Putnam County Record_05032023

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PUBLISHER

Dan Goetz

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EDITOR

Jayce Eustice

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jeustice@shawmedia.com

Welcome back to Thank You, Teachers

VIEWS

Dennis Anderson

we’ve written even more. You can see all of these stories on ShawLocal.com, and your local newspaper’s website.

per and media for purposes like this. Sincerely, Anne Styx”

Sauk Valley Editor Troy E. Taylor said many of the comments he received ended with something similar to this: “If you do this again, make sure you do a story about _______.”

And here we are with Thank You, Teachers Part II.

Thank You, Teachers is about recognizing educators for the work they do to prepare the next generation for the future, and life. We are thanking them for their long hours they put in after the school day ends and for sometimes dipping into their own pocketbook to make sure their class has everything it needs to be successful.

It’s our way of acknowledging the value these educators have in our lives.

Last year we wrote 172 stories about teachers in our Shaw Media markets throughout northern Illinois. This year

NEWS BRIEFS

Applications for the I.F. Doug and Ella Stonier Education Scholarship available through June 2

The I.F. Doug Stonier and Ella Stonier Educational Trust will award scholarships to college students for the 2023-24 school year.

To be eligible, students must have resided in Granville, Hennepin or Magnolia in Putnam County for a period of three years before the award of the scholarship.

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of educational capability and financial need to students working toward a bachelor’s degree who are entering their third or fourth year of college.

Applications for a scholarship may be picked up at the Granville National Bank in Granville. Completed applications will be accepted no later than June 2.

Applications for the Erna A. Moews Memorial Scholarship are available through June

2

Members of the Erna A. Moews Memorial Scholarship Fund committee announced the availability of scholarships for the 202324 school year.

Last year we received so many kind notes, emails and phone calls from readers thanking us for Thank You, Teachers. This is one of my favorite notes:

“My mom and dad are residents of Dixon, Illinois, and they saved ‘Thank You, Teachers’ for me to see. This was such a lovely gesture. It was well done and put teachers in such a glowingly positive light in so many stories, right where they deserve to be. I am a teacher in New Lenox, Illinois. Vicariously, this meant a lot to me. This was a serious undertaking and effort. Time and thought was spent, and that matters so much in expressions of gratitude. Thank you for doing this for the teachers in your area. Please keep using the newspa-

You will find many of those suggestions here. Please also find the hundreds of notes you wrote about your favorite teachers. And don’t forget our Sports section, where you can find stories about teachers who also lead some of your favorite young athletes as coaches.

We hope you enjoy today’s unique coverage. Please let us know what you think.

Meanwhile, we plan to have another special day like today to share with you in November when we recognize our veterans.

•DennisAndersonisvicepresidentof news&contentdevelopmentforShaw Media.Hecanbereachedatdanderson@ shawmedia.com.

Applicants must be high school graduates and pursuing a major in architecture, fine arts, science, mathematics or computer science who are entering their third or fourth year of college. Students must have resided for a period of three years in

Granville Township.

Application forms may be obtained from the Granville National Bank. Completed forms must be submitted to the Granville National Bank by June 2.

– Shaw Local News Network

When we were planning the inaugural Thank You, Teachers edition last year, I had a strong feeling we’d be doing this again. There were so many more stories left for us to tell.

Photo provided by Jen Heredia

The I.F. Doug Stonier and Ella Stonier Educational Trust will award scholarships to college students for the 2023-24 school year.

‘THEY ARE LIKE LITTLE PUZZLES’

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Putnam County teacher enjoys the challenge of educating

By JAYCE EUSTICE | jeustice@shawmedia.com

These early experiences with kids led her college path where she continued to progress toward working with children, this time as an educator.

She attended IVCC and ISU before getting her first position as a third grade teacher in Midland, where she ran into a situation most first-year teachers would never have to experience.

“I worked with a lot of great people and learned a lot over there,” Delvallee said. “I was actually there when our school got shut down from lead, asbestos and mold. It was super interesting and a great learning experience.”

enjoys the personalities of students she sees on a daily basis.

“First grade has a ton of great things that I like,” Delvallee said. “That’s where they really learn to read and I love teaching reading. It’s really fun to see them understand or find their love for reading.”

She said that in kindergarten, many kids are still learning the fundamentals of reading, while by first grade they are beginning to read and understand stories. While Delvallee loves her time in first grade, she said that for her it’s fun to teach different grade levels.

“I don’t see myself anywhere else,” Delvallee said. “I genuinely love to teach. I love the kids and I love to hear their stories, get to know them and see what works for them because they are like little puzzles. You have to figure out what’s going to help them work best.”

During her first year on the job, Delvallee taught from three classrooms while she was moved around to accommodate the building’s circumstances. She later settled into a first grade position at Midland before accepting a position closer to home at Putnam County Primary School, where she has taught for six years.

As a first grade teacher, Delvallee said she really

“I also love the older kids,” Delvallee said. “My rule of thumb is that I don’t want to teach anybody taller than me so that caps me at about fourth grade. There’s perks of all the grades. I wouldn’t say that I would want to be stuck in one grade forever, I like to move around because I just like to see all of the different

See DELVALLEE, page 9

Abby Delvallee, a teacher at Putnam County Primary School, poses for a photo March 28. ON THE COVER: Delvallee cuts a piece of paper for her students March 28.

From babysitting early in her life, to helping with multiple arts and crafts camps and being involved in sports programs, kids always seemed to be in Putnam County first grade teacher Abby Delvallee’s career path.

By TOM COLLINS | tcollins@shawmedia.com

How did you learn Shakespeare? Did your teacher make you read it aloud in iambic pentameter? Or did you have to peek at Cliffs Notes while wrestling with “Hamlet” at home?

Brittany Rynkewicz has taken a different approach: The students at St. Bede Academy in Peru act out scenes and ponder aloud what makes the characters tick. Rynkewicz is an English teacher, as well as chairwoman of the St. Bede English Department, and she believes drama and literature are supposed to be fun and relatable.

Her teaching style isn’t all fun and games, though. While she’s got a knack for getting her students engaged in the subject matter, she brooks little patience for feeble excuses and has been known to push when her students won’t give it their all.

“And that is something I’ve had to learn to navigate,” Rynkewicz said. “I struggle with making my content sig -

nificant when kids have bigger things going on in their lives outside of our classroom.”

If it’s a struggle, it’s one she’s concealed well from her peers. Kari Gaviña is a Spanish teacher at St. Bede who, during her first year, was assigned a mentor and was paired with Rynkewicz. They became fast friends and Gaviña was impressed with Rynkewicz’s “inspiring” command of the classroom and ability to get everyone involved.

“She knows that all students are capable of doing the work, but (some) just choose not to,” Gaviña said. “Brittany is a no-nonsense teacher, so from day one students know that their grade is 100% their responsibility.”

Rynkewicz was herself a give-all student, though her mom at one point was unsure whether a career in education was in the cards. Had Donna Schueler been asked what career lay ahead for her only daughter, Donna might have flipped a coin.

Heads, and it’d have been veterinary medicine; Brittany always had loved animals. Tails, teaching. Brittany had “played school” with the neighborhood kids and, except for a little junior high basketball, her preferred hobby was reading.

