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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”

St. Joseph’s Home Lacon/Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi

Celebrates 50 years! Bet you didn’t know they are “Ravioli Alley” Alumni too!

The St. Joseph’s Lacon nursing home and the tremendous care given by their Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is actually one of “Ravioli Alley’s” big-gest secrets. Located just 25 minutes south of Spring Valley on the Illi-nois River, St. Joseph’s Home is a wonderful place that will truly move you. “Twenty-first century care, Christ’s constant presence” is a tag line that truly sums up St. Joseph’s. St. Joseph’s is night and day different from your average nursing home. A bigger secret is that they are actually “Ravioli Alley” folks too! In 1946, twenty-five of the sisters traveled from Slovakia to St. Bede, which became their workplace and “new house of the Congregation.” There they cared for the students and monks before moving to Lacon several years later to care for the elderly and construct the nursing home. To check out an awesome video about St. Joseph’s and all they do, go to www.CherryHolyTrinity.org and click on “St. Jo-seph’s Home of Lacon 2014 Video Tour” in the lower left under Partner Links. You will be telling others to go watch it too!

JTB needs good info from your home town for “Up Ravioli Alley”

Hey “Ravioli Alley” folks, JTB needs your stories, photos, announcements and bits of news for “Up Ravioli Alley.” We are looking for stories about

“Good people doing Great things” both now and in the past, both in “Ravioli Alley” and in other parts of the country. We could really use your

help! Please email us at editor@JohnTheBarberFoundation.com or write to the John The Barber Foundation, Box 88, Cherry, IL 61317

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Cherry United Church of Christ/Holy Trinity

Cherry join church “Monthly Pie & Coffee

Social Hour.” First Thursday

of every month 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. At the Cherry Church

Hall. Fun, Food, Friendship!

Please come and bring a friend!

(For those that need assistance walking in , please pull up to the

north/side door of the church hall, come in

and we will go out and valet park your car).

The “John the Barber” Foundation

Box 88 Cherry, IL 61317

Bureau County pastors and ministers out there doing Great things!

You need to check this out! Bureau County pastors and ministers are joined and hitting the streets driving ahead with what they call “The Go Project.” Their strategic plan is “to partner together to make relevant, personal contact with every Bureau County household to effec-tively communicate the gospel so they can be reconciled to God.” Check out their Facebook page “The Go Pro-ject – Bureau County IL.” They have an awesome pro-

fessional video there near the start of their page. They are identifying Bureau County townships for a special day of prayer. Keep your eyes out for Hall and Westfield town-ships as they make up “Ravioli Alley.” Get involved….this is truly Great stuff! Don’t say this one very often “Great people doing Great things!”

Ira Lunn….he must have been a Great center!

Very cool picture out on Ebay on the Internet recently. On the back states “Ira Lunn, Ladd, IL, #8” and someone goes on to write “Best Center Hall ever had or will have.” Ira was born in Ladd in 1909 to Mark and Martha Lunn….likely a senior at Hall in about 1927.

We forgot this one last

month….. it’s a good one…

We forgot to include this “thank you” note that

Holy Trinity Cherry received for their recent efforts with their utility fund for the needy…. check out, it’s a good one!

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

Don Castelli now of Peoria formerly of Ladd/Spring Valley writes, “Please add me to your email list of sub-scribers to 'Up Ravioli Alley'. My sister, who lives in Spring Valley gave me your last 2 print addi-tions. You've created a great local newsletter, especially for those of us who have moved away & want to keep in touch with the news of 'the Valley'.“

Debbie Grivetti Buffington of formerly of Standard writes ”I just have to say I love reading your news-letter! I might come from "the other side of the river", but we have a great Italian heritage over here too! Standard and Mark were populated by Italian families who came from the areas around Modena and Bo-logna. The small villages of Montese, Acquiria, Pavullo, Sasso, Verrica, Fannano, Vaglio...I could name so many more...brought our grandparents and great grandparents to the coal mines in these villages too. A year ago, I traveled to Montese, Italy and discovered "home"! The walls of the village hall there had rows of names of families from there, who settled right here in "ravioli alley"! It was one of the most amazing days of my life!”

