Focus on Faith

Focus on Faith – Stillness, a foreign word

Psalms 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Still. Webster defines the word “still” as remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary; free from sound or noise; silent; subdued or low in sound; hushed: free from turbulence or commotion; peaceful; tranquil; calm. 

Stillness does not come easy for me. Having grown up in a world where business seemed to be the sign of success, stillness was never in my dictionary. Yet it is definitely an important word in the Bible.

Bits and pieces

Bits & Pieces – The difference between bulls, heifers

In my last column, I shared about one of my experiences while a student at Quincy Beauty Academy. Even though I lived 65 miles from home, my mom made sure there was still a watchful eye on me; my landlord, Mrs. Smith.

Although our group of girls didn’t like the idea of having  curfew, we really did love this sweet elderly lady. But as teenagers, we did disobey, a time or two.

Culvert replacement on Route 125 in Cass County begins Sept. 25

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that a pipe culvert replacement project on Illinois 125 northwest of Ashland in Cass County will begin Monday, Sept. 25.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane using cones, barrels and flaggers within the construction area. This $75,000 project will improve and help maintain drainage across the road. The project is

expected to be completed in mid-October.

Emblem Club hosts chicken dinner    

Beardstown Emblem Club 474 will hold a Fried Chicken Dinner from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sunday, October 22 at the Beardstown Elk’s Club, 205 East 2nd Street, Beardstown.
     Menu will consist of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, rolls and butter and desssert. 
     There will be a cost for adults and 4-12. Children 3 and under are free.
     Carry outs are available by calling 217-323-1000. There will also be a 50/50 drawing.
     This is open to the public.

Reminder of UW deadline for grants

Agencies are reminded that October 31st is the deadline to be considered for a Beardstown United Way grant. These grants provide financial assistance to help others. The budget is based on the generous gifts of individual donations (including payroll deductions), business donations and corporate matches. 

Certain guidelines are required to be a funded United Way organization, including being a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization that provides to the Beardstown community.

Dot Foods wins award 3rd year in a row

North America’s largest food industry redistributor, is proud to announce that the company has earned the Great Place To Work Certification™ for the third consecutive year. Dot has partnered with Great Place To Work (GPTW), the global leader in workplace culture, since 2021 to conduct their annual employee survey and assess employee experience.

The members of the Beardstown Middle School softball team and coaches are all smiles as they pose with their Fourth Place Trophy following the IESA Class 2A State Tournament in Normal. Congratulations players and coaches!!

Lady Tigers finish 4th in State! – Fantastic voyage for Lady Tiger Softball

The finish may have been disappointing but the final results of the season and the journey there were fantastic for the Beardstown Middle School softball team as they finished the year placing fourth in the Class 2A IESA State Softball Tournament.  In just year two of the BMS softball redux, the Lady Tigers have served notice they will be a player on the state scene by bringing home a state trophy.  Beardstown opened State Tournament play at Champions Field in Normal in impressive fashion, defeating Princeton Logan 7 to 0 in the opening quarterfinal game.  Scheduled for Friday morning, a needed rainstorm hit the Bloomington-Normal area Thursday night and continued until all games were moved to Saturday, meaning the quarterfinal winners would have to play two games in one day.

The PORTA-AC Central golf team after finishing in second place at the Sangamo Conference Tournament. (L/R) Keagan Dale, Griffin McClure, Trace Donnan, Brady Kinney, Brody Pettit, and Brody Landon.

PORTA/A-C Golf rolls on

Last week was a busy one for the PORTA-AC Central boys’ golf team as they roll closer to the postseason.  

The week started with them hosting the North Mac Panthers on a typically breezy day at Shambolee Golf Course last Tuesday.  Both the varsity and JV teams played very well.  The Jays took home the win with a team score of 163 on the back nine.  PORTA A-C was led by medalist Trace Donnan who shot a two over par 38.  He was followed by fellow senior, Brady Kinney, at 39.  Keagan Dale fired a 41 and Brody Pettit rounded out the Varsity scoring with a 45.  Griffin McClure shot a 48 and Brody Landon shot a 49.  North Mac had a team score of 174.  In JV action, Nash Donnan and Kolin Johnson led the way with a pair of 48’s.  Drew Carter shot 52, Colton Wankel shot 58, Avery Jockisch shot 59, and Dillon Stremsterfer had a 62.

John Haverback (left) and Liam Hymes with their plaques from the Big 5 Conference Junior High Cross Country meet.

Beardstown Cross Country results

Both the Beardstown High School and Middle School Cross Country teams were on the course competing last week.  

On Monday, September 18, the middle school team traveled to Petersburg-PORTA to run in the Big 5 Conference Meet. The girls finished in 5th Place as a team, while the boys were able to finish in 2nd Place as a team.

“They’re not gonna catch him!” Elizah Thomas of the Tigers is on his way to a 47 yard touchdown in Beardstown’s win over Triopia.

Tigers win black and blue trophy

On an absolutely beautiful fall evening, the play on the field may not have always been pretty, but in the end the Beardstown Tigers had to feel great about picking up their third win of the year while spoiling Triopia’s homecoming with a 38 to 12 victory.  

In addition to bringing home the highly sought-after “Black and Blue Trophy,” the Tigers moved that much closer to the five wins needed for a playoff berth.  A valiant Trojan team kept the game close through the first half, but the Beardstown defense shut them out in the second half and slowly pulled away.