Tuesday, September 27, 2011
There was something in the water - please read
As many of you know, there was a letter waiting for you today from Clinton Water Department. Here is the letter. Clinton Water Department has asked that you notify anyone else who may not have received this notice.
Monday, September 26, 2011
School Board Meeting and why YOU should attend
Who choses what opportunities your child has? Who knows your child best? Who gets to decide what is best for your child? Is your voice being heard?
Here is my report on what I think everyone needs to know about the School Board Meeting from September 20, 2011.
The issue of the night was one near and dear to my heart: alternative education. We have lost all control over our children's public education in this country. Our teachers don't even have control anymore. Our schools, principals and even our school boards are all held accountable for a standardized, one fits all test, in order to get funding. This is an OPPORTUNITY to get to have some say in our children's education.
There were two things that the public needs to understand:
1. If no one attends these meetings, the school board must make decisions without our input and opinions.
2. If these decisions are being made without us, we have no one else to blame.
Richland Community College in conjunction with Charter Pros is proposing an Early College Charter High School that will serve Clinton, in addition to six other tax districts. Ten students from Clinton will have the opportunity to attend this charter school starting in 9th and 10th grades. Families will apply and be selected via lottery. The school will have its own board, principal and teachers. The students will be dual enrolled and could potentially graduate with not only a high school diploma but an Associates Degree from Richland Community College.
Each tax district will vote on whether to approve this proposal. The issues raised with this were :
target students and selection, money, transportation and extracurricular activities.
I decided to go to the horse's mouth for the answers to my questions. I called Lisa Gregory from Richland Community College to discuss these issues. Here is the breakdown of what we were told, what the potential issues are and what we need to know.
1. Target Students
What we were told:
The charter high school would target at-risk students but the acceptance is based on applications being drawn from a lottery.
Issues raised:
If they are drawn from a lottery those at-risk students might not get chosen
The facts:
The Early College Charter High School is geared toward the middle 50% of students. Those who are doing okay but with a little extra push and some one on one would excel and attend college when maybe they wouldn't.
The application process is completed by the parents and student after which they meet with the principal and decide if this is the right fit for them. If so, the application is assigned a number. The number is literally placed on a ping pong ball and that ball enters the lottery. No one is being forced to apply or attend. Its completely in the hands of the parents and students.
2. Money
What we were told :
The board informed us that it will cost the school district $7,400 per student, per year to attend. The board will vote but the vote could be overturned and the school district might have to pay this anyway.
The issues raised:
As soon as the words "taxpayer's money" were uttered there was negative noises all around.
The facts:
I had actually recently been reading the schools' report cards found on their own website and had read that, in fact, Clinton spent $8,608 per high school student in the 09-10 school year. So to me it seemed the school district would be SAVING $1208 by sending the students to the charter school.
According to IL Charter Law, the only school district money that can be negotiated is that money specifically designated for educational purposes. So the transportation money, building maintenance etc. is not on the table. Also the charter school could negotiate as little as 75% of that money leaving the school district with 25% of that $8600 even though they aren't educating that student anymore.
As to "making" the school district pay anyway, IL Charter School Law allows for the potential charter school to appeal the decision sending it to a separate committee to be decided. With money not an issue, there really isn't any logical reason for the school board to vote against this proposal.
3. Transportation
What we were told:
The charter school will provide the transportation.
The issues raised:
Someone from the audience mentioned that the student could potentially be on a bus for an hour and a half each way.
The facts:
The Early College Charter High School would be responsible for providing transportation to and from the Richland Community College campus. As to the estimate given by the audience member, I don't know how that was arrived at.
4. Extracurriculars
What we were told:
Their extracurriculars would be separate from Clinton's.
The issues raised
Again someone was appalled that the students might not get to participate in Clinton's extracurriculars.
The facts:
Ms. Gregory informed me that Early College Charter High School will not have extracurriculars, nor art, music or sports.
So far, no decision has been made. As a matter of fact, the proposal hasn't been delivered. It may be on the docket for October for Charter Pros to present to the school board. If so, I encourage you to be there.
The transportation, extracurriculars and selection are all a personal choice as far as I see. A personal FAMILY choice. Whether you apply is YOUR choice. Whether the transportation options meet with your approval are YOUR choice. Whether your child participates in extracurricular activities is YOUR choice. In fact, you make those choices for your child already.
