Mount Carroll?Timber Lake Playhouse hosted its annual donor appreciation dinner on Saturday, November 8th at the Plumtree Lodge at Lake Carroll. Since 2008, the event has included the induction of notable members of the TLP family into the company's Hall of Fame. This year's honorees included film and television actress, Jennifer Garner, three-time board member and former president, Diane Olds, original company member and former managing & artistic director, Gary Vitale, and longtime benefactors, Drs. Norman and Carmelita Teeter.

Robin Wilhems Saar, TLP board president, hosted the evening, which included a surprise video message from Ms. Garner for the TLP sponsors. Speaking of the family dynamic, Mrs. Olds, who served as board president in 2006 and 2007, spoke first, talking about the positive influence Timber Lake had on her children and thousands more in the Northwest Illinois region.

Artistic Director, James Beaudry spoke for the Teeters, who are residents of Tennessee. In a phone conversation, Dr. Norman Teeter?a native of Mount Carroll--mentioned that it wasn't until he was living in London and became an avid theatre goer that he realized the significance of TLP to the cultural and economic life of the region. The Teeters have made significant gifts to the playhouse over the years, underwriting living spaces for the actors, a new sound system, and upgrades to the public areas.

Mr. Vitale spoke poignantly of the fact that, after 54 years, TLP is still here. Recently retired as a professor from Benedictine University at Springfield, Mr. Vitale discussed a litany of theatres and theatre schools from his distinguished career that are no long in existence. With pride beaming from his face, as he acknowledged founding artistic director Andrew Bro and founding board member Dorthea Rahn in attendance, he affirmed with a smile, "But Timber Lake Playhouse is still here!"

Jennifer Garner began her career at TLP while still a student at Denison University in Ohio, performing in shows like Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? and Fiddler on the Roof. Her recorded video message was a surprise for those in attendance.

Board member Mike Shore of Freeport, who planned the event, was among those surprised attendees. He said, "It was a lovely gesture on the part of Jennifer to record a special video for the evening. As a former company member, myself, I thought it was great for our contributors to hear her stories about her first professional job at TLP."

"She said something that I think hits home with most of our performers. Comparing the experience of working at TLP to a residency in medicine, she explained that it takes you to a new level when you have to open a new show every two weeks. You have to get over your fears and just do it. And there's nothing better," Shore recalled. "Speaking from the heart, she mentioned the ways TLP helped her grow as a young actress, and she reminded all us why TLP is important for audiences--but also for the company members who start their careers at this special place each summer."

Beaudry added, "All of our inductees spoke of the importance of TLP in one way or another?to the region, to families, to artists. And both Jennifer and Gary said that our survival as a professional theatre company for 54 years is something of a miracle in itself. But, yes, we're still here!"

The evening also included a look back at last summer's shows, financial reports from the board of directors and a preview of 2015's "big" season. In addition to some special events, the 54th Season at Timber Lake Playhouse includes Peter Pan, Hairspray, Big Fish, Greater Tuna, Big River and The Big Meal, as well as Pinocchio and James and The Giant Peach for kids.

TLP is currently selling "I Made Peter Fly" shirts through indiegogo.com to fund the flying effects in Peter Pan. 2015 subscriptions, gift certificates and sponsorships are available. More information can be found at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or by calling the office at 815-244-2035.

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DATELINE -- Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and the USPS Board of Governors, the board that oversees the U.S. Postal Service, are poised to make devastating cuts in service to the American people - cuts so severe that they would forever damage the U.S. Postal Service.

·       On Jan. 5, the USPS is slated to lower "service standards" to virtually eliminate overnight delivery - including first-class mail from one address to another within the same city or town.

·       All mail (medicine, online purchases, local newspapers, newsletters of religious organizations, bill payments, letters and invitations) throughout the country would be delayed.

·       Our entire community would lose business opportunities associated with ecommerce, which relies on the speedy delivery of goods ordered online.

·       Beginning Jan. 5, 82 Mail Processing & Distribution Centers are scheduled to close.

The cuts would cause hardships for the public and small businesses, eliminate jobs, and destroy the world's most efficient and affordable delivery network by driving away mail and revenue. They are part of the same flawed strategy that's behind efforts to end Saturday and door-to-door deliveries, cut back post office hours, and make other reductions in mail service.

The travesty is that the cuts are absolutely unnecessary - because postal operations are profitable. The Postal Service, which isn't funded by taxpayers, has earned an operating profit so far this year of more than $1 billion. For four years running, its finances have been improving.

And, while revenue from First Class Mail has been declining, package delivery, largely due to the growth of e-commerce has been rapidly expanding.

There is red ink, but it stems from political interference, not from the mail. In 2006, a lame-duck Congress mandated that the Postal Service pre-fund future retiree health benefits 75 years in advance - something no other public agency or private firm is required to do. That costs the Postal Service $5.6 billion a year - and that's the red ink.

