularly
Thanks and keep an eye on academics To the Editor: Just wanted to send a big hooray! I came from a small town that had a local newspaper and I miss the local news. Especially the inability of the “big paper” to brag about our high school kids. Would like to see an article on the Brimfield High School WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) team which recently got second in the regionals. This team went to state the last two years with some kids medaling at state and got no coverage. Academics gets lost
sometimes as well. Of course, the reason I know is because I have kids on the team! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am glad someone is putting out a local paper. – Joan Golemon, Kickapoo Ed: We were not even aware of the WYSE program. But it sounds like a good story.
Keep it up To the Editor: I have enjoyed the first issues of the paper. Keep up the good work. Thanks. – Jerry Benson, Williamsfield
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for a fifth-grader. The poster makes we want to check out the carnival. And kudos to the Parents Club for dreaming up the contest. ... Speaking of flashbacks, I love the glimpse that Big Frank gives into the life of The Mayor of Oak Hill elsewhere in this paper. uuu Thanks to Jim Krusa of Brimfield for paying a visit during our weekly office hours at the Brimfield Public Library. Krusa and I share a few things in common: We both enjoy fishing and we both lived in Peoria before moving our families west, he to Brimfield, me to Elmwood. “It’s a nice area here with good school districts, that’s why we moved,” he said, pretty much echoing my own thought process. Krusa had only one complaint: no cookies, which I had brought the week before. Problem was, without any visitors I wound up eating too many of the delicious creations from Dianne Burwell. Fat guys like me can’t afford that many calories. ... We need more folks like Gayla Karrick to provide us news of Williamsfield. Call. Email. Keep us posted! ... Parting shot: I am sick of new taxes, but it seems these new fangled sales taxes devoted to school facilities may be a partial savior of small schools across Illinois. Many small school districts need building improvements yet realistically have no hope of funding such projects. And obviously, there will be no state money for bricks and mortar any time soon. Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com
Letter Policy The Weekly Post welcomes letters from our readers. Email us at editor@wklypost.com or mail to: Letters, The Weekly Post, P.O. Box 745, Elmwood, IL 61529. Include your first and last names, your full home address, home phone and a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Letters should be no more than 250 words and must be signed. Longer submissions of 500-600 words will be considered for our Other Voices feature. Letters will be edited and may be used in print or electronic form.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
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GUEST VOICES
Why I wear two pairs of glasses You don’t have to be a senior to have a senior moment ... but they sure seem to happen more often as you become more senior. I have a wonderful memory, clear as a bell. But it can become cloudy. I tell people that I can’t remember what I had for breakfast. (I have the same thing every morning.) Having said that, I do seem to have a probJon lem misplacing GALLAGHER things. I once had a co-worker who would assure me, whatever it was I was searching for, “It’ll be in the last place you look.” Well, duh! Who’d continue to hunt for something they just found? A few years ago I worked at Circuit City in Peoria and left with co-workers to the parking lot. Everybody else was chirping their cars unlocked, but I still had one of those old-fashioned, stickthe-key-in-the-door car. Trouble was, I couldn’t find the key. I went through my pants pockets. Twice. I went through my coat pockets. Twice. Finally, I decided to do it in an organized method. My pants had four pockets – two in front and two in the rear. I systematically searched each pocket, being careful to transfer what I was holding in my right hand to my left as my right hand went into my right-hand front pocket, then my left. I then transferred what I was holding in my left to my right hand and repeated the process for the left side. My keys were NOT in my pants pockets. I followed suit with my coat pockets, even though there were only two of them. No keys. My boss was in his car and heading out of the parking lot but I managed to flag him down. He pulled up and rolled down his window and I told him that I might have left my keys inside on the counter or somewhere. I asked nicely if he could let me back in. Fortunately, my boss knew me
well. “Your keys,” he said, making sure he understood what I couldn’t find. “Yes. My keys.” “Do they look anything like the ones you’re holding in your hand?” Let’s face it. There was no way to save face on that one. I could still hear him laughing after I’d slammed my car door and started my car. My keys were what I had been transferring from hand to hand while searching my pockets. Glasses seem to be my bane as well. I’ve worn glasses since I was in second grade. Back in the late ’80s, I started doing counted cross-stitch, a hobby that requires intricate little cross-stitches on cloth with tiny holes spaced either 14 or 28 to the inch (the more holes, the more intricate the design). Some of my finished projects involve more than 70,000 of these little stitches. I discovered after several years of doing this regularly, my eyes got stronger. The optometrist told me that doing the cross-stitch was like exercising my eyes and that I had actually made them stronger. From the mid ’90s through about three years ago, I didn’t need to wear glasses at all. Unfortunately, even if exercised regularly, muscles get weaker as you age. It got so that in order to do cross-stitch – or read, for that matter – I needed reading glasses. Instead of paying $50-100 for glasses at a real eye doctor’s office, I went to a discount store and got a pair for a buck. In fact, I’ve ended up buying several pair of them. That’s because I keep losing them. Since I only need them to read, I tend to wear them while sitting at the computer, cross-stitching on the couch, reading in bed or while sitting on the … well, you get the idea … and sometimes while reading the instructions in a recipe book or off of the back of a box of something I’m about to offer up in the kitchen as a burnt offering. Because I have a tendency to take the glasses off when I’m not using them, I have trouble keeping track of them. For example, if I’ve been working at the computer
and walk back to the bedroom, I might take the glasses off and lay them anywhere between said computer and said bedroom. It’s not that far between the two, but figuring out exactly where I’ve put them down just about drives me nuts. As a result, I bought several pair so I can just leave a pair everywhere I might need them. You’ll find two pair on my computer desk, one on the kitchen table, another on the counter by the stove, plus two on my headboard, two with my cross-stitch project (two different magnifications!), and, naturally, one in the bathroom. One afternoon, while writing, I got up from the computer and headed for the kitchen to start supper. For some reason, the pair of glasses from the counter was missing, so I went back to get the pair from the computer desk. Both pair were gone. I grabbed the pair from the kitchen table and proceeded to make supper. After supper, I sat down in front of the TV to watch a movie and do some stitching. I returned the pair to the kitchen table and grabbed the set from my stitching bag. A friend stopped by and looked at me quizzically when I opened the door. “Why do you have two pair of glasses on?” he wanted to know. The first pair that I had misplaced were on top of my head. I was still wearing the pair from the cross-stitching. Now if I can’t find glasses where they should be, the first (and, OK, the last) place I check is on top of my head. That’s happening with alarming frequency. I guess accepting the fact that senior moments are coming more often is just something I’m going to have to learn to live with. I’ll just keep writing until the brain gives out completely. Before I started this piece I was going to write about the guy who smashes watermelons with a big mallet. But I can’t remember his name.
