TON-04-05-2013

1 Front Volume 140 No. 6

Friday, April 5, 2013

The Tonica News

Single Copy Cost 50¢

Weighing weighted grades Lostant changes grading system

By Ken Schroeder kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com

LOSTANT – Graduation and class standings were the topics on the minds of many of the guests at the rescheduled Lostant School Board meeting on March 29.

Foremost on the discussion was the question of whether or not to weight the grades in the eighthgrade algebra class, and if so, when to do it. The original thought was to do so retroactively for the year, an idea that resident Ryan Edwall doesn’t

agree with.

“If we’re going to change the grading system in the fourth quarter of the year, then that affects how the students place, and I don’t think that’s right,” Edwall said.

“I’ve heard the competition is very tight between the top three GPAs, and this could change every-

thing.”

Eighth-grade algebra student Morgan Phillips had a different point of view.

“I don’t think you should penalize someone for taking a harder class by not weighting the grades. That will keep some students from taking algebra because it is

a harder class,” Morgan said.

The board approved using weighted grading beginning in the 2013-14 school year.

In related action, the board approved having graduating students each write an essay for graduation with the school staff choosing the two best

essays to be delivered at graduation, instead of the traditional speeches by the valedictorian and salutatorian. This change is effective this year.

However, the valedictorian and salutatorian will be recognized at graduation

See Grading Page 2

Baer retires after 45 years in township government

By Elin Arnold news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — Not many people can say they have spent more than 45 years of their lives dedicated to any one thing, let alone the intricate operations of a township government ... but Bob Baer, Eden Township supervisor, can.

Baer is retiring from his position, and Daniel Arkels will take his seat at the helm of the Eden Township Board after the election April 9.

Baer and his trustees have kept Eden Township running like a well-

oiled machine, since he became a part of the elected team in 1967.

Baer was elected township clerk in 1967 when Ted Lambert took over as supervisor. At that time, all the township supervisors in LaSalle County made up the county board.

The county decided to go to districts by population in 1977. Lambert decided to run for the county board – a position he held for more than 30 years, and Baer took over as township supervisor.

See Bauer Page 2

A rose by any other name ...

PCAS is now Putnam County Community Center

By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com

STANDARD — The Putnam County Achievement Services is announcing a new name.

“We are changing our name to the Putnam County Community Center (PCCC),” said Executive Director Autumn Keegan. “We still want to provide services for seniors. We will still have all the services we currently provide. Nothing will change, but we want to start providing services for the other populations in Putnam County.”

This change has been a long time in the thought process.

“Ever since I have become director, we started to look at our mission, look at what we are wanting to do. There are funding cuts all over the place.

Every group is getting cut.

In order to keep us going, we really need to service our community. We know that our community needs help too,” Keegan said.

Lunches, which are always offered to seniors and other patrons, will not change for the seniors.

See PCCC Page 4

Tonica News photo/Dixie Schroeder

Tonica United Methodist Church hosts Easter Egg Hunt Sophia Konczak hunts for Easter eggs during the Tonica United Methodist Church’s Easter egg hunt March 31. Sophia is the granddaughter of Karen Steele; her parents are Roger and Jennifer Konczak.

Inside

Vol. 140 No. 6 One Section - 8 Pages

First Person See Page 5 © The Tonica News

Lostant Ladies League See Page 4

2 Local 2 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 5, 2013

Seeking Sources

Bauer

The Tonica News is searching for area individuals to help with some upcoming feature stories.

If you or someone you know would like to participate, contact Tonica New Editor Terri Simon at tsimon@tonicanews.com.

Following are the sources we are looking for: • Someone who has a collection of train and/or railroad memorabilia.

• Someone who has a kite collection.

• An individual or family who enjoys roughing it by camping in a tent through the summer months.

“When I started, the township had a 1948 International dump truck, a very ancient road grader and a pick-up truck,” Baer said. “All of the gravel we used came from a gravel pit down by Bailey Falls. The roads were all gravel. We kept the equipment in an old building on the corner of East Third and North 21st Road that was owned

by E.R. Lambert. The yearly rental was $30.”

Baer said the township purchased property north of town in 1974 from the Murchland family and constructed a 50-foot-by 100-foot pole building to store equipment and supplies. In 2001 the township purchased the Hiltabrand Garage building in Tonica.

“It provided us with heated office space and holds some of the supplies,” he said. “We had no office space until this time.”

Baer is modest about the fact that until that time, he provided the township with the use of his insurance office, along with his mailbox and storage space for supplies in his personal buildings.

Township government has served both the rural and urban residents of Illinois since 1848. Illinois’

The Tonica News P.O. Box 86, Tonica, IL 61370 (USPS 633340) Published every Friday at Tonica, IL 61370 Entered at Tonica Post Office as Periodical Mail $22 In LaSalle County $25 Outside of LaSalle County

Contact Publisher Sam Fisher sfisher@tonicanews.com Editor Terri Simon tsimon@tonicanews.com Managing Editor Barb Kromphardt bkromphardt@tonicanews.com

Submit

The Tonica News encourages readers to submit news for publication in our paper. Special events, weddings, births, awards and honors, anniversaries, promotions, etc. are welcome items for the paper. Some fees may apply.

Schools, businesses, organizations and groups are encouraged to send information on activities and events. If you have attended a function or event and have a photo and/or news, please submit them.

Email to:

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tonica News P.O. Box 86,Tonica, IL 61370

From Page 1

PCCCF

Tonica News photo/Elin Arnold

Bob Baer has served the residents of Eden Township since 1967 and as supervisor since 1977. He is pictured in front of one of the township trucks.

1,433 townships still function according to provisions of the Township Act of 1874. There are some 17,000 townships still in operation across the United States today.

State law dictates three services are to be provided by townships: A general assistance program to qualifying residents, property assessment and maintenance of township roads and bridges.

