Guest Commentary |
"I believe she will be much worse"

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


This may be the most frightening Halloween of all time. People across America are scared stiff as we are bombarded 24-hours a day with terrifying scenes splashed across television, our telephones and tablets. We can’t get away from the howls, screeches, growls, ghastly facial expressions and horned headed characters spewing menacing rhetoric. All of this has been brought to us by our Democratic and Republican parties.

The scariest part of Halloween is that there will be five more days of political campaigning and political advertisements. But wait, what happens if the election is so close and so tight that a winner is not able to be called next Tuesday night? What happens if the voting is so close that several of the states must recount and recount? We could be in for the longest Halloween in American history.

We are already scared to death. Democrats hate Trump and are terrified he might win. There is no limit on what is being said about him. Any woman who will come forth with a damaging comment about Trump will have the national spotlight. Anyone who can come up with a scenario that would make Trump the illegitimate son or grandson of Hitler will receive airtime on national television. Of course, Republicans will play Kamala’s bloopers, giggles and nonsensical answers time and again. By the way, whatever happened to the Obama slogan, “Whenever they go low, we go high?”

Just hope, and I mean hope and pray that whoever wins this election wins decisively so that when we go to bed either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning that we know for certain who has been elected President of the United States.

Most everyone knows I’ve already voted for Trump. This doesn’t make me hate you if you vote for Kamala Harris. I just think you are making a bad decision. There are probably other people who write for this very good news source who have a differing opinion. What makes a newspaper or news blog good is the ability to print both sides of a viewpoint. Most of us long for the old days when television anchors presented the news and all sides of the story.

Trump is strong on border security. It’s a no-brainer that our country is in trouble with so many millions illegally entering the country. We are losing our country. We are becoming a third world country right before our eyes.

Our military and Veterans were treated well under Trump. We need a strong military. We had achieved worldwide peace under Trump. What is going on between Ukraine and Russia and now North Korea is draining our country financially. The billions of dollars never seem to stop flowing out to Ukraine. The Middle East is now a powder keg that could ignite World War III.

I can’t see Kamala Harris commanding respect from any of the other world leaders in discussions to solve the conflicts. What would she do? Call Oprah, Taylor Swift, or Beyonce?

Trump has promised he will do away with seniors paying tax on their social security benefits. This would save 70 million seniors in this country. Trump’s policy on energy will be a boom to the United States. America drills oil and gas and burns both cleaner than any other nation. China, India and Russia are going to continue with oil and gas. We can do it much cleaner than them and financially save our country. We should also use our own wind, oil, gas and coal. A balanced approach will help our nation as well as our entire planet.

With Kamala we will get four more years of what we’ve had, maybe. She won’t be as good as Joe Biden. I believe she will be much, much worse. Will she be able to take the abortion issue away from the states? It is doubtful. For years, Congress wanted to put this in the hands of the states and it is unlikely it will ever be taken away.

On Wednesday, November 6th, we are still Americans. We need to act like it regardless of the election outcome. We must work for the good of this country and always work to help each other be the best Americans we can be.

On November 6th, let’s end Halloween and begin our season of Thanksgiving.


Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


Too much Halloween sugar can lead to a scary future with diabetes

Halloween Treats
Photo: Denny Müller/Unsplash
KEWANEE - Halloween is here, and many Americans are looking forward to venturing out for Halloween festivities and trick-or-treating with kids.  While the holiday is all in good fun, one aspect of Halloween that experts have warned about for years is the overconsumption of candy and other high-sugar sweets.

According to the American Heart Association, kids ages two to 18 should have less than 25 grams (or about six teaspoons) of added sugar daily. Eating too much added sugar at an early age is linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and increased risk for heart disease. Sara Umphfleet, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian at OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee, Illinois. She says some of our favorite treats are often harboring more sugar than we might expect.

“There is a sugar model I like to use. It talks about things like the amount of sugar in half a cup of Jell-O, for example – and there is a lot of sugar in Jell-O (about 16 grams). Same with the amount of sugar that is in something like just one Pop-Tart (about 14 grams), and you get two in a bag. A big one is soda which has a lot of extra added sugar in it (about 39 grams). And these aren’t natural sugars like from apples and oranges and bananas. These are sugars that are added. Hershey’s candy bars are another example with a lot of sugar (about 24 grams),” explains Umphfleet.

However, according to Fortune, the average child consumes about three cups of sugar on Halloween alone, which is about 144 teaspoons and nearly 27 times the recommended daily amount. Furthermore, every year Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween festivities and trick-or-treaters.

If you haven’t bought Halloween candy yet this year, Umphfleet recommends an alternative route.

“I typically recommend offering things like bubbles or bouncy balls – some of those little trinkets you can find at the dollar store instead of giving candy out. You also think of food allergies and they are going to get candy from a lot of neighbors and friends – so try to do something different,” says Umphlfeet.

You do not need to completely forego the Halloween candy. But if you do let your kids indulge, Umphfleet recommends doing so in moderation, as too much sugar on even just one day can result in increased exhaustion and headaches – or a “sugar crash.”

“I recommend to give them a couple pieces of candy and then putting the rest away. They definitely don’t need to be eating all of the candy the night of Halloween. And then offer it usually in the afternoons rather than at night time when they are getting ready for bed and less active. You don’t want all of that sugar to sit in their gut,” Umphfleet explains.

It is also important to make sure your child is drinking enough fluids on Halloween in between the festivities and candy consumption – but make sure their beverage of choice is not full of sugar. When it comes to hydration, plain old fashioned water remains the best option.

“It is very important to stay hydrated and get those beverages in, but try to stick to the sugar-free beverages. Choose 100% fruit juice rather than juice that has 10% juice which has a lot of extra added sugar. Also look on food labels to avoid things with high fructose corn syrup, so things like soda,” advises Umphfleet.

