Ty Landon with the Knox County Fair gives an overview of the Fair events beginning on Monday, July 5th and running until Saturday July 10th.  The fair features the Roots and Boots Tour date on Thursday July 8th for 90s performers Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw, and Collin Raye.

Ada Bair, a Legacy Theater board member, updates the community on the cancellation of Dakota Horvath and Friends with the addition of Johnny Magic in September. She also gives a run down of the remaining performances in 2021. In addition, she notes the availability of the balcony for special events.

Curtis Wilhite and Amy Graham update the listeners on the Hancock County 4th of July activities in Carthage for 7-4-2021.  They also note the reason behind the fire department altering the starting time for the Independence Day water fight.

Curtis Wilhite and Amy Graham update the listeners on the Hancock County 4th of July activities in Carthage for 7-4-2021. Change in schedule for the fire department moves the starting time for the Independence Day water fight to  10 am ending at noon

Curtis Wilhite and Amy Graham update the listeners on the Hancock County 4th of July activities in Carthage for 7-4-2021. Change in schedule for the fire department moves the starting time for the Independence Day water fight to  10 am ending at noon

Deann Waddell with 2x4s For Hope requests the assistance of volunteers for the veteran's small house raising in Carthage at 8 am on June 26th. Donations have been collected for the construction of the first small home in Carthage with the 2 day house raising scheduled for this weekend.  Typically, 100 volunteers participate in a veteran's small house raising with this being the ninth home built.  She also announced the ribbon cutting for 3 pm on July 4th.

Jay Harnack, new superintendent of the Illini West High School  District introduces himself to the community.  He described his life growing up and being educated in Illinois.  He eventually moved to Wyoming to serve as a superintendent of a school district.  He also explained the efforts to reopen schools in the fall with in-person instruction.

Doug Groth president of the Legacy Theater previews the upcoming performance of the Original Eagles tribute band on Friday, June 25th. He also gives a recap of the reopening of the theater with the Suzy Bogguss show, and an overview of the summer program and fall.

arthage, IL – Monday, June 21, 2021 –The Hancock County 4^th of July committee announces Independence Day Celebration plans. Activities are on July 3^rd and July 4^th. The celebration begins with a 4^th of July street dance featuring the band Jukebox Reloaded. The street dance will be held on the 400 block of Main street in Carthage, Illinois in front of The Wood Inn. Gate fee is $10 per person. You must be 21 years of age to enter.

The celebration continues on Sunday, July 4^th, with activities on the Hancock County Courthouse lawn. Breakfast will be available to purchase, provided by Sly Fox from 7am to 10am. All other vendors will open at 10am. Entertainment on the stage begins at 11am with Kelly Logan. Bring your lawn chair and settle in for the feature of the day the Hancock County Independence Day parade which starts at 1pm. This year’s theme is “Believe”. Historically the parade has had over 120 entries. Following the parade there will be entertainment on the stage followed by evening fireworks at Illini West High School.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, July 3 

8:00 pm Street Dance on Main featuring JUKEBOX RELOADED!

Sunday, July 4

7:00 am-10:00 am Breakfast on the square by Sly Fox

10:00 am Vendors open

11:00 am Live music by Kelly Logan

1:00 pm Parade - theme “Believe”

2:00 pm Live music by Kelly Logan on the stage, games, activities, food, crafts on the courthouse lawn

2:30 pm Presentation of Colors by VFW (south side)

2:35 pm Hancock County Community Choir

3:00 pm Mind & Sole Dance Company

3:15 pm Vocalist Teddi Clark

3:30 pm Celebration School of Dance

3:45 pm Vocalist Olivia Schaller

4:00 pm Fountain of Youth Band

3:30 pm Carthage Fire Department Water Fight (west side)

9:30 pm “DUSK” Fireworks display near Illini West High School, located at 600 Miller Street, Carthage, Illinois. There will be parking, restrooms and food vendor are available at the high school.

