The Weekly Post
Thursday April 11, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 8 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Hulslander wins Elmwood mayoral race By BILL KNIGHT
In Elmwood, one incumbent won and one lost in Tuesday’s elections. Elmwood Mayor J.D. Hulslander at press time had a 2-to-1 advantage over challenger Steve Davis, with more than 330 votes for Hulslander and about 150 for Davis, in unofficial results. “I think people see all the progress Elmwood’s been making and decided it was a great direction for the city, so why change course?” Hulslander said. “I thank all of my supporters, everyone who helped and got out and voted, and I hope we’ll keep progressing.” For The Weekly Post
Davis said he was disappointed but didn’t know what else he could have done differently in his campaign. “I walked every house in town,” he said. “Mostly, I don’t think people were unhappy with the incumbent – I wasn’t either, exactly. I just wanted to convince them I could work full-time and improve Internet tools we don’t use and better coordinate outreach and [seeking] grants. “I don’t think people read my ideas and rejected them,” Davis continued. “People don’t like change.” Meanwhile, longtime Elmwood
Township Highway Commissioner Bill Atwood was defeated by Dave Wagner, who made a campaign issue of road conditions. Wagner defeated Atwood by a 3-to-1 margin, 454 to 151. “A lot of people are disgusted with the roads,” Wagner said, “[but] it’s manageable. If I didn’t think I could do it I wouldn’t have run.” Said Atwood, “If 28 years of work isn’t enough to convince voters, it’s not worth fighting for.” In school board races, at least one new face seemed assured of taking his seat on the Elmwood Board of EducaContinued on Page 2
A steady stream of cars passed these signs at the United Methodist Church in Elmwood, where Tuesday’s voter turnout exceeded expectations.
Williamsfield faces tax losses
TRUCK ROLLOVER
By BILL KNIGHT
WILLIAMSFIELD – Williamsfield School District 210 faces a loss of $10 million in Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV), its board learned at its Monday meeting, when results from a reassessment of Oak Run and the effects of a negative multiplier were explained, Superintendent Mary Bush said. “We’d anticipated this possibility,” she said, “so we had a modest increase in the levy in December [but] the board hasn’t maximized the tax rate Stories? Ads? we’ve had for many Visit with a staffer years.” from The Weekly Post The impact will be felt Mondays from noon this year on Knox County to 1 p.m. in the Brimproperty tax bills going field Public Library’s conference room. out soon, with payments due in June and September, Bush said. In other business, the board unanimously voted to authorize the waiver of five district holidays: Martin Luther King’s birthday, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Casimir Pulaski's birthday, Columbus Day and Veteran's Day. However, next year’s school calendar will waive only Lincoln’s and Pulaski’s birthdays. “This just gives the district the ability to waive them,” Bush said. “If something real strange happens, like a dynamic speaker that can only address our teachers on one of these days, we could waive the holiday and have the program. We probably won’t use the waiver, but the possibility exists.” The board also accepted staff retirements, including PE/Health teacher Jorja Thiel – who goes to parttime on June 30, then retires June 30, 2014 – and bookkeeper Jan Gibbs, who retires in October. For The Weekly Post
A semi-tractor trailer rolled into the west ditch while heading southbound from Elmwood on Illinois Route 78 Monday morning north of Graham Chapel Road. No one was injured, but driver David E. Bohms of Erie was ticketed for improper lane usage by the Illinois State Police. Photo by Crystal Prahl.
Agriculture museum planning continues By KASEY EBERLE
KEWANEE – Organizers are moving forward with plans for the Midwest Agriculture Museum – billed as the first in Illinois and the only of its kind in the Midwest – which held its third annual banquet in Kewanee last Saturday. An array of speakers attended the museum’s dinner March 15 at the Flemish American Club in Kewanee, highlighted by a speech from Andrew Bowman, an Oneida native, agriculture businessman, For The Weekly Post
family farmer and the 2006 American Star Farmer. Bowman’s speech touched on several current agricultural issues and fell hand-in-hand with the reason for the gathering. Organizers are hoping to build the Midwest Agriculture Museum on farm ground south of Kewanee, a few miles off Illinois Route 78 and between Interstates 74 and 80. The museum’s goal is to promote awareness and preserve the impact of agricultural history on
today’s society. Organizers say that sets this museum apart from “collector” museums. To get the museum off the ground, organizers announced a $2 million fundraising campaign earlier this year and launched a Website: midwestagmuseum.com. “The Midwest Agricultural Museum is dedicated to preserving and educating the public about the history and impact of agriculture on human life,” said Chris McMillen, of Toulon, chairman of Continued on Page 6
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
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ELECTION: Turnout strong in Elmwood Continued from Page 1
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tion: Mark Davis. Early results indicated he held a comfortable lead in the four-way race for three open seats on the board. Incumbent board member Bill Frietsch was second at press time, and Rick LeHew and Fred Paige were separated by 12 votes. In Brimfield, five candidates vied for four seats and Dan Heinz was the top vote-getter with 332 votes., with 8 of 9 precincts reporting. Heinz was followed by David Harmon (275), John Moon (243), Constance Johnson (228) and Lori Kreiter (184). “The weather helped some, and there were some contested races, which drew voters,” said Mike Deluhery, Director of Elections for Peoria County. The last consolidated election with township races was 2009, Deluhery said, when 13,921 people voted – a 28 percent turnout, in the county (not counting City of Peoria votes). The 2010 off-year general election attracted a 49.3 percent turnout; the 2012 general election including the Presidential race had a 69.8 percent turnout. A sampling of polling places showed fewer than 200 votes in Brimfield, about 90 in Salem Township/Yates City, and 614 in Elmwood said election judges. The Elmwood turnout was about 38 percent of registered voters.