“One of the first things my mom did when we moved to Seneca was get me a library card,” said Rynkewicz, who was born in New Jersey but graduated from Seneca High School in 2007. “I

spent a lot of my summers walking the block and a half from my grandparents’ house to the library and carrying back however many books I was allowed to check out at the time.”

It was one of her teachers at Seneca High that left the most lasting impression. Marilee Applebee taught English and found a most willing student in Rynkewicz, who was so diligent she kept color-coded notes.

“The expectations she set before us were clear and challenging,” Rynkewicz said. “The encouragement she gave us was genuine and constant.”

By graduation date, Rynkewicz had firmly ruled out being a veterinarian –

See RYNKEWICZ, page 10

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Brittany Rynkewicz teaches on Tuesday, March 21, at St. Bede Academy.

Annette Davis wanted to fill a vacancy left in her education

By JAYCE EUSTICE | jeustice@shawmedia.com

For Putnam County’s K-12 media director and hearing impaired teacher Annette Davis, her career in education came from wanting to fill a role that was vacant in her own education.

Davis grew up wearing hearing aids and in need of educational hard of hearing services.

“I wish I would’ve had someone like me around when I was growing

up,” Davis said. “I want to be to them what I could’ve and should of had. Back then it wasn’t there and we didn’t have that kind of support system. It’s an honor to be able to give back and help realize what they need.”

Davis originally begin her higher education wanting to be a social worker to “save the world.” One of

See DAVIS, page 11

Ptak Monuments

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Annette Davis poses with a library book March 28 at Putnam County High School.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN, FOR CHILDREN

After 35 years, LJH’s Anne Devert knows

By JAYCE EUSTICE | jeustice@shawmedia.com

This question from Devert’s mother helped spark a teaching career that has spanned more than three decades and now will come to an end this summer after 35 years in the classroom.

Working with kids came naturally to Devert after being the youngest of six children, working as a babysitter and watching her older sister man a classroom for many years before her.

During the early days of her education, Devert attended school in Bureau County and experienced many of her

teachers handling multiple grade levels because of the size of the school.

After many positive experiences with her teachers growing up, and a few negative ones, she decided to fully pursue her own career in education.

“I had some fabulous teachers and I thought, ‘Why couldn’t everyone be like this?’” Devert said. “I thought that maybe I should be a teacher and see what I could do to make it all a little bit

it’s still all about the kids

“My mom asked me, ‘Well, what do you want to do?’” Logan Junior High teacher Anne Devert said. “I said to her, ‘I don’t know. What is there to do with kids?’”

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Anne Devert teaches math to students on April 20 at Logan Junior High School in Princeton. See

‘LOVED EVERY SINGLE YEAR I’VE EVER TAUGHT’

CLASS OF 2023 INDUCTEE

Eric Bryant, IVCC/DEPUE/HALL

• After a standout career at DePue and IVCC, he became a legendary basketball coach

• Coached DePue boys basketball from 1974-78 & 1979-84, finished with a record of 145-90, won two regionals and a sectional

• Coached basketball at Hall where he compiled a 277-238 record in 19 seasons, including two straight Class A runner-up finishes in 1996-97 and 1997-98; was ranked No. 1 in 1998, undefeated in their first 32 games before falling in the state title game

• At Hall, had 10 winning seasons, six regional titles, three sectional titles and the two state appearances, won the school’s first NCIC championship

• Member of the IBCA HOF, Hall HS HOF & BC Sports HOF

Quick has been at Holy Family School for most of six decades

By TOM COLLINS | tcollins@shawmedia.com

Lynn Quick first walked into Holy Family School when she was 4 – parents then could enroll their kindergartners before age 5 – and she’s still at the Oglesby school more than 60 years later.

Quick, 64, is an Oglesby native who settled on a teaching career even before she graduated from Holy Family, thanks mainly to an always-smiling Felician sister who inspired her to teach, if not to take up the habit herself.

Quick loved Holy Family School as a child and, except for her years in high school and at college, she’s remained there most of six decades, with 43 years teaching.

“I’ve actually loved every single year I’ve ever taught,” Quick said. “I’ve never thought of going anywhere else.”

A love of Oglesby and its parish runs in the family. George and Marilyn Argubright were Oglesby natives who sent all four of their daughters (Lynn is second born) to Holy Family. When the Argubright girls were students, the

Holy Family faculty was largely comprised of Felician sisters who weren’t above corporal punishment.

“Some of my favorite teachers were the sisters, and some of them were genuinely wonderful,” Quick said. “Some of them, yeah, you’d get a rap on the knuckles if you had sloppy handwriting or if you were turned around talking to someone.

“But at least for me, I didn’t see a lot of that.”

One of the nuns left a particularly lasting impression. Her seventh grade teacher, Sister Mary Andrene, was especially kind and “smiled every day, no matter what happened.”

“I remember saying to my mom at the end of seventh grade, ‘I’d love to be

The Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony will be held on June 8 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle. Scan the QR code for tickets or go to:

www.shawmediaevents.com/e/2023-shaw-media-illinois-valley-sports-hall-of-fam

To be considered for the NewsTribune’s Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame, an athlete or coach must have lived in the area during his or her accomplishments or have attended an area high school and must be five years removed from high school. The inductees will be announced in a random order.

Sponsored by:

Gold Sponsors

Happ Family Foundation | Hall High School | La Salle-Peru High School

McDonald’s - Spring Valley Mendota & Princeton | State Farm - Kurt Bruno Marquette Academy

Maze Lumber | Grassers Plumbing & Heating | Ottawa High School | Sullivan’s Foods

Princeton High School/Princeton Tiger Athletic Booster Club | Ohio Community Schools

SM-LA2068867

Eureka Savings Bank | St. Bede Academy | Judd Construction | The

Shaw Media File Photo

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Lynn Quick poses for a photo March 22 at Holy Family School in Oglesby.

FEELING THE CALL TOWARD EDUCATION

For junior high teacher Tracey Schoff, Bureau Valley always has been home

By JAYCE EUSTICE | jeustice@shawmedia.com

Bureau Valley Junior High teacher Tracey Schoff always has called Bureau Valley her home. Being born and raised in Walnut and going through the Walnut School District, Schoff later sent her own kids to BV.

After beginning her career in education as an aide in BV for a few years, she decided to further explore her interest and pursued a full-time teaching degree. This decision has led to a 17-year career teaching kids in BV, where she once was a student.

“I discovered that I just really loved working with the students,” Schoff said. “So I decided to go back to school to teach. I was already in the district

and just drove back and forth from school.”

Shortly following her graduation, Schoff had her daughter when a parttime math position opened up at the former BV-North School. Schoff took the role and once again got started in the Bureau Valley School District, a place she has enjoyed working.

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DID YOU KNOW…?

5.8 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia.

The lifetime costs of family care for a person with dementia average over $200,000, or about $273.00 a month.

But we can help!

Through funding provided for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia, we are able to work with families- people with dementia and people caring for those with dementia- to help cover the costs of care and daily living.