While you don’t necessarily need to skip sugary treats altogether, Umphfleet emphasizes that you should not let your kids deter too far from their normal daily eating habits on Halloween. Enjoy a piece of candy or two, and spend some time over the holiday weekend enjoying other Halloween traditions as well, such as watching a Halloween movie, looking at local decorations, and carving pumpkins.


4 tips for a healthier Halloween

Illustration by S. Bartels/Pixabay
Brandpoint - Candy, sweets and seasonal treats - it's officially dessert season, and you may be starting to think about how you'll stay on track with your nutrition goals this year. While there's nothing wrong with a little indulgence, it can be overwhelming when the kids bring home their overflowing bags of candy.

"We're coming up on several months of holidays and it's so fun to celebrate with our favorite candy and treats," says Kristin Kirkpatrick, M.S., registered dietitian and Quest endorser. "But there can be too much of a good thing, so it's important to take some proactive steps to stay on track while also enjoying yourself."

Kirkpatrick is dishing out her tips on how to make this year's trick-or-treat season festive while sticking with healthy behaviors when it comes to candy and sweets.

1. Watch out for "snack-sized" portions.

A "fun-sized" or "snack-sized" piece of candy may seem harmless, but a common misconception is that this smaller candy is healthy for you, according to Kirkpatrick. However, even a snack-sized candy bar is high in sugar. And because they're small, you may be tempted to eat several pieces, sometimes even more than a standard-sized serving. Instead, be mindful. Keep track of how many snack-sized treats you eat to ensure you're not overindulging.

2. Opt for smart swaps.

Choosing a candy option that has more protein and isn't packed with sugar and net carbs, such as the Quest Chocolatey Coated Peanut Candies, can allow you to stick to your nutrition goals while still enjoying a sweet treat. With 10 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar per serving, this treat delivers the crunch, sweetness and might help "scare" away the candy cravings you might experience during Halloween. If you prefer traditional candy, choose a kind that has a little fiber (such as nut-based candy). This can help fill you up quicker, meaning you may eat less overall.

You can also stock up on healthier options for snacks and treats for your kids - and yourself. For example, you can find snack servings of popcorn, pretzels, cheddar crackers, trail mix and dried fruit.

3. Fuel up before trick-or-treating. Before you head out the door for a night of spooky fun and candy hunting, be sure to serve your family a nutritious, balanced meal with protein and fiber. This can help your kids feel full and energized and may prevent them from overindulging on sweets later in the night.

4. Share your sweets with others.

After a long night of trick-or-treating, sit down with your kids and help them go through their stash. Have them pick out a few of their favorite candies, then talk to them about the benefits of sharing and allow them the opportunity to give to others. Ask your local food pantry or shelter to see if they are accepting Halloween candy. This can help your family make healthy choices after Halloween while also donating to a good cause.

If you're not able to donate the treats, consider freezing it for later or using it for baking during the holiday season.

Consider these tips to make managing Halloween candy in your house a little easier this year. And for more sweet swaps, check out questnutrition.com.


Comfortly scared; climate change takes fall chill out of air for Halloween trick-or-treaters

by Mark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

Parents should keep a close eye on the Halloween weather forecast and dress kids appropriately if they're going trick-or-treating.
As Halloween approaches, cooler temperatures will spread over Illinois. But weather experts say climate change is making October nights across the Midwest warmer, more often than not.

According to a new analysis from the nonprofit Climate Central, fall evening temperatures in the United States have warmed by nearly two degrees on average since 1970. It's even higher in cities such as Chicago and Peoria, which have seen increases of more than three degrees when comparing minimum temps.

Climate Central meteorologist Lauren Casey said it doesn't just affect traditional fall activities.

Photo: Charles Parker/PEXELS
"The extension of the allergy season can be a nuisance for some people who are sneezing and sniffling," she said, "but much more burdensome for people with other, more serious respiratory issues, like asthma."

Casey said parents should keep a close eye on the Halloween weather forecast and dress kids appropriately if they're going trick-or-treating. She also pointed out that mosquito season is being extended, too. To help mitigate these trends in the longer term, Casey said, Illinois residents should do what they can to avoid energy sources from fossil fuels.

Casey said adapting to these changes is another important step so that folks aren't caught off guard when the calendar flips to November.

"You can best prepare if you do have asthma, if you are potentially susceptible to mosquito-borne illnesses," she said, "all these things which can impact our everyday lives."

For prolonged allergy seasons, health experts have said vulnerable people should put some time and research into establishing a medication regimen that works for them. Meanwhile, Casey said the warmer weather results in heavier rain events, which attract more mosquitoes. She suggested being more mindful of areas of standing water as the fall drags on.


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Candy-clone Fentanyl warning issued by the DEA

Provided/DEA

by Libby Allison
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA -- Just ahead of Halloween the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is alerting the public about an alarming new influx of colorful fentanyl that is surging across the United States.

Since August of this year, the DEA has reported brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills dubbed "rainbow fentanyl" in 26 states. These potentially deadly pills are highly addictive and are made to look like candy.

Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

"It’s 100 times more potent than a milligram of morphine," says Jerry Storm, the senior vice president of Pharmacy Services for OSF HealthCare.

The DEA calls the colorful pills a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults, and with Halloween and trick-or-treating right around the corner, the emergence of these candy clones has some parents on edge.

Storm says parents shouldn’t panic at the thought of their kids getting fentanyl in their candy bags. He points out – drug users are not likely to give away narcotics that have cost them money or are worth money. Storm does say parents should remain vigilant, however, and look through kids’ candy to make sure all pieces are wrapped and undamaged.

