Raise a Reader
“Raise a Reader” is in its 4th decade as an ongoing project of Alpha Phi, Jacksonville’s chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators.
As current and retired teachers, the members know that reading is fundamental to all other facets of learning. Even shortly after birth, studies have shown that babies will respond to voices and phrases they’ve heard while inside the womb, as well as music!
Before a child is able to see clearly and is not yet able to formulate ideas, they will respond to brightly colored pictures and changes in vocal inflection. Studies show that the more books children have in their homes, the better their test scores will be in later years.
To this end, the members of our Alpha Phi Chapter, led by Literacy Committee Chair Jane Henderson, provide books for children from birth to kindergarten and donate them to the Morgan, Cass and Scott County Health Departments. In turn, health department staff members give each child a free book when they visit the health department. We are told it makes the required “shots” a lot less painful!
For years, our committee was able to provide books for the departments to give to elementary students and had books available in French and Spanish.
Alpha Phi members sorting books are, from left, Martha Barker, Joyce Ginder, Debbie Bicknell, Carol Link, Martha Vaché and Bonnie Glover.
However, the amount donated has decreased year by year as the cost of books has increased. Currently, our project has been pared back to only provide preschool materials in English since school age students have access to books in their classrooms or libraries.
We appreciate the following businesses, churches, community organizations and individuals who have supported us over the past couple of years.
Thank you to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Eagle Valley Bank of Bluffs, Centenary United Methodist Church Fox Trust, CNB Bank, Grace United Methodist Church Fox Trust, Farmers State Bank and Trust Company, Fellowship of Trinity Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, Pilot International Club of Jacksonville, the Hart Foundation, Dr. Margret Wilson, Mark Bicknell, Alpha Phi Chapter members and anonymous donors.
If you or your organization would like to give a child a great start in becoming a lifelong reader and learner, please send a check made payable to Delta Kappa Society International Alpha Phi Chapter and mail to the following address.
DKG Alpha Phi Chapter
c/o Toi Nicolet, Treasurer
411 Delaney Drive
Jacksonville, IL 62650
Please write “Raise a Reader” in the memo line. Your donation will be much appreciated.
Members of the Winchester High School Class of 1956 held their 70th class reunion on July 18 at Petefish, Skiles & Co. Bank in Winchester. Present at the reunion were (back row, from left) Bruce Evans, Eddie Young, George Harbison, Archie Wells and Darryl Day, (front row, from left) Judy Helliwell Craig, Mary Jane Ehlert Coultas, Esther Hiatt Jefferson, Jeannie Clanton Buckley and Arlene Little Northrop.
Jacksonville Promise survey shows strong benefits for students, county
A recent survey of Jacksonville Promise scholarship recipients found that the program has reduced students’ financial stress, supported educational achievement, and helped young people maintain strong ties to Jacksonville and Morgan County.
Jacksonville Promise is a local nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to help Morgan County, Illinois, high school graduates pursue higher education in Jacksonville. Applications, available at jacksonvillepromise.org may be filed at any time.
Sixty-three current and former scholarship recipients participated in the survey.
Of these, 61 — or 97% — rated their Jacksonville Promise scholarship either a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale of overall benefit. Fifty-two recipients, representing 83% of all respondents, gave the scholarship the highest possible rating.
“The results confirm that Jacksonville Promise is accomplishing what it was created to do,” said Dr. Charles Sheaff, Board chairman, “By encouraging students to stay locally for their education, we are adding 5 new jobs to the local economy every year. It does this by making higher education more affordable, helping local students pursue degrees and credentials, and strengthening their connection to the community.”
Financial relief emerged as one of the scholarship’s most significant effects. Forty-four respondents, or 70%, said the scholarship reduced their financial stress either “extremely” or “significantly.” Another 14 said it reduced their stress moderately.
The financial effect was especially evident among recipients who began their education at Lincoln Land Community College. Eighty-two percent of those students reported that the scholarship reduced their financial stress extremely or significantly.