These funds can cover a variety of items to enhance or improve the day-to -day care of persons with dementia and/or their caregivers, such as:

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Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Tracey Schoff, a teacher at Bureau Valley Junior High School, smiles to her students April 6. See SCHOFF, page 16

Continued from page 3

Despite her nine years in education, she continues to believe that much of what you learn as a teacher are things that you continue to pick up through being in the classroom.

While her education prepared her to be a teacher, for Delvallee, the experiences she has gained while interacting with students and working alongside fellow teachers and administration have been of utmost value.

“Getting to know students is kind of what changes everything,” Delvallee said. “You have a different group every year who have different needs and interests. Finding things that appeals to them is the great challenge to me.”

Digging into the individual student and finding out what motivates them or helps them grasp a lesson continues to be a large part of what she does with each class she comes across. While it can be challenging at times, Delvallee said that it’s one of the things about teaching she enjoys the most.

“They each need different things and they are each at different levels,” she said.

This approach to teaching has led to a decrease in whole group learning in the classroom and an increase in small group or individualized learning where students are grouped with those who have a similar learning style or interests.

CLASS OF 2023 INDUCTEE

Bob Prusator, TISKILWA

At Putnam County, Delvallee said that she often collaborates with her fellow first and second grade teachers as they come together in attempts to provide what is best for the individual student. Her experiences in the classroom also helped her become more flexible and organized.

“You have to be flexible and be able to learn and move with the kids,” Delvallee said. “We have to get to know them in order to know what they really need. I just think collaboration is huge.”

For Delvallee, the teamwork between teachers, administration and parents all come together to define the education of an individual student.

That collaboration also has led to Delvallee taking part in committees in Putnam County as well as serving in training and leadership roles.

She has served as a junior high and freshman volleyball coach, participated as a mentor teacher, been the teacher for a number of students serving clinical hours and student teaching and assisted a number of high school helpers.

While she continues to enjoy her work with current and prospective teachers, for Delvallee the reason she is in the classroom comes right back to her beginnings: the kids.

“It’s fun and every day is different. You never know what you are going to get,” Delvallee said. “Every year is different and you have to change from year to year and adjust based on the needs that they have.”

• Legendary basketball coach at Tiskilwa, where he compiled a 531-199 record from 1958-86

• During his 27 seasons at Tiskilwa, his teams won 14 conference titles, seven IHSA Regionals, one Sectional, and one IHSA Super-sectional

• Coached 1982-83 squad to Class A State Tournament

• Also coached football for nine seasons, was school’s AD; Member of the IBCA, Bureau County Sports HOF

• One of three area boys basketball coaches with more than 500 career wins at one school

The Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony will be held on June 8 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle. Scan the QR code for tickets or go to: www.shawmediaevents.com/e/2023-shaw-media-illinois-valley-sports-hall-of-fam

To be considered for the NewsTribune’s Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame, an athlete or coach must have lived in the area during his or her accomplishments or have attended an area high school and must be five years removed from high school. The inductees will be announced in a random order.

Sponsored by:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Village of DePue

DePue Men’s Club Mendota High School Booster Club

Bronze Sponsors

Happ Family Foundation | Hall High School | La Salle-Peru High School

McDonald’s - Spring Valley Mendota & Princeton | State Farm - Kurt Bruno Marquette Academy

Maze Lumber | Grassers Plumbing & Heating | Ottawa High School | Sullivan’s Foods

Princeton High School/Princeton Tiger Athletic Booster Club | Ohio Community Schools

SM-LA2068870

Eureka Savings Bank | St. Bede Academy | Judd Construction | The Locker Room

1961 Undefeated Tiskilwa Football Team | Prescott Brothers

Shaw Media File Photo

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com Abby Delvallee, a teacher at Putnam County Primary School, poses for a photo March 28.

• RYNKEWICZ

“The love for animals is definitely still there but not the love of science” – and had been accepted into Illinois State University, her first and only choice.

Rynkewicz earned a bachelor’s degree in 2011 in English education with a minor in Spanish from ISU, where she also earned a master’s in teaching and learning (formerly Curriculum and Instruction) in 2016, she said.

She taught English at La Salle-Peru High School (she transferred to St. Bede in 2015), where she immediately adopted Marilee Applebee’s credo of challenging and encouraging her students. Rynkewicz still is remembered warmly at L-P.

“Brittany was funny and often fearless as a teacher at L-P. She loved to laugh and share stories of students learning and surprising her,” English teacher Tracy Boylan

said. “Her students adored her and she adored them.”

Retired English teacher Jill Hoelzer recalled Rynkewicz served as an assistant debate team coach who was equally encouraging and demanding as in the classroom.

“She encouraged her team to try new things, work hard, and develop life-long skills they would use in the future,” Hoelzer said.

Rynkewicz might have stayed on at L-P but St. Bede was closer to home and enabled her to attend her children’s games, shows and activities after school.

“On a good day, my classroom is lively, and every kid learns something,” she said. “Ideally, the kids are working together with energy and intention or we’re having a meaningful discussion about literature and its application to their lives.

“I also like having kids pop back in my room even when they aren’t in my class that year, but I think that’s more so for the Lifesaver mints on my desk than to see me.”

•

DEVERT

more fun or a little bit more understanding for kids.”

Devert believes there are many students who see school as their safe place and need time to interact with one another and people at the school who they see on a regular basis.

Devert said she sees her students as miniature adults who need to be treated as such and helps in any way that she can. For her, teaching and interacting with the students truly helped her come out of her shell.

After graduating from Illinois State University, Devert first became a substitute teacher in Bureau County before accepting a position at Tiskilwa Grade School as an aide for a split classroom.

“I thought that I would know where I was going every day and see the same kids every day,” Devert said. “I got to work with a wonderful lady, Joanne Patterson, and when she found out that I had my degree, we took turns.”

Devert and Patterson would switch weekly between teaching second and third grades. The two would help each other grow as educators and participated in larger group projects with the classes when it was helpful.

Following her year with Patterson, Devert took on a third grade position of her own at Tiskilwa and then a fourth grade position at the same school. She ended up serving in another aide role and then transitioned to a long-term aide role before settling into the heart of her teaching career.

Thank you to all our PC Teachers!

In full-time positions, she has taught 10 years in fourth grade and about 23 years in a fifth grade classroom.

For Devert, the early years of uncertainty working with fellow teachers and bouncing around schools and classrooms quickly helped adapt her to a life in the classroom.

“As a teacher you have to be very flexible,” Devert said. “I know what I’m supposed to do tomorrow, but there are interruptions.”

While interruptions may come now

and again, Devert said that she really values the opportunity she has to interact with the kids in her classroom and make a positive impact on their lives.

“I love to get to know their little personalities and I can tell if something is bothering them,” Devert said. “I can tell if they don’t feel the best.”

Throughout her career, Devert has learned to make adjustments as they have been needed to better serve her students. One of these adjustments has been the increase in reading aloud to the kids.

Devert is a strong believer that this practice helps the students with their comprehension and their ability to know what reading is supposed to sound like. She said she tries to read aloud to her students daily.

“There’s so much information out there that is digital, that they don’t have to work at stuff and they need to work at reading,” Devert said. “They need to know what it sounds like to read fluently. I think reading and writing are huge.”

Devert thinks that she has learned a lot about educating over the years from not only listening to her students but also collaborating with her fellow teachers.