The only thing approving this Early College Charter High School will change for YOU is to give you another choice. An opportunity for your child's education. Do we not all want MORE choices for our children, not fewer?
Here is part of what I learned when talking to Ms. Gregory:
She told me that she has personally been researching this opportunity for year for Richland Community College. She has spent hours and hours pouring over data, laws and finally called a principal of one such charter high school in Elmira, OH. She asked the principal to give it to her straight. Tell her the bad stuff. Turns out, all schools struggle with budgets, transportation and feeding the students. But other than that, the administrative part of running any school, it was wonderful. She told of the class of 214 she recently graduated. Of those 214, 114 graduated with no less than 50 college credits and a high school diploma. 100 of those students graduate with a high school diploma AND an Associates Degree and 50% graduated cum laude, with honors.
The students Ms. Gregory spoke to said this: Its forced them to work harder, behave better and its a wonderful experience.
I can understand some disappointment in the lack of in school extras like art and music. I can understand that a parent and child might not be interested in attending a school without them. I can see the value in joining these organizations and the lessons they teach. I can also see that I would not want someone else making that choice for my child. Whether my child participates in those activities or not is a FAMILY decision. Its made for all kinds of reason and we might want to reflect on the mission of the school here: to prepare students for college.
Again, whether you agree with or want these things for your child, it should be up to YOU to decide if you want to apply or not. The school board needs to hear opinions from our parents to make a decision benefitting our community.
I encourage everyone to take time this month to reflect on this issue and to attend the next school board meeting where hopefully Richland Community College and Charter Pros can answer any questions you have and we can make our wishes know to our elected officals.
Here is my report on what I think everyone needs to know about the School Board Meeting from September 20, 2011.
The issue of the night was one near and dear to my heart: alternative education. We have lost all control over our children's public education in this country. Our teachers don't even have control anymore. Our schools, principals and even our school boards are all held accountable for a standardized, one fits all test, in order to get funding. This is an OPPORTUNITY to get to have some say in our children's education.
There were two things that the public needs to understand:
1. If no one attends these meetings, the school board must make decisions without our input and opinions.
2. If these decisions are being made without us, we have no one else to blame.
Richland Community College in conjunction with Charter Pros is proposing an Early College Charter High School that will serve Clinton, in addition to six other tax districts. Ten students from Clinton will have the opportunity to attend this charter school starting in 9th and 10th grades. Families will apply and be selected via lottery. The school will have its own board, principal and teachers. The students will be dual enrolled and could potentially graduate with not only a high school diploma but an Associates Degree from Richland Community College.
Each tax district will vote on whether to approve this proposal. The issues raised with this were :
target students and selection, money, transportation and extracurricular activities.
I decided to go to the horse's mouth for the answers to my questions. I called Lisa Gregory from Richland Community College to discuss these issues. Here is the breakdown of what we were told, what the potential issues are and what we need to know.
1. Target Students
What we were told:
The charter high school would target at-risk students but the acceptance is based on applications being drawn from a lottery.
Issues raised:
If they are drawn from a lottery those at-risk students might not get chosen
The facts:
The Early College Charter High School is geared toward the middle 50% of students. Those who are doing okay but with a little extra push and some one on one would excel and attend college when maybe they wouldn't.
The application process is completed by the parents and student after which they meet with the principal and decide if this is the right fit for them. If so, the application is assigned a number. The number is literally placed on a ping pong ball and that ball enters the lottery. No one is being forced to apply or attend. Its completely in the hands of the parents and students.
2. Money
What we were told :
The board informed us that it will cost the school district $7,400 per student, per year to attend. The board will vote but the vote could be overturned and the school district might have to pay this anyway.
The issues raised:
As soon as the words "taxpayer's money" were uttered there was negative noises all around.
The facts:
I had actually recently been reading the schools' report cards found on their own website and had read that, in fact, Clinton spent $8,608 per high school student in the 09-10 school year. So to me it seemed the school district would be SAVING $1208 by sending the students to the charter school.
According to IL Charter Law, the only school district money that can be negotiated is that money specifically designated for educational purposes. So the transportation money, building maintenance etc. is not on the table. Also the charter school could negotiate as little as 75% of that money leaving the school district with 25% of that $8600 even though they aren't educating that student anymore.
