Recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands, the orchestra will feature Iowa native Terry Meyers for a 7:30 p.m. concert.

During the Big Band era, Tommy Dorsey was known as the "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing." His band could swing with the best of them, and no other group could come close when it came to playing ballads. Frank Sinatra 's career blossomed with the Dorsey orchestra years ago, and his vocals helped the band become more successful than ever. Sinatra admitted listening to Dorsey helped him develop his phrasing and breathing along with his musical taste and knowledge.

The music world lost Dorsey at an early age, but his musical legacy has transcended time. The TDO repertoire continues to entertain audiences of all ages throughout the world with such familiar tunes as "I'll Never Smile Again," "Hawaiian War Chant," "Night Train," "Blue Skies," "Once in a While and "Pennies From Heaven," to name a few.

Myers, known as one of the best reed players in the country today, was a band leader at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center and also led the band at Rosie O'Grady's in downtown Orlando. Myers was one of the original members of Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band in 1990. Buddy Morrow, former leader of the TDO, says, "His versatility and expertise on the clarinet and saxophone are a treat to the ears."

In conjunction with this concert, the CPAC will hold a live auction during intermission for a one-week stay at Grand Crowne Resort ($1,200 value) in Branson, Mo.

Advance tickets are available at DeWitt City Hall, 510 Ninth St. or online atwww.midwestix.com. Prices are $25 for adults; $22 for 60 Plus; and $10 for students K-12.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/14/2014)(readMedia)-- Story by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -Lt. Col. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, an Illinois National Guardsman with Joint Force Headquarters, announced her military retirement 10 years after her Blackhawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq and she lost both legs.

Duckworth commissioned with the Army Reserves in May 1992 and joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996, with dreams of becoming a Foreign Service officer, and someday an ambassador, she said.

"I was studying for my master's degree and in my classes were a lot of vets, drilling Reservists and Guardsmen," said Duckworth. "I just naturally gravitated toward those folks as my friends."

Her college friends advised her to understand the military better and attend military classes. Before long, she was heading off to military training.

"I had just been laid off from my job and everything worked out," said Duckworth. "I was able to go to basic training. So off I went to cadet basic training. It was miserable, but I loved the challenge."

Duckworth faced many hurdles throughout her career. In 2004, she deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard. She was one of the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade Nov. 12, 2004. Duckworth lost both legs and partial use of her right arm in the explosion and received a Purple Heart for her combat injuries.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kurt Hannemann of Chicago, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation in Peoria, Illinois, served as a door gunner on the same Blackhawk that was shot down. Hannemann said he considers Duckworth a mentor, admiring her mission-focused attitude and attention to detail.

Having been in the military for 23 years, Duckworth said balancing her civilian job and military career was the most challenging.

"I've always been a Reservist or Guardsman," said Duckworth. "During my command of Company B, 106th Aviation, it was a part-time job. That balance between being a citizen-Soldier and my civilian job has always been a real challenge throughout my career."

While Duckworth mentioned many fond memories and many testing situations, she always had a mentor to guide her.

"The person I have worked both closely with and for has been Colonel Sikowski," said Duckworth. "He taught me to be thoughtful, whereas the Army teaches you to be decisive. You want to make a decision and execute, but he taught me to be patient."

Sikowski responded to situations after taking time to think and come up with a better solution, one that had better long-term effects, said Duckworth.

"I carry his thoughtfulness to Washington and I teach that to my staff," said Duckworth, who is also a congresswoman. "I've always admired that and I carry that through the rest of my career."

Duckworth was not originally scheduled to deploy to Iraq in 2004, but volunteered for the deployment, said Sikowski.

"She was my right-hand person as far as operations for the entire task force," said Sikowski.

Sikowski required his staff to fly twice a week and remain fully engaged in the mission during the deployment.

"Tammy's always been driven," said Sikowski. "She's the type of person who can accomplish anything she wants to do whether this incident happened or not."

After her helicopter was shot down, Duckworth was determined to stay in the military.

She said she learned to enjoy other aspects of the military just as much as flying. She joined to become a pilot and flying was her passion; however, working in a tactical operations center (TOC) is something she enjoyed second to flying.

"I am a total TOC rat," said Duckworth. "I love writing operations orders, even though I cannot fly. The other thing I really love is TOC operations and being in the Joint Operations Center."

"It has been a privilege to serve with all of these amazing folks. I am so proud of what they do," said Duckworth. "The American people do not know what our National Guardsmen give up to wear the uniform."

