Halloween is just days away. One of the most popular holidays in this country, masses of little superheroes, cartoon and television characters will soon be out in their neighborhoods for trick or treat fun. The American Red Cross has tips parents can follow to help keep the kids safe while enjoying the festivities.

Trick-or-treaters need to see and be seen. Use face makeup instead of masks which could make seeing difficult. Give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way. Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags. If possible, have everyone wear light-colored clothing.

• Use flame-resistant costumes.
• Make sure adults know where the kids are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door.
• Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
• Walk, don’t run.
• Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door and never go inside.
• Walk only on sidewalks, not in the street. Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner. Don’t cross between parked cars, and don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
• Drivers — use extra caution as youngsters may forget to look both ways before crossing.
• A grown-up should check all goodies before eating. Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and remove any choking hazards. Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with.

If you are planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to your home, follow these safety steps:

• Light the area well so young visitors can see.
• Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.

Western Illinois strengthens youth development, career readiness with new 4-H Educator

Illinois 4-H strives to unlock the potential in every young person, helping them to dream, plan,
design, build, and achieve. Around the state, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth
development staff are guiding the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
In September, Kristin Huls returned to Illinois Extension as a 4-H youth development educator
serving Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler counties. She will become a resource for
youth in Western Illinois and develop research-based educational programs focused on youth
development, leadership, college, and career readiness.
“Kristin is a very welcome addition to our youth development team,” says Extension County
Director Shelby Crow. “Her background and wide-ranging experience with Extension and 4-H
will allow us to develop programs prioritizing the skills today’s youth need to be successful now
and in the future.”
Huls first joined Extension in 1998 and served in many different roles and topic areas, including
4-H, agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, community and economic development, and as
county director until 2014.
She was a 4-H member and later participated in the program as a volunteer. Her children are
also 4-H members. “I would not be where I am today without 4-H and it is important to me to
help youth find their pathway in life through the many opportunities 4-H has to offer,” Huls says.
She looks forward to creating programs that help youth develop crucial life skills.
“I hope to provide opportunities for the youth in our area to develop these leadership and career
readiness skills through hands-on programs that will help them be successful in life and give
back to their communities,” Huls says.
Huls graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business
and a master’s degree in Education. She lives and farms with her husband, Sid, and their two
daughters, McKenna and Maci, in rural Hancock County.
Huls is based in the Hancock County Extension office in Carthage and can be reached at
khuls@illinois.edu or (217) 357-2150.
Extension educators and specialists connect every county in Illinois with university research
through in-person and distance-learning programming and other educational outreach. They
work to provide businesses, families, and agricultural producers with the practical tools and
resources needed to solve problems.

IN SEARCH OF WORK OR WORKERS? WORKFORCE HAS PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES AND JOB SEEKERS ALIKE

HANCOCK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT-  MELITA FINNEY AND GLORIA EFUNWA

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. SERVICES TO PROVIDE NEEDED EXAMS CALL TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY

Carthage Christmas Club plans
for holiday food gift boxes

The Carthage Christmas Club is now gearing up for this year’s holiday food distribution. This community
service provides food boxes for families in need during the Christmas season.
The boxes include ham, canned goods, fresh produce and other basic staples for a holiday meal and
family use.
The food boxes will be filled by volunteers on Friday, Dec. 9, beginning at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist
Church community room, and will be delivered to the families the next morning, Saturday, Dec. 10,
starting at 8 a.m.
At this point, the committee can use help through financial donations to support the project, and
volunteers to help pack and deliver the boxes. Because the list of items for each box is the same, the
committee does not request donations of food.
Financial donations to the Carthage Christmas Club can be taken to Marine Bank and Trust in Carthage;
sent to treasurer, Dave Dion at 220 S. Madison, Carthage; or given to any of the committee members.
Recipients of the food boxes are suggested in a number of ways, including by area pastors, service
agencies and anyone knowing a family in need.
This service was started by the Carthage Area Ministerial Alliance in the 1960s and has continued since
that time, now directed by a local committee.
For more information, to volunteer, or to give the name of a family who might need a food box, call
steering committee member, Marcia McGaughey at 319-795-2157. Other committee members are Dave
Dion, Cheryl Underwood, Ruth Kinnamon, Joy Swearingen and Donna Tracy.

