By Ken Schroedernews@tonicanews.com

HENRY— The Marshall-Putnam University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners with the Toluca Coal Mine Association will be offering a class on vegetable gardening in five different locations in Marshall and Putnam counties.

These classes will teach attendees how to grow basic garden vegetables in contain-ers and raised beds for decks,

patios and porches as well as traditional raised beds and in-ground gardens. Included in the classes will be the basics of planting and caring for seeds and plants to provide fresh vegetables for healthy living, as well as planning a garden space and harvest. There will be time for questions and answers from the Marshall-Putnam University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners.

The classes will be free of charge to anyone who would

like to learn more about gar-dening. The times and dates will vary to reach many differ-ent schedules. The first class will be at 10 a.m. April 15 at the Marshall-Putnam Farm Bureau Office, 509 Front St., Henry. Other classes will be at 6:30 p.m. April 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 Hickory St., Toluca; at 6:30 p.m. April 24 at United Church of Christ, 103 N Church St., Granville; and at 6:30 p.m. April 26 at the Lacon Community Center, 405 N. Washington St. The final class will be at 10 a.m. April 29

at the Wenona City Hall, 226 S. Chestnut St.

“Gardening is a good stress reliever,” owner Lisa Barton of The Corner Garden in Tonica said. “It’s a good pastime for anybody that has high blood pressure. Going out and playing in the dirt reduces your blood pressure. It’s also healthier if you grow your own vegetables because then you know exactly what chemicals are being put on them. You can grow organic, and that’s always healthy.”

By Ken Schroedernews@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — Dianna Ioerger has been a main-stay of the Lostant Grade School Board since 1999. Currently serving the board as president, she sees joining the board as an extension of her volun-teerism.

“My daughter was in eighth grade, and I heard there was an opening on the school board. So I decided, ‘OK, I’ll just run for it,’ because I wanted to be involved,” Ioerger said. “I’ve been involved with my children all through school. Whenev-er they needed a mother to help do whatever, I vol-unteered. So I decided I wanted to try the school board next.”

Ioerger’s volunteerism is a family tradition. She remembers what her grandfather told her dad when they moved to Lostant.

“He said, ‘Son, if you’re going to live in the com-munity, get involved in the community.’ That was something that as a child I watched my par-ents do,” she said. “My mother was involved with the church, and my father was involved with the town and its issues and the fire department. I’ve used that philosophy in my life as I’ve grown. If you want something done, you have to be involved. Don’t sit and criticize. Get out there, try to find the answer and help.”

By Ken Schroedernews@tonicanews.com

TONICA — Tonica Grade School (TGS) has had great success with its adoption of the Posi-

tive Behavior Interven-tion and Support (PBIS) program with referrals for behavioral problems decreasing significantly this year. Now, the stu-dents are working on a

project to help incom-ing students see how the program works.

TGS social studies and physical education teacher Nick Heuser is one of the team members of the PBIS program, and his students are making a movie about the pro-gram.

“The purpose of the movie is to have a tool to use to show the expectations to new students and also use as a refresher for our students,” Heuser said. “After Christmas break, we like to do a refresher. At the beginning of each school year, we go over

all the expectations, so the movie is going to be used for that.”

Classes rotate each semester at TGS, and one of the options for the fourth quarter was work-ing on the video. The students who elected to take part were instructed to go over each of the

school locations covered by the PBIS program and write a script which would show the expecta-tions for each location.

“Then they were to film it on their iPads, and we will be editing it all together, adding some

1 Front

The Tonica NewsVolume 141 No. 7 Friday, April 11, 2014

Single Copy Cost 50¢

Vol. 141 No. 7

One Section - 8 Pages

© The Tonica News

InsideGoing global at St. Bede

Students, staff and administration will have opportunities in China

See Page 2

Lights ... camera ... action

Learning to grow

Ioerger shares her thoughts on LGS

Students making video about PBIS program

Extension offers gardening classes

Tonica News photo/Dixie SchroederLisa Barton of The Corner Garden in Tonica is busy working with her plants, both flowers and vegetables in her greenhouses. Barton is unsure of when her business will open up for the season due to the recent spate of cold weather.

See Extension Page 4See Ioerger Page 4

See PBIS Page 3

By Goldie CurrieShaw Media Service

PERU — St. Bede Academy has expanded its horizons and cross cultural education opportunities.

With the signing of an agreement with sister-school, Kinglee High School, St. Bede Acad-emy now offers the opportunity to study a semester at the school located in Zhengzhou, China.

The opportunity will not be limited to stu-dents, but it will also include faculty and administration, as well.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Ted Struck announced the milestone in St. Bede history.

“At St. Bede Acad-emy we’re always look-ing for ways to give students a unique opportunity to instill in them outstanding academics and char-acter,” he explained. “We want our students to have the desire and inspiration to be good global citizens. Hav-ing the opportunity to study abroad in China is an outstanding cul-tural opportunity at any level, let alone a high school in the Illi-nois Valley.”

Struck explained throughout the next year, St. Bede cur-riculum will be inte-grated into Kinglee High School. Faculty

members and Princi-pal Michelle Mershon will travel to China to work with the faculty and administration of Kinglee.

“Courses at Kinglee will contain the same subject matter taught at St. Bede,” he said. “The transition will be seamless.”

Students who choose to study in China will stay with the boarders at the school during the week and will go home on weekends and stay with families of fellow students. Those St. Bede students who go to China to study will not incur other costs, just the regular St. Bede tuition.

“The cultural bene-fits are far beyond what I could even imagine,” Struck said.

In 2010, St. Bede formalized their inter-national boarding pro-gram. In 2013, six students from Kinglee High School attended St. Bede.

“The result of this experiment has been nothing short of out-standing, and today we’re entering into the next phase of the very successful mutual, ben-eficial relationship,” he said.

Wei-Chi Lee, owner of Kinglee High School and Best Educational Organization, was pres-ent at the press confer-ence with her husband, Yao-Bing Wang, general manager; Eileen Wang,

director of Internation-al Affairs; and Dr. Jen-Hao Walter Hsu, direc-tor of International Department.

“Everyone in the world should have the right and opportunity to go anywhere in the world for a better edu-cation,” Lee said dur-ing the press confer-ence. “Technology does indeed shorten time and space between people, but I believe that only through internationalization of education can we bring peoples’ minds closer together.”

She explained Kinglee High School has been

dedicated to interna-tionalizing education in China and how the partnership with St. Bede sets a stepping stone for international-ization of education in China.

“We will work with St. Bede to carry on this mission to other parts of the world,” she said.

Following the press conference, there was one question from the audience. With St. Bede being a Catholic high school, how would the area of religion be worked into curricu-lum at Kinglee High School?

Struck explained that religion would eventu-ally be integrated into the curriculum and admitted it would be difficult to find a per-son to fill that roll.

Lee understood how some might be con-cerned about the teach-ing of religion in China, where the government does hold regulation on religion, but explained at her school they find it important for every-one to choose their own religious faith and hold the respect for each others’ choosing. She assured religion would be integrated into the curriculum at Kinglee.

