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3/36
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4/362 Illinois Farm Bureau

A Te MeMbebenefiT

I wanted to drop you guys a

quick note to let you know that

I look forward to the quarterly

magazine coming in the mail.

It is one of the benefits of being

a Farm Bureau member that I

really enjoy and would like to

see continue.

I thought it might be helpful to

hear from your membership base to

determine what activities are worthpursuing ... this is one of them!

Travs bckMcLa Couty

I did so much enjoy your

article on the horseradish

farmers [Bringing the Heat,

Spring 2012]. The Heepkes

attend the Eden Evangelical

Church in Edwardsville, as I do.

Your magazine was so interesting

it got passed to many of our

church members.

I am the envy of my friends that

I get your wonderful magazine.

I read it from cover to cover.

Mrs. Shrly A. DrxlusMadso Couty

Editors note: Thank you for the

kind notes about the magazine.We appreciate any and all

feedback, from comments on our

website, ilfbpartners.com, and

emails to ilfbpartners@jnlcom.

com, to letters and phone calls.

Please, keep them coming!

GeTTinG SCLeDThe Chicago High School for

Agricultural Sciences [Growing

an Education, Fall 2011] is an

outstanding concept that not

Ths issuat a Glac

7

only serves to train students about

different disciplines in agriculture,

but also to train them in the

economics and importance of STEM

[Science, Technology, Engineering

and Mathematics] as it relates to

agriculture and food sciences. Wecall this STEM concept FASTEM,

which stands for Food and

Agricultural Sciences in Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics. We

need to replicate such high schools

and related training throughout the

country. Students attending this high-

tech school will receive numerous

scholarship offers throughout the

country and will one day become

agricultural scientists, professionals

and, hopefully one day, our boss or

schoolteacher at all levels of education.

Thanks again for a job well done.

boy Phllsflorda A&M vrsty,Tallahass

1

8 9

5

2

6

4

3

1. Family fun in DeKalb Countypag 14

2. Christmas at the Mansions inBloomington-Normal pag 7

3. Shenandoah Tree Farm inAlma pag 6

4. Top Shelf Replicas in RidgeFarm pag 12

5. Spragues KinderhookLodge in Barry pag 20

6. Festival of Lights inShelbyville pag 30

7. Winter Art Festival inHighland Park pag 30

8. Main Street Christmas inCambridge pags 30-31

9. Eagle Watch Weekend atStarved Rock State Parkpag 31

w uEmail us at [email protected] welcome any feedback,story

ideas, gardening questions orrecommendations for ourevents section.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/36Winter 2012-13 ilfbpartners.com 3

Every Issue5 PAiie STATe

PeSPeCTieRaising poultry leads to golden

moments for kids, parents

6 ALMAnACWill the summers drought

affect the price of food?

17 CnT wiSDMCreate a plan to survive the

sandwich generation

18 wATC S GwFarm family ensures

livestock receive TLC

24 eCiPeSEnjoy ham for the holidays in

savory sides and snacks

28 GADeninG

Use math to plan and growyour garden

30 winTe eenTSView different varieties of

poinsettias in Peoria

n Te CePhoto by Antony BoshierMike Meece, administrator ofMidwest Food Bank in Bloomington

Features

8 Th Sasos o GvgMidwest Food Bank volunteers feed thehungry, provide disaster relief year-round

12 Ty Toys, bg DramsYoung farmer builds a hobby into a business

14 Dscovr DKalDeKalb County offers family fun during theholiday season and throughout the year

20 bd, brakast ad byodHunters and quilters alike enjoy a stay atKinderhook Lodge

14

16

m nn

Watch videos, read storiesand browse photos atilfbpartners.com.

Ellwood House

Museum in DeKalb
http://ilfbpartners.com/http://ilfbpartners.com/http://ilfbpartners.com/



fAMBird is the word

An estimated 88 percent of Americans surveyed still serve

turkey for Thanksgiving. Find more fun facts about this holiday

centerpiece atilfbprters.o/trkey.

lpartrs.comVISIT UR WEBSITE FR VIDES, STRIES, RECIPES AND MUCH MRE

Farm Food Finds resources

grow, cook, eat, learn

recipes, tips and food for thought

Bw ly mlv.m

VLue 5, . 1

CnneCT wiT SLiKe S n fACebK

facebook.com/ illinoispartners

wATC iDeS n Tbe

youtube.com/ illinoispartners

fLLw S n TwiTTe

twitter.com/ ILpartners

eAD PAST iSSeS AnDnLine-nL MAGAzineS

ilfbpartners.com/library

A FFcAL eer puLcAt F tHe LL FAr ureAu

illinois farm Bureau

Pulshr Michael L. Orso

edtor Dave McClelland

Assocat edtor Martin Ross

Producto Maagr Bob Standard

Photographc Srvcs Drctor Ken Kashian

Prsdt Philip Nelson

c Prsdt Rich Guebert Jr.

excutv Drctor o pratos, ns & Commucatos

Chris Magnuson

Cott Drctor Jessy Yancey

Projct Maagr Blair Thomas

Prooradg Maagr Raven Petty

Cott Coordator Rachel Bertone

Cotrutg wrtrs Joe Buhrmann, Charl yn Fargo Ware,

Cathy Lockman, Jessica Mozo, Jan Phipps, Martin Ross, Kay

Shipman, Joanie Stiers

Cratv Srvcs Drctor Christina Carden

Sor Graphc Dsgrs Stacey Allis, Laura Gallagher,

Jake Shores, Vikki Williams

Cratv Tchology AalystBecca AryPhotography Drctor Jeffrey S. Otto

Sor Photographrs Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord

Sta Photographrs Todd Bennett, Martin Cherry, Michael Conti

w Cratv Drctor Allison Davis

w Cott Maagr John Hood

w Dsgr ii Richard Stevens

w Dvlopmt Lad Yamel Hall

w Dvlopr i Nels Noseworthy

Ad Producto Maagr Katie Middendorf

Ad Trac Assstats Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisani.T. Drctor Daniel Cantrell

Accoutg Diana Guzman, Maria McFarland, Lisa Owens

Couty Program Coordator Kristy Duncan

cptost Linda Bishop

Charma Greg Thurman

Prsdt/Pulshr Bob Schwartzman

excutv c Prsdt Ray Langen

Sr. .P./pratos Casey Hester

Sr. .P./Sals Todd Potter

Sr. .P./Agrusss Pul shg Kim Holmberg

.P./Sals Rhonda Graham

.P./sual Cott Mark Forester

.P./extral Commucatos Teree Caruthers

.P./Cott pratos Natasha Lorens

Cotrollr Chris Dudley

Dstruto Drctor Gary Smith

Illinois Farm Bureau Partners is produced for the Illino is Farm

Bureau by Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs

Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (800) 333-8842 .

