The science behind the eclipse

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

From The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Before the eclipse, that will bring thousands to Southern Illinois, I will be sharing several news stories and articles about it.  The first is explaining some information about eclipses in general – Steve

What is an eclipse?

A solar eclipse over Indonesia in March, 2016. (AP file photo)

An eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon move into alignment with each other. One of the bodies blocks the view of another and creates a shadow. There are 2 different types of eclipses: solar and lunar. A lunar eclipse happens at nighttime and occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon creating a shadow on the Moon. These types of eclipses occur roughly 2 to 4 times per year. A lunar eclipse will generally last for a few hours.

What To Expect

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights – a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s tenuous atmosphere – the corona – can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun’s disk.

One of the biggest shows of the summer won’t require a ticket. However, the rare total solar eclipse crossing the country on August 21, from Oregon to South Carolina, must contend with the bane of sun seekers: the potential for cloudy weather.

We found that the coasts could be susceptible to cloudier conditions and that increased cloud cover may be possible as the eclipse travels across the country east of the Mississippi RiverHistorically speaking, cloudiness may factor into each location’s chance for a good viewing. NOAA’s NCEI and the Cooperative Institutes for Climate and Satellites–North Carolina (CICS-NC) reviewed past cloud conditions for August 21. We found that the coasts could be susceptible to cloudier conditions and that increased cloud cover may be possible as the eclipse travels across the country east of the Mississippi River.

One of the biggest shows of the summer won’t require a ticket. However, the rare total solar eclipse crossing the country on August 21, from Oregon to South Carolina, must contend with the bane of sun seekers: the potential for cloudy weather.

We found that the coasts could be susceptible to cloudier conditions and that increased cloud cover may be possible as the eclipse travels across the country east of the Mississippi RiverHistorically speaking, cloudiness may factor into each location’s chance for a good viewing. NOAA’s NCEI and the Cooperative Institutes for Climate and Satellites–North Carolina (CICS-NC) reviewed past cloud conditions for August 21. We found that the coasts could be susceptible to cloudier conditions and that increased cloud cover may be possible as the eclipse travels across the country east of the Mississippi River.

One of the biggest shows of the summer won’t require a ticket.  However, the rare total solar eclipse crossing the country on August 21, from Oregon to South Carolina, must contend with the bane of sun seekers: the potential for cloudy weather.

Historically speaking, cloudiness may factor into each location’s chance for a good viewing. NOAA’s NCEI and the Cooperative Institutes for Climate and Satellites–North Carolina (CICS-NC) reviewed past cloud conditions for August 21. We found that the coasts could be susceptible to cloudier conditions and that increased cloud cover may be possible as the eclipse travels across the country east of the Mississippi River

We found that the coasts could be susceptible to cloudier conditions and that increased cloud cover may be possible as the eclipse travels across the country east of the Mississippi River

The darker the dot, the greater the chance for cloudiness at the hour of peak viewing during the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Dots represent automated weather stations that reported the cloudiness data and show the 10-year cloudiness average for August 21, 2001–2010. Map developed by CICS-NC in cooperation with NOAA NCEI, Deborah Riddle. Notice that over this time, Southern Illinois has the least chance of cloudiness.

Although the picture doesn’t particularly bode well at the coasts of Oregon and South Carolina, the chance for clearer skies appears greatest across the Intermountain West. If historical conditions hold true, Rexburg, Idaho, a two-hour drive west of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, has a good chance for clearer skies. Casper, Wyoming, also holds promise. Other historically clear locations include Lincoln, Nebraska, and Carbondale, Illinois.

Historical cloudiness increases as the path curves southeastward across the Plains, making viewing the rare event potentially rarer as it moves toward the East Coast. This is the first time since 1979 that a total eclipse has crossed the United States and the first time since 1918 that one will travel coast to coast. Everyone in the 50 states will be able to experience at least a partial eclipse, depending on weather, but no other country falls in the path of the total eclipse.