2 Local2 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 11, 2014

Seeking Sources

Where in the world is The Tonica News? Are you planning a vacation or holi-day trip? Don’t forget to take along a copy of the The Tonica News. Once you get to your destination, have someone snap a photo of you holding the newspaper, and then send the photo to us along with pertinent information about who is in the photo and where you are. We’ll be happy to share your photo with other Tonica News readers, your friends, family and neigh-bors. Email your photo and information to news@tonicanews.com. You can also drop it by our office in Tonica.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tonica NewsP.O. Box 86,Tonica, IL 61370

The Tonica News

P.O. Box 86, Tonica, IL 61370 (USPS 633340)

Published every Friday at Tonica, IL 61370

Entered at Tonica Post Office as Periodical Mail

$22 In LaSalle County$25 Outside of LaSalle County

Email to: news@tonicanews.com. Photos should be sent as an attachment.

SubmitThe Tonica News

encourages readers to submit news for publica-tion in our paper. Special events, weddings, births, awards and honors, anni-versaries, promotions, etc. are welcome items for the paper. Some fees may apply.

Schools, businesses, organizations and groups are encouraged to send information on activities and events. If you have attended a function or event and have a photo and/or news, please sub-mit them.

ContactPublisherSam Fishersfisher@tonicanews.com

EditorTerri Simontsimon@tonicanews.com

Going global at St. Bede

Shaw Media photo/Goldie CurrieSt. Bede Academy Superintendent Ted Struck shakes hands with Wei-Chi Lee, owner and president of Kinglee High School of Zhengzhou, China, after signing a formal agreement with the sister-school. With the agreement, St. Bede stu-dents will have the opportunity to study a semester at Kinglee, where St. Bede curriculum will be integrated.

Students, staff and administration will have opportunities in China

Personal Assistance with Daily NeedsMedication Assistance

Private & Companion Suites AvailableMany Safety Features

Peru • Streator • Princeton815-224-2200 • 815-672-1900 • 815-875-6600

www.simplythefinest.netNot-for-profit Provider

Serving the Illinois Valley for over 10 years

On Site

...part of a continuum circle of care

Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living

FREE

815-339-6278 • Open 7 Days a Week

www.paganolearys.net 304 S. McCoy St. • Granville, IL

aLL you Can eat fISh for $7.99 every frIday

Wednesday is half Price hump day

50% off all beer and sandwiches!

aLL you Can eat taCoS on tueSday

Aluminum CAns

65¢ per lb.for 25 lbs. or more

153 Canal St. • LaSalle, IL • 815-223-0322OPEN MON-FRI 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. • SAT 8 - 11:30 a.m.

Must present coupon for special pricing • Price Subject to Change • Expires 5/16/14

BuCkmAn iron & metAl

SouthsideMini Storage

Tonica, ILSpace Now Available

815-488-9023

3 Obit RecordsFriday, April 11, 2014 • The Tonica News • 3

Elmer TarrLEONORE — Elmer

“E.T.” G. Tarr, 79, of Leonore died at 9:02 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at Asta Care Center in Toluca.

Elmer was born March 23, 1934, in Budapest, Hungary, to Elemer and Terezia Tarr. He mar-ried Marilyn Bacon in 1964. She died in 1984. He then married Sandra Phelps Langie on March 17, 1989.

He worked 30 years at J & L-LTV Steel in Hen-nepin as an electrician. In his later years, he was a member of the Ottawa

Art League and Valley Wood Carv-ers. He won many ribbons and prizes for his beautiful carved wood fish, before his brain disorder stole his abilities.

Elmer is survived by his wife; one son, Andrew (Rachel) Tarr of Amboy; one daughter, Monica Kreiser of Tonica; two stepsons, Robert (Jean) Langie of Deerfield and David Langie of Peo-ria; one stepdaughter, Karen (Ihson) Kartal of Knoxville, Tenn.; seven

grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchil-dren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, who died at birth.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memo-rial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Richland United Method-ist Church in Leonore with the Rev. Mark Nowakowski officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the church.

The Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica is assist-ing the family.

Marjorie Jean Henning

TONICA — Marjorie Jean (Clift) Henning, 89, of Tonica passed away peacefully in her home, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, with her family at her side.

Marjorie was born July 6, 1924, in Roath Park, Cardiff, South Wales, to George and Dolly (Trow) Clift. She married Robert R. Hen-ning of Tonica on Sept. 9, 1947, in Cardiff. She spent her early years of her life growing up in Ely, a suburb of Car-diff. During her school years, she had a pen friend, Della (Kastner) Sickley who was grow-ing up in Leonore. It was because of this friendship that Marjo-rie met the love of her life. Robert had joined the Army Air Corps sup-porting the war effort. When he shipped out to be stationed with the 8th Air Force north of London, he took with him the request to try and look up the pen friend and thus began the friendship and rela-

tionship that brought Mar-jorie to Ton-ica. Marjorie and Sickley, who lives in Streator, h a v e r e m a i n e d s t e a d f a s t friends throughout their lives.

Marjorie loved flow-ers and anyone that has known her knew that her garden and yard were always on display. She loved to sew and became a seamstress to many in LaSalle Coun-ty. She and her hus-band were avid travel-ers often visiting their daughter stationed in Europe with the U.S. Air Force, friends and relatives in England and Wales, and their son liv-ing in New Zealand. She was a housewife that loved raising her two children and was always proud to show photos and tell everyone of their endeavors.

Marjorie was a mem-ber of the English Brides Club, Tonica Thursday Club, 20th Century Club and the Tonica United Method-

ist Church.Survivors include her

son, Alan D. Henning, and his wife, Geradine (Behrens), of Madison, Wis; a daughter, Kay L. (Henning) Berube of Woodbridge, Va.; a granddaughter, Eleanor Henning of Washing-ton, D.C.; and a sister, Doreen Carr of Tonica.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Rob-ert.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Mon-day, April 14, at the Tonica United Method-ist Church with the Rev. Mark Nowakowski, pas-tor, officiating. Friends and family are invited to share memories in McPherson Hall after the services, where a light lunch and English tea will be served by the Methodist women.

Memorial donations may be directed to VITAS Hospice or the Mayo Clinic.

The Mueller Funeral Home in Peru is assisting the family with arrange-ments. The online guest-book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.

Obituaries

Elmer Tarr

Marjorie Jean

Henning

Get your news online! — Check out www.tonicanews.com.

Tonica News photo/Ken SchroederMary Claire Just (from left), Tyler Marcinkus, Matt Huska and David Hillyer demonstrate proper walking in the hallway while Hayley Maurice films on her iPad. The video is part of the PBIS movie project at Tonica Grade School.

music from the school music program,” Heuser said. “The middle school teachers will be look-ing over the movies. The students had some help with the scripts, and we’ll be revising them before we go into final production.

“We have three groups of five kids, and they’ve been doing an

excellent job,” Heuser said. “I’ve had mini-mal involvement so far because they’re taking it so responsibly. I’ve checked what they have so far in the movies and so far, so good.”

“We get to help the school out,” eighth-grader David Hillyer said. “It was fun making the movie.”

PBIS is a recent inno-vation which empha-sizes rewarding good

behavior in school more than punishing bad behavior. While discipline is still main-tained, the idea is to show students good behavior can have its rewards. The better the behavior and the great-er numbers of students behaving means great-er reward with school events and fun activi-ties being interjected through the school year.

PBISFrom Page 1

• Sporting Goods• Team Equipment• Custom Screen

Printing & Embroidery

123 E. St. Paul StreetSpring Valley, IL

Locker room

1-815-663-1108

HurstFuneralHome

Tonica, IL223-0380

Thanks for the votes and help with my success in running for

Tonica Telephone Board.

