We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
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We heard it a ton before the Super Sectional contest Monday night at Northern Illinois University as the small town, 77 total student, Scales Mound Hornets didn't stand a chance in hell against the high powered, more athletic, more experienced, and much bigger Chicago Marshall Commodores. "They'll be out-classed," I was told by some local "experts". "Chicago Marshall is a power. They've been to the State finals before and won it all. They're used to this kind of pressure, but Scales Mound ......
OK, so last week I went through the ten worst foods known to man. (Correction, the ten foods Dan is too juvenile to eat!) Seriously, you have to participate in this column too? (Hey, as long as you are going to represent yourself as some sort of authority on food, it is my responsibility to point out that you are full of crap.) Uhm, are you speaking metaphorically, or literally? (I could make an argument for both.) Well, with the – rather intrusive – opinion of my wife not-withstanding, I now...
Dear Dan, I just wanted to reach out to personally thank you for all of the coverage throughout the years and for the very nice article that you wrote about my teammates and I upon the conclusion of our season. You have always been so supportive of local athletics and this area is very, very lucky to have you there to document some of the best moments that we will be able to look back on for years to come. It is because of people like you that this corner of the state is the best place to live and grow up. I hope that you will continue to do...
As the Girls' Basketball season came to an end, and the Galena Pirates came within a single point of claiming the 1A State Championship, one thing was certain – nobody will ever look lightly at our region again. This past season was blessed with a ton of talented players, excellent coaches, and epic match-ups as the best of the area seemed to always be taking one another on in the battle for conference supremacy. So, trying to pick an All Area team is not an easy task, but ... whether you a...
This has been an exciting time for cheese lovers, the World Championship Cheese Contest was held March 1-3 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI. Although not open to the public this year, it invited 53 internationally renowned dairy processing experts from 16 nations to select its best of the best from 2978 entries in cheese, butter, yogurt and dry dairy ingredients. 141 classes showcase the world dairy industry. Red Rock, an original recipe cheddar blue cheese created and crafted by Master...
In last week’s column, I wrote about how our church got involved with helping Ukraine refugees escape the war zone of their country and find sanctuary at a Bible camp in Romania. That story continues today with the following diary entries by me. March 8, 2022 Dear Martintown Family, We have some new developments in the Ukraine refugee situation. Following is the message sent from Romania last night: Good evening, Tonight, the children that were housed at our camp have headed to Germany. Kyiv aut...
Ok, let me start off by saying I hate horror movies. Give me a monster I can see and is difficult to kill, no problem. But the scary slasher movies or something that comes out and tries to make you jump out of your skin ... no thank you. So, while I will be the first one to put on record that Orangeville's production over the weekend of the Haunting of Hill House, had some really strong performances in it ... as a former theater teacher/director, I'm not sure I would ever pick a psychological th...
Shannon Donald Gene “Swany” Swanson, 84 Donald Gene “Swany” Swanson, age 84, of Shannon, Illinois passed away, Friday, January 28, 2022 at home surrounded by his caring family and FHN Hospice. A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 – 11:30 Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Bethel United Methodist Church, Shannon. Masonic Rites will be held at 11:30 followed by a memorial service at 12:00 noon. Law Jones is in charge of arrangements and friends and family are encouraged to share in Don’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com. You may also view these event... Full story
A state-of-the-art simulation hospital was unveiled Wednesday, March 9 at Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport. Ill. The hospital offers innovative spaces giving nursing and allied health students the edge they need to excel in their healthcare careers. There are three hospital rooms and learning spaces with high-fidelity manikins. There is a viewing hallway for instructors to observe student performance. Instructors can manipulate the actions of the manikins in...
While Waiting for the fat man elevator to go to the media room for the postgame press conference, a fan dressed in green called over and thanked me for all the coverage this past season. But the honor was mine. It might take several weeks before people truly realize just what we all witnessed this past season. The Scales Mound Hornets might have come from a school with only 77 students, but they captured the hearts of thousands. Almost everywhere you looked you could see shirts proudly saying th...
Peter J. McClanathan, a Freeport attorney and longtime Republican, announced his Republican candidacy for the Circuit Judge seat in Stephenson County. His campaign commences after the announcement that current Circuit Judge Michael Bald will be retiring from his current position effective November 2022. "I have the utmost respect for the career and legacy of Judge Bald, from his time in the State's Attorney's Office to his years of service as a Judge," said McClanathan. "It would be an honor to...
