It's been a year now

After months of careful planning, The Sentinel published its first story one year ago today.

Initially I wanted to publish a weekly paper on newsprint delivered to every home just as The Leader had done in the first 30 some years of its existence. After weeks of research, pouring over financial models and talking to business owners I hoped would advertise, it be came clear that the print model would not be viable. Developing an online version, I moved forward.

It all started with this story: New name, holiday basketball tradition continues at St. Joseph-Ogden High School last December. Since then, The Sentinel has published 213 more pieces, 214 if you count this one.

Honestly, I started The Sentinel because I didn't have much choice. There are not a lot a career options for guys with my first name. You are either a mild-mannered reporter (or photographer in my case) or an actor with a name like Clark. No way could I compete with Idris Elba, Denzel, Brad or Daniel Craig for a leading roll on the silver screen. I'll gladly stay out of their lane.

I started The Sentinel and happily will blame long time resident Scott Hunter for it.

He was the founder and publisher of The Leader until it was purchased by The News-Gazette, who later ran it aground and shuddered it a year ago this past August. Mr. Hunter was, and still is though retired, in my humble opinion a Jedi master of the newspaper publishing industry.

While he may be the antithesis of Yoda in stature, his more than abundant experience from more than 40 years in the business, knowledge and analytical acumen of every facet of the newspaper business has been both invaluable and illuminating in helping me converge today's technology to build oursentinel.com, your hometown online news source. Thanks to his enthusiastic encouragement and sharp, light sabre like wit, I threw caution to the stars last year and don't regret it for millennium.

Now 12 months into the uncharted regions of digital publishing, seemingly the final frontier of news media, I look forward to my new found mission: To share stories, record history and boldly build The Sentinel, taking it where no online newspaper has gone before (yes, crossfade Star Trek theme here). Whoooosh!

What were The Sentinel's top stories in the first year of our journey? Here's the short list, the top five, most-read articles on oursentinel.com:

1. Seventeen named Illinois state scholars at SJO
2. 12 area students earn UofI degrees
3. Volleyball goes out with a victory, SJO finishes #3 in the state
4. SJO sets State Farm Classic record
5. 173 students earn High Honor Roll honors at SJO

Any time you have news to share about an upcoming event, a recent accomplishment, job promotion or running for public office, please don't hesitate to contact me at editor@oursentinel.com or send a direct message on the Sentinel Facebook. If you have a story to tell I'll happily listen.

Thank you for visiting oursentinel.com regularly. I look forward to another year of watching over the people The Sentinel cares about.

Clark Brooks
Publisher

Pence has career night, SJO improves to 6-0

Behind four treys from Ty Pence, the St. Joseph-Ogden basketball team cruised past Rantoul Township for their first conference win last night, 60-37. SJO remains undefeated improving to 6-0.

Pence commanded the floor with a season-high 22 points and was 4-for-5 from the free throw line. He, along with senior Conner Hodge with eight points, led the team on the boards with eight apiece.

In fact, the Spartans ruled the paint out-rebounding the visiting Eagles, 39-14.

In addition to the 16 from Pence and Hodge, Payton Cain (6 points, 7 rebounds) and Drew Coursey (2 points, 6 rebounds) posted season-high totals from their participation in the paint.

The Eagles were paced by 5-11 guard Kamrynnn Rome with 11 points and junior Jaxson Freeman with nine.

The Spartans hosts Tri-Valley this afternoon at 3:30p to finish a back-to-back game series this weekend. On Tuesday, SJO travel to Champaign to face the Maroons of Central in another non-conference contest before their State Farm Holiday Classic opener on December 26.

The JV boys’ basketball team also won their season opener crushing Rantoul in similar fashion, 75-38.

Box Score

Scoring

St. Joseph-Ogden: Conner Hodge 8, Payton Cain 6, Jordan Kelly 4, Drew Coursey 2, Payton Grimsley 7, Chance Izard 7, Ty Pence 22 and Luke Renfrew 4.

Rantoul: Buford 2, Freeman 9, Lee 3, Rome 11, Shaw 4, Space 3, Wilkerson 3 and Winston 2.

Dismal fourth quarter sinks Spartans

It was a really bad fourth quarter.