The survey also indicated that Jacksonville Promise is supporting both educational access and local student retention. Respondents rated their likelihood of attending college without the scholarship at an average of 3.81 on a five-point scale. Their average likelihood of attending college specifically in Jacksonville without the scholarship was lower, at 3.13.
Breaking this down and separating responses between Lincoln Land and Illinois College recipients, of those that started at Lincoln Land Community College, 30% indicated a high probability that they would not have attended college at all if it were not for the financial assistance of the Jacksonville Promise. Of those that started at Illinois College, 40% of the recipients indicated that it was probable that they would have gone elsewhere for college.
Of the 39 respondents who first used the scholarship at Lincoln Land Community College and answered the continuing-education question, 22 — or 58% — went on to additional education. Six transferred to Illinois College, while 16 continued at another institution outside Jacksonville.
Educational and employment outcomes among former students were also encouraging. Of the 28 respondents who reported that they were no longer in school, 27 had earned a college degree or career credential. Their achievements included 13 bachelor’s degrees, 11 associate degrees, two trade or professional credentials, and one master’s degree. Twenty-seven of the 28 were employed or self-employed.
The results also demonstrate a continuing connection between scholarship recipients and the area. Fifty-one respondents — 81% — currently live in Morgan County. Eight more live within 30 miles, meaning that 94% of respondents remain in Morgan County or the surrounding area.
Family was the factor most often cited in decisions about where to live after college, selected by 43 respondents. Employment opportunities were selected by 33, followed by cost of living, further education, and the location of a spouse or partner.
Asked what initially influenced them to pursue post-high-school education in Jacksonville, 70 percent of the respondents cited proximity to friends and family, while 65% identified the cost of college. Career choice and educational quality were also important considerations. Because most respondents are recent scholarship recipients — 35 are still enrolled, and 56 are younger than 25 — the survey primarily measures the program’s immediate and emerging effects. Sheaff said Jacksonville Promise plans to continue following recipients to evaluate longer-term graduation, employment and community-retention outcomes.
Jacksonville Promise provides up to four years of scholarship assistance to graduates of all high schools in Morgan County who enroll at Illinois College or Lincoln Land Community College. The scholarships are up to $3,000 for each of the first two years and $4,200 for the third and fourth years of college. Funding is supported through contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and community organizations.
“Every scholarship represents an investment not only in a student, but also in the future of Jacksonville and Morgan County,” Sheaff said. “These results show that the investment is producing meaningful returns.”
Further information about Jacksonville Promise is available at 217-670-9371.
Jacksonville featured on Main Street 250 website
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Main Street America set out to show that Main Street communities have always played a key role in witnessing and shaping our shared history.
So, the national organization created Main Street 250, a storytelling initiative that dives deep and wide into the role of Main Streets from prehistoric events to the present day … and Jacksonville is featured!
The Main Street 250 Storytelling Map showcases more than 250 historical stories from across the Main Street network, including Jacksonville. From impactful early explorations and exciting scientific discoveries to transformational political achievements and important cultural moments, these stories demonstrate the continuing impact that Main Street communities have had on American history. Our local Big Eli story can be seen at https://mainstreet.org/our-network/main-street-250.
Main Street America leads the inclusive, impact-driven movement to re-energize and strengthen older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Jacksonville Main Street is an accredited member of Main Street America and Illinois Main Street.
State treasurer announces annual photography contest winners
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced the winning photographers for the 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest, which provides Illinois students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. The top nine photographers, ages 8 to 18, will be awarded Bright Start 529 college savings scholarships.
“Congratulations to the young Illinoisans who explored their surroundings, tapped into their creativity, and experimented with their photographic skills by participating in our Cream of the Crop contest,” Frerichs said. “These students’ photos truly reflect the beauty and diversity of Illinois agriculture, which is second to none.”
The winning photographs will be displayed August 13-23 at the Illinois State Fair in the Treasurer’s Tent. You can see the photos of the top three finishers in each of the three age categories on the State Treasurer’s website.
