In many ways the city of Washington has contributed to scouts. Some ways include fundraisers, camping and a place to have our meetings. For example, each year the cub scouts have a popcorn sale. The people see the cub scouts coming and love to support them on their journey in scouting.

“Frying Eggs for Big Boy”

Commencement

With the end of this school year, Moms Who Care at Beverly Manor, which is one of 11 Moms in the area, would like to thank all who have supported us.  We are an exclusively NFP, locally funded organization that relies on in-kind and monetary community donations.   We assist students in need …

The Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund (CIMKF) would like to thank the Morton Civic Chorus, under the direction of Denise Adams, for another successful fundraiser "Encore 2019".  A special "Thank You" to those who attended the event, advertised in our show program or donated to the cause.…

Ravens

Discussion over Debate

Good Neighbors

From Spain to the States

Thank you to all of the people who helped my campaign for Ward 1 Alderman. I am grateful to the 58 percent of the Ward 1 voters for having faith in me to represent you on the Washington City Council.

Thank You to all of the residents of Ward 2 who have supported me throughout my years with the City of Washington. I have enjoyed being one of your representatives on the City Council for over nine years. Thank you for taking time to discuss matters that are important to you, which gave me a…

The County Facilities Sales Tax (CFST) is a one cent per dollar tax placed on qualified purchases that relieves the school district’s reliance on property taxes to fund school facility needs.

Over the past few weeks there has been much discussion over social media and elsewhere regarding the County Facilities Sale tax issue on the ballot in Tazewell County on April 2. Morton District 709 joined an overwhelming majority of schools in Tazewell County to put the County Facilities Sa…

What is the 1 ¢ Tazewell County School Facility Sales Tax?

Jerry Merryman died February 27, 2019 in Dallas.  He was one of my heroes, and I didn’t even know it.

March 17 will be celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day. Those of Irish decent will proudly wear green. In Chicago, the river will be temporarily dyed green on that day, during a festive parade downtown. The most popular Irish name for newborn boys is still Patrick, and Patricia for girls.

Family bingo night was recently held at Deer Creek District Library, Deer Creek, IL. We had an awesome turnout with food, prizes and family fun. We couldn’t have done it without the following sponsors:

I ushered at church a few weeks ago.  I wear a suit and tie for that.  A friend came in and noted that I had my Mark Twain tie on.  He said Twain was noted for his funny quotes and stories. Could I think of any?

I have written this letter to share with readers a pleasurable pastime I enjoy that might be of interest to them. It's easy, it takes up little of my time and it costs me nothing. 

I still have the "1000 Books to Read Before You Die: a life-changing list", by James Mustich, on my desk.  There must be some silly game I can play with this huge tome.  I picked up my pencil and a blank sheet of paper. I would list all the books I can remember and see if they're listed in 1…

Altricial

In the 2007 film “The Bucket List”, two terminal cancer patients escape the cancer ward to do all the things on their bucket lists (the things they want to do before they die). It starred Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as the men whose deadlines were fast approaching. They set out on one …

I’ve been a Pastor for forty complete years last September ministering in one church or the other through the years. That means that I have officiated at many funerals. I also officiate for funeral homes and have done twenty-four so far this year. I always meet with the family privately befo…

I went to the dentist the other day for a semi-annual check-up. For these check-ups I spend a lot of time with the dental hygienist, assistant, tooth cleaner, molar mugger, or whatever they are called these days. 

National Doctor’s Day is celebrated yearly in the United States on March 30. It was first observed in 1933 in Winder, Georgia by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond as a day to honor physicians. The first recognition was by sending greeting cards and placing flowers on graves …

Snowball Effect

Thank you to all who attended and participated in the Wreaths Across America wreath laying ceremony on Saturday, December 15 at Glendale Cemetery. As most attending and participating know, Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine donates seven ceremonial wreaths representing the six bra…

Threads began as five people discussing how to have a free clothing giveaway at Crossroads United Methodist Church in January of 2009. As they are looking at the past 10 years and how much the mission has grown, they want to thank every single person and organization that has helped them eve…

Dragons

When I was growing up it was my job to take care of the used gift wrapping after we opened our gifts on Christmas Day. It was an easy job. All I had to do was gather all the wrappings and take them out to the burning barrel. There, I would throw all the wrappings in the barrel, set a match t…

In “Every Breath”, Nicholas Sparks examines the choices in life and explores the results of the road not taken.

Coffee pots and retirement.  What does one have to do with the other particularly?  What is the connection?  I never really gave it a thought because I’m not fully retired yet.  I still seem to work most of the time though I like to say I’m semi-retired.  My church laughs at that remark beca…

My First Last

The tourist boat left the pier right on time.  We had waited for about twenty-five minutes in the shaded part of it but the heat was still very much present.  The temperatures elevated in the high 80’s with the heat index well into the 90’s, with the humidity also 90 plus.  It was Virginia B…

The GFWC Illinois Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club is proud to announce that their 46th Annual Breakfast with Santa held on Saturday, December 1 was a successful one. The proceeds of $1,300 benefited the various community needs.

In the library the other day I noticed “Rover”, by Andrew Grant, on the new book shelf. I opened it up and found it was a picture book on dogs. It was a big book, over eleven inches square. Immediately, I thought of my wife who’s a dog person. So, I checked it out and took it home.

Chocolate Milk

As chairpersons of the Community Holiday Basket Fund, we thank the many people, organizations and churches who were helpful and supportive during the recent drive to raise funds to purchase food and staple items to fill baskets for families in our community. One hundred families were the rec…

You’re busy, out Christmas shopping. You’re driving from store to store in heavy traffic. You make a left turn in front of someone. He honks his horn, but in your rush you don’t pay much attention. You assume he’ll get over his madness after a few minutes. 

The Washington Lions Club would like to thank the community and local businesses for their support and contributions to the Lions Club International Annual Candy Day held the second weekend in October.

Thursday, November 15 marked the 24th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Washington Chamber of Commerce. It was an inspirational morning for the 240 guests who attended the program, held at Countryside Banquet Facility.

Land Among the Stars

Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Thought about surfing, but thought again.  I decided instead to walk along the ocean water edge for four miles as the sun arose.  Safer!  My wife was sleeping in our condo.  Smarter!

Thank you to all who participated in the Washington Park District’s 24th Annual Turkey Trot. Fifty-six participated in the fun walk/run on Saturday, November 3. Thank you to the Eureka IGA, Washington Kroger, The Blend, Washington Walmart, Le Bakery, Lindy’s Downtown Market and McDonalds for…

I e-mailed my brother the other day to congratulate him on his birthday.  He doesn’t like me to call his attention to it, so that’s why I do. 

As the days get shorter and the weather colder, most of us start to spend more time indoors. Even with the excitement of the holiday season, the lack of fresh air and opportunities to release excess energy can lead to that bored and restless feeling we call “cabin fever”, especially with the…

November 6

The Friends of Washington Library wishes to thank all donors and workers who made the fall book sale a success.  The FOWL sales always include thousands of items in excellent condition.  The $2046.80 total proceeds from the October sale will enable the library to add popular items to the col…