Jeremy Hillyer

Thank You

Judy EbnEr8/27/1949 - 3/10/2014

The family of Judy Ebner wishes to thank everyone who has touched our lives in any way during this time of loss. To those who called, sent cards, flowers, memorials, or food, our most sincere thanks. We wish to extend a special thank you to Horizon House, Prey-Mueller Funeral Home, Father Blake, Holy Family choir, pallbearers, altar servers, and to all who attended the wake or funeral, your presence meant so much to all of us. Thank you for being part of Judy’s life and sharing our loss.

Jim & Alice EbnerJanet and Ray Wolf

Joe Ebner

4 Biz Ag4 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 11, 2014

Donations are being accepted to help those who would like to garden and can not financially afford the seeds and plants. One of the missions of Learn-ing Healthy Gardening is to provide supplies for families who could not tradition-ally afford to start a gar-den and educate those who have never experienced gar-

dening but would like the health benefits and financial savings that a garden offers their families. Classes will be offered in June and July on taking the harvest from the garden to the table to enjoy the garden. Donations can be made to Toluca Coal Association/Gardening Proj-ect in care of Barb Dahl-bach, P.O. Box 476 Toluca, IL 61369.

For more information, call Dahlbach at 815-452-2850.

Ioerger is fairly happy with what’s been accom-plished since she joined the board 15 years ago, but rec-ognizes there’s more to go.

“Our basement is pret-ty well repaired, but my dream would be to take the school kitchen and make it beautiful. When I came on the board, that’s all I want-ed to do was remodel the kitchen because it’s out-dated,” Ioerger said. “That portion of the building was built in 1954. I feel bad for the cooks down there. They do a very good job, but they just don’t have the modern updates. I’d also like to make the school safer because the world is not the same as when I was growing up.”

While there’s always more to do for the school, Ioerger’s proud of the work that’s being done now.

“We do so many things

constantly, and we’re con-stantly trying to update the school,” Ioerger said. “The most exciting part is what we’re doing with our edu-cation, where children are put together as a group and learning as a group. It takes me back to the one-room schoolhouse, and the chil-dren are learning quicker because we’re there with different levels of education of a child. I love the way we’re trying to teach our children.”

Extension

Ioerger

From Page 1

From Page 1

Dianna Ioerger

Extension to hold ag night

Empower Flower benefit

Service tax due April 30

PRINCETON — The University of Illinois Extension, Bureau-LaSalle-Marshall-Put-nam Unit will hold an agronomy night to pro-vide research results for 2013. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 17 at the Bureau County Extension Office, 850 Thompson St., Princeton. All area ag producers and ag industry representa-tives are welcome to attend this informative evening of agricultural

education. There is no cost to attend.

Russ Higgins, com-mercial agriculture educator with the University of Illinois Extension, will present a summary of the proj-ects and results from the 2013 growing sea-son in a 90-minute pre-sentation. A preview of new upcoming research on crop management issues for 2014 will also be covered.

The Northern Illinois Agronomy Research

Center is the north-ernmost research cen-ter dedicated to com-mercial agriculture research operated by the University of Illi-nois Department of Crop Sciences accord-ing to Higgins. The 160-acre research cen-ter was established in 1948 in DeKalb County on land donated to Uni-versity of Illinois by the late Senator H.G. Wright. Each year, 40 to 45 research projects including trials inves-

tigating cropping sys-tems, soil fertility, crop breeding, crop manage-ment, bioenergy crops, tillage and cover crops are conducted on the site.

For additional infor-mation, contact Daryle Wragge, ag program coordinator University of Illinois Extension, Bureau-LaSal le -Mar-shall-Putnam Unit, at 309-364-2356. Advance notice is needed for assistance for reason-able accommodation.

TONICA — A ben-efit to support Denise Flower is set for 3 to 10 p.m. on May 31. The “Empower Flow-er” benefit will be held at the Tonica Fire Department. Tickets are $15 in advance or

$20 at the door. The ticket price includes dinner (served from 4 to 7 p.m. with a cash bar), a 50/50, raffles and a silent auction. Music will be provid-ed by Ric Soens, Tim Ajster, Jimmy & The

Kid and 3 Day Week-end. Tickets can be purchased at Rudy’s Liquor Store, LaSalle County Travel, Mid-land States Bank in Peru, Gregg’s Automo-tive in Utica, and Illini State Bank in Tonica.

Flower has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.

You can find more information at face-book .com/empower -flower.8 or by contact-ing Renee Sell at 815-252-4030.

OTTAWA — Mobile home local services tax is due April 30 accord-ing to the office of LaSalle County Trea-surer Donald Lamps.

If the tax is not paid on time and considered delinquent by Nov. 12,

the delinquencies will be sold at the annu-al delinquent tax bill sale on Nov. 13. In the meantime, Illinois statue requires a $25 late fee each month the payment is delinquent. That fee begins May 1.

Checks should be made to the LaSalle County Collector. To submit a payment, mail to Treasurer’s Office, P.O. Box 1560, Ottawa, IL 61350, or patrons can use the drop box open 24 hours a day in

the east parking lot of the Governmental Com-plex East Etna Road in Ottawa. Payments can also be dropped off at the LaSalle County Treasurer’s office dur-ing normal business hours.

For Ad Information

815-875-4461 ext. 270or emailadvertising@tonicanews.com

Tonica News

Call Ashley at

Tri-CounTy AuTo SAleS 2005 Chevy Cobalt4-Door$3,995

2002 Dodge DurangoLoaded$3,995

2001 Mercedes-Benz C240One Owner$3,995

1995 Toyota CorollaONLY$1,395

2004 Dodge DurangoLoaded$5,995

2003 Ford TaurusLoaded$2,595

339-6165Rt. #71 • Standard, IL

Al Cioni Ford, inC. oF GrAnville hAs AChieved Ford Motor Co’s

hiGhest deAler honor: the 2013 President’s AwArd

Every year Ford Motor Company honors dealerships who have gone above and beyond their customers’ expectations with the President’s Award.

What makes this award even more significant is that customers are the judges. Through a comprehensive survey, customers rate dealers on the basis of their sales, service and overall ownership experience. The President’s Award is only presented to those top-preforming Ford Dealerships that exhibit quality business practices and Ford’s core

No baloney with Al Cioni!

Al Cioni Ford inC.504 S. McCoy, Granville • 815-339-2511 • www.alcioniford.com

Left to Right: Al Cioni, Monnie Cioni holding grandson, Joseph Perko, Dustin Mehlbrech, Alan Biccochi, David Griffin holding Racecar Rambo the Guard Cat, and Laura Vaessen (Absent from photo: Charlene Sandberg)

principles. Dealerships nationwide competed for this honor, but only 10% of all dealerships achieved 2013 President’s Award.

“It’s a thrill to receive this recognition from our customers,” says Al Cioni, owner of Al Cioni Ford, Inc. “Making sure our

customers are happy is what everyone who works here strives for. And it takes real teamwork to make it happen. From the people who answer our phones to our sales folks to our technicians, everyone plays a part in customer satisfaction. I couldn’t be more proud of our staff. They’re the reason we’ve won this award,” emphasizes Al Cioni.

There has been a Ford dealership in Granville since 1934. The Cioni family has owned it since 1968.

