The Shopper's Weekly Papers / Mt. Vernon Area by Scott Pinkowski

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Here Comes The Guide...

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WEEKLY PAPERS

ECR - WSS POSTAL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

Enjoy Our Complete 16 Page Section B Bridal Guide!

MT. VERNON AREA

www.theshoppersweekly.com

301 E. Broadway, P.O. Box 1223, Centralia, Illinois 62801

Vol. 27 No. 8

PRSRT STD CARRIER ROUTE SORT US POSTAGE PAID Centralia, IL PERMIT NO. 339

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Check Us Out

ONLINE! www.theshoppersweekly.com

Southern Cooking with Lizzie: Hearty Main Dish Soups Page 8A

KVCCU Holds Ribbon Cutting Page 7A

USE YOUR TAX

LET US HELP!

AS YOUR DOWN PAYMENT

CREDIT PROBLEMS?

1993 Mercury Capri Convertible, Red

• Bankruptcy • Repossessions • Late Payments No Problem For Us! We Finance!

2006 Mercury Milan Gray

Documents you may need to bring:

1. Two most recent paycheck stubs 2. Current utility & phone bill (with physical address) 3. Current Driver’s License 4. Five references (with addresses and phone number)

2011 Chevy Traverse LT, Burgundy

2008 Chevy Trailblazer LT, Blue

Don’t Be Fooled! 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Silver

As one of Southern Illinois’ first “Buy Here Pay Here” car dealers, we take pride in putting you in the best car at the best price for your budget. Now in our 37th year of family owned, family friendly business, we’ll explain all the benefits we can offer you,

2012 Chevy Captiva LT, Black

including bank rate financing.

With almost four decades of helping people find a good safe used vehicle, we would love to help you, too.

Jimmie and James Fitzjerrells

2009 Chevy Impala LS, Gray

2005 Chrysler Pacifica White

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, Maroon

Second Chance Advantages For You! • Local Decision Makers • FREE Warranty - 3 Months / 3,000 Miles* • NO Doc. Fees • NO “Hidden” Fees • Low Overhead * Most Vehicles.

Call 244-4582 For Instant Approval!

2006 Chevy Silverado Gray

BUY HERE PAY HERE

2008 Chrysler Aspen Limited, Gold

2004 Dodge Ram SLT, Gold

37 YEARS!

Largest Selection In One Location!

2ND CHANCE AUTO

Jimmie Fitzjerrells, Owner

Hwy. 142 East, 3 Blocks East of Rt. 37 • Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 JIMMIE FITZJERRELLS - OWNER; 244-4582 Be Sure To Visit Our Real “Reality” Site! At 701 Hwy 142 Touch it, Start it, Drive it Here!

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

When a King Bows to a Sir

This year he made a comment about how James will never be considered in the top five of basketball's all-time players (for the record, Barkley counts them as Michael Jordan, Oscar R ob e r t s on , Kare e m Ab du l - Jab b ar, Wi lt Chamberlain and Bill Russell). L ast week Barkley called him "inappropriate" and "whiny" after James openly complained about the Cavs' inability to sign another playmaker for their anticipated title defense. "The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given h i m e ve r y t h i ng h e wanted," Barkley expounded. "They have the highest payroll in NBA history ... he's the best

Nobody knows this more than the King -LeBron James. Barkley was one of the first to rip James' decision to leave Cleveland for Miami in his "The Decision" telecast that needlessly cuckolded a fan base that only loved the guy. "Punk move" was how Barkley put it out there.

Charles Barkley has a big mouth, which is appropriate considering he also has a very large head. He used to get paid for bouncing a ball, but for the past 10 years he's gotten paid to break them as a game-day analyst for TNT.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

player in the world. Does he want all of the good players? He don't want to comp ete? He is an amazing player. They're the defending champs." Well, LeBron James has had enough. When an ESPN staff writer reached out to him after a loss for comment, James did another thing Barkley is pretty good at: He teed off. "I'm not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," James said. "I'm not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas. I never said, 'I'm not a role model.' I never showed up to AllStar Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying. All I've

done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. Fourteen years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that." And that's exactly what we'll do. There's James' take on Barkley. James had every right to pursue championships in Miami. He has professional pride; he may become the alltime leading scorer, winner of championships ... who knows? He's certainly in the top 10. He has represented the NBA the right way. He was great with Amy Schumer in "Trainwreck." And why shouldn't he be concerned with Golden State returning with a vengeance -this time with Kevin Durant in tow?

Problem is, Barkley said nothing wrong. "The Decision" was a punk move. LeBron James isn't on the NBA's Mount Rushmore plus one, at least not yet. And Barkley was right, complimentary even, when he called him the "best player in the world." Jame s aske d w hy Barkley is even relevant in today's game. The answer is because James, the King, deigned to get into a mudfight with a lowly "Sir," so quit your whining! Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter who lives in New Jersey. © 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

MEIER

Ryan Spenner Nashville

Tony Bennett Pinckneyville

CHEVROLET - BUICK 477 E. St. Louis St. • 327-AUTO • Nashville, IL

Randy Wright Centralia

2017 CHEVY SILVERADO LT 2017 CHEVY SILVERADO Z71 Crew Cab, 4x4, All-Star Edition

OVER

11,000 OFF!

MSRP ......... Discount & Rebates .........

48,070 -$9,071

38,999 38 999

Everyone$ Qualifies GMF Down Pymt Assist ..........

SALE

-$2,000

OVER

11,200 OFF!

36,999 36 999

2016 CHEVY MSRP $21,195 2017 CHEVY MSRP $26,405 Discount & Rebate -$5,406 TRAX LS Discount & Rebate -$4,196 EQUINOX LS SALE

20,999

2017 Chevy silverado

SALE

289

MSRP ......... Discount & Rebates .........

39,699 39 699

Everyone$ Qualifies GMF Down Pymt Assist ..........

16,999

48,905 -$9,206

SALE

335/Mo.

37,699 37 699

SALE

2017 Buick LaCrosse $

41M5o.//M4.9o%.*

SALE

WE NEED TO MAKE ROOM FOR SPRING! 2000 Chevrolet Blazer LS 4x4 PW, PL, Alum. Wheels, Trailer Tow

2002 Chevy Silverado LS Reg. Cab, 4x4, Lifted

2010 Chevy Equinox LS Alum. Wheels, Sirius XM, Bluetooth

2008 Buick Lucerne CXS Chrome Wheels, Heated & Cooled Seats

2012 Ford Escape XLT 4x4 P. Seat, ALum. Wheels, Sirius XM

2014 Chrysler 200 Touring Roof, Touch Screen, P. Seat, Bluetooth

95/Mo. 36 Mo. / 3.9%

3,473

95/Mo. 36 Mo. / 3.9%

5,473

2011 Chevy HHR P. Seat, PW, PL, Chrome Wheels

3,473

115/Mo. 48 Mo. / 3.9%

5,973

126/Mo. 48 Mo. / 3.9%

$ $

11,973

2006 Chevy Silverado 2LT BOSE, P. Seat, HD Trailering

11,973

193/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

11,973

2010 Chevy Colorado LT Crew Cab, Chrome Wheels, Sirius XM

10,973

193/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

2013 Chevy Equinox LT Sunroof, P. Seat, Bluetooth, Camera

193/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

12,973

209/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

36,990 -$4,000

2007 Chevy Silverado Z71 P. Seat, Alum. Wheels, 5.3L

SALE

34,245 -$4,246

29,999 29 999

2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS

17,400

279

$ 72 Mo. / 3.9%

MSRP ......... Discount & Rebates .........

239

2012 Ford Taurus Limited

MSRP Discount

36,795 -$5,800

SALE $30,995

Roof, Chrome, NAV, Camera

54K, P. Seat, Rear Camera

2014 Chevy Malibu LS P. Seat, Alum. Wheels, Bluetooth

2014 Chevy Captiva LTZ Sunroof, Heated Leather, 18” Chrome

2014 Chevy Equinox LS 25K Miles, Bluetooth, Alum. Wheels

2016 Chevy Malibu LT P. Seat, Alum. Wheels, Bluetooth

2014 Chevy Equinox LT Sunroof, P. Seat, Rear Camera

12,973 12,973

13,473

2012 Chevy Traverse LT P. Seat, Rear Camera, Alum Wheels

12,973

217/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

Sunroof, Heated & Cooled Seats, Chrome Wheels

217/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

19,999 19 999

Hands Free Lift Gate, Rear ear Camera, Heated Leather er 8” Touch Screen

o.* 38M9o./M /4.9% 84

14,473

14,973

229/Mo. 66 Mo. / 3.9%

Diesel, Crew, Z71

2014 GMC Terrain Denali NAV, 19” Chrome, Roof, Leather

2013 GMC Yukon Denali 4x4

16,973

2015 Chevy Suburban LT 4x4

259/Mo. 66 Mo. / 3.9%

299/Mo. 72 Mo. / 3.9%

$ $

Crew Cab, All Star, 5.3L

Roof, Buckets, NAV, DVD

NAV, Rear Buckets, Heated Leather

*All new vehicle discounts include all rebates and tags available at time of ad plus $500 GM card rebate. Tax, title, lic. and doc. fee extra w/ approved credit. All payments with 10% cash down or trade. Dealer will not honor pricing errors in this ad.

20,973 20,973

21,973

312/Mo. 72 Mo. / 3.9%

21,973

312/Mo. 72 Mo. / 3.9%

$ $

22,973

325/Mo. 72 Mo. / 3.9% $

23,973

305/Mo. 84 Mo. / 4.9%

2016 Chevy Traverse 2LT Heated Seats, Buckets, 18” Alum.

16,973

259/Mo. 66 Mo. / 3.9%

V6, A/C, Cruise, 7K Miles

2014 Chevy Silverado LT

$ $

2013 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Crew, Chrome Wheels, 5.3L, P. Seat

16,973

259/Mo. 66 Mo. / 3.9%

275/Mo. 66 Mo. / 3.9%

2008 GMC Yukon Denali Heated Leather, Buckets, 18” Alum.

2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500

223/Mo. 66 Mo. / 3.9%

6.0L, 4x4, P. Seat, 47K

17,973

2012 Chevy Silverado LT 2500

13,973

Roof, NAV, P. Lift Gate, Bluetooth

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport

223/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

PRICES AND REBATES END FEB. 28TH $ 2011 Dodge Durango 4x4

13,973

223/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

-$1,000

2017 Buick Envision

209/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

24,425 -$3,426

20,999 20 999

Everyone$ Qualifies GMF Down Pymt Assist ..........

$ 72 Mo. / 3.9%

209/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

2011 Ford Edge SEL Heated Leather, Chrome Wheels, Loaded

2012 Chevy Equinox LT

177/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

Come Drive The ALL NEW

10,973

177/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

84 Mo. / 4.9%

199

2012 Buick LaCrosse Premium II

162/Mo. 63 Mo. / 3.9%

26,999 26 999

$ 72 Mo. / 3.9%

9,973

$ $

MSRP ......... Discount & Rebates .........

FEBRUARY BLOW OUT!!

2005 Chevy Impala PW, PL, Cruise, P. Seat

SALE

-$2,000

14,270

LACROSSE 32,990 AND ENVISION!

MSRP Discount

35,685 -$6,686

2017 CHEVY MSRP $17,270 2017 CHEVY MSRP $20,400 SONIC LS Discount & Rebate -$3,000 CRUZE LS Discount & Rebate -$3,000

$ 72 Mo. / 3.9% Preferred Pkg., Heated Leather, Rear Camera, 18” Wheels

Crew Cab, 4x4, 7” My Link, Chrome Pkg.

28,999 28 999 $ 79/Mo. 3

Dillon Meier Nashville

Everyone$ Qualifies GMF Down Pymt Assist ..........

84 Mo. / 4.9%

-$2,000

235

$ 72 Mo. / 3.9%

MSRP ......... Discount & Rebates .........

Randy Reuter Nashville

2017 CHEVY colorado

Dbl-Cab, 20” Chrome, Custom Ed.