Pay attention and relish the spring season As I write this, it is March 9. Tomorrow we will “leap forward” as we set our clocks one hour ahead. I once thought that action signified the beginMit ning of spring, BERES but that was never really the case.
And tomorrow will be no different. Spring will arrive, and it is likely summer will follow sooner than we might hope. But even if it is a short interlude, it will make a significant difference in our attitudes about the winter just past and the summer that lies ahead. I enjoy a special affinity for spring. I love to see the fields and yards
turn green, the minutes of daylight that have increased each day since December become more noticeable, and the rains bringing with them a cleansing and ultimately the fragrances of flowers and the glory of the trees as leaves return to embellish the gaunt winter skeletons we’ve seen for too many months. All that is left for me to do is to pay attention to what is happening and relish it.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
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PUBLIC RECORD Police Reports s Route 150 – A semi tractor-trailer rig with a oversized load struck a support wire crossing U.S. Route 150 the afternoon of March 6, according to driver Brandon Allen, 40, of Charlotte, N.C. The truck pulled the wire, which broke the utility pole to which it was attached, according to police reports. No tickets were issued; no injuries were reported. s Elmwood – A 17-year-old Elmwood driver lost control of her vehicle about 8 a.m. last Tuesday on Ill. Route 78. The car left the road and struck a fence post. No one was injured in the accident.
Elmwood pot bust ELMWOOD – An Elmwood teen and three local juveniles on March 8 were charged with possession of marijuana after Elmwood police interviewed them in a car parked illegally on the north side of the square. A 17 year old, a 14 year old, a 15 year old and a 16 year old, all made written statements about acquiring drugs and were charged with a violation of a city ordinance: possession of more than 2.5 grams and less than 10 grams of cannabis. The car of the 17-year-old was impounded and the youths all were released to their parents. The charge has a $300 fine if paid within 30 days. The
youths face an April 25 court date.
Brimfield burglary report BRIMFIELD – Mark McKown of Brimfield reported an apparent breaking-and-entering incident on the evening of March 10, but he noticed nothing missing from his residence. Sheriff’s officers filed the incident as a criminal damage to property and trespassing, and they continue to investigate.
Motorists 5, Deer 0 In four incidents last Monday and a fifth last Wednesday, motorists struck deer, which damaged their vehicles. On March 4, Gary Larsen, 68, of West Peoria about 6 p.m. hit a deer on Southport Road in Kickapoo Township; about 6:30 that evening, Nicholas Mahrt, 30, of Peoria, collided with a deer on Thousand Dollar Road in Jubilee Township; about the same time, also on Thousand Dollar Road, Michael Cameron, 51, of Altona, hit a deer; and at 7:30 p.m. Deb Franciscovich, 46, of Hanna City, reported hitting a deer on Eden Road in Rosefield Township. On March 6, 49-year-old Darryl Johnson of Hanna City about midnight struck a deer on Ill. Route 8 in Kickapoo Township.
Marriage License Sunny B. Swearingen and Kenneth W. Spencer, Washington, Ill.
January-February 2013 Real Estate Transactions Date 1/2 1/3 1/03 1/4 1/7 1/10 1/11 1/15 1/15 1/22 1/30 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31 1/31 2/7 2/13 2/14 2/14 2/15 2/15 2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/22 2/22 2/27 2/27
Address Pt of SW Qtr 25-10-7/Radnor 15604 W. Brimfield-Jubilee Rd/Brimfield 607 W. Main St./Elmwood 122 W. Calhoun St./Brimfield 6902 N. Grand Fir Drive/Edwards 7124 N. Dogwood Lane/Brimfield 3 Pts. of N. 1/2 of SW Qtr 35-10-7/Radnor 15014 W. Winchester Dr./Brimfield 300 N. Knox St./Elmwood 8026 N. Mcintyre Rd./Brimfield 8312 N. Coolidge/Edwards 303 E. Harrison St./Elmwood 8012 N. Blackbridge Rd./Edwards 8000 N. Blackbridge Rd./Edwards 7615 W. Route 150/Edwards 7605 W. Route 150/Edwards 9809 N. Fox Creek Drive/Brimfield 6713 N. Sumac Rd./Edwards 6832 N. Buckeye Drive/Edwards Lot 157 Copperfield Sec 5/Radnor 14902 W. Schlink Rd./Brimfield 3 pts. 9919-9921 W. Route 150/Edwards 6118 W. Waterstone Way/Edwards 8022 N. Blackridge Rd./Edwards 404 W. Clinton St./Brimfield Pt of SW Qtr 33-10-6/Jubilee Pt of NW Qtr 17-9-7/Kickapoo Pt of NW Qtr 17-9-7/Kickapoo 523 E. Ash St./Elmwood 3 Pts. 4921 N. Texas Rd./Elmwood 10717 W. Route 150/Brimfield 12822 W. Southport Rd./Brimfield 501 Clay St./Brimfield
Amount $774,750 $400,000 $60,975 $130,250 $255,000 $129,000 $72,000 $337,000 $59,000 $200,000 $82,500 $83,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $19,500 $231,000 $396,900 $273,000 $51,000 $57,300 $149,500 $325,000 $20,000 $120,000 $54,442 $8,600 $25,800 $170,000 $379,000 $208,750 $115,000 $179,000
Grantor/grantee Shea Fam Unitrust/Fields Crossing Altorfer/Altorfer Arbogast/Arbogast Hud/Pacey Ramia/Shierer,Ritchie Powell/Buskirk Hoerr (Tr)/City of Peoria Sherman/Shane King, Wilson/Shoop Stanton Farms LLC/Rynearson Kelch/Kelch Hart/Crozier Traders Development Corp/Sarraf Traders Development Corp/Sarraf Traders Development Corp/Sarraf Traders Development Corp/Sarraf Weisbruch (Tr)/Mackey, Skuse Chenevert/Shake Shuttari/Ren Traders Development Corp/Martin Peters Estate/Koelling Gilles Estate/Feuchter Wilkins Trust/Kolbus Traders Dev Corp/Hammitt Weller, Hectorne/Grachek Peters/Kelch Cramer/Peterson Cramer/Peterson Schafer/Dunkel Stone, Pellegrind-Stone/Fike Gilles/Cook JP Morgan Chase Bank/Andrews Blodgett/Johnson
BUSY SHOW: While outdoors items were featured at the Elmwood All Outdoors Show March 2-3, another 40-plus vendors packed St. Patrick’s Church in Elmwood on that Saturday. Event organizer Jill Gensler of Elmwood, above, said more than 200 people attended the fund-raiser for St. Patrick’s Altar & Rosary group. Photo by Crystal Prahl.
