We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
Sorted by date Results 376 - 400 of 1301
The Stephenson County Board's April meeting never even really got started before the fireworks began to sparkle over the same issue that has been plaguing the Board for more than ten years – the Nursing Home. Everything started with the Consent Agenda – which is typically the least controversial element of any meeting – but the motion was made to pull out the Nursing Home Payables of $219,719.09 and make them go to the Finance Committee for payment when funds become available as prioritized by t...
Coborn's INC, a large grocery company centered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, announced that is has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the Sullivan's Grocery stores here in Northwest and Central Illinois. According to the release, approximately 800 people work for Sullivan's, which is comprised of 11 grocery stores including the ones in Lena, Freeport and Stockton. The Sullivan's purchase also includes three ACE hardware stores, convenience store/fuel center, central office and limited assortment...
Please excuse my tone of voice, but I am really getting tired of suffering fools. Now, I would be the first one to admit that the current structure of our County Board and School Board meetings is warranted – in particular – it is extremely important to allow the public a forum where they can comment publicly to their elected officials, even if it is limited to three minutes. But after sitting through the public comment at last week’s County Board meeting … I can’t help but wonder if there is...
Students involved in Servant Leadership from 13 area High Schools all congregated inside the Freeport High school cafeteria for one special purpose recently – trying to help feed the World's hungry. "Servant Leadership partnered with Kids Around The World," said organizer Dan Dick. "The goal today is to pack and ship 55,000 meals." Each meal costs 27 cents, and those funds were raised by the students over the course of the year. A meal consisted of rice, lentils, dried vegetables and v...
In last week’s Village Voices a photo that had been submitted to us in regard to what the photographer believed was a “crop fire that got out of hand,” was printed within our pages. The date and time of the fire were verified, and a call to 911 reporting it was also confirmed, as was the fact that a red flag warning had been issued. However, a text came in from the Lena Fire Chief, saying the information was wrong. Although a return text and phone calls were both made to ask him what was in erro...
He never told us, and knowing him, that's not really a surprise, but Village Voices has learned that Orangeville Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Jay Doyle, was honored by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association by being named a 2023 ICBA Coach Of The Year. The honor includes an invitation to their special luncheon at Red Bird Arena in early May where he will be presented with his award. We congratulate coach Doyle on the honor, and are glad our region is being recognized for excellence in...
1. Forreston 15 – 2 Cardinals continue to pound on 1A teams, and also got a big win over strong 2A Stillman Valley team. 2. Orangeville 14 - 2 Broncos finally lost as Morrison got some basketball revenge, but the Broncos are still clearly #2. 3. Stock/Warren 11 - 2 Warhawks were stunned by East Dubuque who put up 20 on them. But one blip does not weakness make. 4. Pearl City 13 - 5 Pearl City had an easy week against Pecatonica, but good teams pound the weak ones, so ... 5. Fulton 8 - 3 We c...
1. East Dubuque 10 – 6 Warrior sweep over the Warhawks keeps them locked in at #1, but many tough tests remain. 2. Fulton 9 - 3 With sweep opver RR/SM the Steamers cement themselves in at #2, but East Dubuque lies ahead. 3. Le-Win 10 - 2 - 1 Panthers have the best record in the region, but until last week were not looking dominant. They are now. 4. Pearl City 10 - 6 As teams in the West beat each other, it opens the door for the Northern teams on a roll ... like Pearl City. 5. War/Stock 6 - 5 W...
As reported within our pages, there was a major controversy last year in regard to the Taste Of Lena – specifically with how the group LASER (Lena Area Special Event Runners) had asked the Lena Lions Club to sponsor and run the event, but then "stole" it by having patrons write checks out to LASER and not the Lions, and then refusing to let the Lions even see the books, let alone make sure the profits from the event went back to support the Lena community. Leaders Ron Fluegel and Sue S...
We’ve got a house guest right now, and while I still love him, I also might kill him. My cousin Chuck and his wife let us know about six months ago that they are seriously looking at moving up here to the area. She retires at the end of May, and for an assortment of reasons, they got to the point where it was time to leave Champaign, Illinois. Anyway, both my wife and I offered the use of our house – we have the spare rooms – and to make a long story short, Chuck came up last Monday to begin...
1. Forreston 8 – 2 Cardinals have yet to be challenged by a 1A team as they are blowing out everyone by double digits. 2. Orangeville 6 - 0 Broncos have yet to drop a game, but are only squeaking by - not the powerhouse they've been. 3. Stock/Warren 8 - 1 Warhawks opened eyes with PC Tourney title and two impressive wins over a good Hornet squad. 4. Durand 5 - 2 Bulldogs blew past Pec, but win over 4A Guilford was much more impressive and earned them fourth. 5. Galena 6 - 1 Remember the star p...
When was the last time you flew on an airplane? Not a little Cessna or crop duster, I’m talking about a commercial airline. The reason I ask is because my wife and I recently purchased our tickets for an upcoming trip, and it made me remember all kinds of things that are wrong with flying. Last summer, if you remember, my family took a cruise to Alaska. And while onboard the ship, let us say that the casino liked me … a lot! So much so, that they offered us a free cruise. Now, of the ava...