Crew Cab, 4x4, All-Star Heated Seats

Mike Meier Nashville

24,973

319/Mo. 84 Mo. / 4.9% $

29,973

385/Mo. 84 Mo. / 4.9%

34,973

439/Mo. 84 Mo. / 4.9% $

41,973

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

GSSI ROBOTICS TEAM WINS AWARD, QUALIFIES FOR STATE TOURNAMENT Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois robotics team, OOPS! Robotics, won the Connect Award and was a finalist for the Motivate Award at the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) regional qualifying tournament at Decatur Hope Academy on Feb. 11. The team also advanced to the FTC Illinois State tournament, which will be held Feb. 24-25 at Elgin Community College in Elgin. FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, in an alliance format against other teams. Teams design, build and program their robot using a variety of programming languages and sound engineering principles, then plan strategies for competition. Awards are given for competitive performance as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments. The Connect Award is presented to the team that most connects with their local STEM community. To win, a team must submit an engineering notebook with a strategic plan which highlights the team's goals and the steps they will take to reach those goals. The team must also provide clear examples of the connections they have been developing within engineering, science and technology communities. The Motivate Award is given to the team that best exemplifies the essence of FTC competition through team building, team spirit and enthusiasm. The team must demonstrate respect and gracious professional-

ism throughout the tournament and be able to articulate the individual contributions of each team member. In addition to their achie vements at the Decatur regional, OOPS! also qualified for the Missouri State Tournament earlier this season. That tournament will be held March 4 at Missouri S&T University in Rolla. GSSI’s Oops! Robotics team is coached by Kristi Smith and Mary Buchanan of O'Fallon and consists of middle and high school girls from Belleville, Granite City and O'Fallon. Te a m m e m b e r s a r e Katherine Buchanan, Mary Buchanan, Mackenzie Butchee, Allie Huller, Kimberly Melton, Chloe Schlosser, Kailee Schlosser, Amber Smith, Leah Walton, Allison Zaiz and Megan Zaiz. OOPS! Robotics receives funding f rom Afton Chemical, Christone Enterrpises, Best Buy, Boeing, The Monsanto Fund and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Science, technology, eng ine er ing and mat h (STEM) programming is an important component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. GSSI provides girls of all age levels with the opportunity to participate in engaging STEM activities that include writing code, wiring circuits, conducting physics and chemistry experiments and more. The organization is always looking for community and business partners to help girls gain exposure to and experience

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog. –Mark Twain

1,386 Special $

This Special Price Includes: • Monument & Base • All Lettering & Design on Front of Monument • Installation in Cemetery • 30” Deep Foundation* *Some cemeteries rules indicate foundation depths and may have additional fees.

“ We Carve Life’s Memories into Stone”

Beautiful Pine Green Granite

Submitted Photo Back Row: Mackenzie Butchee, Kailee Schlosser, Megan Zaiz, Kimberly Melton, Katherine Buchanan, Mary Buchanan. Front Row: Amber Smith, Leah Walton, Allison Zaiz, Chloe Schlosser, Allie Huller

with these growing fields. For more information ab out G S SI’s ST E M Program, please contact Program Manager Emily Stanley at 800-345-6858, ext. 1111 or estanley@ gsofsi.org. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. The mission of Girl Scouting states: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork. Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region. Girl Scouts is a Proud Partner

3-0x0-6x1-8 Polish 2 4-0x1-0x06 Pol. Top

Monuments – Markers – Mausoleums – Cemetery Lettering Resets & Repairs – Custom Etchings W

of United Way. For more information, please contact Erin Johnson at 800-3456858 or e-mail ejohnson@ gsofsi.org.

Wilson & Wilson MONUMENT CO. Local Representative

Osborn Funeral Home Dix, IL • 266-7231

wwmonco@gmail.com Or check us out on the web: wilsonandwilsonmonuments.com

The Nurses and Staff At Nature Trail

Care About Our Residents And Their Families. We Provide Skilled Nursing In :

• Speech Therapy • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Diathermy

• Hospice Services • VA Contract • Respite Care • E. Stem

You’re Invited To Join Us This Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 pm For Our Next

HEALTHY THOUGHTS PROGRAM

Topic: Advanced Directives Speaker: Jeff Stewart, Director of Pastoral Care at SSM Health Good Samaritan

CALL DIXIE MCGILL TODAY FOR A TOUR

618-472-4208

Nature Trail Health Care Center

We Love Our Veterans! 1001 South 34th St. Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864

(618) 242-5700

www.savaseniorcare.com

O WELCOME T

ONE-OF-A-KIN

RK K & PO (STEA EXTRA) 50¢

CATERING

$2 Off $10 Or More Purchase

Valid only at participating locations. Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per purchase. “Buy One, Get One” offers valid on item of equal or lesser value only. Exclusive of alcohol, tax and gratuity. Not for sale or resale. Void here prohibited. Cash value 1/100¢. No cash back. Additional exclusions may apply. Valid through 3/31/2017. Coupon Code: 5313.

3909 Broadway, Suite 101 • Mt. Vernon • 618-241-7000

MOES.COM

Valid at MOUNT VERNON IL locations ONLY

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

communityNEWS SENATE COMMITTEE KILLS MCCARTER BILL TO PROHIBIT TAX DOLLARS FOR ABORTION

STION E U Q OF THE Whatʼs the worst chore you have to do around the house? Peggy Johnson

Mike

Cooking and dishes, but I do them anyway

S t a t e S e n . Ky l e McCarter’s legislation that sought to prohibit Illinois tax dollars for abortion was rejected by the Senate Public Health Committee Feb. 15. Sen. McCarter told the committee that those with sincerely-held religious beliefs, who are opposed to abortion, are being coopted through the use of their tax dollars. “There are those of us with sincerely-held beliefs who consider abortion to be the taking of a human life,” s aid McC ar ter (R-Lebanon). “For that reason, the last thing we want is for our tax dollars to be used in that manner.” Under Senate Bill 78, state agencies would be prohibited from entering

into contracts or making grants – using state funds – with any entity that performs abortions or maintains a facility where abortions are performed. The 54th District Senator also cited 2015’s scandal of the sale of aborted baby body parts by Planned Parenthood, revealed in a series of undercover videos. “What many saw with Planne d Parent ho o d brought to light how ugly this can be. A lot of people asked that if the practice of abortion can’t be stopped, at least stop our tax dollars from going to it,” said McCarter. Ralph Rivera of Illinois Citizens for Life told the Committee that ending taxpayer support for

Planned Parenthood and similar abortion providers would not restrict healthcare access for women. Rivera cited figures that show there are currently 16 Planned Parenthood facilities in Illinois while the number of federally-qualified health clinics number 670. “What we would like to recommend is that the money (state tax dollars) going to Planned Parenthood should instead be given to these federallyqualified centers,” said Rivera. “These clinics offer more health care services, including those services Planned Parenthood says it offers, with the exception of abortion.” Rivera said the federally-qualified clinics are

located across the state, in cities, suburban locations and rural areas and are far more accessible. “This bill does not put the health and welfare of women at risk,” said McCarter. “There are adequate facilities that provide many more services, complete health services for women. We’re not taking anything away. We are only saying – the people who sincerely believe abortion is the taking of human life, and also those who are prochoice — that we don’t want our tax dollars used for abortion.” The measure lost on a 3 to 6 vote, with members voting along party lines; Republicans in support and Democrats opposed.

MCCARTER: WHO WILL BE PUNISHED UNDER A NEW STATE BUDGET? Nicole

Cleaning the house. I’m not a cleaner. I prefer to have a maid.

Chantelle Dishes.

Tammy Vacuuming.

Bryan I hate cleaning out the litter box.

The following statement was made by State Sen. Kyle McCarter following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s annual Budget Address before the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017: “I was encouraged to hear the Governor say that he was against taxing food

and drugs. That’s great. And, what he said was, ‘We can find a way to balance the budget without hurting low-income families and fixed income seniors.’ Well, that’s good to hear, but the problem is, who then are ‘we’ going to hit? Who then are ‘we’ going to penalize for the sins of this

Legislature to live within their means? “…The middle-class should not have to pay for the irresponsible; the irresponsibility of decades of this Legislature. They should not have to pay for the sins of this Legislature. It’s not right. And so, what we’ve got to do is focus on reducing the

size of this government to where it’s affordable to the people of Illinois. Not start with this $38 billion dream of how big ‘we’ want government to be and then see how much ‘we’ can extract out of the taxpayers’ pockets to pay for it.”

UPCOMING EVENTS AT C.E. BREHM MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY T h e C . E . B r e h m Raven”. A book signing will Memorial Public Library in follow. For more informaMt. Vernon offers a variety tion call 618-242-6322. of classes and special preFamily Movie Night sentations. Below are some Feb. 24 of their upcoming events. Kids must be accompanied by an adult; adults Book Talk Feb. 23 Book Talk by Patty must be accompanied by a Pieczka will be held at 6:30 kid. Because of the licensp.m. Local historical fiction ing agreement, they can’t and poetry author Patty advertise what movies they Pieczka will be at the public will be showing. So call library to talk about her them at 242-6322 to find new book “Finding the out the titles. Free popcorn

and bottled water will be Kindle Fire Class Learn how to download offered. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the movie starts at free eBooks from the library with your Kindle 7:00 p.m. Fire in a class Mar. 7 at 2:00 Game Day At The Library p.m. Remember to bring Game Days at the library your Kindle Fire. Please call are set for Feb. 25 and 242-6322, ext. 2, to register. March 25 from 11:00 a.m. The C.E. Brehm to 3 p.m. There will be Memorial Public Library is board games, card games, located at 101 S. 7th St. in miniatures games, and Mt., Vernon, Illinois. For ro l e - p l ay i n g g a m e s . more information on the Children are welcome if Library and its programs accompanied by an adult. call 618- 242-6322.

HUNTER AND BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION COURSES Register now for Hunter courses from the IDNR. IDNR website for class s a f e t y / P a g e s / L i s t O f Safety Education and Spring classes are being dates and locations: https:// E du c at i on C ou r s e s By Boating Safety Education scheduled. Check the www.dnr.illinois.gov/ County.aspx

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

• On Feb. 26, 1919, the Grand Canyon is established as a national park. American geologist John Wesley Powell, who popularized the term "Grand Canyon" in the 1870s, was the first person to travel the entire length of the gorge in 1869. The harrowing voyage was made in four rowboats. • On Feb. 25, 1938, the city of Miami gets its first drive-in movie theater. At their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

some 4,000 drive-ins across America. • On Feb. 23, 1945, during the bloody Battle for Iwo Jima, U.S. Marines take t he c re st of Mou nt Suribachi. The iconic image of six Marines raising the American flag on the peak was taken by photographer Joe Rosenthal. • On Feb. 22, 1959, Lee Petty defeats Johnny Beauchamp in a photo finish at the just-opened Daytona International Speedway in Florida to win

the first Daytona 500. The race was so close that Beauchamp was initially declared the winner. • On Feb. 21, 1965, in New York City, Malcolm X, a black nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated by rival Black Muslims while addressing his Organization of AfroA m e r i c a n Un i t y i n Washington Heights. • On Feb. 20, 1985, in a highly controversial vote, the Irish government defies the powerful Catholic Church and approves the sale of contraceptives, a

major turning point in Irish history. Up until 1979, Irish law prohibited the importation and sale of contraceptives. • On Feb. 24, 1991, after six weeks of intensive bombing against Iraq and its armed forces, U.S.-led coalition forces launch a ground invasion of Kuwait and Iraq. By the end of the day, the Iraqi army had effectively folded, 10,000 of its troops were held as prisoners and a U.S. air base had been established deep inside Iraq. © 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

Work is the greatest thing in the world, so we should always save some of it for tomorrow. –Don Herold

Willow Springs Apartments 4100 Willow Springs • Mt. Vernon

618-242-4907

Immediately available 3 Bedroom Apartments To Qualified Applicants

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~ Income Based Family Housing ~ Call For Waiting List Information Today!

GREENFIELD Prices Good Feb. 20 - 25

In Our Deli

Shampoochies

Cajun Turkey Breast .............. $4.99/Lb. #1 Seller Deli Meat!

Colby Cheese ........................ $3.19/Lb. German Bologna ................... $1.99/Lb. Smoked Cheddar Cheese .... $3.99/Lb.

13425 N. Panzier Ln. Woodlawn, IL 62894

DOZ.

Washington County Animal Control’s

Assorted Flavors 18 Ct.

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2. Coco is a female dog.

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Lb.

imapittie.princess@yahoo.com

Hours: Mon-Sat. 8:00-1:00

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1. Stella is a young adult female.

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Baked Goods On

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Try A Frozen Meal Entree:

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Homemade Soft Pretzels & Donuts

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Washington County Animal Control

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MADE FRESH EVERY SATURDAY • 8:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. FREE COFFEE ON SATURDAYS!

Fresh Meats, Cheeses, Sandwiches & More!

Pet Grooming

Convenient locatio n near the new hosp ital, waterpark & mall!

