NUTRITIOUS, DELICIOUS, AND READY WHEN YOU ARE – “MEALS WITH

MEMORIAL” FREEZER MEAL PICKUP SERVICE

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital’s Health & Wellness Center announces the return of “Meals with Memorial,” a freezer meal pickup service providing the community with a convenient way to enjoy delicious, dietitian-approved meals at home.
The service takes place on Thursday, April 24, from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM in the Health &
Wellness Center Teaching Kitchen. Participants can pre-order meals online and pick them up during the designated time. Each meal kit is thoughtfully curated by Head Chef Amber Clark and Registered Dietitians Julie Shoemaker and Ashlyn Housewright to ensure balanced, nutritious options for families.
Available Meal Options:
? Crockpot Italian Chicken
? Stuffed Pepper Soup
? Spinach & Feta Burgers
? Cool Ranch Chicken Tacos
? Bean Burritos with Pico
? Asian Cranberry Salad
Each meal kit serves 4-6 people, with prices varying per meal. Order online between April 7 –
April 18 and pick up at Memorial Hospital Health & Wellness Center, 1454 N. County Road 2050, Carthage, IL. To place an order, visit MHTLC.ORG or call 217-357-6540. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals while supporting community wellness

Nauvoo Earns 2024 Tree City USA Recognition From Arbor Day

Foundation

Nauvoo, Illinois March 26, 2025 – The Arbor Day Foundation named Nauvoo a 2024 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organization plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries since 1972. The Tree City USA program has recognized cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area for over 50 years.
“We all have a role to play in shaping our future and tree champions like Nauvoo are leading the way,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation’s cities. We’re proud Nauvoo is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.”  
 
In cities and neighborhoods, trees are proven to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, and lower energy costs for homeowners.  
“In becoming a Tree City we are making a lasting impact on Natural Nauvoo now, and for generations to come,” said Nauvoo Mayor Tacy Nelson. “Let’s continue to grow together and celebrate the many benefits that trees bring to Beautiful Nauvoo!”
"Achieving Tree City USA recognition highlights Nauvoo’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty, a defining feature that has long made it a beloved destination,,"said Tourism Director Rebecca Williamson.

To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. 
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is operated in partnership with the National
Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. To learn more about the program or how to apply, visit arborday.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  
The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through thepower of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

###

Rachel Kerns with MTC COMMUNICATIONS - RECONNECT GRANT IS APPROVED ALONG WITH BUILD TEAM AND EQUIPMENT SEE IF YOUR RURAL AREA IS IN THE SERVICE AREA TODAY

Chaddock Sarah Goodapple  and Lindsay Miller - Chaddock offers a Free service with  a Mental Health Puppet Show

Hancock County Health Department  has Exciting News with Tessie Morton 

DENTAL CENTER IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS

U of I Extension  Kristin Huls with Updates for March 2025

KIBBE MUSEUM OPENS FOR THE SEASON APRIL 1ST-     Joy Swearingen talks of all the exciting exhibits! 

Welcome to the Real World returns to Sandburg on March 28 with more than 350 local 8th graders

GALESBURG — More than 350 area eighth graders will embark on an immersive occupational journey during the Welcome to the Real World and Career Exploration experience from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 28 in the gymnasium on Sandburg’s Galesburg campus.

The event, hosted by Sandburg in cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension and Regional Office of Education No. 33, inspires students’ aspirations and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the future while introducing them to diverse career options.

The Welcome to the Real World portion of the event simulates the implications of career choices and financial decisions, helping students better understand how their choices can impact their financial futures.

In the Career Exploration portion, students will hear from a panel of professionals in various career paths, allowing them to learn about necessary education and training while connecting with these industry experts and learning how they achieved success in their careers. The career panel will be moderated by Abby Colvin with Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development.