All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be

reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Illinois Farm Bureau Partners (USPS No. 255-380) is issued

quarterly by the Illinois Agricultural Association,

1701 Towanda Ave., P.O. Box 2901, Bloomi ngton, IL 61702.

Periodicals postage paid at Bloomington, IL 61702 and

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The individual membership fee of the Illinois Agricultural

Association includes payment of $3 for a subscription to

Illinois Farm Bureau Partners.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notice s on Form 3579

to Illinois Farm Bureau Partners, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington,

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We live a famous feathered verse of Old MacDonaldsFarm, minus the rooster.

We own chickens. The joy first arrived with Chick Days

at our local feed store. It multiplied with the postal service

arrival of 25 more. Our kids, ages 4

and 6, spent hours in a corner room

of the shed holding the fuzzy

youngsters. They heard them chirp,

watched them eat, and giggled when

they pooped. Only Christmas

morning could be as exciting.

But what frustrations they caused.Our family invested time to move to

our farm an old half-ton building that

used to house hogs on our main farm. We built a fence that

refused to tighten. My husband and I knocked our heads

on the buildings tapered rafter angle several times. At

one point, my husband threatened to buy KFC.

However, the first eggs arrival diluted those tribulations.

Our daughter found the first.

The chickens laid an egg! she squealed, showing her

brother and me. She then thanked the chickens. Really

she used her manners. The moment proved the worth ofthe literal headaches.

I want two eggs tomorrow so we can make cookies!

she exclaimed as she carefully sheltered the egg in her

hands. The beautifully shaped, smooth shell resembled the

hue of weak chocolate milk. Before I returned to the house,

she had rinsed and stored the egg in her Disney Princess

lunchbox in the refrigerator.

For now, we care for just five hens that lay eggs nearly

once a day. About three dozen eggs per week seem plenty

for us and the grandmothers. Last spring, though, we

raised 25 chickens for meat.Those chicks arrived in the mail from an Iowa hatchery.

The chirping chorus on the phone announced their arrivalbefore the postmaster finished her first sentence.

Those birds grew fast, supported the local feed store,

and provided great garden fertilizer. My son helped feed

and water them almost daily. He

asked every few days, Can we eat

them yet? Comically, they must have

seemed like chicken nuggets.

Seriously, he understood the purpose

for this meat animal.

The chickens provide an education

in animal care and behavior. The kidsnotice when the chickens need feed,

seem hot, prefer to rest or feel ill. They

learn patience in waiting 18 weeks for the first egg.

Meanwhile, they feel responsible. My kids understand that

their birds livelihoods depend on us.

Before bedtime one summer evening, our daughter

shared a philosophy with her brother.

If we be nice to the chickens, they will be nice to us,

she said.

She formulated that on her own. At 6 years old, she

defined the premise of any poultry or livestock farm.A well-treated animal proves more productive.

A few months into the chicken project, I pulled a

childhood trophy from a high shelf. I stil l display it for fun,

because the chicken figure on top seems more novel than a

girl holding a baseball bat.

Twenty-five years ago, my meat chickens earned

Champion Market Flock at our county 4-H show. Our

4-year-old son thought I won a chicken race. Our daughter

accused me of actually earning second place, as the faded

golden chicken atop the trophy rather resembled silver. By

Olympic standards, I placed second.Regardless, the experience itself earns gold.

Raising poultry produces golden moments

Here a Chick, There a Chick

The chickens provide aneducation in animal careand behavior. My kidsunderstand that their birds

livelihoods depend on us.

aBu au

Joanie Stiers writes from West-Central Illinois,where she raises corn, soybeans, kids and chickens.

PAiie STATe PeSPeCTie


8/36

aThe 2012 drought reinforced the importance of hay to Illinoisans. Livestock, includinghorses, normally graze pastures in the summer and eat hay as winter feed, but with dry pasture

conditions, many farmers had to dip into their hay supply early.

Washington County

(1) ranks No. 1 in the

state for production

of alfalfa hay and

mixtures, while

Johnson County (2)

ranks No. 1 for all

other hay production.

Farm Focus

SOME DIFFERENT

VARIETIES OF HAY

INCLUDE CLe,

CAD GASS

AND TiMT A.

m nnFor more hay trivia,

visitlpartrs.com.

Fine PinesGet your ornaments ready and head to Shenandoah

Christmas Tree Farm in Alma for the perfect holiday

pine. Not only does the farm provide fresh pine trees,

wreaths and garlands, it also offers animals to pet,

a wooden play train and weekend rides on the

Shenandoah Choo Choo Express, making it ideal for

a family Christmas outing. Discover more about the

tree farm as well as its products and activities at

.shedohtreefr.o.

Field Trip Bad Year, Good Policy?Many Illinois farmers took a beating from the

weather this summer. As a result, crop

insurance also took a few licks.

Anticipation of billions of dollars in drought-related insurance claims nationwide sparked

debate over the taxpayer cost of federal crop

premium discounts for farmers. Cost estimates

in media reports overlook the fact that farmers

oftentimes pay premiums without filing a claim.

Policy consultant James Callan argues the 2012

drought illustrates the importance of insurance in

helping provide a stable food supply and lower

prices. Premium subsidies have helped farmers

afford coverage and thus survive to raise food

for human consumption as well as poultry andlivestock feed for another year, according to

Callan, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture

official. Its really making production

agriculture viable in many regions, he says.

Given its growing success in addressing

weather- and market-related risks, the U.S. crop

insurance program is becoming a model for

international policymakers, Callan adds.

Sharing risks and costs with private insurers and

farmers offers major budget savings over direct

farm subsidies an attractive prospective for

developing nations and economically challenged

European countries alike, Callan says.

In 2011, Illinois

produced 1.576

illio tons of hay,

with the southwest

region producingmost of the total.

Alfalfa hay made up

more than 952,000

tons grown on

280,000 acres

throughout the state.