As to "making" the school district pay anyway, IL Charter School Law allows for the potential charter school to appeal the decision sending it to a separate committee to be decided. With money not an issue, there really isn't any logical reason for the school board to vote against this proposal.
3. Transportation
What we were told:
The charter school will provide the transportation.
The issues raised:
Someone from the audience mentioned that the student could potentially be on a bus for an hour and a half each way.
The facts:
The Early College Charter High School would be responsible for providing transportation to and from the Richland Community College campus. As to the estimate given by the audience member, I don't know how that was arrived at.
4. Extracurriculars
What we were told:
Their extracurriculars would be separate from Clinton's.
The issues raised
Again someone was appalled that the students might not get to participate in Clinton's extracurriculars.
The facts:
Ms. Gregory informed me that Early College Charter High School will not have extracurriculars, nor art, music or sports.
So far, no decision has been made. As a matter of fact, the proposal hasn't been delivered. It may be on the docket for October for Charter Pros to present to the school board. If so, I encourage you to be there.
The transportation, extracurriculars and selection are all a personal choice as far as I see. A personal FAMILY choice. Whether you apply is YOUR choice. Whether the transportation options meet with your approval are YOUR choice. Whether your child participates in extracurricular activities is YOUR choice. In fact, you make those choices for your child already.
The only thing approving this Early College Charter High School will change for YOU is to give you another choice. An opportunity for your child's education. Do we not all want MORE choices for our children, not fewer?
Here is part of what I learned when talking to Ms. Gregory:
She told me that she has personally been researching this opportunity for year for Richland Community College. She has spent hours and hours pouring over data, laws and finally called a principal of one such charter high school in Elmira, OH. She asked the principal to give it to her straight. Tell her the bad stuff. Turns out, all schools struggle with budgets, transportation and feeding the students. But other than that, the administrative part of running any school, it was wonderful. She told of the class of 214 she recently graduated. Of those 214, 114 graduated with no less than 50 college credits and a high school diploma. 100 of those students graduate with a high school diploma AND an Associates Degree and 50% graduated cum laude, with honors.
The students Ms. Gregory spoke to said this: Its forced them to work harder, behave better and its a wonderful experience.
I can understand some disappointment in the lack of in school extras like art and music. I can understand that a parent and child might not be interested in attending a school without them. I can see the value in joining these organizations and the lessons they teach. I can also see that I would not want someone else making that choice for my child. Whether my child participates in those activities or not is a FAMILY decision. Its made for all kinds of reason and we might want to reflect on the mission of the school here: to prepare students for college.
Again, whether you agree with or want these things for your child, it should be up to YOU to decide if you want to apply or not. The school board needs to hear opinions from our parents to make a decision benefitting our community.
I encourage everyone to take time this month to reflect on this issue and to attend the next school board meeting where hopefully Richland Community College and Charter Pros can answer any questions you have and we can make our wishes know to our elected officals.
Soap or "Why on Earth did you move to Clinton?!"
When I meet new people here in town and they find out I grew up and lived in and around Washington DC, the first question I get asked is "What brought you to Clinton?!" The second is, asked doubtfully, "How do you like living here?"
In my first post, I said I would post the letter I wrote to my mom to explain, but now that I have lived here for a few months, I think it all comes down to soap.
To understand why we moved here, I need to explain where we were. Herndon, VA is about 15 miles south of Washington DC. Its filled to bursting with people of every nationality and socio-economic background. People on foodstamps in line behind millionaires. You could hear the sounds of other countries on every street corner. The museums, theaters, stadiums, city-life was just 30 minutes away without traffic.
It was also congested, overcrowded, transient and most importantly everyone is disconnected from each other. No one has any real obligation to behave civilly because you are not likely to run into the same person twice. You never really know your neighbors or even your children's teachers because they move so quickly. Well, no one really moves quickly in northern Virginia because the traffic was horrendous. For example, to get the distance from Rudy's to Walmart, what 3 miles, it could take you 20-25 minutes. Now traffic in itself isnt really the issue. Its the disconnect. When you feel no social obligations, you stop thinking about that person in the car next to you as a human with a family and feelings. They just become an object of irritation and this carries over once you are home or at work or at the shops. People just in your way! No thought for someone else's feelings let alone safety.