Election 2013 Results NOTE: Results posted are current as of 10 p.m. Tuesday night and are from the Peoria and Knox county clerks. Brimfield President Danny J. Fishel IND 95 Brimfield Village Trustee Glenda S. Wilson IND 45 Michael Meinders IND 89 Allison L. Porter IND 62 Kevin C. Gilles IND 85 Brimfield Township Supervisor Anthony (Tony) Karl D 146 Brimfield Clerk Mary K. Sloan D 151 Brimfield Collector M. Carroll Carroll D 149 Brimfield Highway Comm. Thomas J. Coyle R 140 Brimfield Township Trustee Annette Doughty R 121 Robert K. Scherler R 112 Richard K. Carroll D 131 August (Gus) Schaub D 131 Brimfield School Board Lori Kreiter NP 184 David Harmon NP 275 Constance Johnson NP 228 Dan Heinz NP 332 John Moon 243 Brimfield-Millbrok Township Assessor Sandra G. Powell D 132 Brimfield Library Trust. Angie M. Sneeringer 356 Brimfield Library Trust. Pamela D. Fabish 342 David L. Smith 298 Holly L. More 309 Carl Sandburg College Trustee Sandra L. Wood NP 2,474 Jon A. Sibley, Sr. NP 1,565 Lee E. Johnson NP 1,667 Michael T. Bavery NP 924 Elba Salem PD Commissioner Jeff Johnson NP 99 Laura Ramp NP 104 Sonny Snyder NP 104 Allen Blankenship NP 76 Elmwood Mayor Steven E. Davis IND 157 John D. Hulslander IND 341 Elmwood Clerk Dotty S. Naumann IND 465 Elmwood Treasurer Harold Jehle IND 455 Elmwood Alderman Wrd 1 Walter E. Avery IND 100 Elmwood Alderman Wrd 2 Kent Stevens IND 156 Elmwood Alderman Wrd 3 Jared Howerton IND 196 Elmwood Township Supervisor Kathleen Shoop R 508 Elmwood (Twp.) Clerk Diana Hall R 559 Elmwood Assessor Steven E. Davis D 476 Elmwood Highway Comm. William L. Atwood D 151 David W. Wagner IND 454 Elmwood Township Trustee Donnie Meehan D 416 Mark Kemper R 459
Betty Morse R 450 Dale L. Slagel R 449 Elmwood Library Trust. Harold Jehle (Write-In) 46 Pamela Paige (Write-In) 53 Dale Runyon (Write-In) 48 Elmwood School Board Mark Davis 549 William Frietsch 498 Rick Lehew 428 Frederick O. Paige 416 Jubilee Township Supervisor Kevin Sandall D 72 Stephen Garnett R 135 Jubilee Clerk Robin A. Forney R 198 Jubilee Highway Comm. Jack W. Groeper R 181 Jubilee Trustee Dan L. Bowers D 118 Stephen F. Gilles D 123 Joe Butler R 155 Robert J. Shane R 165 Kickapoo Township Supervisor Karl Koy R 131 Kickapoo Clerk Julie Mcintyre R 129 Kickapoo Assessor Jack Duke R 131 Kickapoo Collector Robert S. Barth R 133 Kickapoo Highway Comm. Daniel Kelch R 131 Kickapoo Trustee A. Joe Kelch R 129 Terry Holm R 117 Mike Gensler R 125 Randy Weber R 119 Knox Co. Mult.Twp Assessment South Rebecca F. Friedrich R 1,722 Millbrook Township Supervisor Dale Matthews R 48 Danny E. Powell D 51 Millbrook Clerk Bobbie M. Philbee D 87 Millbrook Collector Karen Megan D 89 Millbrook Highway Comm. Terence D. Mcfarden R 50 Dean Creason D 51 Millbrook Trustee Douglas N Whittaker R 87 Will Michael Tracy R 84 Dennis Whittaker R 87 Jerry Weistart D 69 Millbrook Center Board Ramona Wilcoxen 72 William F. Dubois 77 Renee Britt 46 Teresa Joyce 40 Radnor Township Supervisor Philip Cornish R 209 Radnor Clerk Thomas Brattain R 207 Radnor Assessor Thomas Missen R 212 Radnor Highway Comm. James Smith R 202 Radnor Trustee James Withers R 181 Gary Pullen R 192 John Cline R 175 Robert Price R 158
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Regional Board of School Trustees Peoria unexpired 4-year Mark Kemper NP 4,732 Charles Fabish (Write-in) 24 Rosefield Township Supervisor Stephen Davis R 148 Rosefield Clerk Martin E. May D 147 Rosefield Highway Comm. Michael J. Lafollett R 57 Matthew L. Windish IND 129 Rosefield Trustee Kiley Beecher R 137 Daniel Kuntz R 123 Darrin Maue R 111 Leo Schaub R 134 Salem Library Trustee Jacqueline Herridge NP 98 Michelle Sherman NP 96 Salem Township Supervisor Rodney G. Blodgett D 84 Salem Township Clerk Shelby J. Copple D 97 Salem Highway Commissioner David Mahr IND 93 Salem Trustee Christine Bewley D 72 Paula Noe D 76 Charles Gene Arnold D 43 Norlyn McCormick R 80 Louis F. Rogers R 83 Spoon River CC Trustee 2UT Betty Taylor NP 2 Spoon River CC Trustee 2UT John Loebach NP 0 Kent Schleich NP 2 Jerry Cremer NP 0 Gayle Strode Blodgett NP 3 Truro Township Supervisor James Ross R 69 Truro Clerk Jeff Stiers R 71 Truro Highway Commissioner Norman Johnson R 73 Truro Township Trustee Mike Strom R 70 Casey Doubet R 65 Randy Cimei R 65 Randy Newell R 66 Williamsfield Library Trustee William R. Fritz NP 153 Shirley Pauer NP 161 Williamsfield Library Trustee 4UT Madolyn Ott NP 184 Williamsfield School Board Thomas Kordewick NP 137 Janet L. Collopy NP 157 Gina O’Dell NP 124 Angela Powell NP 137 Williamsfield Village President John W. Herman P 51 Williamsfield Clerk Mary L. Rice P 53 Williamsfield Trustee Michael O. Gray P 40 Pamela S. Courson P 57 Leland S. Wight P 44 Yates City President Brian Miars IND 67 Yates City Trustee Kenneth Gibson IND 60 Ronald Smith IND 53
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
THE WEEK AHEAD Community Events
s Craft night – A mother/daughter craft night is scheduled for tonight (April 11) at 6 p.m. at Morrison and Mary Wiley Library in Elmwood. Reservations are required. Call (309) 742-2431. s Fiber guild – Bishop Hill Fiber Guild will meet on Saturday (April 13) at 10 a.m. at the Methodist Church in West Jersey. All persons interested in fiber (spinners, knitters, crocheters, basket makers, beaders, weavers, etc.) are welcome. Call Char Rickey at (309) 472-7085 or email spinwool7@aol.com. s Dodgeball – A dodgeball tournament is scheduled for Sunday (April 14) at the high school gymnasium in Williamsfield. Games for players in 4th to 7th grade will start at 2 p.m.; players 8th grade and up can participate starting at 5 p.m. For details, call Laura Hunt at (309) 275-3571. s Breakfast buffet – An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is scheduled from 7-11 a.m. Sunday (April 14) at the Yates City Community Center to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The menu will include bacon and eggs, sausage and ham, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and Tater Tots. The price is $8. s Crafters sought – Any crafters wanting to participate in Elmwood’s 25th annual Strawberry Festival on June 1 can contact Pat McGuire at (309) 742-8272 or Denise Hotz at (309) 742-3841. s EEBY boxes – Elmwood-Edwards-BrimfieldYates City (EEBY) volunteers will start preparing Troop Care Boxes Sunday (April 14) at 3 p.m. at the Elmwood BYE building. Boxes will be shipped Monday. To help or for more information, call Gerri Pettit at (309) 251-7006. s Salem Township Library – Salem Township Library in Yates City has four events scheduled for next week as part of its National Library Month celebration. On Monday, April 15, the movie Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium will be show at 4 p.m. On Tuesday, April 16, there will be a magic show at 4 p.m. On Wednesday, April 17, youngsters can build May baskets as a craft at 4 p.m. And on Thursday, April 18, bingo will be played starting at 4 p.m. Call (309) 358-1678. s Laps For Life – Elmwood Elementary School will participate in Laps For Life on Friday, April 19, by running around the high school track starting at 2 p.m. Anyone interested in donating should contact Lynn Tannock at (309) 303-2411. s Trail race – Registration is open for the 33rd annual Wildlife Trail Classic at Wildlife Prairie State Park on April 20. Pre-registration for 4-mile crosscountry run and 2-mile walk is $25; for the children’s fun run, it’s $10. Register online at www.wildlifetrailclassic.com. For additional details, call OSF St. Francis Wellness Services at Peoria’s Riverplex: (309) 282-1636. s Blood drives – A blood drive will be held April 27 from 7:30-11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of Kickapoo at 9910 Knox St. For an appointment call Mike Gensler at (309) 369-8466 or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome. s Peoria SWCD sales – The Peoria County Soil and Water Conservation District is taking orders for 16 varieties of prairie plants. To make an order or to receive order forms call (309) 671-7040, Ext. 3 or visit peoriacountyswcd.tripod.com. All plugs are being sold for $2 each. The order deadline is May 31st and the pickup will be June 14. s Elmwood St. Jude Run – Anyone interested in running the Elmwood to Peoria St. Jude Run in the first week of August should contact Lynn Tannock at (309) 303-2411.
