Freedom Celebration Sunday, June 30 at Whittington Church

By Jim Muir

This Sunday, June 30 will be a day of patriotism and recognition as Whittington Church hosts its annual Freedom Day Celebration.

This will mark the 17th year that Whittington Church has honored all military veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) along with law enforcement and fire fighters.  All those in attendance will be recognized during the 10:30 a.m. service for their contribution and sacrifice.

whittington churchPastor Mark Minor said this year’s Freedom Celebration will include a special recognition of World War II veterans.

“World War II was the most critical and pivotal conflict of the 20th Century,” Minor said. “Every day, according to statistics from Department of Veterans Affairs, we lose 670 WW II veterans, with estimates of less than 10,000 veterans still alive. For those WW II veterans in attendance, there will be individual recognition and awards.”

Minor emphasized that the annual event is open to all military veterans or active/reserved duty, not just those who attend Whittington Church on a regular basis.

The longtime pastor said Freedom Day Celebration is something he and the entire congregation look forward to and embrace each year.

“For me, this is the most moving and meaningful service we do each year,” Minor said. “To see these men and women honored, to consider their service to our country, to recognize their sacrifice … they are God’s gift to America and the front line of Freedom.”

Minor said the yearly day of recognition for veterans and first responders is “well-deserved.”

“The Bible encourages us to ‘give honor to whom honor is due,” Minor said.  “If we do not honor those who put their lives on the line for Freedom, we don’t truly understand how precious and rare our Freedom is.”

Minor said the Freedom Day Celebration has provided many unforgettable moments and noted that the concept behind the event is simply to say ‘thanks.’

“One of the most memorable services was a few years ago when a Vietnam vet, who had been invited by a friend, was visibly moved by the standing ovation he received for his military service,” Minor said. “‘This is the first time’, he said, ‘that anyone has ever applauded or said ‘thank you’ to me for serving.’”  To say ‘thank you’ is what this service is all about.”

The Freedom Day Celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and anybody needing more information can contact Whittington Church at 618-629-2423 or go to the church’s website at www.whittington.org.

RLC holds Cheer Camp

 

rlc dance

Youth from Benton, Christopher and Pinckneyville attended Rend Lake College’s Summer Dance Camp this week at Waugh Gym. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: Marlee Gant, Makena Carollo, Jocey Padivic, Ryan Wildermuth, Kallie Carollo, Ashlynn Cimera and Callie Rushing. MIDDLE ROW, FROM LEFT: Paige Powers, Cagney Kwiatkowski, Cordelia Lemons, Callie Wildermuth and Emery Bowlin. BACK ROW, FROM LEFT: Kadinz Wilson, Cailyn Fowlkes, Bailey Taylor, Aubrey Lemmon, Victoria Davis, Karlee Reyes, Keely Epplin, Paige Epplin, and Kyla Epplin. (Photo by Nathan Wheeler / RLC Public Information)

RLC Practical Nursing program to hold pinning ceremony

 

 

rlc nursing 1These students are in the final days of completing Rend Lake College’s Practical Nursing program, which prepares them for the state licensure exam. They will attend their pinning ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, in the RLC Theatre. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: Randee Kurtz (Tamaroa), Marlo Smith (Mt. Vernon), Khristi Spurlock (Bluford), Ashlee Summers (Benton), April Emery (Scheller), Emmalee Jones (Mt. Vernon) and Amanda Miller (Benton). SECOND ROW, FROM LEFT: Kaitlyn Catron (Ina), Sarah Carter (Bonnie), Taylor Belmont (Dahlgren), Cory Capps (Belle Rive), Josh Owens (Mt. Vernon), Erica Maple (Christopher), Aaron Dunn (Mt. Vernon), Katie Blagg (Thompsonville) and Rachel Flood (Buckner). THIRD ROW, FROM LEFT: Penny Huff (Benton), Stephanie Moore (Dix), Heather Zuber (Mt. Vernon), Alicia Barnes (Woodlawn), Cameron Yosanovich (Christopher), Amber Labrie (Bluford) and Sarah Anderson (Mulkeytown). FOURTH ROW, FROM LEFT: Barton Shurtz (Valier), Jenni Vosburgh (Mt. Vernon), Trisha McPheeters (Mt. Vernon), McKenzie Haeuber (Woodlawn), Tiffany Moore (Thompsonville), Misty Martin (Mt. Vernon) and Susan Dismore (Mt. Vernon). FIFTH ROW, FROM LEFT: Theresa Hewlett (Thompsonville), Jamie Carney (Benton), Brenna Choisser (West Frankfort), Jordan Young (Mulkeytown), Bryce Hamburger (DuQuoin) and Casey Wininger (Mt. Vernon). BACK ROW, FROM LEFT: Connie Owens (Mt. Vernon), Tomi Heil (McLeansboro), Alisha Capps (Mt. Vernon), Amy Lampley (Thompsonville), Mackenzie Kerley (Logan) and Whitney Winstead (Benton). (Photo by Nathan Wheeler / RLC Public Information)

Obituary – Christina Marie Bradley – Valier

Christina Marie Bradley, 19, of Valier; died as the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Tuesday evening at the intersection of State Route 154 and Larry Foster Parkway near Whittington.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, June 28, 2013 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Alan Kornacki officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour on Friday at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home.  Per Christina’s wishes, she will be cremated.

