Delavan Growers Haul Home Giant Pumpkin Crown By Robert Fang THE DISPATCH MORTON — Tim and Jes- sica Dare of the Venado Lake area in rural Delavan are cel- ebrating a major victory after winning the Giant Pumpkin Contest at Morton’s Pump- kin Fest this past Wednesday. Their massive entry tipped the scales at 1,086 pounds, earn- ing the local growers a champi- onship trophy, bragging rights and a $300 cash prize. The giant pumpkin, grown on the Dare family’s property in the scenic Venado Lake ar- ea, towered over the compe- tition. The winning pumpkin weighed more than twice as much as the second-place en- try, which came in at less than half the weight of the Dare’s champion gourd. For the Delavan-area cou- ple, the victory was the cul- mination of months of hard work, careful planning and a passion for growing oversized pumpkins. Their winning en- try was produced through a cross-breeding process that combined genetics from two different championship pump- kin seeds. By blending prov- en bloodlines, the Dares hoped to create a pumpkin capable of competing with the best grow- ers in the Midwest. Their strategy paid off in impressive fashion. Growing a pumpkin weigh- ing more than half a ton re- quires a tremendous commit- ment. Throughout the summer growing season, the Dare fam- ily’s pumpkin plants demand- ed constant attention on their rural property. During periods of peak growth, the plants con- sumed upwards of 50 gallons of water each day to sustain their accelerated development. The result was a pumpkin that dominated the field at Mor- ton, a community widely recog- nized as the “Pumpkin Capi- tal of the World.” While many growers dream of reaching the 1,000-pound mark, the Dares surpassed that milestone com- fortably with their 1,086-pound winner. Remarkably, the champion- ship pumpkin is not even the largest specimen growing in the Dare family’s patch. According to the couple, an- other pumpkin on their Ve- nado Lake property is more than twice the size of the Mor- ton-winning entry. However, despite its immense size, that pumpkin was unable to com- pete in this year’s Morton con- test because it did not meet the SPORTS Sunday, SEPTEMBER 20, 2026  Serving delavan and Surrounding areas  VOL. I, NO. 38 • $1.00 For Breaking News Visit Us Online at:  DelavanDispatch.com  The Delavan Dispatch  Delavan.Dispatch Hometown Happenings ............2 Hometown History....................4 Local News ............................ 5 Obituaries.............................. 6 Hometown Living .....................7 Comics .................................. 9 Crossword Puzzle ................. 10 Classifieds........................... 11 Sports ................................. 12 7 85249 45543 8 Panthers Split MomentumPanthers Split Momentum in Busy Week in Volleyballin Busy Week in Volleyball Page 12Page 12 See GIANT PUMPKIN, Page 6 GOOD GOURD ALMIGHTY! Tim Dare secures his 1,086-pound giant pumpkin for the trip from the family’s Venado Lake-area property near Delavan to Morton’s Pumpkin Fest, where the homegrown heavyweight would go on to claim the Giant Pumpkin Contest title and a $300 prize.

2 THE DElavan DispaTcH COMMUNITY CALENDAR sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026  Eco-Friendly Ink  Please Recycle ISSN: 3070-2852, Volume I, No. 38 Published weekly at Delavan, Illinois 61734. © 2026 PUBLIC PRESS ILLINOIS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ROBERT J. FANG EDITOR / PUBLISHER TELEPHONE 309-244-4063 POST OFFICE BOX 186 DELAVAN, ILLINOIS 61734-0186 Subscribe To Only $45 for 52 Issues, Delivered Right To You! NAME ___________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________ CITY ____________________________________ STATE ___________ ZIP CODE ________________ Send check for $45 to: DELAVAN DISPATCH, PO BOX 186, DELAVAN IL 61734-0186 School Board Meeting 23 SEP The Delavan CUSD #703 Board will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the school li‑ brary, 907 S Locust St. The meeting is open to the public. DHS Carnival 25 SEP The Delavan High School Carnival will take flight on Friday, Sept. 25, beginning at 4:30 p.m., with this year’s theme, “Flight 2026: On a World Tour.” Stu‑ dents from each class will showcase a different destination as the school, lo‑ cated at 907 S Locust St., is trans‑ formed into a celebration of cultures and travel. Enjoy a variety of attrac‑ tions. American Legion Sunday Breakfast 27 SEP The American Legion Post 382 welcomes the community to its regular Sunday Morning Breakfast on Sept. 27 from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the Legion Hall, located at 118 E. 3rd St. Guests can enjoy a hearty, hometown meal while supporting the work of the Le‑ gion and its ongoing service to veter‑ ans and the community. Fourth Monday Meal 28 SEP The First Presbyterian Church will hold the Fourth Monday Meal on Sept. 28, with serving beginning at 5:30 pm. Delivery is available for those already on the church’s regular shut‑in list. If you’re not on that list but need a meal delivered, please call Connie Wright at 309‑360‑8206 before 2 p.m. that day. Please note: no carry‑outs will be offered. Feed