6 Illinois Farm Bureau

1

2

whats th drc t hay ad stra? Hay serves as feed for livestockand other animals, while straw is primarily used for bedding, mulch and coverings.
http://ilfbpartners.com/http://ilfbpartners.com/http://ilfbpartners.com/http://ilfbpartners.com/http://www.shenandoahtreefarm.com/http://www.shenandoahtreefarm.com/http://ilfbpartners.com/http://www.shenandoahtreefarm.com/



Farm, Food and Fuel News

Marvelous MansionsCelebrate the holidays with a history

lesson on the ninth annual Christmas at

the Mansions, a three-stop home tour

in Bloomington-Normal.

Stops include one elegant manor steeped

in history and two mystery houses

decorated for the season. Tours of the

David Davis Mansion State Historic Site

in Bloomington showcase a rich cultural

heritage. Guests will enjoy educational

storytelling, learn about historic

preservation, be treated to delicious

Christmas treats and participate in

hands-on activities at the former homeof a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and

friend to Abraham Lincoln.

This years tour will be Dec. 15 from

2 to 5 p.m. and again from 5 to 8 p.m.

To learn where tickets are sold, visit

.hriststthesios.o.

Price Peace of MindWill the summers drought affect the

price of your groceries? Only at a

very minimal rate compared to

previous years.

According to Illinois Farm Bureau

Senior Economist Mike Doherty,

food prices rarely remain static,

as theyre affected by many

factors, such as inventory

adjustment, export demand and

energy prices. This means a relatively

minor drought impact, with food prices

expected to rise 3 to 4 percent in 2013,

compared to a 2.5 to 3.5 percent increase in 2012.

Economists forecast beef prices will increase the most due to

higher prices of feed, but only by 1 percent more than last year.

Higher feed prices have led to some farmers liquidating their

herds, which eventually will reduce the beef supply. For products

whose ingredients include corn or soybean meal or oil, such asfrozen dinners, the impact will be negligible, Doherty says.

Snow SafetyWhen joining in the fun of winter activities,

always remember safety first especially

when it comes to ice.

A Waterloo resident all too familiar with the

dangers of ice founded Project Skipper in

2010. The nonprofit aims to teach kids ice

safety using the acronym SKPR. If someone

falls through ice, the acronym reminds

them to Stay calm, Kick like a swimmer,

Pull yourself up onto ice, oll away.

Project Skipper offers a few more vital tips:

If a toy, sled or pet slides onto frozen

water, do not step onto the ice to get it.

Even a pond that appears frozen solid

or covered with snow can be dangerous.

Throw a rope or tree branch or lay a

ladder to reach the victim if someone

has fallen through. Never walk onto the

ice to attempt a rescue.

Visit.projetskipper.ofor more

information on Project Skipper and ice safety.
http://www.christmasatthemansions.com/http://www.christmasatthemansions.com/http://www.projectskipper.com/http://www.projectskipper.com/http://www.projectskipper.com/http://www.projectskipper.com/http://www.christmasatthemansions.com/


10/36

Midwest Food Bank volunteersfeed the hungry year-roundofGIVING

The Seasons




storyby Joanie Stiers

photographyby Brian McCord

In 2003, Midwest Food Bank

served 10 food pantries from an

old farm building. Less than a

decade later, its four warehouses

aid an impressive 696 food pantries

in seven states. More than 400,000

hungry people receive food every

month through the pantries andnonprofits helped by the food bank.

The food bank functions strictly

on donations, whether food or funds.

Monetary donations fuel its fleet

of trucks and fund warehouse

operations, including minimal staff.

Bloomingtons warehouse alone

operates with 1,800 volunteers and

only three paid staff members.

We never intended for it to be

more than 10 agencies, says Illinoisfarmer Dave Kieser, founder and

volunteer president.

To explain the success, he references

hymn 302 from his church hymnal,

How Great Thou Art.

When I think about what

happened at the food bank, I have

to think about how great God is.

PuP-Dvn ucc

The faith-based, non-

denominational Midwest Food

Bank collects food and funds from

individuals, businesses and food

corporations. Through a meat

program, farmers also donate about

5,000 pounds of pork monthly.

Volunteers and staff redistribute

the donated food to pantries,

churches and similar nonprofits

that feed the hungry.

The donations certainly make a

difference in the state. According

to Illinois State University, some

55 percent of food that Illinois

nonprofits receive comes from the

Midwest Food Bank. In 2011, the

food bank distributed $33.2 million

in food, all at no cost to the recipients.

I always think, as a nonprofit,

we have a very simple stor y to tell,

says Mike Meece, administrator at

the Bloomington location. Its

food and service. Thats something

that resonates.

Brothers Dave, Robert and Paul

Kieser and their families founded the

Midwest Food Bank volunteers help process food for distribution to more than600 food pantries. The food bank began on the Kieser familys farm in 2003.

The success seems impossible, a volunteer says.Others label it amazing. And the numbers

prove astounding.


12/36


13/36

w PTo learn how to donatefood, money or time toMidwest Food Bank, visit.mdstoodak.

org. You can also reachthe Bloomingtonlocation at

(309) 663-5350.

Volunteer Bob Adcock

moves pallets of food

with a forklift, while

Sheri Brownfield

prepares food for

distribution. Midwest

Food Banks Illinoiswarehouses, powered

primarily by volunteers,

serve 61 counties in

the state.

Winter 2012-13 ilfbpartners.com 11
http://www.midwestfoodbank/http://www.midwestfoodbank/


14/36

Young farmer builds ahobby into a business

BIGDreamsI ,




BCathy LockmanPGaP BAntony Boshier

Farm toys have been a longtime interest

for Chesnut. In high school, he repaired and

modified toys and even built some from

scratch. But despite his passion, his business

happened almost by accident.After graduating from college, Chesnut

attended a toy show intending to sell his

display cases. He placed several of his modified

toys in the display cases and found that buyers

were more interested in the toys than the cases.

An entrepreneur and a business was born.

Chesnut began selling more farm toys and

expanded into selling model trucks as well.

But when buyers began asking for products

that were not yet made, he knew there was an

opportunity to meet the demand. In 2010, hiscompany made the first Top Shelf Replica toy.

How do you go from modifying toys to

actually manufacturing them? Chesnut

explains that it takes time, patience, attention

to detail and a team you can trust. First, he

finds a product that will interest customers.

I go to trade shows and toy shows across

the country to get ideas, he says.

Next, he contacts the manufacturer of

the real vehicle or farm implement to get

permission to produce a miniature version.Then the real work starts.

