17 minute read
Women Inspired Network
A WIN for Starved Rock Country
The Women Inspired Network a plus for nonprofits — and local women
By Charles Stanley
You don’t have to be rich to be a philanthropist.
Just ask the members of the Women Inspired Network, a growing group that now has more than 80 women ages 19 to 93.
WIN members pool their individual donations — typically starting at $200 annually — and then each fall vote on worthy organizations to receive grants.
WIN is organized along the lines of a “giving circle,” said Pamela Beckett, the founding president of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. “There are giving circles all over the world.”
In the grand scheme of organized philanthropies, giving circles are small players in terms of the amount of funds raised. But they are big players in spreading understanding about the members’ community.
Five years ago, Beckett was in the process of creating a giving circle when she learned OSF HealthCare Foundation Director of Philanthropy Cherie Reynolds was on a similar mission. They decided to work together. It was Reynolds who came up with the WIN name.
For WIN, the goal is to champion women’s interests, causes and concerns throughout the region. In the process the members learn more about their communities — as well as about each other.
“First, there is the joy of giving, which exists for everyone,” Beckett said. “But, second, there’s the opportunity to get to know women from the entire Starved Rock Country area — women that they never had the opportu
SUBMITTED PHOTO A success from the start: The inaugural event for the Women Inspired Network was held Oct. 2, 2016, at the Lock 16 Cafe and Canal Visitor Center in La Salle. The Power of One Dessert Reception featured four women guest speakers telling how they took action to fulfill a community need. Within 60 days more than 40 women joined WIN. nity to meet before from a social standpoint. And you know, when you sit down and have a glass of wine together you find out how much you have in common.”
Members come from a wide area beyond Ottawa, La Salle and Peru including Seneca, Walnut, Ladd, Hennepin, Granville, Standard, Streator and Mendota.
Beth Acuncius, a senior risk management analyst at Heartland Bank in Spring Valley heard of WIN at a Rotary meeting where Beckett gave a presentation.
“It’s such a great group and Pam is such a powerhouse,” Acuncius said. “I love hearing about the different organizations that you might not know about.”
That’s the real payoff for members, Beckett said: discovering the community organizations that strike a chord with WIN goals and are awarded a grant to help with their good work.
Through the award process, “we’ve learned about organizations we never heard of,” Beckett said.
For example, last year, one of the three recipients was Illinois Valley Community College’s Single Parent Connections program. The program actually has been on campus since 1997 and served more than 500 students but has a low profile.
“Last year, not only did it help 53 pregnant girls ages 18 and 19 trying to get through college while working, but it also helped with the fathers who are trying to do the right thing,” Beckett said. “There are 80 women in WIN and no one had ever heard of it.”
The grant was for $5,000. Similar grants were awarded to the Community Food Basket in Ottawa and Youth Outlook, an LGBTQ+ youth organization with a drop-in center at the Open Table United Church of Christ in Ottawa.
The grants are determined by how much money WIN collects during the year.
Any amount is welcome, but it takes annual donations totaling at least $200 for a woman to qualify as a voting member when it’s time to select the grant recipients. Yet, all women are welcome to WIN’s periodic meetings, whether they are a member or a friend.
“We would never turn any woman away,” Beckett said.
Dues can be paid all at once or in increments throughout the year.
In one case, the $200 for a member was donated by another family member. In another case, five female memberships were covered by one supportive man’s donation. In some other cases dues are paid by employers.
The grant award process is one of the highlights of the WIN year.
Grant applications are accepted during September, given an initial screening and finalists selected.
On Oct. 22, WIN members will assemble to hear the grant finalists’ presentations. The winners will be selected by vote and then announced at the annual “Celebration of Giving” set for Sunday, Nov. 8, at Deer Park Country Club.
“We’ve been very blessed by this community,” Beckett said.
Thinking of joining WIN? Beckett said a $200 membership payment now would entitle a woman to vote for this year’s grant recipients and also serve as the payment of their $200 membership contribution for 2021. For more information visit srccf.org, call 815-252-2906 or view https://animoto.com/play/11iTCUw5zW1txlfe0YA19g
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON
How the pandemic changed fashion trends
By Kim Shute
Fall is upon us, which for many means it’s the time to switch into our coziest clothes.
But, in the midst of a global pandemic, what does that mean when many have already traded business casual for work-from-home wear? A couple local boutique owners dish on what’s new for fall and how trends are shaping up this season. “Fashion styles have changed for some during the pandemic. People who went from working at a business to home I feel had the biggest change in fashion,” said Denna Leifheit, owner of Peaces of Fashion in La Salle. “Overall fashion in the Midwest has been nice-casual for a while – nice-casual is comfortable pants and tops but with style. The days of uncomfortable heels and clothes went out years ago.” “I feel people are smarter in their fashion, they buy things that can mix and match with different things and can be dressed up or down,” she said. “When we were on total shutdown we were in lounge wear, and sweats, but once things opened up we wanted to look nice when we went out.” “I buy for the women that want nice casual clothing you can add to things you already have or that will not go out of style in one season,” Leifheit said. “Leggings and big tees will always be in.” Fall fashion is still about comfort, Leifheit promises. “My slogan is ‘comfort from head to toe.’ Overall we want comfort with style. Our clothing shows our mood and we are all trying to stay positive in this crazy time, so a new pair of shoes or an outfit does that for some. Retail therapy is something I heard a lot from people during all of this.” PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON Accessories are a perfect way to dress up basics and add a signature touch to your look. Modern neutrals Amia Boutique owner Christine Eimer agrees that comfort is in the forefront of fall style. and a touch of delicate gold jewelry add a style to a basic look.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON Boutique owners Denna Leifheit, Peaces of Fashion in La Salle, and Christine Eimer, Amia Boutique in Spring Valley, both say joggers, leggings and T-shirts with funny or quirky sayings are big sellers going into fall. Shoppers are looking for casual yet stylish looks that are more versatile than the old work/home wardrobe.