The supervisor is the administrator of the township. He prepares all the budgets and appropriations, tax levies, schedules and presides over the annual town meeting, collects the taxes and over-

rom Page 1 “We are only funded to provide the seniors with free lunches,” Keegan said. “For everyone else, there will be a cost of $3 per meal.

We are looking to get more restaurant-style meals in here. We want to get more variety.”

Keegan and the PCCC recognize there are many out there who could use the center in many different ways.

“We want to help children; we want to help young adults; we want to be a place that people can come here and do activities,” she said.

Keegan said if an area Scout troop needed a place to meet, they could contact the center and make arrangements to use the facilities.

All the PCCC wants is for someone to be the responsible adult on duty to make sure the center is locked up when the event or meeting is completed.

“It could be Bible studies,” she

sees all the expenditures.

In Eden Township, all funds expended require a minimum of two signatures, and in some cases three.

“There’s a lot to it,” Baer said. “People get the impression it’s easy, but they don’t see all the work that goes into it. If you don’t file your levies right and get behind on your bills, it can cause problems. Once you get behind, you can’t get caught up.”

Townships are directly responsible for maintaining more than 53 percent of the state’s total road miles and nearly half of all bridges. These roads and bridges provide access for

said. “Any small group, it doesn’t have to be an official group. It can be a group of friends. We are nonalcoholic, so there is no alcohol on the premises. But we do have a big screen with a projector; we can show movies. We have a popcorn machine. We can really help the kids.”

The PCCC wants to start expanding its programs as well. The PCCC will offer night classes in photography, quilting and scrapbooking in the near future. Area euchre players will be glad to hear there will be regular euchre tournaments happening at the center.

“The Putnam County Library District plans activities here occasionally, and it sounds like they want to do more activities here in the future,” she said. “Anything and any ideas in the community we would be more than open to.

We want to know what the community wants from us.”

Feedback is important to Keegan and her staff. People with program

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police and fire protection, school buses and rural postal service and are especially important in rural Illinois. In Illinois there are 71,000 miles of roads and 17,000 bridges maintained by township governments. The state, county or municipal road systems couldn’t assume this responsibility of townships without increasing their own tax rates or abandoning some of them, or both.

“Our predecessors had the foresight to pass a blacktop bond issue the summer before July of 1960 that guaranteed each rural household a blacktop entry to their property.

Since then, some of the

Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder

Jean Skutt practices yoga with Kerry Kurtz at the Putnam County Community Center. The Center is looking for more programs like this and others to offer in the evenings. ideas can mail the center at Putnam County Community Center, 128 First St., P.O. Box 208, Standard, IL 61363; call the center at 815-339-2711; or email Keegan at PCAServices@yahoo.com.

dead end blacktops have been extended the next mile and completely blacktopped,” Baer said. “Eden Township was, if not the first, very close to the first, in doing this. Our bond issue was completely paid for in 1976. That’s when most of the townships were just starting to get blacktop roads and trying to get them paid for.”

After the election, Baer will have more time so spend with his family. He and his wife, Nancy, have lived in Tonica all their lives. They have four children: Mark and his wife, Laura; Shelley and her husband, Josh Ebner; Mike and his wife, Danna; and Tracy and her husband Greg Kotecki. They also have nine grandchildren.

Today Eden Township has a1967 CAT grader that was restored and repainted in the mid-1980s, a 2001 CAT backhoe/tractor with a loader, a 2000 Ford single access plow and sideblade, a 2007 tandem axle dump with a plow and side blade and a 2011 Ford 450 stainless steel dump box with a salt spreader.

“All equipment, plows and supplies — everything we own – is fully paid for, and all our accounts are carrying a very hefty balance and one of the lowest tax rates in the county,” Baer said.

“Please feel free to call us, talk to me,” Keegan said. “We want to provide something that people will show up for.”

Keegan hopes other grants will open up for the center with the change in mission statement and name.

“We are hoping to find other funding opportunities,” she said.

“But for right now, we are still currently funded solely by Double A, Triple A and the community.”

The PCCC is reworking its mission statement and making new goals to help expand the community center at the moment.

“We are kind of new to this, and we just started providing some of these different activities. But we would like to have something going on every day,” Keegan said.

“We would like to have it where people are out here all the time.

People can stop by in the evenings. We know a lot of people work and can’t get out here during the day.”

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3 Obit Friday, April 5, 2013 • The Tonica News • 3

Obituaries

Third time’s the charm The March 29 meeting was Lostant Grade School’s third attempt at holding a March meeting.

The regularly scheduled meeting on March 20 was rescheduled to March 27 after a two-hour wait, due to lack of a quorum.

The March 27 meeting was delayed for a half hour while board President Mike Phillips tried to locate a fourth member for a quorum with members Diane Ioerger and Cindy Burcar already in attendance. Phillips returned with board member Paul Janusick, and the meeting began at 7:20 p.m.

After moving an item of the agenda – the paying of bills for March – to the top of the actions for the evening, the board then opened for comments from guests in attendance, as is its custom.

After five minutes of questions and commentary from Ryan and Angel Edwall regarding grading in the eighth-grade math class, Janusick stood up and started toward the door with an admonishment at Phillips.

“You said five minutes,” Janusick said.

After Janusick sat back down, the board then moved to actions and approved a motion to pay the bills. With that, Janusick stood again and left the meeting. The remainder of the meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum and rescheduled for March 29.

“This doesn’t normally happen,” Superintendent Sandra Malahy said.

“We never have had problems getting a quorum before.”

Grading From Page 1 The board also elected to recognize students who received a 4.0 grade during the 2013-14 school year. This will eliminate the selection of valedictorian and salutatorian. The measure passed three to one with board member Diane Ioerger voting no, and board President Mike Phillips abstaining.