1. East Dubuque 6 – 3 We know they got beaten badly twice on Saturday, but until then were poised as the team to beat. 2. RR/SM 7 - 2 Wildcats split with the Warhawks in the first of several major showdowns in the loaded West. 3. Fulton 7 - 3 Fulton wasn't challenged this past week, but they shouldn't drop just because the competition was weak. 4. Warren/Stockton 4 - 3 Don't look now, but the traditional power is coming back. Split with RR/SM was big for the Warhawks. 5. Eastland 7 - 3 C...
Maybe it was the continuous cold weather. Maybe it was the fact that we still had traces of snow in our backyard. Or maybe it was because I hadn’t really gone anywhere or had any “Dan time”. Whatever the reason, I am not ashamed to admit that I had been in a funk. Not a depression, but just a feeling of ‘here we go again’ that I needed to break out of. Kind of like in the movie City Slickers, where the main character was told by his wife to go find his smile again. Well, in my case, there is one...
On its’ face, the upcoming election for the Lena-Winslow School Board seems pretty cut and dried – four candidates are on the ballot, and there are three open seats. So, naturally, you have four people competing for three seats. But, that’s not true. Due to the antiquated form of electing board members that Lena-Winslow has been unable to change the past two elections – there are not four candidates competing. John Leuenberger lives near Winslow, which is a separate district. And he is the onl...
Replacing a long time and beloved theater director at a small school is never easy, and while there were several areas that will undoubtedly be improved upon in the years to come, Stockton's production of Shrek proved to be a solid first effort for new director Brian Thompson. First, let's hit the highlights – costuming was amazing. From the pint sized Farquaad to all of the Fairytale characters ... I know a lot came from the Byron Civic Theater, but still – it was great! I was also really imp...
The coaches have all announced their picks for All Conference Honors, and it is now our turn top reveal the players we chose to be on our 2023 All Area Team. Once again, we have to point out that these selections are based on what we saw this season – not statistics. So, there is always a chance that the best scoring player on a squad had off nights when we were there – it happens. But, from what we saw, our choices include: Player of the Year Thomas Hereau – Jr – Scales Mound For much of the se...
Just when you are convinced the world is a cold and heartless place, something comes along to convince you otherwise. I was having a bad weekend – really bad. The schedule itself had me in a sour mood. I left Wednesday afternoon for Champaign and spent the night with my cousin, before going to Assembly Hall to cover the Hornets play their semi-final match against Tuscola. To begin with, the IHSA had not gotten my email, so there were no credentials waiting for me at Assembly Hall. But f...
Following their historic run to the State finals in 2022, there was no way the Scales Mound Hornets could make a return trip in 2023. They lost all five starting seniors to graduation – a senior group that totaled over 5000 points of offense – so nobody thought they had a realistic chance of making it back to Champaign. (Well, nobody but one overweight weekly newspaper guy – go ahead, look it up.) "Last year was a once in a lifetime team," said head coach Erik Kudronowicz. "But this group has w...
While the English teachers will all point out that the letter 'D' is at the end of Scales Mound, basketball fans of the Hornets were all witness to the fact that for the 2022-23 Hornets, everything begins with 'D'. For the fifth time in their post season tournament run, the Hornets were seen as the underdogs against the Tuscola Warriors who were – once again – bigger and stronger, with a front line that was comprised of all-state football players that looked like they could bench-press a bus...
It has come to the point where the biggest mistake I can make is to underestimate Director Renee Schultz. She went out on a limb by choosing "We Will Rock You" as the annual musical production for Lena-Winslow, but what was put on display was really well done. When you pick a show that people know the music - comparisons are bound to be made. Everyone knows Queen, but with only a couple of exceptions - the tunes were nailed. I was stunned to hear lead Rowen Schulz hit the high notes on his openi...
The Orangeville Broncos held their Spring performance last weekend. Instead of a 'show' in the classic sense of the word, Director, Joe Davis went out on a limb - making his very young cast try their hand at Improvisational comedy, mixed in with a collection of comedy monologues and short skits. Now, when I say the cast was young, we're talking young. Eighth graders - kids 13 and 14 years old - were put up on stage to try and perform in front of family and friends. I won't lie, the expectations...
No, the Scales Mound Hornets did not win the 1A state championship. And many of our competitors will make references to the clock striking midnight on their Cinderella story. But, those that do, are missing the point entirely. Scales Mound graduated all five senior starters from the year before. Over 5000 points of offense got their diploma. Nobody expected them to pull off the miracle of a season they accomplished. They were down to Sterling Newman – with both senior guards out of the game ...
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, a couple of my own “Irish” experiences came to mind. Right after college, I moved to New York City to try and see if I could “make it” on Broadway. And while my professional theater career never won me any awards, there were a couple of times when it came in pretty handy. I was walking down Eighth Avenue late one night, and just happened to be in front of one of the many Irish pubs there when three punks, close to my own age, decided I was a good target for a...
South Beloit had the ball with time ticking down in the second overtime, trailing by two, but with Sophomore Superstar, Ross Robertson, already with 35 points and looking for more. As the clock ticked below ten seconds to play, the pass went into the high post where Tyiion Jackson had been left alone – for a reason – all night. "That was all Jeff Korte," said Hornet senior Jacob Duerr. "He told me that if there was nobody on my side that I should jump that pass, so I jumped it." Duerr leaped up...