Following the career panel, industry partners will have interactive demonstrations set up in the gymnasium so that students can explore career fields through hands-on activities. Participating groups include:

• Facilitating Coordination in Ag Education
• F&M Bank
• Galesburg Area Vocational Center
• Galesburg Broadcasting
• Galesburg Fire Department
• Galesburg Police Department
• Knox County 911
• Knox County CEO
• Knox County Clerk and Recorder’s Office
• Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
• Pegasus MFG, Inc.
• Regional Office of Education No. 33 (child development)
• Sandburg
  • College of Nursing
  • Dental hygiene program
  • Information technology
  • Radiologic technology program
  • TRIO Upward Bound
  • TRIO Upward Bound Math/Science
  • Welcome Center
  • Welding program
• Thrive Community Services
• Yemm Auto Group

This partnership between Sandburg, the U of I Extension and ROE No. 33 underscores the commitment of these organizations to provide students with exceptional opportunities for growth and learning. More than 100 volunteers will be part of helping area students throughout this career experience.

For more information or to assist with the event, contact Tracy Engstrom, coordinator of career development at Sandburg, at 309.341.5246 or tengstrom@sandburg.edu, or contact Shelby Carlson from the U of I Extension at srcarls2@illinois.edu.

Set your Calendars for  the Strawberry Strut  June 7th-  Joy Swearingen  outlines the event 

COMING UP SATURDAY JUNE 7TH THE STRAWBERRY STRUT SIGN UP TODAY

Hancock County Farm Bureau - Richlyn  Hoener-    March Farm Bureau updates  Scholarship Application time is going on!

Memorial Hospital Hosts Regional Leadership Dinner to Strengthen Community Collaboration

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital hosted a dinner on Thursday, March 6, bringing together local mayors and hospital board members to discuss the hospital’s critical role as a 5-star healthcare system provider and a key economic driver for the region.

Attendees included mayors from several communities: Bocephus Casey (Hamilton), Jim Nightingale (Carthage), Tacy Nelson (Nauvoo), Kathryn Sparrow (West Point Mayor-Elect), Kevin Six (Dallas City), Gary Smith (Carthage Mayor-Elect), and Kat Reed (La Harpe).

Memorial Hospital Board members in attendance were Karen Araya, Dan Asbury, Dr. Doug Groth (Board President), LuAnn Haas, Larry McClintock, Terry Pope, Dr. Victoria Popela, Dennis Rankin (Board Secretary-Treasurer), and Brenda Young (Board Vice President).

During the evening, Memorial Hospital’s CEO, Ada Bair, highlighted the hospital’s substantial economic contributions, including employing over 450 individuals, many of whom reside and spend in the region, bolstering local businesses, schools, and housing markets. She noted that Memorial Hospital’s presence supports a broader economic ecosystem, attracting professionals to the area and fostering opportunities for growth in ancillary industries.

Bair also underscored the hospital’s direct financial impact, which includes providing approximately $1.7 million in charity care annually and investing in innovative healthcare services such as the Memorial Institute of Health & Healing and Memorial MedSpa. These initiatives not only expand local healthcare access but also contribute to the economic vitality of the region by drawing patients from surrounding areas and supporting job creation in specialized fields.

“The strength of our communities is deeply connected to the strength of our healthcare system,” said Bair. “Memorial Hospital is not just a provider of medical care—we are an engine of economic development. By working collaboratively with local leaders, we can create an environment that attracts and retains businesses, professionals, and families who recognize the value of a strong healthcare infrastructure.”

The evening’s discussions reinforced the shared commitment between Memorial Hospital and community leaders to strengthen economic resilience, ensure high-quality healthcare accessibility, and drive continued community development.

For more information about Memorial Hospital and its services, visit www.mhtlc.org.

Pictured: Top photo L to R: Karen Araya, LuAnn Haas, Tacy Nelson, Dennis Rankin, Bocephus Casey, Dan Asbury, Dr. Victoria Popela, Olivia Clark, Dr. Doug Groth. Bottom photo L to R: Shellie Mittermeyer, Kat Reed, Terry Pope, Kevin Six, Larry McClintock, Jim Nightingale, Brenda Young, Gary Smith, Will Stuflick, and Kathryn Sparrow

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ANNOUNCES PATIENT ACCOUNTS OFFICE

RELOCATION

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital is implementing a change in the location and bill pay process for its Patient Accounts office. Effective immediately, patients visiting the hospital to pay a bill or make payment arrangements should check in at the front welcome desk at the
hospital’s main entrance. A Patient Accounts representative will be notified and available to
assist them shortly.
This change is designed to enhance efficiency and improve the patient experience.
Memorial Hospital remains committed to providing excellent service and appreciates the
community’s support during this transition.
For more information, please contact Memorial Hospital at 217-357-8500.

