Hunter Ballinger, entrepreneur of Roegge Sweet Corn

Since he was five years old, Hunter Ballinger (now 15), rode around the corn patch in the hauling wagon. He would help haul the corn to the bins where the customers would purchase it from all around the area.

The wild and wonderful elderberry

Most of the time I work hard to achieve a desirable outcome in my landscape but, from time to time, a plant comes along that is easy to care establish and care for without being too aggressive, it beautiful, and produces food for wildlife and my family…black elderberry is one of those plants. Identification Black or common elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis) is an attractive shrub that is well adapted to a wide range of site conditions.

What happened in Texas could happen here

It’ been a busy, yet sad week as most of us have been glued to the television since the horrific, sudden flooding in Texas on July 4th. Over 100 have been killed including 27 children (at last count) and dozens are still missing.

Anyone have the correct time?

The heat has been relentless but it looks like we finally got some relief this week that will carry through next week. Who knew that high 80s was going to be our welcome relief? It’s still hot, but a few degrees less.

A reminder to trust

This past week at First Southern we held Vacation Bible School. Our first night was Sunday evening and the start time was 6:00 pm.

Here We Go Again!

A quest for a third straight Little League World Series Championship has begun for the Tri County Thunder District 17 Senior Girls softball team. Coach Tom Orr’s Thunder crushed District 13, Kaneland, in a two-game sweep at Bruce Rice Field in Beardstown last Monday afternoon.

Giannoulias Awards $20 Million in Grants to Benefit Illinois Libraries

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is awarding nearly $20 million in grant funding to libraries across the state to ensure access to quality resources and programming for all Illinois residents, Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced. Area libraries receiving per-capita grants include: Ashland-Prairie Skies Public Library District-$10,432.68 Beardstown-Houston Memorial Public Library-$8,777.73 Rushville-Rushville Public Library-$4,432.38 Virginia-Virginia Public Library-$2,23315 “A library is more than just a building with books, it’s the epicenter of opportunity, discovery and community connection,” Giannoulias said.