Around The Town

Routt Education Foundation and Our Saviour Grade School Foundation receive generous gift to establish new scholarship funds

The Routt Education Foundation and Our Saviour Grade School Foundation are thrilled to announce the creation of two new scholarship funds, one to benefit Routt Catholic High School (RCHS) and one to benefit Our Saviour School (OSS).

The children and spouses of Mike and Mary Flynn have elected to honor the memory of their parents with the establishment of The J. Michael Flynn Scholarship Fund for the benefit of the Routt Education Foundation and The Mary Evelyn Flynn Scholarship Fund for the benefit of the Our Saviour’s Education Foundation. The funds will provide scholarships for multiple students annually. Mike and Mary believed in a strong work ethic, honesty and integrity, the importance of family and community, and the value of a quality education. They reared seven children on the family’s farm east of Jacksonville and had a child at Routt Catholic High School and/or Our Saviour School for over 30 years straight from 1968 to 1999.

Volunteering at sporting events, chaperoning dances (much to the chagrin of their children), chairing the booster club, donating to bake sales and attending innumerable events along the way, they led by example and relished the joy and sense of shared purpose with the Routt and Our Saviour community. The scholarships were endowed in January 2022 with the inaugural awards slated for the academic year of 2022-23.

“RCHS and OSS are committed to investing in its students,” says RCHS Development/Enrollment Director Colleen Doyle.

“The generosity being shown by the Flynn family is a clear indication that they are not only invested in our students, but also invested in the future of our schools. Their gift will help families realize the dream of a Catholic education for generations to come.”

“Our Saviour School is blessed by the generosity of the Flynn family and our students are very fortunate to receive their support,” according to Our Saviour Principal Stevie VanDeVelde.

“The substantial Flynn family gift to the Our Saviour Foundation will provide the opportunity for students to attend Our Saviour that may not have been able to otherwise,” commented Cortney Bonjean, president of the Our Saviour Grade School Education Foundation.

Should you have any questions or want to inquire about setting up a scholarship through the Routt Education Foundation or Our Saviour Grade School Education Foundation, please contact Colleen Doyle (Routt Catholic High School) at 217-243-8563 or Stevie VanDeVelde (Our Saviour School) at 217-243-8621.


Another Award-Winning Year for Jones Meat & Locker

Terry Jones and Marty Cockerill of Jones Meat & Locker recently attended the Illinois Association of Meat Processors Convention in Effingham. The Joneses have won numerous state as well as national awards for their products over the years and this, their 79th year in business, was no exception. The local meat processing plant came home with eight awards including Grand Champion Fully Cooked BBQ Ribs, Grand Champion Luncheon Meat/Jalapeno & Cheese Sausage, Grand Champion Deer Jerky & Snack Sticks, Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Bacon, Reserve Grand Champion Dried Beef, Champion Smoked Turkey and Champion Variety Class Beef Kabobs. The eighth award was the 2022 Innovative Beef Grand Champion, which was sponsored by the Illinois Beef Association. “Marty Cockerill has been an integral part of our meat products production for many years and deserves a great deal of credit for these awards,” said Jones. “I also want to recognize all our employees for their dedication to making excellent products year-round.”

Terry Jones, president of Jones Meat & Locker, is a past president of the Illinois Association of Meat Processors and serves as a member of their board of directors. Jones is also a recipient of the Jacksonville High School FFA Chapter Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, the National FFA Organization Honorary Section Member of the Section 13 Illinois FFA, 2019 Jacksonville Agri-Industry Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the prestigious University of Illinois Sleeter Bull Award.


Kiwanis announces recipient of .5K race; accepting registrations

Jacksonville area residents ready for a short walk or run for charity next month can register for an exciting event that will benefit the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation.

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The Jacksonville Kiwanis Club’s annual .5K Walk, Skip, Run or Roll for charity will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, at Don’s Place in downtown Jacksonville. Participants only have to travel a short .5K route — approximately 1/3 of a mile — to Bahan’s Tavern to complete the race.

The charity event has raised nearly $60,000 over the past decade under the direction of Jacksonville residents Bruce and Dessa Surratt. While the duo has turned over the reins to a committee of Kiwanis organizers, they will remain involved and supportive of the event.