Future leaders meet state officials during Youth Day

SPRINGFIELD – For more than 60 years, the electric and telephone cooperatives of Illinois
have given tomorrow’s leaders the opportunity to learn from today’s public officials. On March 5, approximately 200 high school students from across rural Illinois represented 22 co-ops during Youth Day, including 9 students from McDonough Power and McDonough Telephone cooperatives.
“Youth Day offers students from across the state a firsthand experience of democracy in
action as they engage with their elected representatives in Springfield,” said Brooke Gross,
member services manager at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives and facilitator of its youth programs. “This annual event provides state senators and representatives a chance to inspire and support the next generation of leaders.”

In addition to meeting elected officials, the students also learned more about their electric
or telephone cooperative’s role in their own communities and had the opportunity to tour the Capitol Building and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

State Representatives Dan Swanson (R-71) and Norine Hammond (R-94), and Senator
Mike Halpin (S-36) met with the students representing McDonough Power and McDonough
Telephone. These students included: Deacon Zaehringer and Guadalupe (Lupita) Borunda
Bustamente from Illini West High School, Ryan Clark, Will Phelps, Emanuel Barrientos, and
Matt Whitman from West Prairie High School, and Augustus (Gus) Schauble and Cohen Hunt- Twomey from Macomb High School, and Paige Christianson from United High School.
During lunch, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs addressed the students. He shared
his journey from a small town in Illinois to his current role, emphasizing the importance of
finding interesting and challenging opportunities. He encouraged students to pursue their
passions and take risks.

“When you push yourself outside your comfort zone, it’s uncomfortable at first, but you
learn a lot,” Frerichs said. “I’m guessing this is a room of people who want to do big things.”
Participants also met Paris Van Dyke, the 2023-24 Illinois Youth Leadership Council
representative, who was sponsored by Wabash Communications CO-OP during the 2023 Youth Day and Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. She spoke about her experiences representing Illinois’ electric and telephone cooperatives.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for this experience two years ago, because I
really got out of my box and decided to try something new,” Van Dyke said. “Be proud of
yourself for sitting in the chairs that you are in today, because you have an opportunity that not very many students get. So, take advantage of that, and just remember to say yes to the
opportunities that come your way.”
At the end of the day, the attendees were interviewed for the chance to participate in
AIEC’s Youth Tour and FRS’s Youth Tour, an annual trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by
McDonough Power and McDonough Telephone. This year’s AIEC trip will be held June 16-23.
Cohen Hunt-Twomey and Emanuel Barrientos will represent McDonough Power on the
weeklong AIEC trip, and Lupita Borunda Bustamente and Gus Schauble will represent
McDonough Telephone on the weeklong FRS trip, with Ryan Clark as the alternate, and meet their elected officials, see historic sites, learn firsthand how cooperatives work and gain valuable leadership skills.

McDonough Telephone Cooperative (MTC) has proudly served parts of Fulton, Hancock,
Henderson, McDonough, Warren, and Schuyler counties since 1951. McDonough Telephone provides fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology to its customers, giving its customers state-of- the-art service quality, speed, and reliability. For more information on service, visit:
MTCFIBER.NET or call 309-776-3211. McDonough Telephone is a recognized NTCA Smart
Rural Communities TM Gig-Capable provider.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL’S “MOCKTAILS & MEMORIES” EVENT BRINGS
HANCOCK VILLAGE RESIDENTS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE 75 YEARS

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital recently hosted a heartfelt celebration in honor of its 75th
anniversary, bringing together residents of Hancock Village Supportive Living. The event,
“Share your Memorial Love: Mocktails & Memories,” held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Hickory Grove, provided a unique opportunity for attendees to share their stories and reflect on the hospital’s impact over the years.
Guests enjoyed handcrafted mocktails and refreshments while reminiscing about Memorial
Hospital’s journey spanning 1950 to the present day. Attendees shared personal experiences, memories of care, and moments of gratitude, highlighting the deep connections between the hospital and the community it has served for 75 years.
“We were honored to hear so many meaningful stories from those who have been part of our journey,” said Ada Bair, CEO of Memorial Hospital. “Memorial Hospital has always been more than just a place of care—it’s a pillar of support, healing, and connection for our community. The event was a beautiful reminder of that legacy.”
As Memorial Hospital continues its 75th-anniversary celebrations, the community will have
more opportunities to engage and reflect on its history and future. Memorial Hospital invites the community to join them at Mahoney’s Coffee on April 29 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM for an opportunity to share their stories. As a thank you, participants sharing their memories will receive one free small drink redeemable at the time of the event.
For more information about upcoming anniversary events, visit MHTLC.ORG or contact
Marketing Director Cynthia Stewart at 217-357-8563.