"What I would recommend is a parent go through your kids’ Halloween treats if they go out trick-or-treating and inspect them just like we did years ago with [the threat of] razor blades in apples or razor blades in some other types of hard candy. Inspect it and make sure that they haven't been tampered with. If they tried to slip, say [drugs that look like] Skittles into a Skittles package, the package is going to be torn or there's going to be some type of defect in that package," he says.

More concerning than trick-or-treating, according to Storm, is kids coming across this brightly colored fentanyl in their day-to-day lives, believing it’s candy and consuming it. He says the best way parents can protect their kids is by having open communication about drugs, their dangers, and the importance of never consuming anything without knowing exactly what it is.

"Be aware of it and have those conversations, with not only the younger child but also the older siblings, because there is a risk that if they do use it and they buy it, then they drop it on the ground, a small child may pick it up thinking it's a Skittle candy and actually consume it and that could be fatal," warns Storm.

Additional resources for parents and the community can be found on DEA's Fentanyl Awareness page. Brightly-colored fentanyl is being seized in multiple forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk. If you encounter fentanyl in any form, do not handle it and call 911 immediately.

Halloween rules in some Illinois cities are no treat

by Dylan Sharkey, Illinois Policy

trick-o-treat
Photo: Jill Wellington/Pexels
Put on a costume, grab a bag and get free treats? It’s not so simple in Illinois, where cities’ Halloween rules restrict the simple fun.

There are tricks to getting treats on Halloween in Illinois – some are old rules in cities trying to stop some long-forgotten issue, and others are recent from communities that won’t trust residents to make good choices about COVID-19.

Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Western Springs and La Grange are among towns that set hours for trick-or-treating, starting at 2 or 3 p.m. and ending no later than 8 p.m.

Darien and Downers Grove don’t set hours, but recommend no trick-or-treating when it’s dark outside. (Trick-or-treating after dark? The horrors!)

The village of Hinsdale is offering residents premade yard signs: One welcoming trick-or-treaters, one telling costumed kids to get off their lawn and one asking that they wear a mask. Masks from a costume don’t count.

"If your costume has a mask, it must prevent the spread of aerosols from your mouth and nose to qualify. Social distancing of at least 6 feet is recommended whenever possible. Wait for trick-or-treaters ahead of you to leave the home before proceeding for your treat," Hinsdale city leaders advised aerosol-emitting youngsters.

Forsyth, just outside Decatur, imposes a $750 fine for approaching a house with no porch lights on for free candy.

Belleville has an age restriction: nobody older than 12 can trick-or-treat. If caught committing "Halloween Solicitation," they can face a fine of up to $1,000.

Kids should make sure they research their local ordinances before hitting the streets on Halloween. Just allowing parents to set the rules is too scary for some places.

When it comes to Halloween, Illinois tax on treats is almost scary

by Dylan Sharkey, Illinois Policy

Taxes are different on different types of candy in Illinois, with some brands taxed six times more than others. Just because you can eat it, doesn’t mean Illinois’ tax policy sees it as food.

Photo: Sebbi Strauch/Unsplash
Illinois shoppers will pay higher taxes depending on the type of candy they choose for trick-or-treaters – at least six times higher taxes for some brands.

In Illinois, treats prepared with flour don’t count as "candy". That means Halloween favorites with flour including Kit Kats, Twizzlers and Twix aren’t recognized as candy because Illinois considers them to be food.

Candy sales are taxed at 6.25%. Treats containing flour are considered regular grocery items and taxed at 1%. So the sales tax for a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar is over six-fold the tax of the Cookies & Cream version.

States such as Arzona and Michigan consider all candy grocery items, with no special tax rate. California exempts all groceries from sales taxes.

Sales taxes in 2021 will net Illinois an estimated $7.4 billion, the second-highest revenue source behind income taxes. When you stock up for Halloween in Illinois, a little flour in your treats could save you a little dough.

A monstrously delicious treat you will want to make this Halloween

(Family Features) - Among the scary decorations, unique costumes and fun parties, there’s perhaps nothing quite like sharing a wonderful homemade holiday treat at the office or sending a bags full to school with your kids to share with classmates on Halloween.

This year, you can add to the fun with a new annual activity by creating a delightful dessert with the help of little ones and adults alike. Start a new tradition to pass along to your next generation of trick-or-treaters. With an easy recipe like Peanut Butter Saltine Candy that calls for just a handful of ingredients, you can get the whole family involved in the kitchen.

provided photo

Photo provided

Ask your little helpers to measure out ingredients while a grownup prepares the pan and use the stove. Once the base is finished baking, call the kids back into action to sprinkle chocolate chips and peanut butter chips over the top.

After your candy creation is cooled, just break it into pieces meant to be shared with the entire family. An added benefit: all can enjoy the nutrient-rich flavor of peanuts, which rise to superfood status by delivering 19 vitamins and minerals and 7 grams of protein per serving.

Find more holiday recipes at gapeanuts.com.


Peanut Butter Saltine Candy

Yield: 45 pieces

Nonstick cooking spray (butter flavor)
1 sleeve (4 ounces) regular saltine crackers
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup rough chopped, dry roasted peanuts

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line 10-by-15-by-1-inch pan with aluminum foil. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray then lay saltines flat in single layer on prepared pan. Set aside.

In heavy duty, 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, peanut butter and sugar. Stir constantly until butter and sugar are melted, bringing mixture to boil. Boil 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour cooked mixture over saltines and bake 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over saltines. Let cool 3 minutes then spread melted chocolate completely over saltines.

Sprinkle peanut butter chips evenly over chocolate. Return pan to oven 1 minute to soften chips. Pull pointed tines of fork through softened peanut butter chips to partially cover chocolate. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top, gently pressing into candy.

Let cool on rack about 15 minutes then place in freezer 3 minutes. Remove from freezer and break into pieces. Store in airtight container.


