Labor Day in Witt

Labor Day in Witt has become a tradition for us.  Lots of people turn out to march in the Parade.  There were 3 bands, 4 unions, hoards of politicians, and assorted local businesses and church groups.  The Lion's Club serves the best fish and corn dogs.  Funnel cakes are obligatory too.  The Ford Model A from 1929 was my favorite car and I thought the Allis Chalmers D-19 below was one of the best looking tractors.  There were about 10 to choose from.

Ford A

Allis Chalmers D-19

Hilsboro Old Settlers Celebration

 

Business Commits to Small Town Roots

National Bank is a small town bank with headquarters right here in Hillsboro Illinois.  They have locations in 11 communities in south-central Illinois and provide complete banking services to our business and agricultural people. Most people in  Hillsboro were delighted to hear the bank  was needing more space and planned to construct the new building below. The building covers a half block in the downtown area.  The building was designed to blend in with historic architecture in the downtown area.  Workers were hired locally to the extent possible to complete the construction.  All this is the good news.

The bad news is that the construction has been completed for 3 months.  They did everything possible to eke sure they were in compliance with all  banking   and environmental regulations.  Despite their  best efforts, banking regulators are holding up the move to the new facilities because of NEPA issues that should have been addressed during the planning and construction phase.  While I do not have all the details, it would appear to be an example of government run amuck. Small towns need committed business and we have one, but we seem to be bogged down here.

Small Town Sports

This blog was meant for last night since I went to the local High School Football Game, but I found that I did not have any photos.  In small towns, in Illinois at least, high school sports are probably the biggest entertainment event in the community.  Football and basketball are most popular, but our school has over a dozen sports so anyone who wants to can find something to participate in.

Hillsboro Old Settlers

Every small town has their summer celebration.  In Hillsboro it is called Old Settlers Days.  This picture was taken before the crowd arrived this evening.  It is a chance to visit with old friends and support some great agricultural organizations.  Yes we have everything fried that any state fair has.  We also have great ribeyes served by the Central Illinois Livestock Producers, and the Hillsboro FFA serves pork patties.  My younger son calls it the "most wonderful time of the year."The most amazing thing is that closing is at 11 PM tomorrow and by 6AM Friday, you would not know that the streets were blocked off and covered with litter. 

Ag Scholarship Fund Raiser

  Today I participated in a Pork Patty Fund Raiser sponsored by the ag committee of the Hillsboro and Litchfield Chambers of Commerce.  The committee raises funds through local business contributions and pork patty eaters.  Farm Credit Services of Illinois provided the cookers.  Thanks to everyone who stopped to eat. 

Decisive Action

Gillespie gym has been made safe from further damage by the decisive action of the school board and Superintendent of Schools.  Work began Monday morning.  This STLToday article has more information and pictures. More rain came today so the temporary repair was just in time. 

Gillespie Gym 6/1/2013

Gillespie Gym 6/8/2013

Lucky to live in Rural America

Last Saturday I attended a gardener's symposium on Natural Landscapes put on by Extension Service.  The keynote speaker was Andrea Faber Taylor.  Her presentation was on the positive effect that green space has on the health of children and adults.  Her research shows that being able to interact with nature is critical to all of us.  She says we need to frequently restore our attention spans.  She has looked at how do we restore ourselves from mental fatigue.  Directed attention is needed  for daily activities.  Giving attention to things like watching fire, televsion, an wildlife are involuntary attention getters.  

Her research shows that nature can foster attention restoration. She presented information on the "Theory of loose parts."   She said that nature provides loose parts fostering creative play, self discipline,  concentration, impulse control, and delay of gratification.   Access to adults is important in controling symtoms of  ADHD.   Even a little bit of grass makes a difference.  If there are a few trees or some grass, children are twice as likeley to benfit from being outdoors.  Children who play outdoors are more creative. ADHD affects about 9.5% of children.  It is less severe when green space is available.  The improvements carry over to post activities.  ADHD is less severe even when the family income factor is taken out of the equation.  A walk I the park is better than a walk in the neighborhood or downtown.  For some children, when fishing - symptoms are hardly noticeable. she says that greenspace is a necessity for healthy development.  Even a little grass and a few trees makes a difference. Fear keeps some indoors.  We need to figure out how to increase time in Nature.

Her information seems to be kind of intuitive.  When we send our kids outdoors to play we are actually improving both their mental and physical capabilities.  Living on farms and in rural communities, we take nature and green space for granted.  We are lucky to live in such an environment.