LINK

$ 99 Edwards Georgia Style Pecan Pie 32 OZ.

$ 39 Hickory Smoked Bacon 48 OZ.

$ 49

10.1 OZ.

11-13 Slices

2/$

$ 69

Off The Bone Deli Ham Great American Bacon & Cheddar Beef Patties Whole Frozen 2 Lb.

$ 69 Lb.

Stuffed Chicken Breast Bacon & Cheddar 5 OZ.

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Located Behind Crossroads Family Medicine

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$ 99

Frozen

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The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area Feb. 22, 2017 - Feb. 28, 2017 Volume 27, Number 8 A Weekly Publication of

The Shopper’s Weekly Inc.

Located at 301 E. Broadway, P.O. Box 1223 Centralia Illinois 62801 Telephone (618)533-7283 Fax (618)533-7284 email: info@theshoppersweekly.com ads@theshoppersweekly.com website: theshoppersweekly.com Copyright ©2017. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

the shoppers

WEEKLY PAPERS MT. VERNON AREA

Publisher / Editor Cathy Stuehmeier General Manager John Stuehmeier Advertising John Stuehmeier Cathy Stuehmeier Peggy Johnson Doug Gunter

Phone Sales Stephanie Daniels Office Staff Linda Weible

Production Manager T. Scott Pinkowski Production/Web Staff Cindy Goodnight DeLorean Coleman

Come Grow With Us! Full Time Positions + Benefit Package

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President Donald Trump held a campaign rally last Saturday in Melbourne, Florida. Approximately 9,000 avid supporters attended. Melania Trump started the rally with the Lord's Prayer. Whether or not you like Donald Trump, you have to admit, for the First Lady to open with the Lord's Prayer was refreshing, and as a Christian, I'm glad the White House is trending that way. What I find disheartening is the liberal media — CNN, NBC, ABC, MSNBC and Chris Wallace of Fox News — remains a bunch of attack dogs. This President has been in office a month and has accomplished much even though faced with more attempts to politically assassinate him than any other President in the first 30 days. To start with, he has already made America safer. He has withdrawn the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), protecting American workers. He has reinstated the so-called Mexico City policy, which bars federal dollars from going to foreign nonprofits which promote and perform abortions. He has ordered a freeze on federal hiring other than military, public safety and public health jobs. He has reversed a planned hike on mortgage insurance for any first time buyers. He has ordered executive branch agencies to prepare for the appeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He has formally submitted his cabinet nominations to the U.S. Senate. He has moved forward on the Dakota Access and Keystone XL Oil Pipelines. He has ended a policy known as "catch and release" under which some illegals are released from detention while they await a hearing with an immigration judge. He has ended federal funding to sanctuary cities, kept FBI Director James Comey, reestablished a relationship with Israel, and visited the CIA to mend fences.

He is already setting about reshaping America's foreign policy. He has dealt with and reestablished regulation policies: Make one new regulation and you have to cut two. And yes, there is more. But what does the liberal media want to do? Talk about General Michael Flynn over a conversation he had with a Russian Ambassador, and of course, Russian involvement. And leaks? Trump asked General Flynn to resign because of a trust issue, not because he broke the law! It seems to me that the media's job is to report the news, not make it up. So let's look at the topics the flaming left is living on. The New York Times again last week had a story about Russian involvement —totally false — as did the Wall Street Journal. So the topics are: 1) Flynn, which I don't know how many times Reince Priebus or Donald Trump can tell the media what happened before losing patience; 2) Daily discussions and fear mongering about Russian involvement; and 3) Leaks. Well, guess what, every President has dealt with leaks; Trump's not the first. But what is real is this President is dealing with planned, intentional left wing sabotage with the intent to discredit him at every turn. And it's not going to happen. Keep in mind that Donald Trump has deep and lasting support from the red states that widely outnumber the blue states. And yes, Illinois is a blue state, but I can assure you Southern Illinois is Trump Country! Last week I talked about the old guard and the left wing plan. I mentioned Hillary Clinton and George Soros, the money behind the movement to destroy Trump, among others. But in my opinion, there is one more big, big player, a former president that chose to stay in Washington, a former President that continues to discredit the current President,

a former President that has an agenda: Barack Obama. Pull up a chair and let me introduce you to a non profit 501(c)4 organization and community organizing project for the agenda of former U.S. President Barack Obama, and yes, it's real. Its agenda and policies are strongly allied with the Democratic Party. This project is the successor of the Obama 2012 reelection campaign Obama for America, which has its roots in Organizing for America, which was founded after Obama's election. This group's goal is to mobilize supporters in favor of Obama's legislative priorities. Look and sound familiar? I ask each of you to think. Could all this be in the grand plan? Is it possible there was one thing they didn't bank on, that being Donald John Trump, instead of their partner in crime, Hillary Clinton. So leaving you with these thoughts on OFA. OFA — Organizing for Action or OFA — Obama for America. Whatever, it's not good. By the way, also available is a booklet being handed out on how to protest: Where to sit, how to act, when to act and create chaos, how to drown out Republicans at town hall meetings. Folks, this is a far cry from the Tea Party movement that was fed up with government controlling their lives and changing the intent of our founding fathers and the Constitution. Today's planned protests are about discrediting the new administration, a typical liberal tactic. When you can't win the argument, you attack the individual's credibility. Until next week. To comment on this or any column in The Shopper’s Weekly, please mail to: Editor, P.O. Box 1223, Centralia IL 62801, email to info@theshoppersweekly.com or drop it off at the office on 301 E. Broadway. In order for your letter to be considered for publication, you must provide your signature and an address and phone number where you can be reached. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

KVCCU HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

It is the heart that always sees, before the head can see. –Thomas Carlyle

Managers Specials K a s k a s k i a Va l l e y Community Credit Union (KVCCU) held a ribbon cutting on February 15, 2017 at their new Mt. Vernon office located at 3100 W. Main St.

Pictured are Gar y Robinson, KVCCU board chairman; David Kassner, chai r me mb e r ; Ki m Hocking, president and CEO; Chelsea Wernsman, assistant manager; Ruby

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Barey, manager; Mike Beard, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce executive director; and Jim Flagg, ambassador.

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KC MUSIC DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT WINTER INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT The Kaskaskia College Music Department will pre s e nt t h e Wi nt e r Instrumental Concert on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jane Knight Auditorium. The concert will feature Kaskaskia College Concert and Jazz Bands under the direction of Professor Cliff Jourdan, and The Mardi Gras Brass. Concert Band Highlights include: “National Emblem” march by E.E. Bagley; “Burn” by Roland

CHILI LUNCHEON February 23 The annual chili luncheon fundraiser for the Jefferson County Historical Society will be held at St. Mary Parish Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It includes homemade chili with crackers or pork tenderloin sandwiches with chips. Drink and dessert are also included. Bake sale items are available for purchase. Ticket cost is $8. For more information call 618246-0033.

BLUFORD RURITAN BREAKFAST The monthly Bluford Ruritan Breakfast will be held at Bluford Ruritan Club from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Feb. 25. They will be serving eggs, pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy. By donation only. For more information call 618-732-6080.

Barrett; Frank Ticheli’s “Sun Dance”; “The Rakes of Mallow” from the Irish Suite by Leroy Anderson; and “Goddess of Fire” by Steven Reineke. Jazz Band Highlights include: “Alamode” by Curtis Fuller; Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia On My Mind” featuring Blake Korte on Alto Sax; “Since I Don’t Have You” arranged by John Berry; “Can’t We Be Friends?” arranged by Thad Jones; “920 Special”

as played by Count Basie and his Orchestra; and “Rock This Town” by Brian Setzer. The concert is free and open to the public. A reception for patrons and performers will immediately fo l l ow t h e c on c e r t . Reception made possible through the generosity of members of the Jim Beasley Ve t e r a n s T r i b u t e Committee.

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SHOP HERE, BUY HERE! 2009 FORD FUSION Sedan, 5 Speed, White, 2009 TOYOTA YARIS 4 Dr., 4 Cyl., Gray 2008 CHEVY IMPALA LT Spoiler, Gray 108K Mi. 2007 NISSAN SENTRA SER V Black, 5 Speed, PW, PL, 146K Mi. 2005 TOYOTA AVALON XL Roof, Leather, Silver, 4 Dr., 147K Mi

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TRUCKS, VANS & SUVs 22014 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4x4, Leather, Blue

REBUILD YOUR CREDIT HERE! 22008 PONTIAC TORRENT White, V6, Auto, FWD, PW, PL, Tilt/Cruise, Air, 142K Mi. 2 FORD ESCAPE XLT Roof, FWD, White 2008 2008 2 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED Tan 2008 2 GMC Work Truck Reg. Cab, V8, Auto., White 22007 LINCOLN MKX FWD, Leather, Chrome Wheels, New Goodyear Tires, Black 22006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO Silver, Sport, 4x4, 6 Cyl., 144K Mi.

22013 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED Black, Nav., 20” Wheels, FWD, 123K Mi. 22006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 4 Cyl., Auto, Air, PW, PL, Tilt, Cruise, 22012 FORD F-150 Super Crew, 4x4, White Black 22011 GMC TERRAIN SLE FWD, Gray, PW, PL, Tilt, Cruise, 115K Mi. 22005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Enter Van, Braum Handicap Van, Red, 164K Mi. 22011 DODGE DURANGO Crew Cab, 4x4, Moonroof, Remote Start, Black 22011 FORD F-150 Super Crew, 4x4, White

2010 2 FORD EDGE SEL Black, Cloth, AWD, V6, PW, PL, Tilt/Cruise, 117K Mi. 22010 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT Hard Top, Auto., Blue 22008 HONDA CRV EX 4x4, Roof, Blue, 95K Mi. 22008 MERCURY MARINER White, V6, FWD, Chrome Wheels, Roof, 112K Mi. 22008 LEXUS RX350 Leather, Roof, Chrome Wheels, Black, 89K Mi.

AUTO MART o f M t . Ve r n o n

22004 KIA SEDONA Minivan, V6, Green 22004 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR Silver, AWD, 139K Mi. 2 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Tan, FWD, 4 Cyl., Auto., 132K Mi. 2004 22003 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT Blue, 4x4, V6, Auto., Cast Wheels, 125K Mi. 22003 DODGE DURANGO SLT Silver, 3rd Row, 4x2, 166K Mi. 22003 PONTIAC MONTANA Wgn. V6, Ext., Quad Seats, Silver, 96K Mi.

If You Are At Least 18 Years Old, Have A Monthly Income Of $800 And A Valid Driver’s License, WE CAN HELP!

NO CREDIT, BAD CREDIT, BANKRUPTCY, NO PROBLEM! ALL LOCAL TRADE-INS! 1918 Broadway • 618-242-6900

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The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

12 Months Same As Cash! Financing Available On Approved Credit

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WINDOWS AND SIDING Locally Owned & Operated since 1988

FOR LEASE

10,000 Sq. Ft. Building 1000 E. 2nd St. Centralia

Cooking With Lizzie

Hearty Main Dish Soups If you are tired of rushing home after work to make dinner, plan a hearty soup for your main dish. To complete the meal, heat thick slices of buttered garlic french bread.

Short-Cut Italian Vegetable Soup 1 envelope country vegetable-with-noodles soup mix 2 cups boiling water 1 onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained 1 (16 oz.) can whole kernel corn, with liquid Grated Parmesan cheese

Warm slow-cooking pot with hot tap water. In pot, stir dry soup mix into very hot water. Add onions, carrots, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low 4 to 6 hours. Turn control to high; add beans and corn. Cover and cook on high about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Swedish Cabbage Soup 2 lamb shanks 2 beef bouillon cubes 1/2 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. salt 1 tbs. whole allspice 1 cup chopped leeks 1/2 cup peeled, diced parsnips

1 cup peeled, diced carrots 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 1/4 cup minced parsley 2 qts. water 2 qts. shredded cabbage

Place lamb shanks in slow-cooking pot with bouillon cubes, pepper, and salt. Tie allspice in cheesecloth. Add allspice, leeks, parsnips, carrots, celery , potatoes, parsley, and water to pot. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until meat is tender. Remove allspice and meat from pot. Cut meat off bones; dice and return to pot. Skim off fat from top of soup. Turn control to high. Add cabbage. Cover and cook on high 25 to 30 minutes or until cabbage is done. Makes 8 servings. (This recipe is designed for a 4½ quart or larger slowcooking pot.)

