Social News

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Donna Dyk stra to celebrate 90 years w ith card shower

Donna Dykstra of Fulton will celebrate her 90th birthday on Feb. 19.

Along with a surprise birthday party being planned, a card shower is requested to help her celebrate.

Send celebratory cards for Donna Dykstra’s 90th birthday to 229 10th St., Fulton, IL 61252.

MMTA announces cast for “Steel Mag nolias”

MORRISON – The Morrison Music Theater Association has announced the cast for its performances of “Steel Magnolias.” The production will be at 7 p.m. March 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. March 13 at the Morrison Institute of Technology.

“Steel Magnolias” began as a successful off-Broadway play, which was adapted into a blockbuster film starring Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Shirley McClain, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis. It takes place at a beauty parlor in a small Louisiana town, where the ladies share the town news and their joys and sorrows.

The MMTA production is directed by Joplin James Self of Sterling.

Cast members Kelsey Bumann as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto and Jordann Langner as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie are from Dixon. Angie Lobdell of Rock Falls portrays M’Lynn Eatenton, and Nicole Pfieffer-Oberg of Sterling is cast as Truvy Jones. Completing the ensemble are two Morrison actresses: Bonnie Phend as Clairee Belcher and Senietta Porter as Ouiser Boudreaux.

W W W@WCC event to feature program about Stephen Douglas

The Windmill Volunteer Educators at the Windmill Cultural Center in Fulton invite the public to attend the Wild Winter Wednesday program at 9 a.m. Feb. 16, featuring coffee, tea, mill treats and a program about former U.S. Sen. Stephen Douglas that will be presented by Reg Ankrom.

For Ankrom, an interest in history has become an avocation. The first two books of his three-volume biography about Douglas have been published and he’s currently working on the final volume. The Illinois State Historical Society recognized Ankrom’s “Stephen A. Douglas: The Political Apprenticeship, 1833-1843″ with its award for scholarship in 2018. His second book, “Stephen A. Douglas, Western Man: The Early Years in Congress, 18441850,” was published in April to several prepublication accolades. Ankrom has written more than 100 articles, columns and essays that have appeared in magazines and newspapers. He is a frequent speaker on Illinois and antebellum American history.

Ankrom is a native of Jacksonville, Illinois. After Vietnam-era service in the U.S. Navy, he returned home to attend Illinois College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois College in 1971 and a master’s in journalism from the University of K a n s a s i n 1 9 7 2 . After retiring from Ameren Illinois in 2020, he leveraged his experience in energy to form consulting businesses in liquid fuels, electricity and natural gas supply industries. He is president of SIMEC, an energy acquisition firm headquartered in Quincy. He and his wife, Jane, recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.

W W W @ W C C p r o g r a m s a r e o n Wednesday mornings through March. Doors open at 9 a.m. The program starts about 9:20 a.m. Programs are free and open to the public. For information, visit the Windmill Cultural Center Facebook page or call 815-5893671. The building is at 111 10th Ave. If River Bend Schools are closed because of weather, WWW is canceled.

Reg Ankrom

Photo provided Erie Middle School Spelling Bee winners are Taylor Robshaw (from left), Isabella Floming and Stella Ashdown. Taylor Robshaw w ins Erie Middle School Spelling Bee for 3rd year in row

Congratulations to the 38 students who participated in the 2022 Erie Middle School Spelling Bee last week!

The winner for the third year in a row was Taylor Robshaw, a seventh grader. Make sure to wish Taylor “good luck” as she prepares for the regional spelling bee on Feb. 24.

Second place went to seventh grader Isabella Floming.

Third place went to eighth grader Stella Ashdown.

This year’s spelling bee was different than previous events. It was an online format to make sure everyone could participate safely.

Clinton Symphony Orchestra family concert ‘A Symphonic Menagerie’

“A Symphonic Menagerie” is the theme of this year’s family concert by the Clinton Symphony Orchestra.

The concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in the Morrison High School auditorium.

Music Director Brian Dollinger has chosen a program of music with animal titles, including the overture to the opera “The Thieving Magpie,” a waltz from “Swan Lake,” Leroy Anderson’s “The Waltzing Cat,” and “Flight of the Bumblebee.”

A special feature will be “Carnival of the Animals” by French composer Camille Saint-Saens. It will be performed with two pianos and the orchestra.

Also included in the program is the winner of the symphony’s Young Artist Auditions, Keegan Roddy, who plays cello and is a senior at Sterling High School.

The concert honors the excellent opportunities for music education offered by area schools and music teachers. In addition to student musicians – and potential musicians – the program will be of interest to all music lovers. The 50 orchestra musicians include many of the area’s music educators, as well as other area adult musicians.

“This is the first time we have tried the Saturday afternoon schedule,” said Robert Whipple, the symphony’s executive director. “Our audiences and musicians are drawn from a wide area of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois, a n d d u e t o u n p r e d i c t a b l e w i n t er weather and early darkness, we are hoping the Saturday afternoon will be a convenience for all.”