GALESBURG — The Carl Sandburg College men’s soccer team will begin defense of its Region IV tournament title by traveling to face nationally ranked Prairie State in a quarterfinal match at noon Sunday.

The third-seeded Chargers finished the regular season with a 5-6-1 overall record and 5-5-1 mark in the region. Prairie State, the No. 2 seed, enters with a 14-3 overall record and No. 11 ranking in NJCAA Division II.

The winner advances to the semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2 against the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between top-seeded Triton and fourth-seeded Waubonsee. The Region IV tournament champion qualifies for the NJCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship to be played Nov. 14-19 in Tucson, Ariz.

Sandburg hosted the Pioneers back on Oct. 1 and won 4-3 behind a hat trick from Jean Forestal. Prairie State was ranked 10^th in the nation at the time of that match.

GALESBURG — The Carl Sandburg College men’s soccer team will begin defense of its Region IV tournament title by traveling to face nationally ranked Prairie State in a quarterfinal match at noon Sunday.

The third-seeded Chargers finished the regular season with a 5-6-1 overall record and 5-5-1 mark in the region. Prairie State, the No. 2 seed, enters with a 14-3 overall record and No. 11 ranking in NJCAA Division II.

The winner advances to the semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2 against the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between top-seeded Triton and fourth-seeded Waubonsee. The Region IV tournament champion qualifies for the NJCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship to be played Nov. 14-19 in Tucson, Ariz.

Sandburg hosted the Pioneers back on Oct. 1 and won 4-3 behind a hat trick from Jean Forestal. Prairie State was ranked 10^th in the nation at the time of that match.

LEGACY THEATRE AMY GRAHAM- FINISHING THE SEASON STRONG AND STARTING 2023 SEASON OFF RIGHT WITH A GARTH BROOKS TRIBUTE

HY-VEE MACOMB STORE MANAGER ADAM SMUTZER-TRUNK OR TREAT SATURDAY OCTOBER 25TH FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM.  NOVEMBER 5TH AND 11TH LIVE REMOTES WITH WCAZ.

KIBBE MUSEUM CLOSING FOR THE SEASON BUT TRAIN EXHIBITS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER. CARTHAGE CHRISTMAS CLUB REMINDS YOU THAT IT IS THE SEASON FOR GIVING

HANCOCK COUNTY FARM BUREAU LIBBIE POLLOCK KRISTIN HULS AND BRYAN STEVENS

HIGH ENERGY PASSING OF THE REINS TALK USHERING IN LIBBIE POLLOCK IN HER NEW ROLE

ITS FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY WEEK COME CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT OFFERINGS AT THE CARTHAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

CARTHAGE CHRISTMAS CLUB IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS AND FINANCIAL DONATIONS

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

Late Galesburg Dentist Dr. Kandy Sayrs Leaves $100K Gift
to Support Students in Sandburg’s Dental Hygiene Program

ALESBURG — Even after her retirement from a career that lasted more than 30 years, Dr. Kandy Sayrs made it a point to make appointments at the Carl Sandburg College Annex.

A couple of times each year, the longtime dentist would stop by the downtown Galesburg location to sit for teeth cleanings done by students in Sandburg’s dental hygiene program. Appointments often last several hours — and sometimes multiple visits — as the hygienists-in-training go through a lengthy checklist and have their work looked over by professionals. But for Sayrs — the first woman to work as a dentist in her hometown of Galesburg — the time spent in the chair was no bother at all. If anything, she viewed it as a moment of service.

“She understood how hard it is for our students to find patients,” said Stacy Kosier, coordinator and assistant professor of the program. “I think she felt that was just something she could give back to her profession.”

Sayrs, who died March 20 at age 61 after a brief illness, found another way to give back to the program, leaving a $100,000 gift to the Carl Sandburg College Foundation that will be used for scholarships to support Sandburg students working to become licensed dental hygienists.

"Dr. Kandy was a remarkably special person, and it was incredibly heartwarming to learn about the legacy gift she chose to leave through our Foundation,” chief advancement officer Eric Johnson said. “She was one of the biggest believers in Sandburg students and the dental hygiene program. Her gift has created an opportunity to lessen the cost barrier for current and future students who pursue a career in dental hygiene through an educational and immersive experience at Sandburg. We're grateful, but we miss Kandy very much."