the Farmer 3 OCT Feed the Farmer will be held by the Delavan FFA on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Ag‑ land FS and Tremont Cooperative, with both events running from 12 to 6 p.m. This donation‑only event oper‑ ates under the motto, “Take what you need, give what you can,” and is open to everyone in the communi‑ ty, not just farmers. Community mem‑ bers are encouraged to stop by, pick up needed items, and contribute if they are able. American Legion Sunday Breakfast 4 OCT The American Legion Post 382 welcomes the commu‑ nity to its regular Sunday Morning Breakfast on Oct. 4 from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the Legion Hall, located at 118 E. 3rd St. Guests can enjoy a hearty, hometown meal while support‑ ing the work of the Legion and its ongo‑ ing service to veterans and the com‑ munity. First Monday Meal 5 OCT The Crosswalk Fellow- ship will host the First Mon‑ day Meal on Oct. 5, with serving beginning at 5pm. The menu will be sloppy joes, mac‑n‑cheese, green beans and desserts. Shut‑in meals will be delivered as usual. Regular Meeting of the City Council 6 OCT The Delavan City Council will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 219 Locust St. The meeting is open to the public. CroKnits Knitting Circle 7 OCT The CroKnits knitting cir- cle will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Delavan His‑ torical Society Museum, located at 319 Locust St. New participants and yarn donations are always welcome. Ayer Public Library District Board Meeting 7 OCT The Ayer Public Library District Board of Trust- ees will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Glenn Allen & Rob‑ ert Culbertson, Jr. Community Hub, located at 212 Locust St. Regular Meeting of the Optimist Club 8 OCT The Delavan Optimist Club will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 118 E 3rd St. The meeting is open to the public, and those interested in joining are always welcome. American Legion Chicken and Fish Dinner 10 OCT The American Legion Post 382 will host its regular Chick‑ en and Fish Dinner on Oct. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall, located at 118 E. 3rd St. Guests can enjoy a hearty, hometown meal while sup‑ porting the work of the Legion and its ongoing service to veterans and the community. American Legion Sunday Breakfast 11 OCT The American Legion Post 382 welcomes the community to its regular Sunday Morning Breakfast on Oct. 11 from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the Legion Hall, located at 118 E. 3rd St. Guests can enjoy a hearty, hometown meal while supporting the work of the Le‑ gion. Historical Society Open House 11 OCT The Delavan Community Historical Society hosts its monthly Open House on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 2–4 p.m. at the museum, 319 Locust St. Explore local historical displays, learn more about Delavan’s pas, and enjoy re‑ freshments by donation. Delavan Quilt Guild 13 OCT The Delavan Quilt Guild will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 6  HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS SHARE YOUR EVENTS: HAPPENINGS@DELAVANDISPATCH.COM

THE DElavan DispaTcH COMMUNITY CALENDAR sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 3 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the Dela‑ van United Methodist Church, located at 417 S. Locust St. New participants are always welcome. School Board Meeting 14 OCT The Delavan CUSD #703 Board will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in the school library, 907 S Lo- cust St. The meeting is open to the public. Regular Meeting of the Park District 14 OCT The Delavan Park District will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at 101 E 1st St. The meeting is open to the public. American Legion Sunday Breakfast 18 OCT The American Legion Post 382 welcomes the communi‑ ty to its regular Sunday Morning Breakfast on Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the Legion Hall, lo‑ cated at 118 E. 3rd St. Guests can en‑ joy a hearty, hometown meal while supporting the work of the Legion and its ongoing service to veterans and the community. Regular Meeting of the City Council 20 OCT The Delavan City Council will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 219 Locust St. The meet‑ ing is open to the public. CroKnits Knitting Circle 21 OCT The CroKnits knitting cir- cle will hold its regular meet‑ ing on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Delavan Historical So‑ ciety Museum, located at 319 Locust St. New participants and yarn dona‑ tions are always welcome.  HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS SHARE YOUR EVENTS: HAPPENINGS@DELAVANDISPATCH.COM | (309) 244-4063 The Hedman Family Clients since 1990 Eric Jensen 400 S Locust St Delavan, IL 61734-7602 309-244-7517 Steve and Kelly Watts 309.613.3438 or 3439 facebook.com/AimHigherLiving aimhigherlivingci@gmail.com 301 Locust Street • 309-244-9277 www.bankofpontiac.com Lobby Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am - 4 pm, Sat 9 am - 12 pm First Farmers Bank Branch of Bank of Pontiac Where Delavan gathers, the Dispatch is there.