Al Cioni Ford, Inc. is located at 504 S. McCoy St., Granville, IL. The service department phone number is 815/339-2511. Hours are 7am-12pm and 1pm-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and Saturday 8am-12pm and 1pm-3 p.m.

I would like to thank my family and friends, who were so kind to me during my recent illness. All the cards, visits, food and all the kindness shown to me was greatly appreciated.

Thank you allDoris Barr

5 PerspectiveFriday, April 11, 2014 • The Tonica News • 5

The Editorial Page

Sam R FisherPublisher

Terri Simoneditor

The Tonica News

Enjoying the ‘madness’

At a loss for words

“It’s been a long time since I’ve done a lot of

that. One of my favorites was when I was in charge of the concession stand for the Tonica Baseball

Association. That’s been a long time ago. It was fun with the games and kids

and such.”Joyce Obermiller, Leonore

“I’m on the town board, and a few years back I was on the school board. I sup-pose those were the two bigger things I did. I was

on the fire department and was an EMT. Being an EMT

was good to help people. It was the one that helped

make a difference.”Rich Higgins, Tonica

“I haven’t done anything lately. I haven’t really coached any teams. I thought it

would be fun to try it.”Kyle Horn, Cedar Point

“I guess the closest thing is probably when I was in grade school. I grew up in

Oglesby, and I played base-ball in town and helped

work the concession stand. It’s a really good thing to

do, and it’s a good thing to teach your kids.”Tyler Wieczorek, Cedar Point

“Back when my kids were young and in school, I went and helped cook at the din-ners and things that they served. I had fun. I liked doing it. I liked meeting

with the ladies and working together with them.”

Pamela Bland, Lostant

On a Sunday afternoon in March, as I write this column, I am sitting on my couch, laptop in hand, and my television tuned to the NCAA basketball tournament. That’s not an unusual occurrence during the past week; I have been tuned in to many basketball games. In fact, just today, this is the third game that I have watched. The first being a NIT game featuring the Fighting Illini from the University of Illinois.

I am kind of a basketball nut. I think it partially stems from my youth. I graduated from Tiskilwa High School (many years ago) and attended that school during a time of some pretty good basketball teams. Coach Prusator could take a group of boys, some with a good amount of talent and some just small town and country boys who were willing to work hard and were instilled by him and their parents with the idea that hard work could make you a winner. It was a great time, and the original March Madness of Illinois high school basketball was a big part of those years.

Anyway, my love of basketball continues today. “March Madness” of the NCAA tournament is one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoy every aspect of the games. But, I really enjoy watching the underdog; Cinderella teams send some of the powerhouse college basketball teams home in the early rounds of the tour-nament.

This year sending big schools home has been a pretty common occurrence. I enjoyed all of those outcomes.

There are a wide variety of dynam-ics that contribute to the college bas-ketball games. Unfortunately, there are announcers from whatever net-work I happen to be watching. I am

not a big fan of that facet of the game. I like for announcers to be impar-tial, and too many of them seem to pick favorites; that makes me turn the volume to mute and just watch the game without the interference of their voices. Sorry, all you local sports announcers out there — I’m not talking about you — I am speak-ing of national announcers who pick favorites and talk a little too much for my taste.

So, we have the announcers; then we have the pep band. I love the pep band! As a former band member myself, I love listening to the songs that every pep bands play. If you have ever been to any basketball game, you know what I mean. During one of the games I recently watched, the tuba players were spinning in cir-cles. I pointed them out to my 5-year-old grandson. He was so impressed, saying that he plans to play the tuba when he grows up. I think he liked the idea of spinning.

Then there are the fans. The fans are crazy and inspiring. Some of them travel for long distances to support their favorite team. They show up at games decked out in the school colors, and many of them stand through the games, only tak-ing a break to sit at halftime. Their passion for their particular school is pretty amazing. I watched a young boy, probably 12 or 13, with tears on his face as his beloved Jayhawks were going down in defeat. That boy would probably never let someone see him cry except when it came to the love

of his team.As most of you probably know, the

NCAA basketball tournament is made up of 64 teams from around the United States. There are numerous teams that are included in the action because of winning their conference tournament. These “automatic bids” are joined by “at-large bids” that are made by a committee. The automatic bids are what makes the tournament so interesting and special. These automatic bids come from large and small conferences, and then essen-tially the big boys play the little boys in the opening rounds.

As I said, I tend to pick the under-dogs as my favorites, and I love some of those schools, teams and their names. This year there were the Dayton “Flyers,” the Eastern Kentucky “Colonels,” the Stephen F. Austin “Lumberjacks” and the Wichita State “Shockers.” Of course, the tournament of 2014 would not have been complete without the Albany “Great Danes.” Those Great Danes came out in their purple and gold uniforms with the front of their pants purple and the back gold. The young men wore them proudly. Then there were the Baylor “Bears,” not an unusual participant in the tournament, but they arrived in their lime green uniforms with bright blue shoes. You couldn’t miss them!

By the time this column is printed, the tournament for 2014 will proba-bly be over and a national champion will have been crowned. And, I, well, I will have the memories and the promise of next year when a new group of special teams will make their way through this annual event called “madness.”

Nita Wyatt can be reached at golf-ingfor2@ymail.com.

As I waited for my meal to be delivered in a local restaurant, I couldn’t help but notice the older gentleman sitting across from me. Though his face was weathered, it was remarkably kind — I tend to notice kind faces.

Sitting across from this older fellow was his teenage granddaughter — I heard her call him “Gramps” a couple of times. She was busy working/playing on her iPad, as they also waited for their meals.

The restaurant was busy, and I don’t mind telling you the wait was consid-erably long for our meals, which was OK with me, since I was enjoying the casual atmosphere and the much-needed relaxation. I found myself glancing now and then toward Gramps and his grand-daughter throughout the evening, and something very troubling kept gnawing at me.

You see, during the entire meal and the time it took to get it, the granddaughter kept her eyes on her iPad, while Gramps just stared off into the distance. Only a few words of conversation were exchanged, and even after the meal was delivered, the young lady still had her eyes on her iPad, while the two ate in silence. The teenager was still look-ing at her iPad when the two left the restaurant, while Gramps paid for the meal. If 100 words were spoken between the two during the entire meal, I’d be surprised.

I’ve thought about that evening a lot — the young lady on her iPad, while Gramps sat quietly at the table. The lack of conversation bothers me. While the young lady’s disrespect of her grandfather is paramount to this discussion, I have to remember someone (perhaps her parents) has allowed this teenager to bring her electronics to the table — in essence to ignore the person(s) at the table and remain in her own world. That alone is tragic.

But to me, what is more troubling is what this teenager is missing, and that was a conversation with her grandfather. The two had about 90 min-utes to chat, listen to each other and talk about anything and everything, yet the girl didn’t give Grandpa any time at all. When I think about it, I find the scenario very sad.

What I wouldn’t give to have 90 minutes with my grandparents today. I can almost picture us sitting together, chatting non-stop — me hanging onto every word they said, while I allowed them the opportunity to talk and talk and talk ... I’d ask a million questions, and I’d get just as many answers. We’d laugh until our sides ached, and inevitably a few tears might fall too. We’d cram as much as we could into those 90 minutes. The idea of an iPad or a cell phone or any other elec-tronic gadget wouldn’t even enter my mind.