French Onion Soup 3 large onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup butter or margarine 2 T. instant beef bouillon or 6 bouillon cubes 4 cups hot water

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. salt 4 slices toasted French bread 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In large skillet or slow-cooking pot with browning unit, cook onions in butter until lightly browned. In pot, combine browned onions in butter with bouillon, water, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Cover and cook on low 4 to 6 hours. Top each bowl with toasted French bread sprinkled with cheese. Makes 4 servings. Recipe may be doubled, kept hot in slow-cooking pot, and served from pot

Contact

618-918-0616

For More Information

*** If you have a favorite recipe and want to share it with us, just send it in c/o The Shopper's Weekly, P.O. Box 1223, Centralia, IL 62801 or email to: info@ theshoppersweekly.com, (Subject - ATTN: Lizzie) Also, if you have a household problem, like a stubborn stain or a kitchen conundrum, drop us a line, our readers just might have your solution! I'm also interested in your general decorating or household tips. Send your message in a bottle and we might just publish it and enlighten our readers! Until next week, Au Revoir! —Elizabeth Fenton

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

EAGLE LIFE

Ministries by: Cliff Sanders

Moses the Man of God The Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, MO draws thousands of people to its breathtaking productions of various biblical characters such as Joseph, Jonah, and now Moses. I’m intrigued by the title of Psalm 90 — “A prayer of Moses the man of God.” The life of Moses pointed to Christ. Jesus verified it. (Luke 24:27) Apply these lessons from Moses the man of God and discover the secret to greatness. MOSES THE DELIVERER. God heard the cry of anguish coming from the Israelites enslaved in Egypt. He had prepared a deliverer and at a burning bush commissioned Moses. After 10 miraculous plagues upon Egypt, Pharaoh was forced to let God’s people go. The last plague involved the killing of the Passover lamb and applying the blood to door posts of the Jewish homes. This pointed to Christ, our Passover Lamb, whose death delivers from the bondage of sin and death. (Exodus 12; I Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 10) MOSES THE

1. Is the book of Valentin in t he Old or Ne w Testament or neither? 2. From 1 John 3:18, "Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in ... ."? Hope, Abundance, Touch, Truth 3. Solomon exchanged the memorable line "For

FRIEND OF GOD. Like Abraham, Moses was a friend of God. “And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaks unto his friend.” (Exodus 33:11) Jesus longs for all His followers to have such a relationship. “You are my friends if you do whatever I command . . . I have called you friends.” (John 15:13-15) It was Moses and Elijah who met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and talked with him concerning His imminent death on the cross. (Matthew 17:3) MOSES THE MEEKEST OF MEN. We have this assessment of Moses, “Now the man, Moses, was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3) Many Bible versions translate meek as humble. Jesus referred to himself as meek and urged us to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him. (Matthew 11:28-29)

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

Jesus taught, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) MOSES THE MAN OF FAITH. The writer of Hebrews reveals that it was Moses’ faith that enabled him to please God. (Hebrews 11:6, 23-29) Moses’ faith gave him spiritual values and spiritual vision to see the invisible. It’s what faith in God will do. MOSES THE PROPHET OF CHRIST J E SU S . Nu me rous events in the life of Moses pointed to Jesus. Moses prayed and manna rained down. Jesus referred to Himself as the manna from heaven who gives eternal life. (John 6:3135) Moses smote the rock and water gushed forth. Scripture tells us that rock was a type of Christ, the water of life. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) When snakes bit the Israelites and they were dropping dead like flies, God instructed Moses to make a brazen serpent, put it on a pole, and all who looked upon it would be healed. Jesus declared, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. That whosoever believes in Him

should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) MOSES THE MAN OF PRAYER. Moses lived a life of prayer. He prayed for his sister and Miriam was healed of leprosy. He prayed for Israel when God vowed to destroy His rebellious people and God changed Hi s m i n d . Mo s e s stretched out his rod and the Amalekites were being defeated; when his arms became tired, Aaron and Hur held Moses’ arms up until the enemy was defeated. Prayer holds up a rod of authority (Exo dus 17:10-12) One of Moses’ prayers is recorded in Psalms 90, “The prayer of Moses the man of God.” Moses prayed about the brevity of life and prayed we would number our days with wisdom. Moses prayed that we would see God’s glory. (Psalm 90:16) Prayer is the great privilege and power of all God’s children. “Moses the man of God.” May we be known in such a way as we apply the lessons from the life of Moses. Shalom, Cliff Sanders Eagle Life Ministries eagleslife8@gmail.com

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love is strong as death" with whom? The Shulamite, Delilah, Queen of Sheba, Rachel 4. From Proverbs 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all ... ."? Sins, Beings, Creation, Enemies 5. What biblical couple's tragic death was comparable to Romeo and Juliet's fate? Samson/Delilah, Annanias/Sapphira, Jacob/ Rachel, Hosea/Gomer 6. From Hebrews 13:4, what is honorable in all? Love, Trust, Marriage, Worship

ANSWERS: 1) Neither; 2) Truth; 3) The Shulamite;

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The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

by Samantha Weaver • It was Rose Bird, the first female chief justice of the California Supreme Court, who made the following sage observation: "We have probed the earth, excavated it, burned it, ripped things from it, buried things in it, chopped down its forests, leveled its hills, muddied its waters, and dirtied its air. That does not fit my definition of a good tenant. If we were

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your ideas are finally reaching those who can appreciate them. But don’t expect any immediate reactions. That will come later. Meanwhile, a personal matter needs your attention. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your energy levels are rising, and you’re feeling restless and eager to get into some activity, whether it’s for profit or just for fun. In either case, the aspects are highly favorable, so go for it. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A relationship seems to be winding down from passionate to passive. It’s up to you to decide what the next step will be. But don’t wait too long to take the initiative. Delay could create more problems. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A decision looms. But be very sure that this is what you really want before you sign or say anything. Once you act, there’ll be little or no wiggle room for any adjustments. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Money matters improve, but you still need to be cautious with your spending. Also, set aside that Leonine pride for a bit and apologize for contributing to that misunderstanding. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A tempting financial situation could make the usually unflappable Virgo rush in before checking things out. Be alert to possible hidden problems. Get the facts before you act. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) It’s nice to know that you’re finally

getting due credit for your efforts. You also should know that new opportunities will follow. A family member brings important news. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Any uncertainty that begins to cloud an impending decision could signal a need to re-examine your reasons for wanting to take on this commitment. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You benefit from taking time out of your currently hectic schedule to do more contemplation or meditation. This will help re-energize you, both in body and soul. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Nursing hurt feelings can zap the energies of even the usually selfconfident Sea Goat. Best advice: Move forward. Success is the best balm for a painful ego. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A display of temperament surprises you, as well as those around you. It could be all that pressure you’re under. Consider letting someone help you see it through. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Some things don’t seem to be working out as you’d hoped. Don’t fret. Instead, take some time out to reassess your plans and see where changes could be made. BORN THIS WEEK: You enjoy traveling and meeting people. You are especially good with children and would make an excellent teacher. © 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

here on a month-to-month basis, we would have been evicted long ago." • Have you ever heard of an "oreo" cow? It's officially known as the Belted Galloway, a breed of cattle that originated in Scotland. A typical specimen is black with a broad white band around its middle. • You might be surprised to learn that London Bridge has never actually fallen

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 down. The bridge has had several iterations since the first one was built in 1170; wooden buildings constructed on the bridges have burned down, and some of the bridges have been torn down, but none has ever fallen of its own accord. • The paintings of Dutch master Rembrandt are so detailed that modern specialists were able to diagnose a basal cell carcinoma — a kind of skin cancer — by examining a portrait of the artist's mother. • The Guinness Book of World Records (now known simply as Guinness World Records) has earned

a spot in its own roster: It is officially the best-selling copyrighted book of all time, with sales of more than 100 million copies in 100 different countries and 37 languages. • According to ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, an ideal meal is made up of one-fourth meat and three-fourths vegetables.. Thought for the Day: "The central function of imaginative literature is to make you realize that other people act on moral convictions different from your own." — William Empson © 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

INDEX

the shoppers

Legals Antiques Arts & Crafts Announcements Adoptions Auctions Business & Services Computers & Services Financial Services

www.theshoppersweekly.com

WEEKLY PAPERS CLASSIFIEDS

201 Business & Services SEE A CRIME?

Call Crime Stoppers! You may qualify for a cash reward and you never have to give your name.

242-8477

Houses For Sale

501

Ranch Style Home with 11 acres set up for horses. See home info on zillow.com

OPEN HOUSE Sat. Feb. 25 10am-1pm

TFN

Lusch Excavating & Sanitation Install • Pump Service Aerators & Septic Tanks

548-2637

TFN

BUILT-MOR BUILDINGS 24x40-$8,835 30x50-$12,873 40x60-$19,472 50x70-$28,806

2630 Odin Rd., Odin

217-331-8888

Erected, Choice Of Colors

732-8704 or 237-0792

30 Years In Area www.builtmorbuildings.com

TFN

02/22

FOR SALE: By owner, house in New Minden. 795 N. Main, 2 bedroom newly remodeled, full basement. .25 acre corner lot. Nashville schools, possible owner financing. $64,000. 618-407-9096. 03-08

Houses For Rent

502

FOR RENT: Centralia, 1 bedroom upstairs apt. Quiet and clean, deposit and reference, $375. Gas and water paid. 249-6628 or 532-6969. 03-08

306

Health & Fitness

HERNIA REPAIR? DID YOU RECEIVE THE MESH PATCH BETWEEN 2006 and present and have it removed because of complications, you may be entitled to compensation.

Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727

02/22

401

Construction & Home Improvement

LOGSDON CONSTRUCTION & HOME REPAIR Rehabs • Electrical Plumbing • Roofing Concrete • Flatwork Over 30 Years Experience

618-780-9551 618-432-5479

TFN

GEM Decorating, Inc. Owner: Alan Minor 301 W. Chestnut, Odin

775-6283

404

TFN

Lawn & Garden

• Bulk Seeds • Grass Seeds • Bird Seeds & Feeders Come See Us For Your Lawn & Garden Needs

Maco Elevator

418 N. Oak • Centralia TFN 532-6779

Farming

508

FOR SALE: 1977 A.C. 7000 Series Tractor. 4100 Hrs. with 300 Hrs. on complete engine overhaul. Good tires with duals. Overall condition above average. $7,000. Call 618-533-1632 3-8 FOR SALE: Round bales orchard grass and clover, net wrapped, some wet wrapped and some dry. 1st and 2nd cutting quality $40 per bale. Ashley, IL 618-246-8375

701

Help Wanted

802

HELP WANTED

MAINTENANCE PERSON NEEDED IN

Washington County IL area! Requires responsible, energetic, honest person with general maintenance and repair knowledge at Multi apartment complexes

COMPETITIVE PAY Paid Bi-Weekly

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PLEASE leave a message. * This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer* 3-1

Drivers: CDL-A

Truck Driver – Up to $60k/yr and $8k Sign-on Plus Bonus! Call for Details!!

FOR SALE: Seasoned firewood by the trailer load, delivered. Call TFN 618-499-2240

Help Wanted

701

We Pay Top Dollar!

Buying Scrap Gold! Top Dollar Pawn 215 E. Noleman • Centralia TFN

Our Classifieds Get Results!

• 25 Words Or Less

Web Developer Kaskaskia College is seeking applications for a Web Developer. This is a 12-month, full time, Executive Managerial position eligible for fringe benefit package. Salary is $50,000-$60,000 depending on education and experience.

• Runs For 3 Weeks

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• Each Additional Word 25¢

starting pay 00

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Apply in person at: DCA Construction 1620 N. 4th St. Breese, IL 62230

401 404 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507

Farming Firewood Furniture & Appliances Music Pets & Supplies Business Opportunities Help Wanted Situations Wanted Rummage Sales Wanted To Buy Wanted To Rent Miscellaneous

508 509 602 603 605 606 701 702 801 802 803 805

To Place Your Ad

Call Peggy 618-533-7283

2-22

TFN

COUPON FOR

SALE:

ONLY

the shoppers

WEEKLY PAPERS Cwww.theshoppersweekly.com LASSIFIEDS

To place this ad: Mail to P.O. Box 1223, Centralia, IL 62801 Call 1-800-479-6323 or Email info@theshoppersweekly.com

02/22

702

Employment

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Situation Wanted

Wanted To Buy

I buy estates, antiques, garage clean-outs, barns, household and more!

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618-367-2469 TFN

Auto Donations

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Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 A Week Mailing Brochures From Home! NO Experience Required. Helping home workers since 2001! www.MailingNetwork.NET ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Find What You've Been Looking For!

