2003 Year in Review

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Spare Time

The last 10 years I have become very involved in the community of Morrison. For the last 2 years, I have been a 4-H Leader for Cottonwood 4-H Club. 4 H is a great opportunity not only for youth but can be a great family activity. They try to include parents and children to participate. That is how I got involved, first as a Visual Arts helper and softball coach, and now as a leader.

We just finished this year’s show and if you didn’t come down to the fairgrounds you missed some great kids and great projects. They work so hard and it’s so exciting to see the kids win blue ribbons, best of shows, State Fair awards, and best of all trophies. It reminds me of the years my kids first received their trophies. I felt like I had to pull them down from the ceiling to put them to bed. It’s a great organization and I wish more kids could benefit from 4-H.

Along with 4-H, I am treasurer of “Friends of 4-H”. We help finance and run 4-H Softball in Lyndon and assist Extension with the 4-H Food Stand at the Whiteside County Fair. I’ll be serving food Thursday and Friday afternoon along with many other volunteers throughout the fair.

I am also involved with the City of Morrison’s Historical Preservation Commission. Currently we are working on a Veteran’s Park at the cemetery. Other projects include downtown painting, awnings, and light poles. We have an ongoing program of designating historical homes in Morrison and giving financial assistance to restore.

The last organization I assist is “Friend of the Parks”. We are constantly looking for financing to pay for a safe bike and walking trail to Rockwood State Park. Recently we hosted GITAP in hopes of bringing more attention to our project. A major part of grants and becoming part of the Grand Illinois plan is “Community Support”. I know there are many members of the community that are interested in our project, and our next mission will include showing that support. So watch my column for more information.

My pet peeve is people that complain about things but don’t do anything to help or make things better.

In my spare time I enjoy photography (especially digital), reading fiction, gardening, and antiques or collectibles. I am currently trying to strip the woodwork and wall paper on the stairs. I have a feeling in the future I won’t have as much “spare time”.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
July 22, 2003