5 ways for your pet to have a spooky, safe Halloween

by Darris Cooper, CPDT-KA

(NAPS) — It's no secret that pets are like family—holiday traditions included. This Halloween bring your pups in on the spooky fun by decking them out in a scary cute costume and training them to be the most polite trick-or-treater on the block.From fun costumes to virtual and in-person dog training, Petco has everything a pet parent needs to make Halloween a howling good time for the whole family.

Photo provided

Whether your family is planning to trick-or-treat or celebrate at home, here are five surefire ways to help prep your pet:

• Plan Your Pet's Look: Petco’'s latest "Bootique" collection features an array of ready-to-wear Halloween apparel, accessories, matching costumes and more. Dogs can play a different role in the animal kingdom as a shark or cow or even twin with their human as tigers. From easy-on options to full-body costumes, the "Bootique" is full of costumes designed with care so all types of pets and preferences can find their match.

• Take Precautions: Once the whole pack has picked their costumes, have a pre-Halloween dress rehearsal so your pup can get used to the outfit and accustomed to everyone else’s.

Before any festivities begin, triple-check your pet's costume for any hazardous materials that could be chewed or cause choking. To stay safe after sundown, every Halloween look should also include reflective gear and proper pet identification.

• Learn the Training Basics: Basic skills such as "sit" and "stay" can make all the difference for dogs when it comes to safely interacting with trick-or-treaters and helping your pet navigate the Halloween commotion. "Drop it" or "leave it" are additional key training cues in case your curious pup sniffs or picks up any human treats—such as chocolate—that could be toxic to dogs. Preemptive Petco positive dog training can be helpful to teach your pet proper Halloween etiquette and keep the holiday fun for all.

• Offer Treats in Moderation: Although it's tempting to indulge pets around the holidays, it’s important to remember that no more than 10% of a pet’s daily calorie intake should be from treats. Help keep pets energized for the Halloween festivities by giving them protein-packed treats, such as Wholehearted stick treats for dogs or new freeze-dried treats for cats, or find other ways to celebrate the season with them through fun seasonal toys such as a plush pumpkin spice latte or rope toy. To help keep pets feeling their best year-round, give them the ultimate treat of Vital Care for just $19 a month to enjoy savings on grooming, vet exams and more.

• Create a Spook-Free Safe Haven: Between constant doorbell rings, unknown trick-or-treaters and spooky costumes, Halloween festivities can add to pets’ anxiety. The best way to help your pet is by learning to identify their anxious behavior and which calming tactics work best for them. Petco offers an array of calming aids, chews or oil diffusers to help keep pets at ease. Background noise from either music or the TV can help drown out unusual sounds, but it's also a good idea to give pets a quiet room away from the action.For more tips on how to safely celebrate Halloween with the whole family—cats, bearded dragons, and guinea pigs included—check out a Petco pet care center or petco.com/halloween.


About the author - Darris Cooper, CPDT-KA, is the National Dog Training Manager at Petco. He has worked in the industries of animal training and behavior, pet lifestyle and broadcast journalism, and has been a professional dog trainer for more than 10 years.

Seven questions with Tolono's Susan Plackett

October 31 has come and gone, but the memories from this year's celebration in Tolono will live on thanks to the collection of photos shot by long time resident Susan Plackett at this year's Halloween parade.

Participants stretch for blocks as they make their way through town during the Tolono Halloween parade on October 31.
(Photo courtesy of Susan Plackett)

Born and raised in Tolono, Plackett enjoys making memories for those growing up in Tolono like many of the members of the community did for her during her childhood.

"There is nothing more uplifting in these times than seeing families and children having fun," she said.

The Halloween parade was a first for Tolono according Plackett and the third parade in the village this year. With the annual Tolono Fun Day festival canceled due to restriction on large public gatherings in Illinois to prevent the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, a 4th of July parade was put together at the last minute she said because "everyone was missing not having Fun Day the weekend before."

"The Tolono Fun Days committee is trying to give the community something to do during the pandemic," Plackett said. "We had 18 participate 4th of July and 20 participants at the September 4 golf cart parade. [For the] Halloween [parade] there were over 40 vehicles and I don’t know how many walkers."

She shared 146 photos from the parade on Facebook from the parade. Here's a look at some of her photos from three weeks ago and a little bit about her Halloween memories.

Susan Plackett photo
Susan Plackett photo
Susan Plackett photo
Photos courtesy of Susan Packett
Click on any photo view larger
Susan Plackett photo
Susan Plackett photo
Susan Plackett photo
Susan Plackett photo
Photos courtesy of Susan Packett
Click on any photo view larger
Looking back, what is your favorite trick-or-treat childhood memory?
"I am too old to remember my own but I do remember my daughter, Veronica’s Halloweens. My husband and I always made her costumes. Until one year she asked if she could please get a store costume. She still loves Halloween and I still take her picture in her costumes."
What is your favorite Halloween movie? How many times have you seen it?
"My brother (John Dodds) and I used to watch Creature Feature every Friday night in the 70’s. There was a different movie every week. Though we watched the movies in the dark our Dad would get upset because every light would be on in the house after the movie. My brother is a chicken. LOL..."
Describe the best costume you wore as an adult?
"My husband and I usually build floats for parades, but we did make a two man cow from an old white blanket and a Papier-mache’ head for a party we were invited to."
You probably saw hundreds of costumes on Saturday at the parade. What was your favorite costume of the day and why?
"I loved all the costumes. This little guy spooked me when he peeked out while I was taking pictures. I think next year there needs to be a pet costume contest The second link of a ketchup bottle costume with the dog as a hot dog. LOVED that one."
Earlier, we asked about your favorite trick-or-treat story. What year was your absolute worse Halloween and how did it end up like that?
"Oh, there is no such thing as a bad day or being bored in our house. My daughter was so disappointed when she was sick and missed the Halloween party and parade at school. Her whole class showed up all through the night to give her candy. The most trick-or-treaters we have ever had here on Daggy Street. LOL And just like that her gloom turned into joy!"
On Facebook, there were several people who said they did not have many trick-or-treaters. Did you have many stop by your house? Do you think the pandemic limited participation this year and why?
"The Pandemic may have had some to do with the low trick-or-treaters. We do not normally get trick-or-treaters because the location of our home and there are not many children in our neighborhood. Door to door trick or treating has declined for the past several years. I think parents take their kids to the newer subdivisions where there is better lighting and sidewalks and trunk or treat events."
Are you a professional photographer? When did you start taking pictures and what do you like about it?
"No, I am not a professional photographer. I have been taking photos since I was a little girl. My first camera was a pocket camera that I earned from selling things door to door.