Try Our Interactive Eclipse Map

Our interactive map provides greater detail about viewing the eclipse across the nation. The map lists a “viewable” percentage for each reporting location. The viewable percentage represents the likelihood of skies being clear enough for the eclipse to be visible. A higher percentage means a viewer is more likely to have a view unobstructed by clouds. Also, a bar chart shows the probabilities for five types of cloud cover: clear (no clouds), few, scattered, broken, and overcast. Percentages are derived from averages of each type of cloud cover.

Only an estimated 12 million people live within the relatively narrow area of the total eclipse. (NOAA map)

Take Newport, Oregon, for instance, the first land-based weather station location in the path of the full eclipse. The eclipse will occur there at approximately 10:15 a.m. local time (17:15 UTC). The viewable percentage is 44 percent, meaning there’s a 56 percent chance that viewability will be adversely affected by clouds. Keep in mind the percentage is an estimate of average conditions, not a guarantee for this year.

Only an estimated 12 million people live within the relatively narrow area of the total eclipse. However, several major cities and five state capitals fall within the path of totality—the narrow band where the moon completely blocks the sun’s face. Visit the CICS-NC interactive map (link is external) to search for an optimal viewing location by zip code.

Find a Seat for the Total Eclipse

From its first appearance over the Pacific Northwest in midmorning, the eclipse will last approximately 90 minutes, ending shortly after 2:45 p.m. local time (18:45 UTC) on the South Carolina coast near Charleston. Here’s a partial list of towns and cities on the path of totality from west to east along with estimated local times for peak viewing of the total eclipse, followed by the average historical cloudiness percentage (state capitals in bold; asterisks indicate larger airports):

Illinois Carbondale 1:19 p.m. (CDT) 80%
Kentucky Paducah 1:22 p.m. (CDT) 77%

 

Chesterfield near St. Louis 1:16 p.m. (CDT) 61%

 

 

Eclipse Essential: Protect Your Eyes

The eclipse should only be viewed with protective eyewear designated for use during an eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses or 3D glasses lack sufficient protection.  It’s important to take precautions when viewing the eclipse. The partial phases of the eclipse can last between 2 to 3 hours; at its longest, the total eclipse will last 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

Direct viewing of the partial phases can cause permanent damage to your eyes because of the intensity of the sunlight. The eclipse should only be viewed with protective eyewear designated for use during an eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses or 3D glasses lack sufficient protection. Also, avoid viewing through unfiltered cameras, telescopes, binoculars, or other optical devices.

However, if weather cooperates during the few minutes that the sun is completely eclipsed in totality, the brief interval is as safe to view as a full moon.

Safety Precautions

Looking directly at the Sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (totality), when the Moon entirely blocks the Sun’s bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality.

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the Sun. To date four manufacturers have certified that their eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.

Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter. Always supervise children using solar filters.

 

  • Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After glancing at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
  • Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the Sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury. Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device.
  • If you are within the path of totality, remove your solar filter only when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets quite dark. Experience totality, then, as soon as the bright Sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to glance at the remaining partial phases.

 

An alternative method for safe viewing of the partially eclipsed Sun is pinhole projection. For example, cross the outstretched, slightly open fingers of one hand over the outstretched, slightly open fingers of the other. With your back to the Sun, look at your hands’ shadow on the ground. The little spaces between your fingers will project a grid of small images on the ground, showing the Sun as a crescent during the partial phases of the eclipse.

A solar eclipse is one of nature’s grandest spectacles. By following these simple rules, you can safely enjoy the view and be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime.

Understanding the Historical Cloudiness Data

Our historical cloudiness data come from 10-year hourly climate normals for 2001–2010 measured at automated weather stations across the country on August 21, as close to the hour of the eclipse as possible. Availability of data determined the number of usable stations. The period 2001–2010 was chosen because a nationwide network of automated observing stations became operational in 1998. This 10-year timeframe allowed hourly normals computation for more than 800 stations.

However, many factors can influence cloudiness. Areas that experience higher humidity, such as coastal Oregon and the Southeast, are more likely to experience cloudy conditions. Other local factors may influence cloudiness and viewability as well, such as mountains and fog. Afternoon convection can also cause pop-up showers and storms. This helps explain the lower viewable percentages over the eastern half of the United States when the eclipse passes through early to midafternoon.