Two of her fifth grade colleagues –Nancy Huber and Eileen Behrends –will be joining Devert in retirement at the end of this school year.

“I’ve had fabulous coworkers,” Devert said. “We’ve all become really good friends and I think that’s huge. I like working here and I like the people that I work with.”

Devert said the teachers she works with have been more than happy to share ideas, projects and tips between them, leading to a positive and student-first work environment.

While her kids and coworkers have been the main thing that has kept Devert in the classroom throughout her 35 years and will be the main things that she misses, she will move on to tackle her next chapter in life.

Continued from page 5

the first friends she made knew sign language which peaked her interest in learning from him.

“I thought, ‘Wow, this is really cool. Maybe I want to be a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing,’” Davis said. “So I switched my major and transferred to another college and graduated with a teaching certificate.”

This move for Davis kicked off a teaching career that has spanned 42 years including 17 years in Florida, two years in Joliet and now 23 years working in the Putnam County School District.

Davis first began as a self-contained deaf and hard of hearing teacher but after returning to Illinois saw a decrease in students in need of her specific services. This led to her accepting a position as an itinerant teacher at Putnam County, where she was shared with other local districts.

“I would travel,” Davis said. “I had students over in Hennepin, Tonica, Grand Ridge and Lostant so that’s how I would spend my days. The further I’ve ever been east is Senica, the furthest north was Mendota and the furthest south was Streator.”

As the number of her deaf and hard of hearing students dwindled, Davis took the opportunity to take classes to qualify herself to become a school librarian, a title that has since evolved to include the responsibilities of a media director for the school district.

Davis manages the library at the Putnam County High School and helps the paraprofessionals that are in charge of the libraries at the other district buildings.

“They are amazing and wonderful people,” Davis said. “I couldn’t live without them. They do so much more above and beyond what they get paid to do.”

As the media director, Davis said that the role has grown far from the traditional librarian and her passion for books. The job now encompasses a wide variety of technologies from computers,

learning aids and much more.

“It’s been like a roller coaster and I never want to stop learning,” Davis said. “I want to keep learning, too, and I think that’s part of what has made me want to be a teacher and what has inspired me to help the kids as well.”

While transitioning to her new title as media director, Davis also has continued to help the district service deaf and hard of hearing students when it has been needed. She still works with one student who will be graduating this year.

Working with those who are hard of hearing always has been close to Davis’ work as sometimes it can be as simple as not facing the board while teaching or also can require a more intensive oneon-one level of helping.

“When I first started learning sign language I thought ‘I’ve found my people,’” Davis said. “I found my language and it’s still a big part of who I am and I can’t stop. Sign language helps me find the words that I need to express myself.”

Over her years in education, Davis said that she has continued to see herself in the students that she services and also serves as a voice for them in communication to their classroom teachers about what may help them learn more effectively.

“I love it when that light bulb comes on,” Davis said. “They see ‘Oh, this is how to do this skill.’ Just for them to realize that this is what I need and it’s OK to keep learning. The skills that we are giving them are preparing them for life.”

For Davis, these educational collaborations don’t just come from the teachers in the classroom and the parents. Large roles also are played by everyone the student interacts with daily from paraprofessionals, cooks, bus drivers

and janitors.

Being there for the students she served is something that Davis has close to her heart throughout her teaching tenure.

“Just to know that those kids are relying on me is important,” Davis said. “They need me and I need them. They just challenge me in different ways to grow and things to read. I’ve had students recommend books for me to read and I just cherish that. The students really make the big difference.”

While the students have made the difference for Davis, Assistant High School Principal Chris Newsome said Davis has made a big difference for many of the students and faculty that work and attend Putnam County.

“She does a great job of unifying the schools, not only as just a librarian or media director, she goes way past that,” Newsome said. “She provides so many resources for kids and instructors. She’s just a great individual to feature and she’s one of the good ones.”

Davis plans to retire from the Putnam County School District after the 2023-24 school year after a total of 43 years in education and helping those in needs of hearing services.

“I’m here in Putnam County and I’m honored to work here,” Davis said. “It’s really a wonderful district with great people to work with. The community, staff and students all make it a blessing to work here and finish my teaching career here.”

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Annette Davis hands student Brian Ochoa a library book March 28 at Putnam County High School.

ThankTeachersYou,

Teacher: Megan Lule

Mrs. Lule has been amazing teacher this year.

Madelyn Keigley

Thank you to our area teachers!

Teacher: Laura Nichols

Thank you Mrs. Nichols for being a fantastic art teacher. You have helped me get better at art and learning to take more time on things. Thank you for letting me rant to you during my art class it really does make a difference to me that someone as kind as you are has the time to sit and listen to your students rant on and on about there days and what they have done that weekend. You are an amazing teacher and an amazing person to talk to thank you Mrs.Nichols.

Elizabeth Bowyer

Teacher: Kathy Cook

Dear Mrs Cook, Teachers are what we depend on 7 hours of our day to keep us safe and to help us learn. You have done this in so many ways. Not only in Spanish, but also in History, Drama, and Language arts. You’re such a hard working woman and i’m so happy to call you my teacher and I’m so thankful for everything these past years.

Marilyn Clausen

Teacher: Haley Ackerman

Thank you for being an amazing teacher and making fun things for us to do.

Avery

Bopes

Teacher: Haley Ackerman

Thank you so much for all the hard work you do. Your teaching truly change how I learn in every positive way.

Xiomara Cortez

Teacher: Heidi Anderson

Dear Mrs. Anderson,

Thank you for making 2nd grade awesome! Since being in your class I have become a better speller and writer. The most important lesson I learned is to be a kind and caring person. Hope you had as good of a year as I did. I can’t wait for 3rd grade, but I will miss you!

Trenton Pierson

Teacher: Brandie Jacobs

Isaiah and I would like to thank you for all your hard work last year and your dedication to try and get him to school. Please don’t ever stop being you.

Isaiah Bushman

Teacher: Holly Kitchens

Thank you Mrs. Kitchens for always leaving your door open. You are always there whenever I need help. If I don’t understanding something you take the extra time for me. If I’m having a bad day you take the time to listen to me. You encourage me to know I can do it..

Charlotte Hubbard

Teacher: Ashley Anne

Thank you for being an amazing teacher and making fun things for us to do.

Avery Bopes

Teacher: Kristal LeRette

Thank you Mrs. LeRette for teaching me that I can do things that I thought I couldn’t do. Thanks for making me believe that people do like me. Also, thanks for teaching me to like math and helping me to tell time. Thanks for sharing Elsa. Thank you for not letting me give up and for never giving up on me through the hard times and the good times.

Chandra Segerstrom

ThankTeachersYou,

Teacher: Margo Cartwright

Mrs. Cartwright, You are the best teacher. You are very nice. I am glad I am your student. Thank you for being my teacher.

Love, Wyatt Quanstrom

Teacher: Alex Binek

Wyatt Quanstrom

Thank you to him because he has really helped me develop a passion for playing the trombone a passion I hope to keep up for a while. So thanks to him he has really changed my life.