Duckworth recalled many notable missions during her military career. She said she flew Bell UH-1, also known as a Huey, around the Pyramids in Egypt, Blackhawks over glaciers in Iceland and completed a deployment to Iraq.

"The greatest part of my career was when I was in command of Company B, 106th Aviation," said Duckworth. "As tough as it was and the hard work that it was, that was by far the best part of my career."

Duckworth maintained many great relationships and built a network of friends while in the military.

"We all have friends that go way back," said Duckworth. "You may not see them for ages, but when you do it's old home week. I treasure it."

In talking about her 10-year anniversary, Duckworth tears up thinking about that day and the Soldiers who saved her.

"They literally carried me off of the field," said Duckworth. "It's my turn to do a little carrying. Not a day goes by that I don't get up and say, 'What can I do to pay back?"

Choosing to remain in the military after the incident, Sikowski said it is quite an amazing accomplishment given the severity of her injuries that she continues serving so well.

Duckworth recently got her fixed wing pilot license and started flying again. Her motivation comes from the lifestyle of being a pilot, said Sikowski.

"The requirements, time and effort it takes to become a pilot becomes a lifestyle," said Sikowski. "It doesn't leave your blood. It's another one of those accomplishments that requires the drive that she possesses."

As she continues with her civilian career, she is working to ensure the veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom receive the care they need.

"I am working with respiratory and neurological associations to do studies," said Duckworth. "I don't want our Soldiers to wait 20 years before they are treated like agent orange and Gulf War syndrome."

Duckworth recently announced her pregnancy and said she has big plans after retirement.

"I plan on continuing my civilian job, raising this baby and being as big a cheerleader of the Guard as I can," said Duckworth. "I'll be a Guard spouse, as my husband is still in."

In the last decade, Duckworth has accomplished many personal goals including scuba diving, surfing, skydiving, marathons, going back to school, and helping in her community.

"Through her, I have learned that humans can be very resilient, both physically and mentally," said Hannemann. "I am very proud of how she has taken a negative thing and turned it into such a positive outcome."

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The Signature Series of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) presents small ensembles composed of visiting artists and select orchestra members. The first Signature Series performance in the QCSO's 100th Season will be "A Star Returns," featuring violinist David Bowlin, a native of the Quad-Cities whose performances have received rave reviews nationwide. He will share the stage with Benjamin Loeb, who, in addition to being QCSO Executive Director, is also a highly accomplished concert pianist. 

"A Star Returns" will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, October 19, at Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall, 3520 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL. These performances are rebroadcast on WVIK, 90.3 FM, on the following Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. The Signature Series is a collaboration between the QCSO, WVIK, and Augustana College. 

Under the artistic direction of Concertmaster Naha Greenholtz, "A Star Returns" will showcase the music of composers Edvard Grieg, Jan Ladislav Dussek, and Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as a world premiere composition, "Five Pieces for Violin and Piano," by Quad-Cities composer Jacob Bancks. 

"With Masterworks I, you saw the Quad City Symphony Orchestra at its biggest and most spectacular," said Mark Russell Smith, Music Director and Conductor for the QCSO. "With the Signature Series, you can now experience it in an up-close and personal way. Chamber music is an equally enriching and enjoyable cultural experience that is part of our diverse array of offerings."

"Ben Loeb is not only our Executive Director, but also a world-class pianist who has collaborated with some of the most respected chamber musicians in America," said Greenholtz. "David Bowlin, who was a star grad student when I was just a freshman at Juilliard, is one of the finest violinists and teachers of our generation. Plus, he grew up in the Quad-Cities so he is very much a part of our musical family here in town. It will be a real treat for our patrons to hear these two wonderful artists."

About Bowlin and Loeb

A native of the Quad-Cities, violinist David Bowlin has performed recitals and concertos across the United States. "David Bowlin is originally from Moline," Loeb said. "He started his musical career in our area and has gone on to national prominence. He is our star who has returned."

At age 36, Bowlin has already been a professional violinist for 18 years - half of his life. He first heard violin music in church at age 4, and started lessons at age 6. In high school, he was a member of the Quad Cities Youth Symphony from his sophomore through senior years, and also a member of the QCSO in his junior and senior years. In college, he studied with famed violin and viola instructors Roland and Almita Vamos. His performances have received critical acclaim from the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and many more. 

