Wednesday began as any typical Wednesday for St. Joseph’s Jon Arteaga . 

He woke up at his mom’s house, just sitting around.

But on this Wednesday, there was a spark inside him, suggesting that he needed to do something to show that people in St. Joseph support the Black Lives Matter movement.

“I had gone to the protest in Champaign on Monday,” Arteaga said. “I just thought that it was just such an important thing to have such a peaceful protest after the looting that happened on Sunday. The juxtaposition of the two was just so powerful.”

“I thought, why does it have to end in Champaign? It needs to go farther than that.”

Arteaga notified his parents that he would go out to the four way stop of IL-150 and Main Street to peacefully protest.

The 2014 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School, where 96-percent of students were white, said that since returning home after being gone for five years sees changes happening in the community. According to the Illinois Report Card, the student population at SJ-O is more diverse than when Arteaga graduated: the student population is currently 93-percent white.

The five hours that Arteaga spent outside with a few of his classmates had its discouraging moments. Some people passing by held their hands out the window with a thumbs down. But, David said that the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“The support was just mind blowing to me,” Arteaga said. “I just really didn’t realize how many allies there are in this town. So I was just very overwhelmed with the amount of love that we got.”

“A ton of people just drove by to raise their fists in solidarity. They dropped off water and snacks. Many people were like, ‘I wish I could join you, but I have to go to work.’” It was very heartwarming for sure and getting that response on social media just immediately made me realize that people want to protest, they want to do these things, they just need somebody to organize them.”

A conversation in a local Facebook page, St. Joseph, IL-Information & Community Events showed Arteaga that there was a desire to have something more formal planned so that others could congregate for the same reasons.

The St. Joseph Peaceful Protest for Equality will be held on June 5  from 5 to 8 p.m. at the four-way stop on the side of the street that is owned by the St. Joseph-Ogden School District.

Being a white man organizing this protest has been difficult, though. 

“This isn’t about me,” he said.

Over the last 12 hours Arteaga has reached out to people of color to see if they wanted to join forces with him to organize the event or speak during the protest. 

“We’re currently in talks with trying to figure out who our speakers will be,” he said. “Of course, we want people of color, particularly black people to be our speakers because we don’t want to speak for them. 

“As it stands right now we don’t have anybody. We’ve been reaching out. People are very intimidated, they don’t want to, or they feel pressured, and we don’t want them to feel like that either.”

Arteaga said that he has found comfort, though, from the willingness of black residents encouraging him and helping him plan the event. 

“I’m not speaking for them,” he said. 

“That’s not my position. My position is to have my privilege be their weapon, to be their megaphone.”

“I value black voices above my own. And that’s something that I want to make sure is at this protest. I’m working so hard to find people (of color).”

A few of Arteaga ’s classmates who identify with more than two races are working behind the scenes.

“They’re giving us valuable insight. They’re helping to inform our decisions,” Arteaga said.

“They have told us that it would be okay for us to speak there, but only speak on how white people can do better.”

An African American woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, also connected with Arteaga to say that he is doing the right thing; the same thing she and others have worked on doing in St. Joseph for decades.

“Apparently a white male was what was required to break through this wall that she’s been trying to break so many times for 30 years,” Arteaga said. 

Although Arteaga is currently focused on the event that will take place in 24 hours, he also knows that any protest just needs to be a beginning point for real change. 

After leaving St. Joseph-Ogden, Arteaga went on to study literature at Illinois State University. He had his sights set on returning to his hometown to teach English. 

“When I started making this protest tomorrow so many people of color reached out to me personally and said that they just really really want us to address the school. They want to make sure that their kids are safe and that they are represented in the coursework.”

An avid reader, Arteaga believes that part of the answer can be found through literature.

“You don’t have to be reading all of these dead white authors all the time,” he said. “They can be substituted with all of these diverse authors with Queer authors,Black authors, Latino authors. We can diversify. I think changing that up will have a little bit of a ripple effect; that’ll open people’s minds.”

Friday’s event will include a poem by Langston Hughes, a Black American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist.

Arteaga believes that St. Joseph and Ogden residents working together towards changing the systemic racism that continues to be prevalent both nationwide and at the local level could be the next moves.

This afternoon Arteaga connected with St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges to hear her thoughts and vision for the community. 

“There have been so many changes that have occurred since I’ve been gone, so I really want to know where she’s at,” he said. 

“Now that I moved back home and plan on living here for a while, I’m wanting to get a grasp on how the community is, where our leadership’s mind is at, and how they feel about the types of issues.”

He was also hoping that the conversation would put her mind at ease about his intentions with the protest. 