Winning entries and other photo submissions will be featured in the 2026-2027 Ag Invest calendar, and the first-place photos also will be displayed in the lobby of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office building in downtown Springfield.
Treasurer Frerichs administers the Bright Start 529 and Bright Directions 529 programs to assist families in saving and investing for higher education expenses such as at a university or college, community college, trade school or apprenticeship. For more information, visit BrightStart.com and BrightDirections.com.
The 2026 Cream of the Crop contest attracted 152 entries from students across Illinois. A panel of judges selected the winning photos.
The judges were Scott Rhoads, regional president of Carrollton Bank; Gary Mueller, vice president of Havana National Bank; and Mary Morgan, vice president of Compeer Financial.
8-10 Age Bracket Winners
1st Place: Hadley G., “Hello Brown Eyes,” Arenzville (Cass County)
2nd Place: Eleanor W., “Pasture,”
Jacksonville (Morgan County)
3rd Place: Skye P., “Progress,”
Danville (Vermilion County)
11-14 Age Bracket Winners
1st Place: Carter S., “Cutting Wheat,” Windsor (Shelby County)
2nd Place: Graham C., “Beginning to Sprout,” Camargo (Douglas County)
3rd Place: Jesse S., “Grain Elevator,”
Petersburg (Menard County)
15-18 Age Bracket Winners
1st Place: Abram W., “Corn Rows,”
Jacksonville (Morgan County)
2nd Place: Hope N., “History,”
Smithton (St. Clair County)
3rd Place: Olivia C., “We’re Ready,”
Bunker Hill (Macoupin County)
Treasurer Frerichs has invited the first-place winners to an Aug. 14 reception on Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair.
Students earn Bright Start scholarships, and their Photos will be displayed at Illinois State Fair
Beard Financial Group holds ribbon cutting
Beard Financial Group recently held a ribbon cutting through the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the opening of their new office at 229 South Main St., Suite 102 in Jacksonville, which is in the recently remodeled Gustine Building across from Leo’s Pizza.
Beard Financial Group employees, dignitaries and community members celebrate a ribbon cutting and the opening of the new offices in Jacksonville.
Beard Financial Group offers full-service investment advice. Beard Financial Group was formally known as Financial Resources Group and was located inside the lobby of CNB Bank & Trust (now Heartland Bank & Trust).
Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment. Stop by or call 217-243-3373 to talk with Bob Beard, Shaan Smith, Jodi Nordwall or Susan Winters about your investment needs.
Registration open for 2026 Jacksonville Memorial Hospital 5K/10K Race
Registration is now open for the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital 5K/10K presented by Gatorade, a popular annual community event.
The race will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, on the campus of Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, 1600 W. Walnut St., Jacksonville. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Prairieland United Way. A representative from HOKA® Shoes will also be on site to offer shoe demonstrations.
Participants of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to take part.
“We welcome runners and walkers of all experience levels to this community tradition,” said Kevin Eckhoff, race director. “Maybe you are chasing a personal record, starting your first race or simply enjoying an active morning with family and friends — there’s a place for you at the starting line.”
Participants will enjoy a fast, flat course that is ideal for beginners and experienced racers alike. The first 200 runners crossing the finish line will receive a custom finisher’s medal, and all participants will be eligible for prize drawings following the race.
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in 13 age divisions.
Online registration is available through Oct. 16 for $30. Participants who register by Oct. 6 are guaranteed a race-branded tech shirt. Race-day registration is $35.
To register, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Jacksonville/JMH5K10K.
Packet pick-up and in-person registration opportunities include:
Thursday, Oct. 15, 5:30-7 p.m. Springfield Running Center, 2943 W. White Oaks Drive, Springfield
Friday, Oct. 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Main Lobby
Participants are encouraged to register early and invite friends, family members and co-workers to join them in supporting a healthier community while benefiting the Prairieland United Way.