In other action: • The board recognized student Lauren Bernardoni, who received the LaSalle County Schools Committee’s Student Excellence Award.

• The board learned the school district has received full recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education for meeting all criteria for public school evaluation, recognition and supervision.

• The board approved the 2013-14 calendar put forward by the teachers which would add the snow days to the end of the school year as opposed to during the six-day spring break vacation. The move passed by a 4-1 margin,

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Morgan Phillips presents her case for using weighted grades for this year’s algebra grades. The board voted to delay weighted grading until the 2013-14 school year.

Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder

with Ioerger voting against the measure.

• The board approved joining the Reciprocal Reporting Agreement for the 13th Judicial Court, which would allow schools to share any information on a student’s disciplinary or criminal activities should the student move to another school district. The vote was 4-1 with Andy Urbanowski opposed.

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TONICA — Gary C. Naumann, 77, of Tonica passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2013, at Heritage Manor in Peru.

Gary was born March 11, 1936, in Peru to Chauncey and Elsie (Johnson) Naumann. He married Jeanne Spear on Jan. 13, 1957, in Varna. They celebrated 56 years of marriage this year.

He graduated from Hopkins Township High School, Class of 1954.

Gary farmed most of his life. After retiring he drove a school bus and worked for the state of Illinois and Walmart.

Gary was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru. He was a member of Granville Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Gary was a Shriner and hauled the fire truck for the parades and has been an active member since 1985. He was a board member for McNabb Telephone Company for 47 years. He was a Sunday

Marcy Anna Allen STREATOR — Marcy Anna Allen, 66, of Streator passed away Saturday, March 16, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator.

Born Dec. 13, 1946, in Spring Valley, she was the daughter of Arthur Ross and Dorothy (Rakowski) Hawley. She married Thomas Allen Aug. 5, 1964, in the Tonica United Methodist Church. He survives in Streator.

Marcy attended Orland Park Grade School and graduated from Tonica High School. She was a loving wife and mom. She was a homemaker all of her life. She enjoyed quilting, crafting, cooking, garden-

school teacher and a Luther League sponsor. Gary was on the Marshall-Putnam Fair Board, Gary C. Victoria Palms Naumann Community Church Board and served as precinct committeeman for Granville 1 for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Naumann of rural Tonica; one son, Carl (Debbie) Naumann of Standard; two daughters, Jane (Rick) Smith of Eldridge, Iowa, and Jill Matchus (David Mikell) of Louisville, Neb.; one sonin-law, Mike Hegland; one brother, Robert (Jackie) Naumann; three sisters, Virginia (Richard) Gansemer, Nancy (Don) Brandstatter and Alice Gibson; and seven grandchildren, Mitchell Smith, Christopher Naumann, Matthew Naumann, Zackary Hegland, Arianna Hegland, Kurt Etzenbach and Ellen Etzenbach.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Julie Hegland; and two grandsons, Kyle and Michael Matchus.

Services will be at 11 a.m. April 2 at St. John Lutheran Church, Peru, with the Rev. Timothy Kenyon officiating. Burial will be at Friends Cemetery, McNabb.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. April 1 at the Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville. There will be an additional visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. April 2 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru, Victoria Palms Community Church in south Texas or Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago.

Pallbearers will be Mitchell Smith, Rick Smith, David Mikell, Christopher Naumann, Matthew Naumann, Zachary Hegland, Arianna Hegland, Kurt Etzenbach and Ellen Etzenbach.

ing, photography, crocheting, “do it yourself” projects, painting and reading, especially cookbooks and quilting books. She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and activities frequently and was a proud and loving Grandma. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. She was an amazing person who made everyone who knew her feel special. She was a friend to many and a stranger to no one.

Marcy is also survived by her mother, Dorothy Hawley of Streator; two daughters, Anna (Craig) Stefan of Champaign and Brenda (Don) Chapman of Streator; five grandchil-

dren, Zachary, Tyler and Lucas Stefan, and Savanna and Samuel Chapman; two brothers, Martin (Merlene) Hawley and Marvin (JoAnn) Hawley, both of Streator; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and one sister, Marie Foltynewicz.

Funeral services were held March 30 at the SolonTelford Funeral Home, Streator, with Sister Laura Northcraft officiating. Cremation rites were accorded after the services.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be left for the family at www. solontelford.com.

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to come to the school in the fall to administer a voluntary Children’s Identification Program that would allow parents to supply information to police in the case of a missing child.

• The board heard about the 5Essentials survey and the problems with its execution from Superintendent Sandra Malahy. She reported the school will be listed on the state school board website as failing to receive enough surveys from parents.

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4 Biz Ag 4 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 5, 2013

Hoops for Heart Fundraiser brings in more than $1,300 at Lostant Grade School

By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT – In a different twist on an old theme, Lostant Grade School physical education classes participated for the first time in the Hoops for Heart fundraiser on March 27. Physical education teacher Jim Nugent was in charge of the event.

“It is like basketball, and they do basketball instead of jump rope,” said Nugent.

Nugent said he worked the event differently for the younger students.

“The kindergarten through second grade students had stations through the gym,” he said. “Those stations included a dribbling station, a basketball bowling spot and a hula-hoop tied to the rim of the basket, and we had small basketballs that they tried to shoot through the hoop.”

He said that one station was unique.

“One station was called pass the pig station,” he said. “We had a little pig hanging from a rope, and they had to hit it with a ball.”

The third- through fifth-grade students had a tournament at one end of the gym, while the sixththrough eighth-grade had a tournament at the other end of the gym.

Team Fighting Illini of the third- through fifthgrade won their age bracket, with team members Jacob Wiesbrook, Cindy Miller and Sage Leonard.

They each thought it was

a lot of fun.

