Rockford Area Habitat names new board members and officers

The Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity announced the appointment of new officers and four new Board of Directors this week.

New board members include Christopher McFadden of Associated Bank, Shari Siracusa of RE/MAX, Jerry Norquist of First Free and Stuart Meyerson.

New officers are Kelly Day, president; John Hargrove, vice president; and Dave Conroy, secretary. John Bradley will remain treasurer while outgoing President Pete Rundquist will remain on the Board.
Board members meet monthly and are responsible for guiding the organization throughout the coming year.

The Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry that partners with low-income families who wish to become homeowners. The organization seeks to improve housing opportunities, neighborhoods, and lives through the construction of safe, decent, affordable homes.

RVC holds third in series of local conversations in Belvidere

Rock Valley College will host the third in a series of Community Conversations on Thursday, March 12 form 6-7:30 p.m.at the Community Building in Belvidere, 111 W. 1st Street, Belvidere.

As part of this ongoing series, the event will feature an update on Rock Valley College by President Mike Mastroianni followed by a small-group breakout discussion where attendees will provide important feedback to help RVC better serve the residents of its region.
Call (815) 921-4517 for more information.

Extension Service plans winter program at Mississippi Palisades

The regional University of Illinois Extension Serivce office invites residents to embrace winter’s beauty through outdoor exploration and indoor inspiration at Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales—Driftless Region from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Savanna.

The event opens in a banquet room at Manny’s Pizza, 211 Main Street, for presentations by two naturalists and buffet lunch. The group will then travel to Mississippi Palisades State Park for a guided winter hike.

Cost is $25 per participant and includes lunch, two “naturalist tales” keynote speakers and one “winter trails” outdoor guided hike. A $5 discount is offered to active Master Naturalist volunteers.

Bustos invites VA secretary to district to discuss backlogs

Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) has invited the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald to Illinois’ 17th Congressional District to update local veterans on the VA’s efforts to reduce the backlog of compensation and disability claims and improve the healthcare they have earned and deserve.
During her tenure in Congress, Bustos has made our nation’s veterans a top priority and has fought to improve their benefits, ensure greater access to care and better doctors, curb unemployment and homelessness and reduce the VA claims backlog.