Fifty-one senators and 160 House members have called for a one-year moratorium on the reduction in service and the closure of the mail processing centers to allow Congress time to enact postal legislation that would improve, not degrade, postal service. The Postmaster General and USPS Board of Governors should honor their request.

For more information, visit www.StopMailDelays.org.

Spreading the 'Good News' of Sound Financial Planning
Money Management Has Common Cause with Theological Guidance, Says Money Minister

These days, if you want the kind of prosperity, peace and hope in your life for which the Bible is a guide, you need sound financial advice, says "Money Minister" C. Ernie Nivens, (www.nivenswealth.com), author of "Baker's Dozen: 13 Insights from Highly Successful Financial Advisors."

"I can't tell you how many clients have had a look of fear and dread in their eyes when I first sat down with them. They were frantic with worry about running out of money in their retirement years," says Nivens, a 20-year United Methodist minister and global church growth consultant who has focused his passion for learning on financial issues since 1990.

"As my career as a financial planner grew, I was struck by how similar spiritual advising is to financial advising. A retiree who is running out of money and is facing the uncertainty of relying on Social Security and Medicare faces quite a crisis. Essentially, they're wondering if they can afford to live."

For Christians, the "good news" refers to Jesus' message of hope. Nivens says he'd like to spread his financial gospel, which includes strategies for protecting and successfully using one's own money.

Nivens cites scripture and connects it with what Americans can do to better afford their lives and financially support others.

•  1-Timothy 5:3 - "Take care of widows who are destitute." Many senior widows face not only destitution, but also the need for long-term care. With the flood of baby boomers currently retiring, and the fact that women live longer men, scripture remains relevant to today's most important issues, which includes long-term medical care for the elderly. About 70 percent of people over age 65 can expect to need long-term care services at some point in their lives. That varies in cost depending on circumstances, even with the help of Medicare. Consulting a financial planner about implementing wealth preservation strategies long before you or a loved one needs long-term care is a prudent precaution.

•  Proverbs 23:10 - "Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property ...." The Bible is filled with ethical guidelines regarding cheating people out of what is rightfully theirs. But modern estate management is rife with moving boundary lines as tax legislation changes the rules. That makes it difficult for many people to ensure they - and their heirs - keep what is theirs. To afford life in retirement and leave a legacy for one's family, the three most important areas to understand are how estate taxes work, critical documents and management tactics. If you're a wealthy individual, for example, umbrella liability insurance adds an extra layer of protection between your assets and a potential lawsuit.

•  Acts 20:35 - "In everything I've done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, 'You're far happier giving than getting.' " Americans are a generous people, giving an estimated $300 billion a year to charity. From veterans' issues to ALS to children with cancer to homelessness, giving is in the DNA of those who have prospered from a solid work ethic. When giving, know how your money will be spent - ask questions. And, consider giving to organizations that need it; many universities and hospitals are flush with money. Finally, consider giving your time as well - volunteering is rewarded with great satisfaction.

About C. Ernie Nivens

C. Ernie Nivens, (www.nivenswealth.com), entered the United Methodist Church ministry while working his way through college. After completing his bachelor's degree in English from Francis Marion University, he earned his Master's of Divinity from Emory University's Candler School of Theology. He retired from the ministry in 1990 and began his career as a financial professional. Nivens completed his master's in Financial Services, MSFS, with an AEP (Accredited Estate Planner), in 2002. A popular speaker in the industry, he is also the author of three books: "Bakers Dozen," "A Light in the Darkness: Insights of a Southern Christian Gentleman," and "Southern Fried Hope," a mystery.

The Rock Island Public Library is planning ahead for future library needs and it wants your input.  

The library will host open community forums with veteran library planner George Lawson on:

Monday, Nov. 24 at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 2:00 pm

Both forums are at the Rock Island Main Library downtown, 401 19th Street.

Ample free parking is available in the library lot, just off 4th Avenue and 20th Street. The open focus group forums will o provide the library's planning team with information on community needs for library spaces and services.

Lawson is an Ames, Iowa based library space needs consultant with 39 years of library experience. He focuses on building, strategic and operational planning, and has consulted on more than 400 library building projects, including studies for Moline, East Moline, River Valley Library District (Port Byron,) and Clinton Public Libraries.

The Rock Island Public Library board of trustees engaged the team of Gere Dismer Architects, George Lawson Library Planning, KJWW Engineering Consultants and Missman Civil Engineers to create a Library Master Plan Study that will include a facility assessment of all three branches and planning recommendations for each.

Once the needs assessment portion of the study is completed, the team will develop recommendations and a final report, which could include recommendations for building, space utilization, conceptual design, engineering needs, site planning, and cost estimates.

Buildings included in the study are the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street, and the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.