Elmwood celebrates academic excellence ELMWOOD – Illinois Central College President Dr. John Erwin is the featured speaker at this Sunday’s Elmwood Excellence Program, which is designed to honor academic achievement. The 1 p.m. event at the Elmwood High School auditorium will honor 74 Elmwood Scholars who were named to the honor roll in two consecutive semesters. See the complete list of scholars in an advertisement on Page 1. “It’s a big deal and a great ceremony,” Elmwood High School Principal Stan Matheny said. Each Elmwood Scholar will receive a medal honoring their academic efforts. Sophomores and juniors receive their awards from Erwin while seniors are presented their medallions by their parents. Past speakers include U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock and former Peoria congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The public is welcome to attend, though space is somewhat limited in the auditorium. Refreshments will be served in the foyer following the awards ceremony. From Weekly Post News Sources
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Weekly Post www.wklypost.com
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 (Under construction) Office Hours – 9-5 Mon-Thurs, 9-4 Fri News – Jeff Lampe 231-6040 Classifieds – Shelly Brodine 741-9790 Advertising – Jeff Lampe 231-6040 Regular Contributors – Mit Beres, Terry Bibo, Keith Butterfield, Melinda Cote, Amy Davis, Kasey Eberle, Jon Gallagher, Bill Knight, Crystal Prahl and Gabbie Sloan 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 subscription $100. Obituaries, Births, Weddings – Forms are available at our office at 115 W. Main St. in Elmwood. Quote of the Week: – “Elections should be held on April 16, the day after we pay our income taxes. That is one of the few things that might discourage politicians from being big spenders.” – Thomas Sowell Seen by 10,000+ readers every week!
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Of chimers, gobblers, cluckers and crooners Rambling through west-central Illinois listening for the now-familiar chiming of our new clock. uuu A few hours after I finally put up a clock in our office (several weeks and several pointed references after said clock was purchased by our office manager) in walked a gentleman wearing overalls and carrying a clock. Confusion ensued until Ed Jeff Hasselbacher LAMPE explained he has made it a habit of giving clocks to businesses in the area. Actually, he has spent his 30 years as a retiree making clocks, stained glass windows and other woodworking items for folks – including the very cool grandfather clock pictured above right that is in the Brimfield American Legion hall. Oh yeah, he has also carved names in wood for 14 years of fifth-graders in Mrs. Carlson’s class at Elmwood Elementary. Ed is one of those generous retired fellows who just goes and goes. But don’t tell him he works hard. That title goes to his wife, Marge. “She’s a working fool,” says Ed. Thanks to both of them for all they do. uuu Folks at Jubilee College State Park assure us the trails are not in danger of closing just because there’s no permanent site superintendent on hand, as some have worried in the wake of a story we printed last week. Trails are open
as usual and, while heavy rains close them on occasion, no change is expected. .... Speaking of Jubilee, would-be mushroom hunters are reminded they should stay out of the park until after 1 p.m. to allow turkey hunters their time in the timber. ... And turkey hunters might need all the time they can get this spring. They’re not gobbling, some folks say. Turkeys are quiet. Well, not for everyone. Several nice gobblers fell to the guns of youth hunters in the past few days, including yet another to Derek McCoy, who has had plenty of dealings with turkeys in his life. Ahh, but for a change The Mayor of Oak Hill wasn’t taking credit. He was just proud of the grandkid, whose gobbler weighed 23.5 pounds. ... Unfortunately, The Mayor also pointed out an error of omission: We have not been including the United Methodist Church of Edwards in our listings. uuu You will not hear me say this often, but I was on the edge of my seat waiting for word of Wednesday’s Yates City village board meeting. No, I was not breathless for the fate of the Mason’s Building. What had me pecking excitedly was an agenda item about allowing chickens inside village limits. Look for a full report on this topic next week. Just don’t expect unbiased reporting. Every man needs goals and one of mine is to someday champion legislation allowing chickens in Elmwood. In my view a few chickens are not going to be noisier than the various dogs and Asian col-
Assessor and mayor would be conflict To the Editor: The issue of whether there would be a conflict of interest if the Township’s Assessor became Mayor was raised to Steve Davis, (he is currently assessor of Elmwood Township, and was running for Mayor of Elmwood). Davis’ response “The Township and the city are separate government units. Neither position supervises or is dependent upon the actions of the other. I believe there is not a conflict of interest,” worries me. Please, educate me if I am wrong, but, the assessor assesses property tax values, then people pay the taxes (based on that assessment) and then the city collects their share of the taxes. One person determining the property tax values and then jumping to the other side to collect taxes on them IS a conflict of
interest. Surely the city is dependent, to a degree, on property tax assessments and the money they produce for the city. A tax assessor is supposed to give a fair, unbiased tax value to property. A mayor is supposed to do everything in his power to make the city a better place. Wouldn’t higher taxes benefit the city? Doesn’t that create unnecessary role conflict for the possible Mayor? In these days of corrupt government, combining offices like this seems like an easy way to create a problem. I am in no way saying Davis would succumb to any temptation, but why put it in front of him? Why even flirt with the appearance of a conflict of interest? If Steve Davis wanted to be
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lared doves that raise a racket around my house all day. Plus, fresh eggs are one of those joys of life too few now experience. ... Is it just me or has Rick Pitino had some work done? uuu Credit goes to Dave Harmon of Brimfield on several counts. For one, he didn’t raise a fit when I stupidly left him out of a story previewing the Brimfield School Board race. He just went out and won again, as he has so often in 16 years on the board. While he took the high road, we are very sorry for that mistake and are instituting new measures to increase accuracy. ... Song of the Week: Late at night, as bars close and newspapers near completion, you just can’t beat Tom Waits crooning “On The Nickel” – or any of about 20 other of his Bawlers. ... Parting shot: Kudos to Elmwood voters for turning out in force! Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com
Letter Policy
The Weekly Post welcomes letters from 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 name, your full home address, home phone and a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Letters should be no more than 300 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.
Mayor, then maybe he should have give up the Assessor’s position first. – Sarah McElroy, Elmwood
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
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GUEST VOICES
A meeting with them thar hillbilly folk I see all sorts of people during the course of a day. Some are more memorable than others, while others couldn’t become fictional characters because no one would believe them. For instance, I had a whole family come in the gas station the other night. I’m going to remember them for a LONG time. This family was what could be considered a typical Hillbilly Jon family: an older GALLAGHER male (probably the father), an older female (presumably the mother) and an offspring. I never was able to determine the gender of the final member of the troupe. All three could have been ar-
rested on the spot for DWI – Dressing Without Instructions. They wore somewhat matching camouflage coats, and the male topped off his head with a matching camouflage ball cap. The female was bareheaded and had her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. I’m not sure what color her hair was or, for that matter, what color she wanted it to be. Most of it was black, but then there was a bunch of gray. Right before it got to the roots it was black again. The child wore shorts (it was about 20 degrees outside with a nasty wind) and flip flops. All three appeared to be in awe of the store’s electric lights. I know they were impressed with the indoor plumbing we have because all three used it and commented about how nice it was.