Once Chesnut locates an actual tractor or

truck, he painstakingly measures it to be sure

the replica will be of the correct scale. He

passes those measurements on to an engineer

who designs the implement using specialsoftware and then prints out a 3-D model.

Chesnut carefully inspects each model,

and works with the engineer to make any

corrections before sending it on to the factory

for production. The factory, in turn, makes

models and sends samples to Chesnut for him

to check. When he finishes tweaking, the toys

are manufactured and shipped to his farm.

From the idea stage to the finished

product can take up to two years, says

Chesnut, who won the 2011 Illinois FarmBureau Young Leader Excellence in

Agriculture Award. There are many times

when Im in the field on my own tractor

talking to an engineer about a miniature one.

The intersection of farming and toy

manufacturing doesnt end there.

Just like I monitor my crop at all the

different stages, I do that with the models, he

says. And just like I appreciate the rewards of a

successful harvest, I enjoy the satisfaction that

comes when the hard work is done and another

high-quality product has been produced.

Alan Chesnut can fill a storage building with boxes of his toy

trucks and tractors. But the toys this sixth-generation farmerfrom Ridge Farm possesses are anything but reminders of hischildhood. Chesnut owns Top Shelf Replicas, an independentmanufacturer of die-cast collectibles.

Vermilion Countyfarmer Alan Chesnut

launched Top Shelf

Replicas, a business

that makes detailed

miniatures of farm

equipment and trucks.He works with an

engineer who uses a 3-D

printer to print a model,

top center, and a factorythat manufactures the

toy-sized end products.

w Bu

Are you interested in areplica of a ClassicWilson Livestock Trailer,an International RDFC-405, or various othertrucks and tractors?To learn more about theproducts available fromTop Shelf Replicas, visit.topshlrplcas.

comor email AlanChesnut at [email protected].
http://www.topshelfreplicas.com/http://www.topshelfreplicas.com/http://www.topshelfreplicas.com/http://www.topshelfreplicas.com/http://www.topshelfreplicas.com/



Its county seat, Sycamore, features

a quaint downtown where you can

still park for a penny. The city pulls

out all the stops to celebrate the

holiday season, beginning with the

fstval o Trs at th Mdst

Musum o natural story. Visit

the museum during December to

discover dozens of creatively

decorated Christmas trees.

On Dec. 6, sample an array of fine

chocolate desserts while browsing

downtown Sycamores shops during

the wtr Chocolat walk. And on

Dec. 7, Santa Claus will arrive in

Sycamore for the seventh annual

walk th Sata ad Courthous

Tr Lghtg.Waterman hosts a olday Lghts

Tra every Friday, Saturday and

Sunday in December. Marvel at more

than 250,000 twinkling lights in

displays featuring giant toy soldiers,

candy canes, flying reindeer and

more. Held atwatrma & wstr

alroad, visitors enjoy free hot cocoa

and popcorn in the heated train

station, ride the train and meet Santa.

Antique shops and other boutiques

line the charming Ma Strt

Goa, which hosts an impressive

Qult & fr Arts walk in January.

Quilts, baskets, needlepoint,

embroidery, knitting, crocheting, lace

and more will be on display

throughout downtown Genoa with

free demonstrations and workshops.Love the outdoors? Shaoa

Lak Stat Park, DeKalb Countys

top tourist attraction, offers cross-

country skiing, hunting, ice fishing,

ice skating, sledding and a seven-milesnowmobiling trail. The park, open

year round, can be accessed from

U.S. Highway 30 in Shabbona.

Visitors to ussll woods forst

Prsrv on Illinois Route 72 in

Genoa can enjoy sliding down its

toboggan runs and sledding trails.

A Chicago architect designed

DeKalbs restored egypta Thatr,

built in 1929, around the theme of

Rameses II, one of Egypts pharaohs.

More than 25 community groups

perform at the Art Deco movie palace.

If your style leans more toward

visual arts, stop atnhrg Gallry in

DeKalb, which showcases local artwork.

The gallery celebrated 100 years of

DeKalb agriculture this year with an

exhibit called DKal Ag Mmors.

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau,

located in Sycamore, is observing its100th anniversary this year.

Located 60 miles west of Chicago, DeKalb Countycombines the past with the present. In this community,

youll find historic mansions next to modern homesand antique stores next to trendy shops and eateries.

ro left: Santa at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore; bottles of wine from Prairie State Winery in Genoa;

fishing at Shabbona Lake State Park. pposite: Midwest Museum of Natural History in Sycamore.

County offersfamily fun during

the holidaysDKalDscovr


ST b Jessica Mozo | PTGAP b Antony Boshier



If youre passing through DeKalb County during the warmer months, dont missJonamac Orchard in Malta. Open late summer through November, the family orchardfeatures pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, a corn maze, a barnyard play area anda country store and a bakery. For more information, visit .joamacorchard.com.

DeKalb County also has two wineries open seasonally: Prairie State Winery inGenoa and Waterman Winery and Vineyards in Waterman.

aPP, PumPn anD wn

DaBcunmu-

J.F. Glidden Homestead& Visitor Center

Ellwood House Museum

Nehring Gallery

NIU Convocation Center

Downtown Sycamoreand DeKalb

Main Street Genoa

Jonamac Orchard

Shabbona LakeState Park

Egyptian Theatre

Midwest Museum ofNatural History

10 DaB

cun a

Als BBQ Shack

The Confectionary

Hillside Restaurant

Johnnys Charhouse

Nats on Maple

Mediterraneo Grill

Riccardis Red Hots

Sweet Dream Desserts

Tapa La LunaTaxco Restaurant
http://www.jonamacorchard.com/http://www.jonamacorchard.com/http://www.jonamacorchard.com/http://www.jonamacorchard.com/



Tapa La Luna in downtown DeKalb

serves such artfully prepared cuisine that

diners often whip out their cameras and

snap a photo of the food or drink in front

of them waiting to be devoured.

The presentation is really something to

see, says Robert Deshazer, who co-owns

Tapa La Luna with Chad Warborg and Ron

Proesel. Chad Warborg is a truly talented

and gifted executive chef who is constantly

creating new menu items, reduction sauces

and soups. (A reduction in chefs lingo is the

result of boiling or cooking down a liquid

until it reduces to the consistency of a sauce.)

Still, the owners dont want the expansive

menu to seem daunting.

Weve spent a great deal of t ime

creating ways for wine with food to not

seem intimidating and hopefully be more

accessible for people wishing to step out

of the box, Deshazer adds.