If you are interested in having an entry in the parade please contact Amy Graham at (217) 357-3800 or email her for an entry form at ccdc@carthage-il.com. For more information about the Hancock County Independence Day Celebration go to carthage-il.com

Katie Parker with the University of Illinois Extension center gives an overview of their programs offered through the summer of 2021.  She also notes the various 4-H events that will be held at the extension center in Carthage as well as the youth program competition for crop scouting.  She also explains how electrified pest management is handled on organic farms.

Matt Obert with Chaddock announces the opening of their  Carthage school for students with learning difficulties in the surrounding areas.  Chaddock operates a residential program for students from 1st to 12th grade in Quincy and a day school program as well.  They determined the need for a centrally located school in the Hancock and northern western Illinois area. That school will open in August 2021 initially serving 7 students with a maximum of 40 1st to 12th graders. The site in Carthage will also provide support for foster programs in the region.

Don O'Brien with the Better Business Bureau office in Quincy describes two scams that have arisen in the past year.  The first is a sweepstakes scam transmitted via text, email or mail that targets seniors. The second is a scam aimed at recent new homeowners or renters that charges exorbitant fees to charge or more likely not change a person's address.

Carthage, Il-The Carthage Swimming Pool has 14 new lounge chairs for summer patrons thanks to two recent fundraising events and supporting funds from Carthage Park District. 

"I reached out to Sarah earlier this spring because my kids kept talking about how much they couldn't wait to go back to the Carthage pool as we started to plan our summer. Last year during COVID, so much was limited, and we were so grateful for the pool being open. It was a huge part of our summer and I wanted to find a way to give back," said Natalie Cole of the recently formed Carthage Pool committee. "I knew that seating was limited from spending so much time there last summer."

$900 was raised through two fundraisers held including a "pool party" at BOLD Nutrition and Wellness on Saturday, April 10 and a fudge sale fundraiser with Lilly's Frozen Yogurt in May. The pool was able to purchase five lounge chairs, four other chairs and the Carthage Park District also purchased five new chairs for the pool.

"Some people don't realize that the pool, while funded by the Park District, doesn't actually make money-with the exception of last year since so many other area pools were closed," said Chris Talley, of the Carthage Park District board. "Anything 'extra' or upgrades require us to do some fundraising."

The Carthage Swimming Pool is located across from the Carthage Jaycee Park and is open daily. More information about pricing, lessons, classes and parties is available at carthageparkdistrict.org/carthage-pool
Photo cutline: Back row left to right are Sarah Talley, pool manager; Natalie Cole pool committee member; Morgan McDonald BOLD Nutrition and Welllness manager. Front row left to right are Elizabeth Talley of BOLD Nutrition and former lifeguard at Carthage Pool seated next to Charlie Bair, owner of Lilly's Frozen Yogurt.

ABATE #18 Mystery Ride For Hospice Planned July 17.

Plans are underway for the 17th Mystery Ride for Hospice.  ABATE #18 Mystery Ride for Hospice benefits residents who live in Southeast Iowa.  

ABATE #18 has hosted this event for many years.  Their membership believes in the work that the Hospice programs at Lee County Health Dept-Hospice and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice (formerly Great River Hospice) provide to residents in our local communities. 

ABATE is A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education.  They provide motorcycle awareness education to local high school students.  In the past they have raised many dollars to help provide end of life services to anyone who needs them regardless of their insurance or lack of insurance.

ABATE #18 Hospice Mystery Ride begins on Saturday, July 17 at Doris’, 733 S. Roosevelt, Burlington, IA.  Sign up is 10am-12pm.  ABATE members cost is $10.00/non-members $12.00.  All participants will leave Doris’ at noon for a procession to the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital Hospice House in West Burlington.  Motorcycles and automobiles are encouraged to participate on the day of the ride.   Participants will search for mystery objects along the route.  Route card will be distributed on ride day.

Last motorcycle/car will need to be in by 6pm to Moose Lodge, 2529 Mt. Pleasant Street, Burlington, IA.  Auction starts at 6:15.  Food will be available before and after the ride.  The public is encouraged to come support the auction if they are not able to ride the ride.  