These were true-blue, dyed-inthe-wool, officially sanctioned, almost certainly certifiably inbred, country Hillbillies. I know this because the male of the species used the word “kattywampus” in a sentence. That alone would not qualify him as a Hillbilly. The fact that he MISUSED it went a long way toward proper classification. “Yeah, I ain’t a been here to Elmwood fer a long time,” he said. “Fact is, that thar True Value store kattywampus over there, used to be a gas station last time I was through.” As mentioned, using the word kattywampus doesn’t automatically qualify one as a Hillbilly (though it does go a long ways). Kattywampus means “askew or awry.” Usually it refers to some-
Is the way we teach math in public schools, especially high schools, the best we can do for our students? With all due respect to those who teach that tough subject, I don’t think it is. By the time most students reach high school, they Randy have finished FRITZ their calculatorintensive instruction in arithmetic and moved on to more advanced mathematical subjects: algebra (often two years), geometry, “advanced math,” even pre-calculus. Most students, though, including all college-bound students never, in a math class, add a column of figures or do long division after they complete middle school. In fact, without that omnipresent calculator, most can’t. This ignorance of basic math
function concerns me, as well as the fact that today’s students do not understand how numbers work. That is, they began using calculators at such an early age they never learned the relationships between numbers, how to figure in their heads, or how to do approximations (why “approximate” when I can get the exact answer with my calculator?). Some (many?) don’t even know the multiplication tables. In my experience, they can’t visualize numbers other than as digits on a page to be entered into a machine. Emphasizing basic skills, however, doesn’t mean eliminating advanced. Why can’t teachers in earlier grades require students to do work without calculators? The move could be simple: “students, in this course you will not be allowed to use calculators on tests, and all tests will be timed. “I cannot prevent you from using your calculator at home, but if you don’t practice without one
you’ll never be able to pass my tests – you simply won’t have enough time.” And, why can’t teachers in more advanced courses continue to do a few arithmetic drills? Not every day, but maybe every week. I know there’s never enough time to teach to the end of the math book (which is necessary to prepare students for the next course and [shudder] the omnipotent “standardized test”), but why spend all the students’ time on a subject that most will never use, and none on a related subject all will have to use every day? At my small high school, our math teacher has initiated a junior-level, semester-long course he calls “elementary math.” A clever title, since it deals with the elements of math (not elementarylevel math). I believe there are no calculators allowed. I applaud his move and hope our school’s next step will be to require that course
I only knew one of my grandparents. My dad’s parents were in Greece, and my maternal grandfather had died years before I was born. I had a YiaYia (Greek for grandma), but she and I never had a real conversation. No personal Mit conflict caused BERES this; language was the barrier. My dad emigrated from Greece in the early 1920s and joined his brothers in the candy business they established in Pekin. Mom’s dad came across the pond, settled in Chicago and was a successful journeyman pipe coverer. Dad and his brothers became fluent in English – they knew it was a prerequisite for success in America. My Papou was not only
fluent; mom told me he spoke with no accent (different from my dad and his brothers), and helped other Greeks learn English and pass immigration tests. But YiaYia, who was born in Massachusetts, was raised in an enclave of Greek-speaking people and found a similar neighborhood in Chicago. Mom and Dad made sure I learned some basic Greek, but – while they spoke Greek to each other – they always spoke to us kids in English. So while I could understand most of what YiaYia said, I could only reply with my limited vocabulary. We never had a conversation. Enclaves of immigrants were the norm in the early and later 1900s; if you go to a major U.S. city today you can still visit the Polish, Italian, Chinese, Greek and other ethnic neighborhoods. It was OK for YiaYia – she never had to work outside her
home. But today that is not true, and society does an injustice when it becomes easy for people to avoid learning English. I was listening to NPR today and heard the story of a woman who has been in America for 17 years and was thrilled she could finally go to a doctor who could talk to her about her ailments in Spanish. She doesn’t speak English – she has been a maid in a hotel for all 17 years and she will never advance beyond that position. Society dooms people to lives less than those they might have had when they’re not encouraged to assimilate into the nation, and they cannot do that if they cannot communicate in English. YiaYia made people laugh when she spoke with those who could respond. I wish we could have had a conversation.
Continued on Page 7
Does our math curriculum really add up?
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Continued on Page 7
Language can be a bridge ... or a barrier
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Third Annual SPRING CRAFT SHOW Saturday, April 20, 2013 Yates City Community Center 102 West Main St., Yates City 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Wide variety of crafters & vendors! • Breakfast and Lunch by “Mel” • You Don’t Want to Miss This Show! For more information ... Call Kay Emerick at 309-358-1731 or Janet Windish at 309-358-1252 Save the Date: Our Annual Winter Craft Show is always the first Saturday in November!
Page 6
THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
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Elmwood foundation forms advisory board ELMWOOD – The Elmwood Community Foundation has announced the formation of two new advisory committees to assist the local board in its activities. The local advisory committee includes several people who previously served on the ECF board: Jim Grimm, Mary Ann Hanlin, Denise Hotz, Carroll Lou Inskeep, and Pat McGuire. They will serve when the foundation holds its annual dinner or assist with other local activiWeekly Post News Reports
ties. Two former Elmwood school superintendents, Ken Maurer of Metamora and Tom Kahn, will update information on students who graduated from ECHS when they were working in Elmwood. The ECF has also formed a national advisory committee consisting of five individuals – one who lives in Elmwood now and four who lived in Elmwood at one time. All five are now retired, having had distinguished careers. They are:
• Clifford Bateman, Sr., Vice President, Dun and Bradstreet, who lives in Travelers Rest, NC. • Scott Cisel, former President, Ameren Illinois, who lives in Morton. • Gerald Shaheen, former Group President, Caterpillar, Inc., who lives in Peoria and Arizona. • Ada Jones Shissler, realtor, who lives on Sanibel Island, Florida. • R. Wayne Slone, former president of CILCO, who lives in Elmwood.
REMEMBER WHEN
1950s ELMWOOD: Here’s an aerial picture of the William J. Phelps homestead place south of Elmwood. This was also site of the city’s first post office. Photo courtesy of Bruce Howard.
THE FARM FIELD
Christ wins FFA crop production title CHAMPAIGN – Karl Christ of Elmwood, a member of the Elmwood FFA Chapter, won the State Diversified Crop Production Award at the State FFA Proficiency Awards Day April 6 at the University of Illinois. Christ is the son of Kurt and Connie Christ of Elmwood. His agriculture education instructor is Rick Shreffler. This is the fifth state title for Elmwood High School and the second for Christ, who also won in oil crop production last year. His sister Molly also won a title in 2011. The Diversified Crop Production Award is one of 52 state FFA proficiency awards. Five finalists in each award area advanced Weekly Post News Reports
NOW AVAILABLE AT
JORDAN’S FOOD MART In Elmwood
Elmwood High School agriculture education teacher Rick Shreffler presents senior Karl Christ with a plaque for his FFA State Diversified Crop Production Award.
through chapter, section and district competition. Karl will receive the award dur-
ing the Illinois FFA State Convention, June 11-13 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois. He has also been interviewed for Star Farmer for the state, the winner of which will be announced at the convention. Christ is recognized for growing his legacy in the agricultural, food and fiber industry. Selection of the state award winners is based on a personal interview, size and growth of the FFA member’s supervised agricultural experience program and their knowledge of the subject area and career pathway. These awards honor FFA members who have developed specialized skills they can apply to their future careers.
AG MUSEUM: Will trace evolution of agriculture Continued from Page 1
the museum’s board of directors. “The new website at midwestagmuseum.com allows donors to contribute directly online toward building a permanent facility for the museum’s rapidly expanding collection. “It also gives people a convenient and secure
way to become members or renew their memberships.” As discussed within its webpage and stressed at the banquet, there is not a museum in Illinois dedicated to educating the public about the transition from manpower to horsepower to machinery in agriculture. Thus far organizers
have acquired a Port Huron Thresher and a high-wheel wagon from the early 1900s, a loose hay loader built from wood, a wood-beam moldboard plow and a horse-drawn, one-row cultivator. These are only the first of many items obtained to be showcased in the museum.
