Tornado Hits Harrisburg and Surrounding Area

A  really strong tornado hit Harrisburg, IL at 4:56 a.m. today. Several have been killed. The rumor mill says the number is at least twice what is being stated on the news.

As far as we know all our Extension comrades from the area are OK. However, the amount of devastation is tremendous!

There was a lot of damage in Ridgway as well. Some will remember where the Extension Office used to be there--along with Farm Bureau. That building has been pretty well destroyed. Many other examples of damage and devastation have been featured on the local and national news.

If anyone has additional information, please feel free to make a comment about this post or send an e-mail to ieafcslife@gmail.com.

East Central Region Meets

13 members of the East Central region of IEAFCS met on Friday, February 17^th in Champaign. A presentation on “balancing work and your well-being” was given by Cheri Burcham.

 A business meeting followed, which included discussion on the IEAFCS futuring committee recommendations. Reorganization may also affect existing regional boundaries and meetings.

Everyone then enjoyed lunch at Biaggi’s, and all members were encouraged to attend our IEAFCS Spring Meeting on March 7 in Decatur.

Notes from Cheri Burcham. Thanks Cheri!

Notes from Board Meeting

Your Association Board met on Monday, Feb. 13th via telenet. Here are a few notes that may be of interest.

There are currently 17 active members, one "state only" member, and two new  life members. Welcome to Kathy Reuter and Rosie Gibbons as life members.

Extension still has just 14 educators with a family and consumer science subject matter designation. Some county groups are still trying to get new positions filled that were effective July 1, 2011.

There are now just three Extension regions. Ryan Hobson, Dale Law, and Gerald Correthers are the current Regional Directors.

Interviews have been held for Family and Consumer Science State Program Leader. Staff is expecting to hear the decision on this very soon.

Spring JCEP meeting is March 7th in Decatur. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you need details on this, please send a note to ieafcslife@gmail.com.

Happy Valentines Day!

Here's hoping everyone has a great Valentines Day. These are thoughts from Jack Levine, 4 Generations Institute.

To love and be loved is our most treasured emotional bond.....and while love lost is also a reality of life, there is so much reward in appreciating the connection we have with others.

Please take every opportunity to tell someone that they are loved, and make every effort to express yourself in positive words and deeds that uplift, edify and energize relationships.

And when we are faced with circumstances that challenge us, it's so important to take a breath, pause for a moment to think of the bigger picture, and find opportunities to balance life's ups and downs with a fresh and positive perspective.    

Resolve to be the most positive person in the room and hope someone else dares to compete with you!  Now that's a game I think is worth playing!

One of the greatest expressions of love is compassionate advocacy.  To use our voices to speak on behalf of another....a person who needs us or an entire group of people who are in need based on their economic, emotional, health or educational challenges....is an example of sharing love with others.  

Our  thoughts are with Sarah Todd today as we learned of the loss of her mother, Wilma Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman was 95, and Sarah was an only child. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, February 15 at the McConnell United Methodist Church.  Burial will be in Rock Lily Cemetery, Winslow.  Visitation will  be from 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 14 at Leamon Funeral Home, Winslow. 

A memorial fund in Wilma’s name has been established for the McConnell United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.

Thinking of you Sarah!

No Nursing Home for Me

Thought you might enjoy these thoughts.

No nursing home for us.  We'll be checking into a Holiday Inn!

With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and too feeble.
I've already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn.

 For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $59.23 per night.

Breakfast is included, and some have happy hours in the afternoon.

That leaves  $128.77 a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies.

Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer, etc.

Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.$5 worth of tips a day you'll have the entire staff scrambling to help you.

They treat you like a customer, not a patient.

There's a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free.

The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp).

To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays.

 For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there. 

While you're at the airport, fly somewhere.  Otherwise, the cash keeps building up.

It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today.

And you're not stuck in one place forever -- you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city.

Want to see  Hawaii?  They have Holiday Inn there too.

TV broken?  Light bulbs need changing?  Need a mattress replaced?  No problem.. They fix everything,  and apologize for the inconvenience.

The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok.  If not, they'll call an ambulance . . . or the undertaker.

 If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.     

                         And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.

The grandkids can use the pool.

        What more could I ask for?
So, when I reach that golden age, I'll face it with a grin.