IN BRIEF Apply now for scholarships ELMWOOD – The Elmwood Business Women are awarding scholarships, and applications are now available from Counselor Janelle Meyers at Elmwood High School. Graduates from this year and also previous years are eligible. The deadline is the end of the school day on March 22. For other details, phone Jeanne Almasi (742-7141) or Denise Hotz (642-
School District 322 will introduce themselves and answer questions at a 6 p.m. forum next Wednesday at the High School auditorium. Expected are Mark David, Bill Frietsch, Rick LeHew and Fred Paige.
Story hour back at Williamsfield library
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WILLIAMSFIELD – Story hours are again scheduled for the Williamsfield Public Library on Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. through May 1 for ages 35. There will be no story Hour on March 20.
Meet school board candidates
Register for Knox Co. Bright Futures
ELMWOOD – Four candidates for three seats on the Board of Education for Elmwood Community
Anyone interested in Preschool for your 3 or 4 year old? Knox County Learning Check-ups are
being scheduled now for Bright Futures & Head Start Public Preschool programs. For an appointment please call: 639-2216 or for general information call 973-2031.
Easter Egg hunt set for Doubet park WILLIAMSFIELD – The community Easter Egg Hunt will be at the Doubet-Benjamin Park in Williamsfield on Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. This event is for toddlers through 10 year olds. Rain location will be in the Williamsfield School. Door prizes and an Easter Hat parade will be part of the event ... a prize for the most creative hat on parade!
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE • FREE DOG: Six-year old Llewellin setter white and liver in color free to a good home. Outdoor dog but has been inside some. Points pheasants, quail, rabbits, sparrows, mice and grouse. Low tail, though. 309-2316040. • AVAILABLE: AKC Gold Retriever pups ready just in time for Easter. DNA parentage and OFA bloodline. Dews removed. $500 309-678-7004. • VACUUM CLEANER: Kirby Upright Sweeper, Model 610 D, instructional CD, attachments, carpet
shampooer, $700. 309-6353791 • PLATE BOAT: 2007 AAD custom 20-foot plate boat, 115 hp Yamaha four-stroke, 84” beam, livewell, jackplate, tandem-axle trailer, boat in very nice shape beckbeer69@hotmail.com.
FOR RENT
• 213 N. Daniels, Elmwood: 3 BR, 2 BA, 2-stall garge. No smoking. No pets. $825/mo. Deposit required. 309-253-9753.
HELP WANTED
• FULL-TIME POSITION: Lawn maintenance. Call between 8-10 a.m. Monday-Friday. 309-243-2608.
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Classified Rates Classified ads cost $7 for up to 20 words and must be prepaid. Call (309) 741-9790 or visit The Weekly Post at 115 W. Main St. in Elmwood. Forms will soon be available at www.wklypost.com.
WANTED • DECOYS, CALLS: Seeking old duck decoys, duck paintings, duck calls and other waterfowl-related items. 309-741-9790.
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Scholastic bowl third at sectional By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post
ELMWOOD – The season for Elmwood’s Scholastic Bowl ended Saturday when the regional champions finished third in sectional competition at Wethersfield in Kewanee. Elmwood defeated Port Byron/Riverdale 350-100 before losing to Putnam County 210-160 and 450-190 to Peoria Christian, which won the Sectional and will advance to the state tournament at the Peoria Civic Center on Friday.
Peoria Christian won state last year. Elmwood, which beat Peoria Christian in match play earlier this season en route to a 4810 records, ends 2012-13 as the Prairieland Conference champion for the third straight year as well earning the school’s first regional championship. Elmwood also: • won the 26th Annual Helen Bishop Peoria County Tournament; • finished third in the Peoria Area League, made up of Class AA as
well as Class A schools including Dunlap, Richwoods and Washington; • was runner-up at the 2012 River City Classic Tournament, where the team defeated University High School from Normal before dropping the championship match to Mahomet-Seymour; • won the Masonic Academic Bowl Sectional and placed fourth overall at the Masonic State Competition in Springfield, where the team’s two losses were to top 10 teams: Litchfield and Cumberland;
• had teammates Michael and Matthew Bledsoe named top players in the Prairieland Conference, top scorers in the Peoria Area League and to the IHSA All-Sectional Scholastic Bowl Team. Also, Elmwood’s junior varsity Scholastic Bowl squad was the championship team at the Prairieland Conference Frosh/Soph Tournament this year, the third championship in the last four years there.
Brimfield library offers more than books
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By JEFF LAMPE Weekly Post Staff Writer
BRIMFIELD – There are plenty of books to read on the shelves in Brimfield Public Library. But there is much more to read, watch, hear, see and experience in this bright, modern facility in the heart of Brimfield. “We move with the times,” library director Patti Smith said. “It’s not just about books any more. We’re just like a community center here with all the things that are here. “And it’s a beautiful atmosphere that we’re really proud of.” With good reason. In addition to abundant natural light, the library offers numerous comfortable chairs that lend themselves to reading and relaxing. The atmosphere owes plenty to good timing. For years, the Brimfield library operated on a shoestring budget provided by the village. There was no room in that budget ($18,000 in the last year as a village library) for a major renovation. But in early 2000 Smith and others in the community made a bid to upgrade to the present 8,125 square foot facility by becoming a school district library, which boosted the tax base from 800 people to nearly 4,000 people. The other key factor when the library was ramping up for the much-needed improvement was that the state of Illinois still had grant money to finance such a project. “We were part of the last round of the big $250,000 grants,” said Smith, who has been library director since 1984. Once work was completed in 2002, usage of the facility increased dramatically – going from 800 books checked out in a month to as many as 4,000 per month these days.
