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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
A sense of
community Carterville is ‘a big, wonderful family’ BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
When you ask residents of Carterville what makes their city special, the same answer comes time and time again. And although the wording may be different with each person you ask, the meaning is often the same: Carterville knows what it means to be a community.
Page 2 Friday, October 19, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan
“It is a sense of community here that everyone shares,” adds Jan Campbell, a retired educator who now serves as executive director of the city’s chamber of commerce. “We are living in a community that cares about each other. It’s a place where everyone knows each other and they care for one another.” Richard Davis, managing broker of Century 21 House of Realty, often
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT compares the city to the “Cheers” television series now in reruns. “This is one of those places where everyone knows your name,” he says. “You sit out front and wave, and everyone waves back.” He says he has had several opportunities over the years to move away from Carterville, but has always chosen not to because he has realized, like others who move to the community, how special it is. “It’s a small, progressive community,” he explains. “We get a lot of people who come from other places and they find out that this is great place to live. It is a small town with big ideas.” Many of those who do leave THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO Commanding Officer James Butler (left) and Sgt. Sam Verly with Heartland Young Marines of Mount Vernon raise the Carterville come back. Take Jen Hagan, for example. flag during a Veterans Day ceremony in Carterville.
“I’ve moved away more than once, but I’ve always come back,” she says. “This is my home; it is where I want to raise my children. We are a lot like what Normal Rockwell painted. We celebrate each other’s joys and mourn everyone’s losses. We’re a big, wonderful family.” Davis says one of the aspects making Carterville so attractive to residents and businesses alike is the community’s convenience. “From a geographic standpoint, we’re smack-dab in the middle, and it’s an easy, convenient commute to anything. We’ve got shopping and movie screens to the left or the right, we have the airport to the left, the train station to the right. The interstate is right there. From access to services, Carterville is second to none.”
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618-985-6953 The Southern Illinoisan Friday, October 19, 2012 Page 3
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
Businesses
Welcome City, chamber do great work, store owners say
BY LES O’DELL
“Carterville is a crossroads for Southern Illinois,” says Rob Bisching, owner of Your Jeweler as well as the Merchant’s Walk shopping complex. In Carterville, business is good. That is a statement you can interpret in “The city leaders are very businessfriendly and the chamber of commerce a couple of different ways, and both does a great job. As a business owner, I would be accurate. Carterville is a good feel like I am welcome here.” place to do business and the businesses Bisching says one of Carterville’s in the community are good for drawing cards for business is the Carterville.
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THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
The view south from North Division Street in downtown Carterville.
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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT community’s geography. “Location is a big thing,” he explains. “We get a lot of people going by. Everyone seems to drive by here every day.” Christy Randolph, owner of Trendy Kidz, a boutique that features new clothing and accessories for children, says even in her initial business planning slightly more than a year ago, she was looking at locating in Carterville. “Route 13 was our first choice,” she says of her business near SI Bowl. “Our location has been key.” She says she encourages other businesses to consider Carterville. “Business has been wonderful. We’ve been surprised by the response we’ve received,” she adds. Carterville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jan Campbell says the business community takes a very involved approach to the city and its people. “A lot of our businesses do get involved
in charity work and other community programs,” she says. “Everyone from the local entrepreneurs to the managers of national chains are involved.” She says many business leaders work together in community events and organizations ranging from churches to civic groups. “Many of our business people are active in the chamber and in other groups and they simply care about the town. As a little hometown, people tend to want to do business in the community,” she says. “Our chamber of commerce is very dynamic and continues to grow,” says Richard Davis, managing broker of Century 21 House of Realty in Carterville. “We recognize that Carterville is the core of the Tri-C communities, which include Cambria and Crainville, and together, we have growth that is as great as any other community in Southern Illinois.” The growth of the area, the visibility
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afforded to businesses in Carterville and the sense of community all combine to be a positive factor for business. “Our shopping center is full,” Bisching adds. “You look at other strip centers and
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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
Quality
Education Carterville boasts good school district, community college BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Fourth-grader Ali Lamb throws a pie in the face of teacher Cory Clouser on Jan. 13 at Tri-C Elementary School. Students raised $9,732.73 for the American Heart Association during their ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ campaign. Any student who raised more than $100 was given the opportunity to throw a pie at one of the P.E. teachers. Thirty-three students in kindergarten through fourth grades reached the goal. Lamb raised $150.