Jacob said, “I won the tournament. We passed the basketball a lot. I think I kind of liked the hoops part a little better.”

“We used team work to win. It was really fun,” said Cindy.

Sage had a reason for participating in the event.

“I guess I just wanted to have fun with my friends and play basketball,” Sage said. “I liked the team work and passing and playing in the game.”

Team Fighting Illini said that they would be back together next year.

The students raised more than $1,300 for the American Heart Association, which funds research, programs and education to fight heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No, 4 killers, respectively.

The Underarmour Brothers won the junior high championship and team members included Auston Pflibsen, Kyle Lawless and Emily Edwall.

The top fundraisers for the event were Will Daugherty, Sarah Daugherty and Ayden Lawless. They receive prizes from the American Heart Association.

“I’m so pleased with the success of this year’s event,” Nugent said. “We all had a lot of fun, and the kids enjoyed learning about the importance of physical activity and how they can play a role in saving lives.”

Hoops For Heart is a program that promotes physical activity and heart health through playing basketball. It is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

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Lynda Decker (from left), Norma Lightle, Marlene Simeck and Judy Wever prepare Easter bags for delivery on March 22 at the Simeck home in Lostant.

Lostant Ladies League supports community

By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT – The Lostant Ladies League has been busy this month. The group met on March 22 at the home of Marlene Simeck to prepare Easter bags for Lostant area senior citizens.

The group plans each year before Easter to prepare the Easter bags for the seniors and delivers them to those in the local nursing homes and to those seniors still at home in the Lostant area. The group delivered 21 bags on March 22 and 23.

The Lostant Ladies League was formed in 1973 as a small town

ladies group. Initially, the group sponsored a preschool called “Library Hour.”

“It was volunteer members from the group as teachers,” said Norma Lightle. “It thrived for about 20 years.”

The preschool closed about the same time as preschool started at Lostant Grade School.

The Lostant Ladies League does several events throughout the year to contribute to the Lostant area community.

“We do a graduation breakfast,” Lightle said.

“This is for the eighthgraders. When we had the high school, we did it for them too, but of course we don’t have that now.”

The Ladies League gets Christmas gifts for two clients at the Horizon House each year.

Horizon House gives the group a list of things that two clients would like, and the group takes care of that.

“We participate in the Lostant parade,” she said. “The last one was the 150th parade, but anytime the community has one, we are in it.”

The organization has also raised funds for the Lostant Public Park playground. During the annual rummage sales in Lostant, the group takes turns with the churches and hosts a lunch stand.

Fun things the group includes events with

their spouses.

“We have Christmas and Valentine dinners,” Lightle said. “We bring our husbands and/or our friends.”

The group also goes on outings periodically throughout the year. The last couple of trips have included a trolley tour through Starved Rock State Park and taking a trip on the Spirit of Peoria.

Lightle said, “We like to do a fun outing now and then to just have fun.”

The Lostant Ladies League meets monthly, usually in the Lostant Fire Hall from September through May each year.

To become a member of the group, ask any member. The membership fee is $5.

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5 Perspective Friday, April 5, 2013 • The Tonica News • 5

The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher

Terri Simon

Publisher

Editor

From the editor’s desk I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Easter holiday — a day spent with family and friends who helped you make a basketful of memories. After all, when it’s all said and done, memories are what it’s all about ... don’t you think?

While I still wish the mercury in the thermometer outside would inch a bit higher, I’m not going to complain. Spring is really starting to blossom, and it seems like the foliage on my tulips and daffodils grow about 2 or 3 inches every day.

Before long, our yards will be in bloom Terri — one of my very favorite things to Simon enjoy this season. Another favorite? All those baby animals we’ll see throughout the countryside. Keep an eye out for them! There’s nothing much cuter than baby lambs, calves or colts.

••• Just a reminder: Election Day is April 9. It’s important to go to the polls. I applaud those who have thrown their proverbial hats in the ring, especially in this place in time. It’s not easy to sit on a board or manage the business of a municipality or educational entity. I wish more folks were able to get involved.

••• How do you like your Tonica News? I’ve heard from quite a few folks who are enjoying the new format. If at any time you have an idea, suggestion, a story idea, a news tip or just comments in general, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I can be reached at tsimon@tonicanews.com or 815-875-4461, ext. 229.

Like I’ve told the folks I’ve spoken to, this is YOUR newspaper. Your input is integral to our success, so don’t hesitate to give me a call.

I’ve been spending a little time getting to know the Tonica, Lostant and Leonore area, and I have to tell you, I am so enjoying your towns, your people and your scenery along the way. It’s absolutely lovely, and I appreciate your kindness.

I’ll be out and about more often in the coming days, so I hope to meet many more folks from your area.

••• Thought for today: “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people, and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.” Ernest Hemingway.

Thought for tomorrow: “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”

Rainer Mari Rilke.

••• Just for fun ... This one gave me a good chuckle!

Enjoy!

Three sisters ages 72, 74 and 76 live in a house together. One night the 76 year old draws a bath.

She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells down the stairs: “Was I getting in or out of the bath?”

The 74 year old yells back: “I don’t know. I’ll come up and see.” She starts up the stairs and pauses.

Then she yells: “Was I going up the stairs or down?”

The 72 year old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says “I sure hope I never get that forgetful.” She knocks on wood for good measure. She then yells: “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”

••• It’s difficult to believe Mother’s Day and graduation is just around the corner. Whenever possible, I’d like to encourage everyone to shop locally in your town or county. When you do so, it’s a win-win situation for everyone!

••• Now that it’s really starting to feel like spring, I hope you’ll take advantage of the nice weather to spend some time with family and friends. Like my dear friend Yvonne says, “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” Take time for those you love. And remember ... you are important to me and the Tonica News.