• Deadline is Friday at 3:00 p.m.

Education

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DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Learn to drive for Stevens Transport! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! New drivers earn $900+ per week! PAID CDL TRAINING! Stevens covers all costs! 1-888-734-6714 drive4stevens.com

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Construction Workers Needed

204 205 206 207 208 301 302 303 304 305 306

Give Us A Try And See What We Can Do For YOU!

855-239-3949 2-22

802

Firewood

100 101 102 103 104 200 201 202 203

Wanted To Buy

533-9012

Gunsmithing Services Lost & Found Daycare Hunting & Fishing Travel Automotive Services Auto/Trucks For Sale RVs/Campers Boats/Watercrafts Motorcycles/ATVs Health & Fitness

non-business classified

618-533-3171 618-545-0219

WORK WANTED: Mowing; cleaning gutters, basements, garages; 03-29 hauling junk, metal, wood, tree limbs; tear FOR SALE: Hay, square down buildings; any bales of crabgrass, first odd jobs! No distance too far. Call cut of alfalfa and third cut of alfalfa. 618-242- 618-547-7728 2-22 6445. 03-08

509

11A

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING - Get FAA certification. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704

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Health/Fitness ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Health / Medical

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Miscellaneous

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Diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Asbestos Lung Cancer? If so, you and your family may be entitled to a substantial financial award. We can help you get cash quick! Call 24/7: 844-865-4336 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Call Canada Drug Center to find Affordable International Medications! Safe, reliable & affordable! Plus, get a FREE 2017 Calendar! Call 855-389-3862 Now! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2000 and Newer. Nation’s Top Car Buyer! Free Towing From Anywhere! Call Now: 1-800-864-5960.

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Miscellaneous

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CUSTOMER ALERT

SUPPORT our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need. For more information visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org

Motorcycles

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WANTED OLD JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI Z1900 (1972-75), KZ900, KZ1000 (19761982), Z1R, KZ 1000MK2 (1979,80), W1-650, H1-500 (1969-72), H2-750 (1972-1975), S1-250, S2-350, S3-400, KH250, KH400, SUZUKI-GS400, GT380, HONDA-CB750K (19691976), CBX1000 (1979,80) CASH!! 1-800-772-1142 1-310-721-0726 usa@ classicrunners.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Travel

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ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT packages at Sandals, Dreams, Secrets, Riu, Barcelo, Occidental and many more. Punta Cana, Mexico, Jamaica and many of the Caribbean islands. Search available options for 2017 and SAVE at www.NCPtravel.com

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Wanted To Buy

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Cash for unexpired DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! Free Shipping, Best Prices & 24 hr payment! Call 1-855-440-4001 www. TestStripSearch.com. Habla Espanol.

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Our Classifieds Really Get Great Results!

Please be advised we at The Shopperʼs Weekly Publications do not know of any fraudulent advertisements. We make every attempt to protect our readers, however we do not have the ability to investigate and verify all advertisements. Therefore, we advise our readers to ask questions of the advertisers they reply to, but be especially careful of anyone who asks you to send large sums of money up front. If you suspect a fraudulent ad in our publications, please give us a call at 618-533-7283. TFN

12A

The Shoppers Weekly Papers Mt. Vernon Area

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

OUR AREA Businesses

AUTO FISHER

Auto Parts PROFESSIONALS

AUTO

BUSINESS & SERVICES

Show Time Auto Sales

Marvin's Locksmith Service

For A Low Price, Quality Vehicle, Come See Me 433 South Locust Street Centralia, IL 62801 618-532-4709 Mon.-Fri. 7:30 - 5:00 Sat. 8-12 3-1 Closed Sun.

2-22

CADNET –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Autos Wanted

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CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Makes/Models 2000-2016! Any Condition. Running or Not. Top $$$ Paid! Free Towing! We're Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-985-1806

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Education

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AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING - Get FAA Technician certification. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-453-6204 –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Employment

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Drive with Uber. You'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1-844-700-8936

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Financial

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SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your MORTGAGE? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? CALL Homeowner's Relief Line now for Help 855-402-3220 –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Health & Fitness

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VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg! 50 Pills $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 1 -866-312-6061 Hablamos Espanol

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MIDWEST CLASSIFIED NETWORK ––––––––––––––––––––––––

Automobiles ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN)

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DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-283-0205 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Employment/Help Wanted ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY/UP! Processing Mail from home! Free Information. Send SASE: Lists, Box 396, Dept. IA, Springhouse, PA 19477-0396 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 Weekly Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required. Helping home workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www. IncomeMailers.net (VOID IN SD, WI) (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Medical

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Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 844-502-1809 –––––––––––––––––––––––––

Miscellaneous ––––––––––––––––––––––––– Spectrum Triple Play TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed No contract or commitment. We buy your existing contract up to $500! 1-855-652-9304

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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-855-498-6323 to start your application today! –––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866-428-1639 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket.

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Wanted to Buy ––––––––––––––––––––––––– CASH PAID- up to $25/ Box for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS.1DAYPAYMENT.1-800-371-1136

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Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201 –––––––––––––––––––––––––

CLEANERS/LAUNDRY

Courtesy Cleaners

Professional Cleaning Clothes• Draperies • Leather Pillows • Laundry• More Same Day Service! Drive-Up Window! Pick-Up & Delivery! M – F 7:30AM - 5PM SAT. 8AM - NOON

909 S. 10th St. • Mt. Vernon 618-242-0825 www.courtesycleanersmtvernon.com 2-22

WE HAVE THE

LOWEST

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Attention Roofers and Contractors!! Are you looking for more income, free time and/or owning your own business? Seeking individuals to apply commercial spray-on roof coatings. Must be honest, highly motivated, teachable & reachable. Startup fee includes training. Serious inquiries only. Call 1-855-222-1986 today,for more info! (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

TRUCK DRIVERS. CDL-A Company Drivers and Owner Operators. Great pay and benefits. Driver friendly. All miles paid. Many bonuses. Home when needed. Nice equipment. Paid weekly. WWW.MCFGTL.COM Call now 507-437-9905 (MCN) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Drive with Uber. You'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1-800-902-9366 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Education ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Is having your HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA a New Year’s Resolution for you? FREE BROCHURE! Call 904-381-1935 or visit online at www. FCAHighSchooll.ORG. First Coast Academy Nationally Accredited.(MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HOMES & AUTO

Hwy. 50 between Odin - Salem

24 HOURS A DAY License # 191-000867

Accounting And Payroll

M–F 11AM–NOON & 4PM–5PM CLOSED SAT. & SUN.

Brad J. Decker CPA (618) 548-7773

Walnut Hill Rd.at Airport Rd.

COINS

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Debit Accepted 618-775-6990

3-8

WE BUY & SELL! JIM'S COIN SHOPPE

135 E. BROADWAY CENTRALIA 618-532-1558 3-22

618-315-3865 3-8

ROLLIE EXCAVATING & CEMENT FINISHING Kevin Rollie: 618-231-2516 Luke: 618-237-0552 Office: 618-735-9303

Are you in BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-606-6673 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS got you down? We can help reduce payments and get finances under control, call: 866-871-1626 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

For Sale

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FRUIT & NUT TREES. Blueberry, Strawberry, Grape, Asparagus, Evergreen & Hardwood Plants & MORE! FREE catalog. WOODSTOCK NURSERY, N1831 Hwy 95, Neillsville, WI 54456. Toll Free 888-803-8733 wallacewoodstock.com (MCN)

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Trailer Sale: TOW Dollies 4 models Starting at $999.00;6'X12' V-nose, ramp door $2,750.00; 4-Place Snowmobiletrailers SAVE$$; Scissor lift trailers; Dump trailers 14 Models starting at $2,799.00; FUEL TANK trailers; Trailer Repairs & 100's of trailer parts. www. FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com 515-972-4554 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

618-532-9254 3-15

BE INCLUDED IN OUR BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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GROFF CONSIGNMENT AUCTION 3 MI, NORTH OF LAWRENCEVILLE, IL SATURDAY, MARCH 25 — 9 AM

Max Groff Auctioneer

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2-22

3-8

$15.00 For 3 Weeks

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Buy Here - Pay Here

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618-943-4505 IL Lic #440.000060

02-22

2-22

Health & Medical

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Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-800-263-4059 Promo Code CDC201625 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DIGITAL HEARING AIDS Now offering a 45-Day Risk Free Offer! FREE BATTERIES for Life! Call to start your free trial! 855-982-0724 (MCN)

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OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: 844-852-7448 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Miscellaneous

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Miscellaneous ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Spectrum Triple Play: TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. We buy your existing contract up to $500! 1-800-9193588 (MCN)

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DISH TV – BEST DEAL EVER! Only $39.99/mo. Plus $14.99/ mo Internet (where avail.) FREE Streaming. FREE Install (up to 6 rooms.) FREE HD-DVR. Call 1-800-390-3140 (MCN)

Switch to DIRECTV. Lock in 2-Year Price Guarantee ($50/ month) w/AT&T Wireless. Over 145 Channels PLUS Popular Movie Networks for Three Months, No Cost! Call 1-800-203-4378 (MCN) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SWITCH TO DIRECTV. From $50/Month, includes FREE Genie HD/DVR # 3 months HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ. Get a $50 Gift Card. Call 877-894-5275 (MCN)

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ADT Security protects your home Exede satellite internet. & family from "what if " scenarios. Affordable, high speed broadband Fire, flood, burglary or carbon satellite internet anywhere in the monoxide, ADT provides 24/7 U.S. Order now and save $100. security. Don’t wait! Call Now! Plans start at $39.99/month. Call 1-888-607-9294 (MCN) 1-800-712-9365 (MCN) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Miscellaneous

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Find What You've Been Looking For In Our Classif ied s!

2017 February 22, 2017 | A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO the shoppers

WEEKLY PAPERS

Cut the Costs of Being a Guest

How wedding guests can cut costs and still attend loved onesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; weddings

Gown Guide

How to select comfortable wedding dress

Travel In Style

Wedding transportation tips

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

10 Successful Toasts Help Shape Social Events 11 Make Every Anniversary Count

Index of Articles 3 4 5

Determining Wedding Day Dress Codes

Treat Guests To Personalized Vows

Selecting A Comfortable Wedding Gown

Jewelry Care And Cleaning Guidelines Wedding Transportation Tips How Guests Can Cut Costs And Still Attend Loved Ones’ Weddings

12 How To Handle A Wedding Around a Holiday 13 How To Organize Wedding Planning 13 Did You Know? Longevity In Marriage 14 Master The Wedding Save The Date 14 Did You Know? Some Wedding Statistics

Tips For Trimming The Wedding Guest List

Different Roles For The Father of the Bride

15 How To Build Your Wedding Budget

Stunning Engagement Ring Alternatives

Tips For A Special Mother / Son Dance

16 Make Proposals Special And Successful

WE CA N CA YOUR BIG DA TER Y!

Call For Current Prices!

Our Famous Delicious Fried Chicken, Side Dishes, Dollar Roll Trays, Fruit and Vegetable Trays, And More!

Borowiak’s We Accept We reserve the right to limit quantities and correct printing errors.

SENIOR CITIZENS DAY! Every Wednesday! Save 10%.

14 2 2 E . M c C o r d Centralia, IL 618 - 5 3 2 - 1313

5 0 0 S . 10 t h S t. M t . Ve r n o n , I L 618 - 2 4 2 - 2 37 5

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Determining Wedding Day Dress Codes Semiformal Semiformal dresswear, sometimes referred to as “dressy casual,” is a step up from casual clothing. Cocktail dresses or a more elegant skirt and top are the norms. Gentleman generally wear a suit and tie. Coordinate the colors of clothing to the time of day. Fabrics should represent the season. For example, a linen suit will not pass at a winter wedding.

BLACK TIE AFFAIR Services Available

• Wedding Gowns • Bridesmaid Dresses • Flower Girl Dresses • Mother of the Bride Dresses • Tuxedo Rentals • Invitations • Prom/Homecoming (New & Used)

• Span X • Lillian Rose • Custom Garters • Dry-Cleaning / Laundry • Alterations • Clean / Preserve Wedding Dresses

207 E. ST. LOUIS ST. NASHVILLE, IL • 618-327-8551 REGULAR STORE HOURS: MON. - FRI. 9 - 5 • SAT. 10 - 3 w w w. b l a c k t i e a ff a i r i l . c o m

Formal

Black tie weddings require men to wear tuxedos.

edding invitations do more than merely announce that a celebration is on the horizon. Invitations provide key information about the ceremony and festivities to follow. Many details, including the location, time and date of the wedding, are spelled out on the wedding invitations. However, invitations can sometimes leave guests confused about the appropriate style of attire for the occasion. Even though wedding invitations rarely offer specific information regarding attire, chances are the wording will provide clues that can help guests interpret the desired dress code.