Spartan Ashlyn Lannert's two baskets was best the offense could produce against visiting Teutopolis (8-1) in the final quarter of their non-conference 41-38 loss on Thursday.

SJO trailed 34-27 heading into the final quarter where they were subsequently outscored 13-4 by the Lady Shoes.

Ella Armstrong and Atleigh Hamilton teamed up for 15 of SJO's 31 points. Armstrong's team-high nine points and Hamilton's six was supplemented by a full house of three Spartan players with four points - Lannert, Payton Jacob and Abby Behrens - and a pair of deuces courtesy of Payton Vallee and Taylor Wells.

St. Joseph-Ogden moves to 8-2 with another tough home game Saturday night when they host the undefeated Potters from Morton at 7:15p.

Box Score

St. Joseph-Ogden	8	10	9	4	- 31
Teutopolis	12	11	11	14	- 48

Scoring

St. Joseph-Ogden: Ashlyn Lannert 4, Payton Jacob 4, Taylor Wells 2, Atleigh Hamilton 6, Abby Behrens 4, Payton Vallee 2 and Ella Armstrong 9.

Teutopolis: Tegeler 3, L. Niebrugge 10, Roepke 13, Schumacher 2, NIemerg 6, Mette 12 and Hardiek 2.

Nine last minute holiday gifts from World Harvest

Whether you are looking for a tasty stocking stuffer or a last minute gift for a co-worker or a friend, add a bit of international flavor to recipient of you holiday kindness.

World Harvest, located at 306 West Springfield Avenue in Urbana, is the home of some of the world's finest international and gourmet foods. In addition to organic local meat and produce available at the store, sharing space with Strawberry Fields fresh baked bread, pastries, salads and sandwiches are available daily. You will find ingredients and spices from the Europe, Mexico, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia to give you next international dish authentic flavors.

In this article, we are featuring nine gift ideas to fit any budget from the hundreds of other gifts to shop from at World Harvest.

Boska Fondue Set

This stylish fondue set is made from earthenware and wooden frame with modern stainless steel. With a burner, base and six fondue forks, the set is supplied with everything you need to make your first cheese or chocolate dip right away. The heat of the burner can be regulated with the handy flame distributor, so that your fondue does not burn. The pan is dishwasher safe for quick post-party clean up. $69.99

Kuchen Meister Marzipansollen

Stollen is a traditional sweet, fruit filled bread, usually made with candied fruit, raisins and marzipan filling, that is staple celebrating German holidays. It can be toasted or microwaved before serving and eaten with honey, jam or butter. Have a slice with the first cup of coffee in morning or serve as a light desert. $9.99

Panettone Classico Panettone is an Italian sweet bread loaf, originally from Milan, according to Wikipedia. It typically available around the Christmas and New Year holidays not only in Italy but throughout the southern Europe and parts of South America. Like Stollen, it is made with raisins as well as candied orange, citron, and lemon zest. It can be served as a snack or dessert with butter or chocolate for those wanting a more decadent experience. $8.99

Quality Street This tin of individually wrapped Milk and Dark Chocolates, Toffees and Fruit Cremes is great to have around the home for guest or at the office when you work buddy stops by your desk. First manufactured in England in 1936, the Nestle company ships these around the world. $20.99

Harvest of Saffron

Referred to as 'red gold', saffron is the world's most expensive spice. The wholesale price of saffron can be any where between $1000 to $5000 per kilogram depending on the quality. It is a must have for dishes like paella and bouillabaisse. Many will tell you for that to have a truly authentic Spanish or Italian taste, you need to add a bit of saffron to the dish as you prepare it. World Harvest carries several varieties in different sizes to impress guests with your next Italian or Spanish influenced meal. $109

Illinois Cutting Board This Illinois-shaped cutting board is made from Bamboo fibers. Durable and knife-friendly - they don't dull knives with repeated use - this is would be great in the kitchen or to serve snack on at your next tailgage. $18.95

Hamlet Chocolate Beautifully made sea shell shaped chocolates filled with hazelnuts and other natural flavors, these mouthwatering Belgian delights just need wrapped or a quick bow and ribbon if you are looking for a last minute gift for the chocolate lover in your life. $6.99