Tonica News Editor Terri Simon can be reached at tsimon@tonicanews.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bcrnews.tsimon.

Letters to the Editor should not be more than 500 words in length. Only one person can sign a Letter to the Editor.

The author of the letter must include his/her name, hometown and telephone number. The author’s name and hometown will be published, however, the telephone number is only used to verify the authenticity of the author’s signature and will not be published. Unsigned letters are never read or published. No letter will be published until The Tonica News contacts the author of the letter to verify the signature. The Tonica News reserves the right to edit or refuse any Letter to the Editor.

First Person

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have just one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Pizza.

Cody Nelson

What is your favorite local restaurant: Oriental Gardens.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be: My computer with an electric generator.

If someone handed you a million dollars, how would you spend it: Give some of it to close friends and family members that need it. Then lock the rest of it away.

City: Princeton.

Where did you grow up: Walnut.

Family: Beth Nelson (mom); Richard Nelson (dad); Trisha Nelson (sister.)

Pets: None but would love to own a boxer or pit bull or both.

Occupation: Rural route postal carrier for Tonica.

What is the last book you read: “The Boxcar Children.”

What is the last TV show you watched: “Archer.”

What is your favorite thing about the city you live in: It’s close to family and friends.

If you could change one thing about your town, what would it be: Move it closer to work.

No Child Left Untested, Part II The NEW new math Last week, I related the joys that teachers have dealt with since the passing of No Child Left Behind.

Wait, it gets better.

Now, the powers that be have decided – probably from the results of NCLB – that the central precepts of teaching – the core curriculum – needs to be overhauled. I really do applaud this move and the method that they are initially going about it; but in the end I think it might do more harm than good.

For instance, the math program at schools will be overhauled in high school. Instead of taking algebra, geometry and algebra II, the subjects will be taught together in a more comprehensive manner.

These three core math subjects would be taught in Math 1, Math 2 and Math 3. Lessons learned as part of algebra can immediately be applied to geometry and vice versa. After these classes, advanced students can take the more advanced calculus and trigonometry classes. However, three math classes are required to graduate.

Question: When you went to high school, did everyone in your class take algebra? Probably not.

Many of your classmates probably

Ken Schroeder COMMENTARY took general math. Guess what’s not going to be available anymore?

Wait, it gets better.

If students do not measure up to the standards set up for the new core curriculum, then they become part of a program RTI (Response To Intervention). This will help the student rise to the point where they can pass the class (At this point, I don’t know if they then are able to count the original math class as completed, but the impression I get is that is not the case.). Remember how students have to pass three math classes to graduate? RTI math is not a math class. It’s considered an elective. So instead of taking that shop class or theater class, Johnny has to take RTI, and then probably take the math class over again. Considering many students look forward to their elective classes to get through the day, being forced to use an elective slot to learn math again will not sit well.

And how do they determine if a student is not measuring up? If you answered “more tests,” go get a cookie.

Wait, it gets better.

Students have to pass three math classes. All students. The only math classes currently in the new core will teach algebra, geometry, and algebra II. Those classes are normally required for collegebound students. Now, all students will have to be college-trained for math. I don’t know about you, but there were people in my class that were barely paper-trained; they would never be able to pass algebra.

What’s the end result? The students who would have taken the Big Three will still do well, and so will some of the students who might have taken the easy classes.

However, some of those students who struggled with general math are not going to graduate under the new curriculum. They’ll become part of the “17-and-out” students who reach the legal age to do so and drop out of school.

This, to me, would be a direct contradiction of NCLB. Yes, more students will be better prepared for life, especially if they wanted to go to college. But is that worth an increase in dropouts which will almost certainly happen?

Do the math.

Putnam County Record Staff Writer Ken Schroeder can be reached at kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com.

TO Letter THE Editor

‘Make them accountable’ To the editor, I recently read the village board of Tonica report on the water increase of $40, Bailey Creek subdivision road issues and TIF 2.

1. On the $40 water and sewer increase, no matter how you put it, it is a tax and needs to go to a public vote.

I also found out in my

research this is not a mandate.

2. Bailey Creek Road issue. This subdivision was put in as a TIF and from what I understand, the specs called for blacktop, not chip and oil.

3. Where is TIF 2 and who is the owner?

There again, from what I see, the village board is killing the business district and making the homeowner suffer by increasing our taxes.

In all of this mess the only ones profiting from this are Jack Kusek, Bob Steele and the TIF attorney.

On April 9 our current board is all running unopposed. They each need to remember excuses are like a mule’s behind – they all have them!

Tonica townspeople remember there are only solutions, not excuses. Excuses mean our board is looking for

the easy way out.

We as the townspeople hold the solution.

Let’s hold the board’s feet to the fire and the village president as well. Make them accountable to all of us as taxpayers.

Right now our prior mayors like Zig Miller and others are rolling over in their graves due to our current board’s actions or lack thereof.

Arthur G. Foltynewicz Tonica

6 Life 6 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 5, 2013

Community Lostant alumni banquet planned for April 20 WENONA – The Lostant alumni banquet will be April 20 at the Marshall County Sportsman’s Club, located at 3059 County Road 1250 North in Wenona.

The banquet, hosted by the Class of 1988, will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. and a buffet-style dinner at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 per person.

There will also be an open house held at the school from 10 a.m. to noon earlier in the day.

Reservations and payments must be made in advance by April 13.

Contact Jeanne (Wilco) Maggio at 302 W. Third St., Lostant, IL 61334 or email her at alumni@ lostantcomets.org/. Please give the year graduated when making reservations.

Also, the alumni email address list has been changed, and all the information was lost. Please resubmit your address to the above address.

Tonica Cemetery clean-up TONICA – The Tonica Cemetery Association is asking for help with its spring clean-up on April 6.

The group is asking patrons to remove all unwanted seasonal items.