I don’t normally take posed shots but at the request from a close friend several years ago I started to taking senior photos for family and friends. I just like taking action shots. I like catching the moment or a memory. "

According to Susan, this is the Plackett's all-time best Halloween costume. Photo provided.
I almost always have my camera around my neck during all special events I attend. I remember going to a high school play without my camera and caught myself several times reaching for it. Yes, photography withdraw is very real. LOL ... Can you believe I was restricted from having my camera at my daughters wedding. LOL ... I did capture a couple special moments behind the scene with my cell phone but I had to sneak it. Best thing ever when they put a camera in a cell phone.

I make memories beyond the camera by being involved in the school, my church and several organizations in town.

See the rest of Plackett's Halloween parade gallery on Facebook.

Winners named in The Sentinel Halloween photo contest

There were cute ones, there were silly ones and scary ones. We received 42 entries for The Sentinel's first-ever Halloween photo contest.

First off, a special thank you to Blondies for their generous donation to help make this contest possible.

Second, The Sentinel would like to thank everyone who entered the contest. You made it a difficult challenge selecting our top three winners which is why it took so long to make today's announcement. It was so difficult that The Sentinel made a witching hour decision to add one new category!

With so many cute baby and toddler photos, we created a separate catergory for those entries. We selected two runner-up photos and winner, each will receive a $25 Sentinel gift certificate good toward the purchase of a Signature Announcement. The winner of the Best Picture award will receive a $50 Sentinel gift certificate.

Runner-up for the Toddler category

Right: Hannah, the Narwhal, age 6 months from St. Joseph - - - Left: Little Pumpkin

Best Picture in the toddler category

Maddox, age 3, and Carter, age 1, dressed as Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber.

Finalists for the best costume of 2020

3rd Place
$25 Sentinel Gift Certificate
Briley, age 6, from Muncie, IL, vampire

2nd Place
$50 Sentinel Gift Certificate
Kai, age 11 from Mooresville, NC, Covid-19 Cell

1st Place
$75 Gift Card to Blondies
Emily (left) & Emma (right), both 15 years old and St. Joseph, portray the twins from Stephen King’s The Shining

Best handmade costume of 2020

$25 Sentinel Gift Certificate
Little Sully

See all of this year's entries here:
2020 Halloween Costume Photo Contest Gallery

Enter to win the 2020 Sentinel Halloween costume contest

The Sentinel and Blondies are teaming up for our first-ever Halloween Costume Photo Contest.
Blondies

Whether it’s your child’s cutest costume, a costume you are wearing to a party or a costume your pet is wearing, submit your photos for a chance to win! Any photo of a person, pets, or a group decked out in a Halloween costume is eligible. Submit your tasteful, family friendly photos via email to photos@oursentinel.com.

You can submit up to five photos per email. One entry per email address. All ages welcome. Provide name, age, costume description, email address and phone number to be entered to win a prize. And let us know if your ensemble is home-made. The more creative, the better!

The contest begins on October 30, 2020. All entries must be received through oursentinel.com by 11:00 pm Central Standard Time on November 2, 2020. Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline lapses. By submitting any photo via email you agree to the contest terms and conditions below.

This year's contest and prizes are sponsored by Blondies and The Sentinel. The winners and top photos will be featured on The Sentinel starting Wednesday, November 4.


PRIZES
First prize is a $75 Gift Card to Blondies
Second prize is a $50 Sentinel Gift Certificate
Third prize is a $25 Sentinel Gift Certificate





2020 Halloween Costume Photo Contest

HALLOWEEN COSTUME RULES & GUIDELINES
Please read the rules and guidelines below before submitting your photo(s) to The Sentinel's Halloween Photo Contest. By participating in this contest, you understand, acknowledge and unconditionally agree to abide by the following rules:

1. The contest is open for online submissions only via email.
2. Submitted photos must have been created between October 29 and November 1, 2020.
3. Photos submitted must be at least 640 pixels on the shorter side, and no more than 2000 pixels on the longer side. Images should be no larger than 2MB. Photos must be in JPEG format.
4. You may submit as many entries as you wish. However, you should send no more than five images per email.
5. You are required to provide a unique title & description for each image submitted.
6. All submitted photos must contain the original EXIF metadata information. However there must be no border(s), logo(s), copyright marks, identifying marks, or any other visible references and/or marks on the image.
7. Basic editing, including color enhancement, the use of filters, and cropping of the Photo(s) is acceptable, provided any such editing does not affect the authenticity and/or genuineness of the Photo(s).
8. Advanced editing used to create illusions, deceptions and/or manipulations, and the adding and removing of significant elements within the frame is prohibited.
9. Every image uploaded is subject to a moderation process before it becomes visible on the contest page. The Sentinel reserves the right to assess and disregard any submitted photo at our its discretion.
10. Photos that portray or otherwise include inappropriate and/or offensive content, including provocative nudity, violence, human rights and/or environmental violation, deemed racist and/or any other contents deemed to be contrary to the law, religious, cultural & moral traditions of United States of America, are strictly prohibited and will be immediately discarded.
11. A participant who submits any such photos may be permanently banned, subject to Better Photography’s discretion, from participating in any future contests.
12. The contest begins on October 30, 2020. All entries must be received through oursentinel.com by 11:00 pm Central Standard Time on November 2, 2020. Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline lapses.

