Galva

 

Ag Days Returns to Bishop Hill...

The annual 19th century harvest festival Jordbruksdagarna (pronounced yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na) will take place Saturday September 28 and Sunday September 29, 2024 in Bishop Hill, IL. As always, there will be a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors, and hands-on activities for the children during the 52nd Jordbruksdagarna (Swedish for “earth work days”) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Demonstrations, hands-on activities, music, and the history skit are all free (view the official schedule of events).

In the village park each day, artisans will make rope, process flax, carve wood, forge metal, make butter, and more. Vendors will also be selling baked goods, crafts, and much more in the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Musical performances will include Hammer and Pick at noon and 2 p.m., and the Nordic Dancers at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day at the gazebo. A petting zoo is located in the northwest corner of the park.

Jordbruksdagarna is not just in the park but all over Bishop Hill. At the Colony School, the Old Settlers’ Association will be selling their famous Colony Stew from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Uncle Bud Apple Cider Slushie and Pop of the Morning will be next to the Carpenter Building serving food and drinks. Behind the Bjorklund Hotel from noon to 4 p.m. each day, visitors, especially children, can try their hand at shelling corn, making bricks, pressing apples into cider, and creating a cornhusk doll. Visitors can explore Henry County’s agricultural heritage at the Henry County Historical Museum, where a variety of antique tractors and implements will be on display outdoors. Each day at the Henry County Historical Museum, the Bishop Hill Agricultural Association will conduct a kid pedal tractor pull at 11 a.m., have an antique tractor parade around town at noon, and then have demonstrations from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tractor people movers will also be available to transport people around town to experience many of the activities, museums, and stores that Bishop Hill has to offer. All the previously mentioned activities will be occurring both days.

On Saturday September 28 only, the Krans Kafe will be hosing Showbarn Creations Hat bar and Forever and a Day Jewelry bar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Steeple Building, enjoy the Swedish music of Johan Johansson and friends at 10 a.m. Following that free performance, the BHHA Acting Troupe will perform their Bishop Hill Colony history skit On the Road Again! at the Steeple Building starting at 11 a.m. In the southwest corner of the park, TriCo Equestrian Center will have pony rides from noon to 3 p.m. for a fee. Author Mary Davidsaver will be doing a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Finally, the Bishop Hill Methodist Church will be having a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by the Steeple Building.

Special activities continue on Sunday. On September 29 only, the Krans Kafe will be hosting Draw Me Bill from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, there will be a Community Church Service in the park at 10 a.m. open to all.

For more details about Jordbruksdagarna activities, call 309 927-3899, email bhha@mymctc.net, or view www.visitbishophill.com. Jordbruksdagarna is organized by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association and supported by the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Agricultural Association, and VASA National Archives. The event is also partly funded by the Illinois Art Council, Nature’s Creations, State Bank of Toulon, Terra Form Power by Brookfield Renewable, Wilbur and Marilyn Nelson, River Valley Cooperative, Martin Tractor, Gold Star FS, Wyffels Hybrids, Peck Farms, Henry County Independent Insurance Agents Association. Regional Media is our major media sponsor. The Cambridge FFA, Galva FFA, and Galva Boy Scouts provided special assistance, along with many other volunteers.

 

 

 

 

Songwriter Shines Spotlight on Neglected Historic State-Owned Buildings with Heartfelt Anthem...

When singer-songwriter Dan Holmes heard the historic state-owned properties in his hometown of Bishop Hill, Illinois had fallen into disrepair he knew he needed to do something. "So, like I usually do when moved, I wrote," said Holmes. The finished product ended up being a song, titled "Hometown", which is partly a history lesson of the colony and partly an autobiographical account of a childhood spent in Bishop Hill and insight gained through a life of travel. Holmes, very gently, makes a nod to the long neglected historical landmarks owned by the state, in hopes that "it might help the cause". The Bishop Hill Colony Church was recently added to Landmarks Illinois' Most Endangered Historic Places List.

Holmes began playing guitar at age 10, learning by listening to James Taylor, Paul Simon, Jim Croce and John Denver records. His music career later began to grow while attending Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. For a time, Holmes moved to the east coast and experienced some success there, once opening for Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. When his father was diagnosed with cancer he moved home and put music on hold for a time, while he began a career in education. Years later, Holmes began performing again, including four tours of Europe, performing at the Illinois State Fair and the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk To Cure Breast Cancer, and writing music for the Appalachia Service Project.

Dan calls himself an "old school singer/songwriter" who loves creating music about the presence of God in our world. He lives in Belvidere, Illinois with his wife.

 

"A recording of Hometown" can be heard at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngk0muiXq80

 

Those interested in helping the cause are encouraged to voice their concerns to Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and their state legislators.

 

 

Blue Star Home Program Announced...

Applications are begin accepted for those that wish to participate in the Blue Star Home Program ("the Program").

Upon completion of an extensive background check, a Blue Star home will be given the opportunity to display a blue star on on their homes indicating that they have chosen to assist any young person that feels threatened in any manner, whether that threat is bullying, suspicious activity or imminent bodily harm.

Any juvenile that is uncomfortable with conditions outside a Blue Star Home may seek refuge from those conditions by ringing the door bell, pounding on the front door or yelling for help.

Blue Star Home participants are limited to assessing the situation, calling the child's parent or guardian absent an immediate threat, reporting all such incidents to the Galva Police immediately after contacting the child's parent or guardian, or in the case of a threatening situation immediately dialing 911.

Further, Blue Star Home participants agree that they will NOT take the law into their own hands, and that they will always have the best interests of the child in mind when offering assistance.

The Galva Police Department reserves the right to reject any application for the Blue Star Home Program for any reason or for no reason at all.

If you would like to participate in the Program, download the Application, fill it out in its entirety, and return it to City Hall. If your application is approved, you will receive a call from the Galva Police Department indicating acceptance into the Program and will be allowed to pick up your Blue Star from City Hall.

 

 

 

Letters from Galva...

 

 

 

 

Galvan Ryan Olson Featured In Airman Magazine...

When Ryan was a senior at the Air Force Academy, Airman Magazine wanted to do a video on the space program at the Academy. Ryan was the number one cadet in the Astronautical Engineering department and was chosen to do this video.

 

 

 

The Galva Giant Makes It To YouTube...

 

 

 

OSF Announces The Care-A-Van Mobile Health Care Unit...

 

 

 

 

Gary Metiever Produces Galva Levitt Amp Video...

 

 

 

 

Eagle Enterprises Publishes New Recycling Standards...

View or Print the Recyclables List

 

Sons of the American Legion...

The Galva American Legion Post #45 has received their charter for a new Sons of the American Legions Squadron.

The Legion is looking for new members to get the squadron rolling.

If you have a parent, grandparent or great grandparent or step parent or step grandparent that was in the military, you are eligible to join.

If interested, please contact Wayne Glisan at (309) 335 - 2931, Lloyd Anderson at (309) 853 - 7347 or Earl Stuckey at (309) 853 - 7917