Nea as Timon

Bits & Pieces – ‘Timon’ on ice this weekend

It’s that time of year again and I am excited!

It’s the annual ice skating show at the Nelson Center in Springfield---and my granddaughter, Nea, is in several numbers.

Nea started ice skating when she was 4.5. She is on the autustic spectrum, so her parents wanted to find something that she would be comfortable in, yet would excel in at her own pace. 

Through a lot of therapy and trying different activities, Nea has made amazing strides in her life. She will be 14 March 29.

Triopia Head Football Coach Cody Winkelman Photo Triopia CUSD 27 Facebook

Trojans tab new gridiron coach

The Triopia-Meredosia-Virginia Trojan football team officially has a new head coach.  The school board has hired Cody Winkelman as head coach for the high school team for the 2025 season.  Winkelman replaces Adam Brockhouse, who coached the Trojans for five seasons.  Both coaches played for the Trojans. Winkelman served as an assistant coach at Beardstown from 2011-2016 and has been an assistant on Brockhouse’s staff at Triopia for the past three years.  He also served as an assistant coach on the high school basketball team this past season and has taught special education at Triopia since 2020.

Box of Can Donations graphic

Scouting for Food  for the Cass County Food Pantry 

On Sunday, March 17, Boy Scouts from Troop 125 were tying plastic grocery bags to the doors of houses throughout Ashland.

Once again, they are collecting food items to be donated to the Cass County Food Pantry and would appreciate the community’s help as to support this valuable community outreach.

Troop members will return around 10 a.m. the next Saturday (March 23rd), to collect your bagged donations.

Chandlerville, Il

Chandlerville to host several events

Chandlerville will be having an electronics clean up from 5  p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd and from 8 a.m. to 11a.m. March 23rd.

They will also be having an Easter parade at 9 a.m. and an Egg event at 10 a.m. on March 23rd. Then starting at 4 p.m. the same day, the Guns and Hoses 6.0 Banquet Fundraiser begins at Daugherty’s Pub. There will be a prime rib dinner served from 5 to 8 p.m., and a live public auction at 6:30 p.m. Cory Simpson, Fire Chief, asked the board members to please push sales of both raffle tickets and meal tickets at the meeting held Wednesday, March 13.

Ashland, IL

Ashland purchases body cameras

The Ashland village board voted at last week’s meeting to purchase two body cameras for the police department, an action mandated by the state. The purchase is for two cameras immediately and a refresher of two new cameras in two years. The motion has a not-to-exceed limit of $12,500 and will be paid with funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Hands on the bible

Focus on Faith – Are We Limiting God in Our Lives?

Psalm 78:41-42-41; “Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power: the day when He redeemed them from the enemy.”

In the above scriptures we see the nation of Israel turning away from serving God. They were determined to return to Egypt, even after God had brought them out with many signs and wonders. They tempted him again and again and by doing so they limited the Holy One of Israel. In other words, they were setting a limit to the power of God.

Beardstown City Hall

Beardstown Police down a car

Police Chief Martin Coad told the Beardstown City Council at their meeting Tuesday, March 19th, there is a bad engine regarding a bad motor in the 2014 Dodge Charger squad car. 

Chief Coad received estimated replacement/repair cost from Jennings here in Beardstown and Chrysler dealership in Jacksonville. Jenning’s estimate was just over $10,000 and the Chrysler’s estimate was just over $12,000. The difference in price has to do with the Chrysler dealership replacing more parts.

Virginia bluebells produce attractive foliage and flowers and are a great addition to shade gardens.

Good Growing – A plant of many colors: Virginia bluebell

Extension With the arrival of warmer weather in the spring, we start to see signs of new life in our landscapes. Birds begin singing, our landscapes start turning green again, and spring ephemeral plants start to emerge. Among the spring ephemerals in Illinois, one of the most captivating and commonly encountered are Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).

Courthouse News

Cass County Courthouse News

Information as recorded at the Cass County Courthouse, Virginia. Marriages: Randy R. Mendoza, Beardstown, and Angeles Hernandez, Beardstown. Divorces: Laura Lee Gibson from Forrest Lloyd Gibson. Property Transfers: Trevor D. Cope, Warranty Deed to Juan Antonio Cruz Jimenez, Susana Estrada Meza, for Lots 7, 8 & 9 in Block 156 of Sch Comm Addn, Beardstown.

Virginia Redbirds

Virginia High School Students of the Month

Congratulations to both Senior Emma Lyons & Freshman Jonathon Eveland on being Virginia students of the month. Both of these young adults embody many strong characteristics that demonstrate Redbird Pride!