E LM W O O D E LE M E N T A R Y C A R N IV A L
The Brimfield Public Library has three full-time staffers. From left to right are Tina Kellstadt, library director Patti Smith and assistant director Glenda Wilson. Photo by Jeff Lampe.
In addition to the books, the library has six computers and a growing array of multimedia options such as digital books. Youth activities are at the center of the library’s mission and are housed in a large children’s room where programs range from after school art to Book Babies sessions (Tuesdays from 10:30-11 a.m.) and eventually on to a seven-week summer reading program. “There’s something going on every week here, even in the winter,” Smith said. “That’s one of our challenges – to get the word out about everything we have.” Glenda Wilson of Brimfield is Smith’s assistant and Tina Kellstadt also works full-time. The library also employs six other part-time workers. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10-6 and Saturdays from 10-2. For more information visit www.brimfieldlibrary.org or call (309) 446-9575.
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ELMWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN
OPEN HOUSE/PRE-REGISTRATION Elmwood Grade School will be holding Kindergarten Pre-Registration and Open House for next year’s parents and students on: TUESDAY, March 19, 2013 • 6:00-7:30 P.M. at ELMWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL In order for your child to register for next year’s class they must be 5 years of age before September 1, 2013. We are asking parents to bring the following: • Copy of your child’s birth certificate. • Physical/Dental/Eye Exam/Immunization records, if they are complete. • Statement of Lead Poisoning Screening • Your child’s social security number • Emergency phone numbers • Any information regarding medication, doctor orders, allergies, etc. ALL PAPERWORK IS DUE AT AUGUST REGISTRATION Don’t miss a great evening! • Bus rides for the kids and parents! • Meet the teachers! See the classrooms! • Tour the school! • Learn about the curriculum! If you are unable to attend this evening please call the Elmwood Elementary School Office (742-4261). You can pre-register at any time.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
Area Church Listings BRIMFIELD Baptist Church S. Jefferson St., Brimfield (309) 446-9754 Brimfield Evangelical Free Church 11724 N. Maher Rd Brimfield (309) 446-3571 Brimfield United Methodist Church Pastor Leonard Thomas 135 S. Galena St., Brimfield (309) 446-9310 St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 314 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3275 www.stjosephbrimfield.org St. Paul’s Lutheran Rev. Michael Liese 228 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3233 Sunday – 10 a.m. service Union Church 105 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3811 Pastor Stephen Barch Zion Episcopal Church 205 E. Van Buren St. Brimfield (309) 446-3811
EDWARDS Bethany Baptist Church 7422 N. Heinz Lane Edwards (309) 692-1755 Bethel Bible Church 9728 W. Powder Mill Rd. Edwards (309) 676-3217
Sponsor This Listing! Call (309) 231-6040
THE FARM FIELD
Sunday – 10 a.m. mass
Christ Alive! Community Church 9320 West US Highway 150 Edwards Korean Presbyterian Church of Peoria 7910 N. Ford Rd., Edwards (309) 683-8556
ELMWOOD Crossroads Assembly of God Pastor Tim Cavallo 615 E. Ash St. Elmwood Sunday – 10:30 a.m. service (309) 830-4259 Elmwood Baptist Church Pastor Dennis FitzgeraldPastor Jay Richerson 701 W. Dearborn, Elmwood (309) 742-7631 Sunday – 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. services Wednesday – 7 p.m. service First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood Pastor Marla Bauler 201 W. Evergreen, Elmwood (309) 742-2631 Sunday – 10:30 a.m. service St. Patricks Catholic Church Father Paul Stiene 802 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-4921 Saturday – 4 p.m. mass
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United Methodist Church Pastor Mark Graham 821 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-7221 www.elmwoodumc.org Sunday Sunday school 9 a.m. New Day Worship 9 a.m., Service 10:30 a.m.
KICKAPOO St. Mary’s 9910 W. Knox St. Kickapoo (309) 691-2030
LAURA Lafa United Methodist Church Pastor Kristi Berkebile Hopp 20300 W. Walnut Creek Rd. Laura (309) 995-3371
WILLIAMSFIELD St. James Catholic Church 111 S. Olive St. Williamsfield (309) 446-3275 Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Williamsfield United Methodist Church Pastor Jennifer Seder 430 N. Chicago Ave. Williamsfield (309) 639-2389 Sunday – 11 a.m.
YATES CITY Faith United Presbyterian Church 107 W. Bishop St. Yates City, IL 61572 (309) 358-1170
Threat to pork price gains By DEBRA LEVEY LARSON University of Illinois Extension
Hog prices have dropped sharply in the last month, falling from about $67 per live hundredweight in early February to $58. Futures prices have followed suit, with April lean hog futures dropping about $7.50 since the beginning of February. These declining prices raise concerns over the spring price recovery and whether that recovery will be strong enough to push hog prices up to breakeven levels as had been expected. “Supply is not the culprit,” said Purdue University Extension economist Chris Hurt. “Over the last four weeks, pork production has been down nearly 1 percent compared to the same weeks a year ago. With smaller supplies over this four-week period, prices have been $3.80 per hundredweight lower than during the same period in 2012. This means that price weakness is coming from demand concerns. “The first of those concerns is the weakened buying power of U.S. consumers,” Hurt continued. “Unusually high gasoline prices for this time of year and increased payroll taxes since Jan. 1 have reduced the buying power of consumers. Second, the recent discussions around potential furloughing of federal meat inspectors due to sequestration have probably had a numbing effect on hog prices. If plants were to shut down some days, they would not buy hogs for those days, thus weakening hog prices.” However, Hurt continued, the largest demand concerns are a result of recent trade issues. “Pork exports have become a very important part of hog prices,” he said. “In 2012, the volume of pork exports represented 23 percent of total U.S. production. The first threat came in early February when Russia banned
imports of U.S. pork due to their stated concerns over U.S. ractopamine use. Russia was the sixth largest buyer of U.S. pork in 2012, and that volume represented 1.2 percent of U.S. production. The loss of Russian business would not be terribly bearish due to their small share, but later in February China also announced that they were going to more closely check imports of U.S. pork for ractopamine. Last year China’s pork purchases from the U.S. represented 3.4 percent of total U.S. production volume.” Adding to worries about the ability to sell pork into the world market is the ongoing decline of the buying power of the Japanese yen, which has dropped by 12 percent in 2013 and by 16 percent since last October, according to Hurt. Japan is the largest U.S. pork buyer, purchasing 6 percent of U.S. production volume in 2012. A decline in the yen makes U.S. pork prices higher in Japan by a similar percentage. “These demand concerns have lowered hog price expectations such that the industry may not return to profitability this spring,” Hurt said. “The current outlook suggests the industry will have to wait until late summer for breakeven conditions when feed prices can decline if more normal corn and soybean crops develop. “With the more cautious tone, hog prices are expected to only average about $66 in the second quarter with costs of production near $70 per live hundredweight. Third-quarter hog prices are expected to remain near $66,” Hurt said. “Lower corn and soybean meal prices in the late summer would bring third-quarter costs to around $66 and enable the industry to break even by late July or August.”
