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Rural Community Economic Development Conference The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, in conjunction with Rural Partners and the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, is hosting the 14th Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference on March 12-13, 2003 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Peoria. The conference will feature sessions and workshops on technology, health care, volunteerism, and rural issues in Illinois. The conference brochure and registration information can be viewed on the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Web site, www.iira.org after January 15, 2003. Conference materials can be requested from Carol Harper, Western Illinois University, 523 Stipes Hall, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455 (800) 526-9943 or (309) 298-2637 e-mail: CS-Harper@wiu.edu. Youth To Washington alumni — let us know where you are now? Staying in touch with old friends isn't easy. We move, change phone numbers and soon old friends slip away. We are trying to help reunite old friends who went on the "Youth to Washington" tour. To kick things off we are featuring a few of the great people who have already responded to our alumni roundup notice.
John Schmitt 1971
After college John worked for the Illinois State Senate for five years. He then worked for Governor James R. Thompson's advisor for the environment. "I left the state for a period of five years and relocated to Chicago where I presently live. I am now back working for the state of Illinois as the Executive Director of the Illinois Conservation Foundation (www.ilcf.org). I am responsible for leading the fund raising efforts on behalf of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). In seven-plus years, more than $15 million has been contributed for various program needs of the IDNR," says Schmitt. Schmitt says keeping in touch with friends was hard. "For a few years after my Youth to Washington tour several of us would get together on an annual basis as a type of reunion of sorts. I kept in contact with a couple of the tour participants who attended EIU such as Anita Hart (Menard Electric Cooperative) and Bonnie Fansler (Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative)." If you'd like to contact an old "Youth to Washington" friend, or add your name and contact information to our database, contact Linda Comstock at the AIEC at (217) 529-5561 or lcomstock@aiec.coop. Let us know what you remember about the trip, sponsoring co-op, the year you went and what you're doing now. Taking the pulse of rural America reveals contradictions A new series of surveys on how political leaders and the public perceive rural America reveals a complicated, often contradictory picture. "It was a paradox," says Rick Foster, Vice President for food systems and rural development of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which commissioned the surveys. On the one hand, the public perceived that "everybody in rural America lived an idyllic, self-sufficient lifestyle," Foster says. "The other was that the biggest issue was commodity prices." This finding comes despite the fact that fewer than 12 percent of non-metro residents in the United States are farmers or work in agricultural-related jobs. Other contradictory perceptions: • Rural life is more relaxed than city life, but harder and more grueling. • Rural people are friendly, but intolerant of outsiders. • Rural areas have a rich community life, but are populated by rugged individualists struggling to survive. Members of Congress were also surveyed. They expressed concern that there are no recognized "champions" or strong advocates for rural America. In the surveys, poverty was identified as one of the most pressing problems facing rural America. "We're hoping the studies will influence policy," Foster says. The surveys were conducted as the Farm Bill was being debated. Now that the Farm Bill has been passed, the hope is that other concerns can come to the fore. "The Farm Bill is not a rural bill-it's a feeding-program bill [i.e., food stamps], and a subsidies bill that guarantees income for some segments of production agriculture," Foster says. "But it does little to help rural communities." The Kellogg Foundation hopes to focus political attention on issues such as economic development, telemedicine and distance learning, Foster says. Social issues, such as teen pregnancy and drug use (which is greater among rural youth than urban), also need to be addressed, he adds. To view the studies, visit www.wkkf.org. Source: September 2002 issue of Rural Electric Magazine © 6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop
Carbon monoxide kills 500 a year