Ride T-shirts will be available before the event.  T-shirts can be ordered by calling Rose Schwerin, 319-750-1400. The cost is $20. Limited quantities will be available July 17.

For more information about the mystery ride, call ABATE member Randy “Dog” Hiland, 319- 572-5733. To donate items to the live auction, please call Amanda Johnson at 319-850-4909.

For more information about Lee County Health Dept-Hospice call Jeri Giebelhausen, 319-372-5225.  For more information about Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice call Carrie Green, 319-376-2747.

Dirk Leffler with the Workforce Innovation Board of Western IL gives an example of creating an apprenticeship program for a position with a grocery store.  He also debuts the efforts to loop in employers into the concept of a talent chain to manage present and future workforce demands.

Jamie Roth Public Relations Manager with WIRC-CAA Victim Services describes the annual Silvie's Ride fundraising event to benefit the WIRC-CAA Silvie's Fund to assist victims of abuse.  Silvie Yocum, a five year old from McDonough County was a fatal victim of domestic abuse in 2006.  

Kristin Huls with Hancock County Farm Bureau provides updates on the various programs offered in June.  This includes the arrival of the 2021 Hancock County Platt Books, the weekly farmers market, the various women's club activities, and the young leaders programs/events for the summer.

Joy Swearingen with the Legacy Theater notes the summer and early fall 2021 schedule.  She also gives an overview of the creation of the theater and the efforts to restore its once former glory.

Hancock County Economic Development Director Belynda Allen introduces the new director Samantha Harnack who will assume the responsibilities on July 1, 2021. Samantha recounts her experience as tourism director in Wyoming and life in Illinois.  Belynda expresses her thanks for the opportunity to serve Hancock County.  

Kassie Huls and Tashia Evans of Soul the new CryoTherapy Spa in Carthage.  Cryotherapy is warranted for body sculpting difficult areas and pain relief.  It also has applications for deep muscle massage to relieve pain and decrease inflation aiding recovery.

Mike Pierman with the Workforce Office of Western Illinois reiterates the opportunity for local businesses to create internal apprenticeship programs with the assistance of their office.  The Workforce Office has funds available to create the apprenticeship or assist with the unique training needs of a business.  They also can coordinate the special separation funds available for the final closing of Methode Electronics in Carthage.

Rachel Kerns with MTC Communications explains the tier system for the network speeds as well as the need for higher upload and download speeds.  She also thanks those who participated in the Strawberry Strut and their sponsorship of the Zip Code day later this month in Carthage.

Amy Graham with the Legacy Theater gives an overview of the 2021 season.  She also notes the importance of buying tickets for Suzy Bogguss now before the anticipated rush if Illinois reopens on Friday, June 12.

Jennifer Garner with the Memorial Hospital Foundation describes the launching of the You Are My Sunshine fundraising effort to build a spacious sunroom at Hancock Village Senior Living.  The day will include family activities such as food trucks, kids activities, games, and a Carthage celebrity dunk tank.

Amy Gee notes the Carthage story pages the library will be posting on Zip Code day on the lawn around the courthouse.  Tori Buckert describes the typical summer week of eight pre-school and school age reading activities available at local parks and the library.  She also notes the current adult book club offering The Secret Wisdom of Earth.  In addition, to the scheduled weekly activities the library is offering special prizes for those enrolled in the summer reading programs.

Marla Willard with West Central Childcare Connection gives an overview of the services they provide to childcare clients and providers in Western Illinois.  They maintain a database of childcare providers in the region which can be accessed by parents as well as acting as a liaison for getting assistance through DHS.  They also provide training and educational programs for childcare providers.  They can be contacted via phone 800-787-7318 or through their website www.wcccc.com.

Judge Evans updates the 42nd running of the Strawberry Strut.  The strut had a combined total of over 200 participants in both the 5 mile and 1 mile walk/runs on Saturday, June 5.  The Strawberry Strut committee will meet shortly in order to give a final accounting for the proceeds of the event.

