Flashback to '76

Johanna Bruns was Scott County Extension Adviser, Home Economics. She earned a B.S. from Western Illinois University in 1944. Prior to beginning her role in Scott County in 1971, Johanna was a Home Economics Teacher for 4 1/2 years. She eventually retired from Extension and became an IEAFCS Life Member.

Johanna attended our IEAFCS Summer Reunion in 2014, and I believe she mentioned that she was 90 at the time. She had been attending weddings of her grandchildren!

Southern Region Visits Excel Bottling

Some of you may be aware that the soft drink, Ski, has been bottled in Clinton County for quite some time--80 years in fact! Excel bottling company is located in Breese, IL, and is one of three bottling facilities left in the United States that still puts product in returnable glass bottles. They make 18 different kinds of soda products and beer, and they use disposable containers as well. But they still have a 24 pack case of 12 oz. returnable glass bottles available.

                                          

Southern Region IEAFCS members visited Excel Bottling on March 18th. We had a very good tour of the facility, learned lots about the history, and about bottling company operations. And, of course, we had some samples! Several purchases were also made.

Those who attended were Lois Smith, Patti Faughn, Martha Speir, Joyce Pyatt, Millie Kaiser, Ruby Lingle, Rusti Grogan, Carol Schlitt, and Joy Richey.

This is our tour guide explaining about all the flavors of syrup they use in various products. That room smelled great! And we learned that soft drinks in glass bottles keep their quality up to four times longer than similar products in cans or plastic containers.

We had an enjoyable lunch and time to visit at Valbo's Restaurant in Germantown, IL. Thanks to Carol and Lois for making the arrangements.

Note that Carol has made some preliminary arrangements for the Niagara Falls trip. Dates to hold are October 2-7. And everyone will need a passport!

Flashback to '76

Janet Browning was working in Knox County in 1976. She had earned a B.S. from Western Illinois University in 1975. Her work in Knox County also began in 1975.

Tomorrow is Leap Day. Enjoy your extra day. Winter will soon be over!

Proof of Health Insurance Form Needed

Recent laws that are part of Obama Care require us to prove we have health insurance--or be fined for not having it. I have learned that there is an IRS form 1095 that we may be receiving soon.

Evidently it is not required for filing taxes this year, but I was told this week that we should receive these forms from CMS after March 23rd. So watch for it in the mail. I am not sure if we need to keep it until next year. Hopefully information will be included.

Flashback to '76

Barbara Brosman was Bond County Extension Adviser, Home Economics in 1976. She had been there since 1972 and had also worked in Stark, Gallatin, and Marion Counties. Her Bachelor's degree was from Eastern Illinois University in 1951. She had also been a Vocational Home Economics Teacher for three years.

Condolences to the Family of Barbara Harlan

Barbara Ann Walters Harlan, 78, of Olney, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Richland Memorial Hospital.

Barbara was born April 4, 1937 in Greenup, Illinois, the daughter of Charles W. and Nona (Decker) Walters.  She married William G. Harlan on March 1, 1957.

To this union were born two sons, Douglas Glen and Dale William.  This family grew to include two daughters-in-law, Pam and Cindy, and four granddaughters, Brittney (Caleb) Smith, Jennifer (John) Kincaid, Brianna (Corey) Jones, and Jordan Harlan, as well as five great grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.

Barbara gave her life to Christ at the age of 14 and was baptized in the Embarrass River at the Ryan Bridge north of Greenup.  With every re-location she has been active in a local church, displaying special interest in youth groups and teaching Sunday School Classes.  She graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1957.  Her career as home economist included teaching high school for two years and included employment with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.  Barbara retired after 30 years from the U of I in October 1995.

Besides her immediate family, two brothers, four brothers-in-law, six sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends will miss her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and one brother-in-law.

Memorials may be made to Christian Church of Olney. Visitation is February 3rd from noon to 1PM at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney with the funeral beginning at 1:00 P.M.  The address is 205 East Elm Street. 

Some may know that Barbara's son, Doug, is currently County Extension Director in Dewitt, Macon, Piatt Unit. Barbara worked in Richland County.

Wrapping Up Nashville--on to Niagara Falls!

After four very enjoyable days of seeing the best that Nashville had to offer, we headed home. It was still warm there, but some places in Illinois had snow that we learned about as we headed north.

It was very nice just to set our bags outside the door, and have them loaded on the bus for us. There was one last good breakfast at the hotel, and we settled in on the bus for a movie, a nap, some brain teaser games, or whatever!

One final order of business was to give Carol a small gift of appreciation for all the effort she put into making it a wonderful trip. Thanks to Janet Burnett for helping with a gift idea. As you can see, Carol was surprised and pleased.                   

As promised at the beginning of this trip summary, we will identify those who made the journey with us.
 
Pictured at the Parthenon are: Front row left to right: Joe Harrison, Glennon Schlitt, Martha Speir, Karen Barker, Rusti Grogan, Anita Dickey, and Joy Richey.

Second row/middle: Kathy Harrison, Carol Schlitt, Pam Slack, Rachel Richey,  Sharon Kuhns, Cammy Seguin, and Cyndi Westjohn.

The back rows include Donna Mueller, Rick and Ruby Lingle, Jananne Finck, Gary Slack, Janet Burnett, Sheila Grebel-Kertz, Debbie McClellan, Clyde and Linda Griffey, Pam and Tom Binger.

And--if I have anyone incorrectly identified, someone please tell me.

As hinted in the title of today's post, tentative plans are to visit Niagara Falls in October 2016. Watch for more details from Carol as she puts together another fun experience!