With fears that there may be looting and rioting like Sunday’s events in Champaign in rural towns and with rumors that groups from larger cities, like Chicago, would stop in small towns in East Central Illinois as they travel from Champaign to Danville, Arteaga wants the community to know that what he has planned will be peaceful.

St. Joseph Jim Page, who works for ILEAS (Illinois Law Enforcement Alert System), re-iterated that the rumors of Antifa coming to small communities are unwarranted.

“I can tell you that one of our biggest challenge is tracking down and separating false Internet rumors from actual intelligence. While anything is possible – as far as we know, it is not true,” Page wrote Monday.

“Having said that, in these challenging times it is always best to be prepared and watchful. Keep an eye on your neighbors, pay attention to your surroundings – all things that we should be doing every day anyway.”

Arteaga said his message is peace, though.

“Even in the detail of the event itself on Facebook I put, ‘If you see anybody acting violent or speaking violently, tell them to stop. Tell them that’s not okay.’

“We want this protest to be peaceful and impactful,” he said.

It is not lost on Arteaga that the world is also still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He has instructed everyone to wear masks and socially distance during the event. 

Currently, Arteaga is looking for donations of water, snacks, hand sanitizer and masks. He also asks that people bring signs, one for themselves and one for someone else.

“We need this to be loud,” he said.

Through this protest, Arteaga wants people of color to know that St. Joseph and Ogden are lifting them up. 

“We should be doing everything we can to make them feel they’re safe so that they can live the American dream that everybody wants to live.”

The post St. Joseph Peaceful Protest for Equality to be held on June 5 first appeared on SJO Daily.

Poetry is and always has been something seen, something felt, something observed in a way that sometimes seems quite literal, but with a surprising twist that only a poet can bring to life.

The CU Poetry groups’ first anthology, “Crows on a Line” is no different.

“There is a wide range of styles and themes in the book,” St. Joseph’s Jim O’Brien, who writes under the alias James Escher, said. “Additionally, many of the poets supplied notes about their poem’s inspiration or source.”

Champaign-Urbana’s only open poetry group came to exist in June of 2013 as a way for local poets to get feedback on poems they are revising.

“As I say in the book’s introduction, we are an open group in a transient town, so we have had many members pass through our group,” O’Brien said. “I am very proud that we have been able to maintain that position.”

Currently, CU Poetry has about 40 active members while about 15 to 20 are present at their Tuesday night workshops at the Iron Post.

“We are committed to building community and strong individual voices through the power and practice of poetry, meeting once a week in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to workshop our poems and poems in progress with the goal of the publication in mind,” O’Brien wrote on Amazon.

Twenty-two poets who are currently part of the group contributed to “Crows on a Line,” O’Brien said.

The poets have been sharing their works and stories with groups around Champaign-Urbana before the holidays and will have their final reading on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Wheelhouse in St. Joseph.

“Not all but many of the contributors will be on hand to read from the book and additional poems,” he said. “We will start just after 7 p.m. and take turns reading with a few breaks peppered in.”

“Crows on a Line” was made possible by a generous donation from an out-of-state supporter in memory of her mother, to whom the book is dedicated.

Books can be purchased at The Wheelhouse on Thursday, by emailing  cupoetry@gmail.com to request a local copy or by visiting Amazon.

O’Brien will also have available information on joining CU Poetry on Thursday night.

The post The Wheelhouse to host CU Poetry “Crows on a Line” book release first appeared on SJO Daily.

St. Nick may need to take off a few pounds before eating millions of cookies on Christmas Eve.

But, you may not be able to find the jolly ol’ man at the St. Joe Santa 5k on Dec. 21. Hundreds of runners are expected to show up in holiday spirits and Santa gear for the second annual run/walk.

Event organizers Max Painter and Brenda Hixson, who compete in races together annually, were pleased with last year’s registration numbers, which totaled just over 300. Painter and Hixson wanted to provide both avid runners and families an opportunity to end the season on a high note. 

While the event raises money for local charities, race participants will also leave the race with goodies and a memory that will last a lifetime.

The $25 registration fee includes a Santa hat, Santa beard, long-sleeved red shirt, finishing medal and a photo with Santa.

To register for the 2019 St. Joe Santa 5k, which begins at 9 a.m., visit runsignup.com/Race/IL/SaintJoseph/Santa5kRaces.

Packet Pickup will be on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5:00 pm -8:00 pm and Saturday, Dec. 21, 8:00 am – 8:45 am.

The post St. Joe Santa 5k registration open, event on Dec. 21 first appeared on SJO Daily.

Anyone who met Murelle Plotner will not forget her.

“She was very upfront, very vocal, outgoing and didn’t hold back,” Mary Derenne said.

Plotner’s spunk is what has stuck with Derenne for over a decade.

