Spoon River College Literacy Program and District Libraries Celebrating Family Reading Night November 20

The Spoon River College Literacy Program is pleased to announce that the 34^th Annual Family Reading Night will be celebrated on Thursday, November 20. This year’s theme is “Read. Renew. Repeat.”

“Reading as a family is so important, said Melissa Koke, Adult Education advisor. “It promotes healthy brain development in children, and can improve their language and listening skills. It can also help create a strong parent-child bond and instill a lifelong love of reading.”

Held in partnership with libraries and schools throughout the SRC district, the goal is to encourage families to take time to read together as a family. With help from a grant from Dollar General, Spoon River College will provide 25 free books to each library to hand out to attendees.

“Our libraries do a wonderful job of finding fun and supportive ways to support Family Reading Night, and we hope families will take advantage of these free events. Taking time to read together is a great habit to cultivate,” Koke said.

The activities, locations and times of each library’s events are listed below.

Astoria Public Library will have a Stuffed animal sleepover on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. Families are invited to bring their stuffed animals with them for story time, with refreshments and a take home craft. The stuffed animals are then welcome to spend the night at the library with the library mascot, Foxy Loxy. When the animals are picked up (either the next day during regular hours or during Astoria’s Carriage Night), they will also have a book with pictures of the activities the animals had during the night.

Canton Parlin-Ingersoll Library will host a “Game Night 2025” themed event on Nov. 20, from 6-7:30.  Participants will read a story, play games, and have snacks.

Cuba Spoon River Library will have guest readers at their family reading night on Nov. 20, from 5-6, and will have treats and giveaways.

Farmington Area Public Library’s Family Reading Night will be held at Farmington Central Elementary on Nov. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. Children’s Coordinator Christine Casteel will have a table set-up with paper games and book giveaways, and will also be reading to children. The school will be offering additional activities as well.

Havana Public Library District will hold their event at New Central School on November 20, from 6:40-7:45. There will be guest readers, free books, pumpkin pancakes, and prizes. Attendees are encouraged to wear their pajamas!

Lewistown Carnegie Public Library District will be holding a “make and take’ craft day,” and will also have snacks and a book give away while supplies last.

Rushville Public Library will celebrate Family Reading Night on Wednesday, November 19, from 3-6:00 pm. A special guest, Curious George, will visit and join in the reading at 4 p.m. Every child will get to pick out a free book to take home with them.

For more information about the Literacy Project at Spoon River College, call Melissa Koke at 309-649-6310.

Sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian and the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book, Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event held the third Thursday in November to encourage families to spend quality time reading together.

SRC Community Outreach Hosts 33rd Lifelong Learning Conference

The Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach hosted the 33^rd Lifelong Learning Conference on October 10 on the Canton Campus, welcoming attendees, speakers, and resource fair vendors.

“It’s always wonderful to welcome this group of enthusiastic learners!” said Andrea Barbknecht director of the SRC Canton Outreach Center. “It’s nice seeing old and new friends!”

MNB President Rick Klinedinst started off the day with the keynote address that featured the story of Mary Todd Lincoln, sharing fascinating details about her life both before and after she became Mrs. Lincoln.

Other educational sessions included Fulton County in Civil War by Col. Steve Rice; Historic Farms of Fulton County by Cheryl Bielema and Janice Dare Bruster; Climbing Your Family Tree by Kevin Meade; Eleanor Roosevelt by Stan Ransom; Read Beat by Steve Tartar, Seven Wonders of the World by Mike Delligatti; and A Year of Sunflowers by Christine Wright.

“The talent in our own backyard never seems to run out, and we are thankful for the collaboration between our Community Leadership Academy graduates and the many local experts and enthusiasts who continue to give their time and be a part of this fun and informative event,” said Barbknecht.

Another perk of the event is that attendees bring non-perishable items for the SRC Student Needs Pantry.  Besides a table full of donated items, over $800 was raised to help support the many needs of our SRC students.