Dan Bailey, Sayrs’ companion of 29 years, said her bequest fit right in line with the values of the woman he fell in love with, the daughter of a blue-collar railroad worker.

“She appreciated the fact that college is an expense that not everybody has money set aside for,” Bailey said. “Anything she could do to lessen the burden on some of those students, she saw value in that.”

A 1978 Galesburg High School graduate, Sayrs developed a strong bond to Sandburg despite not being an alumna. She got her bachelor’s from Knox College and went to dental school at the University of Illinois in Chicago, eventually opening her own practice in Galesburg in 1989.

Known for her bubbly personality, Sayrs built a reputation for her work with children. She took out space in the local newspaper to list the names of young patients in her No-Cavity Club. She regularly visited area schools to give demonstrations on the importance of dental care and dental health. She brought along with her a dog puppet named Fritz, even sewing real dentures into its mouth.

As Sayrs’ practice on North Henderson Street continued to flourish — it doubled in size from three chairs when it opened to six — Sandburg introduced its dental hygiene program in 2001. Sayrs immediately saw the value in it and became involved in its development. She then turned to the program as a pipeline of sorts for new employees.

“When Sandburg wanted to launch that program, she was definitely behind it, and it's really enriched the area as far as having quality hygienists to pick from for people,” Bailey said. “She said, ‘We went from not being able to recruit a hygienist to now I have the pick of the lot of them.’ There were a lot of locals that went through the program. Everybody wanted to work for Dr. Kandy. It was a good problem for her to finally have a pool to choose from when it came to hygienists.”

Sayrs served in a voluntary role on the program’s advisory board for several years, even continuing to do so after her retirement. Sayrs rarely missed an advisory board meeting, Kosier noted, always using them as an opportunity to share her opinions about how the program could best serve students and employers.

“She was always here, always supportive. She hired our hygienists. She'd always brighten up a room when she came in with those sweaters and that jewelry and that smile,” Kosier said. “She always made people feel comfortable. She was just so welcoming.”

Bailey, who would accompany Sayrs on visits to the Annex to also get his teeth cleaned, has continued that tradition as a way to support the program and to honor Sayrs’ memory and legacy. Her gift will as well, making a difference in the lives of students moving forward.

“We want to get that person that had her drive, that wanted to do their best. She was very vibrant. One could describe her as a force of nature,” Bailey said. “And I would hope that the people that are going to benefit from this have that same spark, that same fire in their eyes, that want to do their best and don't look at it as just a job that we go punch in and punch out and go home, that they want to actually help people and do their best at helping people.”

RECAP OF 4-H PROGRAMS AND INTRODUCTION OF KRISTEN HULS IN HER NEW POSITION

CELEBRATING MANUFACTURING MONTH IN ILLINOIS AND DISLOCATED WORKER SERVICES

GET RICH QUICK SCHEMES ARE ON THE RISE COMING INTO THE HOLIDAYS

GET RICH QUICK SCHEMES ARE ON THE RISE COMING INTO THE HOLIDAYS

WIRC MARIAH HOUSTON- OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

HUGE SLATE OF EVENTS INCLUDING MAKING A ZOMBIE DOLL!

FLU AND PNEUMONIA SHOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

DR. MICHAEL OTTNEY JOINS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Carthage, IL – Thursday, October 13, 2022 – Memorial Hospital is excited to announce Michael Ottney, D.O., has joined the Memorial Hospital team. Dr. Ottney specializes in Family Medicine and will begin seeing patients on Monday, October 17, at Memorial Medical Clinic Hamilton at 1471 Keokuk Street, Hamilton. Dr. Ottney received his Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Preprofessional Medical Science from Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, and his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Dr. Ottney then went on to complete his medical degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, where he graduated ninth out of one hundred fifty-eight in his class and received the Academic Scholar Award for three years. Dr. Ottney completed his residency in General Surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his Family Medicine residency at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. Dr. Ottney is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He has received the Navy Achievement Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal. Dr. Ottney was in the ninety-ninth percentile in the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Exams. Dr. Ottney served in the United States Army and held various positions. While in the United States Army, he was an enlisted welder/metal worker and an infantry officer. He then became a Medical Officer for the United States Navy. While in the United States Navy, Dr. Ottney was USS Rushmore's Senior Medical Officer for two years and an instructor for the Naval School of Health Sciences. In addition to his career, Dr. Ottney has worked in Emergency Medicine and as a hospitalist. To learn more about Michael Ottney, D.O., or to schedule an appointment, call Memorial Medical Clinic Hamilton in Hamilton, Illinois, at (217) 847-3383 or visit mhtlc.org