Casual If the invitation mentions casual attire, it’s important to realize that everyday casual is different from wedding casual. Jeans, shorts and tank tops are unacceptable unless otherwise noted. Err on the side of caution and go with business casual, which includes chinos, slacks, a polo shirt or button-down shirt for men. Women can wear a sundress or slacks or a skirt and an attractive blouse. If the invitation mentions beach casual, shorts and even sandals are likely acceptable.

Formal attire is the default dress code for the majority of weddings. When the invitation does not specify a dress code, it is safe to assume formal attire is expected. Men can choose among a dark suit and tie or a tuxedo. Women can opt for a formal cocktail-length dress, a classic suit or a long dress. Select among tones that are gray, black or brown.

Black tie Black tie events also require formal attire. Black tie typically goes hand-in-hand with an evening wedding. Black tie is more rigid for male guests, who should wear a tuxedo, black bow tie, cummerbund, and patent leather shoes. Women have a little more leeway with their attire at such gatherings. A long evening gown might be preferable. However, a chic cocktail dress also can be acceptable, and darker, neutral colors are most appropriate. Some invitations may reference “Black Tie Preferred.” While men may opt for a tuxedo, a black suit also can be worn.

White Tie The most formal of occasions will request white tie attire. Ball gowns and tuxedoes with tails are the norm, as are dramatic jewelry and hairstyles. White tie attire is akin to what one might see worn to awards shows. When attending a wedding, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Guests can consult with fellow guests or the bride and groom if they are unsure of the dress code.

Let Us Do All The Work For You So You Can Enjoy Your Day Come See Us, We’re An All Inclusive Venue!

Setup • Decor • Catering Centerpieces • Registration In Gift Shop

A Fair Barn

Rustic Event Venue

3416 Hotze Rd, Salem, IL 62881 • 618-740-1515

Borowiak’s Tuxedo Center 126 East St. Louis St. • Nashville, IL

618.327.8954 • Tuxedo & Suit Rentals For All Occasions • Rent 5 Tuxedos Get 6th Tuxedo FREE • Special Pricing For Children • Wedding Gown Preservation • Dry Cleaning & Laundry Service Available Hours: M-F 9:30a - 5:00p • Sat 9:30a - 2:30p Special Hours Available By Appointment

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Tuxedo Rental “The perfect fit for every occasion”

Over Ov ver 25 Years of Creating Elega Elegance ance

Complete And Unique Wedding Planning

• Specialty Linen • Tables & Chairs • Centerpieces

Treat Guests to Personalized Vows

New for 2017 Ultra Slim Fit Tuxedo

• Backdrops • Columns • Much More!

Receive $100 in free rentals with qualifying tuxedo order.*

Mon 9-7 • Wed - Fri 9-5:30 • Sat 10-2 • Tues & Sun - Closed

123 S. Locust • Downtown Centralia • 618-532-0546 *

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

S e e S t o r e Fo r D e t a i l s

for the

Ultimate Wedding

in flowers for your

Call Judy for a free Consultation “Your Full Service Florist”

Ross Flower Shop 705 S. Poplar St. • Centralia

532-5696 www.rossflowers.com

ouples who choose to write their own wedding vows recognize how special such personal gestures are. Writing one’s own vows can impart a personalized and special touch to the ceremony. But as anyone who has stared down a blank piece of paper or blinking cursor can attest, a case of writer’s block may encourage couples to abandon the idea of writing their own vows. Writing vows can be nervewracking. Many couples are unaccustomed to speaking in front of crowds, and then there is the challenge of turning life-altering feelings into language that will appeal to the masses. But couples struggling with their vows need not throw in the vow-writing towel. With some practice and guidance, anyone can write cherished vows that will be remembered for all of the right reasons for years to come. Skip the schtick. Jokes may pop up in speeches throughout the evening, but wedding vows can be your chance to truly speak from the heart. Humor may come across as insincerity. Rather, list the words that describe your feelings for your future spouse, and build on that. Tell a story. If you need inspiration, look to a moment in your relationship when you really knew this was the person with whom you wanted to share your life. Relay the story, but keep it brief. Try to be as specific as possible, and recognize that it’s acceptable to be playful with your words. When it’s really coming from the heart and not the head, you’ll know it. Borrow from traditional words. Take traditional vows and tweak them to make them your own. This works especially well for those who

have trouble getting started or are unsure of which format to follow. Incorporate key words, such as “partners,” “love,” “friends,” “joy,” and “forever.” Be sure the officiant is on board. Depending on the type of ceremony, the officiant may have final say over what can or cannot be included in your vows. Religious ceremonies, for example, may be limited to certain scripture readings and traditional vows. Before you devote any time to writing vows, ensure that it’s alright to include them. Otherwise, save personalized sentiments for a special toast at the wedding reception. Decide on a mutual structure for the vows. If you and your spouse will not be writing the vows together, agree on a format that you both will follow. Otherwise, you might be writing about your unending love, and he or she may be promising to keep updated on favorite sports teams or television programs. You want the tone and style of the vows to be cohesive. Dig deeper. Look into the future and project how you hope your life to be in 10 or 20 years. Explain all of the reasons you want to be together for the duration. Read the vows several times. Read over your work and make sure the language is clear and there are no glaring errors. It may take a few versions to get the final version right where you want it. Get a second opinion. Ask someone you trust to listen to the vows and offer feedback. This needs to be a person who will be honest and not just tell you what you want to hear. Personalized vows can add an extra special touch to wedding ceremonies.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Selecting a Comfortable Wedding Gown

any brides-to-be visit bridal shops with specific goals in mind regarding the style of their wedding gowns. Some women come equipped with magazine tear-outs or pull up ideas on their mobile phones. Others may have an entire scrapbook filled with various ideas they’ve been compiling for years. Much consideration is given to wedding gowns. The cost and silhouette of the dress may garner the bulk of that consideration, but brides might want to spend more time considering comfort. Depending on the time of day their weddings take place, brides can spend 12 hours or more in their wedding gowns on their wedding day. However, when shopping for their gowns, brides may prioritize beauty over comfort, even though it’s entirely possible to find a gown that’s both stunning and comfortable. When staff and friends or family who have come along to offer advice start to blush over wedding gowns, brides-to-be may feel pressured to downplay any discomfort they feel. To make sure brides look flawless and elegant but are still

comfortable in their wedding gowns, consider the following tips. Know what to highlight and what to cover up. No two body types are the same, and many women feel certain parts of their bodies are their best assets while they want to downplay others. Try on gowns that play up your best features. If you have shapely legs, consider a dramatic gown with a slit to show them off. Certain gowns can enhance the decollete or show off an hourglass shape. Remember, many gowns can be modified so that you feel secure and confident. Sleeves can be added or fabric placed to cover up any perceived flaws. Confidence and pride are important parts of the comfort factor. Get sized correctly. Bridal gown sizes do not coincide with street sizes. Depending on the manufacturer, brides may have to select gowns that are several sizes larger than they would normally wear. This should not be a cause for alarm. Brides should go by their measurements. Attempting to squeeze into a dress that is too small will only lead to discomfort on the wedding day. Purchase the right undergarments. Improperly fitting bras, shapewear and other undergarments can lead to discomfort as well. Some seamstresses can sew in supportive cups to remove the need for separate bras. Brides can explore various options to reduce the visibility of certain accoutrements. Move around in the gown. Brides should not just stand in front of the mirror and smile when trying on gowns. Put them through their paces. Try sitting, bending and even a little dancing. Make sure the dress is comfortable to move around in. Try different options. The gown brides have in mind may not be the one they ultimately go home with. Explore different styles and materials. Choose cooler, breezier fabrics and lightweight gowns, like crêpe, georgette or organza, for summer weddings. Heavier fabrics, such as brocade, may be more comfortable in the winter. Wedding gowns can be both beautiful and comfortable for those who know how to shop.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Tips for Trimming the Wedding Guest List

eddings are a time to celebrate, and many couples hope to invite as many people as possible to share their excitement. A 2014 study by researchers at the University of Denver found that couples who invite at least 150 guests to the wedding may have happier marriages. The study examined 418 people who were single at the beginning of the study and married five years later. It found that 47 percent of those people who had gotten married in front of at least 150 guests had “high-quality marriages,” while those with 50 or fewer guests fell short. While guests make weddings more enjoyable, and may increase the propensity to enjoy a more successful marriage, couples must be practical and consider their wedding budgets when creating their guest lists. The average

American wedding includes 120 guests, according to a 2015 Newlywed Survey released by WeddingWire. Couples who are finding it difficult to create and pare down their guest lists can employ the following tips. Create initial lists. When jotting down potential guests’ names, write down everyone you want to invite, regardless of budget. Then list the must-have guests for the wedding. This should include the family and friends with whom you interact on a regular basis. Create a separate column for guests who don’t make the must-have list. Separate friends from friends’ friends. If you don’t see people outside of events set up by mutual friends, you should not feel obligated to invite those people to the wedding. They are more likely friends of your friends and not your close friends.

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The reception space may dictate the number of guests couples can invite to their weddings.

Know the guest list ceiling. Catering halls or reception rooms often can only accommodate a certain number of people. Know this number before making a final list. The limits of the space may serve as the catalyst for trimming the guest list. Consider coworkers carefully. Think about whether you’d still be friends with your coworkers if the company dissolved tomorrow. If not, you should not feel obligated to invite them. Have we met? If you don’t remember interacting with a person (your parent’s long lost friend from high school) or the person has never met your significant other, then they probably can be cut. If parents insist on inviting someone you barely remember, they should help defray the costs.

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Cut out the kids. Even though children’s dinner costs may be lower than adults’, inviting children can significantly increase the guest list. A no-child policy at the reception can save money. Avoid uncomfortable situations. Unless you have remained particularly close, keep former boyfriends and girlfriends off of the guest list. Ask for an unbiased opinion. Give the editing pen to someone else if you cannot make a decision. This person may help weed out extraneous guests. Paring down a wedding guest list can be a difficult process, but couples should work together and respect each other’s concerns when creating their final list.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Stunning Engagement Ring Alternatives

hite diamonds have been the traditional engagement ring stones for decades. While shoppers have experimented with gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals for ring bands, the star of the show has long been that twinkling, pristine diamond. Even though diamonds may be a “girl’s best friend,” they may not fit every woman’s style, particularly the bride who likes to buck tradition and think outside the box. According to Money magazine, the average engagement ring costs more than $5,800. In addition to being one of the most expensive gemstones, diamonds have become quite commonplace. Some women even eschew diamonds for moral reasons. Whatever the driving force behind shopping for alternative gems, women who want to set themselves apart from others — and men who want to “wow” their significant others with unique and eye-catching rings — may opt for other dazzling stones.

Moissanite: This crystal naturally occurs in meteorites and is nearly as hard, dense and scuffresistant as a diamond. Some feel moissanite offers more brilliance and fire than diamonds. Moissanite is a white-colored stone, so it can mimic the look of a diamond. And since it can be made in the laboratory at a fraction of the cost of even lab-made diamonds, it’s a frugal option. A nearly flawless one-carat moissanite gem can cost less than $1,000.

Lemon quartz: This is the trade name for a lemonyellow stone that is a variety of color-enhanced transparent quartz. Quartz is turned into this sunny hue through an artificial gamma ray irradiation process. Like other quartz gemstones, lemon quartz is considered to be very durable and is therefore suitable for all types of jewelry.

Sapphire: Sapphires tend to be blue stones (of varying intensity), but they also come in peach, pink, yellow, green, and white. Sapphire may not sparkle as much as a diamond or even moissanite. However, with the right cut, it can be hard to distinguish any lack of luster. Sapphires are the third hardest mineral, and at about one-third the price of diamonds, they make an ideal diamond substitute.

Morganite: According to the blog Bridal Musings, morganite is currently one of the most popular choices for engagement rings. Its pretty pink hue is romantic and feminine. It also sits at around the same hardness as sapphires, ensuring the rings will endure. Vividly cut rubies, emeralds and tanzanite — all gems that are rarer yet less expensive than diamonds — can make beautiful engagement rings. Some couples also may opt for rings without gemstones, such as traditional Claddagh or “true lover’s knot” rings to signify their union.