New tornado app for smart phones From Weekly Post News Sources
A new Tornado App from the Red Cross can give iPhone, iPad and Android smart phone and tablet users instant access to local and realtime information, so they know what to do before, during and after a tornado, according to Erin Miller of the Red Cross’ Central Illinois Chapter. The new app includes a high-pitched siren and “tornado warning!” alert that signals people when a tornado warning has been issued in their area by NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) – even if the app is not in use. An “all clear!” alert lets users know when such warnings expire or are cancelled. Such features are useful in rural areas or communities without storm-warning sirens.
Other features of the app include: • Location-based tornado, severe thunderstorm and flood watch and warning alerts; • enhanced weather maps; • one-touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends that they are out of harm’s way; • simple steps and checklists people can use to create an emergency plan and share it with household members; • preloaded content
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that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity. The new Tornado App and others are available online at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to the Website redcross.org/mobileapps.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
Page 9
1. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is Mount Ararat located? 2. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel "The Color Purple"? 3. DANCE: Who wrote the score for the American ballet "Rodeo"? 4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president served as a congressman in the House of Representatives after finishing his presidential term? 5. HISTORY: What was the year of the first Thanksgiving feast in the New World? 6. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a hand? 7. MEDICAL: What is a common name for the medical condition alopecia? 8. TELEVISION: What was the theme song to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"? 9. ART: In what U.S. city is the National Gallery of Art located? 10. MOVIES: What was the name of the 2004 movie with the tagline, "A True Underdog Story"?
FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 8
Answers 1. Turkey 2. Alice Walker 3. Aaron Copland 4. John Quincy Adams 5. 1621 6. Four inches 7. Baldness 8. "Love Is All Around" 9. Washington, D.C. 10. "Dodgeball" (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.
Coach’s Corner: The three that got away Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of stories from long-time Elmwood coach and athletic director Frank Mavetz.
I started archery in my PE class and Terry McCoy (from Oak Hill) came up to me around 1971 or 1972 and asked Big Frank if I wanted to go MAVETZ deer hunting with a bow and arrow. I said sure. I remember the year because that was when Terry’s son Tony was born. I’d come over at 4 or 5
in the morning and little Tony would always be crying away while his mom gave him a bottle. Well, we probably went out for five or six years and I never saw a deer. I went to the same stand down by Trivoli probably 50 or 60 times without seeing a deer. Terry even said to me, “I don’t know why you keep going, you never see anything.” I went over one morning and he said, “Frank, a student from Oak Hill got a bow and arrow for Christmas. We’ll put him in your stand and he’ll never see anything.” So I went to a different stand. When we got ready to leave we
were walking out and there was snow on the ground. As we came back to get this kid out of my stand, we saw three different sets of deer tracks. There had been three deer bedded under the tree. We looked up and he had an arrow nocked. I asked him, “Did you shoot?” He said no. It was his first time out. He had just got a bow. He got buck fever. That was my luck deer hunting back then. The first day he’s in there a buck and two does came in and he never shot. Me, I was out there for almost seven years and never saw a deer.
Poetry Club meets each month From Weekly Post News Sources
EAST PEORIA – The Peoria Poetry Club welcomed Bradley Associate Professor, Dr. Thomas Palakeel as guest speaker last month. He is part of a local group of writers known as the Grandview Drive Poets. Palakeel, an animated and engaging speaker shared his life along with his poetry. The Peoria Poetry Club meets the second
Saturday of each month at Riverview Senior Living Community, located at 500 Centennial Drive, East Peoria. Guests are welcome to bring a lunch at 11:30, read an original poem of their choice, at noon roll call, and enjoy the program at 1 p.m. Club officers for 2013 are: President and Attendance Secretary - Lois Funk, of Manito, Vice President and Correspondence Secretary - Nel
Babitzke, of East Peoria, Treasurer - Mable Tanner, of Yates City, Program Chairman - George Tanner, of Yates City, and Historian and Website Chairman - Bill Renski, of Peoria. For further information contact Lois Funk at 309 545-2365, or Nel Babitzke at 309 822-8308, or please visit our website at peoriapoetryclub.com.
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Dawson Chiropractic
• Neck and back pain • Extremity complaints • Traction/decompression available and affordable • X-rays not necessarily required • Blue Cross, Humana, Medicare Provider
309-742-8921
116 N. Magnolia St. • Elmwood, IL
Page 10
THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
OBITUARIES Martha Ann Bublitz
REMEMBER WHEN
Today’s Obituaries
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. – Martha Ann “Marty” Bublitz, 64, of Brookings, Calif., formerly of Peoria and the sister of a Brimfield man, died in Crescent City, Calif., on March 4. Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Vince and Cathy Bublitz of Brimfield, and her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Stenger and Don Nelson of Bartonville. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.
• Martha Ann Bublitz, 64, Crescent City, Calif. • May O. Flickinger, 91, Williamsfield • Thomas L. Johnson, 86, Peoria • Mary E. Shultz, 80, Williamsfield
both of Peoria; four grandchildren, Jessica Johnson, Katrina (Nicholas) Craven, Benjamin Johnson and Robert Thomas Johnson, all of Elmwood; two great-grandchildren, Elyse and Anika Craven, both of Elmwood; and one brother, H. William (Fran) Johnson of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Funeral services were Wednesday at the Forrest Hill United Methodist Church. Burial is planned for Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria Condolences may be made at www.woolsey-wilton.com.
