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A “John the Barber Foundation” Publication

“Nothing but good news ! And Good people doing Great things!

From Arlington, Cherry, Ladd, Seatonville/Hollowayville, Spring Valley, and Dalzell, Illinois”

Sister Michael from St. Joseph’s Home Lacon Inspires HTC Youth Ed Students

Sister Michael from St. Joseph’s Home Lacon stopped by Sunday March 4 to visit and speak to the Holy Trinity Cherry Youth Education K-4 classes. The children got a chance to see a real-life nun up close and personal, a site not as commonly seen in “Ravioli Alley” as often as it was years ago. Sister Michael made all laugh when she told the story of how a young girl in a store kept pointing at her and asking her Mother “what is that?” (rather than “who is that?” ). One student asked "do you wear pajama's" and Sister quickly responded, "yes, pink ones!" It was great for the kids to be exposed to someone like Sister Michael who dedicates her life to doing good for others and acting in a Christ-like way. Good people doing Great things!

Three Red Devils All Starting for Northwestern in 1955

One of the proudest periods in “Ravioli Alley” sports history occurred in 1955 when three former Red Devils all started for the Northwestern Wildcats at one time! Maybe the best running back in Hall history Jim Troglio, Ladd’s Cliff Peart, and life-long Hall icon Dale Pienta all played on this same Big Ten Team! Could you imagine the splash if that happened today!

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Ravioli Alley lies within the territory covered by the Hall Township Food Pantry. 11,500 people live within their cover-age area and 1,000 of them…1 out of 11, re-ceive assistance! 40% are children, 32% are

senior citizens. Here’s a big HURRAY for Jan

Martin and her whole team for the great job

they do!

“The greater the sinner, the greater the right he

has to My Mercy” Ravioli Alley Translation: “Hey pal, we all already

know about the problems with that guy over there. No need to

go on about him. But guess what!

He is who God actually wants you to take care

of the most! ”

Holy Trinity Cherry Third Annual “Fish Fry to Benefit the Utility Fund for the Needy” is the best yet!

Using experiences gained over the past two years, the Holy Trinity Cherry Stewardship Committee delivered greatly in 2014! Again this year funds raised will go to help the “neediest of the needy,” underprivileged “Ravioli Alley” folks who are facing power shut-offs. Each of these families are recipients of the federal/state LiHeap program which is administered locally by Tri-County Opportunity. “Holy Trinity’s timing is perfect, this winter was very tough and shut-off slips just went out” says Linda Wenzel, Tri-County administer. Wenzel goes on to say, “this program is awesome and this year’s event will help approximately 17 “Ravioli Alley” needy families avoid shut-offs.” Wenzel and her staff determine which recipients end up in this final shut-off phase. Holy Trinity Cherry 2014 Stewardship Chairman Bridgett Potthoff was the primary coordinator of the event. Bridgett , her son Corey Blair and their teams in the kitchen were nothing short of fantastic. “Something special was definitely going on there tonight,” says Potthoff. “I have been around those events all my life and with this one all the volunteers worked in such a friendly and giving way.” The highlight of the night was when Father Pat Fixsen said a beautiful prayer in front of a packed house of folks from different towns, churches, and backgrounds. Pastor Bill Jacobsen of Seatonville Congregational Church was there to show his support. The spirit of “John the Barber” himself must have been circling the building! Get this, Linda Wenzel herself won the nights 50/50 drawing and donated the winnings to the cause! Wow! Even those in attendance showed that “John the Barber” spirit, waiting patiently for their order and keeping the theme of “helping others” in mind! Finally, thanks much to Jack Cosgrove and Terry Templeton of Cosgrove Distributors and Tony Mautino of Mautino Distributing for their kind donations that helped make the night possible! “Good, Good people doing Great things!” (Pictured below are L-R, Linda Wenzel, 2014 Holy Trinity Stewardship Chairman Bridgett Potthoff, Father Pat Fixsen, Stewardship Committee member Lori Brown)

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Here’s what people around the country are saying about “Up Ravioli Alley!”