Jack Cosgrove of Spring Valley writes simply, "Hey, latest May issue was Great!" George Liesse of Dalzell says to JTB, "Thank you for the picture of the 1974 Little League All-Stars. It

brought back alot of Great memories!" Sheila Campbell of Spring Valley says, “My husband Mike's brother Bob was here visiting from California

and saw “Up Ravioli Alley” and really enjoyed it. He grew up in Spring Valley but left for college and then the service. Could you put him on the email list to get the publication? Thanks!”

An anonymous reader wrote "Up Ravioli Alley is really awesome! I especially like the "Ravioli Alley Trans-lation" of the bible verses. JTB and URA are a great example of simply doing something that is within our own reach.....if we can all just touch those immediately around us, it can have a Great impact. This is a wonderful thing you are doing!"

“No money, no house, no car, no Florida vacations…..

but Mother Teresa was truly Great!

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The Dago Room: Mule, Millie, Grandma Martini, Doc, Tony, Peanuts,

Sugar and the rest of the gang......

(submitted by an anonymous URA fan)

Mule's Tap on Dakota Street in Spring Valley was a very popular establishment. It was the neigh-borhood bar where locals made the one stop before heading home. Owners were "Mule" Mautino and wife Millie. Mill would tend bar and put out finger food for the guys to nibble on. But in 1964, Millie and her sisters Olga Strell, Rose Buffo, best friend Maire Riverara, and Millie's mom "Grandma Martini" created a res-taurant in the back of Mule's Tap

and called it "The Dago Room." Italian food was served on Saturday's only. Once a month was "Italian Fiesta Night" where all kinds of Italian dishes were served using their great homemade recipes. This became so popular, reservations had to be made six months in advance! So the “Dago Room” became the hot spot, the place to go! Clearly it was a family driven operation...Millie and her sisters cooked, while Doc Strell fried chicken. Grandma Martini did the dishes and prep work. Tony Mautino and Gary Strell bussed tables. 'Peanuts' and 'Sugar' would tend bar. (Just to name a few bar tenders!). Who out there in "Ravioli Alley" re-members "the Dago Room?"

Remember the apostles were Jesus’ buddies and pals. Imagine what the room was like after the resurrection when Jesus walked in. Here comes Pete, James, Philip and

the rest of the gang, heads down, crying,

feeling terrible, after all they had ditched Jesus when he really needed them. Every other soul

on earth would have snapped, “you guys are fired, you’re done in my

church,”…never forgiving them that’s for sure. But Jesus actually lifted them

from their knees, embraced them, even CONSOLED them and

invited them to break-fast! He said basically, “Hey boys, I forgive you, it’s in the past, let’s get back to work!” Makes forgiving your pals for

some of the little things they do much easier huh?

“Up Ravioli Alley” Needs Your Help Finding Assistant Editors/Field Reporters

Now that we have been producing “Up Ravioli Al-ley” for several months, we are getting a good feel for what our strategic goals and challenges are. We could use your help! If you or anyone you

know has a bit of journalist skill or interest, would greatly appreciate your help. Wave a magic wand it would be nice to have an “assistant reporter” out there in each town, digging up stories about “Good people doing Great things.” Please email editor@JohnTheBarberFoundation.com if you know of someone who would like to join our team! Thanks!

John Bice of Cherry (mentioned/pictured in May 2014 issue of URA)

continuing to do something a little bit Great….community

garden coming along Great!

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St. Pat’s Arlington, Holy Trinity Cherry, St. Thomas More Dalzell do something a little bit Great for “Ravioli Alley”

needy mothers and babies!

For the second year in a row, these partner “Ravioli Alley” parishes come together to help the needy! Wow! What a Great job! Volunteers organized the collections and many chipped in to provide diapers,

formula and other needy baby items. Way to work together you three churches! Way to lead you folks who organized it! Way to think of others first all who gave!

All items channeled and distributed through the Hall Township Food Pantry/Project Success.

Emilia-Romagna returns to “Ravioli Alley” in Mid July! The Emilia-Romagna Abroad agency will be back in “Ravioli Alley” in July. This group is from and represents

the area of Italy where many from “Ravioli Alley” descend from. On Wednesday July 16, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. the troop will be at the Spring Valley city hall community room, 215 N. Greenwood St.,

Spring Valley, IL 61362 for an introduction and signing of the new book “Finding America: A Photo Book of Italian Immigration to the U.S.” by Paolo Battaglia. A dinner will be held at Verucchi’s that evening from

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The event is open to the public but requires purchasing advanced tickets only. Call Verucchi’s or email JTB at editor@JohnTheBarber.com to find out how to get tickets.