Page 6 Friday, October 19, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan
To say education is important to Carterville would be an understatement. The city boasts two of the most respected and recognized educational settings in Illinois through Carterville
Community Unit No. 5 School District and nearby John A. Logan College. More than 550 Carterville High School students are in their first year at a new, 225,000-square-foot facility, completed in August. The $25 million school building features two stories of classrooms and
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
laboratories, a performing arts wing and an auditorium that rivals many collegiate and professional venues in size and features. The school features two gymnasiums and other new athletic facilities. The building replaced a structure that was nearly 90 years old. According to schooldigger.com, the school was recently ranked in the top 5 percent of Illinois high schools for student performance, the highestranking institution in Southern Illinois. The school — and the accomplishments of its students and graduates — is a source of pride within the community. “The brand new high school facility is state-of-the-art and providing opportunities for growth and development of our young people,” says Richard Davis of Century 21 House of Realty. He says the strength of all of the Carterville schools makes the city a very popular choice for homebuyers. “Carterville is in high demand. This is a very strong school district,” he said. The high school is not the only new facility. Tri-C Elementrary School, which serves children through seventh grade, moved into a new building in 2002. Students at Tri-C develop a foundation for success with quality teachers and modern technology. Even students in the middle grades will soon have a new building in which to learn. Construction of a new junior high school is under way at the site of the former high school on South Division. The new building is expected to be ready for students next fall. The availability of a quality education
in Carterville does not stop with high school graduation. Not far from the new high school is John A. Logan College, consistently ranked among the top community colleges in the nation, as well as one of the most affordable. More than 6,400 students are enrolled in the programs at the college, 2,618 of them as full-time students. “Clearly, our numbers are bucking a statewide downturn in head count and credit hours,” John A. Logan College President Mike Dreith said in a news release. “It is encouraging that our enrollment has stabilized and appears to once again be moving upward. This data affirms my belief that John A. Logan College is continuing to make strides as a low-cost, high-quality provider of higher education.” The college offers more than 150 degrees and certificates to students, and both career preparation and transfer curriculum programs. The goal of the college is for students to succeed. “Everything we do has to be seen through the glass of student success,” Dreith said about improving JALC graduation rates and student academic performance as he began his tenure as the college’s president July 1. The U.S. Department of Education’s annual College Affordability and Transparency Lists ranks the college No. 54 out of 1,655 U.S. community colleges for best net price value. Net price is calculated as a student’s cost of attendance minus grants and scholarship aid, according to the department’s website. JALC is one of only two in Illinois in the top 60.
The new auditorium inside Carterville High School (above) was used for shows in the Southern Illinois Music Festival. Students (left) work through an exam Feb. 9 at John A. Logan College.
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, October 19, 2012 Page 7
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Linda Walkup (right) of Carbondale walks her dog, Sadie, around the walking path that circles the pond at Cannon Park in Carterville. Walkup said Sadie enjoys the four laps the two make together each day. Jackson Shasteen (above) of Carterville practices an ice pick grind May 19 at Cannon Park. Shasteen and his friend, Zane Smith, practiced for several hours that day. Shasteen has been riding for two years but said he got serious about the sport last year.