In 2007, Bowlin joined the violin faculty of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, having previously taught at the Juilliard School. He is a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), which tours in the United States and abroad. He has extensive recording credits with the Bridge, Naxos, New Focus, Arsis, and Mode labels. He is also the artistic director of Chamber Music Quad-Cities, an organization that brings chamber music performances to eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

"A big part of what I do is chamber music, and in that role, I am so honored to be a part of the 100th Season of the QCSO," Bowlin said. "It is such a remarkable group of exceptional quality. They have always been welcoming and supportive."

Benjamin Loeb, a native Texan, is an accomplished conductor, accompanist, soloist, arranger, educator, and administrator. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and started playing piano when he was 18 months old. Formal lessons began at age five. Over the years, his concerts have taken him around to world to major venues and on radio and TV in New York City, San Francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Berlin, Seoul, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Panama City, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and tours across America.  

Loeb has served as both the Executive Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and the Music Director of the 2011 New Hampshire Music Festival. He has also served as Director of Orchestras at the Music Institute of Chicago. He has done many recordings with the Naxos label, including collaborations with violinists and a solo recording of works by Scott Joplin. His next recording will be a volume of opera fantasies and transcriptions.

"My top priority is the ongoing success of the QCSO," Loeb said. "It is my goal to use my skills as a pianist and longtime member of the national music community to meet the needs of the Symphony and Quad-Cities community whenever possible."

Five Pieces for Violin and Piano

Originally from Fairmont, Minnesota, composer Jacob Bancks moved to the Quad-Cities three years ago and teaches Music Theory and Music Composition at Augustana College. "I love working with the composer who live in our area," Loeb said. "Jacob Bancks is committed to expanding the arts in our community. Previously, he composed 'Rock Island Line' for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and that work has really taken off."

Bancks wrote his first song at age five and his first professional commission while still in high school. His Signature Series premiere composition, "Five Pieces for Violin and Piano," is about 22 minutes long and is divided into five segments.

"The first segment, 'Tourist Trap,' has a flashy opening and invites people in," Bancks said. "'October' is a meditative, jazz-inspired piece. 'Skara, Skara Havre' is part of a Swedish saying which means, 'Cut, cut the oats, but who will come behind to bind them?' It was inspired by a tapestry in my wife's grandparent's home. 'Taxi Dancer' is a slow, moody piece, inspired by the concept of a taxi dancer. 'Here to Stay' is the big finale, inspired by George Gershwin." 

"It's wonderful that the QCSO, now in its 100th Season, has devoted so much time and resources to working with composers," Bancks said. "Any organization that hopes to be around for another hundred years should be as dedicated to the future as it is to the past." 

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport, IA. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org. For more information on future offerings from QCSO, be sure to download the full 100th Season brochure at www.qcso.org/calendar.html.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/10/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Staff Sgt. Kellye Brestan of Bloomington, Illinois, recruiter for the Illinois Army National Guard, placed third in the North American Strongman (NAS) National Competition in Reno, Nevada, Oct. 4 and 5.

NAS is the premier amateur strongman corporation in the world. This event attracted more than 200 men and women to prove their strength against each other within their own weight class. Challenges ranged from lifting cars to throwing kegs.

"I have known Brestan for three years," said 1st Sgt. Holly Donald of Peoria, Illinois, Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

"When she first joined, she struggled to pass the Army fitness test. She decided to become fit and better as a recruiter. She wanted to be a better role model for future recruits."

Brestan is the epitome of the noncommissioned officer creed. She lives the Army values and is the whole Soldier concept, said Donald.

"I train five to six days a week for a few hours a day," said Brestan." I started training for this competition three months ago and I have five months to train for the Arnold World championship in March. I had to drop 27 pounds for this competition, learn how to dead lift a car, carry a 1,150 pound wheel barrow, lift kegs over a bar and press one over my head."

Brestan maintains her fit and healthy lifestyle for competitions, but also maintains Army standards.

"I stay active for my health and to inspire my Soldiers," said Brestan. "I have a few Soldiers that have trained with me. I also have applicants I am currently training for weight loss and then they should be joining the Illinois Army National Guard."

Comparing the competitive strongman lifestyle and being an Army recruiter has many similarities.

"I live a very structured life now, food measured out and my workouts are all very structured," said Brestan. "I think that it all goes hand-in-hand, the structure I need in training and in recruiting. I plan everything so well now. Time management has never been more important."

Placing third in the NAS competition, Brestan is just shy of obtaining the title of the World's Strongest Woman.

"I don't think it has even set in that I am the third strongest in the nation," said Brestan "I'm still in shock."

Brestan said she plans to attend the Arnold World Championship in Columbus, Ohio, but will attend local charity shows until then to maintain her competitive shape.