TWO SCHOLARSHIPS NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS

College students in western Illinois are encouraged to apply for scholarships now
being offered by two groups partnering to help students in need: The $3,000 WIRC-CAA Scholarship, and the $5,000 Nathan Cobb Memorial Scholarship. Multiple awards are available, and the online application can be found at wirpc.org/scholarships/.

“Students can apply online, and the application itself is relatively short,” said Jamie Roth, Community Services and Public Relations Director for WIRC-CAA. “The essay portion is only 500 words or less, and the remainder asks details like contact information and where the student is enrolled. We hope this short application will reduce barriers to applying,
and we look forward to helping several students this year on their academic journey.”

The WIRC-CAA scholarship is open to students living in Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties in Illinois. Two awards of $3,000 each are available. To be considered, the applicant must meet the following criteria: (1)
The applicant’s primary residence is within the five counties listed previously; (2) The applicant must complete a 500- word essay and submit at least two professional letters of recommendation; and (3) The applicant’s household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, a three-person household cannot make more than
$53,300 per year. A complete income chart can be found in the application or on wirpc.org by searching for ‘income guidelines.’ Funding for this scholarship is provided by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

The Nathan Cobb Memorial Scholarship is open only to students in McDonough County, Illinois. Two awards of $5,000 each are available. This scholarship was created in memory of McDonough County resident Nathan Cobb; a proud team member of WIRC known for his kindness and compassion to help others in need. His parents, Janet and Lee Cobb,
provide funding for the scholarship through the McDonough County Community Foundation (MCCF).
To be considered for the Cobb scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: (1) The applicant is a McDonough County resident; (2) The applicant completes a short essay within the application and submits at least two letters of recommendation; and (3) The applicant’s household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

For example, a three-person household cannot make more than $79,950 per year. An income chart is available within the application.
Both scholarships distribute award funds directly to the successful applicant’s college or university that can be used to pay for tuition, books, or fees.
The application deadline for both scholarships is Friday, March 14, 2025. Apply online at wirpc.org/scholarships/. Paper applications are available upon request by calling WIRC at 309-837-2997.
WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to help and empower people and communities in western Illinois through their programs and services. The McDonough County Community Foundation (MCCF) works to further philanthropy in a community minded way with a commitment to good stewardship.
Equal opportunity providers and employers.

###

BBB DON O'BRIEN

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR IMPERSONATION SCAMS

LOU LOUS BARGAIN IS ON THE MOVE ! LEAH PATRICK  GIVES  UPDATE ON OPENING AT THE NEW LOCATION TUESDAY

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AT MEMORIAL MEDICAL CLINIC NOW

OFFERING A NEW ADVANCED THERAPY

Carthage, IL – Memorial Medical Clinic Carthage is proud to announce that it is expanding its behavioral health services to include a new advanced therapy called Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This therapy aims to enhance the quality of care offered to patients by processing traumatic experiences.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an innovative mental
health treatment technique that uses guided eye movements to reduce the emotional impact of distressing memories, empowering patients to achieve high emotional stability and mental well- being. EMDR is effective for a wide range of mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. By offering this therapy, the Behavioral Health department at Memorial Medical Clinic Carthage aims to provide its patients with new pathways to healing.
Memorial Medical Clinics is dedicated to strengthening the community's well-being by
providing comprehensive behavioral health services. The addition of EMDR therapy aligns with the clinic's commitment to offering cutting-edge treatments that foster healing and resilience. With mental health concerns on the rise, having access to specialized care close to home is more important than ever.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 217-357-6888. Memorial
Medical Clinics is committed to providing exceptional behavioral health services, ensuring the community has access to the support and care it deserves.

CONNECTION TO HEALTH CARE EMERGING INTEREST IN THE MEDICAL FIELD 

SANDBURG COLLEGE DR JODI POSPESCHIL