A place for fun Cannon Park ‘gets a lot of use,’ even from out-of-towners BY LES O’DELL
playground equipment, volleyball courts, a gazebo and pavilion. Adjoining the park is the Carterville On any given afternoon, stroll through Community Center-Fred G. Harrison Annex, a multipurpose facility for Cannon Park on Carterville’s west side meetings, receptions, weddings and and you are likely to find a variety of reunions. A large parking lot and covered people and activities. patio add to the functionality of both the Runners will be making their way center and the park. around the 3.24-mile loop circling the Cannon Park is home to many annual park’s pond, a peewee football team may events in Carterville, Edwards says. be running practices to get ready for an The annual Free Fair, fireworks and upcoming game, children can be found Easter egg hunt take place on the laughing and playing on swings and grounds each year. slides and families will be enjoying a Every Memorial Day, the walking path picnic under a shade tree. is lined with American flags in honor of All is the norm for the facility. veterans with ties to the community. “It gets a lot of use,” says Carterville This year, 245 flags were displayed. City Clerk Mickey Edwards, stressing “a The annual display is organized by the lot.” “We even have groups that come Carterville Lioness Club. from other towns to use this park.” Cannon Park is one of two parks The appeal of Cannon Park is its beauty, as well as all the park has to offer. available in the community. The city’s oldest park, James Street In addition to the walking/jogging Park, features baseball fields, a path, the grounds offer a skateboard playground, pavilion and batting cages. park, football and baseball fields,
FOR THE SOUTHERN
Page 8 Friday, October 19, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Katelyn Herkert, 2, of Energy smiles as she keeps an eye on her father, Darren, as she makes her way down a slide Feb. 28 at Cannon Park in Carterville.
‘(Carterville’s Cannon Park) gets a lot of use. We even have groups that come from other towns to use this park.’ MICKEY EDWARDS, CARTERVILLE CITY CLERK
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Carterville’s Garden Club Reneé Mavigliano of Carterville (left) waters the plants in the meditation garden at Cannon Park in Carterville. Mavigliano and her husband, George, were watering the plants as part of their work with the Garden Gate Garden Club of Carterville. The group helps keep up five gardens throughout town. Debra English Durst (above) a member of the club, uses scissors to separate tangled pots of flowers for a customer at the club’s plant sale at First Baptist Church.
Cooperation key at food pantry BY LES O’DELL
we get donations of food and money all year long from various food-related groups, businesses, organizations and individuals,” Tholen said. “We have a Cooperation is the key to the longpretty broad spectrum that supports us, running success of Carterville’s plus the city has helped us immensely. Community United Food Pantry. From its very inception, the pantry has There is a great relationship between the been about individuals and organizations two groups.” Tholen said support for the pantry working together to help those in need. The pantry, which is in the former city comes not only from within Carterville, library building on South Division Street, but from neighboring areas such as Carbondale and Williamson County, as is open Tuesday and Friday mornings, well. providing food items for about 100 She added the organization also families in the area who need assistance. benefits from its thrift store that offers The pantry serves not only those in-season clothing, usually for 25 cents who reside within the Carterville city per piece. Items for the store also are limits, but much of the Unit 5 school donations. district area. Because of storage restrictions, the “Originally, the pantry was started thrift store is limited on what clothing it because the members of the ministerial is able to sell. Items that cannot be made alliance decided that rather than available are recycled. having several inadequate pantries “The clothing that we can’t use for one in all of the churches, it would be better reason or another, we bag it and take it to to pool their resources and have one the recycling center in Carbondale. We well-stocked and well-supported don’t put it into the landfills or have the pantry,” explained Virginia Tholen, expense of multiple runs by the disposal who has served as treasurer of the companies,” she said. food pantry for most of the 24 years Tholen said the pantry continues to it has existed. Leadership for the Community United help those in need. “There are a lot of people that rely on Food Pantry includes two representatives the food pantry,” she said. “Many are from each of the city’s 10 churches, as elderly and on fixed incomes. It is a big well as other volunteers. “Each of the churches supports us and boost to them.”