They will be removing all grave blankets.

The association would also like to thank Larry Giltner, Jeff Bush and Jeremy Hillyer for cleaning up the fence row with their equipment.

Electronic recycling is April 13 in Streator STREATOR – The next electronic recycling event will be held April 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the municipal parking lot north of City Hall at the corner of Bloomington and Bridge streets in Streator.

Each vehicle is limited to 10 items. Businesses are not allowed to participate.

Items accepted include computers, printers, copiers, monitors, keyboards, speakers, computer mice, cables, PDAs, televisions, video cassette recorders, radios, stereo equipment, tape recorders, record players, telephones, PBX systems, answering machines, networking equipment, hubs, switches, routers, cables, video recorders, video monitors, security systems, CB radios, Ham radios, cell phones,

pages, Blackberry/Palm units, Walkmans, cash registers, typewriters, adding machines, calculators, software, books, CDROM/floppy disc, manuals, cables, cords, UPS, surge strips and conditioners, scanners, digital cameras, MP3 players, rechargeable batteries, test equipment, computer parts, cables/wires/aluminum and rack/carts.

Unaccepted items include microwaves, can openers, toaster ovens, coffee makers, toasters, refrigerators,stoves, washers and dryers, garbage compactors, dishwashers, fluorescent lighting or ballast, household batteries, other than installed in equipment and desk/office furniture or lighting.

For more information contact Ray McGee at 815-844-7779.

AL LEFFELMAN

Spiritually speaking ...

Members are a family at St. Paul Lutheran Church

By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com

LEONORE — St. Paul’s Lutheran is a small church outside of Leonore. The church currently alternates its Sunday service with Immanuel Lutheran church every four months. The services rotate between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The Rev. Roger Helgren serves at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

“St. Paul’s is a little congregation,” said Helgren. “The whole congregation is only 50 people.

It has always been a little congregation.”

But according to the old adage, “There’s strength in numbers,” and Helgren said this could apply to his congregation at St. Paul’s Lutheran.

“Their absolute strength is they are the most friendly, open, warm group of people,” he said. “They are a family. They will welcome you in. People come to the church, and they fold them into the family.”

The congregation members are an even mix from Lostant, Tonica and Leonore and beyond.

Helgren said there are

even some who drive in from Peru.

Currently, as there are no younger school-age children, St. Paul’s is not holding Sunday school.

“We have had over the years a Sunday school,” Helgren said. “However at this point we don’t have the children to provide it. All of the children are grown right now.”

The men of St. Paul’s Lutheran participate in the Lutheran Men in Mission that meets at Immanuel Lutheran Church each month. The men have dinner, Bible study, prayer and fellowship at their meetings and invite anyone who would like to attend. Service projects are part of this group’s work as well.

“We have started a service project,” said Helgren. “We will participate in the Food Resource Bank (through Lutheran World Relief). We are sponsoring a project in South America that’s also connected over to Emmaus and First Lutheran.”

Summer time brings the annual St. Paul Lutheran Ice Cream Social when the congregation comes together as well as the fall when the church does its annual chili supper.

“These are people that like being together,” Helgren said. “So they enjoy

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Leonore this very much.”

St. Paul’s Lutheran has a good heart for missions, even when they’re close by. The church supports the LaSalle Peru Food Pantry. They also have a fun event over Super Bowl Sunday.

“We have a neat event,” Helgren said. “On Super Bowl Sunday they have an event called Souper Bowl of Caring, where they bring canned goods or monetary gifts that are given to the local food pantry.”

St. Paul supports Lutheran Hunger Appeal and Lutheran World Relief.

“These are regular things that happen time and time again that

the congregation looks beyond their doors to support,” he said.

If there are disasters in the world, St. Paul Lutheran reacts to and wants to help, Helgren said.

“They are wonderful people,” Helgren said. “It’s not so much a church as it is a family. If you come to St. Paul’s, you’ll join a family.”

Helgren said he enjoys his small congregation and invites the community to come and visit them on Sundays.

“Our hope is just to continue to carry out our mission,” he said. “We want to preach the word of God and to invite new people to hear God’s word and respond faithfully.”

Annual art gala set for April 21 PERU — The Zonta Club of the LaSalle-Peru Area will host its annual art gala from 2 to 5 p.m.

April 21 at MarkAllen in Peru.

More than 50 artists from the

region have donated art with the theme of “Women.”

The event will include a chance to win the art of your choice, a chance to meet the artists, and

A Brent Becker

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SundAy, April 14th • 10 AM Selling All inventory Antiques • Tools • Lumber • Crafts www.foltymarket.com 101 N. LA SALLe St., toNicA, iL

free appetizers and drink specials.

Tickets are available in advance from any Zonta member or MarkAllen’s, or will be available at the door the day of the event.

Tonica Telephone Co. Toncom Long Distance Now offering New Higher Speeds up to 5.5 Megabytes 815-442-9901 • www.tonicacom.net

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7 Life Friday, April 5, 2013 • The Tonica News • 7

Vote April 9th For

Tonica News photo/Dixie Schroeder

Easter bunny visits Lostant Grade School The second-grade class at Lostant Grade School empty their Easter egg treats into their bags after the annual Easter egg hunt on March 28.

Lostant Grade School Breakfast menus Lunch menus April 8 – Pigs in a blanket, various cold cereals.

April 9 – Biscuits and gravy, various cold cereals.

April 10 – Sausage biscuit, various cold cereals.

April 11 – French toast, various cold cereals.

April 12 – Breakfast pizza, various cold cereals.

April 8 – Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, applesauce, bread, butter, milk.

April 9 – Taco in a bag, corn, salsa, pineapple, rice krispy treat, milk.

April 10 – Pasta, salad, peas, bread, butter, Mandarin oranges, milk.