But I’m considerably older than that teenager who sat across the aisle from me, and I, too, remember a time when life seemed long and loved ones always seemed available. Everyone was invincible back then, and the idea of never having a loved one there didn’t seem to enter our minds.

But what I really wanted to do was shake that young teenager, snatch away her iPad and shout, “TALK TO YOUR GRANDPA! THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN YOU WON”T BE ABLE TO DO SO. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY MINUTE YOU’RE GIVEN BECAUSE BEFORE LONG — IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE — THAT OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN AWAY.”

Electronic devices can be somewhat addict-ing. I’ve known couples who have parted ways because the computer got in the way of their time together. While I wouldn’t want to give up these electronic devices, we must set some guidelines. When these devices get in the way of our commu-nication with each other — that one-on-one time that is so very valuable, we’ve lost so very much.

Rules need to be made: Don’t bring your phones, your iPads, etc., to the table. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and who knows what we might learn from a simple conversation.

Tonica News Editor Terri Simon can be reached at tsimon@tonicanews.com.

On the street Have you ever performed or helped with community or public service? Did you have a favorite?

Nita WyattCOMMENTARY

TerriSimon

6

NOTICE OF POSSIBLE REFUND OF ADDITIONAL UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FOR PERSONS WHO

PREVIOUSLY RECLAIMED SECURITIESIf you previously reclaimed securities from the State of Illinois through the Unclaimed Property Division, you may be entitled to additional funds from the State for dividends that may have been received on your securities while they were in the State’s custody as a result of a settlement in a class action lawsuit, captioned Canel v. Rutherford, Case No. 00 CH 13279, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

If you would like to claim these additional funds to which you are entitled under the settlement, please call the Unclaimed Property Division at (217) 785-6998 to receive a claim form and instructions or complete the claim form at https://icash.illinois.gov/notice.asp and submit it as stated in the instructions.

Cramptons Body Shop 708 E Hickory Street StreatorCruz Simon 1118 S Otter Creek Rd StreatorCurry Stephanie M 618 N Illinois St StreatorDanekas Orrie J 1603 Illinois Ave MendotaDaniels Francis V 2612 Marquett Rd PeruDaniels Ruth I 2612 Marquett Rd PeruDavis Amy 1688n2501 Road OttawaDavis Scott 712 W Superior Street OttawaDcruz Sonia M 817 King Arthur Ln OttawaDellinger Robert E 2709 Saint Vincents Ave La SalleDenton John Deters Joseph C Jr 2962 E 419th Rd La SalleDodda Neal R 1727 27th St PeruDodda Siva 1727 27th St PeruDooley Eric 2711 S 7th St PeruDouble D Express Po Box 606 PeruDoucey David Drag Lottie 422 E 12th St PeruDrag Walter 422 E 12th St PeruDummitt Randall L 3738 E 2603rd Road SheridanDummitt Sandra S 3738 E 2603rd Road SheridanDunfrund Rhonda 111 S 13th Ave Lot C15 MendotaDuvall Kelly 214 W 1st St StreatorDuvall Terry 214 W 1st St StreatorEclipse Benefit Serv 100 W Superior St Ste 3 OttawaEdwards Rita Rr 1 3275 E Paw Paw Road EarlvilleEich Velma M 1703 Pine St OttawaEisert Irene 1114 4h Rd OttawaElias Agnes 701 N Otter Creek Rd StreatorElko Rita 2010 N Bloomington Apt 5b StreatorElmore Jack L Jr 1316 N Wasson St StreatorElmore Mary L 1316 N Wasson St StreatorEltrevoog Martin H Po Box 314 PeruEndress Jay W 705 E Union St EarlvilleEric Moyer 324 3rd Street Apt 5 La SalleFairway Body Shop Inc 730 W Bluff St MarseillesFaletti Charles Po Box 194 La SalleFaletti Ellen 935 Marquette St La SalleFaw Barbara 110 East Main Street OttawaFender Menders 320 Cedar St Cedar PointFender Menders 641 1st St La SalleFirst Federal Savings Bank 633 Lasalle Street OttawaFleck Vicki L 437 Crosat Street La SalleFogg Glenda 2810 E 13th Rd OttawaFoley Dayle A Rr 4 OttawaFoley Mark O Rr 4 OttawaForney David A Po Box 402 301 Oneca St TonicaFranz Jacqueline L 4091 E 2650th Road SheridanFranz Robert G 4091 E 2650th Road SheridanFrausto Asucena 360 Illinois St MarseillesFuentes Juan 623 W Stanton St StreatorGaisford Wilda Est 1316 N Bloomington StreatorGarcia Israel M 202 1st Ave MendotaGarrow Delbert Rt 1 SerenaGays Body Shop Inc 1601 Poplar Street OttawaGershon Radiology Ltd 818 Lasalle St OttawaGiacinto Barbara 407 Carriage Lane StreatorGibson Brenda S 3317 E 2059th Rd OttawaGibson Richard L 3317 E 2059th Rd OttawaGonzalez Glenda A 1309 Grant St PeruGraham Barbara Rr 4 2210 Caton Road OttawaGraham Jack A Grayden Brigetta 718 Arch St Apt 3 OttawaGreene Rebecca 414 1st Ave OttawaGrootenboer Donna 2782 N 3501 Rd SenecaGrootenboer Geoffrey 2782 N 3501 Rd SenecaGrubar Frank J Jr 539 Hickory Ave OglesbyGuarantee & Trust Co 3 Timber Ridge StreatorGullo Tony Jr 709 E Walnut OglesbyGuzinski Ronald 220 N Clark SenecaHaband Haish Terry Jr Po Box 93 SheridanHall Paige 125 Oak St StreatorHampson Clara E Rr 4 OttawaHarmon James Rt 4 2397 1251st Rd OttawaHarmon Joseph A 4241 E 1553rd Rd EarlvilleHarmon Josey Rt 4 2397 1251st Rd OttawaHarmon Nancy J 4241 E 1553rd Rd EarlvilleHarp Jillian Po Box 194 EarlvilleHarrison Richard J 401 N Shabbona StreatorHartman Matthew V 1130 Briarcrest Dr OttawaHeiser Greg 513fourth Ave OttawaHeitz Janet L 301 E 1st St StreatorHeitz Richard F 301 E 1st St StreatorHenriksen Audrey 511 Spring St StreatorHenriksen Neil T 511 Spring St StreatorHillyer Deborah J 1413 Scott OttawaHillyer Delia 914 N 2129th Rd TonicaHinkle William 1245 6th St Apt 3 La SalleHirsch Imogene G 1058 10th St La SalleHirsch Joseph S 1058 10th St Apt 1 La SalleHolford Mary 2319 Cherrie Lane OttawaHopps Christine 17 Oak Ridge Dr La SalleHospital Radiology Service Sc 8 Us Rte 6 West Ste 2 PeruHudson Michael D 9 Liz Mar Place StreatorHuhn Sheila 903 Polk St StreatorHunter Michael L 2705 Lailey Ave OttawaIllinois Cement Co 1601 Rockwell Rd La SalleIllinois Valley Millwright Service 3001 West Fifth Street PeruIverson Doris L 1529 Seminol Dr OttawaIwaszek John A 2047 La Harpe St La SalleJanke David A Po Box 184 MarseillesJenkins Rolene L 6071e2550 North Rd StreatorJohnson Leif D 255 Anita Dr OttawaJohnson Lorrenna 105 20th St Apt D6 MendotaJones Kevin 161 E Us Highway 52 MendotaJuarez Victor M 148 12 Marquette St La SalleJuchniewicz Rose M 1101 31st Street Rm 424 PeruKalousek Joyce Kalousek Kimberly Kasner Rosemary Kay Gregg F 3068 East 1879th Road Kemp Lola B 914 Cotton St StreatorKing Nathan James 647 Chambers OttawaKinkin Laurie A 122 W Van Buren St OttawaKlachko Helen 607 Schultz St StreatorKnackstedt Judy 2330 Main St PeruKnoll Ken 313 W Madison St OttawaKozell Dennis Kramarsic Irene 1254 Crosat St La SalleKrieger Carol 739 28th St PeruKsiazkiewicz Mike Rfd 2 La SalleKuetteman Janelle P 2152 North 3450th Road OttawaLadzinski Angela 2116 1st St PeruLadzinski Thomas J 2116 1st St PeruLasalle County Circuit Clerk 119 W Madsion OttawaLasalle County Clerk Po Box 1560 707 E Etna Rd OttawaLasalle County Housing Authority Lauer Kristin M 9 Liz Mar Place StreatorLavico Polymers Usa Inc Psp 4110 Progress Blvd PeruLawniczak Beverly 623 6th St PeruLayden Nancy 1598 Linden Ave La SalleLeach Daniel L 447 Roath St Apt 2 MarseillesLenski Marie V 1060 Ninth St La SalleLesniak Janice N 1550 State Rte 23 N Unit 8 StreatorLevelle Rita Levisay Gerald Md Lewis John R 378 Zimmerman Rd MendotaLindel Elizabeth A 4357 E 3rd Rd MendotaLindel Emily 4357 E 3rd Rd MendotaLindel William J III 4357 E 3rd Rd MendotaLindquist Albert G 205 15th St MendotaLindquist Lucille G 205 15th St MendotaLiturgical Publications Local 680 211 Linnwood Ave OttawaLocke Gladys Po Box 16 TonicaLocke Gladys K Oak St TonicaLopez John R 511 East Etna Road OttawaLove Julie Anna 1705 Senica Dr OttawaLovell Kelly Henry 1314 W Main St OttawaMadden Marie K 406 Hillside Ave OttawaMadonna Angeline 414 E Walnut St OglesbyMajors Ann M 17 Oak Ridge Dr La SalleMartin Lisa K 1001 Douglas Street OttawaMartin Michael P 1001 Douglas Street OttawaMathy Jamison 611 E Washington St La SalleMayes Loar C 475 E State Route 351 Apt 7 OglesbyMayszak Kathy K 320 Cedar St Cedar PointMazzetti Delphine 1018 Sycamore St PeruMcdaniel Robert A 2662 N 3650th Rd SheridanMcgurk James 1103 E Broadway St Streator

