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.
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.
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.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Occasionally, we all feel like we are living in a rut. Our days and weeks are filled with the same activities and schedules.
We mow grass, rake leaves, clean the house, sweep out the garage and do the same jobs. We go to the same grocery store on a certain day, wash our car at the same place and see the same people along the way. We go to the same place of worship, and read the same daily or weekly newspaper. Our lives are made up of routines, schedules and the usual.
Occasionally we get bored with the usual and do something different. We enjoy the change briefly. There is always a rush of adrenaline with something different. For example, you may change grocery stores for the week or even drive out of town to try out a restaurant. You may even take a trip to a distant part of the state to see something different. While the unusual is stimulating it often makes us tired and we pine to return to the usual.
The usual is the known and the expected. We've done it so many times and usually have the same results. The same results are good if they make us happy. You know what to expect at the little coffee place you frequent and that's why you keep returning. The grocery store has what you need and you know where to find everything. Unless they change everything around in the store and this drives us crazy until we learn our way around again.
We visit with the same people and often have the same types of conversations because those conversations are within our comfort zone. The usual things we do are all about our comfort levels. With Covid-19 you may not feel comfortable doing a lot because of the unknown.
People's comfort levels have changed over the last year. Worship attendance has dramatically changed. Work places have changed. Community gatherings have changed or don't exist.
Whatever your usual is, try to continue to enjoy the familiar and the routine. Keith Urban sings a song about "All that wasted time." One line in the song says, "The best years of my life was all that wasted time."
We seldom see the usual we do as wasting time. Usually it's moving forward with the routines of life. It's going to school. Doing our homework. Going to work. Earning a paycheck. Saving some money. Paying our bills. Maintaining our houses and cars. Going to the doctor and caring for ourselves. When you really think about it, we're very fortunate if we have daily and weekly routines. The best of life is often what we do every day.
We don't vote often. Once or twice a year we may go to the polls. Break with your routine and do something great for your local, state and national government.
Go vote. When the election results come in then you'll know you did your part when you return back to doing your usual.
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.
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.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Up & Over
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
A close friend, Alyssa Artola, deployed with the Urbana-based Illinois National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to the Ukraine in June. Artola and her unit of approximately 165 soldiers are part of a Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine deployed to support U.S. European Command operations.
They will not be involved in conflict operations.
Raised in a military family, Czerwinski, whose father retired at major after 20 years of service in the Army, wanted to send her friend a care package several weeks ago. In a conversation with Artola she learned that troopers "get excited when they get mail", no matter what it is.
"I thought it was sad that people don't get mail," said Czerwinski, who decided not only to send her friend a care package, but one to every trooper in the brigade. "I thought it would be nice, something for them to look forward to."
She hatched a plan to gather as many items and boxes as she could through the month of October and then ship them out in time for to be received on Veteran’s Day.
"I wasn't really sure where to start," Czerwinski admitted. She posted a couple of messages on Facebook asking for donations and was pleasantly surprised by the response. "It's been a wonderful experience so far. The number of people willing to donate has been touching."
A member from the high school student council reached out and after receiving approval from the school administration, boxes will available at St. Joseph-Ogden High School starting this week to collect donated items.
There is also a box at Chris Booth State Farm, where she works, on the corner of Fox and State in Champaign, for donations. Czerwinski has also had people drop off items at her home.
Suggested items include:If residents have any extra holiday decorations or working lights lying around, she would love to ship them to the American men and women serving our country.
"They may not have a tree, but the decor and lights would be great," she said.
The cost of shipping a box weighing up to 10 pounds is $20. Czerwinski is also accepting monetary donations to help cover the postal fee. She plans to deliver all the boxes and parcels she can to the post office in St. Joseph on October 30.
For more information on you can help, residents can contact Czerwinski via Facebook or send an email to sendingwithsarah@gmail.com
"I really appreciate all the support from people."
Rockets blast the Bombers for playoff victory
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Illini Prairie Conference meet results:
| 4 | Brandon Mattsey | SJO | 16:07.43 |
| 8 | Charlie Mabry | SJO | 16:22.22 |
| 9 | Carson Maroon | SJO | 16:25.25 |
| 10 | Connor O'Donnell | Unity | 16:29.35 |
| 11 | Jarrett Cox | Unity | 16:32.92 |
| 16 | Benjamin Gravel | Unity | 16:54.41 |
| 19 | Elijah Mock | SJO | 17:08.02 |
| 20 | Luke Stegall | SJO | 17:08.73 |
| 22 | Logan Wolfersberger | SJO | 17:16.19 |
| 28 | Nolan Miller | Unity | 17:40.45 |
| 31 | Thomas Cler | Unity | 17:48.72 |
| 44 | Spencer Wilson | SJO | 18:23.18 |
| 46 | Clayton Jamison | Unity | 18:46.65 |
| 50 | Bryson Denny | Unity | 19:33.67 |
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The 15-year plan created last year is a detailed road map to ensure costs, operating expenses and plant capital maintenance needs are met to keep pace with the community's growth. The plan included incrementally increasing rates, which will be determined annually by the board, on a yearly basis rather of one or more large jump in monthly fees.
While the increase will impact low volume users minimally, heavy users will see likely see a noticeable change on their statements.
The new rate, starting on October 1, is $17.50, up from $15.00, for the first two units. Each additional unit used will be billed at at $1.75 more then the previous amount of $5.25 at $7.00 each.
Photo: PhotoNews Media
Individually, Rockets' Erica Woodard paced all area runners around the course closing out her race in 18 minutes, 18 seconds for a fourth place overall finish. Nearly a minute later, teammates Caelyn Kleparski (8th) and Taylor Joop (9th) crossed the finish line at 19:12 and 19:15, respectively.
Ava Knap let the Spartan contingent finishing the 3-mile course with a time of 20:19.21. She was followed over the line by Helene Jones and Chloe Burkholter to round SJO's top three finishers. Jones finished two spots behind Knap in 23rd place overall. Meanwhile, Burkholter ended her run 30th out of 56 runners on Saturday.
This year's meet champion was Monticello with 29 points. Olympia won third place honors with a score of 90 points.
Illini Prairie Conference meet results:
| 4 | Erica Woodard | Unity | 18:18.00 |
| 8 | Caelyn Kleparski | Unity | 19:12.99 |
| 9 | Taylor Joop | Unity | 19:15.09 |
| 11 | Elizabeth Hulick | Unity | 19:26.23 |
| 13 | Olivia Shike | Unity | 19:38.08 |
| 16 | Malla Fairbanks | Unity | 19:55.97 |
| 20 | Ava Knap | SJO | 20:19.21 |
| 22 | Helene Jones | SJO | 20:28.93 |
| 26 | Audrey Remole | Unity | 20:45.34 |
| 29 | Chloe Burkholter | SJO | 20:58.85 |
| 31 | Malorie Sarnecki | SJO | 21:03.39 |
| 34 | Kailyn Ingram | SJO | 21:11.77 |
| 35 | Addie Allen | SJO | 21:22.56 |
| 39 | Ashlyn Lannert | SJO | 21:49.06 |
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.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
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.
"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."