Photography 101 workshop-  Carthage Public Library District

Photography 101 workshop

Learn to take better photos at a workshop presented by Dave Youhas of David
Youhas Photography at the Carthage Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 6:00 pm. 
Whether you use a smartphone or a camera, you can improve your photos by learning
about composition and lighting.  David has been taking photos for 45 years and is a
graduate of the New York Institute of Photography.  
 The workshop is free and open to the public.  For more information call 217-357-
3232.

(Macomb, IL) Unforgettable Forgottonia will not only host the 2022 Illinois State Cornhusking Contest but also
this year’s National Cornhusking Competition on Saturday and Sunday Oct. 15 & 16. This is BIG deal, folks. To
put in perspective the Cornhusking Nationals is celebrating its Centennial with the culmination of nine state
cornhusking champions coming to McDonough County from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota,
Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota, along with other competitors from across the country to compete on Sunday,
October 16 to see who becomes the Nation’s top husker. The event, held rain or shine at the Lewis Farm just
outside of Macomb will also feature antique farm equipment displays, kids’ activities, the Corn Items Collectors
displays and great food and fun for the entire family. With all that in store the event promises fun and opportunity for
spectators, visitors and contestants from throughout the U.S.
The first organized cornhusking contest was originated one hundred years ago in 1922 by Henry A. Wallace, the
Iowa editor of Wallace’s Farmer magazine, as a way to decide the area’s best corn husker. Today’s contests hold
true to that tradition, displaying the practice of picking corn by hand as it was done for centuries prior to the invention
of modern mechanical pickers. The contest has not only become a sport, but an art form. “You’ll be surprised just
how fast and accurate a top picker can be.” Says Unforgettable Forgottonia’s own multi National Campion and
Huskers Hall of Famer Frank Hennenfent. “A champion competitor can husk, glean and wagon 40 ears of corn a
minute.” Hennenfent will be competing again this year and is available for press and broadcast interviews in the
weeks leading up to the contests.
Competition will be divided into 12 classes for men and women, beginning with girls and boys age 14 and younger,
up to classes for men and women age 75 and older. Youngsters and seniors pick for 10 minutes; the Men’s Open
Class lasts for 30 minutes. All other competitors pick for 20 minutes. A gleaner follows each competitor to retrieve
missed ears and husks; their weight is deducted from the husker’s total. Top three contestants in each class qualify
for Sunday’s national contest. Novice and Pee Wee Class competitions will also be offered so everyone will have
the opportunity to try picking corn by hand. Information will be available the day of contest on times.
Both days of contests will be held at the Lewis Farm, 14241 N. 1800 Rd. in Good Hope, IL. Illinois state membership
is required to pick in classes to qualify for the national cornhusking contest. Fees are $3 for youth and $15 for all
adult classes. There is no charge for spectators. Saturday’s top three Illinois state contestants in each class qualify
for Sunday’s National contest. Registration at 8 am with contests starting at 9 am.

 MTC COMMUNICATIONS RACHEL KERNS -NEW GRANT FUNDING RECEIVED TO HELP EXPANSION. WORKING ON THE OUTER EDGES OF MACOMB AND WIFI 6 ROUTERS NOW AVAILABLE

LOTS OF GREAT PERFORMANCES LEFT GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

HANCOCK COUNTY CEO CLASS WITH STILL TALKING -OLIVIA KAZUKAUSKAS, OLIVIA BOUTWELL, AND KIRRA DAVIS

HANCOCK COUNTY CEO CLASS VIST WITH WCAZ-CHRISTINE MURPHY, AMMON MCLANE, AND KYLE SMITH

FLU AND PNEUMONIA SHOT CLINICS COMING UP AND THE KEY GLOW WALK THIS SUNDAY FROM 630 TO 8PM

CLOSING THE SEASON OUT RIGHT WITH GREAT SHOWS AND A SUPER HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE

FIND ALL THE GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR THE APPROACHING EVENTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ON THE HCED COMMUNITY CALENDAR. WHERE YOU CAN GO TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 15TH. GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TODAY TO GET THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOU

NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER OPENS AT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Carthage, IL – Friday, September 30, 2022 – Memorial Hospital is excited to announce the opening of its new Health and Wellness Center located within the hospital. The Health and Wellness center includes space for diabetes education, a sleep lab, a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, a conference room, and additional office space. 