Lily Switzer-Bowers

Teacher: Miss Highland Wiseman

Although it’s been 66 years since she was my English teacher in Depue, I want to thank Miss Wiseman for insisting that my spoken English be as good as my written English: if you can count it, use “number,” not “amount;” subject and verb must agree; there, their, and they’re are not interchangeable. My subconscious mind still keeps all that straight without conscious thought. Also, you taught us not use a knife on something that can be cut with a fork!

Norma Hedges

Teacher: Debbie Rossler

Thank you for all you do! It’s so comforting knowing you truly care about your students and do so much to help them! I know you are one of the best parts of my daughters day as I am sure the rest of your students.

Maya Bantista

Teacher: Brandy Jacobs

Thank you for always being positive, positive attitude even on your down days, positive influence, positive support, always being there when we need someone to talk to or vent to or need help anything school or home related. Thank you for always being there

Oliver Stabler

Teacher: Stacy Harper

Thank you for making first grade so much fun. Thank you for your patience, support and showing us kindness. Every day you show us how to be better humans and we can always count on you to lead us when we lose our way. You have taught us so much this year and we will forever cherish the memories we made in your classroom. I think I speak for everyone when we say that a thank you doesn’t do enough justice, but THANK YOU!

John McConnell

Teacher: Angie Thompson

Thank you for all you have do! You go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to your students. Your patience and love for them is top tier! We’re so thankful for you!

Kristina Cain

Teacher: Heidi Anderson

Heidi, thank you for being a ray of sunshine to every kid you meet!

Mia Jacobs

Teacher: Amanda Fischer

Mrs. Fischer is always very polite and friendly. She is a one in a million teachers because of her attitude towards her students, she adores all of her students and treats all of them as one of her children.

Stephan Marcum

Teacher: Ms.Conner

Thank you for being an awesome teacher this year and the last year because so far you have been the nicest teacher I have had.

Armany Delatorre

Below is a random selection of the letters submitted by students from our Thank You, Teachers contest.

Continued from page 7

just like Sister Mary Andrene,’” Quick said. “If I could do what she does for us every day, I think I’d be happy for the rest of my life.

“Well, here I am still,” Quick said. “So I guess it was the right choice.”

Sammi Sarosinski, of Oglesby, certainly thinks so. Sarosinski thought highly enough of Quick to approach her about serving as her daughter’s Confirmation sponsor, which Quick was happy to do.

“She was definitely one of my favorite teachers,” Sarosinski said. “I’ve had great teachers and you know they care, but with Lynn you know she individually cares about every single person in her class.”

Quick may have been influenced by a nun, but she said she never sensed a vocation to be a nun. That isn’t to say the Felicians didn’t try talking her into it. When Quick was 6, one of the nuns herded all the first-graders – “God bless her, there were 41 of us” – onto a bus to Chicago for a discernment weekend to see if any of the kids had a calling.

That was Quick’s first time in Chicago and she loved every minute; but she never felt a summons then or in the sixth grade when she attended another discernment event.

(Instead, she had a vocation to marriage. Bill Quick was a fellow Oglesby native but they met on a Florida beach when a wave literally pushed her into her future husband. They have been married 33 years and have two grown children.)

Quick would finish her education outside the Catholic school system.

“I had very faithful parents,” said Quick, who was happy attending La Salle-Peru High School, “so it’s not as though she couldn’t teach me the things I’d be missing (at public school).”

After studying at Illinois Valley Community College and completing a bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University, she accepted a teaching position at Holy Family in the 1980-81 school year.

The nuns had first choice on which classes to teach, which relegated Quick to seventh grade. Quick took an instant liking to junior high students and was doubly pleased to get Sister Mary Andrene’s old classroom. One day Mary Andrene, now Mother Superior, walked in and immediately recognized the

How to submit

young woman at the blackboard.

“This is so familiar,” the nun marveled.

“I’m here because of you,” Quick replied. She said now, “It really was the greatest reunion.”

A nun at Holy Family soon became a rare sighting. As the professed sisters aged and retired, they were called back to the big-city convents.

“And then, eventually, there just weren’t any available and now we are

all lay teachers,” Quick said.

Quick bounced back and forth between seventh and eighth grades, which suited her well. She’d never felt drawn into elementary or secondary education and felt a strong connection to the pre-teens.

“They are looking for answers about so many things,” Quick said. “They are very interested in who they are becoming, they’re very interested in their faith and they’re very interested in why they’re here.

“And it’s so important that there’s somebody who can address that for them.”

Her principal certainly is pleased. Jyll Jasiek said not only is Quick a skilled educator but also she’s a woman of faith who lives out her creed.

“She captures their attention not only with her teaching style but also her life stories,” Jasiek said. “Lynn lives her life and teaches through her faith every day.”

Quick in no way disavows that.

“I truly believe that if people are meant to be teachers, they are also meant to have a niche – a place in the educational framework that’s their comfort zone and where they contribute the most,” she said. “This is my niche.”

Although she’s closing in on retirement age, Quick has no immediate plans to call it a career.

“I know I’m coming back next year, and still very excited about coming back next year. And then? We’ll see.”

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Lynn Quick assists student Maggie Boudreau with building a bridge out of wood March 22 at Holy Family School in Oglesby.

ThankTeachersYou,

Shaw Local News Network would like to recognize and thank the teachers and support staff in our community,

Putnam County CUSD #535

Putnam County High School

Putnam County Junior High

Putnam County Elementary

Putnam County Primary School

Henry-Senachwine CUSD #5

Henry-Senachwine Grade School/Junior High

Henry-Senachwine High School

Fieldcrest Community Unit School District #6

Fieldcrest Primary School

Fieldcrest Middle School

Fieldcrest Intermediate School

Fieldcrest High School

“I’ve always been a part of this community,” Schoff said. “It’s where I started and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”

That role eventually evolved into a math and social studies position and then a full-time role teaching social studies at the junior high level.

While Schoff didn’t immediately recognize teaching as her professional calling, when taking compatibility and skills tests growing up, she knew that she would enjoy working with kids in some capacity.

“I would tell myself that I’m going to be in business or something like that and so I tried to stay away from it,” Schoff said. “Then I just got pulled back because that’s what I love and where I feel my gift is.”

Schoff originally gained experience working for all different ages of students, from her beginnings as an aide for kindergarteners before finding a true home working at the junior high level.

“It’s the relationships that you have with the junior high kids,” Schoff said. “Some teachers might hate junior high, but I just feel more

comfortable with them and can build relationships with them.”

While academics obviously play a huge role in her position, Schoff truly values working alongside the students in attempts to teach them the content and skills that they will continue to use moving forward.

Schoff said that one of her main goals is to have her students wanting to learn and continue to be lifelong learners once they are finished with their formal education.

“I want my students to know that they are valued and I want them to find their potential,” Schoff said. “I want them to know that people care about them. That’s one of my biggest goals is to have that positive influences on them and to validate each of my students so they leave junior high knowing their worth.”

Schoff’s message of being a lifelong learner is one that she has carried with herself during her own professional career, stating that she has had to continue to develop her own skills as an educator.

This development also leads to the need to identify the specific needs of the individual student and in some cases has to create new ways to help students grasp a specific topic or lesson.