Don O'Brien with the regional office of the Better Business Bureau explains the mission of the organization.  He also explains how a business receives a listing with the organization as well as the process whereby the business becomes accredited or rated by them

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ‘YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE’ CAMPAIGN SUPPORTING HANCOCK VILLAGE

Carthage, IL – – On Saturday, June 26, 2021, a family-friendly “Fun In the Sun” outdoor fair will take place on the campus of Hancock Village, launching the You Are My Sunshine campaign. This event will offer a carnival atmosphere for our community, young and old, to enjoy.  Activities, including a dunk tank, bouncy house, temporary tattoos, vendors, and food truck, will occur from 10 am until 2 pm. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend!  Activities will be held weather permitting. 

Memorial Hospital Foundation is excited to announce their 2021 campaign focus: the You are My Sunshine Campaign, benefiting Hancock Village’s senior campus. On June 1, 2021, the Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors voted in favor of building a beautiful four-season sunroom adjacent to Hickory Grove’s dining room.  The four-season room will be located where the existing outdoor patio is located.  This sunroom will offer another wonderful location for the seniors at Hancock Village to enjoy without the elements of the outdoors. The You Are My Sunshine four-season room will have an open space concept with seating and planters for a lovely garden atmosphere. This new space will provide a peaceful location for residents to enjoy reading or activities, family visits, or provide a wonderful view throughout the year.

Every year, Memorial Hospital Foundation supports a special project highlighting Memorial Hospital, Memorial Medical Clinics, Hancock Village, or our community.  Each of these projects impacts the health and wellness of our community. This year the Foundation will support our Hancock Village campus by raising funds for the new four-season room for the entire campus to enjoy.  This new space will be one more way to enhance the quality of life at Hancock Village, which includes Hickory Grove and Maple Grove Memory Care. The slogan “You Are My Sunshine” was chosen by the residents at Hancock Village.  Memorial Hospital Foundation will raise funds for this project through donations and events throughout 2021.  

On Saturday, June 26, 2021, a family-friendly “Fun In the Sun” outdoor fair will take place on the campus of Hancock Village, launching the You Are My Sunshine campaign. This event will offer a carnival atmosphere for our community, young and old, to enjoy.  Activities, including a dunk tank, bouncy house, temporary tattoos, vendors, and food truck, will occur from 10 am until 2 pm. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend!  Activities will be held weather permitting. 

Hancock Village is a supportive living facility designed for senior citizens who want an active lifestyle with some support and care. Hickory Grove offers apartments for residents to remain as independent and engaged as possible while also offering care and personal assistance when needed.  Maple Grove Memory Care provides support for those with memory impairment. Maple Grove is comprised of two houses specialized to give the best possible care to those with cognitive impairments. 

Memorial Hospital Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation and subsidiary of Memorial Hospital with the purpose of supporting Memorial Hospital, Memorial Medical Clinics, and Hancock Village.  

Memorial Hospital Foundation is proud to state that 100% of funds raised are returned to the projects at hand or to the Together We Grow endowment. The Foundation is happy to serve and support Hancock Village residents, families, and staff in 2021. Your donation can truly make a difference and have an impact on the healthcare services available to the residents of our region. If you would like more information about the You Are My Sunshine campaign or Memorial Hospital Foundation, please feel free to contact Executive Director Greta Wetzel at gwetzel@mhtlc.org or call 217-357-8502; Director of Development for Memorial Hospital Foundation Jennifer Garner at jgarner@mhtlc.org or call 217-357-8568; or Administrative Assistant for Marketing and the Foundation Terri Twaddle at ttwaddle@mhtlc.org or call 217-357-8567.

WEEKLY ONLINE VIDEO SERIES GIVES UPDATES ABOUT SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS

Macomb, Illinois, June 2021 – Now more than ever, people are using social media services like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay in touch with their loved ones and share information about local news, programs, and events. In an effort to keep donors informed and raise awareness about critical social service programs, Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) has started a weekly video series called “WIRC Wednesdays.”

As the name implies, the short videos are posted on Wednesdays on the agency’s social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Every week, viewers learn about a program that the agency offers and how to apply.