4 THE DElavan DispaTcH CITY/LOCAL sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026  HOMETOWN HISTORY 25 Years Ago – Sept. 19, 2001 The Delavan Times • Sandra Denman, Publisher ■ Hannah Goeken and Megan Stout represented the Delavan FFA Chapter at a reporter’s workshop held on Sept. 13 at Lincoln Land Col- lege. ■ William J. Wiemer, Registered Pharmacist, will open a new busi- ness, Delavan Family Pharmacy, on Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 at 402 Pine Street, in the building formerly occupied by First Delavan Banking Center (and prior to that, Delavan Lumber Yard). Wiemer says that in contrast to most pharmacists, he prefers to practice in a small town setting and looks forward to serving the people of Delavan and the sur- rounding area. ■ Prairie Bible Church of Delavan will hold its 25th Anniversary Cel- ebration on Sept. 29th and 30th. The current pastor, Dan Larimore, has ministered at the church for 13 years, with the exception of 1996 through 1997, when he was involved with church planning in New Mex- ico. ■ In the wake of the tragedy of Sept. 11, the Delavan Community, like many communities all over the United States, is doing what it can to help those in need. Tuesday evening a community prayer service was held at the Delavan United Methodist Church. Several Delavan busi- nesses have canisters for donations to the Red Cross Relief Fund. Some businesses have pledged a certain percent of a day’s proceeds for the fund. The Rose Petal donated 400 patriotic bows to the school. Students of Delavan School District 703 are participating in “Pennies for Peace.” Coins are being collected to be donated to the Red Cross. At the month- ly cruise-in on Saturday evening, a collection of over $300 was received for the disaster fund from those attending. 35 Years Ago – Sept. 18, 1991 The Delavan Times • Ruth Larimore, Publisher ■ Friday, Sept. 13 was a very good day for the Delavan Restoration Society and other citizens of the community who have been involved in the task of getting Delavan’s historic business district approved for the National Register of Historic Places. Both Kay Pomrenke and Liz Skin- ner of the Delavan Restoration Society admitted to shedding a tear or two when the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council unanimously ap- proved Delavan’s nomination. The meeting of the Council was held at the State Library in Springfield and eight citizens were present to hear the presentation and witness the vote. Accompanying Mrs. Pomrenke and Mrs. Skinner were Glen Allen, past president of the Delavan His- torical Society, Bill Oates, President of the Delavan Economic Develop- ment Commission, Richard Brenneman, Mayor Pro-tem of the City of Delavan, Sally Shoultz, Jerry Braden and Ruth Larimore, members of the Delavan Economic Development Council. 50 Years Ago – Sept. 16, 1976 The Delavan Times • Ruth Larimore, Publisher ■ Delavan’s mail coming from Bloomington was a little late Tuesday morning. The Star Route mail truck collided with a steer on the way to Delavan. The steer got up and walked away, however, the truck was put out of commission. While the driver waited for another truck, the Dela- van rural route carrier came along and brought the Delavan mail on to the local post office. ■ State Representative Mary Lou Kent will visit Delavan on Thurs- day, Sept. 23. She will be at Mary’s Country Kitchen at 10 a.m. to talk with those who have concerns about state government or those who have questions to ask of her. 75 Years Ago – Sept. 20, 1951 The Delavan Times • J. Ross Arnold, Publisher ■ Several people believe the Caterpillar strike will end by sometime next week. ■ No rain the past week. The temperature has been almost perfect with a top today at the Royal Blue Store of 87. Most of the time through August the temperature ranged under 82 degrees. ■ The new flood lighted sign of the Sweney Oil Station shows nicely. Mr. Schwarz says it took a long time to get, but he is well-pleased. With the new pump installed some weeks ago, the Sweney Station presents a very much improved appearance. The Sweney Station has been in Delavan for a good many years. 100 Years Ago – Sept. 16, 1926 The Delavan Advertiser-Times • Mrs. F.C. McGee, Publisher ■ Strumbaugh’s Shop invites you to drop in and see the New Vector Heater for the small home. Replace the old stove, burning any kind of fuel. Also announced agency for Maytag Washer. Why buy from strang- ers when you can buy at home? ■ Something over six hundred guests registered at Delavan’s first Flower and Poultry Show, arranged by the Poultry Club and Delavan Unit of the Tazewell County Home Bureau in Meeker’s Garage last Sat- urday and Sunday. ■ The Boy Scouts of Tazewell County are to have a first aid contest the coming month and the various troops already are making preparation for the event. Teams from several cities and towns besides Pekin will have competing teams and the City of Delavan will have several. 125 Years Ago – Sept. 19, 1901 The Delavan Times Press • Starr H. Beatty, Publisher ■ McKinley