“It’s definitely a humbling career,” Schoff said. “You think you’ve got it down and then all of a sudden the next day there’s a new situation. I know that I’ve got to keep learning new strategies, classroom management and even content.”

Schoff believes that every student is different, every class is different and every school year brings a new set of challenges that teachers need to adapt to overcome.

Those words rung true as Schoff, among countless educators around the world, had to adjust how they performed their jobs during the pandemic.

“We had to step out of our comfort zones and find new strategies to reach those kids at home,” Schoff said. “Now we can use a lot of what we learned moving forward.”

Schoff added that her class, and many others, have come out of the pandemic with an increase in the amount of technology used to effectively educated students.

One adjustment Schoff’s class made was to change the way they would create their living wax museum projects. Before the pandemic, students would dress up as historical figures and create a scene and invite members of the public to

come and view.

Using technology, the class has since been able to create the scenes using green screen to place the historical actors into the time periods that they belong.

“We’ve done things like that,” Schoff said. “They’ve been really fun and innovative and I think it’s just made everyone learn a little bit more.”

Outside of her individual classroom Schoff has been involved in the district as a mentor teacher, cheer coach, student council sponsor and a robotics coach.

These extracurriculars have helped Schoff’s career passion grow. While she enjoys the school district she works for and the teachers and faculty she works with, it’s the students that have kept her doing what she loves to do.

“It’s the kids that need me,” Schoff said. “I know that they need stability, they need somebody in here that cares about them and sometimes they just really need to see a smile when they come in the classroom everyday.”

As much as Schoff said she needs the kids, the kids at Bureau Valley are grateful to have a dedicated teacher such as Schoff.

River Valley Players to host performances of ‘9 to 5: The Musical’

Shaw Local News Network

River Valley Players will open its 2023 season with “9 to 5: The Musical” with five select performances from May 4-7. The shows will be performed at St. John XXIII Community Center, 1301 Second St. in Henry.

The show, directed and choreographed by Deanne Crook, is based on the original 1980 hit movie “9 to 5.” The musical version debuted in 2008 in Los Angeles before taking on Broadway in 2009, winning three Tony Awards.

The productions cast includes: Christine Gaspardo, Crook, Rachel Gorenz-Johnson, Chris Kieffer, Cyndy Bruch, Brenton Waystout, Jeremiah Noar, Taylor Rowe, Elizabeth Wild, Molly Ewen, Olivia Bergfeld, Emma Gaspardo, Derrik Gaspardo, Jeff Sudakov, Shelly Gorenz, Jeremiah Noar and Taylor Rowe.

Two shows, featuring desserts and coffee, will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

The traditional dinner theater shows, featuring buffet dinner, drinks and dessert, will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5; Saturday, May 6 and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7.

Tickets are on sale now at rvphenry.org, or by calling the box office at 309-238-7878. Ticket prices for show-only performances are $20 and $40 for dinner theater show.

Backhoe reported stolen was recovered, 2 charged

Backhoe found concealed in rural Bureau County

Shaw Local News Network

A 26-year-old man and 30-year-old woman, both of Kewanee, were arrested after a backhoe was reported stolen near Henry by the Illinois Department of Transportation was recovered by police.

Jace Alldredge was arrested April 13 by the Chillicothe Police Department on a Marshall County warrant on theft charges related to an investigation conducted by the Henry Police Department. He also was charged on theft of government supported property related to the theft of the IDOT

PC School District to host timely and meaningful consultation meetings

Meetings will take place at the Putnam County Elementary School in Hennepin

Shaw Local News Network

Putnam County School District

535 will host an Illinois State Board of Education mandated meeting for private/parochial school parents, private/parochial school representatives and parents of homeschooled students with special needs.

The timely and meaningful consultation meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, and the timely and meaningful consultation ARP meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 18. The meetings will take place at the Putnam County Elementary School at 326 N. Fifth St. in Hennepin and will be available on a virtual platform.

NEWS BRIEFS

Chief Senachwine DAR Chapter to host anniversary celebration

Members of the Chief Senachwine DAR Chapter will meet for a celebration of their five-year anniversary at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Henry Public Library, 702 Front St. Scrapbooks, chairman folders, awards and other historical materials will be displayed. Members also will receive a memento of the occasion.

This public meeting will include discussion regarding allocated state funding, known as non-public proportionate share for special education students attending private/ parochial schools or homeschooled students.

Administrative representatives from the district along with representatives who homeschool their children or children who attend a private/parochial school within district boundaries also will participate in this timely and meaningful consultation in compliance with ISBE regulations for the 2022-23 school year.

Requests to virtually attend the meeting must be arranged with the Putnam County District 535 Student Services Secretary by 4 p.m Friday, May 13, via email to Megan Goetz at goetzm@pcschools535.org or by voicemail at 815-882-2800, ext 8. Provide your name and email address and an invitation to the virtual meeting with instructions will be emailed to the requestor.

Procedure and Ethics in Criminal Justice, among many others.

He was nominated for the award by student Elizabeth Bradley who wrote, “When Mr. Hermes responds to us, he adds lessons that are not in the book; they’re usually life lessons from his own experiences. I have never had more respect for a teacher in my life.”

backhoe. His bond was set for $200,000 for both incidents.

Amanda Robinson was arrested April 20 by Kewanee Police on a Marshall County warrant for theft of government supported property related to the theft of the IDOT backhoe. Her bond was set for $100,000.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation April 7 into the theft of the backhoe from the area of routes 26 and 18. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office received information April 12 the backhoe was left concealed in rural Bureau County. With the assistance of the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office, the backhoe was recovered and processed for evidentiary value by the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

The program presented will be Nancy Gillfillan with Native American Flute Music.

Hermes wins IVCC part-time teaching award

Criminal justice instructor Kevin Hermes was selected by students, teaching colleagues, administrators and staff this spring as the winner of Illinois Valley Community College’s 2023 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award.

Hermes was IVCC’s criminal justice program coordinator from 2018 to 2021 following 31 years as a police officer/sergeant. He brings that experience to courses in Criminal Investigation, Evidence and Criminal

Students also appreciate the hands-on nature of his classes that often include crime scene and court case reenactments.

An innovative program coordinator, he created IVCC’s first online criminal justice courses, was the first to bring criminal justice courses to the satellite campus in Ottawa and offered police officers nine credit hours toward a degree for completing police academy.

Hermes also will be nominated for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association state award and was among honorees at the April 28 Employee Recognition Reception at Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock in Utica.

Photo provided by Charlotte Balensiefen River Valley Players will open its 2023 season with “9 to 5: The Musical” with five select performances from May 4-7. The shows will be performed at St. John XXIII Community Center, 1301 Second St. in Henry.

St. Bede coach ‘loving’ his part-time job teaching PE at Mendota Holy Cross

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS | khieronymus@bcrnews.com

Bill Booker retired after teaching 35 years at La Salle-Peru High School in May 2021. That retirement didn’t last long.

Booker jumped right back into teaching grades K-8 P.E. three days a week at Holy Cross School in his hometown of Mendota.

And he’s loving it.

“My last nine years (at L-P) in the classroom, I was all health and I kind of missed being in the gym,” Booker said. “So this gives me a chance to end my career the way I want to.”

