Illinois Valley News

IVFD honors its own — In recognition of their efforts during the 2009 Lone Mountain Fire which threatened homes in O“Brien, Tom Zullinger, Ken Gavlik, Pearlene Gavlik, Kris Sherman, Steve Corwin, Mark Shay, Mike Sturm, Phil Aria, Jerry Shaffer, Joe Feldhaus and Kamron Ismaili received a Career Service Unit Citation; Firefighter Will Sowell, was noted for 15 years of service; Kamron Ismaili, with wife Kris was awarded Officer of the Year. Allison Arnold, Chris Arnold, Paris Drake, Justin Lewin, Jacob Pretner, Andrea Steelman and Jon Vellinga were noted for their first year of service; those having served three years were Sid Humphries, Bob Clark and Richard Copenhaver; Nick Bjornstad, Tim Norman, Gerald Kaufman, Jeff Bradshaw and Dale & Elaine Sandberg were noted for five years of service; and Capt. Wayland Sherman“s 10 years of service were noted. Chief Rich presented a special Hall of Flame award to Ann Miller in memory of her late husband, Richard, for his commitment and dedication. Phil Aria prepared and served delicious tri-tip and chicken. Illinois Valley News thanks our firefighters for their service, and also thanks Sterling Savings Bank and Home Valley Bank for their sponsorship of Illinois Valley Fire District awards coverage. (Photos by Dale & Elaine Sandberg, IVFD Media Dept. and Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)

The Illinois River Valley Arts Council Learning Through Art program sponsored a three-day Asian Art project at Lorna Byrne Middle School on Tuesday through Thursday, March 9, 10 and 11. The project, held in conjunction with seventh-grade history studies, was led by Kristen Whicheloe and Noralene Harland, with the help of area artists and volunteers. Students learned how to make an accordion-folded book into which they inserted original Haiku poetry, their own pieces of art and their name in Chinese. Each book became a work of art and will be displayed at the school. Students were treated to a “Taste of Asia” with chop sticks to eat with at tables decorated with Japanese words for, “please, thank you, and welcome.” They sampled rice, vegetable chow mein, tofu, edamame, tea and a fortune cookie. (Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)