While Derenne was an employee at St. Joseph Middle School, word came that Plotner would be undergoing treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood cancer.

Although Plotner was in-and-out of school for a while, Derenne remembers that she was still adamant about participating in cross-country.

Knowing that the Plotner family would have mounting expenses as they fought alongside their daughter, Derenne suggested that she would host a fundraiser.

“(Murelle) came back to school and said instead of doing it for us, I’d like for you to do it for the hospital,” Derenne remembers.

“Who does that at that age?”

Honoring Murelle’s wishes, Derenne began to plan a Halloween event with bounce houses and a “Jail and Bail,” among other opportunities to raise money for the Children’s Hospital. The annual October event has raised between $3,000 to $5,000 each year.

Now, more than a decade later, the event, “A Haunted Halloween,” to honor Plotner will become a fundraiser in remembrance of the young woman who could “brighten anyone’s day.”

At the age of 19, Murelle Plotner passed away on Dec. 8, 2018.

Derenne said that funds raised at the annual event will now go towards the Murelle Plotner Scholarship Fund to gift a St. Joseph-Ogden graduate who plans to go into the medical field, with a scholarship.

When Derenne approached Murelle’s mom, Chantelle, she said, “That is a perfect way to remember her.”

Derenne said that as the the four-member committee, which includes herself, Chantelle Plotner, Micki Wessley and Mike Peters, prepared for the Oct. 26 fundraiser, it was a “very emotional” experience.

But, the group hopes that as the community pauses to remember Murelle, they will also have fun.

“A Haunted Halloween” will run from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. in Downtown St. Joseph on Oct. 26. With the purchase of a $5 wristband, kids can enjoy hours on inflatables. The St. Joseph-Ogden FFA will also host a bake sale and Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges will be locked in the “Jail and Bail.”

Derenne said once Fruling-Voges raises a set amount, she will be able to leave the confines of the “prison” cell.

Fundraising efforts have already started.

“People have just handed me money and told me to put it towards the benefit,” Derenne said.

An account will be established at Busey Bank for the Murelle Plotner Scholarship Fund. Derenne said that based on what is raised the first year, the planning committee will decide how much will go towards the scholarship and how much should be set aside for future scholarships.

“We don’t want to do this every year and drain people of giving,” she said.

But year-after-year, Derenne enjoys watching the community give back. Recently, she has worked with local businesses on donating silent auction items.

“I don’t even know how many things we have right now,” she said. “It’s blowing my mind how much people give. Every year we do this, it blows me away.”

Knowing that everyone will not jump in the bounce houses or bid on a silent auction item, the group also plans to have the Nightcaps perform for those who just want to sit back and enjoy a show.

Opportunities to set aside a few dollars here and there will also be available throughout the duration of the event.

Derenne said that after all these years of doing this event, at the end of the night, she is floored by the community’s generosity.

“It’s pretty great,” she said.

The post “A Haunted Halloween” to raise funds for the Murelle Plotner Scholarship Fund first appeared on SJO Daily.

Ford Model A and Model T cars usually draw a crowd.

That’s what happened in downtown St. Joseph, Ill., Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Prairie A’s Antique Ford Club’s Antique Ford Day.

But for St. Joseph’s Richard Denhart, owner of two Model As, a 1928 Model A Roadster and a 1930 Ford Delivery Deluxe Sedan, it’s the open road that is exciting.

The Prairie A Antique Ford Club takes 10 to 12 outings throughout the year, driving with other antique Ford owners, going 30 to 40 mph on country roads. The highlight of the year, though, is taking a 500-mile trip together.

“We don’t usually show them,” Denhart said. “Because driving is more fun than sitting on an asphalt parking lot.”

It’s more than just driving around with buddies, though.

Each member of the group carries a variety of spare parts so that repairs can be made on the road.

“We were on a trip one time when someone had trouble with his carburetor,” Denhart said. “And he said ‘Does anybody got a spare carburetor?’ Three carburetors show up.

“We can fix everything except a blown engine.”

Driving the antique Ford is a family affair, too.

“The wives become quite involved,” Denhart said. “It’s a hobby that you don’t have to leave your wife at home. And the kids grow up with the cars like this.”

Denhart’s wife manned the registration table Saturday and his son and two grandsons came to the show for driving games at noon.

Whether the owners are at a car show or on the road, crowds seem to find them.

“If you don’t like people, you don’t want a car like that because you draw people,” Denhart said.

Denhart works with the Village of St. Joseph each year to ensure that there is space for the Antique Ford Show each summer.

“Most of the fun is visiting with people,” Denhart said.

The post Denhart shows of Model A cars, talks about Prairie A’s Antique Ford Club first appeared on SJO Daily.