So after living in the same townhouse for 3 years, during which my daughter started school and almost NEVER played outside (you just dont know who could be around and no one else does either), we were ready for a change. Our third child had just enlisted in the Air Force and we were soon to be with a nest too large and too expensive to maintain. We started looking farther out from the city and then the emails and calls started.
N8 has been looking for a job here in central illinois for a long time. But in his field there just wasnt anything that paid well enough for us to move back here. But suddenly, there were job offers all over the place. Now not to brag, but he never will, he is something of a guru in his field and this field is new and no one knows what they are doing with it. So now, he is in demand and we had offers from all kinds of places: Seattle, Ireland, NYC, New England, Chicago, all over the west coast and Hawaii. But we knew that no matter where we moved, we werent going to find what we could have here. So nervously, we took the plunge.
Here is my outsiders point of view on this town I now call home. Small and quaint (sure we could use a little paint here and there), close knit (its like 6 degrees to Burkholder around this town), with strong tradition and community ties. The city amenities are 30 minutes away. No big deal for someone used to sitting in traffic that long to get to the grocery store. But the community...that's what drew me.
I've lived in Illinois before. I know and understand the midwest mentality about new people. Midwesterners are truly interesting people. Slow to warm up, straight shooters, strong opinions but loyal and compassionate too. This community is no different. I knew I was going to have to reach out to make new friends and I knew it was going to take time to find my place. I still am. But I knew that place was there and that eventually, I am going to be a part of the fabric just like each person in this town is. Good or bad. We are just like the patchwork fields surrounding us, each a part of a much bigger picture we can't see until we stand back. But every piece has something to offer and all are connected somehow.
I dont pretend to wear rose tinted glasses. This town, just like each community in the whole world, has its issues. But I know, at any given point in time, someone is working to make them better. Someone is worried about that neighbor next door, their cousin across town, their church member who is ill, the kids who dont have enough to eat, the elderly, the sick, but never forgotton. No one goes unnoticed in this town. No one lives in a bubble. No one is alone.
So now you know why we moved here. Here is why I am glad I did.
As a parent, I want my youngest to learn the lessons you can only learn in a small town. To respect others (because they are people too and you are going to run into them again, repeatedly), to respect nature (we have it in abundance here with the lakes and farms), to cherish freedom and not be afraid of other people. To feel safe in her home and community and to give back to it.
Its also a personal opportunity for me. I started a soap business in Virginia and sadly my business partner and I are no longer close enough phsycially to work together. But moving here gives me one big opportunity that we didnt have in Virginia. To open my own shop. Its a work in progress. It will not be a financial dynasty. That's not my goal. My goal is to do something I love that hopefully benefits other people too. I could, and have made favors for cocktail parties at the Ritz. I could sell them for tons more than it costs me to make them. But I want to see kids in town rush home from parties with something unique and useful. For people to have a personalized momento from their anniversary or wedding. For a new baby to be celebrated in a creative fashion. And I want it all affordable for my community. Making soap really sums up why I love living here. It allows me to do the two things that make me happiest : to be creative and do something useful.
In my first post, I said I would post the letter I wrote to my mom to explain, but now that I have lived here for a few months, I think it all comes down to soap.
To understand why we moved here, I need to explain where we were. Herndon, VA is about 15 miles south of Washington DC. Its filled to bursting with people of every nationality and socio-economic background. People on foodstamps in line behind millionaires. You could hear the sounds of other countries on every street corner. The museums, theaters, stadiums, city-life was just 30 minutes away without traffic.
It was also congested, overcrowded, transient and most importantly everyone is disconnected from each other. No one has any real obligation to behave civilly because you are not likely to run into the same person twice. You never really know your neighbors or even your children's teachers because they move so quickly. Well, no one really moves quickly in northern Virginia because the traffic was horrendous. For example, to get the distance from Rudy's to Walmart, what 3 miles, it could take you 20-25 minutes. Now traffic in itself isnt really the issue. Its the disconnect. When you feel no social obligations, you stop thinking about that person in the car next to you as a human with a family and feelings. They just become an object of irritation and this carries over once you are home or at work or at the shops. People just in your way! No thought for someone else's feelings let alone safety.
So after living in the same townhouse for 3 years, during which my daughter started school and almost NEVER played outside (you just dont know who could be around and no one else does either), we were ready for a change. Our third child had just enlisted in the Air Force and we were soon to be with a nest too large and too expensive to maintain. We started looking farther out from the city and then the emails and calls started.
