Rambling through central Illinois, smiling broadly because – even when it snows a few more times – the worst of winter is behind us
By Jeff Lampe
Well, the exciting possibility of electric buses for our local schools will have to wait. In a sensible decision, a portion of the money from the Edwards Settlement fund will go toward Hollis School District and the City of Pekin for electric buses. Williamsfield, author of the Central Illinois Bus-2-Grid Initiative application that received $882,000, will not get funded since awards were focused on those areas closest to the Edwards Power Plant. … But there’s still real potential in electric buses. So it’s encouraging to hear that Williamsfield Superintendent Tim Farquer is saying, “We fully intend to use this funding to launch a larger initiative.”
In case you didn’t know, Feb. 22-29 is National FFA Week. To honor that, we’re planning a whole bunch of fun, plant-related chores for my kids! … Speaking of which, we so far have 217 acorns and chestnuts (collected by those somewhat willing offspring) planted in pots and sitting in south-facing windows of our Elmwood and Toulon offices. Tuesday was the most exciting day so far, as at least 10 young trees “hatched” out of the ground. More should follow. Most will be planted along French Creek, but we may sell some at the Elmwood Farmer’s Markets which will start the first Friday in June after the Strawberry Festival. … The only bad side to all those potted trees inthe office is that plenty of pesky gnats are also hatching out on a daily basis. Fortunately, I sit far enough from the pots that the bugs can’t reach me. … While you have to wait until next week for the full report from our imported Stark County scoopster John Ballentine, the City of Elmwood has finally hired a full-time worker to help with the streets, sewers and water department. Bryce Smith of Elmwood is the new hire.
Prior to moving to Elmwood, I’d never paid attention to junior high basketball, let alone fifth-grade basketball. That changed thanks to Jim Valla and to the fact my kids played for him. Valla coaching the 2014 7th-grade team to a state title is one of my favorite Elmwood sports memories. So is seeing the veins in Valla’s neck bulge while his face turned deep crimson after someone went the wrong way on a baseline inbound play. I feel real regret Valla will be done after the Illini Bluffs tournament in early March. While there have been rumblings of him returning, I doubt it more after discussing his latest season. He concluded by saying, “I feel like I gave 100 percent effort all 28 years and I’m glad I did. I had some great players to work with and I felt like, at the end of the year, I gave everything I could, whether it was the regular season, summer ball or winter ball. And that’s what I always asked of the kids.” Yes. Yes exactly. Get up every day and go like a bull. Work as hard as you can. You will fail some, but in the long run … satisfaction will be yours. Enjoy retirement, Jim. You have earned it. Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com
