Ramsey News~Journal

Headline News

Annual street maintenance plan adopted
In Monday's regular session, Ramsey Village Board adopted this summer's street maintenance plan which will repair or reseal 18,350 linear feet, 20 feet wide, with bituminous and rock at a cost of $28,295.70 from the Motor Fuel Tax fund. The project was first approved by Illinois Dept. of Transportation.

Mayor John Adermann expects his committees to show a lot of concern for property upkeep which supports property values. Trustees discussed yards which are not being mowed, grass blown into gutters and left on sidewalks, the issue of burning, also noise nuisances.

The council is hosting the Annual Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 17. Citizens 65 and older, or handicapped, can get a free pickup.

Reggie Eller received the council's appreciation for earning his mosquito treatment license. The water/sewer superintendent also got approval to install a flushing hydrant near well #7.

Office manager Carla Denton was given permission to dispose of a copier and fax which were phased out for new equipment.

Trustee Hans Christian provided prices on electronic security devices worth $1,500. No action was taken as fellow trustees discussed additional devices for Village Hall.

RHS Honor Society induction
Wednesday, April 30, six new members were inducted into the Dr. E.P. Staff Chapter of National Honor Society at Ramsey High School. New inductees are sophomores Megan Alderson, Josh Green and Kyle Sparks; juniors Karl Brown, Tyler Carruthers and Heather Shafer. Parents, family, faculty and friends were encouraged to attend.

National Honor Society members, following the April 30 induction ceremony, are: (front row, from left) Jessica Hampton, Krystal Rhodes, Brittany Hayward, Heather Shafer, Andy Friesland, Megan Alderson; (back row, from left) Josh Green, Kyle Sparks, Spenser Carrell, Dustin Johnson, Tyler Carruthers and Karl Brown.

Ritter gets Principal Award
Ramsey High School administrator Melissa Ritter was presented with the Assistant Principal of the Year Award by Jay Smith at the annual Kaskaskia Region Principals Association meeting, April 30. Smith, an RCHS graduate, is principal of Carlyle Junior High School. More about the Principal meeting and the other dignitaries inside this issue, with group photo.

Pancake supper, Memorial Day, military rites on tap for Legion Post
Ramsey American Legion on May 1 planned for a busy month. The Post's most important event is the annual Memorial Day Service May 26, beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Gene Colthurst is guest speaker in Ramsey Cemetery.

The Post's Pancake & Sausage Supper, 4:00 to 7:30 is May 10.

Another important service was put on the calendar for Armed Forces Day, Saturday the 17th when the Post will provide full military honors in Ramsey Cemetery for Bill Miller at 1 p.m.

Commander Bill Stephens said a Red Cross Bloodmobile in the Legion Hall is May 27.

The Post will sponsor Summer Girls Softball team for $50, and give four Good Citizenship awards for RGS commencement.

Spanish classes observe Cinco de Mayo
Each of the four Spanish classes in Ramsey High School were introduced to the Mexican celebration of Cinco de Mayo ('the 5th of May') on Monday. They made pinatas and took turns swatting to break them (right), also trying ethnic foods.

Spanish proved so popular this year that Mr. Evaul (left) has been hired full time for the 2008-09 school year.

Kaskaskia Principals name dignitaries
Illinois Principals Association Kaskaskia Region 12th Annual Member and Secretaries Recognition Banquet was April 30 at the Church Street Pub in Hillsboro.

This banquet recognizes supporters of education and the Illinois Principals Association in the Kaskaskia Region which covers Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Macoupin, Marion and Montgomery Counties. Also recognized were secretaries of IPA members. Secretaries received a stainless steel tumbler inscribed with "We know who is really in charge" to celebrate their special contributions to education as well as their hard work.

Important dignitaries recognized for their support to education were the following:

John Harris, WKRV/WPMB Radio Station-Horace Mann IPA Friends Award; Wagner Portrait Studios, Kris & Pam Elliott-Horace Mann IPA Partnership Award; Bill Carpenter, Sorento School-NAES Schools Principals Distinguished Principal; John Mullett, Wesclin Jr. High-NASS Principals Middle School Principal of the Year; Melissa Ritter, Ramsey High-NASS Principals Assistant Principal of the Year; Brad Detering, Salem High-NASS Principals High School Principal of the Year; Sean Vanslyke, Litchfield-Kaskaskia Region Outstanding Board of Education Member; Rich Well, Vandalia- Kaskaskia Region Outstanding Superintendent; Darin Smith, Carlyle Jr.-Sr. High- Kaskaskia Region Outstanding Athletic Director; Nyla Strole, Secretary - Kaskaskia Region Friend of Education; B. Kent Jones, Breese Central High-Herman Graves Award; Jeff Strieker, Bond County Unit 2-Kaskaskia Region Past President.

Timely Clear Skys
Since late April, rain continued to moderate, giving the farming community a new window of opportunity to plant corn.

Big lakes alongthe Kaskaskia are still drawing down from spring flooding. Lake Shelbyville is is two feet below normal and the release rate is reduced to 490 cfs. Carlyle Lake is still two feet above and release rate is 60 percent of late April; currently 6,500 cfs.

Temperatures, however, remain on the chilly side. Frost turned freshly cut lawns white Sunday morning at 36 degrees.

Our average frost dates are April 15 and October 19. (Another bent norm this year).

Only one night of the period beat the average while most days made up some difference by hitting or beating the daytime average of 74 degrees. The exception was Saturday which started at 51, cooled into the upper 40's before noon and finally "warmed" to 56. A bitter wind held the wind chill to about 40 degrees. Golfers and people mowing lawns wore ear muffs … to not miss a beat!

April rainfall of 4.96 inches added 1.36 inches to the year's "surplus" which now stands at 6.56 inches. We would love to save it and release it in August!

May rainfall is not yet ominous but this is traditionally the year's wettest month, averaging 4.76 inches. The record is 11.51 inches set in 2002.

This is the perfect time to plant crops for above ground garden produce - between the new moon phase (May 5) and full Flower Moon, May 19th.