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As part of the organization’s fundraising goal, $100,000 is to go toward purchasing approximately 10 acres for a permanent location. The land will also be farmed. The organizing committee’s goal is to locate the museum near Illinois Routes 34, 78 and 91 five miles south of Kewanee. Negotiations are ongoing with different landowners in the immediate area. Businesses and individuals alike throughout the state, many of whom do business or reside right here in the Elmwood, Brimfield, and Kickapoo area, have donated or pledged funds to secure the Museum’s future. If you and your family, or business would like to become a part of funding this agriculture stance, you may do so online. For information contact Larry Meaker at (309) 995-3839. The Midwest Agricultural Museum is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
GALLAGHER: Kitty, katty or batty? Continued from Page 5
thing that was orderly at one time but has been knocked out of kilter (or at least looks that way – like my desk). The word he was looking for is kitty-cornered or cattycornered, means diagonally, and although some city folk will look at us country rednecks a little funny if we use kitty-cornered in a sentence, most people know what it means. Back to our hillbillies. They needed to get to a certain street in Elmwood, so I pulled out a map and showed them where we were on it. The directions involved going back to the fourway stop in the center of town, taking one left
turn and one right turn, and being able to count the number of blocks they went. I asked them if they’d like me to write it down for them. I’d asked the question before realizing what I’d asked. My question was met with the same blank stares as if I’d asked them the question in Swahili. They said they were good to go, although the two adults did argue about whether they had the instructions right or not (when one of them referred to “Cousin Bert” in an unkind way inappropriate for a family newspaper). They left, but instead of turning right and going to the four-way
stop, they turned left at the stop sign and headed west. If you’ve ever driven west from Elmwood, you’ll know, there’s not another stop sign (unless you take one of the left turns at the Y intersections) until you go over the Interstate at Knoxville, 28 miles away. Those poor folks are probably still looking for a four-way stop sign so they can turn left. Then they’ll be counting blocks ’til they turn right. I’m guessing they’re probably somewhere in Wisconsin by now. That is, unless they’re kattywampus in a ditch somewhere.
FRITZ: Math skills for life matter too Continued from Page 5
for all juniors. Yes, there are good arguments in favor of teaching higher math to large numbers of high school students. They include: 1) mastering advanced math concepts as a demonstration of achievement for college-bound students, 2) teaching a form of logic transferrable to other disciplines, and for some students, 3) a necessary precursor to coursework they must take in college (the fields of economics and
engineering come to mind). I would add a fourth: the average math teacher finds it much more interesting to teach advanced subjects than to do daily arithmetic drills. We need to realize, however, that most of the skills taught will be used only in one or two high-stakes tests: the PSAE and the ACT. Our public schools need to prepare students for life as well as those tests. “Elementary math” would be an important step in that process.
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Page 8
SAVE THE DATE!
St. Jude Fundraiser Saturday, June 1
At Brimfield American Legion
Live Band! Sailing Cashews, with Brimfield natives Jordan Kingdon and Grant McCreight 7 p.m.
Dinner Starts at 6 p.m. - Pulled pork, baked beans, salads and chips. $10 Donations of Baked Goods Welcome!
Silent Auction Items Welcome!
Call Barb McKown 309-231-1435
THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
IN BRIEF Power outage in Brimfield Monday
BRIMFIELD – Brimfield merchants and residents were without power for several hours Monday morning. The power outage occurred around 9 a.m. and power was restored by shortly after noon. Ameren CILCO said a rodent was to blame for the power outage.
Kickapoo youth wins essay contest
KICKAPOO – Collin Fricke of Kickapoo was the winner of the first annual White Rose Society
Area Church Listings Sponsored by
Simpson’s Stump Removal & Tree Service Oak Hill • 309-657-0712 Fully Insured • Free Estimates 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 Worship: 9 am St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 314 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3275 www.stjosephbrimfield.org Bible Class: 8:45 am Worship: 10 am St. Paul’s Lutheran Rev. Michael Liese 228 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3233 Union Church Pastor Stephen Barch 105 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3811 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 Sun. School: 9:30 am Sun. Worship: 10:45 am Christ Alive! Community Church Pastor Lance Zaerr 9320 W US Highway 150
Edwards (309) 231-8272 www.christalivecc.com Sun. School: 9:15 am Worship: 10:30 am Evangel Community Church Pastor Doug Surratt 7614 N. Heinz Lane Edwards (309) 692-2024 Korean Presbyterian Church of Peoria 7910 N. Ford Rd., Edwards (309) 683-8556 United Methodist Church W. Powdermill Rd. Edwards (309) 676-3139
ELMWOOD Crossroads Assembly of God Pastor Tim Cavallo 615 E. Ash St. Elmwood (309) 830-4259 Sun. Worship: 10:30 am Elmwood Baptist Church Pastor Dennis Fitzgerald Pastor Jay Richerson 701 W. Dearborn Elmwood (309) 742-7631 Sun. School: 9:30 am Worship: 10:30 am and 6 pm Wed. Worship: 7 pm
First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood Pastor Marla Bauler 201 W. Evergreen Elmwood (309) 742-2631 Worship: 10:30 am St. Patricks Catholic Church Father Paul Stiene 802 W. Main St. Elmwood (309) 742-4921 Sat. Worship – 4 pm Sun. Worship – 10 am
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United Methodist Church Pastor Mark Graham 821 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-7221 www.elmwoodumc.org Sun. School: 9 am New Day Worship: 9 am Sun Worship: 10:30 am
KICKAPOO St. Mary’s 9910 W. Knox St. Kickapoo (309) 691-2030
Area musicians to play in Peoria
Collin Fricke of Kickapoo gets an award from Marion Blumenthal-Lazan Monday. Photo by Melinda Cote.
Essay Contest sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Peoria. He is the son of Lyle and Mary Fricke and an eighth grade student at St. Thomas in Peoria Heights. The award was presented by Holocaust survivor Marion BlumenthalLazan during the Yom Hashoah –the Day of Re-
membrance- commemoration on April 8. Students participating in the contest recorded their reflections of a quote by the famous Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel; “Let us remember; what hurts the victim the most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the by-
PEORIA – Musicians from several local schools will perform in the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza this spring as part of the 28th annual Arts in Education Spring Celebration. Performances take place on one of three stages at the courthouse plaza. Here is the schedule for area performances, all of which are set for 11 a.m.: April 22 – Brimfield High School, Circle Area; April 25 – St. Mary’s School of Kickapoo, Monument Area; April 29 – Elmwood Schools, Circle Area; May 6 – Brimfield Grade School, Circle Area. Learn more at www.springcelebration.org.
FAITH MATTERS Faith United open house on April 28
YATES CITY – Faith United Presbyterian Church is holding an open house and community event that is open to the public on April 28 from 14 p.m. In addition to tours of the church at 107 W.
Bishop in Yates City and free food being offered, there are numerous free family-oriented events scheduled for that afternoon: crafts, balloons by Doug the Balloon Man, face painting, games and more. A cake walk will be held at 1 p.m., followed by a bags tournament at 2,
LAURA Laura United Methodist Church Pastor Tim Pearce 20300 W. Walnut Creek Rd. Laura (309) 995-3371 Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 10:45 am
WILLIAMSFIELD St. James Catholic Church 111 S. Olive St. Williamsfield (309) 446-3275 Worship: 8 am @ church (Labor Day to Mem. Day) Williamsfield United Methodist Church Pastor Jennifer Seder 430 N. Chicago Ave. Williamsfield (309) 639-2389 Sun. School: 10 am Worship: 11 am
YATES CITY Faith United Presbyterian Church Rev. Chris Deacon 107 W. Bishop St. Yates City, IL 61572 (309) 358-1170 Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 10:15 am Thurs. Chancel Choir: 7:30 pm
Simpson’s Stump Removal & Tree Service Oak Hill • 309-657-0712 Fully Insured! • Free Estimates! 35 Years of Experience!
stander.”