FOR THE SOUTHERN
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, October 19, 2012 Page 9
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
Preserving history, promoting the city Heritage and Preservation Foundation opens museum BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Carterville Police Officer Abby Curry (right) offers up a cupcake to her daughter, Emma, 3, while the two and Emma’s aunt, Kaitlyn Abell (left), were taking in the sights and sounds at the first Christmas in Carterville event.
An effort to showcase historical photographs of Carterville has developed into a movement designed to not only preserve history but to enhance and promote the community. Former high school teacher Sheri Hunter felt a collection of photographs at the library needed to be shared with the community. Together with former student Jennifer Spence, the collection
DETAILS What: Carterville Heritage and Preservation Foundation Where: 139 S. Division St., Carterville When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday — plus dozens of other photographs from family scrapbooks and stories — became the basis of a 400-plus page book, “Carterville, Cambria and Crainville: A Look Back At Our Towns.”
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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT Spence said that book, which featured more than 40 chapters and sponsorships, was designed as a fundraiser for the community. “To do that, we wanted to set up a non-profit organization and do everything right, and thought that it also could help preserve historic parts of the community, including downtown,” Spence explained. As buzz about the project and the book spread, the newly organized Carterville Heritage and Preservation Foundation was approached by the city about opening a heritage museum where historical photos and artifacts could be displayed. The city donated a structure at 139 South Division and work began. “It was completely a fixerupper,” Spence recalled. “It had no electricity, no water and
looked like there had been a fire in there sometime.” She said volunteers and contractors made renovations, and the new museum opened in June. A grant from Jim and Dee Childress assisted with funding. Carterville native David Gobert was hired to oversee the renovations. Gobert had experience building museums around the nation and just happened to be visiting his parents during the project. Once the project was completed, he donated back his payment. Today, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. “It runs completely by volunteers from the community,” Spence said. “It features lots of photographs and memorabilia, including many items from the former high school building.”
She said the museum features a gift shop with cards, T-shirts and limited-edition Carterville Christmas ornaments. Proceeds from the sale of items in the shop support the museum. Spence said the impact of the museum and book is two-fold. “First and foremost, I think it preserves our history,” she said. “It helps us to remember those things that if we didn’t preserve them, they would be forgotten. I think it’s important to show what this town has overcome and how it continues to prosper. Second, I hope that restoring the building will inspire the community and let them know that we can make a big difference downtown and make the area one that thrives, and increase business in downtown Carterville.” The foundation has several projects to increase business,
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Quilts from Grand Avenue Baptist Church and First Christian Church in Carterville were on display this summer at Carterville Heritage Museum.
such as the Christmas in Carterville celebration. The group welcomes donations as well as memorabilia, photos and other items. For info, go to www.visitcarterville.com.
The book “Carterville, Cambria and Crainville: A Look Back At Our Towns” can be purchased at the Carterville water office, the Anne West Lindsey Carterville District Library or online.
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, October 19, 2012 Page 11
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
Patriot Golf Day Folds of Honor offers scholarships to children of fallen, injured servicemen and women BY LES O’DELL
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Les Palmer and Greg Kuhn of Carterville watch as Tim Stuart of Carbondale putts July 1 during the the RSP Folds of Honor Charity Classic at Crab Orchard Golf Club in Carterville.
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An effort to say “thank you” to the community has blossomed into an event that also honors military heroes and helps the families of those who paid the ultimate price in their service. Jim Weihl wanted to find a charity to support as a way of showing Carterville his appreciation for six years of success in the community for his business, RSP
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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT servicemen and women killed or disabled while serving their country. One way Folds of Honor raises funds and awareness is through golfing events around the nation called Patriot Golf Day. Weihl had found his cause. “What better way to give something back to the community than to give back to the soldiers and our families in our area?” Weihl said. “It was a big win for all of us.” He approached the staff at Crab Orchard Golf Course in Carterville about hosting a Patriot Golf Day outing. They were on board immediately. “We loved the idea,” said Sarah Hass, director of competition and junior programs at Crab Orchard. “We created a golf tourney and put it all together in about 10 weeks.”
