The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill.
Here we are, this Wednesday, Sept. 23, the first day of autumn already. It is my favorite time of year.
Rain of around 1 3/4 inches kept most folk out of the field last weekend.
There are predictions of this week be'n dry so I spect a lot of field work will get accomplished.
The country side will begin open'n up, in that as crops are removed, especially corn, we will be able ta survey the country side better from the window of our vehicle as we travel about.
Don't forget ta take in all the fun this weekend the 26th and 27th (this come'n weekend)
The 35th annual Illinois State Corn Husk'n contest will be held at the Barb and Harlan Johnson Jacobson's farm, 3.5 miles south of Roseville located on the west side of Highway 67.
It starts at 9 a.m. and there is class fer almost anyone from young boys and girls to older men and women.
There is even a PEE WEE contest at noon fer girls and boys 6 - 12 years old. If'n ya wants more info contact Jim Brechbiel (309-426-2307) or Dick Humes (309-729-5261).
Also, updates are available at the web sites: www.illinoiscornhusking.com or www.cornhusking.com.
Hope to see you'n there with your husk'n peeks fer some good ole fashioned country fun.
In addition to the husk'n contest this weekend in Warren County, Henderson County is have'n it's "Heritage Trail", mapp'n its way through some of the state's most hospitable and beautiful country side.
Have'n a good mix of some of the richest farmland in the world, rural villages, prairie land, wooded roll'n hills, and over 40 miles of Mississippi River shoreline.
The county has a lot ta share with its visitors as they journey through time - past, present and future.
Ya don't want ta miss out on this trail and for a visit ta the museums in Raritan and Biggsville.
The Cooks and the Weibels have put a lot of hard work into these museums and ya don't want to loose out see'n all they've done.
Congratulations and many thousand thanks to our neighbor and Hancock County farmer Terry Pope whose courage and presence of mind in all probability saved the life of Carrie Scheetz, by his willingness to get involved, August 31.
A school bus collided wth a Jeep trapp'n Carrie Scheetz inside her burn'n vehicle.
Pope observed the smoke, grabbed a fire extinguisher from his combine and headed to the accident in his truck.
Scheetz was pinned under the steering wheel with one leg pinned betwixt the door and seat of the vehicle. Fire was spread'n from the Jeep's console.
Pope grabbed a log chain from his truck and wrapped it around the door frame enough so's Scheetz could get out through the window of the door. Minutes later the jeep was engulfed in flames.
One might suppose, in today's world, if'n Pope might have or should've paused to consider the liability of gett'n involved, with this litigeous society we live in, provide'n help could expose oneself to all kinds of legal possibilities.
That pause or hesitation could have caused the loss of life to a neighbor's daughter.
But wait, not so with the neighbor we know so well in Terry Pope, a lay pastor-farmer who operates under the principle of Joshua 24:9, "As fer me and my house, we will serve the Lord". He also holds strongly to the 4-H motto, "To make the best better".
Whether it's his work with the Dallas Rural Water District, or the Memorial Hospital Association, or the Hancock County Nursing Home, or 4-H leader, or PTO, or school board, or Farm Bureau Young Farmer activities, or Farm Bureau Board, or Illinois Government Committee oversee'n bills in the state legislature, or Ag in the classroom, or the IAA Foundation Board of the IFB Ag Auditing Association fer audits of grain elevators, service companies and county Farm Bureaus, or so many other deeds, he is a selfless promoter of a better community fer all.
With a wide experience with cattle, hogs, and grain, he graduated from the U. of IL in 1973 and began farming with his father and grandfather.
While he no longer has cattle or hogs, his past involvement proves he's not afraid of hard work.
He shares his life with his wife of nine years, Gayle, who is a Lutheran pastor, and four children. Terry's first wife Debbie died of cancer in 1997.
Terry Pope is a good farmer, a good neighbor, a good friend, and a huge asset to our community.
Many would call him "A Hero" for his quick actions with Scheetz, but he prefers not to use that term even though his actions qualify him.
With this in mind I would simply say "Thank you Terry fer all that ya do and all that ya are. May God bless you and yours."
With all the activities this come'n weekend. I'm a hope'n ya'll save time fer the most important of all, which is worship'n the Lord. Hop'n ta see ya in church this week.
Wherever ya is, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch Ya Later
BARNYARD BRUKE