“It’s a great situation, Lot of good people work there. I know a lot of the kids’ parents, or grandparents, I guess it is. So it’s kind of nice going home with them and sharing stories with them.”

Holy Cross principal Mike Struna didn’t hesitate bringing Booker in last year and said he’s been a great fit after they worked together at St. Bede.

“It’s been a positive for our school,” Struna said. “I wasn’t surprised he did so well with the little kids. They just love him. I think he might have been surprised how much fun he had last year. He doesn’t have to [teach], but he wants to and he’s having fun.”

An all-business kind of teacher/coach at his previous school, Booker joked that he has changed his ways.

“People aren’t going to believe this, but I’ve become a good guy with the K-8 kids,” he said with a laugh.

Nothing has changed about the way he puts his plan in motion. He still maintains a tight schedule and daily routine.

The PE week starts with a “Training for Tuesday” with a series of plyometrics with a twist.

“I’ve renamed them Booker Robics,” he said. “It’s fun and the kids enjoy it, but they work. Some of the little kids go, ‘It’s not Booker Robics, it’s boot camp.’”

“Or another little second grader said last week, ‘Training for Tuesday? How about, ‘Torture for Tuesday.’”

Wednesdays are game days from Wiffle ball to kick ball to “Sharks and Minnows” and other “fun stuff the kids enjoy doing.”

Thursdays he said is the kids all-time favorite, dodgeball.

He said he has about 50 kids in class when he combines fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades together.

“I said that’s OK, because my first few years of teaching, I’d have 48 in my class then have six or seven added and I’ve had to tape another piece to my grade book to add all the names, and those were big kids,” Booker said.

While it is a lot of fun and games, it can be tiresome at times as well.

“It can be tiring some days, trust me, with the little kids, because you’ve got to be engaged with them all the time,” Booker said. “I told my wife, ‘I think I’m getting old, because I’m getting a little more tired at

the end of the day.’”

Many of the boys Booker is teaching also have come to his baseball camps at St. Bede, which has led to a lot of friendly bantering back and forth between their Mendota Trojans and his St. Bede Bruins.

“I said, ‘Well when Mendota doesn’t play St. Bede, I still root for them,’” Booker said. “Purple’s my second favorite color.”

Laura Doyle, a Holy Cross teacher, first put the bug in Booker’s ear about the job two years ago.

“Laura said, ‘I’ve got a job for you,’” Booker said. “I jokingly said, ‘It can’t pay enough for me.’ But you know what, it’s not about the pay. It’s just fun for me now.”

“It’s nice going back home to Mendota and it’s kind of my way to give back to Mendota, because when I’m done here, I’m done.” he said

Right now, he’s not putting a date on when that may be, because he’s having so much fun doing it.

“I still like to work out and get my fitness stuff in,” Booker said. “It keeps me active with the kids, because if you can’t do something they start doubting you. Don’t want that to happen, not yet any way.”

Booker, who is an assistant football coach at St. Bede, has had a highly successful career coaching baseball.

He led L-P to two state tournaments, placing fourth in 2009 and second in 2012, his last season at L-P. He won 375 games in 20 seasons at L-P with two 33-plus win seasons and eight 21-plus win seasons.

Booker came over to rival St. Bede in 2015, leading the Bruins to a fourth-place finish at state in his first season. He has won three regionals and one sectional in seven years at the academy.

‘IT’S KIND OF MY WAY TO GIVE BACK’

Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Bill Booker teaches physical education March 21 at Holy Cross School in Mendota.

PREP BASEBALL: PUTNAM COUNTY 2, HENRY-SENACHWINE 0

PC’s McDonald outduels Henry’s Kiesewetter

Panthers ace fans 16 batters in Tri-County win

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

GRANVILLE – Putnam County coach Chris Newsome and Henry-Senachwine coach Max Kirbach expected a pitchers’ duel Tuesday.

Each team’s ace delivered.

Putnam County senior Jackson McDonald threw a three-hitter with a career-high 16 strikeouts to outduel Henry junior Lance Kiesewetter and lead the Panthers to a 2-0 victory in a Tri-County Conference game.

“My changeup looked real good today, my curveball worked all right, everything was working and finding the zone for me,” McDonald said. “It was good, especially against a good conference team. I mean, they beat a really good Marquette team a couple weeks ago.

“It was just a good overall team win. It puts us in a good spot for conference play.”

McDonald got a groundout to start the game and struck out the next batter before Colton Williams hit a single to center field. McDonald got his counterpart looking to end the frame.

After Mason Guarnieri led off the second with a double, McDonald really found his groove.

McDonald struck out the next three batters, then fanned the side in the third and fourth innings to extend his streak to nine consecutive strikeouts.

“It’s nice defensively when you don’t have to make many outs when your pitcher is really throwing well and efficient with multiple pitches in the zone and keeping them off balance,” Newsome said. “Jackson obviously set the tone right out of the gate.

“We knew we were going to be in a pitchers’ duel, because [Kiesewetter] is a gamer. He’s really good. I appreciate what he does a lot. He’s got multiple pitches as well, and it showed. We had our fair share of strikeouts as well.”

McDonald got in a bit of a jam in the sixth when Carson Rowe led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Johnson and third on a groundout by Preston Rowe.

Newsome decided to intentionally walk Williams, which was the only walk McDonald issued. Courtesy

runner Grey Thompson stole second. However, McDonald got a strikeout to end the inning.

“I just kept on trusting my stuff and trusting my defense, who had been playing good,” McDonald said. “I just believed in myself, and it all worked out for me.”

Kiesewetter was nearly as dominant as McDonald, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out 11 batters and walking three.

“Lance on the hill did very, very well,” Kirbach said. “We had a few hiccups in the field. Normally, we’re a little more solid than that, but the errors didn’t really hurt us. It was execution at that plate mainly. We had way too many strikeouts and not a good two-strike approach. They executed on the bunts, and we did not.”

Putnam County turned to small ball to break through.

Nicholas Currie drew a walk to start the fourth inning, then stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by McDonald.

Cleanup hitter Josh Jessen then executed a squeeze bunt.

“It doesn’t happen very often,” Newsome said about Jessen bunting. “But in practice, and we do it every day, he’s one of the better get-theball-down type of bunters. That might be my first-ever career squeeze with a lefty. It’s not a thing I like to do. It’s hard to focus with somebody barreling down on you as a runner, but he did a heck of a job to get that run across.

“It felt like five runs with the way Jackson was throwing.”

The Panthers added an insurance run in the sixth when Austin Mattingly led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Johnathon Stunkel.

“To have a freshman come up big for us and get a sac fly to push one across as insurance, that felt like a load too,” Newsome said.

Photos by Scott Anderson

Putnam County’s Jackson Mcdonald delivers a pitch against Henry-Senachwine on Tuesday, April 25, at Putnam County High School.

Putnam County’s Nicholas Currie scores the team’s first run against Henry-Senachwine on Tuesday, April 25, at Putnam County High School.

PC ROUNDUP

Putnam County softball splits with Henry

Shaw Local News Network

Reise Zellmer went 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs and a run scored to lead the Putnam County softball team to a 6-3 victory over Henry-Senachwine in a Tri-County Conference game Tuesday, April 25, in Granville.