Tapa La Luna opened in February and

quickly gained a following for its tasty tapas

(a Spanish word for appetizers), as well asmade-from-scratch, creative entrees that

rival dishes found in big-city restaurants.

All our prep is done in house, Deshazer

says. We have a dish called vested shrimp

shrimp stuffed with horseradish and wrapped

in applewood-smoked bacon, served with

cherry chipotle barbecue sauce and a passion

fruit reduction. We dont receive the shrimp

pre-stuffed, and the reduction sauces do not

come to us in a bottle. Its all done by our

chef, and thats true for the entire menu.

One crowd favorite, bleu cheese-crusted

marinated beef, is finished with balsamic

glaze and passion fruit sauce. Its the best

thing Ive eaten in 10 years, Deshazer says.

Tapa La Luna exudes a contemporary yet

friendly ambiance with exposed brick walls,

hanging lights and sconces, and a five-foot-

wide glowing LED moon light behind the

bar that warms the room.

I hear all the time how customers feel

theyre in Chicago, Deshazer says. The only

thing missing is cabs whizzing by outside.

You wont pay big-city prices here, though.

Small-plate tapas range from $6 to $12 each,

entrees $12 to $18. The menu also features avariety of burgers, pizzas and salads.

Jessica Mozo

Tantalizing TapasTapa La Luna serves picture-perfect cuisinein a trendy atmosphere

u G...

Tapa La Luna, 226 EastLincoln Highway indowntown DeKalb, isopen Monday throughThursday from 4 to 10p.m. and Friday andSaturday from 4 to 11p.m. (Closed Sundays.)Reservations areencouraged. Learnmore at (815) 217-0990or visit them online at.tapalalua.com.
http://www.tapalaluna.com/http://www.tapalaluna.com/http://www.tapalaluna.com/



Living will/advance medical directives outline their

wishes regarding medical care.

According to Genworth Financials 2012 Cost of Care

study, the average annual cost for a long-term care facility

is $73,000. Long-term care needs can wreak havoc on an

otherwise sound retirement plan.

Have the conversation (early) with parents about

whether they have long-term care insurance or have set

aside sufficient savings to cover the costs. If Mom and Dad

are younger and still in relatively

good health, they may be able to

reposition assets to provide funds

for this likely expense.

Be an advocate for your

parents, and seek out assistance.

Talk to local social service

agencies or government bodies

that focus on the elderly. Make

sure your parents are receiving all the benefits to which

they may be entitled, such as Social Security, Medicare

and veterans benefits.

See if community groups may be able to assist with meals

or care. A great place to start is the U.S. Administration on

Aging website: www.eldercare.gov. There, youll be directed

to a treasure trove of local senior services.

Dont forget to take care of No. 1 you! As much as you

want to help your parents, dont put saving for retirement

and college on the back burner. Its crucial that you and

your family stay on track for your financial success.

Make sure that your plan is in place for a secure future.

Talk to a trusted adviser and share your concerns about

both your immediate family and your extended family.

An adviser can help make sure you stay on course and

may provide you with a sense of comfort when you feel

yourself squeezed in the sandwich generation.

Several years ago, I received a frantic call from my wife.

Can you get the kids from school? Somethings wrong

with Dad! Please hurry!

If youve had a similar conversation, youve felt the

squeeze of the sandwich generation.

According to the Pew Research Center, one in every eight

Americans between 40 and 60 is raising a family and caring

for an aging parent or relative. Its a frightening thought, as

the U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the number of

Americans age 65 or older will

double in the next 15 years.

Ive written many times in this

column about the importance of

having a tangible plan and how it

can be crucial to your financial

success. The best plan for helping

parents is, well, having a plan.

Children often know very little

about their parents finances. Money conversations between

spouses can be difficult; conversations between children and

parents can be nearly impossible.

Look for opportunities to glean pieces of the financial

puzzle. Ask questions. We were thinking of updating

some of our legal documents. Who did you and Dad work

with? Do you stil l bank at Central Bank?

Consider speaking with your parents and a qualified

attorney about preparing legal documents aimed at

carrying out your parents wishes when they can no

longer make decisions for themselves.

Options include:

Durable power of attorney can allow you authority to

make specified financial and medical decisions on

another persons behalf.

Wills provide direction for managing and

distributing your parents estate after they pass away.

Create a plan to help care for aging parents health, finances

Surviving the Sandwich Generation

aBu au

Joe Buhrmann is a Certified Financial Planner certificant and the Manager of Financial Security

Field Support for COUNTRY Financial. Visit COUNTRY on the web at .coutryacal.com .

CnT wiSDM

According to the Pew ResearchCenter, one in eight Americans

between the ages of 40 and 60 israising a family and caring for anaging parent or relative.
http://www.eldercare.gov/http://www.countryfinancial.com/http://www.countryfinancial.com/http://www.countryfinancial.com/http://www.eldercare.gov/http://www.countryfinancial.com/


20/36

Farm family ensurespigs receive TLC

og

ee BKay ShipmanPGaP BJeffrey S. Otto

To lar moraout illos farmfamls, sca thsQ cod usgyour smartpho.ou ll d todoload a Qcod radr

applcato youdot alrady havo. May ar r.

Female hogs greet visitors withcurious sniffs and low grunts onthe Gould family farm near Elburnin Kane County. The animalscalm behavior illustrates howcontent they are.




aPPnnG

We treat each sow (female hog)

as an individual and give them all

TLC so they are the most pampered

pigs you can imagine, says Eldon

Gould, who farms with his w ife,

Sandy, and son and daughter-in-

law, Chris and Dana. His daughter,

Lynda, works as a veterinarian.

We have every incentive to take

care of them as well as we can.

Thats when they produce the best,

Chris says.

The Gould family farm, located

about 50 mi les west of Chicagos

Loop, specializes in hog breeding

and giving birth. They c are for

about 750 hogs in their sow center,

and grow corn and soybeans on

2,700 acres. Raising piglets is the

familys specialty.

The Goulds and their animals

frequently host visitors for tours.

Recent visitors included the f ield

moms who participate in the

Illinois Farm Families program.

The Goulds give attention to

each detail of their animals care.

Sows eat feed with nutrientssuited specifically for their sex and

size throughout their life, Eldon

notes. The family monitors each

sows pregnancy and collects

information about the births. Sows

stay in stalls that keep their newborns

from being stepped or laid on

accidentally by their much largermothers.