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bingo and sack races at 3, door prizes at 3:30 and closing ceremonies at 4. To learn more call Mary at (309) 358-1653 or Lori at (309) 303-2477. umchurch@frontier.com or by calling (309) 7427221. A free-will offering will be taken to defray expenses.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
Page 9
1. LANGUAGE: In English slang, what are plimsolls? 2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of India? 3. HISTORY: In what year were East Germany and West Germany unified? 4. MUSIC: Who composed the opera "The Barber of Seville"? 5. ANATOMY: What is a synapse? 6. ART: What are putti? 7. QUOTES: Who said, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." 8. NATURAL WORLD: What kind of creature is a merganser? 9. CELEBRITIES: What was Bob Hope's real first name? 10. LITERATURE: Who wrote "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"? Answers 1. Sneakers 2. New Delhi 3. 1990 4. Gioachino Rossini 5. The point at which a nervous impulse passes from one neuron to another 6. Figures of infant boys in Renaissance paintings 7. Samuel Johnson 8. Duck 9. Leslie 10. Washington Irving
FOR ANSWERS SEE BELOW
(c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.
Township finances look healthy heading into meetings By BILL KNIGHT
As one of 20 states with townships, Illinois has 85 counties with the level of government responsible for three things: developing and maintaining roads that aren’t federal, state, county or municipal; assessing property for tax purposes, and providing the “welfare of last resort,” general assistance to the needy who aren’t eligible for any other help. Township advocates emphasize this form of governance is the level closest to the people. Illinois state law emFor The Weekly Post
powers township “electors” – township residents registered to vote there no less than 28 days before its annual meeting – to do many things apart from township officials. Townships in The Weekly Post circulation area are Brimfield, Elmwood, Jubilee, Kickapoo, Millbrook, Radnor and Rosefield in Peoria County, and Elba, Salem and Truro in Knox County. Their annual meetings are next week, on Tuesday, April 16. Electors present at annual meetings can give direction to the trustees; buy property; authorize the board to maintain neglected graveyards or construct public wells; decide where the town-
Township - Households
TOWN Appropriations
ROAD Appropriations
TOTAL Appropriations
Appropriations Per Household
Brimfield - 503
$127,210
$181,349
$308,559
$613.44
Elba - 124 $94,143 $125,150 $219,293 $1,768.49 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Elmwood - 1,094
$454,300
$255,250
$709,550
$648.58
Jubilee - 601 $134,550 $718,100 $852,650 $1,418.72 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Kickapoo - 3,005
$421,475
$1,292,350
$1,713,825
$570.32
Millbrook - 197 $208,500 $188,510 $397,010 $2,015.28 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Radnor - 1,330
NOTE: Radnor adopts its budgets in June
Rosefield - 489 $234,700 $343,025 $577,725 $1,181.44 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Salem - 449
$231,800
$328,500
$560,300
$1,247.88
Truro - 431
*
$284,300
*
*
* Truro is still drafting its town budget
ship’s office space is; enact zoning; encourage tree planting; and regulate garbage deposits, recreational vehicle parking, mosquito abatement, fences, livestock
.
NOTE: The number of households in the townships comes from the most recent U.S. Census data
running at large, and second-hand dealers and peddlers. Elmwood Township at its annual meeting April 16 will discuss transferring thousands of dollars
from its insurance funds to the general funds and from the Town fund to the township’s Community Building fund. An analysis of proposed township budgets
for town and road use (see box above) shows the range of revenues and appropriations, which depend on population, miles of roads and other factors.
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Page 10
St. Jude Benefit Breakfast
Sunday – April 14 and May 12 Yates City Community Center, 7-11 a.m. All You Can Eat Buffet ... Just $8 Sausage, Bacon, Ham, Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits and Gravy, Pancakes and Tater Tots.
OPEN SATURDAY, April 13 - 1-3 p.m. NEW LISTING: W.Court St., Farmington $76,500 Nice 4BR home w/ fenced in yard & extra deep 2 car garage. Second floor has all new paint & carpet. Living room has hardwood floors. All appliances stay inc. washer & dryer. Priced below recent appraisal. Hm warranty included.
OPEN SUNDAY, April 14 - 2-4 p.m. GORGEOUS VICTORIAN: 107 N. Elizabeth, Yates City $169,900 Move in ready, 3-4 BR home with 3 1/2 baths. Beautiful oak woodwook throughout. Kitchen is spacious w/ oak cabinets & flooring. Lg. yard, patio, french doors, main floor laundry, finished b'ment w/ rec. area, bar & bathroom, MF master suite & bath w/ whirlpool tub and much more! Over 3,000 sq. ft. House is overflowing w/ charm & character and is a must see!
THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
PUBLIC RECORD
Peoria Co. sheriff lists March crime stats
PEORIA – The Peoria County Sheriff’s Department’s Crime Statistics Report for March showed the following alleged crimes they handled: Kickapoo 9, Brimfield 5, Elmwood 5, Jubilee 1, Radnor 1, Rosefield 1, Millbrook 0. Brimfield had 4 thefts and 1 criminal damage to property; Elmwood had 2 thefts and 3 criminal damage to property; Kickapoo had 1 burglary, 2 drug offense, 4 thefts, 1 criminal damage to property and 1 violation of an order of protection, according to the report.
Elmwood post office vehicle vandalized
ELMWOOD – An unknown male who appeared to be a juvenile was seen fleeing the city parking lot at Evergreen and Lilac Streets about 7 p.m. Monday, when witnesses heard glass breaking. Police discovered that a U.S. Postal Service truck window had been broken. The investigation continues.
Three Trivoli men booked on charges
TRIVOLI – In unrelated incidents, three Trivoli men on three days last week were booked on various charges by Peoria County Sheriff’s Department.
Ryan Sharum, 39, on April 1 was booked on a charge of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol. Erick Luncsford, 23, on April 2 was booked on charges including aggravated domestic battery and failure to appear. Dylan Phillips, 21, on April 3 was booked on charges including residential burglary.
Police Reports
• Vandalism – Shalaine Maher, 41, of Brimfield on April 3 reported disturbances at about 10:40 and 11:45 p.m. and previous acts of vandalism in her neighborhood. Sheriff’s officers are investigating. • Property damage – Joseph Blessman, 40, of Brimfield on April 4 reported damage to property on Autumn Trail Road, and responding deputies found evidence of 4-wheeeler tracks and pine trees knocked down. An investigation is continuing. • DUI – Tamara Gottschalk, 32, of Elmwood on April 6 was booked on charges including DUI, illegal transportation of liquor and operating an uninsured vehicle. • Possible trespassing – Sheriff’s deputies on April 7 were called to the 5000 block of North Caterpillar Road in Edwards on a possible incident of trespassing. Officers interviewed residents and did not file charges. • Traffic accidents – Heath Moore, 21, of Brimfield on April
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2 was eastbound on U.S. Route 150, where his 2003 Toyota left the road and struck a gate and tree. No injuries were reported. • Joshua Fuller, 20, of Trivoli, on April 7 was southbound on Stone School Road, where he lost control of his 1997 Chevrolet, which went into a ditch and rolled over. No injuries were reported, but he was cited for driving without insurance. • Ryan Berg, 16, of Peoria on April 6 was northbound on Bland Road in Radnor Township and slid on wet pavement at the intersection with legion Hall Road and went into a ditch. No injuries were reported. • Darn deer – Trace Stegmaier, 22, of Hanna City on April 4 told police he lost control of his 2008 Ford trying to avoid a deer on Kramm Road, where the vehicle left the road and overturned in the ditch. No injuries were reported. • William Schepka, 55, of Bartonville, on April 4 struck a deer on Fox Road in Radnor Township, damaging the front of his 2004 Ford.
Real estate transactions 6719 N. White Fir Drive, Edwards, Steve E. Bradley to Rita Estes, $250,500. 6903 N. Basket Oak Drive, Edwards, Stephan J. and Louise Downing to Michael J. Casey Jr. and Pornanan Khoonachoak, $390,000.