Mcnulty Teresa Meisel Shelly L 539 Hickory Ave OglesbyMercer Conrad Po Box 17 UticaMettille David 618 N Shabbona StreatorMettille Paulette 618 N Shabbona StreatorMeuser Berneice E 6071 E 2550 North Rd StreatorMicheli Madge O Po Box 36 TonicaMicheli Robert Po Box 36 TonicaMichlik David M 1551 N 1609th Rd StreatorMichlik Michael Est 1551 N 1609th Rd StreatorMilby Patricia 624 Garfield Ave La SalleMiller Edward 806 W Jackson St OttawaMiller Julie A 3448 E 6th Rd UticaMiller Keegan J 3448 E 6th Rd UticaMiller Kerry 3448 E 6th Rd UticaMoore Fred Po Box 812 StreatorMoreno David 309 S Bloomington St StreatorMoreno Maria 309 S Bloomington St StreatorMorgan Tina 622 7th Ave MarseillesMoriarity Ronald J 2912 E 6th Road La SalleMorris Ann Marie Multiple Sclerosis Society Murphy Beverly 561 Walnut St StreatorNation Mark A 641 1st St La SalleNewkirk Robert 521 Broadway St MarseillesNiemiec John 422 E 12th St PeruNovak Scott E 452 N 48th Rd MendotaObrien Carol 2712 N 23rd Rd SenecaOffice Max 1590 1st Ave OttawaOhme Kevon B 4599 E 22nd Rd LelandOneill Kathleen Po Box 600 UticaOrtiz Margareta C 914 Marquette St OttawaOrvis Vera K 812 W Washington St OttawaOttawa Medical Center 1614 E Norris Drive OttawaPatel Jaynthai A Patel Kamuben B Patel Kamuben J Pavy Anna 2733 5th St PeruPearson Dorothy Pearson Leonard Pennington Est 292 Clark St MarseillesPeter Ferracutti Law Offices 110 East Main Street OttawaPlank Don G 2233 Frontier Dr PeruPrazen Rose 490 State Rt 351 OgelsbyPreci Joseph 202 18th Avenue OttawaPreskar Martin F 1101 4th St PeruPriestly Robert 4110 Progress Blvd PeruQlwe Inc Quesse Thomas 1409 Plain St PeruQuesse William G III 1409 Plain St PeruQuesse William G Jr 1409 Plain St PeruRabideau David 804 Chapel St OttawaRamme Lois 311 S Bloomington St StreatorRamme Robert 311 S Bloomington St StreatorRathbun Imel C 1201 E Broadway St StreatorReviglio Paul A Po Box 1234 La SalleReynolds Shirley A 808 E Kent St StreatorRiley Marian 415 Dixon St StreatorRiley Thomas E III 415 Dixon St StreatorRinker Verlyn K 1557 N 20th Rd Grand RidgeRobran Alexandra K 845 Jermiah Ln OttawaRobran Todd A 845 Jeremiah Ln OttawaRocky Hill Farm Svc Inc Rr 2 EarlvilleRodgers Larry C 1014 7th St Apt 2 La SalleRoe Kristy Po Box 214 139 West Railroad 2c EarlvilleRogowski Linda J R1 N 3150 Rd UticaRohlman Anne 400 E Washington St Apt 1 OttawaRonald L Bernard Po Box 30 MarseillesRosas Alejandro 1095 Chartres St La SalleRosas Fernando 1095 Chartres St La SalleRoush Jeanette F 804 Heritage Ln OttawaRoute 34 Auto Sales Po Box 731 MendotaRuberstell Mirasol 307 Joyce St StreatorRuger Andrew 1601 Poplar Street OttawaRuger Janice 1601 Poplar Street OttawaRush Jason M 1105 Riverside Ave StreatorRuva Irene 830 Swift Ave OglesbyRyg Linda K 1302 Huron St OttawaSabina Adams 1815 5th Street PeruSabol Dan 1408 Ralph Plumb St StreatorSafrauek Christopher 401 13th Ave MendotaSajnaj Florence 518 14th St PeruSampson Carol J 220 Legner St LelandSampson Gerald E 7193 S County Line Rd LelandSarantinos Alexander James 1642 Laharpe St La SalleSarantinos Blake Ryan 1642 Laharpe St La SalleSarantinos Zoe Elizabeth 1642 Laharpe St La SalleSchietzel Elizabeth 906 Canal St Apt 205 OttawaSchievelbein James F Rr 1 TonicaSchievelbein Kathryn Rr 1 TonicaSchraudenbach Mavis H 2322 Eastwood Ave StreatorScroggs Lori H 1604 Pike St PeruSears Optical 1607 36th PeruSenica Elizabeth A 2899 E 777th Rd UticaSerochi Marianna Rr 1 Cedar PointSerochi Mike Rr 1 Cedar PointShabni Fiarije 504n2782 Rd La SalleShams Sabah 2998 E 2360th Rd MarseillesSharisky Emilee Nicole 1502 Walnut St StreatorSheedy Donald S 175 E Union St SenecaSheshunoff Information Services Inc Short Melissa J 1642 Laharpe St La SalleSibert Evelyn Hines 139 E Walnut St OglesbySimpson Anthony J 305 S 3rd Ave StreatorSloan Ronald 4397 E 1675th Rd EarlvilleSmall Town Electric Inc Po Box 1061 La SalleSmigel Natalie 1521 2nd St PeruSmith Larry E 201 N Main St EarlvilleSmith Mark S 1539 N 2659th Rd OttawaSmith Stephen 730 W Bluff St MarseillesSmith Wendy 2404 1st St PeruSouthcombe Eric 2746 N 3501st Rd SenecaSpeirer Construction 1427 Pine St OttawaStamberger Larry 684 N 44th Rd MendotaSterling Optical 233 3940 Route 251 PeruSternal Vincent J 447 Roath St Apt 2 MarseillesSteurer James F 68 Carriage Lane Est StreatorStevens Tammy Jo Oakley Ave StreatorStewart Jared E 306 Arch St OttawaStone Donna L 800 E Etna Rd 156 OttawaStreator Chrysler Jeep Dodge Inc 1730 N Bloomington StreatorStreator Community Chorus Sudaj Heather 1108 Rock St PeruSullivan Joanne 1020 2nd St Apt 806 La SalleSurges Scott Swain Margaret 11 Liz Mar Pl StreatorSweeney Bradley J 540 W Park Ave SheridanThomas Ellen M 437 1st Ave OttawaThorsen Kendall E 3256 E 1951 St OttawaThrush Joshua P 911 Retz Dr OttawaTomhave Cade B 166 W Lincoln SenecaTomhave Mckenzie M 166 W Lincoln SenecaTowne Delores G 732 River St OttawaTowne Donald L 732 River St OttawaTungate Brenda 2810 E 13th Rd OttawaTunget Allen 832 26th St La SalleTurner Audrey 1236 3rd St La SalleUrsini Augusta 3356 E 8th Rd UticaValenzuela Edward 709 Erica Dr UticaVidmar Alice C 417 Catherine St OttawaVidmar Frank J 417 Catherine St OttawaWade Tre Matthew 1509 Kelly St StreatorWalsh Jack 436 10th La SalleWasilewski Tammy 1513 W Jackson St OttawaWawerski Della 1703 Sycamore St OttawaWebster Brian 139 S Cash Street SenecaWeiss Ian 1312 Argyle Rd La SalleWesselhoff Nancy A 1511 5th St PeruWhiteaker Jerald Box 235 820 W Main SheridanWhitney Dorotha L 2810 E 13th Rd OttawaWil Andrews T 1762 N 46th Rd LelandWilkinson Dennis L 3 Timber Ridge StreatorWilson Kay F 1000 Lakewood Dr OttawaYanek Edward L 1316 E Morrell St StreatorYanek James E 1316 E Morrell St StreatorYork Heather Po Box 952 OttawaYork Ken Po Box 952 OttawaZepeda Maria E Znaniecki Edmund 1717 12 Water PeruZnaniecki Valerian 1717 12 Water Peru

