★ SPECIAL NEW YEAR EDITION ★
Donna J. Pleines
Donna J. Pleines, 87, of Hopedale, formerly of Minier, passed away Monday, May 29, 2023 at Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria.
Russell “Huck” Willis
Russell E. “Huck” Willis, 81, of Hopedale, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at his home.
Officers Promoted at Village Meeting
John Lewis and Dan Nelson, two police officers with the Deer Creek-Goodfield police department, were promoted in rank at the evening meeting of the Deer Creek Village Council on Tuesday, October 18th.
Lions Club and Dee-Mack Boosters Announce Golf Outing
Grab your clubs and finest Higdon hat for the Mackinaw Lions Club Golf Outing at Quail Meadows Golf Course in Washington, on Saturday, August 13th. $90 per person covers green fees, a golf cart, and lunch at the course starting at 11:30 A.M. prior to tee off. Golfers can form their own team of 4 or sign up individually and be assigned to a team.
New Restaurant Opens in Mackinaw
Mackinaw gained a new restaurant with the opening of Eddy’s Kitchen Family Restaurant on June 28th. Providing a wide variety of menu options for breakfast and lunch, local residents are sure to find something delectable that will make Eddy’s a community staple. Chef Eddy’s wife, Iris, tells The Mail how Eddy’s Kitchen Family Restaurant came to fruition.
Yoga4Life Studio in Mackinaw
Yoga may be one of the oldest practices in human history to focus on a person’s happiness - a person’s physical and emotional well-being. In the United States it is estimated that 36 million adults practice yoga on a regular basis. They are likely to practice one of a couple kinds of yoga that derive from Vedic yoga and involve 12 basic postures, with names like cow, cobra, or fish. These kinds of yoga will also involve teaching deep breathing patterns along with a focus on being present and mindful. Luckily for Mackinaw area residents, we have an expert on the subject: Julie Rhoades of Yoga4Life, located at 107 South Main Street in Mackinaw.
Illinois Unemployment Rates Down for the Tenth Consecutive Month, Jobs up in Most Metro Areas
SPRINGFIELD – 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.
KDJ Sales and Services in Mackinaw
For this week’s Business Spotlight, I was able to speak with President of KDJ Sales and Services Inc, Dustin Schmidgall, and get a peek into the history of his company and what the future may look like moving forward. Started by Keith Schmidgall in Armington IL in 1978, the company originally focused on residential plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. After about 7 years, the decision was made to move the company to Mackinaw in 1985 and switch focus to doing electrical work on grain elevators. In 1987, the company moved to the Mackinaw Industrial Park, where they remain today. In 1995, KDJ added to their list of services when they added automation and control systems development.
In Time for Spring, 3:7 Garden Shed in Hopedale
Opening up on April 9, 2022, the 3:7 Garden Shed is a gardening shop owned by Jeff and Chris Litwiller but you may also see their four daughters around the shed helping out. The 3:7 Garden Shed took the place of the Hopedale Garden Shop after the owner decided to sell the business to Jeff and Chris Litwiller. Before this, the business originated as Slager Lawn Service in the 1980s. The shed’s name comes from 1 Corinthians 3:7; “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow”.
F.L. Sons Fire Equipment
With 10 years of experience in fire equipment and the fire safety industry, Fred Lawrence, along with his wife Emily, started Fred Lawrence and Sons Fire Equipment in Pekin in 2010. Business came quickly and before long, the decision was made to incorporate the business to its current name F.L. Sons Fire Equipment Inc. in 2015. Fred and Emily began hiring employees and realized that their current situation: one work truck, a very small 10’x15’ garage, and a spare room in their home acting as an office - just wasn’t going to meet their needs. So, the Lawrence family started to look elsewhere, knowing that they would need a home for them and their 2 sons, along with a separate building to run their business out of.
DIY Fire Pit
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
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
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
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.
Pour Painting
Our neighbors introduced my son and I to pour painting! It was so much fun! He is still talking about it.
Self-Aware Swiss Stereotypes Meet Edgy Exploitation Cinema
First and foremost, if you see this film, please know what you will see. I’ve seen some ridiculous reviews where people were upset about what they got, which boggles my mind. This film was crowd-funded and advertised as a “Swissplotation film,” exploitation films try to succeed financially by exploiting current trends, niche genres, or lurid content. But this is a modern self-aware take on the subgenre.
Three Women, One Crime: Secrets Behind Silence
Join me as we examine the world of cinema, navigating A QUESTION OF SILENCE's profound narrative and compelling performances. In 1982, the film industry was graced with the emergence of Marleen Gorris, a visionary director who impressed viewers globally with her debut. Her unique approach to storytelling won her the esteemed Golden Calf at the Netherlands Film Festival. She breathed life into a feminist narrative, focusing on three women from different walks of life - the reticent Edda Barends, the vivacious Nelly Frijda, and the discerning Henriëtte Tol. The catch? They commit a brazen murder in broad daylight, their identities exposed, but their motivations veiled in secrecy. Enter Cox Habbema, a determined female psychiatrist enlisted to decipher this labyrinth of emotions and motivations.
A Tale of Martial Arts, Deception, and Redemption
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of martial arts cinema as we journey into the thrill-filled universe of WARRIORS TWO. Master martial artist and actor Sammo Hung, known for his agile moves and unique comedic touch, stamps his memorable presence in this film. His distinct humor, however, may not be for everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of this style of martial arts film. The narrative unfolds as a gripping tale of a motley crew of criminals who are shown to be part of a smokescreen for a far more sinister plot that does not bode well for the town's leader.
Fast, Furious, and Unexpectedly Heartfelt
With MY FAULT, Prime Video launches a narrative voyage unapologetically specific to its intended demographic in the young adult drama genre. As someone who wouldn't ordinarily consider themselves part of the target audience, I was shocked to find this film's narrative pulling me in more than once. It meshes diverse genres and sprinkles in an unforeseen dollop of FAST AND FURIOUS-like symbolism. This vibrant blend of adolescent drama and romantic comedy certainly knows how to keep the entertainment dial turned up. Front and center of it all is the exceptional performance by Nicole Wallace, whose compelling portrayal of Noah, the leading role, effortlessly draws in viewers.
Unmasking the American Dream: a Story of Injustice
This country has fallen into a broken system, we have two political parties, and the party for the people is consistently lied about and demonized by the other. When rooting for the working class, the other party works for the corporate overlords, lowering their taxes and raising yours. This system has been in the works for so long; the opposing side lies to their cult-like followers by preaching hate and appealing to the ignorant. This continues to take more power away from the working class, ultimately leading to the desired rise of unions. This film doesn’t so much look at the political aspects as it does the worker's height. On a personal note, I hope this is just the beginning of a LONG list of changes this country is seeing!
Caring for Your Garden in the Summer Heat
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
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
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
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
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.
All-Conference Athletes Named
All Conference selections for the high school spring sports were just published! Many Olympia athletes earned conference and state rankings. Congrats to all athletes!
Recent Grads Become College Athletes
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
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
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
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.