N8 has been looking for a job here in central illinois for a long time. But in his field there just wasnt anything that paid well enough for us to move back here. But suddenly, there were job offers all over the place. Now not to brag, but he never will, he is something of a guru in his field and this field is new and no one knows what they are doing with it. So now, he is in demand and we had offers from all kinds of places: Seattle, Ireland, NYC, New England, Chicago, all over the west coast and Hawaii. But we knew that no matter where we moved, we werent going to find what we could have here. So nervously, we took the plunge.
Here is my outsiders point of view on this town I now call home. Small and quaint (sure we could use a little paint here and there), close knit (its like 6 degrees to Burkholder around this town), with strong tradition and community ties. The city amenities are 30 minutes away. No big deal for someone used to sitting in traffic that long to get to the grocery store. But the community...that's what drew me.
I've lived in Illinois before. I know and understand the midwest mentality about new people. Midwesterners are truly interesting people. Slow to warm up, straight shooters, strong opinions but loyal and compassionate too. This community is no different. I knew I was going to have to reach out to make new friends and I knew it was going to take time to find my place. I still am. But I knew that place was there and that eventually, I am going to be a part of the fabric just like each person in this town is. Good or bad. We are just like the patchwork fields surrounding us, each a part of a much bigger picture we can't see until we stand back. But every piece has something to offer and all are connected somehow.
I dont pretend to wear rose tinted glasses. This town, just like each community in the whole world, has its issues. But I know, at any given point in time, someone is working to make them better. Someone is worried about that neighbor next door, their cousin across town, their church member who is ill, the kids who dont have enough to eat, the elderly, the sick, but never forgotton. No one goes unnoticed in this town. No one lives in a bubble. No one is alone.
So now you know why we moved here. Here is why I am glad I did.
As a parent, I want my youngest to learn the lessons you can only learn in a small town. To respect others (because they are people too and you are going to run into them again, repeatedly), to respect nature (we have it in abundance here with the lakes and farms), to cherish freedom and not be afraid of other people. To feel safe in her home and community and to give back to it.
Its also a personal opportunity for me. I started a soap business in Virginia and sadly my business partner and I are no longer close enough phsycially to work together. But moving here gives me one big opportunity that we didnt have in Virginia. To open my own shop. Its a work in progress. It will not be a financial dynasty. That's not my goal. My goal is to do something I love that hopefully benefits other people too. I could, and have made favors for cocktail parties at the Ritz. I could sell them for tons more than it costs me to make them. But I want to see kids in town rush home from parties with something unique and useful. For people to have a personalized momento from their anniversary or wedding. For a new baby to be celebrated in a creative fashion. And I want it all affordable for my community. Making soap really sums up why I love living here. It allows me to do the two things that make me happiest : to be creative and do something useful.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
43rd Annual Apple and Pork Festival
I may be new to town but this isn't my first Apple and Pork Festival. As a matter of fact, this is my...wait let me do the math, uh...OK I cant really remember but its a lot. The first one I attended was in 1998 and I have been coming back as often as I can since. For me, this is when Clinton really shines.
This year, the weekend kicked off for my family with the Friday night high school football game. Our youngest was performing in the half-time show and my middle child and her husband had just arrived from Virginia to watch. We made a small huddle to keep warm and passed the time playing a fun new game we have just made up. We like to call it "Who Knows More People at (insert event)".
In the past, N8 would have won hands down. The only people I knew in town were the ones I am related to and its not a big number. But this year, after involving myself in all kinds of new activities and organizations around town, I won the battle. Sadly, I lost the war over the weekend as people who grew up here and relocated elsewhere flocked back for A&P.
For our family, A&P is an annual family/class reunion. As we walk all over town getting a taste of the best food (is it just because we only have it once a year or is it really that good?) we bump into people N8 knows for all kinds of reasons. Mostly, he went to school with people we meet but occasionally its someone he knows from the days his family owned a bakery in town. These are the people I find fascinating because they knew my beloved mother-in-law who sadly passed away shortly after our youngest was born. They have great tales to tell of N8's antics as a child.
