BenGil Business
CCCC names Konneker as Spirt Award recipient, Robinsons as Founders Award winners
CCCC Board Member John Veres presents the Founders Award to Mickey and Emmlee Robinson.
The individual responsible for keeping the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce Choo Choo chugging along for CCCC events was named the recipient of this year’s CCCC Sprit Award during Saturday night’s annual CCCC Banquet at JoDanni’s Amore, Benld. The Chamber also named Mickey Robinson, long-time CCCC Executive Director, and his spouse, Emmlee, as recipients of the Chamber’s first Founders Award to recognize “exceptional dedication” to the Chamber and its goals.
Presenting the Spirit Award, CCCC Secretary Annetta Veres, thanked Konneker for his work and added, “our organization would not run as smoothly and successfully without you.”
He does all this with so much pride and joy
“He pulls the tires, checks the brakes, puts on fresh coats of paint when needed and makes all the adjustments that keeps our Choo Choo up and running and looking great,” Veres said. “He also is the engineer for our Fall Festival and Snack with Santa.” For Snack with Santa, Konneker adds one car in the shape of a sleigh, which is reserved exclusively for Santa.
For CCCC events, Konneker hangs advertising banners for event sponsors, Veres said. With help from Gregg Crain, Konneker sets up vendor booths for the Fall Festival, moves supplies and equipment from storage and puts materials back when the event is concluded.
“He does all this with so much pride and joy,” Veres said. “We received numerous compliments, especially from people who are new in the community, who are impressed with the way the CCCC conducts its events, and we are very proud of all that this recipient does to make this happen.”
A surprised Konneker had little to say other than to thank the Chamber and note that his work represents a “small contribution” that makes him happy to do it.
CCCC Secretary Annetta Veres presented the Spirit Award to Rick Konneker.
The newly created Founders Award was not on the program, presumably to keep it secret from recipients Mickey and Emmlee Robinson. Board member John Veres sprung the award during closing remarks at the conclusion of the evening. Veres first introduced the CCCC board, telling attendees that “these are the people who make things happen” for the Chamber. With the board still at the podium, Veres then announced the creation of the Founders Award to recognize “exceptional dedication and service to the Chamber and its members.”
He said the Robinson’s are “two of our hardest working and dedicated workers.” Robinson was a founding member of the Chamber board when it formed in 1999, later assuming a role as the CCCC Executive Director. For nearly two decades he and his wife have taken a lead role in organizing major events such as the Fall Festival, CCCC Summer Concert Series, Holiday Sparkle and Snack with Santa.
I’ve learned to love my community more and really see the worth of all the people and what they do.
Presenting the award to Emmlee Robinson, Veres said, “Mickey would not be as successful as he is without this person next to him. She helps pull a lot of things together.”
Mickey Robinson thanked the Chamber but declined further comment.
“If it weren’t for Mickey, I probably wouldn’t be doing this,” Emmlee Robinson told the group. “I do it with love just because of him. Through him, I’ve learned to love my community more and really see the worth of all the people and what they do. It’s very important to Mickey that he can help in some way and I just try to give him my support.”
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BenGil Business
Gillespie nursing home changes ownership, renamed to Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
Heritage Health Gillespie announces it has changed ownership. Renamed Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, the 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility provides a broad spectrum of care, including long- and short-term care and rehabilitation, in an intimate and compassionate environment.
The new ownership team is a group of individuals who are skilled nursing facility managers and operators based in Illinois. The ownership change was effective July 1, 2023, and Heritage Health was the seller.
“In these challenging times, it is very reassuring that our new ownership team has years of know-how, shared values and a great group of experienced experts – based right here in Illinois – to support our care team,” said Kim Schardan, the facility’s CEO/administrator.
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, at 7588 Staunton Rd., in Gillespie, Ill., will benefit from the hands-on attention that comes from a smaller, but very skilled “non-corporate” ownership and management team. The team has overseen operations at similar-sized care centers, in rural and suburban communities in Illinois and the Midwest, and brings many new ideas that have been very successful at other facilities.
“Our new owners view Gillespie Health & Rehab Center as a world of family and friends,” said Schardan. “They share core principles and standards that reflect the people and beliefs of our region: Genuine Hometown Care, Community Integration, and Employees are Family.”
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is known for its focus on providing hometown care with a commitment to fully integrating with the healthcare needs of the Gillespie, Ill., community. As it continues to grow, the center will benefit from working with a skilled, hands-on regional ownership team.
“The ownership group has significant experience in overseeing operations at similar-sized care centers in rural and suburban communities,” Schardan noted. “We anticipate incorporating new ideas that have been successful at their other facilities as we work to advance our mission of excellence in care.”
About Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is a 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility in Gillespie, Ill., and offers long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, and respite care. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact (217) 839-2171 or visit the Gillespie Health & Rehab Center website at www.gillespiehrc.com.
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Enjoy a spring buffet at JoDanni’s Amore on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. The buffet will include pork chops, chicken spiedini, house salad, garlic rolls, scalloped potato, pasta con broccoli, vegetable medley, drink, and key lime cupcake for dessert.
The price for a ticket is $25. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, March 30.
For tickets, contact Catherine Young at 217-825-8488 or Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456. The meal is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
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Great joy took place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, as members of the United Methodist Church of Gillespie witnessed and celebrated six young people being baptized and/or confirmed at the 10:30 a.m. church service.
The students professed their faith in Jesus and became members of the church.
The new members include Clayton Bethard, Izzy Manus, Lydia Lowry, Makenna Martin, Marshall Garwood, and Wyatt Rondi.
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