Mike Peters has been helping with the St. Joseph Community Festival in some way for 15 years. 

Peters is a life-long resident of St. Joseph, and a long-time village employee. 

“Full time, I’ve worked for the village for 26 years. Part-time, I’ve helped them on and off since the 70s.”

“I was born and raised here. I was gone for a year in Urbana but that’s it.”

Peters can’t remember exactly when the festival started, but he remembers it as far back as 1972.

“It’s been going on at least since ‘72, because that’s when the Centennial was and that’s when everything was uptown. How far before 72? I don’t know. It has been going on every year since 72.” 

The yearly event is known by several names; the Fall Flop, the Fall Festival, Community Festival, and more. Whatever it is called, the festival is a tradition for St. Joseph residents. For many, it marks the end of summer. 

“This is more or less the last hurrah before school starts.”

This year the festival falls on August 8th, 9th, and 10th. 

“It’s always the second full weekend in August. It’ll be a little bit later next year because of the leap year.”

Peters is heavily involved in organizing the festival. Along with a committee, he starts planning the next year’s festival pretty soon after the end of the festivities. They also get help from the American Legion.

“I’m more or less the President of the St. Joseph Community Council. There’s currently 4 of us on the committee. It’s always been 4 or 5.”

“The American Legion has the contract for the carnival. The Community Council doesn’t deal with any of that, the Legion takes care of it.” 

Peters has some experience with fairs outside of the Community Festival. 

“I call this my second rodeo. The first one is in June, I’m on the Vermillion County Fair Board. I’m in charge of the outside vendors over there.”

According to Peters, it’s just as much work him to plan the St. Joseph festival as it is to do his part for the Vermillion County Fair.

For years, the Festival was held at Kolb Park. However, this will be the third consecutive year that the Festival is held at the St. Joseph Community Park. The switch to the new park has been met with mixed feelings from festival-goers.

“I think people around Kolb Park are happy. Some of the older people are not happy with it moving up there because it’s farther to walk.”

The move to the Community Park has given the Festival more room for rides and vendors and more parking. 

“I think there’s been a little bit more of a crowd because the carnival has been able to bring in more rides.” 

In the past, there has typically been a street dance with a DJ or a beer tent with a band. This year, there won’t be a beer tent up at the park. 

“Numbers may be down this year, there’s no beer tent or band at the park, but there will be fireworks on Saturday night like usual.”

There will be a beer tent with a band, Wreckless Whiskey,  in the St. Joseph IGA parking lot the Saturday night of the Festival. 

This year will have traditional events such as the Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Department, the Mutt Show, the parade, a Kiddie Tractor Pull, the Little Prince and Princess contest, and more. 

According to Peters, the festival usually brings in people from other towns as well as St. Joseph residents, mostly for the carnival rides.

“Other than Sidney, we’re the only one close that has carnival rides.”

Peters and other Village employees work hard to get ready for the event. 

“Next week will be a busy week for all of us at the village. We’ll be spending all week out there weed eating, spraying, sprucing things up, moving stuff around, getting it ready for everyone to start moving everything in about mid-week.”

His favorite part about the festival is the preparation. That, and the food.

“My favorite part is getting ready for it, getting everything set up, and praying for no rain.”

“Make sure to bring an appetite, there’s lots of good food.”

More information on the St. Joseph Community Festival can be found here. 

2019 St. Joseph Community Festival Schedule
August 8, 9, 10

Thursday, Aug. 8
5 p.m. American Legion Fish Fry
5 p.m. UMC Ms. Piggy’s Pork Chops & Grilled Chicken
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival Rides, Games, Food-Armbands for rides
9 p.m. Legion 50/50 drawing

Friday, August 9
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival Rides, Food, Games-Armbands for Rides
5 p.m. American Legion Fish Fry
5 p.m. UMC Ms. Piggy’s Pork Chops & Grilled Chicken
6 p.m. Quilts for Valor Presentation
6:30 p.m. Little Prince and Princess Coronation
7 p.m. SJO FFA Kiddie Tractor Pull
9 p.m. Legion 50/50 drawing

Saturday, August 10
6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
10:30 a.m. Mutt Show
Noon-10 p.m. Carnival Rides, Games, Food-Armbands for rides
Noon UMC Ms. Piggy’s Pork Chops & Grilled Chicken
3 p.m. Community Festival Parade, Begins at St. Joseph Middle School (Lineup begins at 2 p.m.)
4 p.m. American Legion Fish Fry
5 p.m. Gallo Dance Studio Performance (basketball court)
8:30 p.m. Legion 50/50 drawing
Dusk: Aerial Fireworks Display @ Community Park

The post St. Joseph Community Festival brings history to present first appeared on SJO Daily.