Patients seeing Ashlyn Housewright, Kara Andrew, or Kayce Fuhrman will now be seen in this new addition. Patients using the Health & Wellness space, beginning October 4, will enter using the side entrance of Memorial Hospital. The new area will provide nutrition and diabetes education services in person and virtually. The Health & Wellness team of Memorial Hospital is committed to offering innovative patient-centered education founded on the most current evidence-based research. Patients receiving services in the Health & Wellness Center will be provided a multi-disciplinary approach to education. The Health & Wellness team includes a registered nurse, certified diabetes care and education specialists, registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, pharmacists, and culinary-trained chefs.

The teaching kitchen is a state-of-the-art kitchen with four cooking stations, which the health and wellness team will use to help individuals learn how to prepare healthy meals. The teaching kitchen has two large computer screens and a camera for the team to utilize for online cooking opportunities. The camera can also be used for individuals to log on to a video call and have the capability to learn how to prepare meals at home without having to be on the Memorial Hospital campus. In addition, the team plans to use the teaching kitchen to engage community members and provide education on how to prepare simple meals and apply kitchen skills in their homes using a hands-on or virtual platform.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved Memorial Hospital to start using the Health and Wellness Center on October 4, 2022. To enter the new Health and Wellness Center, patients will use the side entrance of Memorial Hospital.

GALESBURG — Russ Ullrich has been named the new esports coach at Carl Sandburg College.

Ullrich has served as the esports league administrator at Galesburg High School in addition to his positions there as a secondary business/computer teacher and fine arts and auditorium technical director.

Ullrich has overseen the esports league at GHS since its inception five years ago. This past spring, he coached the Silver Streaks as they competed in the inaugural Illinois High School Association esports state series.

“I’m really excited to work with the players, continue to grow this program and encourage our athletes to be more active in the Sandburg family,” Ullrich said.

Ullrich takes over a Chargers program that includes Todd Gorman, who won the NJCAA Esports 2021 fall national championship in Hearthstone with an unblemished 11-0 record. Gorman’s title marked the first national championship won by Sandburg in any individual or team sport. Sandburg first introduced esports as a competitive sport in 2019, becoming the first community college in Illinois and one of the first two-year schools in the country to offer a varsity gaming team.

Sandburg is a member of NJCAA Esports (NJCAAE), the national governing body of esports for two-year colleges. The organization offers competition in several game titles, including FIFA, Hearthstone, Madden, Overwatch, Rainbow 6, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. and Valorant.

Carthage, IL – Monday, September 26, 2022 – Community members are invited to join the Memorial Hospital Senior Life Solutions’ Evergreen Center for an open house on October 18, 2022, from 4:00-6:00 PM. The Evergreen Center is located in the Memorial Medical Building next to Memorial Hospital at 1450 N County Rd. 2050 | Carthage, IL 62321.

Valerie Brown, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions Evergreen Center, said, “This event is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about our program, to come and see our space, learn more about the services we provide, and meet our dedicated staff.”

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the program facility and ask questions while enjoying light refreshments. 

Memorial Hospital Senior Life Solutions’ Evergreen Center is a program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging. 

The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, a licensed therapist, a registered nurse, and other trained professionals focused on helping older adults in the community navigate difficult life transitions and regain their quality of life.

Brown said, “We look forward to meeting members of our community on October 18, 2022, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, and for the opportunity to help those struggling to improve their quality of life through our services.”

If you or someone you know would like more information on the open house or about the Memorial Hospital Senior Life Solutions’ Evergreen Center program, please call 217-357-6516.

ABOUT SENIOR LIFE SOLUTIONS

Founded in 2003, Senior Life Solutions is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), a leading behavioral healthcare management company. PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 25 states. For more information, visit?www.psychmc.com/seniorlifesolutions. 

GRAY MARKET VEHICLES ARE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR USE IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND HOW YOU CAN SPOT THEM BEFORE YOU BUY

ONE OF THE NEW OWNERS OF THIS HISTORIC BUSINESS TALKS ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS AND EXCITING NEW IDEAS