The event was co-sponsored by MidAmerica National Bank. Other sponsors included SRC Adult Education, The Clayberg Nursing Center, Thrivent Financial, Graham Health System, Canton Community Concert Assoc., Spoon River Home Health, Willow Ridge Hospice, The Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing of Canton, Spoon River Partnership for Economic Opportunity, the Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois, and CASA of West Central Illinois.

Attendees enjoyed morning refreshments and a soup and sandwich buffet that was catered by the SRC River Roast Café, with members of the SRC volleyball team helping serve and in clean-up duty.

The next Lifelong Learning Conference is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026.

Annual Pancakes for Bette Fundraiser Hosted by Phi Mu Tau at Spoon River College

The 16th Annual Pancakes for Bette fundraiser was held at Spoon River College in Canton on November 5, hosted by the Phi Mu Tau fraternity, which is comprised of students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program.

This year’s event raised $600 and will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Isaiah Crotzer of Canton won the pancake eating contest, earning him a $50 gas card that was donated by Student Services. DPST instructor Todd Thompson was the winner of the 50/50 drawing, which he donated back.

The event was originally created to aid long-time SRC employee Bette Dye with medical expenses after she was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Dye lost her battle with cancer on September 19, 2010, just 11 days after the second fundraiser was held.

“I worked with Bette for eleven years, and she served many pancakes to my students during that time,” said Thompson. “She cared about all the students and made it a point to know them by name, and would ask about them even after they had graduated.”

Olivia Miller, SRC Student: First-Generation Student Feature

Current SRC Sophomore, member of TRIO and Snapper Volleyball Team

My college experience at Spoon River has been great as a first-generation student. Spoon River has been the perfect blend of staying close to home, but also branching out and making new friends. The faculty and staff here are amazing and are always willing to help students.

TRIO has provided me with the extra resources I needed to be successful as a college student. They have provided me guidance in many different aspects and are very helpful. I have learned many different things that will help me in my future.

After SRC, I plan to attend Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing to earn my BSN. I hope to become a pediatric nurse!

Nikki Rittenhouse, Director of Financial Aid: First-Generation Student Feature

My college experience was not typical. First of all, the school I attended had 13,000 students, so I felt like I was just a number! I was a commuter, traveling around 50 miles a day, to and from class. I worked 30 hours a week to afford gas, insurance and other things I needed. I didn’t have time for any extracurriculars. I lived at home with my parents because I could not afford housing on campus. Thankfully they supported me in that way, but because my parents did not have the experience of going to college themselves, I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. I remember being too scared to go into the Financial Aid office to ask questions. I didn’t know what to say or how to ask about withdrawing from a class and how that would affect my financial aid. Now that I work in Financial Aid, I never want a student to feel that way. I have always tried my hardest to make students feel comfortable in our office.

SRC is small enough that students don’t feel like “just a number”. We know our students names, and they know ours! With that added personal experience, we take the time to work with students, by offering the TRIO program to help prepare them for transferring on to a 4-year school. We have a top-notch Learning Resource Center that works with students, one-on-one, to be successful.  Our faculty provide challenging coursework to ensure our students are ready to move on to the workforce or their next academic adventure. We take pride in saying “we knew that student when” because our students go on to do some amazing things!

Jason Strandberg, History/Political Science Professor: First-Generation Student Feature

In some ways, my college experience was very challenging.  I had pretty much no support from my parents and lived largely with friends.  I accepted a Track and Cross-Country scholarship so I could afford to go to college, but balancing school work and outside work with that definitely kept me on my toes.  There were definitely times I was not convinced that I would finish college, but I kept at it with the help of friends. On the other hand, I loved it.  I made a lot of friends at SRC who I am still in touch with today and enjoyed my time here.  Lowell Aten, the history teacher during my time inspired me to work towards my Master’s Degree.  After SRC, I went on to earn my B.A. and M.A. and eventually began to teach full time at SRC when Mr. Aten retired.

