Reed Naughton has been honored as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Services. A member of the Olympia FFA Chapter within the Illinois Association FFA, Naughton was recognized for his work-based learning, also referred to as Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). The Illinois FFA acknowledges students in forty-eight distinct areas for their SAEs. FFA members who exhibit exceptional agricultural skills and competencies through meticulous record-keeping, leadership, and academic accomplishments are eligible for this accolade. SAEs provide students with practical learning opportunities, whether through owning and operating an agricultural business, interning or working at an agriculture-related business, or conducting and reporting on an agricultural scientific study. Naughton's SAE is centered around his involvement in his family's auction service.
Olympia High School celebrated National FFA Week from February 19 to 23. Throughout the week, FFA members engaged in a variety of activities, including themed dress-up days, driving tractors to school, and creative alternatives to backpacks. The events featured a truck competition, a 'kiss a pig' challenge, multiple assemblies, and relay races. Senior Chase Litwiller won the straw bale tossing contest. An impressive turnout saw 16 tractors at school on Tuesday morning. FFA Officers dedicated Wednesday morning to preparing and serving a homemade breakfast for members and staff at OHS. During Tuesday's assembly, Kamryn Rader presented 'The FFA Creed' to the students. It was a week filled with enjoyable activities, celebrating our passion for FFA within our school community.
On Sunday, April 16th, the Olympia FFA Chapter held their annual Chapter Banquet. Due to the fire at OHS, the awards banquet was held at Minier Christian Church this year. There were 52 FFA members and over 150 guests present at the banquet. On this night the FFA recognizes all of the FFA members and their accomplishments.
The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in January for the tenth consecutive month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in twelve metro areas, and were unchanged in one, and down in another.
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HOPEDALE, IL –
Everything happens for a reason. This well-known phrase holds true in our business spotlight today. Jeff McGee experienced a no-show for the DJ he hired for his wedding. He improvised and took over the responsibilities of DJ and groom. After working as the DJ for a friend’s weekend, his business never looked back. JDs DJ Service started on November 23, 1991 and began with working weddings and parties. Since then, the business has shifted to working automotive events. The mobile DJ service caters to car shows and cruise nights. McGee’s DJ service is located out of Delavan, IL and has different options for the services that can be provided.
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PEORIA, IL –
With summertime approaching, there is nothing more fun than sitting around a fire pit with your friends or family! Well, maybe a tropical trip! Fire pits are a great way to add some fun to a yard! With a little hard work and some elbow grease, you’ll have one in no time. We put one in at our last home and loved it, I can’t wait to do it again!
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PEORIA, IL –
In Native American culture, dream catchers were believed to catch and trap bad dreams, whilst allowing good dream to pass through the spider-web design, and drift into the heads of the children that lie sleeping below them. Nowadays, dreamcatchers come in many shapes and sizes, and are an incredibly popular bedroom decor choice! If you’re ready for some sweet dreams, why not learn how to make a dreamcatcher?
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PEORIA, IL –
The key to creating a perfect Baked Ziti is to keep it from drying out. This classic Italian baked pasta dish is made by layering penne noodles, sauce and cheese. Once it is prepared correctly, however, it will become the only way you make it.
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PEORIA, IL –
Sometimes you are in the middle of a project and realize you need something else! This happened to me when I was creating my back garden scape. I placed my new Adirondack chairs in there place. They were a perfect fit, if the ground didn’t slope down in the back! I knew I needed to make an elevated bed for them. I had recently found a ton of old pavers in the yard and knew this was the spot for them.
The Last Video Store [Limited Edition]
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WASHINGTON, IL –
Cody Kennedy and Tim Rutherford have crafted a vibrant tribute to the VHS era with THE LAST VIDEO STORE, reviving the iconic ambiance of the 1980s and 1990s video rental boom. This film blends humor, horror, and satire to create a narrative that's as nostalgic as it is bizarre, making it a welcome homage to the era. Centering around enchanted VHS tapes and a cast of quirky characters, the film cleverly celebrates the period's B-movie classics, adding a layer of fun and complexity to the viewing experience.
Juggernaut (Blu-ray)
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WASHINGTON, IL –
JUGGERNAUT, directed by Richard Lester and written by Richard Alan Simmons and Alan Plater, stands out with its unique approach. Departing from the explosive norms of 1970s disaster movies, this film sidesteps the expected dramatic catastrophes to focus more intimately on psychological tension and human emotions under duress.
Men of War (Collector's Edition)
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WASHINGTON, IL –
MEN OF WAR, released in 1994, plunges into the heart of conflict through the lens of action and redemption, with Dolph Lundgren at the forefront as Nick Gunar. This film breaks away from the traditional action blueprint, exploring deeper and darker themes, and it is a surprising and welcome change led by Perry Lang's direction. Instead of the usual gun-blazing spectacle, Lundgren portrays a protagonist grappling with the consequences of his actions, making this not just another action flick but a thought-provoking narrative about the human spirit and ethical dilemmas.
The Addiction [Limited Edition]
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WASHINGTON, IL –
In the gritty underbelly of New York City, Abel Ferrara’s THE ADDICTION threads a story of moral and existential queries into the core of its narrative. This 1995 film rethinks the traditional vampire myth, transforming it into a vehicle for a deeper examination of human nature. Kathleen Conklin, a role embodied by Lili Taylor, finds her academic pursuits derailed by a transformation that thrusts her into a shadowy world where philosophical theories on morality become urgent and personal battles. This is not the traditional vampire flick and won’t be for everyone, but you'll likely love it if this is for you!
The Block Island Sound
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WASHINGTON, IL –
Venturing into THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND introduces us to a hybrid of horror and science fiction that is as deep and mysterious as the ocean. Directors Kevin and Matthew McManus guide us through these turbulent waters with a story that captivates and unnerves, enveloping viewers in a narrative as dense as the fog that shrouds the island setting. As the plot develops, the tension rises like the tide, culminating in an unexpected climax, leaving viewers adrift in a sea of thought-provoking ambiguity.
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DANVERS, IL –
Temperatures are looking to rise again this week, making now a great time to talk about how to help care for your garden crops in the hot and dry times of summer. Late July through August can tend to be very hot and it is important that you are taking proper care of your crops to get them through when they are ready to be picked from the garden. Some plants can tolerate the heat better than others. When you consider that most plants are made up of 85 to 90 percent of water, it makes more sense why plants need extra attention in the heat.
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DANVERS, IL –
Crop scouting is when fields are evaluated for pest and disease problems, or for checking in on growth progress. Scouting is important because if a problem of any kind is found in the field, it can be solved or managed as quickly as possible. This process is critical for farmers to grow their best crops and have the highest yields possible, which allows them to make the most profit. Crop scouting is a critical tool to protect a farmer’s investment in each field.
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DANVERS, IL –
Like many holidays, the Fourth of July is connected to agriculture! In the spirit of celebrating our Independence Day this weekend, we can look at a quote about agriculture from Thomas Jefferson. The Founding Father and former president stated, “Agriculture.. is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to wealth, good morals, and happiness…”. Jefferson proclaimed the importance of agriculture in our country in a letter he wrote to George Washington.