WIRC-CAA Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth hosts the typically three-minute videos in a friendly, conversational style. “Our donors and advocates are the lifeblood of the agency; without them, our programs would not exist,” said Roth. “This video series is another way for us to keep that line of communication open with our supporters and people in need who are not aware of programs that may be available to them.”

WIRC-CAA’s main office is located in Macomb, but their services and programs reach throughout Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, Knox, and Warren counties. The Community Action Agency department focuses on social service programs that give people a helping hand when times are tough. Some of those programs include free food from the pantry, job training stipends, free clothing for all ages, scholarships, homeless prevention programs, and more.

Roth continued that sharing the videos on social media can have a big impact on the life of someone who may be struggling in silence. “Chances are high that everyone knows at least one friend or family member who is secretly struggling to make ends meet. Liking and sharing our videos only takes a few seconds, and is a great, no-cost way to support the agency’s programs by raising awareness.”

For more information, call WIRC’s Community Action Agency department at 309-837-2997, visit wirpc.org, or find Western Illinois Regional Council & Community Action Agency on social media.

###

Robert Pinney with IL Workforce offers the opportunity for students to receive wages for internships related to their chosen field of employment.  They will also have the opportunity for the program to help secure and pay for their education at the various community colleges in the area.

Carthage, IL – Wednesday, June 02, 2021 – With COVID-19 vaccines more readily available, Memorial Hospital is encouraging vaccination among the communities it serves, especially considering the vaccine hesitancy still prevalent since the vaccine rollout began. Memorial Hospital is communicating a strong, unifying message—“There’s Unity in Immunity”—as part of a vaccination campaign led by the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA).

Raigan Brown, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hospital, states, “Participating in the Unity in Immunity campaign is so important to us because we are committed to keeping our patients, coworkers, friends, and entire community safe. The more people who choose to be vaccinated, the quicker we will be able to resume normal activities and regain some normalcy in our communities. I have seen first hand the devasting effects of COVID-19 and that’s why I am so passionate about the project and bringing awareness to the community on the importance of receiving a vaccine.”

“IHA is deeply committed to the health of all Illinoisans and to helping restore lives, communities and our state, all of which have been deeply impacted by the pandemic,” said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi.

“We know that vaccines are safe and effective,” Wilhelmi said. “We are doing our part to help convey that message, especially to hard-hit communities of color and rural communities, by working hand in hand with our members on this new campaign.”

“There’s Unity in Immunity” is a statewide, collaborative public service awareness campaign to:

• Encourage vaccination to help achieve herd immunity in the summer.

• Address vaccine hesitancy, especially in communities of color that have been hardest hit by COVID-19 and in rural communities across Illinois.

• Build confidence in the vaccines by dispelling fears and misinformation.

• Share messages from vaccinated individuals to communicate the value and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines.

Memorial Hospital is encouraging individuals to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccination by going to their website, mhtlc.org, and clicking on the button in the upper left corner that says, “Sign Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine”. Individuals can then choose which COVID-19 vaccine they would like to receive. 

Encouraging vaccination is critical: If enough individuals are vaccinated, 100,000 deaths or more can be prevented. COVID-19 vaccines are up to 95% effective, even more than the annual flu vaccine, which is typically 40% to 60% effective.

Memorial Hospital would like to remind the community to continue taking precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to wear a mask in public places and practice social distancing whenever possible. Individuals should call Memorial’s COVID-19 hotline at (217) 357-0617 if they think that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or if they are experiencing ANY symptoms related to COVID-19, which include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever or chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, the new loss of sense of taste and/or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Memorial Hospital is a 501(c)(3) non-profit critical access hospital, which employs over 250 individuals, offers emergency, surgical, imaging (x-ray), laboratory, obstetrics, six clinics throughout the region, specialty clinics, and more. Memorial Hospital has served the residents of Hancock County and surrounding areas since 1950. For more information, find us on the web at www.mhtlc.org  

####

Suzy Bogguss will be playing the Legacy Theater on June 12th.  She tells the story of her music career from an Art degree graduate playing Western IL along the Mississippi River to an award winning Country Music singer/songwriter.