Eric Sorenson of WREX TV in Rockford is presently number two in the voting which ends January 17.
Weatherist which is sponsoring the contest will be donating $500 to the winning forecaster’s favorite charity – and Eric’s favorite charity is Freeport’s own Friends for Ever Humane Society.
Let’s get voting because he is presently a few thousand votes behind.
Vote for Eric at http://weatherist.com/blog/2014/01/06/vote-for-americas-favorite-weather-forecaster
When you of think decanting, you think of wine when you transfer the contents of a wine bottle into another receptable before serving which makes the wine taste better. In the estate and trust area, the term refers to transferring assets from one irrevocable trust to another trust. Many other states had statutes permitting decanting under certain circumstances, and as of January 1, 2013 Illinois has its own statute. Heather McPherson has written an article entitled “Pour Me Another Trust” which was published in the November issue of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section Newsletter. The article describes the circumstances where decanting would be beneficial, and how it is actually done. This is just another tool that experienced estate planners can use to be sure that the intentions of their clients are carried out by their estate planning documents. As Heather states in the article “Decanting is a great tool for practitioners to use in one’s estate, trust, and elder law practice, because it allows trusts that could otherwise not be changed to be rewritten to adjust to changed circumstances, as well as for corrections to trusts that were poorly drafted.”
You Don’t Have to Dream of a White Christmas If You Live in Northwest Illinois – Merry Christmas!
Freeport Community Luminaria Night – On Sunday, December 15 enjoy the beauty of Freeport’s Stephenson Street and Lincoln Boulevard on Luminaria Night. Residents of the neighborhood around FHN Memorial Hospital decorate their sidewalks with luminaria to celebrate the season.
Community Festival of Trees – At the Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport. This event brings non-profit organizations together to decorate trees and compete for cash prizes. A panel of judges will award prizes in a number of categories, and you can vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice competition. The trees will be on display unit January 2.
William R. Bear Men’s Basketball Tournament – December 13 – 14 at Highland Community College Sports Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport. Friday: 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm; Saturday: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm. Eight team Junior College men’s basketball tournament including: Harper, Iowa Central, Black Hawk East, Malcolm X, Midwest Elite Prep, Olney, Sauk Valley. Admission $5 815.599.3465
McConnell Cookie Walk and Santa Visit – 12 – 4 pm on December 14 at the McConnell Area Historical Society, 202 E. Main Street, McConnell. Select from a large assortment of homemade holiday cookies and other baked goods for Christmas gift giving. Santa will be there from 2 pm to 4 pm. Browse the museum decorated for the season. 815.821.2428
If Fred Thompson had been elected president, he would have been right at home. American’s economic policies today are like one big reverse mortgage. Mortgage the country’s future so the government can spend and spend with no thought as to the consequences for future generations who will face the burden of paying for all the debt incurred. On AAG’s Reverse Mortgage website you will see Fred Thompson’s face, and the term “A Real Government Insured Financial Solution.” How can incurring more debt be called a real government insured financial solution?
Oh by the way, Fred Thompson ran as a conservative – greed does seem to trump principals in some cases.
HCC Youth Choir to Perform on Monday, December 9 – There will be a special free performance by the HCC Youth Choir at the Freeport Public Library. Join them at 5:30 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library for some lovely holiday music and cheer.
Singin’ at the King – This event will bring school choruses from across northwest Illinois together for a night of music beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 at the King Community Campus, 511 S. Liberty Avenue, Freeport. The suggested admission price is one canned good or other food item for the FACC food pantry per person. (Santa will be there, too, so make sure the kids have their list ready!)
Hometown Christmas at Lena – Friday, December 6 from 5 to 8 pm.