Keep a few other caveats in mind as you look at our maps. Automated weather stations only view clouds from the surface to 12,000 feet. Larger airports also typically have two cloud sensors (ceilometers) whereas smaller airports may only have one. Larger airports often have human observers that can see higher clouds. These differences mean that stations at larger airports tend to detect more clouds, so stations near each other may report different viewability percentages.

Ultimately, the cloudiness calculations are based on past observations, which are no guarantee of future outcomesUltimately, the cloudiness calculations are based on past observations, which are no guarantee of future outcomes. For predictions of actual conditions closer to the day of the eclipse, check your location’s forecast at NOAA’s Weather.gov as early as seven days prior to the event.

As Brady Phillips of NOAA’s Office of Communications notes, “Even the driest places on Earth experience clouds, fog, and rain.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Slider

50 INFLUENCERS OF REND LAKE COLLEGE: MILLIE CALDWELL, MATRIARCH OF GENEROSITY

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Reece Rutland- Rend Lake College Public Information/Sports Information Director

INA, IL – Three decades of service. Three decades of unselfish giving. Verna Mildred “Millie” Caldwell has enthusiastically supported Rend Lake College and its students for a length and breadth that is nearly unparalleled in an already distinguished lineup of supporters.

Millie Caldwell – (All pictures provided by Rend Lake College

Caldwell and her husband Clifton were already community staples outside of their involvement with RLC. For years, the couple operated one of the area’s most successful newspapers, The Christopher Progress. In fact, the Caldwells purchased the two Southern Illinois papers in 1974 (the Progress and the Herrin Spokesman) and ran them for over a decade, eventually selling them in 1987 to the American Publishing Company newspaper chain.

Cliff passed away on Feb. 29, 2004. He was a well-known journalist for 46 years and a member of the Southern Illinois University Editors Hall of Fame. Together, Clif and Millie instituted zoned editions of their weeklies that provided published local news for the communities of Sesser, Zeigler, Royalton, Johnston City and Carterville, as well as the communities included in their names. They had been married for 61 years.

To commemorate Cliff’s legacy, the family banded together to create the Clifton Caldwell Endowment Scholarship for Rend Lake students. The scholarship looks to help a Journalism or Math major in need.

The Foundation was the natural fit; Millie had spent the better part of three decades doing everything she could to aid the RLCF and the students of RLC.

Caldwell has represented the Christopher locality on the RLCF Board since 1982 when she elected at 4th Annual Meeting to bring the board to nine members. She had been an integral part of three capital campaigns. She was a major part of the RLCF Children’s Center campaign and the RLC Music Program Addition and Theatre Renovation. All of that on top of the fact that she has donated toward RLCF scholarships for years.

But, it was never just money either. Both Millie and Cliff gave of their time. The Caldwells actively attended RLCF events throughout the years. He was a frequent player at annual RLCF Golf Tournaments and they regularly attended the RLCF Annual Dinner together. Millie was also frequently at the RLCF Women’s Luncheon and RLCF Scholarship Dinner.

In 2002, Millie was recognized by the Rend Lake College Foundation Board of Directors when the group enthusiastically and unanimously approved her for Emeritus status.

She earned it. Her support of the college through Foundation efforts is, without a doubt, significant. And her length of service to the organization is nearly unmatched. Only three other members hold Emeritus status on the board – Charter Director Howard L. Payne and former Rend Lake College President Mark S. Kern and long-time foundation board member and Sesser businessman George Slankard.

“This honor is reserved for members because of longevity and lasting contributions made to the RLC Foundation,” explained Pat Kern, RLCF consultant and former CEO.

“This status welcomes these selected Board members to the RLCF meetings at any time they wish to attend.”

It’s not the first honor Millie has received for her service.

She also earned the coveted RLCF Presidential Award in 2006. It’s an achievement set aside specifically for RLCF Board members who have displayed exceptional service.