The Lady Panthers scored four runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Zellmer’s two-run triple on which she scored on an error.

Putnam County added two insurance runs in the sixth when Kylee Moore hit an RBI double and later scored on a groundout.

Kara Staley threw a complete game for the Lady Panthers (11-5, 5-4 TCC), allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Kaitlyn Anderson went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and a run for Henry, while Abbie Stanbary doubled, scored a run and drove in a run.

Lauren Harbison took the loss in the circle, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Henry-Senachwine 3, Putnam County 2: Brooklyn Thompson doubled twice and drove in two runs as the Mallards edged the Panthers in a TriCounty Conference game in Henry on Thursday, April 27.

Lauren Harbison was the winning pitcher as she gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out nine and walking five.

Gabby Doyle hit a triple and scored for Putnam County.

TRACK AND FIELD

At Kewanee: The Putnam County boys placed sixth and the girls seventh at the seven-team Annawan-Wethersfield Invite.

The Panthers got second-place finishes from Cayden Bouxsein in the 1,600 (5:10.95), Enzo Holocker in the 110 hurdles (19.59) and Broedy Sand -

berg, Cayden Bouxsein, Braden Bickerman and Wyatt Grimshaw in the 4x800 (9:31.32).

BASEBALL

Henry-Senachwine 6, Putnam County 2: Zachary Barnes drove in three runs and pitched six innings to help the Mallards to a Tri-County Conference victory in Henry on Thursday, April 27.

Barnes gave up two earned runs on three hits with five strikeouts and seven walks. Mason Johnson pitched a scoreless seventh for the Mallards (11-5, 5-5 TCC).

Nicholas Currie drove in both runs and took the loss on the mound for the Panthers (11-10, 7-2). Austin Mattingly was 3 for 3 with a double. Putnam County 2, Delavan 1 (8 inn.): Troy Petty drove in the winning run on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Panthers to victory at Granville Saturday.

Currie (2 hits) tied the game with a RBI double in the bottom of the seventh.

Ryan Hundley also had two hits for PC.

Austin Mattingly took over for Petty, the starting pitcher, in the eighth for the win. Petty scattered three hits with one unearned run and 10 strikeouts over seven innings.

Putnam County’s Kylee Moore gets a hit against Henry-Senachwine on April 25 at Granville.

Photos by Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Putnam County’s Gabby Doyle throws to first baseman Maggie Richetta to force out a runner April 25 at Granville.

CLASSIFIED

767 • Mobile

Home Sales

PUBLISHE R'S NOTICE

999 • Legal 999 • Legal

PUBLIC NOTICE

FLEET MECHANIC

At US Foods, we believe that YOU MATTER

Our STREATOR facility is hiring a Fleet Mechanic $5,000 SIGN- ON BONUS

Fleet Mechanics are responsible for the troubleshooti ng, repair and maintenance of the Fl eet road equipment incl uding tractor, trailer, thermo-king, converter dolly and maintenance vehi cles.

Requirements:

Previ ous hands on experience as a heavy duty commercial diesel and/or reef er mechanic

Di agnostics and troubleshooti ng related to diesel equi pm ent repair s CDL A and DOT certif ied preferred

Benefits:

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subjec t to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any prefer ence, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an inte ntion, to make any such preference , limita tion or discrimination .” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or le gal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of child ren under 18. This newspaper will not know in gly ac cept any advertising for real estat e which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call, HUD toll-free at 800- 669-9777. The toll-free telephone numbe r for the he aring impaired is 800-927-9275

IN THE CIRCU IT C OURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCU IT

PU TNAM C OUNT Y, ILLI NO IS ESTATE OF RICHARD A. CHAPIN , deceased Case No. 2 022- PR-3

CLAIMS NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of RICH ARD A. CH APIN , deceased, on February 3, 2021, of Putnam County, Illinois Letters of Office were issued on January 28, 2022, to Ryan J. Anderson, 611 Second Street, P.O. Box 174, Henry, IL 61537. Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of said Court at the Putnam County Courthouse, Hennepin, Illinois 61327 on or before October 26, 2023, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by 755 ILCS 5/18- 3, the date stated in that notice Any claim not filed on or before said date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative within 10 days after it has been filed and proof of such mailing must be filed with the Court.

Dated: April 17, 2023.

Ryan J. Anderson, Administrator of the Estate of Richard A. Chapin, deceased.

Ryan J. Anderson, Attorney 611 Second Street, PO Box 174 Henry, IL 61537 (309)364- 2354

(Published in Putnam County Record April 26, May 3, 10, 2023)2071462

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearing Notice is hereby given that the Putnam County Zoning Board of Appeal will hold a public meeting to review the zoning ordinance for wind and solar energy The proposed changes to the ordinance can be viewed on the Putnam County websit e or in the Supervisor of Assessm ents office during normal business hours. Said public hearing will be held at the Putnam County Courthouse, Second Floor, in Hennepin Illinois on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 7:00pm

Ryan Giacom etti

Putnam County Zoning Officer

(Published in Putnam County Record May 3, 2023) 2075180

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearing Notice is hereby given that the Putnam County Planning Comm ission will hold a public meeting to review the zoning ordinance for wind and solar energy The proposed changes to the ordinance can be viewed on the Putnam County website or in the Supervisor of Assessm ents office during normal business hours. Said public hearing will be held at the Putnam County Courthouse, Second Floor, in Hennepin Illinois on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 5:00pm

Ryan Giacom etti

Putnam County Zoning Officer

(Published in Putnam County Record May 3, 2023) 2075188

PUBLIC NOTICE

FY 2024 MEETING DATE S

TH E BOAR D OF TRUSTEES OF TH E VILLAG E OF HENN EPIN , PUTNAM CO UNTY, ILLINOIS, MEET S IN REG ULAR SESSION ON THE THIRD WEDN ESDAY OF EVERY MO NTH AT 5:30 P.M. AT TH E VILLAG E HALL, 627 E. HIGH ST., HENNEPIN, ILLINOIS 61327

TH E DATES OF THE REGU LAR MEETIN GS FOR TH E 2024 FISCAL YEAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:

MAY 17 th, 2023

JU NE 21 st, 2023

JULY 19 th , 2023

AUGUST 16 th , 2023

SEPTEMBER 20 th, 2023

OCTOBER 18 th , 2023

NOVEM BER 15 th , 2023

DECEMBER 20 th , 2023

JANU ARY 17 th , 2024

FEBRUARY 21 st , 2024

MARCH 21 st, 2024

APRIL 18 th , 2024

TH E HENNEPIN PLAN NING AND ZO NING CO MM ISSION'S REG ULARLY SCHEDULED MEETIN GS ARE THE FIRST WEDN ESDAY OF THE FIRST MO NTH OF EACH CALEND AR QUARTER AT 6:00 PM AT THE VILLAGE HALL AN EXCEPTION WAS MADE FOR THE JU LY MEETIN G DU E TO TH E 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY. FY2024 DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

JULY 6 th, 2023

OCTOBER 4 th , 2023

JANU ARY 3rd , 2024

APRIL 3rd , 2024

DIANA BRAN DSTATTER VILLAGE CLERK

(Published in Putnam County Record M ay 3, 2023) 2073088