May O. Flickinger WILLIAMSFIELD – May Olive Flickinger, 91, Williamsfield, died at home on Monday. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Williamsfield United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Williamsfield Cemetery. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Thomas L. Johnson PEORIA – Thomas L. Johnson, 86, father of an Elmwood man, died at his home in Peoria on Saturday. He is survived by his wife, Emily “Jean” of Peoria; three children, Phil (Catherine) Johnson of Elmwood, Jual (Randy) Markillie and Jeffrey Johnson,
THE OLD ICE POND: Boaters paddle on the old Humphreys Ice Pond once located near the intersection of E. Ash St. and N. Putnam in Elmwood. Ice would be cut in the winter, packed in sawdust and stored in a shed for use later in the year. Photo courtesy of Bruce Howard.
Cleaning helps beat cabin fever
Mary E. Shultz
From Weekly Post News Sources
WILLIAMSFIELD – Mary E. Shultz, 80, of Williamsfield, died last Friday at Rosewood Care Center in Galesburg. Cremation was accorded and a memorial service was held on Tuesday at Rux Funeral Home in Williamsfield. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be made at www.ruxfuneralhome.com.
If you’re cooped up, in a rut, and ready for some fresh air and sunshine, you’re probably suffering from Cabin Fever, says a University of Illinois Extension family life educator. Cabin Fever is real, described in the dictionary as “extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time.” But there are treatments, according to educator Chelsey Byers. “If you do have Cabin Fever, there are remedies available,” she says. “Rearrange a room to make it feel new, or start spring cleaning a little early.
Obituary Policy: We print basic obituaries for free. Longer obituaries cost $1 per column inch.and $5 per picture. Forms are available at The Weekly Post Office, 115 W. Main St. Elmwood, IL. Or please call us at 309-741-9790.
TANNOCK ELECTRIC INC.
742-4403 Elmwood, IL 24-Hour Service
Residential Commercial Industrial
Please Join Us For The...
Chuck Foster Family Benefit At Brimfield American Legion Post #452 Saturday, March 16 2-6 p.m. Bake Sale Raffles Food Drinks Music Silent Auction
Thank You & Hope to See You There!
ELMWOOD SUMMER YOUTH LEAGUE Baseball • Softball • Teeball Signups at Morrison and Mary Wiley Library Wednesday, March 20 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. Or Visit...
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Check out the Website above for fee details and enter your email to join our mailing list. Questions? Call or Text: Tony Hart – 712-3422
Spring cleaning rids us of some of the winter germs, gets us moving, and frees up our time later when the weather is nice and we have more options of things to do.” Byers also advises shaking your sedentary self up and adding some movement to your day. “But there’s no need to shell out money for a gym membership,” Byers continues. “Work around your house or walk inside the mall. Best of all, take advantage of days that are a bit warmer and go outside for a brisk walk.” Getting fresh air, even for brief amounts of time, is great for us.
BASEBALL: Harkness a top bat, likely closer Continued from Page 12
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Harkness and juniors Danny Dwyer and Nick Groeper. Right fielder Harkness led the team in home runs last year and hit .360. The lefty is expected to move into the closer role this year. Shortstop/pitcher Dwyer is also expected to contribute at the plate after hitting .395 as a junior and leading the team with game-winning RBIs. “He really does it in the clutch,” Paxson said. Second-baseman Herridge is in his second year batting in the No.
2 spot in the lineup and Groeper had five homeruns as a sophomore. Top candidates for the No. 1 starter role are Dwyer, Groeper and Jehle, who also play shortstop, centerfield and catcher respectively when not pitching. “They are really competing for that top spot on the mound and it;s kind of hard to see who will be stepping up as we go outside,” Paxson said. Senior Clay Stage will also see time on the mound. Beyond that
SOFTBALL: Strong offensively Continued from Page 12
Topping a 2012 record of 26-4 may seem like a tough task after graduating five players, but Jones thinks his current team could be his strongest offensive group yet. Hoping to rekindle their triumphs of last year, juniors Kerrigan Dura and Bekka Roberts, have been impressive with their hard work and leadership in the pre-season Jones said. Senior Paige Carver is expected to continue her role as a defensive catalyst. Jones also sees potential for talented new starters to become major contributors to the team, naming freshmen Morgan Ledbetter and Kennedy Dura and sophomore Kendra Gorham.
Great talent has come through the Brimfield/Elmwood softball program in recent years. Shortstop Samantha Gudat graduated last year and now plays for Illinois Central College. As a Prairieland All-Conference selection for the Lady Indians, she was recognized as one of the state’s best players at the 22nd Annual Super 60 Senior All-Star Classic. Jones was also named as a coach for that All-Star Classic. “Sam was a great leader for us on and off the field, setting a high standard for our ladies and our team,” he said. While no one player can be exactly replaced, Jones says there are many girls stepping up to the plate, ready to play.
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Paxson sees some very healthy competition for starting spots. “We’ve got lots of sophomores competing and we really haven’t inked an official varsity roster at this time,” Paxson said. Unlike last year, when a mild spring had practice rolling along well by this time, the team’s only time so far has come inside in gyms and batting cages. “We were a little top-heavy last year. I think this year top to bottom we’ve got more varsity experience,” Paxson said.