Millie Caldwell (center) accepts the Presidential Award from then RLC President Mark Kern (left). She was joined by her daughter, and RLC Professor Cindy Caldwell (right).

For her numerous scholarship contributions, she has also been presented the RLCF Bronze Seal Award, an achievement also shared by her daughter Cindy.

In fact, the Math component of the Clifton Caldwell Endowment Scholarship stems from Cindy’s willingness to pick up her family’s legacy and continue the giving tradition. She is a Mathematics Professor who joined the Rend Lake College faculty in 2000. She also is a graduate of Rend Lake College (Class of 1980) who worked on the RLC Times student newspaper. The Caldwells also had three sons – Denis, Dave and Douglas.

“Like many of our influencers, Millie and the Caldwell family display a selflessness that has helped the institution become what it is today. We are able to do the things we do thanks to the generosity of people like Millie, people who care about the district’s students and want to see them succeed,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Christopher News, Coello News, Featured

July 2nd, 1980 Derecho that hit Franklin County

July 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The cloud signature of a formation of a Derecho in Oklahoma in 2011. (Storm Prediction Center photo.)

NOTE:  I wrote this piece for a blog that I used to have called Steve’s Ramblings in 2013.   It was only one of the few things in a Google search that came up for this storm.  Next year, I will do some microfilm research of the Benton Evening News, West Frankfort Daily American, The Southern Illinoisan, and Marion Daily Republican.

On June 29 1980 Southern Illinois was hit with a derecho with high winds.  I am writing this from memory because I was only 10 at the time.  I believe that Jackson County was the hardest hit.  WCIL lost their tower in the storm.  I remembered they did not go to full power for a long time.

In Thompsonville, we were without power until the next Monday morning.   This was the beginning of miner’s vacation.  The economy in Franklin County was built around the coal mines at the time.  The UMWA always had a scheduled shutdown around the Fourth of July.

The June 29 wave hit about 11 pm that evening.  Our neighbor at the time Gene Lager lived in the house that Gary Fravel lives in now.  B.G. and Cindy Dial lived there for years.  This was on Main Street in Thompsonville.

Mr. Lager had cattle.  The cattle tried jumping the fence.  It was the same action they did during the Thompsonville tornado on April 27, 1971.  My dad remembered this and had us get in the hallway of our house.  There were trees uprooted and no phone service or power.

My dad was also the pastor of Rescue Free Will Baptist church at the time.  Up in the Whittington/Ewing area, the damage was not as bad. We spent the afternoon with Tom and Jane Harmon and Paul and Cathy Lingle.

We went to Nashville the next morning for a couple of days.   We went to Opryland on July 1, and it was unbearably hot and humid.  The temp was around 100 with high humidity. The motel swimming pool was the highlight of the trip even though it was hot.

We pondered on staying at Kentucky Lake a day or two on the way home.  We stopped and ate at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Calvert City.  People began talking about how bad the weather was supposed to get in there.  We decided we better head back to Franklin County.  At the truck stop, we filled up at on the way home, the thermometer was showing 107 outside.  This is where the Pilot and Arby’s is now.  At the time this was the KFC and the truck stop were the only two establishments right off of I-24 there.

Going up Interstate 24, W3D began what they called their weather watch back in those days.  They always played music in the background that sound like doomsday was coming.  I remember that Randolph County was under a Tornado Warning.  This was during the days that Tornado Warnings were not issued very often.

They began continuous weather coverage with Tom Redicas (sp?) Dutch Doelitz, and I believe Jay Pearce and Steve Land.  The sky had a terrible look to it, and we stayed ahead of the storm.   Pulling in our driveway, Franklin County was put under a severe thunderstorm warning.  The power went off half way while the garage door was closing. We had to shut it manually.

Within ten minutes round two hit.  That was July 2, 1980 around 4:30 pm.  We were huddled in the hallway of our house with a guy that was on a motorcycle heading to Pittsburgh.  The house was cracking and popping.  Trees were being uprooted.  Marion was also taking a big impact.  I remember the NWS (don’t know if it was Cairo or St. Louis then) upgraded all the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings to Tornado Warnings.