Go Comets! Cherry Grade School Class of 64’ Celebrates! (Submitted by Sheila Maioli Campbell)

“May 30th, 2014, the Cherry Grade School class of 1964 had a 50th class reunion. We all met at the school and Mr. Tom Nesti gave a tour of the Great school.

The biggest comment was that the classrooms were so small and we all wondered how two grades fit into them! No one seemed to want to leave as we were talking about old times and catching up with classmates many of us had not seen in all those 50 years. We then went to JT's for a great dinner and more visiting. I believe that everyone had a Great time. Those attending the reunion were Pam Morel Reh, Connie Barry

Fanti, Kathy Gillan Kudla, Nancy Manahan Chiaventone, Elaine Shevokas Wasilewski, Sheila Maioli Campbell, Gary Turner, Roger Gillan, Dean Soldati and Dan Tomaszewski. We were reminded how Great it was growing up in the 50's and 60's in a small town like Cherry. Those friendships that were made at Cherry Grade were

forever friendships indicated when we were meeting outside the school and we were all hugging one another even though some of us had not seen each other for all those 50 years!”

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There is a big difference between the fella who

“lives simply to not to do anything wrong” and the fella who “gets out there

and lives to do something a little Great!”

“People will forget what you said, people will

forget what you did, but people will never forget

how you made them feel.”

“What lies behind us and even what lies

before us are nothing really compared to what

lies within us.”

Here’s a few quick Rav-notes... Help us find Mark Mini! We tried mailing him a copy of URA and it came back!

If you know where Mark is, please email his address to us at editor@JohnTheBarberFoundation.com. Thanks! Hat’s off to Arlington’s Bret Dannis, State Hurdles Champ!” Not easy to

remember State track champions from “Ravioli Alley,” but here’s one you won’t forget. Seventh Grader Bret Dannis of Arlington just won the 110M hurdles for the second year in a row! Wow! Life-time bragging right there buddy!

Cherry Booster Club does something a little bit Great on Memorial Day: For several years on Memorial Day, the Cherry Booster Club provides a small brunch to American Legion and Boy Scout members who are circling “Ravioli Alley” for cemetery ceremonies. A nice little stop and break on their busy schedules. Remember to say “thanks” to Bob McCook and his Booster Club team for all they do on Memorial Day!

Descendent of Ladd/Cherry Italian Miner Knighted by the President of Italy: Charles Bernardini, formerly of Streator now of Chicago, was recently knighted by the Chicago Italian consul on behalf of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. Charles was knighted for his tremendous efforts to encourage and develop Italian and American business and cultural relations. Charles’ grandfather was an early “Ravioli Alley” coal miner Ciro Bernardini, killed in the Cherry Mine Disaster, buried in Ladd.

Cherry Grade’s Taytum Hahn scores “Superior” for story on “Ravioli Alley” “Superior Veteran” Dante Bulli: Big applause for Taytum Hahn, fifth grader from Cherry Grade, for her Great paper/project she recently did on “Ravioli Alley”/Cherry hero Dante Bulli. She scored “superior” at the State competition. Long time “Ravioli Alley” folks know of the Great stories about Dante’s adventures through WII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War. Drop Taytum a note and say “congrat’s!” Also, drop 93 year old Dante a note and say “hi” “we miss you” and “thank you for all you did for us.”

(Dante Bulli, 14325 Eagle Run Drive, Apt 606, Omaha, NE 68164).

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

Dalzell Fire Deparment Schwan’s Care Fundraiser: May 18, 2014 – July 2, 2014. All Schwan’s regular purchases give DFD

20% and all E-Certificates give DFD 40%. To order on-line go to www.Schwans-Cares.com – Search ID #9269 – “Shop Now.” To order E-Certificates on-line to www.Schwans-Cares.com – Search ID #9269 – “Buy Now.” To order by phone call 1.855.870.7208 – Campaign ID# 9296 – Fundraiser ID 25678. All proceeds benefit the DFD Training and Equipment Fund.