Ms. Bradley was born February 18, 1994 in DuQuoin the daughter of John Bradley and Lisa (Klingel) Bradley.  She was living with David B. Couture and he too died as the result of injuries sustained in the same motor vehicle accident as Christina.

Christina is survived by her mother Lisa Bradley of Benton, her father John Bradley of Christopher, maternal grandmother Beverly Klingel of Christopher, paternal grandmother Ruth Bradley of Christopher, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather William Klingel and her paternal grandfather Elbert Bradley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812, to help the family with the funeral expenses.

To view the obituary and sign the online guest memorial register book, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Obituary – Sam M. Yosanovich – Christopher

Sam M. Yosanovich, 76, of Christopher, died on Tuesday, June 24, 2013 at Franklin Hospital, in Benton.

Mr. Yosanovich was born in Du Quoin, Illinois, the son of Sam M. Yosanovich and Theresa (Kapello) Yosanovich.  He was an Army veteran.

He is survived by one brother, John and Sue Yosanovich and nieces Linda and Terry Norman, Sarah and Alan Mathisen and Jeanette and Greg Garduno and one nephew, Dr. George Zehak.  He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Mary Zehak and Brothers Julius, Joseph and Steve Hornyak and a nephew, Mark Yosanovich.

Funeral services will be held at Gilbert Funeral Home on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 3 p.m. with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Visitation will be: from 1:00 P.M. till service time at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.  Burial will be Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.  For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

 

Whittington Church to honor all veterans and first responders at Freedom Celebration

By Jim Muir

This Sunday, June 30 will be a day of patriotism and recognition as Whittington Church hosts its annual Freedom Day Celebration.

This will mark the 17th year that Whittington Church has honored all military veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) along with law enforcement and fire fighters.  All those in attendance will be recognized during the 10:30 a.m. service for their contribution and sacrifice.

whittington churchPastor Mark Minor said this year’s Freedom Celebration will include a special recognition of World War II veterans.

“World War II was the most critical and pivotal conflict of the 20th Century,” Minor said. “Every day, according to statistics from Department of Veterans Affairs, we lose 670 WW II veterans, with estimates of less than 10,000 veterans still alive. For those WW II veterans in attendance, there will be individual recognition and awards.”

Minor emphasized that the annual event is open to all military veterans or active/reserved duty, not just those who attend Whittington Church on a regular basis.

The longtime pastor said Freedom Day Celebration is something he and the entire congregation look forward to and embrace each year.

“For me, this is the most moving and meaningful service we do each year,” Minor said. “To see these men and women honored, to consider their service to our country, to recognize their sacrifice … they are God’s gift to America and the front line of Freedom.”

Minor said the yearly day of recognition for veterans and first responders is “well-deserved.”

“The Bible encourages us to ‘give honor to whom honor is due,” Minor said.  “If we do not honor those who put their lives on the line for Freedom, we don’t truly understand how precious and rare our Freedom is.”

Minor said the Freedom Day Celebration has provided many unforgettable moments and noted that the concept behind the event is simply to say ‘thanks.’

“One of the most memorable services was a few years ago when a Vietnam vet, who had been invited by a friend, was visibly moved by the standing ovation he received for his military service,” Minor said. “‘This is the first time’, he said, ‘that anyone has ever applauded or said ‘thank you’ to me for serving.’”  To say ‘thank you’ is what this service is all about.”

The Freedom Day Celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and anybody needing more information can contact Whittington Church at 618-629-2423 or go to the church’s website at www.whittington.org.

Illinois paying the price for ignoring pension crisis

CHICAGO — Like your cousin who doesn’t pay his bills on time and squanders money he doesn’t have, Illinois is paying the price — in both cash and reputation — for years of ignored warnings about its pension crisis, the worst in the nation.

Here’s the link to the story at the Springfield State Journal-Register.

Our Universities: Agility

Tradition and business-as-usual are flywheels that dampen irregularity and reduce “vibration” in decision-making and organizational action.  However, too much of a good thing can smother innovation, risk taking, responsiveness, and agility.
“Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies.”
Robert Kennedy
_______________________________________________________________

By Walter Wendler

Fracking is the law of the land in Illinois.  I am not going to offer any opinion on the cost or benefits of this means of mining. The officials whom we elect and pay to create and assess the propriety of policies have acted.