THE DElavan DispaTcH CITY/LOCAL sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 5 By Robert Fang THE DISPATCH Around 75 people attend- ed the Delavan Quilt Guild’s quilt show at Christ Luther- an Church during the commu- nity’s Fall Festival, enjoying an impressive display of hand- crafted quilts while celebrating the artistry and generosity of local quilters. One of the event’s most memorable moments came when the guild presented a handmade quilt to veteran Brit- tany Thousand, who recent- ly moved to Delavan. The sur- prise gift reflected the guild’s ongoing commitment to honor- ing those who have served in the military. Guild member LeAnn Ryan explained that supporting vet- erans is something the organi- zation strives to do whenever possible. “We try to give a quilt to a veteran any chance we get,” Ryan said. “One of our mem- bers heard she was a veteran and said, ‘Too bad we didn’t have a quilt for her.’ I looked over, and my quilt for the show was on the pew. I said, ‘We do,’ and we presented it to her to thank her for her service.” The heartfelt presentation drew appreciation from those attending the show, highlight- ing the sense of community that has long been a hallmark of the Delavan Quilt Guild. For Thousand, the unexpected gift served as both a warm wel- come to her new hometown and a token of gratitude for her mil- itary service. In addition to showcasing dozens of handmade quilts, the guild also held a quilt raf- fle during the event. Attend- ees had the opportunity to pur- chase tickets for a chance to take home one of the beautiful- ly crafted creations. At the con- clusion of the raffle, Sandy Ker- rington was announced as the winner. The quilt show combined craftsmanship, community spirit and gratitude, making it a memorable highlight of Dela- van’s Fall Festival. Library Trustee Positions Available for April Election Are you interested in learn- ing more about what goes on behind the scenes at the Li- brary? Four Library Trustee positions for the Ayer Public Library District Board will be on the ballot at the April 6, 2027 election. The four year terms are independent with no par- ty affiliation. Applicants must have been a resident within the Library District’s boundaries for at least one year and have a clear record at the Library. Nomination petition forms may be picked up at Ayer Pub- lic Library, 208 Locust Street, during regular business hours. All nomination papers are to be filed at Ayer Public Library during regular business hours between Monday, Nov. 16, and Monday, Nov. 23, 2026, prior to 5:00 PM. Further information re- garding the election may be ob- tained by calling 309-244-8236 during regular business hours. 121 West Third Street, Delavan, IL 61734 309-244-8242 Complete dedication & compassion, when it matters most. Local Veteran Surprised with Handmade Quilt Brittany Thousand wraps herself in the handmade quilt presented by the Delavan Quilt Guild during the Fall Festival quilt show at Christ Lu- theran Church. Guild members sur- prised the veteran and new Delavan resident with the gift in apprecia- tion of her military service. Ragland Buildings & Supply WE BUILD ALL TYPES AND SIZES OF FARM, COMMERCIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS For all your building and material needs, call us! Toll Free 888-449-3368 www.raglandbuildings.com Box 418 1 Mile West of Hopedale Hopedale, IL 61747 On Route 122

6 THE DElavan DispaTcH CITY/LOCAL sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 Janell Ann Meyer, 74, of Delavan, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at her home. She was born on Dec. 1, 1951 in Jacksonville, a daugh- ter of Narlis and Shirley (Day) Hodge. Janell married Dave Meyer on March 18, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nev.. He survives. She is also survived by her two daughters, Monica Bren- nan of Peoria and Richell (Jar- ed) Smith of Groveland; three step-daughters, Megan Boy- den of Estero, Fla., Michelle (Jason) Farenbach of Bixby, Okla., and Melissa (Eric) Bo- gle of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; niece, like a daughter, Kerris Osborn of Jacksonville; neph- ew, like a son, Dewey Osborn of Berkley Springs, West Va.; her beloved grandchildren, Ri- ley and Raegan Brennan and Brennan (Glory), whom Janell adored, and Joel Smith; her sister, Narleen Owens of Jack- sonville; her sister-in-law, Cheryl Hodge of Versailles; and five nieces and nephews, Tim Hodge, Bodie Hodge, Ru- dy Hodge, Cassie DeVries and Alexis Briggs. Janell was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Rich Brennan; and one broth- er, Jimmy Hodge. She was a graduate of Jack- sonville High School, Class of 1969. Janell loved her “little bit of paradise” at her home in Delavan. She loved being on the pontoon which she called “Blue Jay”. Janell was the ulti- mate host to everyone. She was a member of Val- ley Chapel in Green Valley, where she served in many ar- eas. Janell especially loved serving in Sunday school, VBS and Mom’s Day Out. She was known as the “Candy Lady” to all the kids. Janell’s family has ar- ranged a celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 at Valley Chapel in Green Valley. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Pres- ton-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. In lieu of flowers, memo- rials may be made to Valley Chapel, 5903 Chapel Road, Green Valley, Illinois 61534. Janell Ann Meyer  OBITUARIES GIANT PUMPKIN continued from page 1 festival’s color requirements. Contest rules require all pumpkins entered in the Gi- ant Pumpkin Contest to be at least 75 percent orange. The Dares’ largest pumpkin, while significantly bigger, lacks the required coloration and was therefore disqualified from en- try. Rather than being discour- aged, Tim and Jessica are al- ready looking ahead to anoth- er opportunity to showcase their growing success. The couple hopes to enter the over- sized pumpkin in a competition scheduled for October in Ohio, where different contest stan- dards may allow it to compete. For now, the Dare family is enjoying the recognition that comes with bringing home a Giant Pumpkin Contest title. Their victory highlights not on- ly the exceptional genetics be- hind their pumpkins, but also the dedication and determina- tion required to grow a cham- pion. And if their even larger pumpkin performs as expect- ed later this fall, the growers from rural Delavan may soon find themselves celebrating an even bigger achievement than their winning day in Morton. Tim, Jessica and Kennedy Dare pose during the Morton’s Pump- kin Fest on Wednesday. The Dare family’s giant, tipped the scales at 1,086 lbs to capture the festival’s Giant Pumpkin Contest.

THE DElavan DispaTcH LIFESTYLE sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 7HOMETOWN LIVING Humpty Dumpty Dip  FOOD / COOKING 101 East 5th Street • Delavan, Illinois (309) 244-8445 Keeping your children healthy with the highest quality of comprehensive care and compassionate support. By Rachael Murray 12TOMATOES.COM If you love deviled eggs, but hate the fuss of mak- ing them (all that preci- sion and piping!), then this dip is going to be a new fav. Our Humpty Dumpty Dip takes all the beloved flavors of deviled eggs and transforms them into a rich and scoopable dip. Turns out humpty dumpty doesn’t need to be put together again after all! Skip the tedious prep and give this simple dip a try. We start with a dozen hard- boiled eggs, setting half of them aside and adding half to your food processor. Slice the reserved eggs in half and sep- arate out the yolks and white. Add the yolks into the food pro- cessor and chop the remaining egg whites into small pieces. These will add a little texture to the final dip! Add in the cream cheese, mayo, mustard, and a splash of white vinegar for tang. A dash of paprika, salt, pepper, and just a pinch of cayenne to bring out that famil- iar deviled egg flavor. Once the base is smooth, fold in the chopped egg whites by hand. This gives the dip a great texture—light and creamy with little bites of egg throughout. A sprinkle of fresh chives on top adds a pop of color and dusting of paprika gives it that classic deviled egg look. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just craving a dev- iled egg fix without all the fuss, this dip has your back. Just be warned: once you make it, you might never go back to the original. Ingredients • 12 eggs, hard boiled and peeled • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature • 1/2 cup mayo • 2 tablespoons yellow mus- tard • 1 ½ tablespoons white vin- egar • 1 teaspoon paprika • 1 teaspoon salt • Pinch of black pepper • Pinch of cayenne pepper • 2 teaspoons chopped chives, divided • Pickles for garnish, optional • Crackers or veggies for serving Preparation 1. Place 6 of the hard boiled eggs in a large food pro- cessor. Cut the remaining 6 eggs in half and add the yolks to the food processor and set the egg whites aside. 2. Add cream cheese, mayo, mustard, vinegar, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and half the chives to the food processor and process at high speed until fully blended. 3. Chop egg whites and hand mix into the blended egg mixture. Transfer to serving bowl and top with remain- ing chives and additional pa- prika. Garnish with pickles if desired. 4. Serve with crackers, pret- zels, or veggie sticks. Enjoy this receipe? Send your recipe, directions, a brief family story, and an optional photo to recipes@delavandispatch.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Delavan Dispatch. Happy cooking!