As furnaces and heaters are fired up and windows are closed for the winter, you should be aware of the heightened dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO kills about 500 Americans each year and sends 10,000 to the emergency room. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fossil fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil and methane burn incompletely. Symptoms of CO poisoning feel like you are getting the flu — headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and confusion. Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. To prevent CO poisoning you should properly install CO detectors. First select an alarm that is certified by an independent testing laboratory and follow the manufacturer's directions for installing the alarm. Test your CO alarms at least once a month. Alarms can fail to sound, so it's important to be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning. If the alarm sounds, open the windows immediately to ventilate the area and move people in the house to fresh air. Then call your fire department and gas utility. Don't get burned — follow these safety tips To help ensure a safe and warm heating season, the National Electrical Safety Foundation offers the following tips: • Have your heating systems inspected by a qualified service professional at least once a year. This inspection should include lubrication and cleaning, replacing filters, a check of belts and thermostats and having vents cleared of obstructions, as necessary. • Use products only for their intended purposes. Hair dryers aren't intended to thaw frozen pipes, dry clothing or warm bedding. • When using a portable electric heater, keep flammable materials at last three feet away even if it has safety features such as cut-off switches or heating element guards. • If you use an electric blanket to keep warm on a cold night, follow the manufacturer's instructions and make sure you turn it off and unplug it when it's not in use. Never tuck in an electrical blanket. Source: www.nesf.org Are you warming up with space heaters? As the temperature drops, many families may use portable electric space heaters to help warm their homes. The Electrical Safety Foundation International warns that space heaters could cause fires and injuries if not used properly. Follow these few simple precautions: • Read the manufacturer's instruction manual before using any space heater. Check to make sure the heater bears the mark of a certified testing organization. • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, draperies, furniture and rugs. • Keep space heaters away from areas with water. • Don't use space heaters in rooms where children are unsupervised. • Avoid using an extension cord with a space heater. If you must use one, make sure it is the right wire gauge size. • Do not use portable heaters in areas where flammable liquids such as gasoline or kerosene are used or stored. Source: ESFI FEBRUARY 2003 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 7 Illinois Products Expo 2003
If you were to take a drive through Illinois, you would surely see corn and wheat fields, hog and dairy farms, and other agricultural ventures. But Illinois has a lot more products to offer than just what meets the eye. Illinois farmers are beginning to diversify their commodities, and small companies are creating unique and delicious agricultural goods. A great place to learn about these products is at the Fifth annual Illinois Products Expo in Springfield. This event showcases small and large companies in Illinois that produce food and other agricultural products. The event offers consumers the chance to sample and/or buy these goods. From homemade pickles and honey to "Butch's Pizza" and "Chilli Man Chili," the choices are endless. The biggest decision visitors to the Expo will have to make is where to start.
While tasting and discovering new products, visitors can also learn about safe cooking tips and new preparation methods. Howard Helmer, recognized as the "World's Fastest Omelet Maker" and representing the American Egg Board, will entertain audiences with humorous demonstrations. "It's a great food show for consumers," says Larry Aldag, Marketing Representative of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, "This year's Expo will have more than 50 booths set up and more than 80 companies present." At least 15 of those merchants will be included in the Illinois Wine and Cheese Garden at the Expo. Any company that produces, packages or processes food in Illinois can participate in the Expo. Currently, there are more than 1,800 companies in Illinois involved in food production. "We focus on small to medium sized companies. We want to help the little guys who can't afford to participate in the large national food shows," says Aldag. And supporting Illinois merchants supports Illinois' economic growth. Agriculture is the largest industry in the state, and Illinois is one of the top states in the country for numbers of employees involved in the food processing industry. By supporting Illinois products, consumers are supporting Illinois jobs. The Department of Agriculture seeks to support all Illinois products, and the Expo is a great way of doing this. "The Expo accomplishes three things for participants. They sell their products at the expo, introduce their products to consumers, and hopefully earn new business with buyers and stores. The ultimate goal is to get Illinois companies long-term into store markets," says Aldag. Last year, food companies at the event did nearly $35,000 in business, not to mention the publicity they gained. "This event continues to grow every year," says Aldag. "Our number of visitors has increased by about 2,000 persons each year." And these visitors leave the expo with a renewed sense of appreciation for Illinois products, and with knowledge of how to support food merchants in their own state. Consumers then know which Illinois products to ask for at their local supermarkets. The Expo happens Friday, Feb. 28 from 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 2 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield. Adult admission is $2 per person, children 10 and under are free. If you are unable to attend the Expo, but wish to learn more about Illinois products, visit the Department of Agriculture's Web site at www.agr.state.il.us. The site has a complete listing of local companies with links to individual Web sites. For additional information, call Larry Aldag at the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (217) 524-3012. 8 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop
by: Angle Bates
Illinois will once and for all be, "The Land of Lincoln" in the summer of 2004. Why? Because the current construction of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield will be complete and will join the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The library will serve as the center for research and study of the life and times of Lincoln and the American Civil War. It will house the world's largest and most complete collection of Lincoln documents and artifacts. Priceless items that have never been viewed by the public will be included. The museum will make the era "come alive" with facades, life-like figures and intriguing special effects. The museum tour begins at "The Gateway," where visitors can plan their visit while finding out what special events are occurring that day. "The Plaza" follows, featuring building displays and realistic figures. From here, visitors have access to all other areas of the museum. Children can then be entertained at "Mrs. Lincoln's Attic," a hands-on exhibit where they can try on Lincoln-era clothing, play with 19th century toys and construct a log cabin. "The Journey, Part 1" begins after the children have their fun. Here you can get to know Lincoln in his pre-presidential days and the early events that shaped his life. You will then proceed to the "Special Effects Theater," which seats 250 visitors. Dave Blanchette, Public Information Officer for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, says, "You might find a battle scene where cannons are fired and the seats may vibrate to make it feel like you are actually on the battlefield. There will also be, depending on what is on the screen, certain effects that can be felt that will enhance the experience." "The Journey, Part 2" follows the theater and it portrays Lincoln's family, their new life in the White House, and Lincoln's fight for racial equality. A full-scale recreation of the War room, Civil War drama and Lincoln's death, respectively, are all depicted. The "Treasures Gallery" is next, which contains original versions of the 13" amendment and the Gettysburg address. There are also many rare personal items that belonged to Lincoln and his family. After you leave the gallery you will enter the 250 seat "Holavision® Theatre." A live actor will interact with holographic images from the audience's viewpoint, the live actor and the holographic images will appear as one. Blanchette says, "That particular presentation is called 'Ghosts of the Library' and is intended to excite people about the historic detective work that historians, librarians and researchers do in presidential libraries. It reveals the excitement that they have when they discover a new historic fact, uncover a previously unknown historic document, or learn something new about a historical event or figure." The idea for the museum and the library came into play due to "the state of Illinois having the world's largest collection of Lincoln materials at 46,000 items, but having no adequate place to display them," says Blanchette. "We like to joke that the idea for the facility came about on April 16, 1865, which is the day after Lincoln was assassinated, but it really began to gather steam in the early 1990s." Then-Congressman Dick Durbin (who is now a U.S. Senator) secured federal money for a feasibility study for the complex. In the late 90s before he left office, Governor Jim Edgar hired an architect and an exhibit designer for the project. When Governor George Ryan took office he gathered the construction money and began the construction of the building. The library building is completed, and the museum is half completed. The groundbreaking ceremony was on February 12, 2001, and the dedication for the library was on November 18. The library is located at 112 N. 6th St., and the museum is located at 212 N. 6th St. The number 212 was chosen because that is the month and day of Lincoln's birthday. Funding for the project came from a combination of sources. A little more than half is state funding. The balance was paid with federal funding, city of Springfield funding, and private funds. In total, the museum and library cost $115 million to build. Video footage has been captured throughout the demolition and construction process. Footage is still being recorded and will periodically be added to the Web site. To view the videos, log on to: www.state.il.us/HPA/preslib/default.htm. For more information about the library and the museum, write the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 500 East Madison, Springfield, IL., 62701, call (217) 785-1511, fax (217) 785-7937, or e-mail info@ihpa.state.il.us. FEBRUARY 2003 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 9 |
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