April 11 – Pizza, bosco stick with sauce, salad, carrots, pears, milk.

April 12 – No lunch, 11:45 a.m. dismissal

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Tonica Grade School Breakfast menus Lunch menus March 8 – Choice of oatmeal with brown sugar and dried fruit, yogurt or cereal, toast, milk and juice.

March 9 – Choice of pancakes with maple syrup, yogurt or cereal, toast, milk and juice.

March 10 – Choice of scrambled eggs, yogurt or cereal, toast, milk and juice.

March 11 – Choice of French toast, yogurt or cereal, toast, milk and juice.

March 12 – Choice of cinnamon roll, yogurt or cereal, toast, milk and juice.

March 8 – Hot dog with bun, baked or green beans, fruit cup.

March 9 – Chicken noodle soup or peanut butter and jelly, crackers, carrots with dip, fruit cup, banana bread.

March 10 – No lunch, 11:45 a.m. dismissal.

March 11 – Grilled cheese, yogurt, steamed broccoli, applesauce.

March 12 – Cheese or sausage pizza, carrots with dip, fruit cup, spring cookie.

Library Corner LaSalle Public Library — April 9: 9:30 a.m., Babies and Books (birth through 12 months with their grownups); 10:45 a.m., Tots & Tales (age 1 with their grown-ups); and 11:45 a.m.,

Storytime Express! ... Fun on the Run! (ages 3-5 and their grown-ups) Lostant Public Library — April 9: 10:30 a.m., Library Time, birth through pre-school age.

Recipe Corner We generally have a lot of leftover ham and turkey after the holidays, so I thought I’d give you a few dishes to help you use some of those up. Enjoy!

Savory Turkey Crescents 3 ounces cream cheese, soft 3 tablespoons margarine, soft 2 tablespoons milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon chopped onions 2 cups cooked cubed turkey 8 ounce can crescent dinner rolls 3/4 cup seasoned croutons, crushed 1/8 teaspoon pepper Blend cream cheese and margarine until smooth. Add turkey, milk, salt, and pepper and onions. Separate dough into 4 rectangles, pressing perforations to form a solid dough. Spoon 1/2 cup of chicken onto each rectangle. Pull 4 corners together, seal and brush with melted margarine and top with crushed croutons. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°.

Deep Dish Ham Pie 1/4 1/4 1/2 1/4 1/8

cup oleo cup flour teaspoon salt teaspoon ground mustard teaspoon pepper

Judy Dyke GRANDMA JUDY’S CAFE

1 cup milk 1 teaspoon dried minced onion 2 1/2 cups cubed cooked ham 1 cup frozen peas 2 hard cooked eggs, chopped Pastry for single crust pie Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk and onion.

Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened. Stir in the ham, peas and eggs. Pour into an ungreased 11-by-7-inch baking dish. On a floured surface, roll pastry to fit top of dish.

Place crust over filling. Seal and flute the edges. Cut slits in the top. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Do you have a leftover recipe you’d like to share with other readers?

Email it to me at judyd2313@frontier. com. Please remember to include your name, address and telephone number (telephone number won’t be published). Happy leftover-ing!

“TRUST gUS” • Endorsed by Eden Twp trustees and supervisor • Will perform year-round road maintenance to assure safety for all who travel Eden Twp roadways, making school bus routes top priority during winter months • Cell phone number posted at office and on phone recorder for 24 hr accessibility • 30-year member of Tonica Volunteer Fire Dept • Retired Teamster with 35 years’ experience -Paid for by Citizens to Elect Tom Goskusky-

8 History/Class 8 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 5, 2013

History ... according to The Tonica News 10 years ago The Illinois Valley Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol was selling American-made flags to raise money for unit activities.

CAP was an auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

The Tonica PTC Group was preparing for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the grade school. The event was schedule for April 10 at the Tonica Grade School playground, and the community was invited to bring their little ones to have a fun time.

Randy Witko, former resident of Lostant and son of James and the late Donna Maxine Witko, was stationed in Port Arthur, Texas, with the Coast Guard Reserves. These men were guarding the oil pipe lines of this coastal city.

A planning meeting was held at the Tonica Village Hall to discuss events for the 150th celebration.

20 years ago Jim Sluder of Tonica was a write-in candidate for the position of village president of Tonica in the April 20 election.

Jim was employed as a manufacturing engineer at National Metalwares in Aurora.

Bob and Michele Straughn and their two children, Chelsi and Eric, were among the hundreds of people stranded in the blizzard of the previous weekend. They were returning from a vacation in Orlando, Fla., and

drove as far as Cartersville, Ga. They were stranded for over three days and it would be awhile before they forget the Georgia blizzard of 1993.

The baseball lighting system at the Tonica Village Park was donated by Dennis, Gary, Roger and Duane Ford in loving memory of their grandparents, Merlin and Lillian Lambert, lifelong residents of Tonica.

Many thanks to the Fords for their generous donation.

Pam Warren and Sue Short presented the program “What’s in a Name?” to the Tonica United Methodist Women on March 10.

President of AARP Chapter 2144 Peg Cooper of Tonica introduced Mrs. Identa Austin, the new district director from Yorkville who spoke at the last Tonica AARP meeting. Members were reminded to bring donations for the food pantry and to update their dues at the March 25 meetings.

March was the month set aside for the American Red Cross. Hope Township residents have been most generous to the Illinois Valley Chapter in the past during their once a year March campaign.

Red Cross is “people helping people.” They extend a helping hand by making sure there was an adequate blood supply.

Local obituaries - Lucille M. Haun, 85, of Henry died March 11 at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton. She was born April 7, 1907. in Tonica, and

–––––– Legals ––––– NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given on March 22, 2013, a certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of LaSalle County, Illinois concerning the business known as CNJ Style located at 11 Bailey Creek Dr., Tonica, IL 61370 which certificates sets forth the following changes in the operation thereof: the following person ceased doing business under the above assumed name and have no further connection with or financial interest in the business carried on under such assumed name Christine N. Eimer.