Janice Stein Fisher, formerly of Depue now of Phoenix writes “I would love to receive URA via email. Please sign me up! I am a former Illinois Valley girl living here in Arizona for the past 34 years. Gary Boroski is a big fan of URA. Me too!”

Kim Canova-Romans, formerly of Ottville/Seatonville now of Waxahachie, Texas writes “It is really fun to read about home – thank you for creating this publication. Many blessings.”

Fred Danner, formerly of Ladd now of Danville comments, “I am originally from Ladd and went to IVCC. Really enjoy updates on events in the area.”

Kathy Davies Data Stewart commented “Such a sweet little paper!! I enjoy it!” Larry Keutzer, formerly of Cherry now of Austin, Texas writes, “I received my first issue of “Up Ravioli

Alley” and really enjoyed it! Please change my contact information to just email so you can avoid the cost of postage. Thank you!”

Troy Resetich, owner of TROY Simplified Technologies in Spring Valley writes, “This is awesome. You refuse to go negative, focusing only on the positive. I love that. I truly believe The Spirit dwells in the John the Barber Foundation!”

Catherine Yerly, formerly of Spring Valley now of Bloomingdale, Illinois, says "I've really enjoying 'Up Ravioli Alley.' So many names are familiar to me. Please keep it coming!"

Gene Baldini Proud of His “Ravioli Alley” Roots

Originally from Cherry and living in Florence, Italy for the past 30 years, Gene Baldini is a widely known painter, print maker, and art

instructor. He is also a Facebook friend of the John the Barber Foundation and reader of “Up Ravioli Alley.” Gene recently com-mented on the "Holy Trinity Cherry’s Third Annual Fish Fry Fund

Raiser" to benefit the utility fund for the needy:

“Good values from strong people ....proud of my origins.”

St. Thomas More Dalzell Says “Thanks!” to John The Barber Foundation

What a great letter that appeared in the Bureau County Republican recently. JTB says thanks St. Thomas More/Carlo for the kind words!

“The purpose of my letter is to first thank the “John the Barber Foundation” for coming to the aid of the St. Thomas More Church of Dalzell and assisting us greatly with our recent wine tasting fundraiser event. Given the time of the year, weather conditions and other factors, we were having a difficult time selling pre-event tickets. John the Bar-ber Foundation secured and graciously provided last minute entertainment to enhance our event and drive last mi-nute ticket sales. Al Pottinger and his “Al & Ron Band” were great. Last year I would have said, “You did not have to do that,” but now knowing the JTB message and mission I can understand that in a way, “You did have to do that.” What a great example. The most important thing is that we all now see the “JTB” strategy of having everyone do their best to help those in need. That is the mission of “JTB” Foundation. Up Ravioli Alley is an inspiring magazine

telling the good that people have done and is being done in our area. Again thanks “JTB” Foundation for helping St. Thomas More with our projects. “ Carlo Olivero, Dalzell

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Hey Nuco…….the winner is……….. Thanks to all that wrote in to guess at Nuco Fonderoli’s real first name! Each person who guessed correctly was entered in a drawing to win twenty pounds of Nuco’s famous Italian sausage produced by St. Patrick’s Arlington team of sausage makers. The winner is……………drum roll please………………Raymond Ragogna of Mark, IL! Congrat’s Raymond! (Ok, ok……in case you didn’t know, Nuco’s given first name is Lawrence!). Here’s a shot of Nuco from his softball playing days….looks like somebody you wouldn't want to mess with!

Representative Frank Mautino commented this

week on the passing of county chairman and life-long Spring Valley

resident Rob Pozzi, “My friend Dean Devert

really summed up Rob by saying simply this….

‘he was fearless.” Folks that knew Rob

would quickly nod their head on that one.

“Good people doing Great things.”

Hey John Bice and Tom at the Cherry Country Store….don’t forget to invite someone new in

town to go fishing in your new boat!

You’d need an oil tanker of broth to make soup out of the Rav’s that

St. Thomas Moore Dalzell has made this Spring……

they just went over 2,000 pounds!

A TON of Rav’s! Can you believe that?

Congrat’s Dalzell “pasta twisters!”