OBITUARIES
Dennis Curtis
Spencer Curtale, Owner Serving All of Central Illinois Residential • Commercial • Farm Free Estimates!
309-691-0276 office 309-222-1152 cell
WILLIAMSFIELD– Dennis R. Curtis, 55, of Williamsfield, died April 3 at the Williamsfield Retirement Center in Williamsfield. Funeral services were planned for April 8 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Abingdon. Memorials may be made to Down Syndrome Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Nicholas R. Patterson
PEORIA – Nicholas R. Patterson, 25, of Peoria, grandson of a Laura couple and nephew of an Elmwood man and a Laura man, died on April 5 in Peoria. Survivors include his maternal grandparents, Rodger and Annetta Cowser of Laura; and aunts and uncles including Andy Cowser of Laura and Darin Cowser of Elmwood. Funeral services were scheduled for April 10 at Hammitt-Hott Fu-
neral Home in Princeville. Burial will be in Millbrook Glendale Cemetery, Elmore. Private condolences may be sent to the family via www.hammitthott.com.
Robert Powers
BRIMFIELD – Robert N. Powers, 72, of Brimfield died on April 7 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home in Princeville. Burial will be in Brimfield Cemetery. Private condolences may be made to the family via www.hammitthott.com.
Marcus Walsh
ABINGDON – Marcus D. Walsh, 1 year and 11 months, of Abingdon, the great-grandson of a Williamsfield couple, died April 4 at home. The great-grandson of Glenna
We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion
Today’s Obituaries
• Dennis R. Curtis, 55, Williamsfield • Nicholas R. Patterson, 25, Peoria • Robert N. Powers, 72, Brimfield • Marcus D. Walsh, 23 months, Abingdon
and Steve Thompson of Williamsfield, Marcus was to be memorialized on April 10 at Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes in Knoxville. Interment will be in Trenton Cemetery in Rural Dahinda. Condolences may be made through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
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 call 309-741-9790.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Week SCOREBOARD
Thursday (April 4) Results • Williamsfield-Galva 4, Princeville 0 Friday (April 5) Results • Brimfield-Elmwood 10, Peoria Christian 0 Saturday (April 6) Results • B-E 3, Peoria Heights 0 • B-E 11, Peoria Heights 1, 5 innings • West Central 3, W-G 0 • W-G 4, West Central 2 Monday (April 8) Results • W-G at Illini Bluffs, ppd, rain Tuesday (April 9) Results • W-G 7, ROWVA 2 • B-E vs. Galesburg SOFTBALL Thursday (April 4) Results • Brimfield-Elmwood 4, Delavan 3 • Princeville 17, WilliamsfieldGalva 3 Friday (April 5) Results • B-E 11, South Fulton 1 • West Central 5, W-G 1 • West Central 13, W-G 0 Saturday (April 6) Results • B-E 11, Havana 2 Monday (April 8) Results • B-E 11, Knoxville 0 • W-G at Illini Bluffs, schedule mistake Tuesday (April 9) Results • ROWVA 5, W-G 4 • B-E 12, Bushnell-Prairie City 0, 5 innings BRIMFIELD-ELMWOOD Softball Statistics Batting (Through 6 Games) • Kerrigan Dura • Kendra Gorham • Paige Carver • Ryleigh Keith • Morgan Ledbetter • Hannah Baysinger • Kennedy Dura • Bekka Roberts • Hannah Huber
PITCHERS: Doubet leading Billtown
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
who struggled with the strike zone to a kid who really has good command of two pitches,” Paxson said. Williamsfield-Galva James Doubet was the sure thing on the mound for W-G heading into this spring. Headed to Danville Community College on a scholarship next year, Doubet has mixed a fastball that inches into the 90s and a nice slider to go 2-0 with a save. That includes a
Jake Osmulski, Elmwood
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BASEBALL
.681 .500 .473 .421 .350 .333 .333 .250 .250
NEXT WEEK: Baseball and softball scores and even track!
Page 11
4-0 win over Princeville last Thursday in which he fanned 14 and scattered four hits. “He was super and we kind of expect that of him,” Sams said. “He’s a shutdown guy.” W-G has also benefitted from the emergence of sophomore Beard (20), who pitched 6 innings in a 4-2 win over West Central on Saturday. Backing them behind the plate and at the plate is senior cleanup hitter
Logan Smith, who was 4-for-6 in the two wins with four triples and three RBIs. “In my mind he’s as good a catcher as there is in the area,” Sams said. “He throws out baserunners, stops everything and hits the ball hard.” Junior Donovan Benson also had a good outing against Princeville, going 2-for-3. W-G topped ROWVA 7-2 on Tuesday as James Doubet got the win to push his mark to 3-0.
SOFTBALL: Williamsfield bats cold Continued from Page 12
12 RBIs and is hitting .670 for the season. Gorham was at .500 after going 4-for-4 against Knoxville on Monday and kept up her hot streak on Tuesday. B-E topped BushnellPrairie City 12-0 in five innings. Gorham got the win, striking out seven, and also went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. “Kendra may not be that big, but she uses every ounce of strength she has,” Jones said. “She is really pitching and hitting well for us.” Williamsfield-Galva Cold bats limited W-G (2-5) in a four-game losing streak. First came a
17-3 loss to Princeville during which, “We made every mental error in the game,” according to Coach Darrin Peterson. Next up was a matchup with unbeaten powerhouse West Central. Behind the pitching of Emma Corkill, W-G was in a 2-1 duel heading into the sixth inning. Then the wheels fell off, as the team made three errors to yield three runs and lose 5-1. “I was happy with the way the girls performed against a team of their caliber,” Peterson said. West Central won the second game 13-0 as WG went cold at the plate. Actually, that’s been a
Coach’s Corner: Memorable L’s
Well the NCAA tournament just wrapped up, so how about a basketball story? I was thinking about two games we played in the regionals when I was coaching at Elmwood. One was in 1980 against Peoria Bergan in the semifinals of the reBig Frank gional. They were MAVETZ seeded first and we were fourth or so. And they had such a good team. Well, I was never so proud of my kids. We were down just five points with four minutes to play but then we didn’t make another shot and wound up losing by 14 or 15. Bergan wound up coming in second in Class A that year (losing to Luther South 56-51). Anyway, about 10 or 15 years later Pat Thomas, one of the starting guards from that Bergan team, came to Elmwood to coach. And he used to always
say, “Our toughest game before we lost the championship was Elmwood. You had us on the ropes.” The other game was in 1981 against Dunlap. We played them twice that year and they beat us by 25 or 26 both times. When it came time to meet them in the regional I asked the guys, “Do you want a chance to beat them?” They said yes so we put the ball in the corner in a full delay game, which I hated. But that was the only chance we had, they were just such a good team and we had two really good guards, Neil Payne and Richie Roberts. Well the halftime score was 11-9 and later we made shots to tie in regulation and the first overtime and had the ball and missed at the buzzer in the second overtime. The final score was 33-31. Turns out Dunlap came in second that year (losing to Madison 58-47). That was the last game I coached. We lost two years in a row to the second-place team and I figured to myself “It’s a pretty good time to get out.”
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problem in several recent games according to Peterson. “We started out the first three games scoring a lot of runs but the last [few] games we haven’t been as aggressive,” Peterson said. “We’re taking too many first-pitch strikes and we’re watching too many hittable pitches.” W-G lost to ROWVA 5-4 on Tuesday.