So this year, we sampled and browsing and schmoozed through the A&P and I took note of some really great vendors. Every single booth run by an organization was fantastic. I think it should be noted by those who do not live here that a large portion of the town volunteers to help at A&P. Our school organizations, churches, civic groups are all well represented and you can't go wrong with any of the vendors at the Homestead. All are great. And my personal appreciation for everything you do to support the organizations you volunteer for.
Here are my top picks for vendors and booths who really stood out for one reason or another this year:
1. Wapella Says YES Breakfast Tent ~ You all know its the green and white striped tent that serves THE best sausage breakfast in town at A&P. What you may not know is what Wapella says YES to. I asked after several people in line also wanted to know. Wapella no longer has their own school district as their kids attend Clinton schools but to give the kids of Wapella a sense of community the booth raises money at A&P to fund holiday parties, family nights and fun events for not only their community but those surrounding, including Clinton. The events are free to the families and are much looked forward to. So say YES to Wapella next year. You wont be disappointed.
2. Toohill Seed and Beef Service ~ These are the beef wizards who supply the sausage to the Wapella Says YES tent. One taste of that sausage and you will understand why the line is long but so worth the wait. www.toohillbeef.com
3. Sasse's Apiary ~ Nathan started raising bee's as a 4H project and now the amazing honey is available at 26 vendors in our area. We tried the Creamed Honey and just had to buy some for our morning toast. You can try your own at Save-A-Lot here in Clinton which I was told was the very first vendor to support Nathan! www.sassesapiary.com
4. GourDesigns ~ My youngest was blown away by the gourds carved into everything from lamps to bowls in intricate designs that had us puzzling over how they did that. She was amazed that the material was actually once a living fruit. http://gourdesignsbydebbie.blogspot.com/
5. B and B Knitters ~ I have a confession on this one. Barb is my daughter's class nanny and a dear family friend. But what makes this booth special is the two ladies running it. Bev taught Barb to knit and the two set up a lovely booth in the Craft Barn on the Homestead grounds. These two wonderful ladies knit and felt all kinds of purses, bags, hats and scarves and while visiting them, I think we started a knitting group to bridge the gap between older knitters and the younger generation of children who are eager to learn. Stay tuned and check them out next year or email them at bnb.kniters@yahoo.com
6. Klassy Kreations ~ I love re purposing and recycling. This combines both. Lisa recycles old light bulbs into ornaments and decorations and I watched her work and have to say I am blown away by how adorable and innovative this lady is. My personal favorite was an elf with twinkly eyes. klassykreations@yahoo.com
7. Jerry Rhoads Woodturning ~ I knew I was in trouble when I looked up from the above booth and saw N8 checking out pens. Wooden ones. Expensive looking fountain pens. For a man who uses a computer for a living, its a strange weakness. But as we toured this booth even I was amazed at the craftsmanship and beauty of the pieces. www.jerryrhoadswoodturning.com
8.Richards Rockery All-In-One Engravings
9. Dylan Punke ~ This photographer/graphic artist actually caught my eye last year when I purchased two of this prints. His style uses a combination of black and white photography with carefully enhanced color to evoke a beautiful timeless image. I highly recommend you take a look at what this young artist has accomplished. www.dep-artgallery.com
10. Young Soda Entrepreneur ~ There is a young man on Center St who caught our attention. Simply selling bottled soda and water, on his own, cheaply. Now this may not seem like a noteworthy entry but my hat is off to the youth in this town and all over who take it upon themselves to provide a service and make some money. His parents support his business drive and I think its fantastic that he has the ambition to have his own business and make and save some money. So bravo to you, young man. You know who you are.
So to round up the weekend, I just want to comment on the thing that touched me most and made me proudest to be a New Clintonian this weekend. Twice, on separate occasions at the football game and at the opening of the high school band's performance, our national anthem was played. And everyone stopped. Everyone turned to the flag. And everyone honored it. God bless America and God bless Clinton.
This year, the weekend kicked off for my family with the Friday night high school football game. Our youngest was performing in the half-time show and my middle child and her husband had just arrived from Virginia to watch. We made a small huddle to keep warm and passed the time playing a fun new game we have just made up. We like to call it "Who Knows More People at (insert event)".
In the past, N8 would have won hands down. The only people I knew in town were the ones I am related to and its not a big number. But this year, after involving myself in all kinds of new activities and organizations around town, I won the battle. Sadly, I lost the war over the weekend as people who grew up here and relocated elsewhere flocked back for A&P.