Seatonville Congregational Church Vacation Bible School: Monday, July 7, 2014 through Friday, July 11th, 2014 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at the Seatonville Congregational Church Independent. SCC will be hosting a VBS titled “God’s Big Backyard.” All children in “Ravioli Alley” entering kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to join us for singing, crafts, games, stories, and learning more about Jesus! There will be a final program on Friday, July 11, 2014 at 7:00 PM for the parents, grandparents, and relatives to attend and to pick up the craft projects too. For further info or to register your child please call Pastor Bill at 815-228-6717.

Ladd ‘Daze’ Celebration: Friday- Sunday, July 11-13, 2014, at Ladd City Park on Main Street. Brought to you by “The Ladd Men’s Club!” Doing lots of Great things for Ladd and the rest of “Ravioli Alley!”

Friday July 11: 6:00 P.M. Food, Beer Gardens, music by Wake the Sheep Saturday July 12: 10:00 A.M. Golden Chicken Race, 12:00/noon: Food, Beer Gardens, 1:00 P.M. Magic Show,

2:00 – 4:00 P.M.: Kids Games, 6:30 P.M.: Talent Show, 9:00 P.M.: Music by Ella Noise Sunday July 13: Food by Stone Jug BBQ, benefitting the Hall Township Food Pantry, Beer garden opens at 11:00, Music by “the Craigs” at noon

32nd Annual Jimmy D Golf Outing: Sunday July 13, 2014 at Spring Creek Golf Club and Deer Park Country Club. The event is named for Jimmy DeAngelo who passed away in 1983 at the age of 37. This year’s event will benefit the Esophageal and Colon Cancer Center currently under construction at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley. To do a little something Great by being a $100 hole /$25 cart sponsor, sign up to play, or simply make a donation, please call Diane Janz at 815.664.7260.

2014 Concerts for a Cause Summer Concert: Sunday July 13, 2014, Illinois Valley Airport in Peru, Illinois. Artists include Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Drew Baldridge, and Brushville. Tickets are $38 available at Lou’s Lagrotto in Peru, Wyanet Carpet in Princeton or at louslagrotto.com or by calling 815.223.3083. Mary Noonan of Lou’s LaGrotto is widely known for her tremendous efforts to pull off these concerts with proceeds benefitting many needy groups. Hey Mary, this doesn’t come anywhere near summing it up but we are in a hurry today…..”you’re Great!!!!”

St. Pat’s Arlington Chicken Dinner and Homecoming: Sunday July 27, 2014. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Everyone out there knows how Great this event is! Do something Great and take a relative or neighbor who isn’t normally able to get out too much! Or bring a shut-in a carry out order!

Arlington Sausage Festival: Saturday Aug 9, 2014 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Village Hall and Arlington Fire Department. Festivities include food stand (featuring Nuco's sausage and other sandwiches), beer stand, bands. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arlington Park Fund for the construction of a park shelter. Stop by and ask Nuco where/how he got that nickname!

4th Annual St. Pat’s Arlington, Holy Trinity Cherry, St. Thomas More Dalzell 2014-2014 Youth Religious Education Kick-off Move Night: Saturday August 23, 2014, at St. Patrick’s Arlington. 6:00 p.m. begins sign-in (parents must sign in kids), 7:00 p.m. movie start. FREE! Snacks, drinks, fun! We are watching the movie Frozen! Open to grade-school age chil-dren from any religious background. Call Julie at Holy Trinity weekday mornings at 815.894.2006 to find out more. (Or email her at julieHTC@Outlook.com)

Ladd 125th planning “Ladd-opoly” game, fundraiser: Organizers are planning a “fun fundraiser” for the Ladd 125th efforts….a “Ladd-oploy” board game. “Squares” will be sold to Ladd business’, past and present , to secure their family/business heritage on the board. More info coming soon but if you want some early details, call the Ladd Clerk’s Office 815.894.2440 or email VILLAGECLERK@COMCAST.NET.

St. Pat’s Arlington Cook Book Coming!” In celebration of the sesquicentennial of St. Patrick's Arlington in 2014, the Altar and Rosary Society is compiling a cookbook of over 600 recipes from past and present parishioners, 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.

(SAVE THE DATE) St. Pat’s Arlington Sesquicentennial Celebration and Mass: Sunday Sept 21, 2014 (SAVE THE DATE) Dalzell Fire Department Fifth Annual Fall Vendor Bazaar: Saturday Oct 18, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

More details in future issues.