Jewelry Care and Cleaning Guidelines

ridal gowns and tuxedos may get their fair share of attention at weddings, but the subtle details of brides’ and grooms’ wedding attire also garner guests’ attention.

Breathtaking jewelry worn by the bride, groom and members of the bridal party looks great on the day of the wedding and in photos couples will keep for decades to come. Naturally, engagement rings and bridal bands are the shining stars of the celebration. However, other pieces of jewelry also make for cherished accessories for weddings. Bridal jewelry is an investment worth maintaining. According to a 2013 report by the Jewelers of America, couples spend an average of $4,000 on engagement rings and more money on wedding bands. Considering several thousands of dollars may adorn the necks, fingers, ears, and wrists of bridal party members, individuals should learn how to keep their jewelry investments looking pristine.

Remove jewelry during hard work Exercise caution when wearing jewelry during strenuous activities or when jewelry can be damaged. Also, watch when handling slippery substances such as soaps and oils, as jewelry may fall off and become lost. Instead, remove precious jewelry and store it in a safe location, such as in a jewelry chest or a drawer.

Exercise caution with beauty products

Apply lotion, cosmetics, perfume, cologne, and hairspray before putting on jewelry. These substances can discolor certain metals or even damage stones. Prolonged contact with perspiration and bodily oils also can cause discoloration over time. Gently wipe down jewelry with a soft cloth after wearing it to remove oils and sweat.

Be careful around swimming pools, spas and the ocean

Couples should remove jewelry before partaking in water-based activities on their honeymoons. According

to jewelry retailer Zales, chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewelry, causing color changes and even structural changes. Don’t risk jewelry falling off in the ocean. Store it in a secure location before diving in.

Beware the sun, too

The Gemological Institute of America, Inc. states that sunlight can affect the durability and color of colored gemstones. Over time and in excess, the sun and heat can fade or damage some stones, such as amethyst, topaz and pearls. Other stones can darken with exposure to the sun.

Clean jewelry with care

Rely on mild detergents and a light touch when cleaning jewelry. Use products specifically designed for jewelry care, and read labels to ensure safety. The International Gemological Institute says seriously soiled jewelry should be professionally cleaned.

Inspect and know your jewelry

Routinely inspect jewelry to test for any structural issues that can result in breakage or lost stones. Make sure any suspected problems are repaired promptly. Ensure jewelry will last for years to come. Exercise caution when wearing pieces and clean and care for them properly.

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Wedding Transportation Tips

eddings are momentous events for the couple tying the knot as well as all of the friends and family invited to share in the big day. Before couples can tie the knot and cut a rug at their receptions, everyone, couple and guests included, must arrive at the location (or locations if the ceremony site differs from the reception area). Though arranging wedding day transportation can be difficult, there

are ways to make the process go more smoothly for guests and bridal party members.

Determine your needs Before a transportation plan can be made, couples must first map out their needs. Everything should be built around the ceremony. Once the ceremony time has been set, the rest of the day can be arranged around that time.

Determine how much time is needed to travel from the ceremony to the reception area. Allocate enough time before the cocktail hour to allow for traffic, photos and any other needs that may take up time. Couples do not want anyone, included themselves, to feel rushed. Once the timing has been orchestrated, couples can figure out exactly which types of transportation will be required.

they can opt for a VW bus or a retro roadster. Outdoor enthusiasts might want to ride off on horseback, while easy riders might prefer to rev up the engine on a Harley-Davidson. Couples should never feel penned in by tradition, especially when something else makes them feel remarkable and the budget allows for it.

Book personal transportation first

Couples generally opt to arrive to the wedding and reception in style, but take their own vehicles or cabs home afterward. This requires some advanced planning. Enlist the help of friends to park the return-trip car in a convenient location. Check with the catering hall to see if a vehicle can be left in their lot overnight. Otherwise, arrange to grab a ride home with friends or family.

Happy couples must make their own transportation their top priority. Arrange for the couples’ transportation between five and seven months in advance of the wedding. It could be preferable to book it even further in advance if a couple is getting married around a holiday or during prom season when limousines and party buses are in high demand. Remember, unless the bride-to-be plans to be seen by her groom, couples will need separate transportation to the ceremony site. Factor multiple vehicles into the wedding transportation budget.

Explore your personality Brides and grooms have many transportation options at their disposal. If a limousine doesn’t add the spark of creativity they desire,

Have your getaway car ready

Consider others’ needs Have the names and phone numbers of taxi or ridesharing services available for those who may not be able to drive after the party. Elderly or disabled guests might appreciate prearranged transportation as well. Although couples can arrange for transportation as a courtesy to others, they don’t need to make arrangements for everyone.

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ouples and/or their families can expect to spend tens of thousands of dollars on their weddings before saying “I do,” making weddings one of the largest expenses for a couple apart from buying a house or new car. But brides- and grooms-to-be are not the only ones who may have to invest quite a great deal on wedding days. Guests, including bridal party members, may also be responsible to pay a substantial sum. Few people are willing to miss the wedding of a beloved family member or friend, even when the costs of attending the wedding can be high. Fortunately, there are ways for wedding invitees to attend the festivities without breaking the bank. Shop around for lodging. Many couples arrange for discounted hotel rooms for their out-of-town wedding guests. But guests might be able to save even more by shopping around for their own discounted rates at hotels and other lodging accommodations. Book travel early. Many travelers insist the best flight deals can be found as late as six weeks before the desired departure date. But there’s no guarantee that waiting that long to book flights will benefit wedding guests. If the patient approach does not pan out, guests

might be forced to choose between costly flights or not attending the wedding. Budget-conscious travelers may find it less stressful to book flights as early as possible. Doing so allows guests to find flights at the times they most prefer to fly, and it also makes it possible to spread the cost of attending a wedding out over a longer period of time. Say no to joining the bridal party. While it’s an honor when brides or grooms ask certain friends or family members to be in their bridal parties, guests should not feel compelled to accept that invitation if they cannot afford it. If money is tight, explain the situation to the bride and groom, who might even offer to help cover some of the costs of the wedding. Even if couples cannot afford that gesture, they will understand if friends or family members cannot cover the additional costs associated with being in a bridal party. Split expenses. Another way for guests to save money is to split certain expenses with fellow guests. Single guests can share hotel rooms with fellow guests attending solo, and even couples can join up with other couples and split the cost of double rooms.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

Different Roles for the Father of the Bride

opular movies and televisions shows give the impression that the job of the father of the bride in a wedding is ultimately about making sure the festivities are adequately funded. In the movies, fathers fret about the costs of everything from flowers to photos. But gone are the days when the father of the bride bankrolls his daughter’s entire wedding. The Knot’s “2014 Real Wedding Survey” reported that, on average, the bride’s parents contribute 43 percent of the total cost of a wedding; the bride and groom contribute another 43 percent; the groom’s parents spend 12 percent; the remaining 2 percent of the budget is paid for by family members or friends. That frees up Dad for other roles in wedding planning. With some creativity, couples can find ways to incorporate the father of the bride into the festivities in even more productive ways. Wedding sites: Assign dear old dad the important task of looking at potential wedding reception sites prior to visiting them yourself. He may have certain connections through work or attended business or leisure occasions at catering halls and other venues. Dad’s connections can pay off. Let him impart his negotiating skills

and find the best deals with the ideal backdrop for the festivities. Wardrobe: Let your father assist the best man and other groomsmen in securing their tuxedos or other wardrobe essentials. Dad also can step in and return rented items following the wedding. Beverages: Dad may be fitting to keep tabs on what is occurring at the bar during the reception, ensuring that guests’ needs are being met. He also can keep an eagle eye trained on anyone who may have overindulged and needs to take a break. Speech: Give your father an opportunity to shine by letting him make a speech. Remember, this is a momentous day for Dad as well, as he may be trying to come to terms with his daughter starting a new life. Father-daughter song: Let Dad pick father-daughter song, and go with his choice even if you had something else in mind. Ceremony: Even if you prefer a less traditional wedding ceremony, let your father walk you down the aisle. This will likely be a moment he’ll remember for years to come. Expand the father of the bride’s role in the wedding by assigning him tasks where he can put his style, experience and excitement to good use.

Tips for a Special Mother/Son Dance

eddings celebrate the unions of happy couples ready to pledge their lives to each other. In theory, the wedding day spotlight should be shared equally by brides and grooms. But brides often eclipse their grooms, as guests are drawn to stunning bridal gowns. Though grooms might play second fiddle for much of their wedding days, there is one moment when all eyes are on the groom and a special lady in his life. The mother/son dance is a wedding tradition that many grooms embrace as their opportunity to show their mothers how much they love and appreciate them. The mother/son dance is an ideal time to create a special moment, and the following are some tips to personalize the dance. Precede the bride and her father. Make your own tradition and switch up the timing of the dances. Be the first to take a spin on the dance floor and set the tone for the other traditional songs to come. Create a photo montage. Work with an entertainment company or photographer to create a slideshow of images showing you and your mother together and separately. If possible, include

some photos that were shot during the wedding ceremony, asking the photographer to capture the look on your mother’s face during pivotal moments of the ceremony. Show off your dance skills. One increasingly popular wedding trend is for fathers and brides to choreograph the father/ daughter dances. Grooms and their mothers can follow suit, particularly if you both have some stellar dance moves. Let Mom choose the song. Give your mother the opportunity to express her sentiments to you, as mothers of the groom do not typically toast their sons during weddings or even rehearsal dinners. Invite other son/mother duos up. If the idea of dancing alone with your mother is a bit intimidating, give other mothers in attendance an opportunity to share the spotlight. Celebrate all mothers in attendance, encouraging any mothers and sons who are present to dance together. Grooms may not garner the bulk of guests’ attention on their wedding days. But they can take steps to make their special dances with their mothers more memorable and unique.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Successful Toasts Help Shape Social Events

toast is a drink raised in the health or honor of someone. Such salutes are typically accompanied by some heartfelt words or tokens of advice. Toasts are a common component of social gatherings, including retirement parties, milestone birthdays and weddings.

Toast of the town It’s difficult to pinpoint who originated the practice of toasting. Several ancient societies would raise a glass in honor of deities or special guests. Ancient Greeks offered libations to the gods as a part of ritualistic practices and also as a point to drink to each other’s good health. Ancient Romans at one point instituted a practice that all people must drink to Emperor Augustus at each meal. The term “toast” has an interesting history. Dating back to the 16th century, “toast” refers to a piece of toasted bread. A piece of toast was commonly added to wine during this time because wine was quite inferior in quality then compared to modern vintages. Stale bread was placed into the jug to soak up acidity and improve the flavor. The wine also improved the palatability of the old or spiced bread. According to National Geographic

magazine, by the 18th century, the term “toast” had been transferred from the floating piece of bread to the person honored by the toast. Eventually, “toast” represented the drink raised or the words offered with the gesture. Prepare for a toast Toasts can be off-the-cuff remarks shared in the moment, but for many special events, they should be prepared well in advance. Nowadays, some toast-givers devote extra time to preparing toasts, particularly because they know these sentiments can live on indefinitely on social media. Giving a toast can induce anxiety, but some nerves can be relieved simply by doing one’s homework and not procrastinating. Writing tips A person giving a toast is trying to gain the attention of a group of people who may not be very attentive. These tips can improve the content of the toasts and their delivery. Keep ‘you’ out of it. This toast is not about you. It’s about the person you are honoring. Therefore, do not put any self-

congratulatory messages in the toast. Make it all about the person — even beginning the toast with that person’s name. Hook people in. Open the toast with a good joke or anecdote that will help introduce the person of honor. For example, Jake is a great guy because he’s the type of person who will offer to meet you at your dorm room at 2 a.m. with pizza and beer to get you through a study session. Too bad he has a horrible sense of direction and repeatedly shows up at the wrong door. Tell a story. Reference the person in the toast, other audience members, and even yourself if you can be painted in a self-deprecating light. Keep it short. This is a toast, not a monologue. Be brief so that the audience doesn’t lose interest. Set a five-minute limit. Wrap it up. Conclude the toast by tying the story back to the introduction and making sure to include the audience once more. This will help you get the biggest laughs and applause.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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changed their lives forever. Those who may need a little inspiration celebrating their anniversaries can consider these suggestions.

