Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
If you’re getting some hammock time this summer, you probably are aware there’s a race for governor unfolding in Illinois. Television ads composed and controlled by the campaigns have been streaming into living rooms for months.
Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.
During Memorial Day weekend last year, my younger brother and two of his friends were sitting in a car on the south side of Chicago when two men walked up to the window and fired 25 times. With his bloodied best friend dead in his arms, it was only through God’s grace and mercy that my younger brother made it out alive.
Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.
By Rick Warren
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerful” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT).
Sometimes it’s a challenge to be cheerful when God’s challenging you to give. Whenever you feel that way, just remind yourself of the benefits of what God wants to do in your heart: It creates community. It defeats materialism. It strengthens your faith. It’s an investment for eternity. It blesses you in return. And it makes you more like God.
| I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. |
| Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 |
Gay Bowlin, Manager
The Franklin County Farm Bureau received a $750 grant from the Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Farm Families for the purpose of face-to-face communication between adult non-ag consumers and farmers with the ultimate goal to build trust in farmers and our farming practices.
We partnered with the University of Illinois Extension, Ag in the Classroom, and the Early Head Start Program for Franklin and Williamson Counties. Each month the Early Head Start meets at the U of I Extension office in Franklin County and does a program about food preparation. It was just so easy for us to partner up with this effort.
In June Mary Bolen from the Benton Farmers Market came and talked about the foods that are available at the market and to inform them that Benton Farmers Market now takes SNAP and that there are many benefits to eating local fruits and vegetables. Mary handed out a sheet to inform them of when the fruits and vegetables are ready to eat and would be available in our area.
Melissa Lamczyk, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator from Franklin County spoke about the ways in which AITC helps the communities and teaches children about planting and growing healthy foods. Because Melissa is also an active farmer she talked about her and her husband Marc’s farming practices and what they grow and harvest.
On a normal month when this group meets they cook several different meals, eat and then walk away with the recipes. In June Jennifer Newbury and Hannah Sickmeyer from the University of Illinois Extension cooked Chicken & Rice Casserole and had it ready to eat at the end of the program. After the participants ate they were then given an Illinois Farm Bureau insulated bag and filled it with the non-perishable food items that it takes to make this meal at home. They were also given vouchers to go to Save A Lot in Benton where they could pick up the perishable items as well.
At the July session Easy Vegetable Soup and Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt was on the menu. Each family once again received the insulated bags that we had ordered from the Illinois Farm Bureau and we able to “shop” for the non-perishable items that we had on-hand. Save A Lot in Benton once again provided vouchers for all perishable items.
Hannah Sickmeyer, Jennifer Newbury and Melissa Lamczyk all spoke about the ways to freeze foods – type of item, length of time and thawing times were all discussed. Several of the families are already freezing but the ones who don’t already found this to be very interesting information.
Carrie Eldridge from Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department spoke on car seat safety which concluded with on-site inspections for everyone who needed it. Between the two sessions we had 19 kids under the age of 5 attend.
Sixteen families participated in the June session and 15 families in the July session. Each family consists of at least 4 family members with several having over 6 in the family unit.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.
By Rick Warren
“Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it” (Proverbs 21:20 GNT).
God says that’s being responsible.
There is a question you can ask yourself that will help you save more money. It’s very simple. When you get ready to buy something, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” And then be honest with yourself.
For instance, do I really need a new car? Well, I know I’d like it. But do I really need it? Do I really need this upgrade? I know I’d like it, but do I really need it?
A fundamental financial principle is this: When you spend your money, it’s gone. But when you save your money, your money works for you. If you’ll do things God’s way, you can get out of debt and invest in the future by saving.
This week, keep asking yourself, “Do I really need this?”
For the current generation, it appears one thing is more seductive than sex — and that’s socialism.
Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.
After the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed his razor-thin defeat in the 2000 presidential election, former Vice President Al Gore could have gone to the mat trying to delegitimize the presidency of George W. Bush. Much to his credit, he didn’t.
Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is having a bad week – and it’s about to get worse. On Friday we’re expected to learn from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis that the U.S. economy grew at a blistering pace in the second quarter of this year, further affirming the success of President Trump’s tax cuts and deregulatory efforts.
Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.
The apostle Paul suffered many things as he traveled throughout the ancient world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, and even left for dead. He had to be on guard for his life at all times, but he never stopped spreading the good news of salvation.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).
Paul didn’t allow the obstacles in his life to move him away from his mission. He didn’t even count his own life important enough to stop working for the kingdom of God. He determined to finish the course set for him.
Like Paul, we must not allow the temptations and problems in life to keep us from following Christ and sharing the gospel.
Challenge for Today: Are you facing an obstacle in your walk with God? Spend time in prayer and reaffirm your mission. Don’t allow the difficulties in life to move you. Keep going.
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