Walter Wendler mug 2A headline in the regional newspaper, The Southern Illinoisan, that reads “SIC, RLC to Offer Fracking Training: Community Colleges Able to Train Job Ready Workforce,” is of special interest. Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) and Rend Lake College (RLC) are community colleges in Harrisburg and Rend Lake, two Illinois service districts. The action implied in the headline highlights something of significance for all post-secondary educational institutions.

According to reporter Becky Malkovich, “ Following the legislature’s signing, Southeastern Illinois College and Rend Lake College announced a cooperative agreement to provide training opportunities for those interested in the oil and natural gas industry.”  Within hours!

For most post-secondary institutions, this occurred at the speed of light. The two colleges anticipated the legislation and its importance.  Economic development and job creation are critical to southern Illinois.  Leadership developed a win-win partnership in the carbon rich region of Illinois.

The institutions demonstrated agility and alertness, consistent with the workforce education aspect of their missions.
While this may appear unremarkable to those outside of the post-secondary educational world, it is a bright light in a dark tunnel.  Putting aside individualized institutional needs, bean counting, and administrative machination is a form of dexterity.  For tax-supported institutions high expectations that benefit the public are right-minded.

And agility provides opportunity.

Environmental and safety complexities assuredly accompany any means of oil and gas extraction, including fracking.  An educated workforce, appropriately trained in this evolving technology, is essential.  Economic benefits and secure environmental and operating constraints and safety demand knowledgeable, trained individuals.

Lethargy and complacency are enemies of agility.  Public higher education has a responsibility to recognize and respond to changing individual, social, technical, economic and environmental forces.

For example, universities have shown reluctance to work with nontraditional students — those who have not graduated high school in the last year or two, or who have a job and kids.  They are inadvertently stymied in accessing educational opportunity. Where’s the public benefit?  Where’s the agility?

World War II veterans and even early baby boomers will recall Saturday classes on most university campuses. For many reasons, universities have moved away from weekend offerings to a work-like five day week.  When demand for university courses outstripped the university’s ability to serve students, this was OK.  But no more.  And agility is transformed into apathy.

A few universities and some community colleges offer study opportunities through “weekends-only” programs. People with other life commitments are afforded a chance to participate.  This is agility.

In order to attain agility many things might be sacrificed.  The majority of classes on almost all campuses are offered between 10 AM and 2 PM. This may serve university staff but is neither agile nor responsive to the needs of many learners.

Responsive agile universities could operate 12 months a year, 6 days a week, 16 hours a day for the opportunity and material efficiencies provided.

Agility must never sacrifice academic quality however.  The price is too high.

At good universities and community colleges, engaged faculty set standards to ensure excellence for learners. This is the essence of the academic experience. Faculty engagement is paramount because faculty knows what needs to be taught and the limitations and possibilities of successful learning.  They must be central in the equation.

The agility represented by SIC and RLC to meet legitimate training and educational needs should be a beacon.  Finding ways to respond to changing needs without sacrificing quality and effectiveness in the educational experience is possible, but it takes work, insight, foresight and creativity…the foundation of all agility.

Risco product McCord signs with Rend Lake College baseball

 

INA — Caleb McCord, an 18-year-old pitcher from Risco High School in Risco, Mo., inked a national letter of intent to play baseball at Rend Lake College.

Rend Lake College baseball recruit Caleb McCord signed his national letter of intent. Pictured with McCord are his mother, Laurie McCord, Risco High School Head Baseball Coach Brandon Blankenship (LEFT) and RLC Head Baseball Coach Tony Etnier. (Photo by Nathan Wheeler / RLC Sports Information)

The 5-10, 180-pound left-hander received all-district and all-conference nods as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was the Tri-County Conference Player of the Year as a senior and led the Risco Tigers to a banner season. For the first time in school history, the Tigers were a state-ranked program. Risco won the conference tournament behind McCord’s 19 strikeouts in the championship game.

McCord said he will major in business at RLC and would like to pursue a career as a pilot – no doubt a decision inspired by his father, who flew his own plane in for the signing.

Caleb is the son of Rick and Laurie McCord. They were joined at his signing engagement by RLC Head Coach Tony Etnier and Risco Tigers Head Coach Brandon Blankenship.

“It was a complete joy to coach Caleb,” said Blankenship. “He is a hard worker and great kid. I wish him the best of luck and I want him to know that I’m supporting him.”

“I’m really proud of him and tickled to death that he is getting to do what he wants to do,” Laurie said.

“[RLC] is a small college and I come from a small town,” McCord said when asked what he likes about Rend Lake. He added that he hopes to mature and go farther in baseball by playing under Etnier and his Warriors coaching staff. When asked what specific things he wants to develop at the collegiate level, McCord simply replied, “Throw hard.”

For all things athletic at The Lake, visit RLC online at www.rlc.edu/warriors.

Taxes are higher, but roads in Illinois are worse

It’s been nearly four years since Gov. Pat Quinn approved a series of tax hikes to pay for a $31 billion statewide construction program, but the condition of the state’s roadways has actually worsened.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan, written by Kurt Erickson.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News