I was surprised by the TLC and

how they treat each animal as an

individual even though there were

so many, says Pilar Clark, a field

mom from Lisle.

Sows stay in individual stalls

that prevent injury by other, more

aggressive, females. The stalls also

stop dominant animals from eating

more than their share of feed andleaving little for the meeker pigs,

Eldon explains.

From what we saw, the sows are

comfortable, says Farrah Brown, a

field mom from Elk Grove Village.

It makes the best sense for you

guys to take care of your animals

the best you can, Jenn Weis, a field

mom from Big Rock, told the Goulds

during the tour.

Its in our best interest to treat

them well, Chris says.

n am amWe are Illinois farmers who support

Illinois Pork Producers Association,Illinois Corn Marketing Board,Illinois Soybean Association, IllinoisBeef Association and Illinois FarmBureau through farmer membershipand checkoff programs. We arecommitted to having conversationswith consumers, answering theirquestions and sharing what reallyhappens on todays family farms.More than 94 percent of Illinoisfarms are family owned andoperated. We are passionateabout showing consumers how

we grow safe, healthy food fortheir families and ours.

wanD: D mm!Are you an urban or suburbanmom who is curious about howyour familys food is grown?Over the next year, Illinois FarmFamilies will offer the opportunityfor a group of moms to tourfarms and get answers to theirfood questions from the farmers

themselves. See videos, readblogs about the 2012 fieldmoms experiences and find anapplication for 2013 field momsat .atchusgro.org. Findthe application on the AboutUs tab or by scanning the QRcode on the opposite page.

Chris Gould and his family breed and raise hogs on their farm near Elburn.

They often host visitors to show how they care for their animals. Past tours have

included the eld moms who participated in the Illinois Farm Families program.

P n ucEach month Illinois Farm Familiessends an email to subscriberswho are interested in learningmore about food and farming.The emails cover current topicsfrom the points of view of bothfarmers and the field moms.They also often include recipes,coupons and special offers. Signup at.atchusgro.org/Aouts.htm or scan the QRcode at left.
http://www.watchusgrow.org/http://www.watchusgrow.org/AboutUS.htmhttp://www.watchusgrow.org/AboutUS.htmhttp://www.watchusgrow.org/AboutUS.htmhttp://www.watchusgrow.org/AboutUS.htmhttp://www.watchusgrow.org/



Hunters and quilters alikeenjoy a stay at Kinderhook Lodge

B Charlyn Fargo | PGaP BAntony Boshier

After college, Sprague took a job with the

University of Illinois Foundation, but he returned to

the farm when his older brother, Randy, was diagnosed

with leukemia. Before his deat h in 1995, Randy had

purchased a nearby farm.

It was the first farm Randy bought, and it had a

strong sentimental value for me, Sprague says. It had a

big brick house, and I gave it six months of TLC, adding

on the equivalent of a house.

Andy Sprague owns Spragues Kinderhook Lodge in Barry

in prime white-tailed deer country. Hunters come for thelocation, though other events such as reunions, retreatsand receptions draw a wide variety of guests.

BD,Baa

& BeyondAndy Sprague grew up on a traditionalWestern Illinois corn and soybeanfarm where his family had farmed formore than 100 years. But like manyfarm families, there wasnt enoughincome for all three Sprague brothersto make a living from the land.



The house and surrounding land liein Pike County, known as the white-

tailed deer capital of the world. Sprague

formed a partnership with a local

outfitter, IMB (Illinois Monster Bucks)

Outfitters and set up Kinderhook

Lodge on the familys centennial farm,

founded by his great-great-grandfather,

Seaman Sprague, in 1872.

Ive been enjoying the ride,

Sprague says. Weve had strong

demand. And that allowed me to

dream bigger dreams.

In 2001, Sprague remodeled theoriginal Kinderhook Lodge structure

from a large two-story, red brick

antebellum farmhouse built by

sawmill operator Ian Churchill in

1848. According to Sprague,

Churchills story ended tragically

in St. Charles, Mo., where he was

murdered by river pirates while

taking a load of lumber down the

Mississippi River.

Over the years, Sprague expanded

the lodgings from the original

farmhouse to include three homes,and he has a fourth in mind.

Today, the lodge hosts corporate,

quilting and scrapbooking retreats,

class reunions, wedding and baby

showers, rehearsal dinners and other

types of meetings and receptions.

Guests have a choice of two dining

rooms with views of sunrises and

sunsets over corn, soybean and wheat

fields. One also features a two-story

fireplace built with stones carved

from the nearby river bluff by

clokise fro left: Kinderhook Lodge Chef Wendy Glasgow bakes pies to serve in the two dining rooms;

guests can choose from several rooms in the bed-and-breakfast; quilting and other craft-related retreats take

place during huntings nine-month off-season; Lexi, the lodges unofficial mascot, rests after a hard days work.



Great-Great-Grandfather Seaman.Another building, built in 2006,

features the kitchen where Spragues

mother, Pat, cooked for guests for 10

years. She recently turned over the

stove to executive chef Wendy

Glasgow, a retired home economics

teacher known for her homemade

pies and breads.

Chef Wendy is quite a baker,

Sprague says. Early on, Id see her

giving each roll a pat, and Id ask her

what that meant. She says she was

giving them all a little love.Sprague remodeled a third home,

which looks like a Western cabin, in

2008. It serves as a bed-and-breakfast

for guests and hunters.

While Pike County offers some of

the very best upland, wild turkey and

predator hunting in all of Illinois,

many crafters those who love to

scrapbook or quilt also have made

the lodge a destination.

Weve found so many people love

to get away and craft, says Sprague.

That area, especially quilting, hasjust exploded.

While sportsmen fill Kinderhook

during the hunting season from

October to December, Sprague

devotes the remaining nine months

to bed-and-breakfast guests and

craft-related retreats.

Theres not a better audience,

Sprague says. Theyre a very social

group and love to share their stories

and experiences. They love to relax

here and have fun.

a aPaGu

Spragues KinderhookLodge is located in theWestern Illinois townof Barry. For moreinformation or to makea reservation, call (217)

432-1090 or visit.kiderhooklodge.o.
http://www.kinderhooklodge.com/http://www.kinderhooklodge.com/http://www.kinderhooklodge.com/http://www.kinderhooklodge.com/http://www.kinderhooklodge.com/http://www.kinderhooklodge.com/


26/36

aBu

au4-H helped Charlyn Fargoget her start in food. Herlove for the culinary artshelped her land a job asfood editor of the StateJournal-Register, a dailypaper in Springfield, andeventualy a mastersdegree in nutrition. Nowa registered dietitian,she teaches nutrition andbaking at Lincoln Land

Community College andconsults as a dietitian.