Ravioli? Tortellini? All you readers knew this article was coming!

Corrie Cunningham of Dalzell finally asked the question! We knew it was coming! She writes “I have a question about the origins of the term “Rav’s” or “Ravioli’s” in our community. I am from Chicago originally and there tortellini’s are round and raviolis are square. Being the “foodie” that I am I can’t help but be curious as the origins of the nickname. I love, enjoy and appreciate your hard work and dedication you put in to "Up Ravioli Alley" every month, but I am still puzzled by the cultural distinction. I am curious and have always been curious ever since I moved to the Illinois Valley as to why folks call tortellini “Rav’s.” I have had many conversations with Italian-Americans from the community who prefer to call tortellini’s Ravs or raviolis and seem quite puz-zled when ask them why. I just need to know! No one can give me a definitive answer. I think it would make for an interesting short story for URA.” In a follow up email she write further, “ I’ve always been interested in food cultures and love to learn more about where foods comes from and how they evolve over time. Yes, my best friend couldn’t believe I had to write about this, but it had to be done!”

Dear Corrie, you are not alone! JTB is aware of that same question and had already considered doing an article on it. Almost everyone in Ravioli Alley is a “foodie” in one

way or another! Let’s go ahead and do it like this….let’s have readers out there get back to us with little bits of information, history, and opinion on how tortellini came to

be called “ravs” and “ravioli” here in Ravioli Alley. JTB will compile this info and we will have future articles on the subject. This could go on for some time we think!

Remember, email JTB at editor@JohnTheBarberFoundation.com

or US mail us at Box 88, Cherry, IL 61317. JTB is betting we get a ton of mail on this!

Look for an interesting follow up article next month!

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Here’s a few quick Rav-notes...

Here’s a big cheer for St. Bede students who recently did something very special for Father Ron Margherio on his 64th birthday. As a surprise, students gathered up and presented Father Ron with 395 pounds of food for one of his favorite charities, the Hall Township Food Pantry. Let’s do a BIG cheer too then for Father Ron himself….for teaching these young adults the little bits of Greatest they can get done when they think first of others! Great job Father Ron! Hat’s off from John the Barber!

Hey Kaitlyn Padgett of Ladd, we have all been following your awesome bowling career. Wow, you rock! She’s a Devil, she’s tough! The front page article in a recent addition of the News Tribune was the topper though! Super! Beautiful! Great! Congrats on all your efforts in the future. By the way, Kaitlyn’s Dad Jim was a clutch, standout baseball and football player at Hall in 1980!

Here’s some great news related to a “Ravioli Alley” neighbor. St. Patrick’s Church in Sheffield announced that their strategic plan is to function in full standalone mode! Have been hearing great things about efforts everyone in the community has been making to truly grow the parish. As many a sharp business person has said “if you’re not grow’n, your die’n!” Congrat’s St. Pat’s! Everyone in Ravioli Alley is hoping that services continue to be held at St. Thomas More Dalzell and all Ravioli Alley churches!

“Ravioli Alley” Student Dean’s List: Just a quick shot at saying “Great Job” to a few Ravioli Alley young people who are doing great in college and making the Dean’s List! (Am sure we are missing several). Illinois Wesleyan; Herman Emmerling/Spring Valley. Iowa State: Emily Passini/Dalzell, Nathaniel Kingry/Ladd. Mount Mercy University: Katie Hoffert/Hollowayville, Elizabeth Mosbach/Ladd, Tyler Mosback/Ladd. “Ravioli Alley” folks are super proud of what you are doing!

Yo, Luke Bogatitus of Spring Valley! You are way-wise beyond your 8 years! Thank you big time for collecting 132 pounds of food and additional “Milk Money” to give to the Hall Township Food Pantry as a way of celebrating YOUR birthday! You are definitely a “John the Barber “ in the making man! Good “8 year olds” doing Great things!

Hey Dalzell Grade School History Students! Great job qualifying for the State of Illinois History Fair to be held in Springfield May 8. Students qualifying include John Potthoff, Olivia Orlandini, Isabel Pozzi, Jacob Booth, Christopher Bauer. Good luck!!

