ROCHESTER, IL (05/09/2013)(readMedia)-- The bond between a mother and her children is one of the most foundational, yet significant relationships between human beings. This connection is so profound that not even time and distance can separate a mother's love and devotion for her children.

Sgt. 1st Class Sarah J. Campbell, of Rochester, Ill., operations noncommissioned officer (NCO) of the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team in Springfield, experienced this first hand when she was separated from her two children, Austin and Kiana, 10 and four respectively, while deployed to Kuwait with her unit from June 2012 to March 2013.

"I tried calling them every chance I got," said Campbell. "It was hard sometimes, hearing them continuing on with their day-to-day life and telling me their stories and what they did that day."

Campbell, nearly half the world away, relied on phone conversations and video conferencing to stay connected with her children. Campbell worked the night shift and was able to make calls on her breaks while it was daytime back home.

Campbell said she tried her best to be there for her children and admits she missed out on some things during her nine-month deployment. The most obvious to her were the physical and academic growth of her children.

The deployment was not only challenging for Campbell, but also her children.

"I really missed her," said Austin. "But I think it's cool that she's in the Army because she gets to shoot bazookas."

Although being away was difficult, the deployment to Kuwait provided Campbell time to reevaluate her priorities.

"I got to reflect a lot about my life," said Campbell. "A lot of my reflection had to do with my children. Sometimes life overwhelms you or kind of throws you off track and my deployment really helped me reflect on who I want to be as a person, a mother and Soldier."

It's difficult to balance the commitments of being a mother and Soldier, but Campbell has found a way to mesh the two. Her motherly instincts compelled her unit to give her the nickname of "mother hen" for the way she took charge during training.

"It is difficult juggling National Guard obligations with the responsibility of being a mother, but I feel they do compliment each other at times," said Campbell. "I think being a mother helps me in my role as operations NCO because it's all about taking care of people."

Campbell discovered a lot about herself while on deployment. That time was vital in defining her priorities.

"I would do anything for my children and for the military," said Campbell. "My children will always come first no matter what."

It has been said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. In Campbell's case, ruling the world is not an aspiration, nurturing and protecting is. As a mother first and Soldier second, she has already set a solid example of what that looks like.

Sgt. 1st Class Sarah J. Campbell, from Rochester, operations noncommissioned officer of the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountablity Team in Springfield, and her children, Kiana and Austin, have fun at the Rochester Community Park May 6 in Rochester, Ill.  Photo by Sgt. Jesse Houk, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Special Board Meeting - 8:00 am
Conference Room 638, 6th Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

2. Canvass of votes.

3. Other items of interest.

Special Committee of the Whole - 8:15 am
Conference Room 638, 6th Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

2. Tour of Scott County Secondary Roads.

3. Other items of interest.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Special Committee of the Whole - 6:00 pm
Center for Alcohol and Drug Services

1. Roll Call: Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard, Sunderbruch

2. Visit with Center for Alcohol and Drug Services Board.

3. Other items of interest.

If you have ever wanted to learn more about Iowa's native trees, grasses and wildflowers, you'll have a chance to do so in a series of classes being offered in the area this spring and summer. Trees Forever will be offering its popular Stewards of the Beautiful Land program in Scott County this year.

Trees Forever's Stewards of the Beautiful Land program is designed to educate participants about the role and use of native trees, grasses and wildflowers in community, rural and home landscaping projects. Trees Forever staff will lead four different, monthly class sessions from June through September. Other participating partners include the Scott County Conservation Board, Scott County Extension & Outreach, the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Nahant Marsh. The first class starts June 11.

The Stewards of the Beautiful Land program will cover topics such as:
• Native plant identification
• Benefits and use of native plant species
• Design principles
• Planting practices
• Establishment and maintenance techniques
• Project Funding

In addition, class members will also help plan and plant a small local project using native plants.

The four-part series of classes begins on Tuesday, June 11, at the Nahant Marsh, 4220 Wapello Avenue. Subsequent classes will be held at other locations around Scott County. Participants should plan to travel to all four classes for the entire educational experience. Classes will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and include classroom-style instruction as well as outdoor field study.

There is no cost to participate in the Stewards of the Beautiful Land program, but space is limited. No prior experience with or knowledge of native trees and plants is necessary, only a commitment to actively participate in the class series and the planting project.

To register for Trees Forever's 2013 Stewards of the Beautiful Land program, or to get more information, visit the events calendar at www.treesforever.org. You can also contact Dustin Hinrichs at dhinrichs@treesforever.org or 319-373-0650 ext. 124, or Mark Pingenot at mpingenot@treesforever.org or 319-560-9079, for more information. The deadline for registration is May 31.

Trees Forever is an Iowa-based nonprofit environmental organization focused on community tree planting, water quality initiatives, and roadway and trail enhancements. The Stewards of the Beautiful Land program is funded by the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund (www.iowalivingroadway.com).

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DES MOINES, IA (05/09/2013)(readMedia)-- With graduation season upon us, there is no better time than now to start planning for the future. Whether your children are graduating from grade school or high school, a contribution to their College Savings Iowa 529 Plan account is a great way to show how proud of them you are!

Saving for college is one of the most significant things you can do for a loved one. With the cost of a college education rising faster than inflation, the majority of families will have to plan ahead in order to meet the challenges of paying for their children's higher education. My advice is to start saving early and to save regularly. Even a small amount of money, saved on a regular basis over an extended period of time, can grow into a substantial amount. Saving early may help reduce a family's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which will help parents - and their children - get through college with less debt.

While any form of saving for college is better than not saving at all, there are advantages to using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa. Administered by the state treasurer's office, College Savings Iowa offers multiple investment choices, including four age-based options that take into account the child's age and the account owner's tolerance for risk. As a general rule, age-based accounts opened for younger beneficiaries are heavily invested in stocks early on; these accounts try to maximize returns by taking advantage of the longer time horizon. As the beneficiary nears college age, the assets are automatically shifted to more conservative portfolios. This allows you to protect your capital and reduce the market risk before you begin making withdrawals for college expenses.

In addition, 529 plans offer significant federal and state tax benefits to help grow your savings even more. Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Iowa state income taxes while invested and remain tax-free when used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad. Iowa taxpayers who are participants in College Savings Iowa are also allowed to deduct up to $3,045 in contributions per beneficiary account from their 2013 adjusted gross income.*

With initial and ongoing contribution amounts as low as $25, College Savings Iowa is an affordable way for families to save in order to meet the rising costs of higher education. College Savings Iowa's multiple contribution methods, including electronic investment options that allow you to transfer money directly from an existing checking or savings account, make it easy for busy families to save regularly and manage their accounts.

As a way to help families start saving, we are celebrating 529 College Savings Day on May 29 and giving away a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account. For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com anytime before May 29.

While a college education is an investment that lasts for a lifetime, the season to save for it is a lot like summer vacation - much shorter than you think. Start saving today and help make college a reality for a child in your life - you'll be glad you did! For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.my529iowaplan.com or call 888-672-9116.

* Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.