Serve savory sides and snacks inspired by

a favorite Illinois pork product

Dorjohn not only likes to throw a ham

steak on the grill, hes cared for hogs all his

life, raising about 200 pigs a year. He sells

his hogs to 4-H and FFA members to

groom for the show ring at fairs or other

competitions. He spends much of his

summer watching how his pigs do in the

show ring and encouraging the kids

who show them.

He also keeps up on pork trends. Hes

seen the kind of pork that consumers want

go from meaty to lean and lean to meaty.

When I was growing up, everyone

wanted a lean, muscular type of show pig,

Dorjohn says. Then we had a trend to a

little fatter, more flavorful pork. And now

were back to the meat t ype. We want to be

able to raise a hog with lots more muscle

to get more pork from fewer pigs.He got his start in the business

managing a pig farm near Nokomis in

Central Illi nois. Then he moved back to

his home area of Atwood and began

working for Suidae Tech, a company that

provides nutritional quality feeds for livestock.

The average pig farmer raises 100,000

head of hogs a year, Dorjohn says.

There have been volumes of genetic

research for muscle quality to better meet

the customers desire for a better-quality

hog, he says. Were seeing that now in the

pork thats in the grocery aisles.

One of his favorite meals is a big ham

steak on the grill with a baked sweet potato.

My second favorite, he adds, is when

we take a half fresh ham and half cured

ham, grind it and make it into a ham loaf.

The flavor is amazing.

Weve come up with a few of our favorite

ways to make ham delicious. You can chopup leftover Christmas ham for these recipes

or try them any time of the year.

m nnFind recipes for cookingwhole hams and moreinformation about porkat.porksprd.com. You can also visitlpartrs.com/ham

to find more recipesfor using leftover

holiday ham.

Pork is synonymous with the barbecue grill and great taste,says Lyle Dorjohn, a hog farmer and feed salesman nearAtwood, just east of Champaign.

story & recipesbyCharlyn FargofoodstylingbyMary Carterphotographyby Jeffrey S. Otto

Ham for the

Holidays
http://www.porkbeinspired.com/http://www.porkbeinspired.com/http://www.porkbeinspired.com/http://www.porkbeinspired.com/http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/ilfbpartners.com/hamhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/ilfbpartners.com/hamhttp://www.porkbeinspired.com/http://www.porkbeinspired.com/


28/36

cup finely chopped onion

cup finely chopped broccoli

cup finely chopped green pepper

cup chopped ham (about 2 ounces)

cup (1 ounces) shredded extra-sharp

cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

teaspoon dried thyme

teaspoon black pepper

3 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking

spray. Over medium-high heat, add onion,

broccoli and green pepper, and saut

2 minutes or until crisp tender. Add ham and

saut 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cool.

3. In a large bowl, combine cheese, chives,

thyme, pepper and eggs, and stir gently with a

whisk. Add ham mixture, stirring with whisk.4.Spoon mixture into 24 miniature muffin

cups coated with cooking spray. Bake for 20

minutes or until set.

Tp: Dont like broccoli? Try other veggie

combinations, such as zucchini or spinach.

Yields 24 veggie cups.




Ham and Cheese Scones1 cups all-purpose flour

cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons sugar

teaspoon salt

teaspoon ground red pepper

3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces

cup (3 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

cup chopped ham

cup buttermilk

1 egg

cooking spray

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2.Combine flours, baking powder, sugar, salt and

pepper in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry

blender until mixture is like a coarse meal.

Stir in cheese and ham.

3.In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk and egg,stirring with a whisk. Slowly add liquid mixture to

flour mixture and stir until moist, being careful

not to overwork the dough.

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

Knead lightly 4 or 5 times.

5. Coat a round baking sheet with cooking spray, and

spread dough into an 8-inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges,

cutting into but not entirely through the dough.

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Yields 8 scones.



Add plants inexpensively by growing

self-seeders and spreaders. Annuals (plants

that live only one growing season) and

biennials (plants that last for two years) are

the best seed producers.

Pick plants with seeds that may survive

our Illinois winters, such as cosmos, cleome

and sweet rocket. Good biennials include

money plant, columbine and hollyhock.

The spreaders, usually perennials (plants

that last more than two years), include

rudbeckia, Becky daisies, blackberry lily,

Russian sage, bee balm and plumbago.

This brings us to gardening by

subtraction, which is just removing any of

the addition plants from places where you

dont want them. Weed them out when

theyre small, and then transplant them

Use math to plan and grow your garden

CalculatingPlants

aBu au

Jan Phipps is aUniversity of IllinoisExtension MasterGardener. She farms,gardens, writesand podcastsnear Chrisman.

Remember back in grade school arithmetic class thinkingyoud never use those skills? Well, surprise! We use mathdaily, including in the garden. Incorporate addition,subtraction, division and multiplication toplant-by-number your garden with color.



elsewhere in your yard or give them to

friends as pass-along plants.

When a perennial gets too big for its

spot, the center dies out, the flowering

decreases or the plant just looks tired and

washed out, bring division into the

gardening equation.

Divide your plants in one of two ways.

For most perennials, especially daylilies, dig

up the rootball and cut it into sections.

Alternately, slice off an edge of the plant,

which works well for plants with eyes such

as hostas or peonies. Divide hostas in the

spring when the eyes are just emerging.

Peonies prefer early autumn.

All that division leads to multiplication

of your perennials. Where you once had one

plant, now you have three or even four.

Saving non-hardy seeds will give you free

seeds for next year. Collect mature, dry

seeds. Put them in a container and label it.

Store the seeds in a dark, dry place. Try

zinnias, sunf lowers and nasturtiums.

Multiply a shrub using a method called

layering. Take a healthy branch, make a

small cut and lay the branch down so the

cut has contact with the soil. You will have

to use a landscape pin or a small rock to

hold it in place. Keep the area moist, and in

a couple of months the new shrub will have

rooted. Then, sever it from the mother plant

and transplant it.

Spend the winter calculating how you

will use math to grow your garden.

a an xP

QAre commercialcompost startersworth the money?

aNo. A shovelfulof garden soil orcompost from a previouspile will accomplish thesame thing for free.