B-E 2013 softball schedule March 18 – at Henry-Senachwine, 4:15 pm March 19 – Stark County, 4:30 pm March 23 – at Pekin, 10 am March 25 – at Princeville, 4:30 pm March 26 – at Midwest Central, 4:30 pm March 27 – at Cuba North Fulton, 4:30 pm April 1 – Chillicothe IVC, 4:15 pm April 2 – at Illini Bluffs,4:15 pm April 4 – Delavan, 4:30 pm April 5 – Astoria, 4 pm April 6 – at Havana, 10 am April 8 – at Knoxville, 4:30 pm April 9 – Bushnell-PC, 4:30 pm April 10 – North Fulton, 4:30 pm April 11 – Deer Creek, 4:30 pm April 15 – at Midland, 4:30 pm April 17 – ROWVA, 4:30 pm April 19 – Hartsburg-Emden, 4:30 pm April 20 – at Eureka, 10 am April 22 – Illini Bluffs, 4:15 pm April 26 – at Kewanee, 4:30 pm April 27 – Lewistown, 10 am April 29 – Rushville-Industry, 4:30 pm April 30 – Farmington, 4 pm May 1 – at Williamsfield, 4:30 pm May 3 – at Peoria Richwoods, 4:30 pm May 4 – at Beardstown, 11 am May 6 – at Bushnell-PC, 4:30 pm May 7 – at ROWVA, 4:30 pm May 8 – Abingdon, 4:30 pm May 9 – Williamsfield, 4:30 pm May 10 – at Limestone Tourney, 5 pm May 11 – Brimfield Round-Robin, TBA May 13-? – IHSA Postseason Play
www.wklypost.com The SCOREBOARD Week BOYS BASKETBALL
WILLIAMSFIELD BOMBERS 24-10 Galva L 53-52 Lowpoint-Wash. W 84-21 West Central W 71-57 Henry L 49-34 United W 63-34 ROWVA W 45-28 Wethersfield L 81-63 Prophetstown W 66-50 United W 55-43 ROWVA W 54-52 Ridgewood L 55-51 Mercer County L 68-58 Midland W 57-49 Ridgewood W 71-43 Elmwood W 57-45 United W 51-36 Illini Bluffs W 82-72 North Fulton W 62-37 Elmwood W 58-48 Brimfield L 56-55 Delavan W 61-50 Galva W 55-43 Delavan L 64-58 C. Christ Acad. L 61-54 Illini Bluffs W 55-37 Fulton Unity W 69-47 Brimfield L 42-39 West Prairie W 46-39 North Fulton W 58-19 DePue W 77-53 Princeville W 68-46 Regional Lewistown W 56-47 Brimfield W 33-30 Elmwood L 58-49 Boys Basketball Stats (Season Totals) Points Per Game Average Doubet 14.2 Smith 13.2 LaFollette 8.5 Sams 8.2 Collopy 6.2 Wight 3.2 Jones 3.0 Benson 1.0 Free Throw Percentage Smith 80.0 Doubet 74.0 Sams 73.0 Jones 68.0 Wight 65.0 LaFollette 61.0 Collopy 52.0 COMING NEXT WEEK: Track. More softball and baseball and let’s hope less rain and much less snow and cold!
THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, March 7, 2013
Page 11
HOOPS: Big plans for Brimfield Continued from Page 12
named first team in both conferences. Wallace was named second team all-state, Kerrigan fourth team and Kennedy with an Honorable Mention. “With a number of returning key players, including Ryleigh Keith [5.7 ppg] and a great JV team that also had a successful season, we have big plans to prepare this summer for another successful run,” Blane said. “I have no doubt this group can go as far as they want. They are invested in and support each other, which is a key to success in team sports.” Blane praised seniors Britta Courter and Brittney Jones, saying their dedicated and hardworking presences will be missed. “They set the tone for the underclassmen every day in practice and made the season fun,” he said. Brittney will conclude her career at the Kiwanis Club of Canton All-Star Basketball games. In Elmwood, seniors Jordan McCoy, Kenzie Coulter, Olivia Althiser, Paige Carver and Megan Lafollette all finished their high school basketball careers. “Last year we had no seniors, so this group of
Senior Jordan McCoy led Elmwood with 251 points.
girls had to step up and be the leaders for the past two years,” said Elmwood head coach Gregg Meyers. “It is hard to imagine a better group of girls to lead a team in a rebuilding process.” The Elmwood girls won 10 games this season, doubling their 5win record from last year. That included the Galva Tournament championship starting the season. The team continued its success in the Princeville Tournament, finishing second, defeating Roanoke-Benson/Lowpoint-Washburn and Princeville.
McCoy led the team in scoring with 251 points. Carver and Shyann Jones followed McCoy with 167 and 160 points, respectively. Carver grabbed 128 rebounds with LaFollette’s 109 and Ashley Perryman’s 104 behind her. Coulter had 70 assists and 43 steals. McCoy and Carver were second-team All Conference Players in the ICAC conference. Carver also was an honorable mention in the Prairieland Conference. In addition to losing the graduating class, Elmwood also is saying goodbye to Cass Gorham, who’s moving next year. Even with the loss of six players, the team still has several reasons to expect improvement next year, Meyers said. “We have two excellent leaders in seniors Annie Bybee and Gabbie Sloan, and next year’s junior class is hardworking and talented,” he said. “The JV team finished the season with a record of 15-1. An incoming freshman class – that won a regional title last season as eighth graders – will join next year’s sophomores Jordan Jones and Morgan
Seniors to play in all-star game
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Cal Vrchota, Elmwood Elmwood High School senior hoopster, football player and trackster Cal Vrchota understands and plays his sports as a team player. Although he did have one 30-plus point game this basketball season, Cal well knows rebounding, defense and just plain hard work are how he helps the team to succeed. Cal played football for the first time in 2012 and was glad of it, as were Trojan coaches and players. He played on the defensive line and as an outside linebacker. This is leading to him playing on the gridiron at Elmhurst College, the same school at which brother Doug runs for the track team. Cal aspires to study biology. Cal was influenced by friends in beginning his hoops career in second grade. He’s had support in his endeavors from parents Jim and Lisa, brother Doug and his many coaches in Elmwood District 322. Cal is a highly ranked student in the Class of 2013 who is also in the National Honor Society, Key Club and band (as a trombone player). This recently honored ICAC all-conference basketball player is a big fan of Chicago Bulls’ superstar Derek Rose. Cal is also a U of I basketball supporter. He has had a memorable senior year helping the Trojans to a 10-1 football season and a 26-6 regional basketball title, because for Cal it’s all about the team. – Phil Johnson
Prairieland honors local hoopsters Area basketball players were honored by the Prairieland Conference. Boys first-team picks included Matt Dwyer and Carson Cuevas of Brimfield and Nick Jehle and Jake Soehn of Elmwood. Cal Vrchota and Tommy Ramsey of Elmwood
were second-teamers. Girls first-teamers were Kerrigan and Kennedy Dura and Hannah Wallace of Brimfield. Brittney Jones of Brimfield and Jordan McCoy of Elmwood were second team. Elmwood’s Paige Carver was special mention.
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Brimfield senior Brittney Jones will play March 23 in the Kiwanis Club of Canton’s all-star game at Alice Ingersoll Gym.
