A special meeting of the Village Board of Trustees has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00 pm at the Village Office.
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Hydrant Flushing Scheduled
Beginning on Monday, April 1, 2024, the Village will commence the flushing of water mains through fire hydrants. Residents may experience reduced water pressure, discoloration, and potential cloudiness in the water. The process is expected to take up to two weeks to finish.
Naughton Recognized As a 2024 State FFA Proficiency Winner
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 FFA Recognizes National FFA Week
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.
Funks Grove Country Store: Antiques, Primitives
By
McLEAN, IL –
The Funks Grove Country Store is a store that offers a wide range of antiques spanning decades. The owners of this store are Judi Braid, who I interviewed for this spotlight, and Rey Jannush. In 2018 the two decided to partner up and run the antique store together. When speaking to Judi she said that they “both love antiques and creating, so that was probably the big draw to do it together.”
Gordy’s Garage
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McLEAN, IL –
Gordy’s Garage is a local small engine repair shop ran by Mike Fuller. The shop is located in McLean and is specialized in repairing all kinds of small engines. Some examples are lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, and other similar items. Essentially anything that has a small engine on it can be repaired by Mike.
Funk’s Grove Maple Sirup
By
McLEAN, IL –
Funks Grove Maple Sirup is located in the heart of Central Illinois. This is a rural area of homes, fields, creeks, trees, animals, and plenty of nature. Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup is owned by the Funk family. They have been running this historic business since 1824.
McLean Depot Train Shop
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MCLEAN, IL –
Tom Ludlam is the owner of the McLean Depot Train Shop and has been for 11 years. After he retired from the army, he had an opportunity where he could use the Depot building for a train shop, something he had “in the back of [his] mind to be an interesting thing to do for many years”, so he took the chance. The Depot is owned by the village, but he runs it and the Train Shop together. He loves being his own boss and working in a hobby he has an interest in.
Breezy Bluff Riding Academy
By
McLEAN, IL –
Breezy Bluff Riding Academy started in 1983 with 4 neighborhood kids as the customers with only word of mouth to grow the business. The business has grown to 35 to 50 students per week. Betty Broadfield is the owner of the business and she has been instructing since the business began. She is the author of any material provided with the lessons given. At the academy, they teach western to eastern on the flat style, and to use verbal cues and natural aids while riding. The youngest riders are 4 years old, and their oldest student is in her 70s. They can take riders up to 285 pounds, which is more than other stables typically take. They have been in business for almost four decades and Breezy Bluff Riding Academy still has a perfect safety record. Betty would want a potential customer to know that one phrase that describes her company is “safety first”.
DIY Fire Pit
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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!
How to Make a Dreamcatcher
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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?
Baked to Perfection Ziti
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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.
Small Raised Paver Patio
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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.
Urban Isolation Meets Surveillance
Hi! You Are Currently Being Recorded
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
When you stroll through the streets of Woodland Hills in Los Angeles, it might feel like you've walked onto a film set, where every corner whispers secrets of a world where privacy is just an illusion. That's the chilling scenario that HI! YOU ARE CURRENTLY BEING RECORDED brings to life. Directed by Anna Maguire and Kyle Greenberg, this short film cleverly mirrors our societal obsession with surveillance, thrusting Maguire, both director and protagonist, into an unsettling narrative of modern voyeurism.
Love and Loss in the World of Italian Opera
The Bohemian
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
Step back into the luxury, excess, and turbulence of 18th-century Italy with THE BOHEMIAN, a film that portrays the rollercoaster life of Josef Mysliveček, also lovingly called THE BOHEMIAN. This narrative traverses his ascent in Venice’s operatic zenith to his decline into poverty in Rome, encapsulating his relentless pursuit of musical innovation amid a lifestyle of excess.
A Gripping Tale of Fear and Fortitude
The Murder of the Monster
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
Michael Rock makes a powerful impact with THE MURDER OF THE MONSTER, taking on a topic that resonates deeply with concerns that have only grown over the years. This film not only marks his first solo flight behind the lens after his team-up on TAHOE JOE 1 & 2, but it also thrusts the spotlight on the raw, often overlooked issue of domestic violence with an unwavering gaze and a meticulous craft that underscores both the narrative and visual elements of storytelling.
