Kankakee-Iroquois Juvenile Judge Scott Swaim speaking at the Pembroke Town Hall Meeting on March 28.

Communication Outreach Committee of Pembroke/Hopkins Park sponsored an extremely successful Town Hall Meeting on March 28 at Lorenzo Smith School. Over one hundred town hall meetings occurred in Illinois and thousands nationwide on the topic of Preventing Underage Drinking. Approximately 120 individuals from the community gathered to hear presentations by Kankakee-Iroquois Juvenile Judge Scott Swaim; Rosemary Foster, Social Work Intern; Alicia Parkinson, Riverside Resolve Center; Rev. David McMillan, Bible Witness Camp; and Jamal Simington, Illinois State Police. University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development educator, Larry Wilson moderated the event. Community members, Reverend Barnes, St. Anne Woods Community Chapel; Leon Mondy; and John Thurman spoke about encouraging the youth of the community and the need to become involved in young people's lives.

An opportunity to work in small groups and brainstorm ways to "start talking" produced a lengthy list of ideas for youth, parents and community to begin working together. Pizza, salad and cookies were served by members of the PTO to all in attendance. Door prizes were provided for the various age groups and included: a bicycle, gift certificates, a DVD player, oil changes and pizzas.

The planning committee included: Alvin Walker, Lorenzo Smith School; Linda Terrell, Parent Center; Beth LaPlante, University of Illinois, Kankakee County Extension Director; Steve Abrassart, St. Anne Police Department; Charleszetta Williams, Illinois Department of Human Services; Lillian Jackson, Pembroke Public Library; Patricia Jordan, Retiree; Juanita Barnes, St. Anne Woods Community Chapel; and Ida Thurman, Community Farmer. Many thanks to Lorenzo Smith School for the use of their facility and to Illinois Department of Human Services for funding.

"Let's dig in."

A group of adult and youth volunteers from two Northern Illinois church youth groups, some youth and leaders of the Pembroke community, a Kankakee resident and several University of Illinois, Northeast Region Extension staff members participated in a blueberry pruning event in Pembroke on March 18, 2006. Maurice Ogutu and James Theuri, Extension educators, introduced and demonstrated the proper technique of pruning blueberries to the volunteer workers prior to beginning the activity. Lunch was courtesy of the Rehoboth Mennonite Church.

Due to the volunteer's hard work, a portion of the blueberry patch was cleared, pruned and prepared to again produce berries. Thanks to all who made this volunteer event so successful. Visit our website Photo Gallery, "Blueberry Pruning Day at Pembroke", on our main website page to view several additional captioned pictures taken during the event.