For our family, A&P is an annual family/class reunion. As we walk all over town getting a taste of the best food (is it just because we only have it once a year or is it really that good?) we bump into people N8 knows for all kinds of reasons. Mostly, he went to school with people we meet but occasionally its someone he knows from the days his family owned a bakery in town. These are the people I find fascinating because they knew my beloved mother-in-law who sadly passed away shortly after our youngest was born. They have great tales to tell of N8's antics as a child.
So this year, we sampled and browsing and schmoozed through the A&P and I took note of some really great vendors. Every single booth run by an organization was fantastic. I think it should be noted by those who do not live here that a large portion of the town volunteers to help at A&P. Our school organizations, churches, civic groups are all well represented and you can't go wrong with any of the vendors at the Homestead. All are great. And my personal appreciation for everything you do to support the organizations you volunteer for.
Here are my top picks for vendors and booths who really stood out for one reason or another this year:
1. Wapella Says YES Breakfast Tent ~ You all know its the green and white striped tent that serves THE best sausage breakfast in town at A&P. What you may not know is what Wapella says YES to. I asked after several people in line also wanted to know. Wapella no longer has their own school district as their kids attend Clinton schools but to give the kids of Wapella a sense of community the booth raises money at A&P to fund holiday parties, family nights and fun events for not only their community but those surrounding, including Clinton. The events are free to the families and are much looked forward to. So say YES to Wapella next year. You wont be disappointed.
2. Toohill Seed and Beef Service ~ These are the beef wizards who supply the sausage to the Wapella Says YES tent. One taste of that sausage and you will understand why the line is long but so worth the wait. www.toohillbeef.com
3. Sasse's Apiary ~ Nathan started raising bee's as a 4H project and now the amazing honey is available at 26 vendors in our area. We tried the Creamed Honey and just had to buy some for our morning toast. You can try your own at Save-A-Lot here in Clinton which I was told was the very first vendor to support Nathan! www.sassesapiary.com
4. GourDesigns ~ My youngest was blown away by the gourds carved into everything from lamps to bowls in intricate designs that had us puzzling over how they did that. She was amazed that the material was actually once a living fruit. http://gourdesignsbydebbie.blogspot.com/
5. B and B Knitters ~ I have a confession on this one. Barb is my daughter's class nanny and a dear family friend. But what makes this booth special is the two ladies running it. Bev taught Barb to knit and the two set up a lovely booth in the Craft Barn on the Homestead grounds. These two wonderful ladies knit and felt all kinds of purses, bags, hats and scarves and while visiting them, I think we started a knitting group to bridge the gap between older knitters and the younger generation of children who are eager to learn. Stay tuned and check them out next year or email them at bnb.kniters@yahoo.com
6. Klassy Kreations ~ I love re purposing and recycling. This combines both. Lisa recycles old light bulbs into ornaments and decorations and I watched her work and have to say I am blown away by how adorable and innovative this lady is. My personal favorite was an elf with twinkly eyes. klassykreations@yahoo.com
7. Jerry Rhoads Woodturning ~ I knew I was in trouble when I looked up from the above booth and saw N8 checking out pens. Wooden ones. Expensive looking fountain pens. For a man who uses a computer for a living, its a strange weakness. But as we toured this booth even I was amazed at the craftsmanship and beauty of the pieces. www.jerryrhoadswoodturning.com
8.Richards Rockery All-In-One Engravings
9. Dylan Punke ~ This photographer/graphic artist actually caught my eye last year when I purchased two of this prints. His style uses a combination of black and white photography with carefully enhanced color to evoke a beautiful timeless image. I highly recommend you take a look at what this young artist has accomplished. www.dep-artgallery.com
10. Young Soda Entrepreneur ~ There is a young man on Center St who caught our attention. Simply selling bottled soda and water, on his own, cheaply. Now this may not seem like a noteworthy entry but my hat is off to the youth in this town and all over who take it upon themselves to provide a service and make some money. His parents support his business drive and I think its fantastic that he has the ambition to have his own business and make and save some money. So bravo to you, young man. You know who you are.