Students are admitted free for the orchestra’s concerts. Adult tickets are $20. An adult with a student is admitted for half price. The concert is included i n t h e s y m p h o n y ’ s a n n u a l s e a s o n ticket. Individual adult concert tickets will be available at the door.

The symphony suggests wearing face masks. Masks will be available at the door.

Information is available on the symphony’s website at www.clintonsymphony.org or on Facebook.

The Cordova Fire Department has three educational opportunities for local first responders, all free of charge, though registration is required.

A Technical Rescue Awareness course will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. This course is FEMA approved and also may be eligible for certification with ProBoard. The scope of this eight-hour course is to begin to prepare local responders to operate as a local member of a fire department. This course is for the basic first-in company and provides first responders with the information needed to identify the rescue situation, its specific hazards and the initial company operations to be performed. Subject areas include standards, rope, confined space, trench and excavation, structural collapse, vehicle and machinery, water emergencies and wilderness search and rescue. The course is presented by the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Lunch will be provided by donation.

Firefighters, chiefs, trustees and administrators are invited to a Funding and Grant Workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. The informational workshop provides an opportunity to learn about acquiring funds and grants for fire departments and fire protection districts. The workshop is presented by Dinges Fire Co., with Jeff Bryant of the Amboy Fire Protection District leading the workshop. To sign up, email info@ dingesfire.com or Kyle Barber of the Cordova Fire Department at kwbarber98@gmail.com.

The department will host a Resiliency Development for First Responders course from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 8. The course will provide first responders in any stage of their careers with the necessary tools to remain resilient to the stressors that come with the job, as well as stress off the job. Focusing on cutting-edge science, students will see how stress can damage the brain, and how the brain can recover from this damage. Students will increase their understanding of how stress and mental health impact not just the brain, but the entire body. Behaviors and mindsets will be presented that will help students to care for themselves while supporting their families at home and at work. Resiliency and mental health are key components to overall wellness for first r e s p o n d e r s . T h i s c o u r s e s e e k s t o remove the stigma surrounding the discussion of mental health, trauma and suicide. Facilitated group discussions will create open dialogues in which students can share what has worked well for them and address areas where improvements can be made. The course is sponsored by the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Registration is free and open for all three courses. To sign up, call the Cordova Fire Department at 309-654-2371, email Kyle Barber at kwbarber98@ gmail.com or send a message through the Cordova Firefighter’s Association Facebook page, where online registration information is posted.

The courses will be at the Cordova Fire Department, 906 Main. Ave.

Shaw Media file photo Cordova firefighters respond to call in 2020.

POLICE REPORTS

Fulton police

Jan. 29: Shane J. Burden of Clinton, Iowa, was arrested for electronic harassment in the 700 block of 20th Avenue. He was transported to Whiteside County Jail and later released with a notice to appear.

Jan. 30: Sara L. Clark of Clinton, Iowa, was cited for no valid driver’s license and failure to signal halfway through a turn at 22nd Avenue and Route 84. She was released with a notice to appear.

Jan. 31: Kathleen A. Root of Savanna was cited for failure to yield/stop at an intersection at Route 84 and Route 136. She was released with a promise to comply.

Feb. 1: Weston J. Jones of Clinton, Iowa, was cited for speeding in the 400 block of 22nd Avenue. He was released with a promise to comply.

Andrew L. Williamson of Fulton was arrested on a Lee County and Clinton County warrant. He was transported to the Whiteside County Jail.

Feb. 3: Timothy R. Anderson Jr. of Fulton was cited for driving while license is revoked and operation of a motor vehicle with expired registration in the 1300 block of 12th Street. He was released with a notice to appear.

Morrison police Citations

Jan. 23: Karen J. Johnson, 71, Morrison, speeding

Jan. 24: Richard P. Kokjohn, 79, Madison, Iowa, improper use of electronic device

Jan. 31: Jordan M. Bush, 24, Morrison, improper use of electronic device

Gary L. Fargher, 52, Morrison, operating uninsured vehicle

Feb. 1: Kevin M. Buis, 33, Morrison, speeding

Individuals named in the police report have been accused of a charge. They are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Illinois State Police announce January activity

Illinois State Police District 1 Commander Capt. Matthew Hodgdon announced District 1 enforcement figures and activity for January.

Illinois State Police District 1 troopers issued 182 citations and 255 written warnings and made seven criminal arrests during the month of January. Speeding accounted for 108 citations. There were 16 arrests for no valid driver’s license or driving while license suspended/revoked.

Troopers investigated 14 traffic crashes, assisted 139 motorists and conducted 79 commercial motor vehicle inspections,19 of which were placed out of service for safety reasons. There was one arrest for driving under the influence.

District 1, which encompasses Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties, investigated no fatal traffic crashes in January.

Now Available

S A U K V A L L E Y

A PUBLICATION

PRSRTSTD U.S.Postage PAID PermitNo.440 Sterling,IL61081 Weddings 2022/23 EDITION

Above this cover: Page 4

SM-ST1953138