Glimpses of the Past

GLIMPSES OF THE PAST - FULTON

2012: Windmill volunteers journey to Ireland for history lesson

60 Years Nov. 6, 1962

James Ware, a native of Fulton, will assume his duties as assistant lockmaster at Fulton Lock and Dam 13, the Corps of Engineers announced. Ware r e p l a c e d R o b e r t T h o r n t o n , w h o requested a transfer and has been sent to Missouri at Lock and Dam 22.

After almost 36 years of faithful service as mail carrier for Fulton’s City Route No. 2, E.J. “Doc” Housenga retired. He started on Jan. 16, when the city mail carrier service was inaugurated in 1927. Housenga has covered the same route through all his years of service.

50 Years Nov. 8, 1972

Gloria Baker, Kenneth Brinkman and Michael Knight Jr. of Fulton High School were among the 15,200 students named as state scholars in the 1973-74 competitive State Scholar Program. H i g h s c h o o l a c a d e m i c r e c ord a n d examination scores are used in the selection by the Illinois State Scholarship Commission.

A decision on whether to call an election to vote on the question of forming the “Fulton Flood Control District” is expected following a hearing. Judge Dan McNeal has been asked, in petitions signed by several hundred residents included in the proposed district, to fix the boundaries of the district. Indications are that Judge McNeal will comply with the request contained in the petitions. Preliminary estimates indicate the system would cost about $10,000,000, with most of the funds to be provided by the federal government.

40 Years Nov. 10, 1982

Robert Lockhart, who died Nov. 10, left a number of bequests to Fulton institutions with which he had been associated. The bequests include $10,000 to the First Presbyterian Church of Fulton, $5,000 to Schmaling Memorial Library, $5,000 to the Fulton Masonic Lodge and $5,000 to the Insurance Men’s Scholarship Fund that Lockhart established several years ago.

Nine Steamers were All-Conference: Mike Foster, first team, offense; James Hatfield, first team, defense; Marty Temple, first team, defense; Kevin Ven Huizen, first team offense, second team, defense; Jeff Wessman, first team o f f e n s e ; J e f f F o l t z , s e c o n d t e a m, offense; Dave Huizenga, second team, offense; Mark Obrigth, second team offense; and Rod Whitmore, second team defense.

30 Years Nov. 4, 1992

The Fulton Steamers girls volleyball team won the regional championship. Team members included Renee Ruiz, Amy Snyder, Casey Borgman, Torrie Damhoff, Shelly Price, Kami Wierenga, Cammie Nelson, Jennifer Countryman, Susan Fish, Jamie Pickens, Stacy W i e r se m a , C o ac h S e a t o n , Sh e i l a Barsema, Tara Bowen, Amber Mask and Coach O’Connell.

Students chosen as “Students of the Quarter” for the first quarter are Deanna Dykstra, 6C; Kelly Houzenga, 6B; Shanna Teal, 6A; Susan Senneff, 8A; Jaime Housenga, 8B; Jeff Merema, 7B; and Shane Hartman, 7A. Fulton Junior High recognizes these students for their ability to work up to potential, set a positive example and display a positive attitude.

20 Years Nov. 6, 2002

The Fulton Steamers girls volleyball team brought home the regional title. The Steamers won the championship in two games against Rock Falls. Team m e m b e r s i n c l u d e d A b b y Y o u n g , Angela Wirth, Kara Boonstra, Amber McDonald, Colleen Wilkin, Rachel Kuebel, Ashley Stuart, Nicole Woods, Kara Kaufman, Jessica Phillips, Carrie Casper, Lisa Stuart, Kendra James, Ciera Ayangbile, Michelle Wilkens and Christine Still.

Heavy equipment began excavating for basements just west of the middle school on 12th Street. JBR Builders are constructing seven buildings in the complex with two residences in each building.

10 Years Nov. 7, 2012

Four volunteers from de Immigrant Windmill and the Windmill Cultural Center in Fulton journeyed to Ireland in October to learn about the history of Irish mills, how millers and volunteers interact with one another and how we can learn from each other. Volunteer educators Betty Wiebenga and Pam VanZuiden were joined on the trip by volunteer millers Judy Holesinger and Heidi Kolk.

A Hurricane Sandy Bucket Brigade was organized by Community State Bank employees and Windmill Realty owners. Area community members responded with generosity and the funds raised, $5,217, were given to the Gateway American Red Cross.

YOUR HEALTH

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are discussed

By STEPHEN D. HARRISON, M.D.

Crohn’s disease is a bowel condition that is part of inflammatory bowel diseases. A related condition is ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease tends to affect younger individuals, often starting between 15 and 30, though there is another peak between 60 and 80. However, the condition may come on at any age.

Crohn’s disease may be inherited, though sporadic cases certainly occur. T h e c o n d i t i o n g e ne ra l l y i n v o l v e s a b d o m i n a l p a i n t h a t m a y b e c o m e intense to the point of mimicking appendicitis and other surgical problems. Fatigue and weight loss are common, and at younger ages there may even be slowing of growth process. There may be other manifestations present such as skin rashes and even joint involvement. There are certain eye conditions – iritis and uveitis – that may be involved and sometimes liver conditions of hepatitis, fatty liver and others.

It falls in the category of autoimmune disorders, meaning other conditions of the immune system are sometimes involved including anemias and some rare conditions. The condition genera l l y i n v o l v e s i n f l a m m a t i o n , a nd advanced stages may involve strictures and fistulas. They lead to abnormal bowel functions, which may lead to bowel blockage and sometimes necessitate surgery. There is a higher risk of cancer associated with this as well. In the gut, the condition tends to skip areas and lead to granulomas. The diagnosis is made when enough suspicions are aroused to have X-rays such as barium enemas, upper GI, small bowel series and colon scopes.

Another inflammatory bowel condition is ulcerative colitis. This area tends to involve the farther end of the colon such as the rectum and then extends its inflammation in continuous fashion without skipping areas unlike Crohn’s. It also may present with bloody diarrhea, which is also different than Crohn’s in general and may have mucus, fever, abdominal pain and weight loss. Sometimes protein disturbances and anemia may occur. The diagnosis is made with the same type of studies as above.

Treatment includes basic supportive measures such as anti-diarrheal agents and fluids and occasionally transfusions in more severe cases. There are several medicines employed to treat Crohn’s disease. One of the more common ones is Sulfasalazine, Azathioprine or 6MP is another chemo agent that may affect the immune system in a positive fashion with these conditions. Another one used for other conditions as well includes Cyclosporine. Side effects from these are not common. The newer agents also tend to have fewer side effects that are derivatives of the old agents.

Enemas are sometimes employed, especially in ulcerative colitis. Steroids such as Prednisone are commonly employed for more severe flareups, especially in Crohn’s disease. Retention enemas with steroids in them also are employed, especially for ulcerative colitis. Some of these agents are used for flares and others may be used as maintenance. The class of medicine known as Biologics, such as Remicade, Skyrizi, Stalara and other new agents, are being used more and more. Antibiotics are sometimes employed when there is a tendency to fissures, and these may include Metronidazole, Flagyl or Cipro. Unfortunately, sometimes complications arise to the extent that surgery may be warranted.