8 THE DElavan DispaTcH LIFESTYLE sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 ARIES (March 21–April 19): Fresh opportunities arrive when you step outside your routine. Trust your instincts, but dou- ble-check details. A positive sur- prise could brighten the weekend. TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Pa- tience helps you overcome a tem- porary obstacle. Focus on practi- cal goals and steady progress. A financial decision benefits from careful review. GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Your words carry extra influence this week. Share ideas confidently, but listen as much as you speak. New connections prove valuable. CANCER (June 21–July 22): Home and personal matters de- serve attention. A supportive conversation brings comfort and clarity. Small changes now can create lasting improvements. LEO (July 23–August 22): Recog- nition comes through persistence rather than dramatic gestures. Stay focused on priorities. A cre- ative spark helps solve an ongo- ing challenge. VIRGO (August 23–Sept. 22): As your birthday season winds down, reflect on recent accom- plishments. Organization pays off. An unexpected opportunity emerges from a routine task. LIBRA (Sept. 23–October 22): With your season beginning, con- fidence grows. Focus on rela- tionships and communication. A gesture of goodwill strengthens bonds and opens new doors. SCORPIO (October 23–Novem- ber 21): Keep your plans flexible. New information may change the landscape. Trust your judgment and avoid reacting too quickly to rumors. SAGITTARIUS (November 22– December 21): Adventure can be found close to home. Explore a new activity or interest. Opti- mism helps turn challenges into learning experiences. CAPRICORN (December 22–Jan- uary 19): Hard work continues to produce results. A leadership role may find you. Stay disciplined, but leave room for personal en- joyment. AQUARIUS (January 20–Febru- ary 18): Innovation and creativi- ty shine. Collaborate with others who share your vision. An uncon- ventional approach delivers bet- ter results than expected. PISCES (February 19–March 20): Intuition guides you toward meaningful choices. Pay atten- tion to subtle signals and inspira- tion. A thoughtful act deepens an important relationship.  DISPATCH HOROSCOPES Week of Sept. 20-26, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE EARLY VOTING FOR THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION The Tazewell County Clerk’s office, located in the McKenzie Building, 11 S. 4th St. Suite 203, Pekin, Illinois will be open as a permanent site for Early Voting for the September 24th, 2026, General Election. Early Voting will be conducted at the Tazewell County Clerk’s office from Thursday, September 24th through Monday, November 2nd, 2026. Permanent Polling Location: Tazewell County Clerk’s Office 11 S. 4th Street, Suite 203 Pekin, IL 61554 WEEKDAYS: Monday through Friday September 24th – October 15th 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday, October 16th 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM October 19th – October 22nd 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday, October 23rd 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM October 26th – October 30th & November 2nd 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM WEEKENDS – Saturday and Sunday Saturdays, October 17th & 24th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sundays, October 18th & 25th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday & Sunday October 31st & November 1st 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Temporary Sites: Tremont Community Center 216 S Sampson St., Tremont, IL 61568 Morton Township 300 W. Jefferson St. Morton, IL 61550 Washington Township 58 Valley Forge Rd. Washington, IL 61571 Folepi’s Market Place 2200 E. Washington St. East Peoria, IL 61611 Temporary Dates and Times: Fridays, October 16th & 23rd 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturdays, October 17th & 24th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sundays, October 18th & 25th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ****For further information, call Tazewell County Elections Division (309) 477-2267****

THE DElavan DispaTcH FUN & GAMES sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 9SUNDAY FUNNIES Peanuts by Charles Schulz Garfield by Jim Davis Pickles by Brian Crane Drabble by Kevin Fagan Frazz by Jef Mallet © United Feature Syndicate, © Andrews McMeel Universal, 2026. All Rights Reserved. https://www.gocomics.com/ Marmaduke by Brad Anderson Ziggy by Tom Wilson & Tom II

