Social media helps in finding 6-month-old pit bull named Dexter

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/27/2013)(readMedia)-- When Spc. Jacob Montgomery moved to Washington, Ill., from Champaign six months ago to accept a promotion in his civilian job, he got a pit bull puppy as a companion. But the pup, Dexter, and Montgomery were violently separated on Nov. 17 when a devastating tornado ripped through Washington and completely destroyed Montgomery's third-floor apartment. Although Montgomery looked through the wreckage of his apartment several times since the tornado, Dexter was nowhere to be found. But on Tuesday, Montgomery got a Facebook note on his smart phone from a neighbor. "He said 'I've got your dog right here.'" After nine days, Dexter was found under the rubble near where the apartment used to be. "The vet said he has no real injuries - just a few scrapes and cuts. He was malnourished, but he's going to be fine." Montgomery and his neighbors found a powerful new ally in their search for pets and property after the tornado. "We are all networked together," he said. Montgomery's neighbor had been searching for his cat with an animal rescue organization, Rescuing Animals in Need (RAIN) of Central Illinois, when they came across Dexter partly buried in rubble. They coaxed the 6-month-old puppy out of the rubble with hot dogs. The neighbor knew right away whose dog it was because of the pictures Montgomery had posted on social media. "As soon as a heard, I went straight there," he said. "As soon as Dexter saw me, his tail started going." "As a National Guardsman, you train to respond to emergencies all the time, but I never really had it happen to me," said Montgomery, has been a military police officer with the Illinois Army National Guard for more than five years and is a member of the 333rd Military Police Co. of Freeport. "I am lucky. All I had in my apartment is gone, but my dog was all I really had to worry about." Montgomery is staying with a friend near Peoria until he can find a new apartment for him and Dexter.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement commemorating the first night of Hanukkah, which began Nov. 28 and ends Dec. 5:

"Hanukkah is a joyous holiday that brings friends and family together in celebration.

"The perseverance and resilience of the Jewish people, combined with everything that Hanukkah represents, serve as an inspiration for people of all faiths across Illinois.

"I wish all who are celebrating in Illinois a happy Hanukkah and a wonderful holiday season."

Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, as well as the triumph of light and purity. When the Jews tried to purify the Temple upon reclaiming it, there was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day instead of the necessary eight. Miraculously, this small amount of oil lasted all eight days, which is why this holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Earlier today state officials were joined by Rabbi Avraham Kagan and Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz of Chabad Illinois and other leaders of the Jewish community for the state of Illinois' annual Hanukkah celebration. The group lit a menorah to commemorate the first night of this special holiday.

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Davenport, IA- The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is honored to announce cellist and classical music superstar Yo-Yo Ma will join them for a special concert at the Adler Theatre celebrating their 100th Season on May 14, 2015. "Yo-Yo Ma is probably the most well-known and sought-after classical artist of our generation and we are delighted to have him joining us as a part of our 100th season celebration," said QCSO Board of Trustees President Scott Van Vooren. Additional concert details including repertoire, ticket prices, and the on-sale date will be announced at a later time.

Yo-Yo Ma's multi-faceted career is testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Whether performing new or familiar works from the cello repertoire, coming together with colleagues for chamber music, or exploring cultures and musical forms outside the Western classical tradition, Mr. Ma strives to find connections that stimulate the imagination. "Yo-Yo Ma's importance as an ambassador for classical music as an integral part of our culture cannot be over estimated," said QCSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith. "Whether it is on Sesame Street or the Colbert Report, for many, Yo-Yo Ma is the face of classical music today." As the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant, Mr. Ma is partnering with Maestro Riccardo Muti to provide collaborative musical leadership and guidance on innovative program development for The Institute for Learning, Access and Training at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and for Chicago Symphony artistic initiatives. Mr. Ma's work focuses on the transformative power music can have in individuals' lives and on increasing the number and variety of opportunities audiences have to experience music in their communities. In 2011, Mr. Ma was recognized as a Kennedy Center Honoree. Appointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the United States Department of State in 2002, Mr. Ma has met with, trained, and mentored thousands of students worldwide in countries including Lithuania, Korea, Lebanon, Azerbaijan and China. Mr. Ma serves as a UN Messenger of Peace and as a member of the President's Committee on the Arts & the Humanities. He has performed for eight American presidents, most recently at the invitation of President Obama on the occasion of the 56th Inaugural Ceremony.

The Riverboat Development Authority has provided a significant two-year grant to support this performance during our 100th Season. "RDA is thrilled to be able to sponsor an artist the caliber of Yo-Yo Ma who will be coming to Davenport to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of our symphony," said Mary Ellen Chamberlin. "It is a great opportunity for the symphony to shine and to prove once again that Davenport has become a mecca for the Arts." This special concert with Yo-Yo Ma is just one of the many events planned to celebrate the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's 100th season. "We are so grateful to the RDA for providing a portion of the funding that is making this performance possible during our 100th Season," said Benjamin Loeb, Executive Director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. "A community-wide celebration like this with a celebrity like Yo-Yo Ma is a great opportunity for a local business to showcase their support for the arts in the Quad Cities. I encourage those interested in sponsorship opportunities for this performance or any of our other 100th Season events to contact me." More details about the 100th season celebration will become available during the coming months. Visit www.qcsymphony.com for regular updates.

 

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