CANTON – Several area senior basketball players will compete Saturday, March 23 in the eighth annual Kiwanis Club of Canton All-Star Basketball Games at Alice Ingersoll Gym. Jim Blane of Brimfield will coach the north girls team, which includes Brittney Jones and alternate Britta Courter of Brimfield. The girls game is at 6 p.m. Competing for the north boys team, which plays at 8 p.m., are Nick Jehle, Jake Soehn and Cal Vrchota of Elmwood and James Doubet and Logan Smith of Williamsfield.
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Weekly Post Sports
B-E 2013 baseball schedule March 14 – at Roanoke-Benson, 4:30 pm March 16 – at Peoria Richwoods, 12 pm March 18 – at Henry-Senach., 4:15 pm March 19 – Peoria Central, 4 pm March 20 – Stanford Olympia, 4 pm March 21 – Stark County, 4:30 pm March 22 – at Limestone (v. Moline), 4 pm March 23 – at Limestone Tourney, 10 am March 28 – at Illini Bluffs, 4:15 pm March 30 – Farmington, 10 am April 5 – Peoria Christian, 4:30 pm April 6 – at Peoria Heights, 10 am April 11 – Illini Bluffs, 4:30 pm April 13 – at Abingdon, 10 am April 15 – at ROWVA, 4:30 pm April 18 – Williamsfield, 4:30 pm April 20 – Knoxville, 10 am April 22 – Midland, 4:30 pm April 24 – at Williamsfield, 4:30 pm April 27 – at Cuba, 10 am May 2 – Delavan, 4:30 pm May 3 – Peoria Christian, 4:30 pm May 4 – at Prairieland Conf. Tourney, TBA May 6 – Monmouth-Roseville, 4:30 pm May 8 – at Princeville, 4:30 pm May 11 – at Metamora (v. Galesburg) 9 am May 11 – at Metamora (v. U-High) 4:30 pm May 13 – IHSA Postseason Play Starts
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B-E baseball hoping to take next step By JEFF LAMPE Weekly Post Staff Writer
BRIMFIELD – Regional title games are exciting and impressive. But one year after reaching that level yet again, the Brimfield-Elmwood baseball team would dearly like to take the next step into the sectionals. In an effort to accomplish that goal, Coach Steve Paxson has beefed up the schedule with tournament action at Limestone, Morton and Metamora, the latter coming just before postseason play. While the end result may not be another 30-win season – something Paxson has enjoyed twice – playing tougher teams should better prepare B-E for the postseason. Then too, it can only help that B-E
Dwyer
Groeper
Harkness
will no longer be the smallest school in Class 2A. The Illinois High School Association has refigured classification for baseball, moving several former Class 2A teams into Class 3A. That includes Canton, the squad that ended last year’s B-E campaign in the regional finals. Gone from that 26-8 finisher are four starters, including two Division I players: Nick Unes who is starting at third base for the University of Wisconsin at
Herridge
Milwaukee and Dan Dwyer, who is seeing time in the outfield for Illinois State. Mix in graduated junior college signee Nick Huber (Muscatine Junior College) and its obvious there’s plenty to replace. But as with any successful program, there’s another group ready to step up. Heading that list are five returning starters: senior captains Nick Jehle and Ryan Herridge, senior slugger Jason Continued on Page 10
B-E softball eager to hit the diamond
Future bright for girls hoops
By KELLY O’BRIEN For The Weekly Post
By MALLORY HARTIGAN For The Weekly Post
It is a bittersweet end to this year’s basketball season for the senior players on Elmwood’s and Brimfield’s girls basketball teams. But coaches and fans see good seasons next year. In Brimfield, seniors Britta Courter and Brittney Jones wound up the season on a high note as champions of both the Prairieland Sophomore post player Ryleigh Keith goes up for a shot and ICAC conferences. for the Brimfield girls basketball team, which finished 27-5 Brimfield’s girls basketball last season. team finished 27-5, going head coach Jim Blane. “We the team with 19.2 points 12-0 in Prairieland Conferper game followed by her capped the season undeence play and 4-0 in the fellow two captains, freshfeated at home, 15-0, with ICAC. man guard Kennedy Dura a great Senior Night win “We started the season with 12.1 ppg and junior 13-0 before losing to state- over state-ranked Illini point guard Kerrigan Dura ranked, 4A Rock Island and Bluffs 79-64 to win the with 9.1 ppg. ICAC.” two losses to state-ranked All three girls were Team captain Hannah opponents in the tough Continued on Page 11 State Farm Classic,” said Wallace, a junior center, led
Recent weeks have dropped almost every form of precipitation on local ball diamonds, but that’s not stopping preparation for Brimfield-Elmwood’s softball team, which faces the 2013 season with a warm outlook. “I fully expect us to have great success this year,” said Lady Indians head coach Scott Jones. “The girls are working extremely hard and show great enthusiasm despite being confined to indoor practices.” No matter the practice location, Jones’ coaching philosophy is consistent. Preaching fundamentals to ensure game readiness, he stresses working on situations, proper technique and the mental aspects of the game. All of his approaches have been adjusted to fit the indoor routine. “We got a little spoiled last year with the lack of snow and higher temps, but we have been adapting drills and coming up with creative ways to scrimmage and practice game situations,” he said. The team has responded well to the changes, especially to the addition of circuit training. Jones said he’s seen definite improvements in speed and agility, and predicts the girls will excel beyond those categories. “We have several girls who look to outperform the great season they had last year,” he said. Continued on Page 10
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Jehle
TheSCHEDULE Week THURSDAY, March 14 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball at RoanokeBenson, 4:30 p.m. SATURDAY, March 16 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball at Peoria Richwoods, noon MONDAY, March 18 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball at HenrySenachwine, 4:15 p.m. • Brimfield-Elmwood softball at HenrySenachwine, 4:15 p.m. TUESDAY, March 19 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball vs. Peoria Central, 4 p.m. • Brimfield-Elmwood softball vs. Stark County, 4:30 p.m. WED., March 20 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball vs. Stanford Olympia, 4 p.m. THURSDAY, March 21 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball vs. Stark County, 4:30 p.m. • Elmwood-Brimfield boys track at Farmington, 4:15 p.m. FRIDAY, March 22 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball at the Limestone Tournament (vs. Moline), 4 p.m. SATURDAY, March 23 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball at the Limestone tournament, 10 a.m. • Brimfield-Elmwood softball at Pekin, 10 a.m.