THE JUDGING
1. The Sentinel will appoint a judge / judges for each contest. This will comprise of members of the editorial team and / or external judges.
2. The judging panel shall assess and determine the winning Photos. The results and the winners will be announced on the website.
3. The decision of The Sentinel’s judging panel will be final and binding on all Participants in respect to all matters relating to the Contest.
4. The Sentinel reserves the right to call for original JPEG or RAW files with unchanged EXIF for the purpose of authentication. An image maybe disregarded if this information cannot be provided.

THE PRIZES
1. Prizes will be mailed to the winners free of charge.
2. Any state/ provincial/ territorial, and/or local taxes, fees and surcharges and taxes (whether foreign or domestic, and including income tax) on any prize that may be awarded to You under the Contest will be solely paid by You.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
1. Submitted photos must be original, created and/or taken by the contestant. It must not contain any materials owned or controlled by a third party for which you have not obtained a license, must not infringe the copyright, trademark, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity.
2. The Sentinel respects photographers’ copyrights and copyrights shall remain vested with the creator of the image. Upon making the submission, you grant The Sentinel, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty free, sub-licensable right and license to use, publish, reproduce, display, perform, adapt, create derivative works, distribute, have distributed, print, in whole or in part, in any form, in all media forms now or hereafter known, to promote the contest, image, the photographer or for editorial or educative use.

LIABILITY
1. You hereby hold harmless, release, indemnify and discharge The Sentinel and its partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, agents and their employees, officers and representatives from all liability, claims, judgments, demands, controversies, agreements, damages, actions and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of or related in any way to the contest or the conduct of the contest and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded, whether in law or in equity, no matter what the cause or nature, and You further waive any claims that You may state or assert against The Sentinel in association with the contest or any of its associated activities, or in any way related to or resulting from the contest even if such injury or claims results from or is caused by the negligence or gross negligence of The Sentinel, in whole or in part, due to human error or otherwise. You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Sentinel from any claim arising out of your participation in the contest including, without limitation, all claims brought or asserted by any third party as a result of any injury or loss that You or they may sustain in any way associated with your participation in the contest.

2. Under no circumstance will The Sentinel be liable for any:
a) lost, late, misdirected, stolen, illegible or incomplete Submissions
b) error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, submitted Photo(s);
c) problems, failures or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, email, players or browsers, on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, at any website, or on account of any combination of the foregoing;
d) incorrect or inaccurate information, caused by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or by any technical or human error which may occur in the processing of the Photos and/or the Submissions; and/or
e) injury or damage to any Participant or to any computer related to, resulting from or in connection with the Contest.

3. If, for any reason, the contest is not capable of being conducted as anticipated, due to computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of The Sentinel, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the contest, The Sentinel reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest as deemed appropriate, disqualify any Participant, and/or select winners from all eligible Photos submitted prior to the termination, cancellation, modification or suspension. The Sentinel reserves the right to correct any typo-graphical, printing, computer programming or operating errors at any time.

GOVERNING LAW
The Contest, Your Submission(s) and the Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Illinois laws. Any aspects or disputes arising out of or in connection with the contest and/or your submission(s) will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Illinois courts.

St. Joseph to host Halloween parade

A week from tomorrow on October 31, Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges will grand marshall a Halloween costume parade for kids through the sidewalks and streets St. Joseph.

The walking parade - sorry no motorized modes of transport will be allowed - will march through the downtown area starting at 10:30am. Parents and pets on a leash are welcome to join in the fun the mayor said.

"Parents will be asked to help keep the kids moving along the parade route and to keep the kids safely distanced from the others," she said. "Hopefully we will have a beautiful day for the kids to enjoy a fun fall tradition."

The parade will start and end at the Municipal Building. Participants are asked to show up at 10:15 to line up.

The route will leave the building area and head east on the south side of Lincoln Avenue.

"We will cross Lincoln at Country Chics and continue on the north side of Lincoln. Once we get to Main Street, we will walk past Busey Bank east down the alley by the grain elevator to the Library. Then back to Mai through alley past the Apothecary. We will cross Main at that location. After crossing the street, we will stay on the sidewalk and will continue past the IGA on the west side of Main all the way back to the Municipal building."

Streets will not be blocked off for automobile traffic except when the marchers are crossing the street.

"We will have someone to hold traffic when crossing any streets and will keep the kids from gathering together in groups," Mayor Fruhling-Voges said.

Along the way, businesses that want to participate can set up a table near the sidewalk so that the kids can walk past and safely grab a treat. Parade participants should not enter buildings.

Paraders are asked to wear masks and hand sanitizers will be made available.

Sentinel area trick-or-treat hours for Halloween 2020

Below are the hours set for trick-or-treating for Halloween 2020 in the communities The Sentinel covers.

Ogden:
Saturday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Philo:
Saturday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sidney:
Saturday, October 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tolono:
Saturday, October 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.

This story is amended or updated as The Sentinel receives information from village officials. Updated 10/21/20

Maybe Halloween will provide relief from the insantity

By Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


Halloween is typically a relaxed day for America's kids to fill their coffers with candy. Children and adults often don their favorite wacky attire for a day of comic relief.

America needs a day of some kind of relief and maybe Halloween will provide some insanity or terror relief. Because nothing about Halloween is as scary as what America and the world has been experiencing.