Adams Richard J 307 Palmer Ave StreatorAddis Joseph 227 Nebraska Street OttawaAll Types Fence Inc 214 W 1st St StreatorAnderson Dolores 503 Wallace St Apt 12 MarseillesAndrews William 1752 N 46th Road LelandAngell William Po Box 256 Grand RidgeApria Healthcare Arkins Josh 860 Lincoln Ave La SalleAshley Julia Po Box 1622 La SalleAubrey Steven M 2394 N 3501 St MarseillesAustin Ronald 2776 N 13th Rd RansomBauman Andrew J 1018 Lincoln Ave OttawaBernard George M 1303 Crosat St La SalleBilyeu Dana P Po Box 193 MarseillesBilyeu Jerilyn Po Box 193 MarseillesBisson Joseph Svd Black Hugh E 1321 Argyle Rd La SalleBlack Hugh E Jr 1321 Argyle Rd La SalleBlanche Dittmer 3340 E 26th Rd MarseillesBlunk Rex 905 2nd Ave MendotaBobs A1 Auto Body Auto Sales 2709 Saint Vincents Ave La SalleBogren David J 184 W Lincoln St SenecaBornac Donald Po Box 42 TonicaBowmans Pharmacy South Inc 310 W Lafayette St OttawaBradford Deborah L 681 N 42nd Rd MendotaBranson Morgan R 622 7th Ave MarseillesBrown Charles F 1700 Burlington St Apt 24 MendotaBudnik Al 647 Chambers OttawaBunge Jolene 1509 Baker St StreatorBurd Leroy 1177 N 47th Road EarlvilleBurden Delilah Burkiewicz Brian 102 11th St PeruBurr Cara 720 Laharpe St La SalleCain Viola R 1413 Scott OttawaCarpenter Jerry E 501 E Bluff St MarseillesCarr Catherine 801 E Etna Rd OttawaCarrado Frank 2419 E 29th Rd SenecaCharles Schwab Childs Alan 807 2nd Ave MendotaChiu Sim Y 4110 Progress Blvd PeruChiu Yee Y 4110 Progress Blvd PeruClark Charles 1065 Washington MarseillesClark Mary 1065 Washington MarseillesCole Tracee Box 204 309 E Church St UticaComfort Plus Heating & Air Cooley Jack R 1512 E Kent St StreatorCooper George L 1101 3rd St MendotaCordes Terry Po Box 500 SenecaCorral Jesus 1102 Carter St MarseillesCramptons Auto Body Frame Po Box 169 708 E Hickory St Streator

LASALLE COUNTY

“Through the state’s I-Cash program, I discovered money my grandmother had left behind.”

I-CASH LASALLE COUNTY

NOTICE OF NAMES OF PERSONS APPEARING TO BE OWNERS OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office has collected more than 1.8 billion in unclaimed property that belongs to millions of Illinois residents. This unclaimed property includes everything from forgotten bank accounts to entire estates that have never reached their rightful owners. I-Cash aims to give it all back.

If you’ve found your name on the list, go to icash.illinois.gov.Discovering what’s your is simple, three-step process:

Enter you name in the online search field If it’s a match, fill out and submit the online claim form (If you don’t have computer access, submit a claim by letter and we’ll send you claim forms) Receive your property or cash and enjoy what you’ve discovered

1 in 8 Illinois residents has an asset to be claimed through I-Cash.

The names on this list are unclaimed property owners reported since October 2013. Please check the website at icash.illinois.gov to see if property was reported on your behalf prior to that time.