Hass said the event was different from many other charity golf scrambles. “This was a very militarythemed event. Instead of a partner, you had a wingman, for example,” she said. Additionally, part of the course was lined with military vehicles, and ROTC members from SIU assisted golfers, loading bags onto golf carts. The biggest difference, however, was a special ceremony before the golfers teed off. “Members of the National Guard did a flag-folding presentation and then presented flags to the parents of two soldiers who lost their lives overseas,” Haas said. “We also had a medley of the songs of the branches of the service and had players and spectators walk in during their respective songs,
‘It is not about the game. I can’t tell you my score that day, but I can tell you about the ceremony. You could hear a pin drop and there was not a dry eye around.’ JIM WEIHL, OWNER OF RSP HEATING AND COOLING IN CARTERVILLE WHO HELPED ORGANIZE PATIROT GOLF DAY
forming a circle. It was a very powerful program before the tournament.” The program included guest speaker Tony Biata, the national director of Patriot Golf Day. He told Weihl the event was one of the best first-time tournaments he had seen. “This is not your typical golf scramble. This is for the community, where people can bring their families, and we happen to have a little golf,” Weihl said, adding that golf is not the focus of the event. “It is not about the game,” he said. “I can’t tell you my score
that day, but I can tell you about the ceremony. You could hear a pin drop and there was not a dry eye around.” He said one of the most emotionally powerful portions of the day came at the end. As participants were leaving the golf course, they were thanked by the ROTC members who lined the facility’s long driveway. Each person was saluted by the cadets. More than 120 golfers participated in the event and dozens of individual and corporate sponsors made donations. All told, more than
$15,000 was raised for the Folds of Honor Foundation. “To be honest, we thought we might raise $7,000, but everyone has been very receptive of this charity. If you said what it was about, people were eager to offer their donations,” Weihl said. He said planning is under way for next year’s event, set for July 7. Organizers hope to double the size of the planning committee to make the ceremony honoring servicemen and women even better. Those interested in assisting with the 2013 event in any way may call Weihl at 618-924-2424.
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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
Taking turns to help Carterville groups come together to fulfill needs around region BY LES O’DELL
weekend meals to impoverished school children throughout Southern Illinois. “There are so many people here who just The list of people and groups who work want to help out.” Simpson’s own program started as a together to make Carterville a better way to make sure Carterville elementary place to live is lengthy. It seems every school children had plenty to eat over the person who lives in the community weekend, when school meal programs works in some way to enhance the lives were unavailable. of everyone else. At first, 12 children were sent home “We have a lot of people that care with backpacks of food. Today, Gum about our community,” says Amy Simpson. Simpson is the founder of Gum Drops provides food for 1,300 children in 16 school districts. Drop Kids, a program that provides
FOR THE SOUTHERN
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Amy Simpson of Carterville is the founder of Gum Drop Kids, a program that offers weekend meals for children in Southern Illinois. ‘The Lions Club, the Red Hat Society, a lot of the churches take turns to help with the food pantry or other needs,’ she said.
