We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
Sorted by date Results 1 - 15 of 15
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 ...
Several years ago, I needed a rim for one of my old tractors. It’s a 1958 IHC 330 loader tractor. After I bought the tractor, I took the loader off and it (the loader) has been sitting in the corner of the shed ever since. We were busy restoring the old gem when we noticed it had a cracked rim on the right rear. I called a place a few miles up north in Wisconsin and they had one, so I made the trek up there to pick it up. I’ve done business with these guys before, and I like them. It had bee...
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...
Personal Injury Accident On the evening of March 6, 2023 at approximately 10:10 PM, Deputies responded to the area of W. Front Ave. and S. Golf Rd. for a motor vehicle accident with possible injuries. Upon arrival, it was determined that Emily M. Langfield, 28 of Stockton, was operating a gray 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer west bound on W. Front Ave. just east of S. Golf Rd. Langfield’s vehicle left the south side of the roadway and struck a tree. Langfield fled the scene of the accident, but was located a short time later. Langfield was t...
Stockton Duane “Kupe” G. Kupersmith, 91 Duane “Kupe” G. Kupersmith, age 91, of Stockton, IL passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at St. Joseph Center in Freeport, IL. He was born on March 15, 1931 in Freeport to the late Adolph and Emma Lena (Grebner) Kupersmith. Duane married Donna Evans on June 26, 1955 at the EUB Church in Stockton. Kupe was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Grey Beards and Stockton VFW. He was also a FFA Alumni and a huge supporter of the FFA program. His passion was farming. His farm, known as Kuper’s... Full story
Another couple of years and an invaluable local artifact might have been reduced to dust. An historic county map that is larger than the heights and arm spans of most visitors, was in danger of no longer remaining useful. The Lena Area Historical Society (LAHS) is in possession of a rare map of Stephenson County. It was printed in 1859 by H.F. Walling Company of New York. and is very large – 54" x 58". It details all the townships, roads, waterways, and railroad lines of the county just before t...
May the wind at your back not be the result of the corned beef and cabbage you had for lunch. You don’t need St. Paddy’s Day to spot a leprechaun. There are plenty of strange little men everywhere you go. I actually saw a leprechaun once. After enough green beer, you see all kinds of stuff. The luck of the Irish is fine, but I prefer the scowl of the crabby. It’s easy to get people dancing at parties. Just hold up the line for the bathroom. So, if St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, I wonder if I could get him to stop by our offic...
At the end of September, 2022, my office was made aware by the Stockton Police Department (SPD) of allegations regarding an incident among several members of the Stockton JV football team during a practice on 9/27/22. As SPD investigated the allegations, which at that early stage were only thirdhand, SPD followed established protocols that are in place for investigating the type of allegations rumored to have occurred, and the victim was interviewed in accordance with those protocols. Chief Kevin Stewart requested, and I agreed, to seek the...
The Greater Freeport Partnership is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its board of directors in 2023. The board of directors is the governing body of the organization and includes community and public leaders to create dialogue between sectors and work toward a unified vision. In January, the board welcomed Larry Feiner, vice president/mortgage loan officer at GreenState Credit Union, to finish the one-year term of retired board member Mark Wright. Feiner has served on...
Grocery Bingo Allure of Stockton hosting a community grocery bingo on the third Thursday of the month. (March 16th) at the Stockton Park House from 11:00 am until Noon. Everyone is invited to attend. Pre-School Screening The Pearl City School District will be having a preschool screening on March 17th. If you have a preschool-aged child, age 2.5, 3 or 4 years old, and are interested in attending preschool, please call 815-443-2715 for more information on preschool, and to schedule your screening appointment! Soup Supper The Baileyville...
NUIC North Player of the Year Korbin Gann, Sr Pecatonica First Team (* = Unanimous pick) *Korbin Gann, Sr Pecatonica *Cooper Hoffman, Sr Pecatonica Jake Zeal, Sr Lena-Winslow Ethan Petta, Jr Pearl City Adam Awender, So Aquin Kaidyn Niedermeier, Sr Dakota Nathan Folk, Jr Durand Second Team Jayden Downs, Jr Pearl City Mason Peterson, Jr Pecatonica Jaxon Diedrich, So Pecatonica Cody Wirth, Jr Orangeville Rowen Schulz, Sr Lena-Winslow Gunar Lobdell, Sr Lena-Winslow Kade Vock, Sr Dakota Honorable Mention Joel Schrader, Sr Dakota Roger Maines, Sr...