The .5K committee is accepting registrations from race participants, as well as sponsorships from businesses or individuals. The cost to participate is $25, or $30 after March 21. Participants will receive a long-sleeved shirt. Contact Gary Scott at 217-370-9058 or gscott@wlds.com; Lauren Dwyer at lauren@beardimplement.com or 618-946-2323; or Kristin Jamison at kristin@jredc.org or 217-719-9215 for more information.

The mission of Kiwanis is to serve the children of the world. The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation intends to use the benefits from the charity event to continue to provide a wide variety of resources to students throughout the local school district, including basic clothing needs.


Masks mandatory for health care sites

Masks continue to be required for all visitors and patients in health care settings, despite recent changes to guidance from state and federal officials that apply to other community areas.

Local health care organizations stressed that masks are still needed in health care settings to protect vulnerable people.

“Hospitals and health care providers must take all measures to prioritize the health of their patients, many of whom are immunocompromised or weakened, which puts them at a high risk of having severe illness if they get COVID-19,” said Dr. Rajesh Govindaiah, senior vice president and chief physician executive for Memorial Health. “Masking is an important mitigation tool because many people who have COVID-19, especially the omicron variant, don’t have symptoms and may not know they are spreading the virus.”

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued new recommendations that relaxed mask requirements in many areas. Illinois’ mask mandate also was lifted on Feb. 28. However, officials stressed that those changes do not apply in health care settings. Health care employees also are still required to wear masks at all times in patient care and public areas of health care buildings.

Health care leaders also urged the public to treat employees with civility and respect if they are directed to wear a mask.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve appreciated the support we’ve received from the public,” said Dr. Gurpreet Mander, HSHS Illinois chief physician executive. “We need them to continue to support us by following masking guidelines when they visit us to seek care or to support a patient.”


Benton & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of new associates

Benton & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce Adam L. Fox and Joshua S. Stewart, have each attained the position of associate at the firm in recognition of their years of service, contributions to our clients’ projects and commitment to the future of Benton & Associates, Inc.

Adam L. Fox has been employed with Benton & Associates for over 12 years and is a licensed Class A Water Operator. Fox works in the environmental department and his experience includes the design, permitting and operation of water treatment plants and water systems, wastewater systems improvements, environmental permitting for a variety of infrastructure projects, and construction phase services.

Joshua A. Stewart, PE, is a licensed professional engineer, based in our Kirksville, Missouri, office, who provides planning, design and construction phase engineering services on a variety of infrastructure projects which include water and wastewater treatment plant improvements, rural water systems, water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, new residential and commercial land development, and elevated water storage tanks. Stewart has been with B&A since 2010.

Benton & Associates, Inc. provides engineering and surveying services for both public and private clients in Illinois and Missouri. Find out more at www.bentonassociates.com.


Jacksonville Memorial finalizes priorities for community health needs

Jacksonville Memorial Hospital has completed its community health needs assessment and listed its three priorities online for the public to view.

The nonprofit hospital has developed an implementation plan to address these priorities in fiscal years 2022 through 2024. They are mental health, obesity and cancer.

Mental health was also singled out as a system-wide priority for all five hospitals in Memorial Health.

To complete the needs assessment, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital collaborated with the Morgan County Health Department and other health and social service providers that represent vulnerable members of the community.

“Many issues determine the health of a community. No single hospital, agency or governmental body can be entirely responsible for the community’s health,” said Dr. Scott Boston, president and CEO of Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. “We look forward to working with our community partners to address these critical health needs faced by many.”

Completing a community health needs assessment is required of nonprofit hospitals every three years as part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

To view Jacksonville Memorial Hospital’s community health needs assessment, visit memorial.health/CHNA.


Volunteers ensure success of the Beaux Arts Ball

Many individuals have been working for months to make The Art Association of Jacksonville’s 65th annual Beaux Arts Ball a success. This year’s ball, entitled “Sapphire Soiree,” is being planned for Saturday, April 23.

The 2022 officers of The Art Association of Jacksonville are Kristen Davidsmeyer, president; and Jessica Richardson, vice president and ways and means chairman. Kelly M. Gross serves as gallery director.

Katie Hackett and Daniel Hackett are serving as the general co-chairs for this year’s premiere fundraiser for The Art Association of Jacksonville.