Comedy on the Course Hits a Hole-in-One
Cart Girls
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WASHINGTON, IL –
CART GIRLS, crafted by the spirited team at Hey Old Friend Productions (an emerging female comedy production company out of Canada) with a minimal budget, this short film (that this reviewer hopes to see turned into a feature) redefines comedic storytelling from a fresh, female perspective, turning the traditionally male-dominated world on its head.
A Gritty Tale of Exploitation and Revenge
Mar.IA
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
Stepping into the neon-soaked corridors of the adult film industry, MAR.IA emerges as a strikingly bold narrative directed by Gabriel Grieco and Nicanor Loreti. The story begins in 2024 with Maria Black (Daria Panchenko,) a leading figure in the adult film scene, whose life turns dark following an accident resulting in a coma. A media whirlwind follows that quickly subsides, leaving a mysterious silence in its wake.
Caring for Your Garden in the Summer Heat
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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.
The Importance of Crop Scouting a Field
By
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.
Agriculture and the Fourth of July
By
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.
Dairy Farms in Central Illinois
By
DANVERS, IL –
All dairy products like milk and cheese start by the production and care of dairy cows on a dairy farm. Dairy farming is when farmers raise mother animals and use their milk to feed humans. Other dairy products than milk and cheese include butter, yogurt, ice cream and more. Byproducts from dairy farms are even used for nonfood purposes. Byproducts allow for an operation to produce more goods and be useful for as much as they possibly can.
Standards Apply for Organic Farming
By
DANVERS, IL –
When you look through a produce section at the grocery store, you will likely find both organic and nonorganic items for sale. To be labeled organic, foods must meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. Companies or farmers can not just label something “organic” without meeting these standards. The USDA sets organic standards for crops and livestock, as well as the handling process.
Recent Grads Become College Athletes
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STANFORD, IL –
Many recent Olympia High School grads are going on to pursue athletics in college. From a class of only 86 students, 5 females and 4 males will be continuing their athletic careers. Most of them will be staying right here in Illinois, with just a few moving over to the bordering states.
Olympia High School Weekly Sports Recap
By
STANFORD, IL –
The sports season for OHS in the 2021-2022 school year concluded on Friday. Friday was the state track & field meet for our boys' team. The boys competed in the prelims on Friday but did not end up making it to the finals on Saturday. The qualifying 3200-meter team consisted of Anthony Ragland, Cooper Phillips, Owen Dare, and Brad Schardan. Owen and Brad wanted to save their energy for the 800 so the alternates, Logan Demling and Caden Clark ran instead. The team ran an 8:42.37 relay. Then, Brad Schardan ran the 800-meters at a personal best time of 2:00.20. Owen Dare was right behind him with a time of 2:00.26. Then, Keagan Uphoff did the 300-meter hurdles and had a time of 44.40. With Keagan being just a sophomore, he has a lot more potential to advance further in the coming years. He is off to a great start and ready for more!
Olympia High School Weekly Sports Recap
By
STANFORD, IL –
This was regional week for the softball and baseball teams! To begin, the baseball team played Clinton on Monday night, coming away with a 3-2 win. This advanced them to play Pontiac on Thursday. The Spartans were not as good as Pontiac’s baseball team and lost 1-14. Pontiac is now going to the regional championship game on Monday vs Tremont. Olympia High School hosted all these regional baseball games. The high school baseball season has now ended and the boys are ready to play travel ball. The baseball program is grateful for finally having a full season that was very fun and memorable, too!
Olympia High School Weekly Sports Recap
By
STANFORD, IL –
Post-season for Olympia High School athletics is coming into full gear. Just this week Girls Track and Field competed in their IHSA Sectional Meet. Anna Beiber qualified for State at the meet with a time of 2:21.68, just 2 seconds under the state qualifying time. Melissa Bieber just barely missed the qualifying time by .29 seconds with a 47.98 in the 300 hurdles, which is less than a second off the school record. Boys Track and Field will compete in their Sectional this coming week on the 18th.