Great River Honor Flight Logo 1

Great River Honor Flight – Celebrates 15 Years of Honoring Veterans

The year 2024 marks the 15th year of operation for Great River Honor Flight.  Since Veterans Day 2009, the local Honor Flight hub has been offering FREE trips to Washington, DC for local veterans.  “From the very first trip on April 13, 2010 to the latest one on October 19, 2023, our mission has remain constant - Celebrating America’s Veterans by inviting them to share a day of Honor at our Nation’s Memorials,” said Carlos Fernandez, Chairman of the Great River Honor Flight Board.  

Paula J. Hill

From the Village —  Paula’s Village 

From the ol’ saying “It takes a village,” it is safe to say that Paula helped raise that village. It truly is hard to come across someone who hasn’t had Paula cross their path in some way.  From playing the keys at her church every Sunday, to her children from her WAM group and her children from all those years at the Virginia Daycare along with their parents,  all those customers who waited in line at the Lemonade Shakeup stand at the Virginia BBQ,  people from the community who simply just grew to know Paula over the years, all the nurses who Paula was a dear favorite to,  and some who simply have heard of her story and were touched by it.   

A-C joins rural school lobbying group

The A-C Central school board voted at last week’s meeting to join a lobbying group for rural schools. The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools was formed in 1987 to represent the interests of rural and small schools in government. There is a membership fee. The decision to join was at the instigation of Trustee Dan Cuba who raised the possibility at last month’s meeting.

Gracelyn Dame & Mackenzie McClure, A-C Central Students of the month for December 2023.

A-C Central Students of the Month

Our 8th grade Student of the month for December is Gracelyn Dame. Gracelyn (left) is the daughter of Brad and Kosha Dame. Gracelyn is described by her teachers as kind and considerate, organized, responsible, and a role model to others.

Virginia Redbirds

Virginia Jr/Sr High School – Second Quarter Honor Roll  

Sr. High School High Honor Roll - Not in picture order: Montasia Baptist, Evan Bell, Kristopher Bell, Savannah Bowman, Mia Brunk-Minor, Caleb Carpenter, Jack Cox, Ellie Dambacher, Emma Davis, Drea Edwards, Natalie Force, Isabella Garner, Cole Gourley, Kelsey Hamann, Norah Hays, Tessa Hays, Olivia Hughes, Emma Lyons, Raegan Masters, Brock Mayes, Kenleigh McHatton, Kaedon Merriman, Nokomis Moon, Sophya Ogden, Chloe Orr, Jack Parlier, Lindy Parlier, Maggie Parlier, Payten Petefish, Braden Reid, David Richards, Tierra Shade, Sidney Watkins, Barrett Whitehead.

Calendar-Winter

Community Calendar

The Public Safety, Environment & Housing Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 29 at the Cass County Courthouse. ******   The Pleasant Plains Masonic Lodge #700 A.F. & A.M. will hold its annual Soup and Chili Supper from

Bread of Love

Bread of Love  – January 29- February 2

Monday - Roasted chicken with gravy, baked potato, broccoli & cauliflower, banana, bread, milk. Tuesday - Cream of broccoli soup, hot ham & cheese sandwich on bun, pea salad, pears, crackers, milk. Wednesday - Pork fritter on bun, oven roasted potatoes, coleslaw, mandarin oranges, milk.

Election judge training sessions will be held Thursday, Feb. 22

Cass County Clerk Shelly Wessel has announced the Election Judge Training sessions will be held on Thursday, February 22.

The first training session will be held in Beardstown at the Elks Club, 205 E. 2nd Street, Beardstown, from 12:30 p.m.to 2:30 p.m.

Hands on the bible

Focus on Faith – Whose inscription is this?

Every January 1 is a challenge regarding having to remember the date has changed. Over the course of 12 months, the current year gets embedded in our brains. I would go so far as to say 11 months. . . because the first month is all about figuring out the year has changed.

Snowman

Bits & Pieces – Still a lot of winter left

One thing for sure----winter has officially arrived!

There’s a lot of haters out there about winter and the cold weather, but that’s understandable. I’ve always been a winter person and always chose cold weather over hot, humid weather. While many would stand toe-to-toe with me defending their reasoning for summer weather, I always held my ground.