The 2012-2013 school year has been historic for EHS and EBHS. A lot of this success has happened because of this year’s EHS Senior class. Jake Osmulski came with his family to Elmwood in third grade and has become part of the history of this class. As Jake completes his senior year, he has been a four-year harrier, including helping the 2012 Trojans team finish second in state. He was also a starting forward on the 2013 regional champion basketball team. And Jake was also a member of the Trojans 4x800 relay team that placed second at the May 2012 IHSA state track meet. “Jake O” points to his father Scott, Coach Gregg Meyers and past Trojan runner Ryan Bybee as those who have encouraged him in his endeavors. As a fan, Jake goes local. He roots for the Bulls, Bears, Cardinals and the Illini. Jake O is also a fan of the subject of history because he finds learning about events and people of the past as very interesting. He’s very busy at EHS in Key Club, student council, National Honor Society and Elmwood Excellence. This fall, Jake will be attending the University of Illinois, possibly to go into pre-med. When Jake Osmulski came with his family to Elmwood as part of what would become the Class of 2013, he became “icing on the cake” for the memorable Class of 2012. – Phil Johnson
HALL: Future for Rivermen unclear
ownership. An ECHL or Central Hockey League team is a possibility. So is a junior league team. Whatever happens, you can bet Cleve will be poised in a press box somewhere keeping fans informed on how the team is faring.
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and the future of the franchise in Peoria is very much in doubt. Eminian said a wide range of possible scenarios could play out for next season. The Rivermen could stay put for another year under Vancouver
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, April 11, 2013
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Pitchers leading the way for Brimfield and Billtown By JEFF LAMPE
Does cold weather favor the pitcher or the hitter? Arguments can be made on both sides of that question. But in the case of the Brimfield-Elmwood and Williamsfield-Galva baseball teams, pitchers are definitely the key to success so far this wet, chilly spring. W-G (6-1) has had several superb outings already this spring, including a 17-strikeout performance by junior Dwyer Tyler Doubet and a 14-strikeout complete game by senior James Doubet. Sophomore Easton Beard has also pitched well. “We said coming into the season if we could be solid in the field and score a few runs, with our pitching we’ve got a chance to win a game or two,” W-G coach Charlie Sams said. The same has been true for BrimfieldElmwood (6-2), which has won six straight and got a no-hitter from junior Matt Dwyer Weekly Post Staff Writer
Saturday in a 3-0 win over Peoria Heights. “I can’t be happier with the way we’ve pitched the ball,” B-E coach Steve Paxson said. “Everybody we’ve ran out there has thrown strikes and it’s a testament to the work these guys have done.” Here’s a look at the local teams’ most recent games. Brimfield-Elmwood B-E won three straight last week by a combined score of 24-1. First came a 10-0 victory Friday over Peoria Christian in which Nick Jehle and Jason Harkness struck out 14 of 15 batters. Jehle got the win, allowing just one hit in four innings. B-E followed that with Dwyer’s no-hitter on Saturday. “He decided to throw one breaking ball to a kid in the seventh or he would have had a perfect game,” Paxson said. Next up was an 11-1 win in five innings over Peoria Heights. Nick Groeper had a one-hitter through four innings. “Groeper has really spent a lot of time playing baseball and has gone from a kid Continued on Page 11
HALL OF FAMER
Brimfield-Elmwood senior Jason Harkness helped close out a 10-0 win over Peoria Christian last Thursday. Photo by Crystal Prahl.
Brimfield-Elmwood softball rolls to 7-0 By JEFF LAMPE
BRIMFIELD – The bats are hot even if the weather is not. For the Brimfield-Elmwood softball team that’s been a winning combination that has the Lady Indians off to yet another fast start. B-E is 7-0 after the rain-delayed start to the season behind a potent offense and trio of effective pitchers. The Lady Indians started 21-0 last season. “We don’t have a problem hitting and scoring runs,” said coach Scott Jones, whose team is averaging 13 hits per game. “And I have three legitimate varsity pitchers. Usually if you have one you are lucky.” That trio is junior Bekka Roberts (3-0), sophomore Kendra Gorham (3-0) and freshman Morgan Ledbetter, who tossed a complete game last Thursday in a 4-3 win over Delavan. “For her first varsity start against a quality opponent it was really impressive,” Jones Brimfield-Elmwood sophosaid. “Bekka is really more Hannah Baysinger kind of our ace right checks out the action while now but I could pull on base in an 11-1 win over their names out of a South Fulton last Friday. Photo by Crystal Prahl. hat. The girls are throwing that well.” Hitting is also no problem for an offense generating just over 10 runs per game. Roberts was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a double in last Thursday’s win, but overall the hitting leaders have been Kerrigan Dura and Gorham. Dura was 9 for 12 in the three games leading up to Tuesday with Weekly Post Staff Writer
Peoria Journal Star hockey writer Dave Eminian, who lives between Kickapoo and Edwards, was recently inducted to the Rivermen Hall of Fame. Photo collage by Brendan Burke.
Skipping college for the hall By JEFF LAMPE
EDWARDS – Halfway through his senior year at Bradley University, Dave Eminian had a choice. Finish college? Or become a fulltime sportswriter at the Peoria Journal-Star covering the Peoria Rivermen hockey team? “I’m still a senior at Bradley 28 seasons later,” Eminian says now with a chuckle. “I’m in the Hall of Fame, but I’m still a senior at Bradley.” So he is. Known as Cleve by friends and co-workers (due to his roots in Cleveland, Ohio), Eminian recently became the 36th member of the Rivermen Hall of Fame. Eminian is the first media member inducted and the sixth member of the Builders Wing after having covered more than 2,000 Rivermen games, two Turner Cup championships and one Kelly Cup title. For Eminian, who lives between Kickapoo and Edwards, induction offered a welcome chance to reflect Weekly Post Staff Writer
on some Rivermen highlights, something the talkative reporter is fond of doing. Foremost on his list? “The most magic season was the 1990-91 team in the old International Hockey League. That team won 18 straight which was a pro hockey record until last year. And 12 of those guys went to the NHL the next season, plus the coach (Bob Plager),” Eminian said. “Scouts then and today say it may have been the greatest team in minor league hockey history.” Eminian also mentioned the 19992000 team that traveled to Louisiana to win three straight games on the road and salvage a Kelly Cup. “That series reminded me more than anything what we love about sports,” Eminian said. “Until you get on the field, you don’t know who the winners and losers are going to be.” Unfortunately right now, the losers in Peoria appear to be hockey fans. The Rivermen’s AHL team has been sold to new owners in Vancouver Continued on Page 11
Continued on Page 11
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The SCHEDULE Week
PREP SPORTS THURSDAY, April 11 • Brimfield-Elmwood baseball vs. Illini Bluffs, 4:30 pm. • Brimfield-Elmwood softball vs. Deer Creek, 4:30 pm • Williamsfield-Galva baseball/softball vs. ROWVA, 4:30 pm • Elmwood-Brimfield boys/girls track at Lewistown Invitational, 4 pm
FRIDAY, April 12 • B-E softball vs. Galesburg, 4 pm
SATURDAY, April 13 • B-E baseball at Abingdon, 10:00 am • W-G baseball vs. Delavan, 10 am
MONDAY, April 15 • W-G baseball at North Fulton, 4:30 pm • B-E baseball at ROWVA, 4:30 pm • B-E softball at Midland, 4:30 pm
TUESDAY, April 16 • W-G baseball/softball vs. Mercer County at Galva, 4:30 pm • E-B boys track vs. Princeville, Stark County, Peoria Heights, 4:15 pm • E-B girls track vs. Princeville, Stark County, Lewistown, Peoria Heights, 4:15 pm
WEDNESDAY, April 17 • B-E baseball at Wethersfield, 4:30 pm • B-E softball vs. ROWVA, 4:30 pm.
THURSDAY, April 18 • W-G baseball/softball at Aledo, 4:30 pm • B-E softball vs. ROWVA, 4:30 pm