Deb Brokaw of Cherry is looking for old photo’s of Cherry Grade School or Cherry High School for a video she is creating for this year’s graduation. If you have some, please contact Deb at Brokaw203@comcast.net or 815.878.8952

Keep that “Ravioli Alley Alumni “contact information coming!

Wow! Thanks to everyone for sending contact info for “Ravioli Alley Alumni” (people who are originally from “Ravioli Alley” who are living somewhere else). We are getting a steady flow of this kind of information coming in

via our email address. We are already mailing coast to coast! New Jersey to California! We are finding that there are many people all over the US with a warm spot in their hearts for “Ravioli Alley.” Please continue to send

their email addresses and or US mailing addresses to us at editor@JohnTheBarberFoundation.com or John The Barber Foundation, Box 88, Cherry, IL 61317

Ladd 125th Needs Your Help! Be on the look-out for a kick-off meeting in the next couple of months to begin to drive the “All Ladd Grad” grade

school reunion that will be held in conjunction with the 2015 Ladd 125th anniversary celebration. The kick-off meeting will begin all the efforts needed to pull off a successful reunion. In the mean time, if you have contact in-

formation for any “Ladd Grads” please email it to Dave Margherio at dmarcherio1@hotmail.com. By the way…the dates for the 125th Anniversary are set! Mark your calendars now…. July 9 – 12, 2015!

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Easter Mass/Services (Sunday April 20, 2014) Schedule for “Ravioli Alley” Churches

Arlington St. Patrick’s Easter Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Cherry Holy Trinity Holy Thursday 7:00 p.m Good Friday 3:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Sat. 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday 7:00 a.m

Cherry United Church of Christ Easter Sunday 8:15 a.m.

Dalzell St. Thomas More Good Friday Stations 12:00 noon Easter Sunday8:30 a.m.

Hollowayville United Church of Christ Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service 12:00 noon Easter Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. (Brunch in between Services) Seatonville Congregational Church Good Friday Service 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 8:00 a.m.

Spring Valley United Church of Christ Sunday Service 10:00 a.m.

Spring Valley Nativity of our Lord Holy Thursday 7:00 p.m. (St. Anthony’s) Good Friday 3:00 p.m. (St. Anthony’s) Holy Saturday Vigil 7:00 p.m. (St. Anthony’s) (no 4:30 p.m. mass) Easter Sunday Masses: 8:00 a.m. (Immaculate Conception) 10:30 a.m. (St. Anthony’s /no 6:00 pm mass

1952 Hall Future Farmers: Guess which one is Al Pottinger!

Hey Ravioli Alley readers, guess which one of these young bucks is Al Pottinger Sr. and win a super nice John The Barber Foundation sweat shirt!

Pope Francis said recently, “Where there is

God, there is no hate, envy, or jealousy. Nor

are there those that gossip. Gossip is a

weapon and it threatens the community every

day; it sows envy, jealousy, and power

struggles.” Ravioli Alley Translation: “Hey buddy,

not easy to remember some days, but be a

standup guy and don’t gossip or talk behind

people’s back especially when you look inside and

it’s just YOU being envious or jealous. The

GREAT news is that if you can just do a decent job of that every day, in the long run, you will be the

most admired guy in town!”

Bill Cosby joked but agreed “I had an uncle (who helped everyone)

who died pennyless. People made fun of him

but I call that ‘perfect financial planning.”

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“Ravioli Alley Non-For-Profit Organizations All Showing that ‘John The Barber’ Spirit This Spring”

Dalzell Fire Department Vendor Bazaar: April 5, 2014 , 10:00 a.m. til 3:00 p.m. Thirty+ vendors, raffles, door prizes, 50/50 drawing, food, bake sale. Friends, food, fun! Event is held inside…rain or shine!

Nativity of our Lord Spring Valley, presentation “Explore the Gospel of Matthew using the Readings from the Sundays of Lent.” Presenter: Kathy Martin. Every Tuesday during lent (March 11 – April 15), 2:30 -3:30 p.m. OR 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. At the parish hall.