10 THE DElavan DispaTcH FUN & GAMES sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 The Sunday Crossword Puzzle aCROSS 1. Standard 5. Society girls 9. Artist ____ Picasso 14. Opera solo 15. Marshal Wyatt ____ 16. Poe’s middle name 17. Plane patron 19. Gathers crops 20. Baldwin and Guinness 21. Tier 23. Visualize 24. Group of eight 26. Early car (2 wds.) 28. Preacher 31. ____ couture 33. Common contraction 34. Drive off 36. Fashion magazine 40. Breakfast appliance 42. Porridge 45. Initial wager 46. “Carmen,” e.g. 48. Zero 49. Home of the Dolphins 52. Bloopers 54. Zodiac twins 57. Box 59. Hewing tool 60. Tiny amount 62. Airborne 66. Soup dipper 68. Bearable 70. E.T., e.g. 71. Bullring cheers 72. Young adult 73. Solemn 74. Cooking dOWn 1. ____ Valley (vineyard site) 2. By mouth 3. Stand up 4. Team’s symbol 5. Cozy retreat 6. U.S. symbol 7. Respire 8. Nimble 9. Talking bird 10. Brewery product 11. Unenthused 12. Coat part 13. Beginning 18. Accompany 22. Australian bird 25. Lumber source 27. Judge 28. Pocket bread 29. Stratford-on-____ 30. ____ belt 32. Lily species 35. Teenage dance 37. Letterman’s rival 38. Dragon’s home 39. Building wings 41. Trucker’s vehicle 43. Space 44. Tooth deposit 47. Small flute 50. Mean 51. Broadcast 53. Narrate 54. Festive events 55. Praise 56. Radio and newspapers, e.g. 58. Lease again 61. Over 63. Heed 64. Run away 65. Perfect gymnastics scores 67. Luau souvenir 69. Tricky curve 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 Sudoku Puzzle 3 8 8 1 2 9 2 6 5 7 8 1 9 3 7 9 3 6 4 2 1 3 8 6 3 1 4 2 7 8 2 5 9 7 1 6 Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, ev- ery column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any. N O R M D E B S P A B L O A R I A E A R P A L L A N P A S S E N G E R R E A P S A L E C S L A Y E R S E E O C T E T M O D E L T P A S T O R H A U T E I V E R E P E L E L L E T O A S T E R O A T M E A L A N T E O P E R A N I L M I A M I E R R O R S G E M I N I C R A T E A X E T R A C E A L O F T L A D L E T O L E R A B L E A L I E N O L E S T E E N S T A I D P O T S E Y E S Crossword Solution 4 3 1 6 9 2 5 8 7 7 5 8 1 3 4 6 2 9 9 2 6 5 7 8 4 3 1 6 8 2 4 5 9 7 1 3 5 7 9 3 6 1 8 4 2 1 4 3 8 2 7 9 5 6 3 1 5 9 4 6 2 7 8 8 6 7 2 1 5 3 9 4 2 9 4 7 8 3 1 6 5 Sudoku Solution 🤣 Joke Of The Week Why did the coffee file a police report? It got mugged.

THE DElavan DispaTcH CLASSIFIEDS sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 11MARKETPLACE 61734 Private Party 15-word ad only $2.95Extra words 5¢ per word. Add a photo for only $1 more. We accept all major credit cards.  100 NOTICES  200 JOBS  300 REAL ESTATE  400 FOR SALE  500 AUTOMOTIVE  600 SERVICES Each Private Party Ad runs UNTIL SOLD. 600 SERVICES ads run for 52 weeks. Call 1-309-244-4063 to place your ad today!  100 NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE PLACE YOUR PUBLIC notice here. Call 309-244- 4063 today. PLEASE VISIT PUBLIC Notice Illinois (PNI) at PublicNoticeIllinois.com to find legal notices through- out Illinois.  200 JOBS HELP WANTED THE DELAVAN DIS- PATCH: Three newspaper carriers wanted to deliv- er newspapers to homes in Delavan on Sunday morn- ings before 9:30 am. Call: 309-244-4063.  300 REAL ESTATE BROKERS FREEDOM REALTY: Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest, we do it all! Our agents are some of the top selling profession- als in the area. We would be honored to put our over 200 years of combined ex- perience to work for you! Call 309-321-8167 today.  400 FOR SALE LOCAL RETAIL DELAVAN AN-TEEK Mall is one of the lon- gest-running businesses in Delavan. They carry a large variety of primitives, glassware, pottery, furni- ture, toys, holiday decora- tions, and collectibles. If you are traveling from a distance, please call ahead. 201 Locust Street. Call: 309- 645-0907  500 AUTOMOTIVE AUTO DEALERS ROLAND RICH FORD: Your Country Ford Dealer since 1975. (309) 244-8249 or @ www.rolandrichforddela- van.com. Call 309-244-8249. MIKE GRESHAM: SALES and Leasing Consultant at LighthouseGMC in Morton. (309) 241-5156 or @ light- housegmc.com. Call 309- 244-8249.  600 SERVICES ANIMAL CARE THE FARM SITTER: Specializing in Horse and Hobby Farm care. Pet sit- ting, Farm sitting, and Dog Walking. Vacation ser- vices also available. Vis- it www.thefarmsitter.com and like us on Facebook @ TheFarmSitter. Call: 309- 925-1140. COUNSELING SARAH TIERNEY COUN- seling. Sarah Tierney, LCPC, has been a licensed mental health therapist in central Illinois for 20 years and also provides public speaking services to lo- cal schools, churches, and businesses. Her private practice offices are located in Mason City and Mt. Pu- laski, but telehealth options are also available. You can reach Sarah direct- ly through her website at www.sarahlewtierney.com. EXCAVATING CMT EXCAVATING INC: Demolition, excavating, land clearing and Pond clean outs. 309-202-8133. WAYNE LITWILLER EX- CAVATING: Basements, Septic Systems, and Dem- olition. 