Illinois State Treasurer’s OfficeUnclaimed Property Division

PO Box 19495Springfield, IL 62794-9495

icash.illinois.gov

1

2

3

Printed by the authority of the State of Illinois UP-0711-04 07/19/11 Electronic copy RM

6 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 11, 2014

7Friday, April 11, 2014 • The Tonica News • 7

8 Life8 • The Tonica News • Friday, April 11, 2014

Births AnnouncedEvans

Chris Evans and Amber Koplin of Lostant are the parents of a daughter born March 29 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

StorageJosh Storage and Paige Haynes of LaSalle are

the parents of a daughter, Rosilynn-Marie Jo, born April 1 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley. She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 18.5 inches in length. Maternal grand-mother is Tammie Bisllie of Leonore. Paternal grandparents are Andy and Connie Zukowski of LaSalle. Great-grandparents are Donald and Jeanette Lewis of Dimmick and John Durdan of Streator. Great-great-grandmother is Gen Haynes of Streator.

Menus and ActivitiesPutnam County Community Center

April 14 — Lemon pepper chicken, rice pilaf, zucchini and tomatoes, strawberry rhubarb crisp, peanut butter crackers.

April 15 — Chicken strips, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, bread and butter, dessert.

April 16 — Ham with pineapple sauce, au gratin potatoes, riviera blend, carrot cake, Hawaiian salad, wheat roll.

April 17 — Ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, jello salad, bread and butter.

April 18 — Good Friday, PCCC closed.

Bridges Senior CenterThe following events will be held at the Bridges

Senior Center at 221 W. Etna Road, Ottawa.April 14 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 11 a.m., Sewing circle;

12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., Open cards.April 15 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; 11 a.m., Soldier’s

Angels; 12:30 p.m., AARP 32570 Open Cards; 5 p.m., Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

April 16 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit, 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Intermediate computer class.

April 17 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., Open cards.

April 18 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit.

Tonica Grade SchoolApril 14-18 — Spring break.

Tonica News photo/Dixie Schroeder

Scholastic Bowl at Lostant Grade School going strongLostant Grade School Scholastic Bowl is going strong as they finish up their season with a 5-3 record. The team includes (front row, from left) Ben Tran, Alan Bruner and Jacob Ritko; and (back row) Ethan Phillips, Austin Larson, Lindsey Maggio and Coach Rita Ford. Ford said the students alternate being captain at each meet and practice twice a week. In February three team members, Ritko, Tran and Bruner, participated in a workshop where Bruner was awarded a medal for being one of the Top 16 in more than 100 participants to answer questions correctly that day.

Smiths will note 25th wedding anniversaryMr. and Mrs. Charles

Smith of Wenona will celebrate their 25th wed-ding anniversary during an open house, hosted by their children, from 2 to 4 p.m. April 12 at the Kang-ley Inn in Kangley.

Charles R. Smith and the former Ruth I. (Bene-dict) were married April 15, 1989, in Ottawa. He grew up in Lostant and she grew up in Streator. They are the parents of five children. They also have 14 grandchildren and seven great-grand-children.

Charles retired from Owen Glass Co. Ruth has been a private duty nurse for 35 years.

Donating to Tonica baseball, softballTONICA — Coupons are currently available

from Tonica businesses and Tonica softball and baseball players. The two coupons will allow customers to make a contribution to the Tonica Baseball and Softball Association when frequent-ing two Peru businesses on specific days.

On April 11 and 12, customers can present the coupon when paying at HyVee and a percentage of the total will be donated to the association.

Buffalo Wild Wings will also accept a coupon from 5 to 9 p.m. April 16 to make a donation.

Library CornerLostant — April 15, 22

and 29: Families First, a state-funded early child-hood grant, is a program for families with children ages birth to 3. It is sponsored by the Ogles-by Early Childhood Pro-grams. Children will read stories, sing songs, learn finger plays, do an easy art project and have a snack. The program also includes field trips and parent education meet-ings. Families First meets from 10 to 10:45 a.m. every Tuesday.

LaSalle — Tail-Wag-gers, an opportunity to read with therapy dogs,

will be at 6 p.m. April 24. Bring an adult and book to read with Tillie, the therapy dog. Kids choose a favorite short book or story and read aloud to Tillie for about five minutes. Kids not yet reading independently are welcome to read to the dog and the group with the help of their adult caregiver. To help children feel confident in their reading, they should plan to read from a favorite familiar story. Choose a book from the library or from home. For information, call the library at 815-223-2341.

Meeting CalendarApril 14

7:30 p.m., Lostant Village Board, Lostant Village Hall

Upcoming events at Starved Rock

UTICA — Starved Rock Lodge, in conjunc-tion with its sister store Cattails, has opened The Studio, a new activity space with creativity in mind.

Upcoming classes include basket weav-ing and a series of three acrylics inspired by Mon-et’s Poppies landscape acrylics and wildflower acrylics.

Each class takes place on various dates throughout the spring and summer. No expe-rience is necessary and participants will leave each class with a fin-ished product. Prices for classes range from $35 to $38 and include a glass of wine and snacks. For more information and to book a class, call 815-220-7386 or visit the

Lodge’s website at www.starvedrocklodge.com.

Starved Rock Lodge is also offering wine and shopping tours every Fri-day at 1 p.m. in April.

Guests will board a Starved Rock trolley and travel to the wine tasting room at Cattails and then spend some time shop-ping. The trolley will also stop in downtown Utica for another wine tasting at August Hill Winery.

The trolley will also take shoppers on a tour of how the grapes go from the vine to the bottle at the Illinois River Winery, with the final wine tasting stop at the Illinois River Winery. Tickets are $17 per person and reserva-tions are recommended. For more information and to book reservations, call 815-220-7386.

Casting call for Stage 212’s ‘Boys R Us’LASALLE — Director Kyle Foley has announced

that auditions for Stage 212’s special production of “Boys R Us,” a musical revue featuring boys in grades 4-12, will be at 6 p.m. April 25 and 1 p.m. April 26 at the theater, 700 First St. in LaSalle.

No preparation is necessary to audition. Those auditioning should come dressed to move, with dance shoes or tennis shoes. Boys will be taught a song and a few dance moves to perform during auditions. Boys who would like to be considered for a solo will audition again with a pre-selected song from the group’s Facebook page “Stage 212’s Boys R Us.” Performances will be June 6-8.

CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY,

ILLINOISESTATE OF ) BERNICE ) ROSPLOCH ) Deceased )

No. 14-P-56 CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of BERNICE ROSPLOCH. Letters of Office were issued on March 19, 2014, to JAMES F. PYSZKA, 505

Garfield Ave., LaSalle, IL 61301 as Executor whose attorney is John, Balestri, 149 Gooding Street, LaSalle, Illinois 61301. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court, LaSalle County Courthouse, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, or with the representative, or both, within 6 months from the date of issuance of let-ters and any claim not filed within that period is

barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. Dated this 19th day of March, 2014.

Attorney John BalestriAttorney for Estate149 Gooding Street

LaSalle, IL 61301815-223-6600

Published in the Tonica News Mar.28, Apr. 4 and 11, 2014.

BID NOTICE Tonica School District #79 Board of Education is accepting bid quota-tions for milk and bread products for 2014-2015 school year. For more information, contact the office (815)442-3420 or email: jschneider@tonicagradeschool.org

All bids are to be filed in the office by 2pm, Friday, April 11th, 2014.Published in the Tonica News Apr. 11, 2014.

999 • Legal Notices 999 • Legal Notices 999 • Legal Notices 999 • Legal Notices

–––––––– Classifieds –––––––

E-mail items for sale to: classified@bcrnews.com

Mr. and Mrs.Charles Smith