There were several unconfirmed sightings of Tornadoes throughout Southern Illinois.   I remember suggesting we start praying.  All at once we hear some explicatives on W3D that was not FCC material.  The tower came crashing down in the middle of the station and silence was heard.

There were straight line winds of 80-100 mph that lasted 45 minutes.  We were without power and phone service for several days.  The following days did not bring any relief from the heat.   The Thompsonville festival was postponed.   We went and checked on my maternal grandparents and my relatives that lived north of Akin.  It took a while getting there dodging trees.  Damage was severe, but they did not take the brunt of the storm like we did.

My paternal grandpa Charles, was an EMT with the old Thompsonville Ambulance Service.  They had a cabin out at West Frankfort Lake at the time.  After getting home from Akin, I rode out at the lake with him.  He was on standby to go to West Frankfort for mutual aid.  There were some injuries there.

He kept hearing reports on his radio how bad Zeigler was as well.    There was crappie that was on the ground everywhere.  We picked up the ones that were alive and he took them home and cleaned them.  There was parts of two five gallon buckets full.

After he made sure the cabin was ok, we went to Zeigler to check on my uncle Chuck and his family.  There were check points at the city limits of both West Frankfort and Zeigler.  They let him go through because he was an EMT.

I remember there were businesses with blown out windows on Main Street.  The Farm Fresh sign was out in the road.  They were building the shopping center at the time.  K-Mart was nearly completed.  There was still enough daylight left to see the twisted steel of Kroger, in which they recently started construction on.

The six mile stretch on Route 149 between West Frankfort and Zeigler was a long one, dodging downed trees and power lines.  My uncle and his family had some damage, but was OK.

I remember that ice was being distributed at the Thompsonville Fire Department.  We had a big feast on the fourth, trying to salvage what we could of a cow that was in the freezer, the crappie, and fixed homemade ice cream with a old style crank freezer.

We also stopped at a fireworks tent in Tennessee on the way home from Nashville, and shot off what we purchased.   It was strange as it was total darkness with no street lights, etc.

Jackson, Williamson, Southern Franklin, Saline and Southern Hamilton County had extensive damage. (The same areas impacted by the May 2008 storm) There were trees uprooted, homes lost roofs and windows.   There was not one television antenna standing.

In fact, the only local station that was able to broadcast was WQRX (now WQRL) at the time.  They were operating on emergency power, and I remember Jake Seymour was the outlet of information that we had.

I would like to get any information on this storm possible for next year.  Feel free to share any pictures etc.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Slider

RLC’s historic reunion for all alumni August 12

July 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

The Class of RLC Reunion is from 5-9 pm on August 12. RSVP Now

by Nathan Wheeler – Director of Marketing, Rend Lake College

INA, IL  Rend Lake College has produced Warriors for 50 years. There are Warriors who have gone on to work in fields and hospitals, and everywhere in between. There are Warriors who lead and make a difference locally and nation-wide. All are part of a family that’s now five decades strong and still growing.

In honor of RLC’s 50th Anniversary, the college is holding the “Class of RLC Reunion” for Warriors near and far to come to campus and celebrate. Part birthday party, part reunion — the event will feature live music, food, activities and a chance to socialize and be on campus together again.

It will be held from 5 – 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 on the campus in Ina. Guests can RSVP online at www.rlc.edu/50.

The festivities will kick off with a few key speakers — graduates of the first and 50th classes, along with RLC President Terry Wilkerson.

“The 50th Anniversary is a historic milestone for our college,” Wilkerson said. “It’s a big deal and we want to put on a big event. What better way than to get five decades of alumni and friends together? We hope the RLC family finds its way back to campus for a great evening.”

Live performances by local musicians will begin at 6 p.m. and continue throughout the evening. Local acts include Chris Slone and The Gollihers. Organizers are looking for a blues or jazz band to complete the lineup. Inquiries can be made by calling 618-437-5321, Ext. 1344.

A dinner of cheeseburgers, nachos, hot dogs and other fare favorites will be available. The college’s 50th Anniversary collector’s cup will be included with dinner. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sign a guest book and leave a message for a time capsule that will be buried next year.