We have buried over 220,000 Americans from Covid-19. Over eight million have been sick. Nursing homes and Intensive Care Units have become horror wards. The projections for more sickness and death scare most Americans. We are afraid to go to church, out to eat, and to the grocery store. The airplane, hotel and restaurant industries are in peril as many have already closed or are on the verge of closing. Over 12 Million Americans are now unemployed and many in financial devastation because of Covid-19.

Congress continues to haggle over what and how much the government can further indebt our nation to keep us afloat for the present. With an approximate 28 trillion-dollar deficit and growing when will America file for bankruptcy? What will it take to keep Social Security and Medicare going? More taxes for a broader range of Americans and increased payroll taxes are on the near horizon, most Americans fear. It's more than a little scary.

On top of Covid-19, job loss, business failures and increasing poverty Americans are masked fatigued.

Children are tired of being home from school. Adults miss the comaraderie and social dynamics of their workmates. Working at home first felt good and welcomed but has become old for many Americans. The thought of this going on for another six months or even a year or longer is more than scary - it's terrifying.

On top of all this, we have a major election in front of us. Americans are terrified about the election. We are frightened about who will be elected. Trump being reelected terrifies millions, while millions are terrified Joe Biden will be elected. We are horrified of what may come as the result of this election and what either of the candidates may bring to America the next four years.

We are further scared by each other. The hostility of Americans toward people with different views is out of hand.

Hurting people, cursing people, destroying property are not hallmark qualities of a civilized society. We have sadly stopped being civil in America. Rude and crude are no longer shy in this nation. Pushing, shoving and outright fighting with people is becoming too normal. This is not what the average American wants and is disdained by most of us.

Let's face it, people who act this way scare most Americans.

It's Halloween time in America and there is plenty of fright to go around. The best treat we can give our country is treating each other the way we would like to be treated.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of PhotoNews Media. We welcome comments and views from our readers.


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Village Administrator job on St. Joseph board agenda

The Village of St. Joseph moves one step closer to hiring a Village Administrator. A proposal from the Finance, Personnel, and Economic Development department will ask the board to approve a job description and new ordinance for the position of Village Administrator at Tuesday's board meeting.

The Village Administrator would be responsible for day-to-day operation of village services, keep track of financial health and capital projects, assist in zoning enforcement as well as ensuring permit fees are collected.

"The way we do things now, we are far from being efficient," said Tami Fruhling-Voges, Village President/Mayor. "The Village should be ran like a business."

She said the Village Administrator is needed to help her and the trustees with research and policy recommendations. The person in the new position would also actively apply for state and federal grants.

"It will truly be a benefit to the community."

According to agenda for Tuesday, Mayor Fruhling-Voges will present a new Village Public Works calendar and announce the recipient of the St. Joseph's first Employee Appreciation Award. She will also unveil a Halloween Proclamation as well as tax levy comparisons and late distributions from the County Treasurer's Office.

The board will also hear and vote to approve an audit report from Feller & Kuester CPAs LLP, receive an updated from the recent Sewer Committee meeting and an update on the Linden Street retention pond.

If you have something that you want to bring up at the Village Board Meeting but do not want to attend, residents are encouraged to email the information to tasmetzer@gmail.com. Your email should include your full name, address and phone number.

If you would like to attend the meeting in person, please use the side door which enters directly into the Village Board room. It will be the only door available for entry. Visitors may address the Board /Committee on subjects listed and not listed on the agenda during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Speakers will must state their name and address for the meeting records. Masks and social distancing will be observed.

You can find the October 13 agenda here.

Halloween parade, trunk-or-treat set for Tolono

The Tolono Fun Day group will host a Halloween parade starting at 3pm in Tolono on October 31. Open to walkers as well as to decorated floats, vehicles, tractors and golf cars, the parade will start at East Side Park and wind through town to West Side Park.

Participants are asked to line-up for the parade starting at 2:45pm at East Side. 


Tolono Halloween parade map
Parade route for the Tolono Halloween parade



"This is our first year doing anything like this," said Brian Booher, one of seven members of the group running the Halloween event. "We’re really not sure what our turnout will look like. It’s peaked the interest of some local businesses this time, too."

Booher, who lives in Tolono and graduated from Unity High School, said past participation in similar events has been modest, but with the parade open various vehicles, he is hoping for more participation and a decent size crowd along the route.

Our past golf cart parades we got around 20 carts," he said.  "With this parade also being open to vehicle, bike, and walkers, we hope to get a little bit larger turnout."

Once the procession reaches its destination at West Side Park, there will be a Trunk-or-Treat event for kids to enjoy.

"Trunk-or-Treat is where folks will decorate their car trunks or back of golf cart with some Halloween decorations and hand out candy to the kids," Booher said. "I personally have never participated or seen one before, but I’m told it’s fun."

Blondies offers fresh designs for this year's Halloween

As you might have heard, the Village of St. Joseph is sponsoring a Halloween contest for the best candy and treat delivery system. Whether you are a one-person operation or will have a ghouled out posse to pass out treats, you will want to check out Blondies for some unique trick-or-treat to gear up your crew.

Provided photo
Photo provided
Owner Tiffany Monier has come up with some colorful new shirts and designs show your Halloween spirit all week or add the finishing touches to your trick-or-treat costume.

"I work for smiles," she said. "I started this [business] in order to provide affordable personalized merchandise for all."

Shirts like the one pictured on the left are available in newborn sizes all the way up to 6x. For last minute costume ideas, if she has the shirts in stock, most items are printed on the same day. Adult sizes start for as little as $12.

Orders can be placed online through Blondies' Facebook group which boast more than 2,200 members. The group features additional Halloween designs inspired by Frankenstein, mummies, pumpkins and more that are available.

"I always enjoyed trick-or-treating with my parents and brother, who has since passed away," Monier said sharing her on her favorite Halloween memories. Trick-or-treating also meant always having plenty of candy on hand for her birthday on November 1. "Although this year will be different, I will continue the tradition of costumes with the children, posting pictures on Facebook, and buying candy and hiding in yard for my own kids to find [while] in their costumes."

