The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor,
I have two disappointments in our November 5 election. Our Senator Harkin, buddy-buddy with the Clintons, won big.
In the next county east, Johnson County, he got twice as many votes as Ganske.
He ran ahead in Cedar Rapids and Burlington. The second disappointment was our favorite County Supervisor, Rod Straub, one of the three incumbents for re-election lost by less than 200 votes.
The newcomer, a woman, won. It looks like women are preferred for offices as Rod was probably the best educated of all.
I see you ask for favorite recipes in the classified section. I received a chain letter from my niece, Connie Davis of Smithshire, and I wrote that my favorite recipe was scrambled eggs fried in bacon fat with the bacon and buttered toast. I don't have it very often as eggs and grease are bad for my arteries.
One thing I notice in past Christmas issues - few men contribute. No one says they were happy to be home after working for Uncle Sam.
I was not home for Christmas in 1940, Ô41, Ô42 and Ô44. In Ô45 I was out of the war and I had a guest Christmas Day to be with my parents and brothers and their families.
To me, it meant so much to have a friend that would rather be with me than her family that I say it was my best Christmas.
Sincerely,
Harry Foster
Marengo, Iowa
P.S. When I wrote to renew my subscription last month, I wished the Democrats would stay away from the polls like in the primary when we saw a few over 200 voted. It looks like they voted near 100%.
I saw the figures for registered voters in Iowa County and the Republicans outnumber the Democrats, but to my surprise the Independents top the Republicans.
It looks like the same thing in Illinois. Republicans rule in the primary and the Democrats when it counts the most.
Dear Editor,
Toys for Tots
Seasons are changing and it's starting to get colder. Soon there will be snow and soon Santa will be coming for all the good little children.
The Hamilton-Walters Detachment Marine Corps League and Auxiliary adopted a program called TOYS FOR TOTS.
They have started its drive for families in need of help this year. The economy has been tough and there is really a need for the support of the community to make this Christmas season a good one.
By your support children in Henderson County will get Christmas joy that they might not get otherwise.
In preparation we are inquiring the local community to help TOYS FOR TOTS by donating new toys at one of the following drop locations: Bank of Stronghurst, Lange Chiropractic, The Antiquity, Neff Real Estate, Bygones & Buds and Raritan State Bank.
We are also taking monetary donations for the purchase of new toys from local businesses that help support TOYS FOR TOTS. Please mail to TOYS FOR TOTS, P.O. BOX 389, Stronghurst, IL 61480. If you have questions call 309-924-1561.
Sincerely,
Todd R. Lange, D.C.,
Stronghurst
Chrm, TOYS FOR TOTS
Dear Editor,
To Whom it May Concern
The Almost Home Animal Adoption Center will be holding a bake sale Friday, December 6th at the Oquawka Banking Center fro 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon or as long as supplies last.
Fresh baked goods donations would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off the day before the sale at the home of Joan Miller, which is the 2-story green house at the southwest corner of 3rd and Knox Street in Oquawka.
She can be contacted at (309) 867-5161 for more details. Elaine Hinshaw will be available to pick up donations and can be contacted at (309) 374-2571.
Baked goods may also be dropped off as early as possible at the bank the day of the sale.
As this year comes to a close, we would like to make an appeal to those of you considering making cash donations to charity.
We are a privately run facility, meaning we are not owned or operated by Henderson County and receive no portion of the dog tag tax.
We are also a no kill animal shelter, which means unless an animal is very ill or vicious it remains with us until it is adopted, which in some cases has taken years.
All our funds come from donations. Every penny donated is used for shelter maintenance and animal care.
Funds have never been used to pay personnel or board members. You can be assured that your donations are used for the purpose you intended, the homeless animals. Also, your donations are tax deductible.
Our annual operating expenses are about $4,000, which is considerably low when compared to comparable animal shelter.
If you are concerned about the future of your local no kill animal shelter, please consider making a donation to help keep its door open.
Without your generosity we would not be able to function.
Beyond our operating expenses for the coming year, funds will be toward building additional outside quarantine runs to house new dogs.