QCan I overwinter

soil from my claycontainers in the pots ordo I need to dump it out?

aLeave it in the pot.Once the soil hascompletely dried out,move the pot into agarage or shed where itwill stay dry all winter.

Emailyourgardening

questionstoJanat

[email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]



NVEMBER &DECEMBER

Light Up the Nightn. 16-DeC. 30,SeLbiLLe

Kick off the holiday season withthousands of twinkling lights atForest Parks annual Festival ofLights in Shelbyville.

Stroll through themed areas of thepark, such as Candy Cane Lane, whichhonors loved ones who have passed;Victorian Village; Santas Shop; theNorth Pole; Bethlehem and more. A

large, intricate carousel made of lightsplaced on the historic ChautauquaAuditorium serves as an attractive

centerpiece for the festival.

Volunteers and locals help put the

lights in place, with new lights and

themes added each year. For more

information on the Shelbyville Festival

of Lights, call (217) 774-1342.

Peorias Poinsettiasn. 16-DeC. 31, PeiA

Step into a winter wonderland lled

with hundreds of holiday poinsettias at

Luthy Botanical Gardens Candlelight

Walk and Poinsettia Show in Peoria.

Though most Americans prefer

the red poinsettia, the ower comes

in a variety of colors, including pink

and white. The popular Christmas

ower joins the other tropical plantsin the gardens for the season. The

conservatory encourages guests to get

into the spirit with live performancesof Christmas music and free admission

during the holidays.Candlelight Walks take place Fridaysand Saturdays from mid-Novemberthrough December. For moreinformation, call (309) 686-3362.

The Art of Wintern. 30-DeC. 2,iGLAnD PAK

As the newest addition to AmdurProductions lineup, The Inside Show:A Winter Art Festival showcases 40talented artists and their best holiday-

inspired work.The three-day show features all

types of arts and crafts, with a specialemphasis on holiday giving and homedcor. The weekend event takes placeat the Highland Park Country Club, just30 minutes north of Chicago.

To learn more, call (847) 926-4300or visit .drprodtios.o.

Christmas inCambridge

DeC. 2, CAMbiDGeSearching for the perfect handmade

holiday gift? Look no further than the

his listing includes a few events from around the state to add to your

calendar. Dates were accurate at press time but are subject to change.

Please check with the contact listed before traveling long distances toattend. Additional information is online through the Illinois Bureau

of ourisms website,ww w.enjoyillinois.com.

Feel free to send event suggestions to [email protected].
http://www.amdurproductions.com/http://www.amdurproductions.com/http://www.enjoyillinois.com/http://www.enjoyillinois.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.enjoyillinois.com/http://www.amdurproductions.com/



annual craft show at Cambridge Main

Street Christmas on the Square, where

more than 70 artisans share theirwares at Cambridge High School.

Dont miss the beautifully decorated

homes on the Tour of Homes, and stop

by area churches for some special

treats. The festival also hosts visits

with Santa at Cambridge Community

Hall, holiday music and the Festival

of Trees show.

To learn more about the festival,

call (309) 937-2633.

Christmas of 1759DeC. 8-9, MeTPLiS

Ever wonder how Christmas was

celebrated in the 18th century? Old

Tyme Christmas at Fort Massac State

Park recreates the holidays of days past.

Period decorations and music

accompany re-enactments of Christmas

in 1759 at the festively and historically

decorated museum. Enjoy hot spiced

tea and freshly baked cookies from an

authentic period oven. Park staff and

local historians dress in costumes to

celebrate Joyeux Noel.For more information, call

(618) 786-9700.

JANUARY &

FEBRUARYAmericas NationalEmblemJAn. 1-feb. 28, TiCA

During the winter months,

thousands of eagles migrate south

from Canada, and Illinois serves as

one of the greatest populations of

wintering bald eagles.

Get a glimpse of these majestic

birds at the Starved Rock Lodge, which

offers a Bald Eagle Trolley Tour on

specic days of the week.

For more chances to catch an

eagle in flight, head to Starved Rock

State Park for Eagle Watch Weekend,

which features fun activities at the

lodge and the Illinois Waterway

Visitors Center. Be sure to bundle

up, as the top of the 125-foot-tall

Starved Rock serves as one of the

best viewing spots.

For more detailed information aboutthe events, call (815) 667-4726 or visit

.stredrokstteprk.org.

Notice of Annual Meeting

iLLiniSAGiCLTALASSCiATinNotice is hereby given that the annualmeeting of the members of theIllinois Agricultural Association willbe held in the Palmer House Hotel, 17East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois,60603, on Saturday, December1, Sunday, December 2, Monday,December 3, and Tuesday, December4, 2012 with the ofcial meeting of

voting delegates convening at 8:00a.m. on Monday, December 3, for thefollowing purposes:

To receive, consider and, if approved,ratify and conrm the reports of theofcers and the acts and proceedingsof the Board of Directors and ofcersin furtherance of the matters thereinset forth since the last the last annualmeeting of the Association.

To elect nine (9) members of theBoard of Directors to serve for a termof two years.

To consider and act upon suchproposed amendments to the Articlesof Incorporation or to the Bylaws ofthe Illinois Agricultural Associationand upon such policy resolutions asmay be properly submitted.

For the transaction of such otherbusiness as may properly comebefore the meeting.

JAMeS M. JACbSSecretary

G m nnTo learn more about this event, call (309) 829-9599or visit .dotoblooigto.org.

nce Upon a HolidayDeC. 7-8, bLMinGTn

Head to downtown Bloomington to welcome

the Christmas season with an array of fun andfestive activities.

From live holiday window displays to vintage carriage

rides, kids and adults alike will enjoy the events

seasonal attractions, which also include visits from

Santa and Mrs. Claus and old-fashioned caroling.

The two-day event concludes with a holiday parade

and Christmas at the Courthouse at the McLeanCounty Museum of History.
http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/http://www.downtownbloomington.org/http://www.downtownbloomington.org/http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/http://www.downtownbloomington.org/


34/36
http://watchusgrow.org/


35/36

Te PeTTenGiLL-Mn SeMuseum in Peoria contains a collection of

objects from several area families. Moses

Pettengill built the 11-room house in 1868.

The Peoria Historical Society now owns the

museum and offers tours by appointment.Learn more by calling (309) 674-1921.

Winter 2012-13 ilfbpartners.com 33


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Documents

ILFB Partners Winter 2012-13