Like many other local small business owners she is weathering the pandemic as best she can.

"I am a local stay-at-home mom due to COVID and just trying to stay a float," she said.

Negangard Pumpkin Patch now open for the fall season

Twenty-six days and counting to Halloween; do you have your pumpkins yet? If not, the Negangard Pumpkin Patch is open with a huge selection available to make this year's Jack-O-Lanterns.

Located at 1883 County Road 700 N near Sidney, the pumpkin patch is open seven days a week from 9a to dark.

"Prices range from 50 cents to $5. The huge pumpkins are priced individually," says owner Pam Reinhart Negangard, co-owner of the family operated business that grows everything they sell. "My husband's family started the patch many years ago. It has grown a lot over the past 20 years!"

Negangard also offer gourds priced at three for a dollar, Indian Corn, corn stalks and straw bales for those creating lavish displays for All Hallows' Eve.

This year there will be two areas set up for visitors to take photographs. While shopping or taking photos, the management team asks guests to please follow social distancing guidelines. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash.

Hours and guidelines set for Halloween 2020 in St. Joseph

St. Joseph will be hosting a village-wide Halloween contest for trick-or-treaters and residents.

We are asking those participating in giving out candy this year to get creative in how they deliver candy to the trick or treaters. The trick or treaters can submit those homes to the Village office on the Monday after Halloween," Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges said in a release today. "I thought this would be fun to encourage social distancing while distributing candy. The village has some very creative community members that hopefully will enjoy coming up with something."

Homeowners and trick-or-treaters are encouraged submit a photos with a description of the delivery system. The village will also accept description of how homeowners handed out candy and treats to trick-or-treaters if they are unable to print a photo in time. The description should the address and homeowners name if possible."

Village of St. Joseph news
Entries can be submitted through the Village office overnight slot by the front door or in-person during regular Village office hours. They may also be sent via emailed to mayor@stjosephillinois.org.

With guidance from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, the Village President said the board will make an official proclamation at the next meeting to allow trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31, from 6pm and 8pm.

Here is the complete list of guidance from the Village to help make this Halloween fun and safe for the community:

COVID-19 TRICK-OR-TREATING GUIDELINES

"Trick-or-treating hours in the Village of St. Joseph will be from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. The use of face coverings, hand sanitizer, and social distancing (at least 6 feet) from others will always be required (per IDPH Guidelines), when outdoors while participating or chaperoning.

"Trick-or-treating will be challenging amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this year and may look different from previous Halloweens. However, for those who ARE welcoming trick-or-treaters to their home, leave your porch lights on to indicate you are participating. If you do not have a porch light, place a clearly marked sign welcoming trick-or-treaters or indicating you are not participating. For trick-or-treaters, if you do not see a home with a porch light on or a sign posted, we ask that you respect the wishes of those homeowners by bypassing those residences.

"If you and your family do decide to trick-or-treat this Halloween, here are a few guidelines to follow that will help protect our community and accommodate a safe Halloween experience for both participants and non-participants:

Trick-or-Treaters and Those Giving Candy:

"If you have COVID-19, developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19, are under quarantine, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or are in a higher risk category, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities.

1. Wear a mask – Incorporate a mask or face covering into your costume. Please remember that rubber or plastic masks do not offer any protection from the virus, so have a protective cloth mask layered into a costume’s decorative mask.

2. Practice good hand hygiene – If you choose to go house to house for trick-or treating or give treats, be prepared to practice good hand hygiene. Bring along hand sanitizer to use before you move from one location to another. A suggestion for those giving treats; give to a single person to limit contact with others. Also wash your hands as frequently as possible.

3. Maintain social distances – While it is fun to go trick-or-treating with friends, due to the COVID-19 risk, keep the group limited to family members who are within your protected “bubble”. Gathering in groups with people from outside your household increases the risks. When you are walking around with your child, you do not want to go into a big group of people or into crowded areas. Please remember that keeping social distance (at least 6 feet) from others is important to limiting the spread of the virus. Those passing out treats consider alternative ways to limit contact with trick-or-treaters. Be creative and inventive! *The Village is sponsoring a contest to see who can create the safest, imaginative, and clever way to deliver your candy. Encourage your trick-or-treaters to nominate your home and delivery system to the Village office on Monday. Nominations can be written on a piece of paper and placed in the overnight mail slot or dropped off on Monday. The winner will receive a gift card from one of our local businesses. 

4. Avoid “Face to Face” exposure – Interactions at any given doorway or front porch should be very brief and as limited as possible, which will help reduce the risk of exposure. Trick-or-treaters and those giving candy should always wear their mask.

5. Avoid eating candy while trick or treating – Encourage trick-or-treaters to be sure hands have been sanitized before opening and eating candy. Those giving out candy can consider this a diet saver. Wash Your Hands Frequently!!

6. Porch light must be on – If a homeowner is participating, they will keep their porch light on. If they do not have a porch light, they will have a clearly marked sign welcoming trick-or-treaters or indicating they are not participating. This is long-standing basic Halloween etiquette. If no light is on, do not go to that home. A yard light, common in many subdivisions, that usually comes on automatically at dusk is not considered a porch light and should not be an indication that it is ok to go to your door.

Those Not Participating Keep Your Porch Light Off!! If Your Porch Light Cannot Be Shut Off, clearly mark Your Porch or Front Door "NO TRICK OR TREATING"!!

AS ALWAYS DRIVE SAFELY, USE THE SIDEWALKS, BRING A FLASHLIGHT, AND LOOK BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET. HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!"

Tami Fruhling-Voges, Village President and The St. Joseph Village Trustees."


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