Help RLC celebrate and come wish the college a happy birthday, see changes at the campus, reminisce with old friends and make new ones.

For more information visit: www.rlc.edu/50 or call the college at 618-437-5321.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Rangers to the Rescue!

June 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/rangers-to-the-rescue/article_2c95dd98-5c7d-11e7-b7c2-c3d34b78cc37.html

The Benton Rangers boys basketball team helps load up a water tank that fell off of a pickup truck at an intersection in Greenville. (Photo provided to the Benton Gazette)

GREENVILLE, IL – (Benton Gazette.  Please Click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Holly Smith, a resident of Greenville, Illinois, a town approximately 86 miles to our north, has turned in a very uplifting report regarding the kindness and character of our Benton Ranger Varsity Basketball Team.

The boys are currently in the midst of their summer ball schedule, and stopped along the way to help distressed motorist

 

Filed Under: Featured, Slider

West Frankfort native recounts harrowing Murray State explosion

June 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/news/20170628/west-frankfort-native-recounts-harrowing-murray-state-explosion

MURRAY, KY – (Holly Kee, Benton Evening News.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

An explosion in a vacant dormitory on Wednesday rocked the campus of Murray State University in Kentucky — a school popular with southern Illinois students.

Hannah Eubanks of West Frankfort graduated from MSU in May and is spending the summer in her apartment in Murray before beginning a teaching job in Frankfort, Kentucky in the fall.

Filed Under: Featured, West Frankfort News

Smart home dedication in Carbondale Thurs. for wounded veteran

June 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the Gary Sinise Foundation

The Gary Sinise  Foundation will be  holding a dedication of a specially  adapted smart home built for  U.S. Army Sargent First Class Jared Bullock, (Retired) from Carbondale.

The dedication will take place on Thursday, June 29th at  10:00 a.m. on the site where  his home constructed at 1407 Hickory Trail Road in Carbondale.  The ceremony will last around 90 minutes.

United States Army Sergeant First Class Jared Bullock (Ret.) was profoundly impacted by the attacks on September 11, 2001. Two years later, he and his twin brother enlisted in the Army together. After serving two tours in Iraq, Bullock began training for Special Forces. He received a Green Beret and on October 13, 2013, Bullock was deployed to Afghanistan.

Exactly one month later, while on a routine patrol, Bullock’s ATV ran over an improvised explosive device (IED). Though he survived, he was severely injured, losing his right arm above the elbow and his right leg above the knee. Once Bullock was stable, he was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX where he underwent 30 surgeries. The Gary Sinise Foundation is proud to build Bullock, his wife Jesica, and their son Aidan a specially adapted smart home through its R.I.S.E. program.
Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), along with our donors, including The Marcus Foundation, Inc., The Home Depot Foundation, Semper Fi Fund and Larry & Phyllis Castrale as well as our building partners, Shubert Design Furniture, CORE Brands, National Wood Flooring Association, National Tile Contractors Association, Sunbelt Rentals, National Association of Home  Builders, Benjamin Moore, North American Van Lines, GE, Broan-NuTone, MAPEI, Kohler, Crossville Tile, MIA+BSI The Natural Stone Institute, James Hardie, American Airlines, and T. Scott Williams Builders will join the Carbondale, Illinois community in this home dedication ceremony for U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jared Bullock and his family.

The simple tasks of everyday life — climbing stairs, reaching a high shelf, getting in and out of the bathroom — are easy to take for granted. Because they’re done without a second thought, it’s impossible to imagine an inability to perform them. But that’s often the reality for our severely wounded heroes, where basic tasks are impossible obstacles and the enduring ambition of rehabilitation is to achieve a semblance of normalcy. Under its R.I.S.E. program, the Gary Sinise Foundation is building specially adapted smart homes for our nation’s most severely wounded veterans.  We are constructing these one-of-a-kind homes all across the country, each for a wounded hero, their caregivers, and families. With a place to truly call home, they will now be able to move forward with their lives.