Have dinner at your reception site.

edding anniversaries provide opportunities for couples to reflect and relive the excitement of their wedding days. Anniversaries can easily be forgotten amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, but many couples are making concerted efforts to ensure their anniversaries are celebrated as the special occasions they are. A first wedding anniversary is a special one. Some couples celebrate their first anniversaries by enjoying a piece of wedding cake that has been properly preserved in the freezer. Couples may also dance to their wedding songs or enjoy a nice dinner at a favorite restaurant. The first anniversary also is a time to pull out the wedding video or photo album and reminisce about the wedding day. Anniversaries are a great way for couples to celebrate their time together by stepping away from emails, text messages, work obligations, and even mundane everyday tasks to once again remember a day and moment that

Find out if the reception site, which may be a catering hall or restaurant, serves dinner or brunch. Make a reservation and enjoy celebrating in the spot where the memories all began.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

How To Handle A Wedding Around A Holiday

hile summer and fall are the most popular times of year to get married, couples can tie the knot whenever they choose, including on holidays. Holiday weddings tend to stray from the norm, and that can make for a memorable night for couples and their guests. For example, couples who choose to get married on Halloween may encourage their guests to arrive and celebrate in costume, making for a unique experience for all in attendance. But planning weddings that take place on a holiday or holiday weekend may require a little extra effort.

Research venues before finalizing the date.

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Couples who have their eyes set on certain venues to host their ceremonies and receptions should research the availability of those venues on holidays or holiday weekends before finalizing their wedding date. Some venues may have preexisting agreements with local community organizations that may prohibit them from hosting weddings or limit their available time slots. Confirm the availability of your ideal venues before making your date official.

Allow for a longer engagement.

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Regardless of which holiday you choose, keep in mind that many people make plans well in advance of a holiday. Holidays tend to be accompanied by long weekends, and your guests may already have plans for that time off from the office. In addition, families often travel to visit relatives during the holiday season at the end of the calendar year. If you plan to wed on a holiday or holiday weekend, allow for a longer engagement so your guests won’t have to cancel existing plans or miss the wedding because they already have travel plans that weekend. Let guests

know your holiday-wedding intentions as soon as you finalize the date.

Start looking for vendors as soon as possible.

Vendors, including caterers and photographers, tend to be busy on holiday weekends, so start looking as early as possible. It’s important to comparison shop, but couples who wait too long to sign contracts with vendors might find themselves paying more and/or choosing whoever is available as opposed to their top choices.

Plan to pay a little more.

As noted, vendors tend to be busy on holidays and during holiday weekends, and their prices may reflect the high demand for their services. Budget-conscious couples should anticipate paying more on holidays than they might pay on other weekends.

Expect some declined invitations.

While an extended holiday weekend may seem like the perfect time to tie the knot, guests may not share that perspective. Many would-be guests likely cherish their existing holiday traditions and may be unwilling to abandon those traditions to attend a wedding. Every couple has at least a few friends or family members decline their wedding invitations, but those numbers may be more substantial for couples hosting holiday weddings. Holiday weddings can make for some great memories, but couples must be especially diligent when planning weddings on holidays or holiday weekends.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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THE SHOPPERS WEEKLY PAPERS

How To Organize Wedding Planning Hire a planner.

If wedding planning is proving especially overwhelming or if you simply don’t have time to do all the legwork necessary to plan on your own, hire a wedding planner. Wedding planners are invaluable resources who can help couples quickly connect with vendors who can meet their needs while staying within their budgets. Planners also can advise couples on ways to save money and which areas of the wedding should not be bargain basement. Couples planning destination weddings should inquire about resort-affiliated wedding planners before choosing a venue to host their ceremonies and/or guests.

Start early.

According to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the average length of engagement for couples who wed in 2015 was 14.5 months. That means today’s average couples have more than a year to plan their nuptials. By starting their wedding planning early, couples can avoid having to plan everything at the last minute, which can be hectic, nerve-wracking and unorganized. In addition, starting early affords couples more time to find great deals and stay within their budgets. Staying organized when planning a wedding can make for more enjoyable planning and a happier wedding day.

Did You Know?

eddings require a lot of planning. Couples hosting large weddings or even intimate gatherings can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of planning they must do to make their weddings into events they will remember and cherish forever. Staying organized when planning a wedding is a tall task. It’s wise to expect the unexpected when organizing a wedding, and the more organized couples can stay, the more fun they can have during the planning process and the better they can handle the unforeseen circumstances that are bound to arise in the months leading up to the wedding.

Create separate filing systems for each aspect of the wedding.

Rather than maintaining one massive file with information about various elements of the wedding, maintain separate files for each aspect of the wedding. For example, when receiving quotes from prospective florists, keep all

florist quotes in a single folder that remains separate from information about other parts of the wedding. Separate filing systems make it easier to find quotes and contracts when you need to, saving you the trouble of digging through pages upon pages of quotes, notes and other information you store.

Maintain a spending spreadsheet.

Many couples plan weddings on carefully constructed budgets. But couples can easily exceed those budgets if they are not routinely monitoring and recording their spending or the spending they are committing to upon signing contracts with vendors. Create a spending spreadsheet that allows you to track how much you have already spent, how much you are committed to spending and when wedding bills are due. Update the spreadsheet whenever you write a check or sign a new contract, and periodically examine the sheet so you can make sure you are still on track to remain at or under budget.

Longevity in marriage is something to be celebrated. Couples who reach fiftieth and sixtieth wedding anniversaries often commemorate those anniversaries with big parties. But there are some around the world who would consider golden anniversary celebrants to still be newlyweds. In December 2015, Karam Chand, 110, and his wife, Kartari Chand, 103, from Bradford, West Yorkshire (originally from India), celebrated their 90th wedding anniversary, becoming the world’s longest-betrothed couple. In America, John and Ann Betar, ages 104 and 100, respectively, have been married 83 years as of 2016. The couple eloped in 1932. They have been named one of America’s longest-married couples by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

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any couples’ weddings take more than a year to plan. Couples want all of the special people in their lives to witness their vows, and giving guests advance notice can ensure as many loved ones as possible attend the ceremony. To be certain that guests have ample notice to clear their schedules, many couples now turn to save-thedate cards, which announce weddings well in advance of the actual wedding day. Save-the-date cards once were reserved only for weddings that required travel or special circumstances, such as destination weddings. But such cards have now become commonplace for all weddings. That’s because many people plan vacations or business trips anywhere from four to six months in advance. Busy people require plenty of notice to include this important date on their calendars, particularly when wedding dates fall during popular travel seasons or around the holidays. Kleinfeld Bridal, a premiere New York bridal boutique, says that savethe-date cards are typically mailed six to eight months prior to the wedding, though some are sent as early as a year before the big day. Once a date and a location is secured, save-thedates can be ordered and mailed.

Save-the-date cards require couples to assemble their guest lists well in advance of the wedding. The leading bridal resource The Knot notes that everyone who will get a wedding invitation should also receive a savethe-date card. There’s no turning back once cards are sent, so couples will need to be certain everyone they want to attend is getting advanced notice. It’s acceptable to mail save-thedate cards even if some wedding day details are still up in the air. Guests really only need to know the date and location of the wedding. Couples also can use the save-the-date card to direct invitees to a wedding website where guests can learn the details of the wedding as they unfold. RSVP information does not need to be included on the save-the-date card. Save-the-date cards are much less formal than invitations, so couples can have fun with them. They can showcase couples’ clever personalities or funny quirks. Keep in mind it is in poor taste to mention gifts or registries on save-the-date cards. There will be plenty of time to direct guests to registries later on. Couples are increasingly turning to save-the-date cards when planning their weddings to make sure busy friends and family will have enough time to make plans to attend their weddings.

Did you know? According to the 2015 Real Weddings Study from the premier multiplatform wedding resource The Knot, the most popular month for couples to get engaged is December. Sixteen percent of survey respondents became engaged in the final month of the calendar year. The survey also found that the average length of a couple’s engagement is now 14.5 months. Where June once was the most popular month of the year to tie the knot, today’s couples are now heading down the aisle most often in October. Seventeen percent of weddings now occur in October, closely followed by 15 percent in September. And at what age are couples saying their “I dos”? The average marrying age for a bride is 29 and it is 31 for the groom.

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How To Build Your Wedding Budget ultimately get the money back via wedding gifts. While many guests will give financial gifts, counting on such windfalls is a recipe for accruing debt. Do not build potential wedding gifts into your wedding budget. If you do so and your expectations fall short, you could be facing considerable debt upon returning home from your honeymoon.

Gather quotes before choosing where to tie the knot.

ouples engaged to be married have a lot on their plates as they begin planning their weddings. Whereas tradition once demanded parents of the bride pay for a couple’s wedding, nowadays more and more engaged couples are completely or partially financing their own nuptials. That means prospective brides and grooms must develop wedding budgets that won’t ensure their first act as Mr. and Mrs. is paying down debt. In its 2015 Real Weddings Study, online bridal resource The Knot found that many couples still receive substantial financial support from their parents to pay for their weddings. The survey found that, on average, the bride’s parent’s contributed 44 percent of the overall wedding budget in 2015, while couples financed 43 percent (the remaining 13 percent was financed by the groom’s parents and additional sources). Couples who hope to follow that formula or pay for their weddings on their own can heed the following tips to build wedding budgets that won’t break the bank but will still ensure a day to remember forever.

Examine your collective finances.

Where couples get married will have a great impact on how much money they will spend on their weddings. For example, the Real Weddings Study found that, in 2015, the average wedding in Manhattan cost couples slightly more than $82,000, while the average

Few couples know the details of each other’s finances before getting engaged. While some may still hesitate to share their personal financial information upon getting engaged, an open and honest discussion and examination of each person’s finances is the only way to develop a realistic wedding budget that both partners can live with. Once couples know what they can contribute, they can then consult their parents to determine if their mothers and fathers are intending to contribute.

Don’t count on gifts.

Many couples justify runaway wedding budgets by telling themselves that they will

Build extra costs into your budget.

When determining a budget you can live with, remember to include a little extra for unforeseen costs. Weddings are large undertakings, and it’s reasonable to expect some unforeseen costs to arise. Building such costs into your initial budget will make these unforeseen circumstances that much easier to handle. Budgets can help couples stay on track and avoid debt as they plan their weddings.

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Develop a preliminary guest list.

A preliminary guest list can give couples an idea of how large and expensive their weddings will be. According to the Real Weddings Study, the average cost per wedding guest in 2015 was $237. While that cost can vary greatly depending on geography and other factors, couples should keep that figure in mind when drafting their guest lists. If need be, keep costs down by trimming the guest list so it includes only close family members and friends.

Alaskan wedding cost just over $17,000. Venues within the same city can vary greatly with regard to pricing and offerings as well, so couples should give themselves ample time to gather quotes and find an affordable venue they like.

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marriage proposals is a couple’s first official step toward the altar. Tradition dictates that men pop the question, with their surprised — and hopefully soon-tobe-fiancées — ultimately deciding if wedding bells will be on the horizon. Proposing marriage can be nervewracking. However, if the time seems right and love is in the air, popping the question can be exciting. Regardless of who is proposing marriage, the following strategies can help make proposals memorable and successful.

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An old Irish tradition known as “The Lady’s Privilege” was established in the fifth century by a nun named St. Brigid. She decided to create an opportunity for women to propose marriage. This day fell on every leap year, February 29. Centuries later, women can still use this tradition as the impetus to take the marriage reigns into their own hands. But women need not wait for the next leap year to propose. Many women view proposing as an empowering action that is tied to the evolving view of independent women. Couples are negotiating more in the marriage process, and the dissolution of commonly held practices is occurring more often.

Choose A Sentimental Location Couples will remember the proposal for the rest of their lives. So choose a proposal location that has sentimental

connections. Think about where the first “I love you” was uttered or where a first date occurred. These can be prime locations to pop the question.

Note Her Style Engagement rings play a big role in many couples’ proposals. One person’s style is not necessarily what his partner will like. Bigger isn’t always better. Rather, choose a ring that reflects your partner’s preferences and personality. Take your partner jewelry shopping and see which types of jewelry he or she is most drawn to. Certain preferences can serve as a jumping off point for ring designs.

Ask For The Family’s Blessing Men no longer need to ask their girlfriends’ fathers for “permission” to wed their daughters. However, asking your partner’s family for their blessing is a sign of respect and can add a romantic and heartfelt touch to the proposal.

Capture The Moment Though we live in an age when every moment of people’s lives is documented with videos and photographs posted to social media, proposals still stand out as extra special moments. Hire a professional photographer to discreetly capture the proposal and your partner’s reaction so it can be cherished for years to come.