Although I went to SRC a long, long time ago, I feel many of the things that helped me be successful are still major strengths at SRC today.  I believe both faculty and Student Services are good at helping students see what their options are after they leave SRC.  There are many opportunities to explore what four-year universities can do to help further prospective student educational goals, or career opportunities after graduating from SRC.  When it comes to First-Gen students, these can be crucial to help students feel more confident (and lower stress) when it is time to take that next step.

Elaine Lucas, Health Science Professor: First-Generation Student Feature

At Spoon River College, many of our faculty members once stood where our students stand now: uncertain, overwhelmed, and wondering if they belong. For first-generation students, that path can feel especially lonely. But take heart: your journey is valid, and you’re not walking it alone.

I was a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Greece with limited education and no English language skills. They eventually adapted, but they couldn’t really help me with school, I struggled through most of my early education. Despite the odds, I was accepted to Western Illinois University but continued to feel lost. In hindsight, I would have benefited so much from starting at a community college.

It wasn’t until grad school, while teaching short seminars, that I discovered a passion for education. I began adjunct teaching at SRC while finishing my master’s degree, and everything clicked. That sealed the deal. After working in both university and community college settings, I knew SRC was where I belonged.

Today, I am proud to be a part of a campus community that actively supports students who are just like I was. Through programs like TRIO, personalized guidance from Student Success Coaches, and small class sizes that foster real connections, SRC is committed to helping first-gen students succeed and thrive.

Elaine’s message to students: “Education is yours to keep and no one can ever take it away from you. Whether it takes two years or twenty, whether you switch paths or stumble along the way, just keep going. Your journey is valid, and it’s worth it.”

Catherine Calvert, Assistant Director, Learning Resource Center: First-Generation Student Feature

My college journey was far from traditional. As a first-generation college student, I entered higher education without a clear roadmap. For me, college represented a chance to create a better future for myself and to earn a degree that would lead to a good job with solid benefits and long-term stability.

Though my path wasn’t traditional, it deeply shaped who I am. Being a first-generation college student in the 1990s meant figuring out many things on my own. My experiences taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of persistence, even when the path isn’t always clear. Looking back, I wish I had taken more time to learn about the resources available to me before I started college.

Today, I am amazed and encouraged by the wealth of support available to first-generation students. Programs like TRIO, along with success coaches, financial aid advisors, mental health services, and even free laptop lending programs, are making a tremendous difference. High school counselors are also more equipped than ever to guide students through the college process, from scholarships and grants to dual-credit opportunities.

At SRC, first-generation students now have access to a network of support that can help them feel seen, heard, and empowered. The TRIO program, in particular, offers individualized guidance that helps students build confidence, overcome barriers, and stay on track for graduation and success beyond college. These kinds of resources can truly change the game for students like me, those who may not have started with all the answers, but who are ready to work hard for a better future.

I’m proud to now have a career where I can help students who face similar challenges, and I find great purpose in supporting them on their educational journey. It’s rewarding to know that the college experience continues to evolve for the better, especially for first-gen students who deserve every opportunity to thrive.

Annalies Dowell, SRC Student: First-Generation Student Feature

Current SRC Sophomore, member of TRIO, Student Government Association, and the Theater program

My college experience has been pretty decent so far. I’m on my last year at SRC, but I’ve made a lot of friends, not just students but faculty as well. Everyone here is amazing and makes the environment feel safe.

TRIO has helped because of the TRIO faculty. Sarah is always willing to help with any questions I have, and I haven’t needed one yet (don’t want to jinx myself) but it’s nice to know there are tutors and other resources available if needed.

Annalies plans to continue her education at Western Illinois University and take classes in either criminal justice or fire science.

Alex Jackson, SRC Student: First-Generation Student Feature

Current SRC Sophomore, member of TRIO and SRC Bowling Team

My college experience has been good but also stressful. It has been filled with a lot of great moments that I am extremely thankful for. TRIO has helped me through this by offering services that give me a space where I can ask for help, and get some help. They also have fun events that I can go to and learn some more. In fact, I got a crockpot and some new recipes from one of these events.

Alex’s plans beyond SRC are to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in architecture.