Ladd After School Program Fundraiser, Monday April 7, 2014 Rip’s Tavern in Ladd. 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. $7 tickets ahead or at the door. Call ahead tickets 815.228.1967. Bake sale, 50/50 drawing. Proceeds go toward funding to ensure that the after school program continues.

Ladd 125th “Teddy Bear Tea,” Saturday April 5, 2014, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Ladd Community Center. Girls and boys dress your best and come to team with mom/dad, grandma/grandpa, aunt/uncle, or guardian. Home-made treats, lemonade and tea and stories from charismatic Tricia Kelly. $12.00 tickets and must be purchased in advance at North Central Bank, Ladd Village Hall or by contacting Molly Thrasher 815.894.2619 or Amanda Coutts 815.220.9010

Arlington/LaMoille Relay For Life Team Pancake and Sausage Breakfast: Sunday May 4, 2014 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the LaMoille Lions Club. The "All You Can Eat" breakfast will feature "Nuco's" sausage, ham, pan-cakes, eggs, toast, and beverage. Tickets $6.00 adults/$4.00 children age 6-10 years/free for children age 5 and under. Carry outs are available. Tickets will be sold at the door. A bake sale will also be held. All proceeds are donated to the Relay for Life of Bureau County.

Arlington Park Fund Committee Chicken Dinner: Tuesday, May 20th, 2014, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. More info to come in the May issues of URA. Proceeds will be used towards the proposed construction of a park shelter.

Ladd 125th 50/50: Total for 2015 Ladd 125th Anniversary 50/50 currently stands at over $ 1,500.00 (winner gets $750.00+) . Tickets now available at North Central Bank, Special Effect Barber/Beauty Salon, Softtails Bar and Grill, Lanuti’s Restaurant, and the Ladd Village Clerks Office. Winner will be drawn at the Ladd 124th anniver-sary this summer June 7, 2014. Proceeds will help make the event in 2015 a memorable one!

Friends of Diana Castaneda Fund Raiser: Saturday April 26, 2014 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Serving 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) at the Spring Valley Golf Course. Diana and husband Craig are residents of Spring Valley. Diana is recover-ing from brain surgery she received at Northwestern Hospital. Tickets are $15 available ahead at Angelo’s Res-taurant or by calling Lori 815.481.4101 or at the door. Great food, silent auction, music, fun! Music by “Phil in the Blanks” and Jimmy Essi.

“Rips for Rob”: Tuesday April 1, 2014 , 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Rips Chicken in Ladd. To benefit the family and estate of the late Rob Pozzi who recently passed from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer. Tickets are $8 available ahead by calling Kristi 815.481.1038 or Silvia 815.978.8931 or can be purchased at the door. Dine in/carry out, ¼ chicken plus fries. Donations made out to “Benefit for Rob Pozzi” can be sent to Rip’s Chicken, 311 N. Main, Ladd, IL 61329

30th Annual Spring Valley United Church of Christ Spaghetti Dinner: Saturday April 26, 2014 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 227 E. Erie St. (alley entrance). All you can eat spaghetti, salad, bread, beverage, dessert. $7 adults/$4 kids/pre-school free. Drive up or walk-in. Carry outs available.

Holy Trinity Cherry Wind/Beer Tasting: June 13, 2014. More details coming next issue but mark your calendar for this great, fun event! Jim Pozzi already has all the Pozzi’s out gathering and crushing grapes! Jim and his team promise to top last year’s super successful event!

St. Pat’s Arlington Cook Book Coming!” In celebration of the sesquicentennial of St. Patrick's Church, Arling-ton, in 2014, the Altar and Rosary Society is compiling a cookbook of over 600 recipes from past and present pa-rishioners, families and friends. Over 100 years of eastern Bureau County goodness! The cookbook sales will begin at St. Patrick's annual chicken dinner in July.

The “John the Barber” Foundation Box 88 Cherry, IL 61317

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID CHERRY, IL

61317 PERMIT NO. 23

Rural Route Box Holder Spring Valley, IL. 61362

“Most people tend to have issues with others who sin differently than

they do” _________________ John the Barber says:

Don’t be “most people!”

Cut out and put on your refrigerator