Celebrate a hometown Christmas with a Christmas Lights Parade at 6 pm featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire engine, followed by a lighted parade. Streets will be lit with luminaries and a tree-lighting ceremony will be held following the parade. Horse and buggy rides will be offered. Participating businesses will be open for shopping with special sales and refreshments. A map of decorated homes will be available. A Community Giving Tree will be on display at Engel’s Jewelry and Gifts, 136 Main and children will be able to take their letters to Santa to the Blown Away Framing Store, 130 Main. For more information call 815.369.5549 or go to
Breakfast with Santa December 7 – at the Lena Fire Station, 405 W. Railroad Street, Lena. 8 am to 10:30 am. Enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Play games in a kid friendly atmosphere and get your picture taken with Santa. Fun for everyone. Ages 7 and Above: $5; Ages 4 to 6: $2.50; Ages 3 and Under: Free. For information 815.369.4512
Community Festival of Trees – Sponsored by FHN at the Freeport Public Library,100 E. Douglas, FreeportNon-profit organizations decorate trees and compete for cash prizes. A panel of judges will award prizes in a number of categories, and you can vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice competition. The trees will be on display December 8 through January 2. Hours are: Sunday 1 to 4 pm, Monday thru Thursday 9 am to 8 pm, Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.
A Tuna Christmas at Winneshiek Playhouse – December 7, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm. See Good Day Illinois on December 3.
Northwest Illinois Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis – December 7, Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport. Registration from 7 to 8 am, Walk/Run at 8:30 am. Enjoy this annual event which offers a competitive 5K run/walk with chip-timing, and a 1 mile Family Fun Walk that welcomes friendly dogs on leashes to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. One of the largest 5K’s in the region. Plus fun activities, family health expo and Santa. Adults: $35 (run/walk with chip) or $30 (run/walk with no chip); Youth 5 to 18: $20. For information call 815.971.6380.
The post office to save money will probably stop Saturday delivery in the near future and the cost of stamps will be going up again. Delivery to a mail box attached to your residence will also end with everyone having to put a mail box along the street or go to centralized pickup boxes. This is already the case in newer neighborhoods. What an ugly sight – all those mail boxes on every street! Our mail carriers are the best. They know their customers, and often are the first to notice that something is wrong. We will pay a price for these changes, and you cannot put a dollar value on what we will lose. Our mail carriers not only say “You Have Mail,” but they ask you “How are you?” And they mean it. We are losing part of America and it is sad.
A former flight attendant sued American Airlines claiming her co-workers falsely reported that she was carrying pet rats on work flights. Jay Leno joked about the lawsuit. To make matters worse, there was panel of comedians who commented on the lawsuit. The flight attendant in suing Jay Leno and NBC claims that she was falsely accused of “engaging in bestiality and sexual misconduct with a rat.” For an article on the lawsuit see http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/11/18/62987.htm
It is rumored that when Jay Leno was asked about the lawsuit replied – I don’t give a rat’s a## what they think. So much for derogatory comments about rats!
When the rat was asked to comment, the rat replied – I only fly American!
Some Holiday Events Not to Miss:
FHN Festival of Trees Events Continue
Holiday Movie Series for children on concludes on Saturday November 30 with the final movie, Frozen PG ($3.50), at 10 am at the Lindo Theatre, Freeport
Visit Santa at the Freeport Public Library and receive a holiday gift from FHN
December 3 5 – 7 pm
December 5 5 – 7 pm
December 7 1 – 3 pm
December 8 1 – 3 pm
December 10 5 – 7 pm
December 12 5 – 7 pm
December 14 1 – 3 pm
December 15 1 – 3 pm
December 17 5 – 7 pm
December 19 5 – 7 pm
December 21 1 – 3 pm
December 22 1 – 3 pm
The Annual Christmas Show presented by the Mighty Richland Players Dessert Threater, 203 W. High Street, Orangville, on Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 1 at 2 pm. Enjoy this annual Christmas show written, produced and directed by Hanover’s Back Street Players. Performances are in dessert theater format. $20. For information call 815.819.1310; For tickets call 888.596.1249 or 608.325.5700
Annual Christmas Tea December 1 from 1 to 4 pm at the Stephenson County Historical Museum located at 1440 S. Carroll Avenue, Freeport. Celebrate this holiday tradition at the historic 1857 Oscar Taylor home decorated in Christmas finery. Enjoy music and homemade cookies with coffee, tea or punch as you tour the mansion. The Holiday Gift Shop will be open featuring a selection of historical books, toys and other unique gift items, and a Holiday Bake Sale. For information call 815.232.8419.
Good Day Illinois - Happenings in Northwest Illinois 