309-449-3280. FUNERAL HOME OSWALD FUNERAL HOME: Serving Tremont, Hopedale, Delavan, Mack- inaw, Minier. 309-244-8242. LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES BREE TREE CARE: OF- fering tree removal, trim- ming & emergency tree services. Fully insured and BBB Accredited. 701 E 2nd Street. Delavan. 217-871- 0904. PEST CONTROL HARRIS PEST CON- TROL: Offering Pest Con- trol and Maintenance to Residential, Commercial & Industrial customers. 502 Derby Street, Pekin. 800-PEST-CONTROL (800- 737-8266). WASTE & RECYCLING DAWDY DUMPSTER SERVICES: Dumpster Rentals, Residential and Commercial Weekly Trash Pick Up. 309-501-4960. CHECK BACK WEEKLY for new listings and lo- cal opportunities. Look- ing for it? Selling it? Start in Marketplace 61734. 1505 Valle Vista Blvd, Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 346-4145 979 1575 St, Lincoln, IL, 62656 217-732-7125 greenprairieanimalhospitals.com

SPORTS WRAP12 THE DElavan DispaTcH SPORTS sunDay, sEpTEmbEr 20, 2026 By Robert Fang THE DISPATCH DELAVAN — The Delavan Varsity Panthers volleyball team posted a 1-1 record during a busy week, opening with a vic- tory over Peoria Manual before falling in a closely contested Tomahawk Conference match- up against Greenview. Delavan started the week on a high note Monday, Sept. 14, defeating visiting Peoria Manu- al 2-0 in non-conference action. The Panthers controlled the match and secured the straight- set victory in front of their home crowd, improving their season record to 4-7. The win provided a boost of confidence as Delavan pre- pared for conference play and showcased the team’s abili- ty to capitalize on opportuni- ties against non-league compe- tition. The Panthers returned to the court the following day to host Greenview in a Tomahawk Conference contest. Although Delavan came up short in a 2-0 loss, the match was far more competitive than the final score indicated. Greenview claimed the opening set 25-21, but it was the second set that highlight- ed the determination and resil- ience of the Panthers. Delavan battled point-for-point with the Bulldogs and extended the set deep into extra points before ul- timately falling 28-26. Senior leadership and bal- anced production were key factors in keeping the Pan- thers within striking distance throughout the match. Kara Lowry turned in an outstanding all-around performance, finish- ing with 18 digs and nine kills. Her efforts on both offense and defense helped Delavan stay competitive against a Green- view team that improved to 7-8 with the victory. Tenley Burrell also made significant contributions for the Panthers. Burrell recorded five digs and four service aces, pro- viding a spark from the service line and helping Delavan gener- ate momentum during several critical stretches of the match. While Greenview ultimate- ly emerged victorious, the Pan- thers forced the Bulldogs to work for every point. The ex- tended second set demonstrat- ed Delavan’s ability to compete with conference opponents and showed growth as the season progresses. Despite the loss, there were several positives to take away from the week. The Panthers displayed strong defensive play, received quality contri- butions from multiple players and pushed a conference oppo- nent to the brink in a match that could have easily gone a differ- ent direction. With a win over Manual and a competitive showing against Greenview, Delavan continues to build experience and confi- dence as the season moves for- ward. If Lowry, Burrell, and the rest of the Panthers maintain the level of play they showed this week, Delavan will be well-positioned to challenge op- ponents throughout the remain- der of the conference schedule. The Panthers closed the week with their season record standing at 4-8 and will look to turn hard-fought efforts in- to victories as the season con- tinues. Panthers Split Momentum in Busy Week Delavan’s Mia Mammen readies for a defensive return as teammate Mck- inzey Ring delivers a serve during the Panthers’ straight-set victory over Peoria Manual on Sept. 14 in Delavan.  VOLLEYBALL Member SIPC Sal Pollice, AAMS® Financial Advisor 1400 Woodlawn Rd Lincoln, IL 62656 217-732-4001 Let's get to work on a life you love. > edwardjones.comEJB-19325-A-E-DA-3 AECSPAD DELAVAN PANTHERS  VOLLEYBALL (4-8, 0-6 CONF) 9/14 MANUAL W (2-0) 9/15 GREENVIEW L (2-0) 9/17 MT. PULASKI N/A 9/19 OLYMPIA N/A 9/19 CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN N/A 9/21 vs MIDWEST CENTRAL 7:00 PM 9/28 @ CUBA/SPOON RIVER VALLEY 6:00 PM  BOYS GOLF (9-1, 3-0 CONF) 9/16 TREMONT W (157-180) 9/16 MIDWEST CENTRAL W (157-212) 9/18 @ PEKIN CLASSIC 8:30 AM 9/23 @ICAC 9:30 AM HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY TEAMS