Bajadera

A is a traditional home-made dessert in Croatia. Bajadera is a popular treat made of layered nougat with almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts. $14.99

Walkers Rich Fruit Pudding Walkers Rich Fruit Plum Pudding is a traditional treat for the holiday season in the United Kingdom. Made with raisins, sultanas, candied peel, mixed spices, syrup, milk and wheat, it tastes great warmed out of the microwave or toaster oven. You can drizzle brandy or whiskey over it and light it on fire for a memorable finish to your Christmas dinner. $17.99

#TBT: SJO wrestling rolls over Central, 45-22

Above: SJO's Casey Buss cross-faces Central's Steve Tillman during their 171 lb. junior varsity match on Thursday, December 2 back in 2004. Buss pinned Tillman as St. Joseph-Ogden, an IHSA Class A school, beat local Class 2A wrestling powerhouse Champaign Central for the first time in the program's history with a decisive 45-22 victory. Right: Senior Heather Duitsman sings the National Anthem at the start of SJO first home wrestling meet of the 2004-05 season.

See more photos in the PhotoNews archives from this meet

Left: St. Joseph-Ogden junior Mark Gones tries rolling out of a pin attempt by Maroons' Mario Pulani. Pulani won the decision 15-3 to help Central's cause. The decision mattered little in the Spartans' huge program victory that year. Gones went on that season to qualify for state the 152-lb weight class in February of 2005 along with five other SJO qualifiers that included Lukas Graves (Freshman, 112), Blake Speckman (Sophomore, 140), Billy Gallo (Junior, 145), Tim Hill (Senior, 160) and Ben Gorman (Senior, 171). Above: SJO's Jerod Flessner works hard to pin Maroons' Mike Vignola after reversing out near fall himself. Flessner lost the match 2-5. Photo credit: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Six holiday gift pleasers from Miranda's Loom at Lincoln Square

Located in Lincoln Square Mall, Miranda's Loom features the work of around 15 local fine art artists. From intricate fiber arts to eye-catching pottery, there dozens of gift ideas you won't find anywhere else in Champaign-Urbana. Whether it is metal work, finely crafted turned wood or understated ikebana vases, there are dozens of art pieces waiting to become a sentimental addition to any home's decor.

Owner Leann Gehm is an award-winning artist who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art and a Master of Science degree in Art Therapy. Preferring plant-based natural fibers for her work, Gehm crafts colorful pieces with delicate precision.

Miranda's Loom, located near the mall center across from the food court, is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday's from 10am - 2pm.

Below are six of more than of dozen one of a kind gift ideas from Miranda's Loom to put a smile on the face of that special someone this holiday season. See something you like? You will want to visit Gehm's store as soon as you can to see if the pieces featured below are still available.

Handwoven cowls

Above: Created on the premises, choose from more than a dozen handwoven cowls by artist and owner Leann Gehm. This piece is perfect when you want a lighter accessory for a splash of color or to keep you a bit warmer on a chilly day in the office or when out on the town. Gehm's cowls are eco-friendly made from eucalyptus fiber and embellished with glass beads. They are lightweight, silky with a wonderful drape. $68.

Bracelets

Below: While bracelets are commonly used as an accessory item to finish off a look, for many people they are more than just a stylish accessory. In some cultures bracelets carry a meaning deeper than the threads that compose them and are intimate gifts for both men and women. Made by Sarah Bernzott her free-spirited style will make a splash this holiday season. Prices from $12 - $50.

Gift Cards

Miranda's Loom Gift Cards are the perfect gift for the person who is difficult to buy for; let them choose from hundreds of art pieces in the store. There are handcrafted greeting cards, handmade basketry, gorgeous scarves for every occasion and more.

Available starting at $25 & up.

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Pottery

Created by Paul Borian from Blanket Creek Pottery, his stoneware features high-luster glazes and an elegant form. Buy a single piece or choose from several available sets in the store today. Prices range $26 - $56 per piece.

Necklaces

Featuring mixed metals and semi-precious gemstones, Sarah Bernzott necklaces are stylish and unique for a refined finish to any outfit. Prices range $12 - $50.

Find more gift ideas for this holiday season on the Miranda's Loom website at https://www.mirandasloom.com.