And David picked up a stone and slung it ... Unfortunately, Goliath ducked, swung his club and delivered a death blow. The hearts of Scales Mound Hornet fans had a hard time watching as the Liberty Eagles dashed their hopes of meeting top ranked Yorkville Christian in the 1A State finals. The Eagles were physically bigger and stronger – standing 6'6", 6'5", 6'4" and 6'2" – and none of them were what anyone would call "lean". But size alone was not the entire factor. Liberty was strong, ath...
Most basketball fans saw the Third Place game at the IHSA State finals last weekend as the contest to determine who was going to claim the trophy. Who would be the only other team in the state to end their season with a win. But for the Scales Mound Hornets, that was far from being important. Stepping out onto the floor in front of all of their friends, family and a ton of people from throughout northwest Illinois who made the trip down to support them ... none of that mattered either. Ever...
Ben Bremmer of Pearl City was selected as the District FFA Star in Agricultural Placement. Ben is a member of the Pearl City FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA. Illinois FFA recognizes four outstanding FFA members in each of five FFA Districts in Illinois. Each is honored as the District Star Award for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and Agricultural Education. The District Star Awards – including the Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement and Star in A...
Jennifer (Alber) Blakely, of Freeport, Illinois, has announced her Republican candidacy for the Office of Stephenson County Clerk. Jennifer attended Dakota High School and has been a resident of Stephenson County for the past 39 years. Stephenson County is the place where Jennifer, her husband (Matt Blakely) and their 5 children call home. Jennifer (Alber) Blakely is a strong advocate for agriculture and local businesses. Jennifer was born and raised on a dairy farm and she continues to show...
After struggling to keep the stage alive via video and behind masks, Lena-Winslow was finally able to bring back a legitimate show with their production of Beauty And The Beast last weekend. The production allowed a lot of veterans the chance to shine, but also introduced several new faces as the casting was incredibly good. Let's start with the leads – Michael Decker pulled off a major acting job as the scary beast, the vocal range was a bit too low for him, but he was still solid. And Ava F...
I’m going to start Spring Cleaning my house today. And by “cleaning” I mean drinking wine and spraying everything with Febreze. Spring cleaning at my house consists of simply opening the windows. I know, I know, Spring Cleaning never killed anyone … but why take a chance? I’m not really into spring cleaning. Come to think of it, I’m not into summer, fall or winter cleaning either. I don’t call it Spring Cleaning. I call it, “Returning my house to beauty base zero.” If you get into the mood to do Spring cleaning, go see your doctor. The odds...
The Stephenson County Board Court Services Committee has grant funds available for local nonprofit organizations with programs that specifically target at-risk youths who are not currently in the legal system. Currently in Stephenson County there are fifty-five juveniles on probation. The goal of youth diversion funding is to have activities/programming in our community that provide alternatives for youth to keep them engaged in positive activities. Interested applicants are encouraged to obtain the funding application on the Stephenson County...
In an extremely competitive ballot that included 54 nominees, Benjamin Vandigo of Scales Mound and Kellen Henze of Eastland were both named first team All State. CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM Jaden Schutt, Yorkville Christian (6-6, Sr., G) 140 (unanimous) Jalen Quinn, Tuscola (6-3, Sr., PG) 126 Benjamin Vandigo, Scales Mound (6-4, Sr., G/F) 118 Danny Stephens, Augusta Southeastern (6-7, Jr., PG-C) 93 Kellen Henze, Lanark Eastland (6-2, Sr., G) 82 CLASS 1A SECOND TEAM Graham Meisenhelter, Macon Meridian (5-11, Sr., G) 47 Connor Brown, Cerro Gordo-Bement...
NUIC North First Team *Whitney Sullivan, Orangeville, So *Elaina Rager, Pecatonica, Fr Mary Zettle, Dakota, Sr Megan Holder, Aquin, So Grace Groezinger, Lena-Winslow, So Cierra Mapes, Lena-Winslow, Sr Second Team Olivia Robinson, Durand, Sr Alyssa Hunziker, Aquin, Sr Kali Humphrey, Lena-Winslow, Sr Laney Cahoon, Orangeville, Fr Kylie Wirth, Orangeville, Sr Cheyenne Handsaker, Pearl City, Sr Madison Carlson, Pecatonica, Sr Honorable Mention Meghan Carlisle, Aquin, So Ella Doyle, Orangeville, Sr Lauren Mellentine, Pecatonica, So Brea Musser,...
