Published: June 20, 2009 11:05 pm         

Valley Briefly: June 21, 2009

Sullivan

Tree identification workshop coming up

The University of Illinois Extension, Moultrie-Douglas Unit, is hosting a tree identification workshop this summer on June 29-30 from 8:30 a.m. to noon each day. Dave Shiley, Extension educator in natural resource management at the Champaign Extension Center, will be conducting the workshop, which will teach participants how to identify trees; accurately use a compass and topographic map; measure the board foot volume of trees; and identify forest insect pests and diseases.

This workshop is ideal for teachers, master gardeners, master naturalists, 4-H’ers, FFA members and anyone who is just curious about trees. On June 29, the class will meet at Walnut Point State Park in Oakland, and on June 30 will meet in Tabor Park in Sullivan.

The $10 fee includes both days and refreshments. Seven Continuing Professional Development units can be earned by participating in this workshop. Participants are encouraged to wear pants, rather than shorts, and walking shoes or boots and are reminded to bring insect repellent and a sack lunch. Pre-registration is required by calling the Extension office at (217) 543-3755.

Marshall, Ill.

Well restoration committee meets

The 10th General Assembly of the State of Illinois meeting at the capital in Vandalia on March 1, 1837, established the Marshall-to-Charleston state road. Along that state road, Joseph Guinnip dug a well in the spring of 1845. That public well, originally marked and restored in 1938, is about to be refurbished again through the efforts of local Marshall and Clark County civic groups and the family of Joseph Guinnip.

A restoration committee consisting of the Marshall Rotary Club, the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, the Clark County Historical Society, the Walter Bordick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the City of Marshall and state Rep. Roger Eddy, as well as Guinnip family members, have undertaken the task of refurbishing the well site, two miles northwest of Marshall on the Lincoln National Highway.

Anyone interested in assisting with the project should contact the Chamber of Commerce office or Don Guinnip. Both volunteer help and financial contributions are needed.

The committee wishes to erect a pole and forked tree sweep as existed earlier, as well as other improvements to the site. A poem written by Daisey Braynard at the time of the original restoration in 1938 is also part of the plans.

Marshall, Ill.

Power meter

available for loan

With the price of electricity on the rise and consumer demand for power growing every year, it pays to make every kilowatt count. For instance, did you know that in the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off?

To help consumers learn how much electricity appliances in their homes use, Ameren Illinois Utilities have made an easy-to-use power meter available for loan to the public through local public libraries. This device accurately measures how much electricity it takes to operate a variety of household appliances and calculates the actual and projected cost of the electricity used. It will give you a better understanding of your home’s power needs, so you can make informed decisions about how to use energy in your household and save on your power bill.

If you live in the city of Marshall or the Marshall School District and would like to borrow the “Kill A Watt” Power Meter from Marshall Public Library, just stop by and check it out with your library card. If you don’t have a library card but are eligible for one, you will be issued a card and may check out the device within just a few minutes if it is available.

For more information about the device or this program, call the library at (217) 826-2535 or visit www.marshallillibrary.com. The library is at 612 Archer Ave. in Marshall and is handicapped-accessible.