So to round up the weekend, I just want to comment on the thing that touched me most and made me proudest to be a New Clintonian this weekend. Twice, on separate occasions at the football game and at the opening of the high school band's performance, our national anthem was played. And everyone stopped. Everyone turned to the flag. And everyone honored it. God bless America and God bless Clinton.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
You're not from around here, are you?
This isn't my first time living in the Midwest. Not even my first time living in Illinois. Not even my first time living in a small town. OK. Scratch that. I lived in rural Appalachia on a dirt road. We didn't really have a "town". So I suppose this is my first time living in a small, close-knit society. Growing up as a "Beltway Brat" in and around Washington DC, doesn't lend itself to that kind of experience. So when my husband and I decided to move back to his hometown of Clinton I started eagerly packing. I will post the letter I wrote explaining my decision to my mom later. Suffice it to say that I was, and am, very happy with our decision.
However, I knew I was in for some culture shock. Not the kind where I think I am on another planet, but socially, living in a small town has its pros and cons. The pro I was most looking forward to was the one where everyone knew everyone and everything that goes on in the town. The sense of community and involvement. Oh everyone knows everyone else, but no one seems to know what the elected officials in town are up to, at least until its too late. Here is where I come in.
During the moving process, my husband spent two months here while we finished up in Virginia. This gave him a lot of down time which led him to start attending the City Council meetings. These were an eye opener. There is some eyebrow raising stuff going down in this small town. When he started telling me about this, we were both stunned by how many people didn't know about the toxic material that was going to be moved through our town. And I started to stew.
This week I attended my first School Board meeting. This is a subject near and dear to my heart after the last three years I spent in various capacities in my youngest's schools. We were the only parents there. Everyone else was a teacher, principal, board member or press. I can understand. Truly I can. I get why the average person doesn't think sitting listening to bureaucrats talk about budgets isn't thrilling entertainment after a long day at work. I did mention this was my first meeting. Ever. Bur what I heard lit a fire in me and now after stewing about the City Council and talking to other well educated and socially active people, it has occurred to me that no one goes to these meetings and therefore no one knows what is going on in this town. So the elected officials are doing whatever they like with little to no accountability to their constituents. And we aren't just talking budgets here. I am talking about things that affect each and every person in this town at some level.
So my mission is to attend as many of these meetings of the City Council, School Board and PTO and report back to the community what is going on, in the hopes that if you know what is happening you will take matters into your hands and change what you don't like. I don't claim to be impartial. I am not going to record the minutes of the meetings. I am going to tell you what I think everyone needs to know about. I welcome the feedback of the community and hope that each of you will take an interest in our community and make these bodies work for you.
Which brings me to my first real post...
However, I knew I was in for some culture shock. Not the kind where I think I am on another planet, but socially, living in a small town has its pros and cons. The pro I was most looking forward to was the one where everyone knew everyone and everything that goes on in the town. The sense of community and involvement. Oh everyone knows everyone else, but no one seems to know what the elected officials in town are up to, at least until its too late. Here is where I come in.
During the moving process, my husband spent two months here while we finished up in Virginia. This gave him a lot of down time which led him to start attending the City Council meetings. These were an eye opener. There is some eyebrow raising stuff going down in this small town. When he started telling me about this, we were both stunned by how many people didn't know about the toxic material that was going to be moved through our town. And I started to stew.
This week I attended my first School Board meeting. This is a subject near and dear to my heart after the last three years I spent in various capacities in my youngest's schools. We were the only parents there. Everyone else was a teacher, principal, board member or press. I can understand. Truly I can. I get why the average person doesn't think sitting listening to bureaucrats talk about budgets isn't thrilling entertainment after a long day at work. I did mention this was my first meeting. Ever. Bur what I heard lit a fire in me and now after stewing about the City Council and talking to other well educated and socially active people, it has occurred to me that no one goes to these meetings and therefore no one knows what is going on in this town. So the elected officials are doing whatever they like with little to no accountability to their constituents. And we aren't just talking budgets here. I am talking about things that affect each and every person in this town at some level.
So my mission is to attend as many of these meetings of the City Council, School Board and PTO and report back to the community what is going on, in the hopes that if you know what is happening you will take matters into your hands and change what you don't like. I don't claim to be impartial. I am not going to record the minutes of the meetings. I am going to tell you what I think everyone needs to know about. I welcome the feedback of the community and hope that each of you will take an interest in our community and make these bodies work for you.
Which brings me to my first real post...
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