The Gary Sinise Foundation honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Through its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), specially adapted smart homes are being constructed for severely wounded veterans nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind home is customized to ease the everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family, and caregivers. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band, Arts & Entertainment Outreach, Serving Heroes, and First Responders Outreach. Its latest program, Soaring Valor, is sending WWII veterans to The National WWII Museum and documenting their first-hand accounts of the war. For more information, please visit GarySiniseFoundation.org

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, State News

Buckner High School “Wildcats”

June 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.illinoishsglorydays.com/id973.html

The white building is believed to be Buckner High School which sit next to the grade school which burned a few years ago. (Genealogy Trails website.

NOTE:  I will be sharing links from time to time from the website, Illinois High School Glory Days.  It is a website dedicated to schools that have consolidated in Illinois.

Please click on the link above for several news clippings and photos about Buckner High School.

I am a history buff.  I would like to share stories in the future of some of the consolidated grade schools and one room schoolhouses that use to dot the landscape of Franklin County.

Here are some excerpts about the Buckner Wildcats.

Buckner (population 479) is located in far south-central Illinois in the west-central portion of Franklin County.  Buckner is located on Illinois Route 14 about three miles west of Interstate Route 57.  The Illinois Central Railroad also passes through Buckner and runs parellel with Illinois Route 14.  The city of Benton is located about 4 miles east of Buckner.

It was in 1880 that a post office was erected and the town was named Sofronia.  Soon, however, the town seemed to disapate and the post office was closed.  Eventually a railroad was slated to pass through the town.  The owner of the land that the railroad would pass over was donated by J.L. Buckner on the promise that the railroad complany would name the town Buckner.  Such was the deal and the town was so named in 1914.

Russell Browning provided a lot of information to the website about Buckner, He said the following.”“I grew up in the town of Buckner and I did not know, and only the very old people there knew, about the High School.   Nothing was known about teachers, class mates and any other thing until I found one woman, who has passed away now, that gave me access to pictures. Then I did a micro film search of those years and came up with the information.”

 

Filed Under: Christopher News, Coello News, Featured

50 INFLUENCERS OF REND LAKE COLLEGE : BOB KELLEY, THE MAN WHO WROTE THE BOOK

June 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Reece Rutland- Sports Information Director, Rend Lake College

In this week’s installment of the 50 Influencers, we look at a man who spent more time creating the print than he ever spent being the subject of it. Bob Kelley was Rend Lake College’s self-described “writer-compiler-collector-pseudo historian” and it’s thanks to his efforts that we are able to look back over the past 50 years of the college with such detail.

Bob Kelley as a freshman in Rend Lake College’s first incoming class. (Pictures provided by RLC Public Information)

Kelley has held many titles at RLC. He came on board as a freshman in the very first class to ever attend the college in 1967. His mother, Kathleen Kelley was the Administrative Assistant for the college’s first Dean, Dr. Howard Rawlinson.

In fact, he was among those in attendance for groundbreaking ceremonies for the Ina campus.

Following his graduation from RLC (69), he majored in journalism at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and went on after his undergraduate to work as a sports writer for the State Journal-Register in Springfield and The Sunday Courier and Press in Evansville, Ind. and sports editor for the Owensboro (Ky.) Messenger-Inquirer.

After cutting his teeth in the newspaper business, Kelley returned home in 1979 to work in RLC’s Marketing and Public Information Department, eventually rising to Director of the office and serving 27 years watching the majority of publications, news releases, newspaper ads, TV commercials and the like have come across his desk.

Kelley was honored with one of two “Outstanding Staff” Awards in 2005. Sharing honors with him was Reference Librarian Beth Mandrell.

“Bob has always been the ‘go-to’ guy on campus,” said then-Vice President Bob Carlock, his supervisor at the time. “He is the guy we rely on.”

Carlock indicated Kelley took on the massive task of marketing the college and keeping the public informed on his own for the majority of his career, until the workload began to require additional staff in recent years.

“We award this based on years of service, dedication and loyalty, especially for those who go above and beyond the line of duty,” Carlock said. “We rely on him all the time. He is dedicated to the point if something is going on at Rend Lake College, he will be there to help facilitate it.”