Currently, we have only one. Donations can be mailed to Almost Home Animal Adoption Center, P.O. Box 246, Oquawka, IL 61469. Also, we are always happy to have more volunteers. You can make an impact with just one hour once in a while. Contact Candace Miller-Fosmore at (309) 867-4022 or at nfosmore@accessus.net for information on volunteering.
Sincerely,
Ramona Bailey, Volunteer
Almost Home Animal Adoption Center
R.R. 1, Box 311
Oquawka, IL 61469
Dear Editor,
A Bunch of Leaves and A Crazy Turkey
Most of us do not take enough time to smell the roses! For example, most would agree Macomb has one of the finest park systems, for the size of our city as you could find.
But how many take advantage of the many opportunities (mostly free) that are provided?
Many enjoy fall drives, such as the Spoon River Drive, to see the beautiful pigmentation changes of the leaves, but how many have driven through Argyle Lake Park this fall?
Another very interesting drive (especially when eagles are nesting) is along the mighty Mississippi, such as from Hamilton to Nauvoo.
A beautiful historical drive is the one between Galena and Dubuque.
In the spring it is a challenge to hunt for the tasty morels, which they say are mostly found around dead elm trees.
Some of us pick up more scratches and mosquito bites than mushrooms, but it is good exercise.
One of my favorite past times during the dog days of summer is to hit the links at dawn.
When you see the beauty of the sun rise and hear nothing but the sound of geese over head, sometimes, with the serenity of the moment, you think you have died and gone to heaven.
However, when the dirty little white ball decides to take its morning bath in a pond, rather than landing on the green, where it belongs, you come back to earth pretty quick.
The air is a little blue for awhile, but at least no one else has to listen!
A few years ago, when playing at Gold Hills at dawn, there was a coyote sitting on the second green!
Apparently he wanted to play along, but after not much deliberation, he was allowed to play through!
A couple of years ago we had a new neighborhood pet. Apparently someone forgot to tell her she was supposed to be a wild turkey because she seemed very tame and friendly.
She was often found in our evergreens or sitting in our fountain! Someone apparently thought he was a big game hunter and wanted her for Thanksgiving dinner.
Living across from woods, you never know what kind of wild life you will see.
Recently there were several deer in our yard. There are sometimes raccoons, opossums, groundhogs, turkeys, etc.
Even a gang of moles seems to come from the woods.
To combat, we have tried poisons, traps, sonar vibrations, and mower exhaust fumes.
A big jug of Clorox seems to work best. (And you say these letters aren't educational.)
WE probably have more animals than anyone in town (although most of them are lawn ornaments and most are now hibernating in the garage).
Some are saying "who gives a rat's rump about a bunch of leaves or a crazy turkey".
However, if we would all take the time to appreciate the beauty of nature, our lives would be more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Weyman George
Macomb
Who Is Blessed?
By Elaine Slater Reese
So the title of this article turns you off!
You're much too busy preparing for Thanksgiving dinner and all those relatives.
The house has to be cleaned and the pies baked.
You haven't had time to even start thinking about Christmas shopping. Is it going to be another Thanksgiving like so many in the past?
The holiday gets stuffed (so does the turkey) between Halloween and Christmas.
Isn't it usually hours of preparation culminating in each of us being miserable because we ate too much?
Isn't it a little physical exercise by jumping up from the couch when one of the players fumbles the football?
Maybe your family is one of those special ones who find kernels of candy corn on their plates and take turns sharing what they are thankful for.
But where does the world have to be for us to start really counting our blessings?
We are not especially grateful for what we have because the majority of us have so much! It's true Ð the more we have, the more we want.
Most of us don't know what it is to need something.
How easy it is to avoid the fact that in some countries children and adults need pure water to drink or just a few spoonfuls of rice for the day.
We are constantly frustrated with our weather changes and forget the millions with little or no shelter.
We dispose of clothes that others need. We rent storage units for all our extras and check on them once a year.
We can decide where we go and when. Our lives are not dictated.
What we spend on Christmas decorations could support a family in some countries for a year.
This year when we all sit down at that bountiful table, let's take some time to remember how we have been truly blessed Ð with most of the things we take for granted.
Let's talk with each other about some four letter words that could put perspective on Thanksgiving:
IRAQ, WARS, COLD, LOST,
DEAD, HOME, HOPE, LOVE.
Give thanks!
We will find joy in that!