“Leggings and comfy clothes have always been a customer favorite, but I would say even more so during the pandemic,” she said. “Leggings, joggers, slip-on shoes, graphic tees and comfy shorts have been popular during the pandemic.”
Eimer says customers still want something fresh and new, but also want to remain comfortable and stylish, so she tries to offer all that at Amia, located in Spring Valley.
“Our graphic tees have been a big seller during the pandemic,” she said.
“Shoppers love the variety of sayings and some bring some humor during these uncertain and stressful times.”
Fieldcrest Cross Country Coach, Carol Bauer, encourages her team during a recent meet. TOM SISTAK
KEEP IT GOING
Athletes, coaches grateful to have season, following guidelines
By Kevin Chlum
For 30 years, Fieldcrest cross country coach Carol Bauer has been teaching her runners to stay in packs while running in the street to stay safe with cars on the road.
Now she must have her runners stay 6 feet apart.
Bauer also is used to hugging, fist bumping or high-fiving her runners after a race.
She can’t do that this season.
She’s never had to carry around and constantly use hand sanitizer or wear a mask when around her athletes.
Now she does.
Such is life for an Illinois high school coach in 2020 as they handle and make sure their athletes follow protocols to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The biggest thing I’ve told the kids is we just have to be thankful for every day we spend together after what happened with track (being canceled in the spring),” Bauer said. “We were told (in track) it would just be a couple weeks then things would resume. There really was no closure. We all understand at any point things can be canceled. It makes us appreciate things with a lot more intensity.”
Athletes throughout the area agree with Bauer and are thankful to have a season.
In late July, the IHSA announced contact sports such as football, boys soccer and volleyball would be moved to the spring, but low risk sports such as golf, cross country, tennis and swimming could compete in the fall with restrictions.
“I was just really happy we were going to be able to play,” St. Bede golfer Alyssa Heitz said. “It’s my senior year. I wanted to go out and have a good season. I’d be willing to do whatever it takes to keep the season going. I think that’s why it’s so important to keep the guidelines and try really hard to make sure this isn’t spreading. Sports are really important to us and we want to keep playing as long as we can.”
All fall sports began practicing Aug. 10 and the seasons will end Oct. 24.
Instead of the traditional state series, each sport will end with only a regional competition with no advancement.
Athletes are required to wear masks in practice or competitions when not actively participating with golf being changed to allow no masks when social distancing is possible on the course.
The number of participants among participants, coaches and meet officials is limited to 50 and spectators are limited to 50 with some schools choosing not to allow spectators.
Athletes must have temperatures taken and be questioned about symptoms before practices and meets.
St. Bede Senior Alyssa Heitz
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNETTE BARR
Participants should not hug, high five or engage in any other physical celebration.
Athletes and coaches must social distance on the bus ride to events and if that’s not possible, must wear a mask.
“I was very happy to hear we were going to have a season,” L-P senior tennis player Karissa Etzenbach said. “It was difficult to adjust to the precautions with wearing a mask at some points and not being able to touch every ball, but with a few meets so far, I have pretty much adapted to the restrictions.”
Each sport has specific guidelines and restrictions as well.
In cross country, the course must be at least 6 feet wide at all times; if multiple races are held, participants must leave the course after their race; team camps must be at least 30 feet apart and runners should be spaced 6 feet apart at the starting line or starts should be staggered among other guidelines.
In golf, warmup groups are limited to no more than 50 people, there should be an outdoor waiting area for participants, scorecards should be bagged and given to participants and event volunteers/managers should wear masks at starting tees.
“With golf we already distance,” Heitz said. “There are spectator rules on how close they can get and if they can talk to us. I wouldn’t say that’s very different. The masks are different, but the IHSA has changed that so we only have to wear them when we can’t distance, which definitely helps a lot.
“It’s definitely been a lot different, but we’re glad to have a season at all. I’m really happy to see my teammates and be able to get out and play with them. It’s important to focus on the positive aspect.”
For swimming, relays are not permitted and in practices more than one teammate can be in a lane with written consent from parents, timers should be at the finish line and wear masks while lap counters should be at the turn.
“It was kind of strange at first, but I guess we’re getting more used to it the more we’re practicing,” L-P junior swimmer Peyton Heagy said. “For practice, it’s really different. Usually we have everyone all in one group and we’re in our lanes all together. Now we have to space out as much as we can. We have a different way to communicate when we have to go. At meets, we’re all wearing our masks until we have to actually swim. That’s kind of hard.
“I think we’re all staying positive even if it’s way different than what we’re used to.”
In tennis, alternating courts should be used for play if possible and players should avoid touching the ball as much as possible and balls should be restricted to certain groups.
“Everyone is having to adjust to it,” L-P junior tennis player Catherine Engels said. “It’s definitely not anything we’ve had before. It’s something we all have to work together to figure out to get through it.”
Bauer said from what she’s seen, the athletes have done a good job sticking to the guidelines.
“They’re grateful to be back in school,” Bauer said. “All of our lives have changed, but for kids especially. They’ve missed out on a big chunk of their lives. It’s not as dramatic as someone losing a loved one due to the virus, but for them they’re grateful and if these are the rules they have to follow, they’ve been good about it. The only problems have been ones of innocence where they just forget and I have to remind them to be 6 feet apart.
“Every coach I’ve talked to has said everyone is so thankful to have something that the kids are all following along.”
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