Other committee chairs and members include:

Acquisitions: Co-Chairmen Cathy and Steve Hackett

Bow and Curtsy Consultants: Co-Chairmen Casey Collins and Katie Soer

Dance Arrangements: Co-Chairmen Kristen Davidsmeyer and Sara Schumacher

Committee: Mr. and Mrs. John G. Hill, Ms. Celeste K. Hill, Madalyn Vaughn, Rachel McGuire and Megan McGuire

Directors of Ceremonies: Co-Chairmen Ginny Fanning, Audra Fanning Nelson and JoAnn Nelson

Finance: Gayla Hornbeek

Flowers: Co-Chairmen Mrs. Richard M. Cody and Mrs. Therron Scobbie

Committee: Mrs. Jon F. Cody, Mrs. Jeffrey B. Coultas, Mrs. James Green, Mrs. Forrest Keaton, Mrs. Fred Osburn, Mrs. Jonathan R. Peak and Mrs. Mark Scobbie

Freshman Participants: Co-Chairmen Megan McGuire and Sarah Van Aken

General Tickets: Chairman Mary Watts

Committee: Jennifer Hicks and Gayle Clark

Historian: Cammie Symons

Lighting: Co-Chairmen Ryan and Megan McGuire and Matt and Jennifer Hicks

Master of Ceremonies: Keith Bradbury

Music: Ed Clark, pianist

Participants: Co-Chairmen Cynthia Benton, Heather English and Allison Guidish

Committee: Kaila Freeman and Alison Meyer

Participant Parties: Co-Chairmen Gigi Patterson and Melissa Schildman

Past Royalty: Co-Chairmen Ginny Fanning and Audra Fanning Nelson

Patrons: Co-Chairmen Robyn Maher and Adah Mitchell

Committee: Kay Black, Jane Hadden, Mary Rowe Henry, Jan McEvers, Linda Meyer and Sharon Rice

Photography: ElCrow Photography – Cory Garner

Pictures: Co-Chairmen Jenissa Ezard and Jeni Rajaguru

Program: Jessica Freeman Richardson

Publicity: Chairman Brittany Henry

Committee: Madison Allen

Queen’s Consultant: Amy Jackson and Molly Jackson

Raffle: Co-Chairmen Mr. and Mrs. Jon Freeman

Reception: Co-Chairmen Kristin Van Aken Jamison and Kristen Reed

Committee: Nancy Bartlett, Jess Brown, Addie Coultas, Lauren Dwyer, Julie Grojean, Brittany Henry, Megan McGuire, Katie Soer, Linda Van Aken and Sarah Van Aken

Reserved Seats: Co-Chairmen Linda Floreth Standley and Elizabeth Standley

Scriptwriter: Stephanie and Tim Chipman

Senior Participants: Co-Chairmen Stephanie Alexander, Casey Collins and Katie Soer

Set Design: Carol Hungerford and Erica Melcher

Committee: Dru Fernandes and Julie Grojean

Stage Construction: Chairman Judy Taylor Tighe

Committee: Camryn Chumley, Kirk and Dru Fernandes, Matt and Rachel McGuire, Doug Pagel and Erin Tighe

Stage Dismantling: Chairman Daniel Hackett

Committee: Steve Hackett and Matt Melcher

Patron and general tickets will be available at Annie Merner Chapel prior to the Beaux Arts Ball on Saturday, April 23, where the coronation will begin at 7 p.m. Patron tickets are $40.00 and include admission to the coronation, reception and dance, while general tickets are $10.00 and include the coronation and reception. An interpreter will be available at the coronation for the deaf and hearing impaired and handicap seating will be available. Call the Strawn Art Gallery office at 217-243-9390 for more information.

Follow “The Art Association of Jacksonville” on Facebook and Instagram for more information about the David Strawn Art Gallery and Beaux Arts Ball.


Former director to serve as administrative consultant

The Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees has tapped a former director to serve as an administrative consultant while they search for a permanent director.

Sharon Zuiderveld will oversee many of the operational responsibilities of the library, according to Mary Fergurson, president of the Board of Directors. Zuiderveld served as director from 2001 until her retirement in 2011. She began her duties late February.

“We are extremely fortunate to partner with Sharon during this transition,” said Fergurson. “Her experience as a former director and her familiarity with the library and the community ensures the library will continue to provide quality services.”

Fergurson said the board will begin their search for a permanent director in the coming weeks.

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