It wasn’t just his work with Marketing and Public Information Department that made Kelley an everyday name at RLC. He also devoted much of his time to supporting and covering the Warrior athletic teams as the college’s Sports Information Director and assistant coach to both basketball and baseball.

He served as Sports Information Director the first 24 years of his time at RLC. He was an Assistant Basketball Coach during Mitch Haskins’ first five seasons (1981-86) and assisted late-arriving Baseball Coach Kirk Champion in Fall 1981. He volunteered as Official Scorer for Men’s Basketball the last nine seasons and for the Lady Warriors for seven before retirement. The former sports writer and editor produced media guides for Men and Women’s Basketball (21 / 18 seasons), Baseball (21), Softball (11), Men and Women’s Golf and Cross-Country / Track and Field.

Kelley was Treasurer of the Great Rivers Athletic Conference from its inception in 1984-85 until 2006, save for one year. He doubled as secretary the first seven years and was publicist three years for the organization. He was a Steering Committee member for the RLC Sports Hall of Fame and has been responsible for plaques, programs and publicity for all Inductions to date and was M.C. through 2006. He has also emceed 11 All-Sports Banquets.

Outside RLC athletics, he provided publicity for S.I. Lions Club All-Star Games and programs for Jr. High State Tournaments.

He was inducted into the RLC Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2012 for his numerous contributions and support to all Warrior athletic programs.

Kelley was also honored with the 25-Year Service Award in spring of 2004.

Bob Kelley, center, is presented the Rend Lake College Foundation’s Bronze Seal award in this archive photo. The award was given by then-RLC President Mark Kern, left, and then-RLCF Director Pat Kern, right.

He and his wife, Kendi, are also Bronze Foundation Seal Award recipients for their numerous contributions to the Rend Lake College Foundation.

Being the writer and “pseudo historian” that he is, Kelley didn’t quit doing what he loved with he retired from RLC. He spent the past few years creating the resource for all things history of Rend Lake College.

By combining his own written introductions and accounts and then gathering all related press releases over the college’s 50-year history, Kelley has created an astounding 1325 page tome stretching the history of the institution for half-a-century. His work covers everything from administration to specific standouts, athletics to strive and everything in between.

It’s not hard to see why co-workers say things like this whenever his name is mentioned:

“He is dependable, hard-working and extremely professional with all he accomplishes,” noted a letter nominating him for the “Outstanding Staff” award.

“He is never too busy, despite his unending deadlines, to assist a colleague when the need arises. The thing that impresses me most is his willingness to help other people, even if it means being one of the last to leave each day or taking extra work home. He brings a delightful sense of humor to the workplace and always has a ready smile. His concern for RLC begins with our students and goes with him into our community, where he is one of our finest spokesmen.”

What better way to end a piece on the accomplishments and impact of a man like Bob Kelley than to let his own words speak for him?

From the introductory chapter of his RLC History, Kelley’s good-natured attitude and love of the college is clearly apparent.

“Before the reader begins discovering – re-discovering? – the virtues of Rend Lake College, past, present and future, we share the thoughts of a well-known character, aka Forrest Gump, who likewise shares a love for chocolates and community colleges. Take time to enjoy both luxuries.

 

Filed Under: Featured

There’s A Themed Hotel In The Middle Of Nowhere In Illinois You’ll Absolutely Love

June 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/illinois/themed-hotel-il/

CLINTON, IL – (Elizabeth Crozier, onlyinyourstate.com.  Please click the link above to read the full story and view several pictures.  Here is an excerpt below.

Imagine spending the night inside a spaceship! There’s a hotel in Illinois that lets you do that and more depending on which of their 12 themed rooms you choose. From a winter wonderland to an underwater adventure, this hotel has so many diverse aesthetics, you will have to come back again and again.

Sunset Inn & Suites is in Clinton, which sits between several big cities and college towns. Since it’s smack in the middle of Central Illinois, it’s easy get there for a weekend no matter where you live.

Filed Under: Featured, Slider, State News
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