The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Letters to Editor

Mothers' Day 2009

By Elaine Slater Reese

As a kid (I was one once), I thought my mother's primary job was just to "shape me up". 

She ALWAYS insisted that I behave appropriately.  I also thought she believed myÊ doing that would be a plus to her self-image.

Isn't it amazing what age and our own experiences teach us? After I became a mother, it didn't take long for me to understand that she never had time to worry about her self-image. 

She was focused on the next meal, hanging out the laundry, working in the garden, canning produce, sewing and mending clothes.

She never read a book on psychology. However, a deliberate change in her tone of voice let me know, without a doubt, when I was in trouble. 

She could also put that certain look on her face - and that glare in her eye would have made a warden look gentle.

There were times when I felt I was the most persecuted child in my class. 

Amazing, now I realize how many times I had new clothes and she didn't. I now understand that she went without many things so that I could have piano and clarinet lessons, cheerleading outfits. 

She drove me sixteen miles every week to the library. I never thought then about the time or gas involved in that.

She always made me feel special when she cooked the food she knew I especially liked. Corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese (it didn't come in a box then), potato salad (there were no delis, catfish andÊ chocolate pie were just a few of her specialties.

ÊWhen I was sick, she was the doctor and the nurse. I grew up thinking Vicks VapoRub cures everything. Ê(And guess what I used to raise three boys?)

I couldn't understand why she was so excited when she learned she was going to be a grandmother. People have babies all the time.

But in just a few days she had sewn a stack of infant clothes. And she still had several months left to knit and crochet blankets, sweaters, hats, and booties.

I had to become a mother myself before I started to understand the many sacrifices she made, the sleep she lost, and the worry and prayers allotted to me. I thought she was a tough mom.

Now, I thank God that she was. God himself placed that heart of love inside of her.


Help! Help! Help!

Dear Editor:

The Henderson County Humane Society to date has helped to spay, neuter 514 animals thru their spay neuter program. The society pays a little over half the cost for spaying/neutering each animal, which is made possible as beneficiary of an estate. This program has greatly cut down on the pet population.

At this time our funds are becoming very low and we don't want to suspend this program for a few weeks and neither do we want to raise the price of the vouchers during these tough times.

Therefore, we are asking all businesses and the general public for any donation they feel they can give us. We have helped people spay/neuter their animals in every township in Henderson County.

You may drop off your donation at the Midwest Bank in Oquawka to Linda Reeves or mail to the following:

Ramona Bailey, RR1, Box 311, Oquawka, IL 61469

Delores Olson, box 875, Oquawka, IL 61469

Joe Wolf, Oquawka, IL 61469

Elaine Hinshaw, P.O. Box 53, Keithsburg.

Thanks and sincerely yours,

H.C.H.S.

(The Henderson County Humane Society)


Dear Editor:

Spring is here and time to think about Relay For Life, twenty-five years of Hope.

Relay For Life is the signature event to raise money for the American Cancer Society for research, education and advocacy.

Henderson County benefits from this event through cancer information, education on treatment, prevention and early diagnosis.

Research, we all benefit with the developing of pap test, mammogram, PSA test, finding new drugs for treating cancers; just a few examples that our funded research has done over the years.

Volunteers drive cancer patients to and from treatments. Programs are provided for breast cancer patients, Road To Recovery, Prostate patients, Man to Man, Look Good Feel Better, wigs are available throught the American Cancer Society. These are just a few services available for you. We can help but you must call 1-800-ACS-2345 or WWW.CANCER.ORG.

Your relay dollars are at work every time a woman gets a mammogram, a pap test, a colonoscopy, takes a breath of fresh air in a bar or restaurant, or as a cancer patient gets a free ride for treatment. Relay funds are working daily to save lives. I have volunteered for the American Cancere Society here since 1990 and seen many changes and breakthroughs. With your continued support a cure will be found.

Remembers we can help call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Sandy Lefler

Advocacy Chairperson

309-924-1257