Dated: April 3, 2013.

Christine N. Eimer Published in the Tonica News Apr. 5, 12 and 19, 2013.

the Zoning Ordinance No. 307 as follows: Section V, R1 B-2.iii: Petitioners request a variance from the west side yard setback to be reduced to one foot from the required seven feet to allow a car port to be constructed.

A map of the proposed variance may be inspected at the office of the village clerk, Village Hall, Tonica, Il. Property owners please note: All persons interested should attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard.

Dated this 29th day of March 2013 Planning Commission/ Zoning Board of the Village of Tonica, IL Published in the Tonica News Apr. 5, 2013.

NOTICE OF HEARING Public notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission/Zoning Board of the Village of Tonica on the 29th day of April, 2013, in the Village Hall in said Village of Tonica at the hour of 6:30 p.m. for hearing to consider the following petition Applicant: Roger and Virginia Thompson Address: 125 South First St, Tonica, IL Legal description: Lots 6, 7 and 8 and the East 5 feet of Lot 9 in Block 4 in H. K. and H’s Addition to the Village of Tonica, LaSalle County Illinois Request: Petitioners request a variance from

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS PROBATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER ) OF THE ESTATE OF ) MARY LOU ROSSI, ) DECEASED. ) NO. 13-P-24 Notice is given to Creditors of the death of MARY LOU ROSSI of the City of Peru, County of LaSalle and State of Illinois, who died on January 15, 2013. Letters of Office were issued to JODINE SUSAN MAHONEY 824 Clark Street, Oglesby, Illinois on January 30, 2013, as Executor, whose attorneys are HELMIG & HELMIG, 1824 Fourth Street, Peru, Illinois, 61354.

Claims against the

Estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk, Circuit Court, in the LaSalle County Courthouse, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, or with the representatives, or both, on or before September 30, 2013, which date is not less than 6 months from date of first publication, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by section 18-3 of the Probate Act of 2000, 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 and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

GIVEN this 12th day of March A.D., 2013.

JODINE SUSAN MAHONEY EXECUTOR OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF MARY LOU ROSSI, DECEASED HELMIG & HELMIG 1824 FOURTH ST. PERU, ILLINOIS 61354 (815) 223-0131 Published in the Tonica News Mar. 22, 29 and Apr. 5, 2013.

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES The Putnam County Record Classified brings you the public and legal information you have a right to know. Check out each publication for information about your community and stay informed!

was the daughter of William and Bertha (Beisheim) Miller.

She married Albert Haun on Feb. 18, 1930, in Magnolia. He died June 6, 1976.

On Feb. 27, Ronda Bangert, the daughter of Ron and Phyllis Bangert of Tonica, was initiated into Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education at Illinois State University in Normal.

The Tonica Village Board met March 9 in the Village Hall. All members responded to roll call. Results of the Feb. 16 zoning meeting concerned the 16-acre Alleman property to be annexed into the village were presented. A proposal from McClure Engineering of the development of the 16-acre site was presented. The board decided that the village subdivision and zoning ordinances need revising before any decisions were made. The Planning Commission was contacted.

The Lostant Ladies League held its March meeting at the Lostant Masonic Hall on March 9. Karen Breckenridge, president opened the meeting.

Pam Destri reported on the SHARE program and about 43 were sold for the month of February. An Easter egg hunt was sponsored by the Lostant Ladies League on April 3 in the Lostant School gym.

30 years ago A Tonica Elementary school teacher, John Reardon, had an article this month in Athletic

We’re Taking

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Journal, a 62-year-old technical coaching publication.

Friends here would be marking their calendars for April 10 to help John Graham celebrate his 90th birthday.

Several students from the classes of Ms. Kathy Brown, Mrs. Betty Baznik and Mrs. Be Haverland held their third annual cake raffle on March 14 at Tonica Grade School.

Five area churches were represented by the 40 people who comprise the “Glory Singers.” This group presented the cantata “Crown Him King” at Sts. Peter and Paul Church of Leonore.

An open house was held in the home of Roger and Linda Hilton with over 100 guests in attendance to help Ruth Hilton celebrate her 90th birthday.

Bob Goskusky was inducted as a permanent member of the Tonica Fire Department at their regular meeting. Also voted in as a junior member was Art Folty, pending village board approval.

The annual Lostant High School banquet held April 9 at the Tonica Village Inn. Rebecca Lynn, born Feb. 9, 1963, the daughter of John and Joyce Raincingay was christened March 13 by the Rev. David Kurt at Holy Family Church.

The Father and Son Banquet was held April 7 in McFerson Hall.

80 years ago

March deaths - William Goodwin, March 26, at age 79; Mrs. Mattie Ford, March 22, at age 71; John Martens, March 7, at age 84; Mrs. Laura Boyd, March 6, at age 79; and William Umbarger of Lostant, March 17, at age 81.

Swapped titles - Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt met at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 4 and swapped titles and there was no bickering or quarreling about the trade.

Tonica High School closed its basketball season by losing their second game in the state district meet with Minonk after winning the first over two games previous to this tourney over Varna and Hennepin.

Closed nation’s banks - Two days following his inauguration: President Franklin Roosevelt issued proclamation, to the effect that banks of the nation be closed until March 9.

The proclamation was broadcast to the country over the radio as well as a short address by the president to the American Legion. Tonica State Bank was declared a sound bank after a 14-day bank holiday, along with 700 state banks in Illinois A corn ethyl gas was being tried out by numerous motorists in the community. Manufactured from corn, it was supposed to give greater mileage and was cheaper than the regular gas. The new fuel never became popular.

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