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CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT Each Monday, Simpson emails school counselors to get the number of packages required by the schools, while her husband, Ron — the organization’s only paid staff member — unwraps pallets of food and opens countless cases in preparation for the volunteers that arrive in three shifts during the week to prepare the bags. Volunteer drivers deliver the bags to the school counselors, who distribute them to the recipients. Today, the group provides food for more than 1,300 children in more than a dozen Southern Illinois school districts. But Simpson is the first to say the spirit of helping the community goes far beyond her organization. “The Lions Club, the Red Hat Society, a lot of the churches take turns to help with the food pantry or
other needs,” she says. “There are so many different organizations that step up to the plate and take a turn to help others.” One of those groups, the local Lions Club, participates in everything from events that involve the whole community, such as the annual Carterville Free Fair, to efforts that benefit just one person at a time. “We work closely with the schools and raise money to buy eye glasses for students whose families can’t afford them, among other projects,” says Helen Ferguson, the club’s third vice-president. “Our motto is ‘We Serve,’ and that’s what we are here for. We’re here to take care of people in our community, our nation and our world. The Lions are global, but we’re local, too.” She says membership in the Lions
is open and current members, which number more than 50, include men and women from all backgrounds. “We have young and old, retired and working, and people from all walks of life,” she says. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jan Campbell says that often, projects or needs rise up and volunteers are eager to get involved. She points to the 2011 dedication of a Veterans Memorial downtown as one example. Other groups, such as Simpson’s, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children and other foundations, work to support the people of not only Carterville, but all of Southern Illinois. “It’s one of those common persons’ communities,” says Jim Weihl. “There are no cliques. It is full of good, hardworking, honest people who all pull together.”
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Hannah Gund (left) and Lydia Ramsey share a laugh while packing up meals for the Gum Drop Kids program at the group’s building in Carterville. Gund and Ramsey joined several volunteers from Herrin Church of Christ to help.
Proud to serve the citizens of Carterville.
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Charles W. Mausey, Mayor Mark R. Carney, City Treasurer Michele A. Edwards, City Clerk Thomas Gentry, Alderman/Ward 1 James Houseworth, Alderman/Ward 1 Jacob Rendleman, Alderman/Ward 2 Michael Helfrich, Alderman/Ward 2 John Gooden, Alderman/Ward 3 Carl Trombino, Alderman/Ward 3 Phyllis Emery, Alderman/Ward 4 Bradley Robinson, Alderman/Ward 4
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The Southern Illinoisan Friday, October 19, 2012 Page 15
CARTERVILLE SPOTLIGHT
Moving on by helping others BY LES O’DELL
Dierks says she knows what the support means to families who are facing a fight with cancer. “We made it through thanks to “When he was going through Carbondale single mother with a battling cancer. donations, benefits and support, 2-year-old fighting the disease. treatment, they offered a trial “We decided that because fundraisers,” she says. “That that may not have helped him,” “It doesn’t matter how much Austin always was wanting to helped us. We were very blessed she recalls. “He wanted to do it money you make or what’s in help others and was so very as an experiment so it could help in such a wonderful community caring and giving to others, that your savings account, the bills other kids. Even in the hospital, support, but that may not add up,” said family friend Jen we wanted to honor him by he was trying to help others and happen everywhere. That’s why Hagan of Carterville. “You still starting this foundation to help we decided to take what we have make them smile. He could have to eat and your child is others,” his mother, Denise make anybody’s bad day better.” and help others.” going to need things that you Diercks said. “We know the Dierks adds helping others not Initial funds for the costs that go along with fighting never expected. It is a huge foundation were raised through only is a blessing to the assisted point of stress; you’ve got your cancer and how much money it a golf scramble. The foundation families, but also to those who child who is ill, and then there takes driving back and forth to currently is selling T-shirts and loved Austin. treatment and staying in hotels.” are all these other things, too. “It’s unbearable losing a child, wrist bands. Additionally, a These gifts are to help alleviate The foundation already has but by honoring his memory this charitable fund has been made cash presentations to two some of that stress.” established at Old National Bank way, it helps me to walk forward Hagan said helping others is families: one from Mount and move on.” where donations may be made. the perfect tribute to Austin. Vernon and the other, a
Austin Wade Foundation honors 11-year-old cancer victim
FOR THE SOUTHERN
One Carterville family’s tragedy has led to a way to provide assistance for other families facing difficult times. Eleven-year-old Austin Wade of Carterville may have succumbed to brain cancer in February, but his spirit of love and helping others lives own through a new foundation established in his memory. The Austin Wade Foundation has only existed a few short months, but the organization has already provided financial assistance to two Southern Illinois families with children
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Page 16 Friday, October 19, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan