THESE VETERANS, honored at the Armed Forces Day celebration in Palco, served in the Army, Navy, and Marines. They are from left to right, Dennis DeYoung, Roger Morris, Dale Roberts, Richard Benoit, Gail Marcotte, Gary Hicks, Dennis Dinkel, Leland Desaire, Richard Newell, and Don Burlison.

(The following article is taken from the unapproved May 9, 2022 Woodston City Council minutes.) The Council of the City of Woodston met in the Council Chamber at the City Hall on May 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Council Members present were Bill Dibble, Judy Turnbull, Kate Terry and Thomas Yakish.

MAGISTRATE JUDGE DOUG BIGGE swore in Laurie Montgomery as the new Rooks County Clerk on Wednesday, June 1st. Montgomery, who served as deputy clerk for many years, took over the duties and will finish out the term of clerk Ruthmary Muir who retired from her position at the end of May.

A FAMILIAR SITE all over town was seeing cars draped with green leaves from all the trees that were stripped of their foliage during Sunday’s storm. Not only cars, but the city streets throughout the town were covered with the beautiful spring leaves that were picturesque just the day before with a perfect spring day. The area received anywhere from 2-5 inches of rain, and boy, did it ever come down quickly and violently. The worst part was the amount of hail received from the storm which seemed to last forever. Many repairs will be needed in our community in the coming days, weeks and months to repair all of the damage.

Hello, Friends! Sometimes, the pace of modern life barely gives us time to stop and rest. It can make getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis seem like a dream we may never attain.

The Stockton Peony Festival was held on Saturday, May 21st with the following winners announced for the Parade, and the Garden Lady/Gnome Contests: (Business Parade winners) The Sunflower Shed won first place, Williams Lawn and Junk Removal won second place, and Coast to Coast placed third; (Organization winners) First place went to Sigma Phi ESA, second place went to the Stockton Public Library, and third place went to the Girl Scout Troop. The Popsicle Prize went to the Peony Princesses.

For many Christians, talking about judgement can be uncomfortable. We know that the Bible tells us in Matthew 12:36, “I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Second Corinthians 12:6 states, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Judgement is coming.

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. Our country finds itself rather divided today. We're divided in our political perspectives and on many different issues—abortion, immigration, the 2nd Amendment, race issues, etc. And, yes, all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us did so to enable us to enjoy the freedoms we hold so dearly. That's the heart and soul of Memorial Day that leads us all to join hearts together to give a humble, yet hearty, Thank You! to all who died for our freedoms. It seems so little in contrast to the extreme sacrifice given by so many including the families left behind who had to face such tragic loss for the rest of their lives. Only God, His Son, and His Word can comfort during such times. Without meaning to be insensitive to the ultimate sacrifice by our military personnel through the years, such physical, earthly sacrifice does find a spiritual, eternal parallel in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 10:10-11, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." In other words, Jesus came into our time from His eternity on purpose and with purpose. Jesus came to do battle with God's enemy. Hebrews 2:14 reveals that Jesus came to earth and took upon Himself our humanity so that "through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil." It was years later when the Lord appeared to unbelieving, Jesus-hating Saul of Tarsus. He told Saul that He was appearing to him to, in essence, enlist him in God's army. Jesus was sending Saul into battle to the end that he might "turn them (unbelievers) from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:18). Many have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Much more did Jesus give the ultimate sacrifice to free us from Satan and sin. To God be the glory!

KANSAS TSO gets a spray-on tattoo from SHS Cheerleader Delanee Bedore during the Stockton Peony Festival. The event was held on Saturday, May 21st..

Isaac Stithem Co. C, 20th Iowa Infantry Regiment Isaac Stithem was born 5 March 1841 near Marysville, Ohio, the son of Andrew S.