Connected Magazine - MTCO Communications

October 2011
Magazine
Serving Metamora & Germantown Hills
Miss America
Visits Metamora
Community Calendar
of Events Inside
A Community Publication
Provided By MTCO Communications
MTCO Communications
220 N. Menard Street
Metamora, IL 61548
On The Cover:
October Reminds Us That
Winter Is Near
Ah yes, October . . . . the views
of the trees turning colors and
the leaves falling to the ground.
The frost covered plants, yards,
and windshields in the morning
reminding us that winter is on the
way and we need to be prepared.
allows you to record and view
them later at your convenience
or save them for a snowy day.
With the “Whole Home DVR” you
can watch the recorded shows on
any connected television in your
house.
Here at MTCO we have prepared
an array of services to get thru
the winter blahs with our digiMAX
Triple Play services.
3. We also have high quality
telephone service that has been
serving this community for over
66 years. This telephone network
is
completely
underground
giving you the added safety that
your telephone will be working
after storms have taken out other
communications and power.
With a regular telephone that
only needs to be plugged into
a telephone jack and requires
no power, you will be able to
make and receive calls while
the “internet” phones are not
working.
A l s o ,
M T C O
landline
phones
come with
Enhanced
9
1
1
service
that allows safety officials to
know where you are even when
you can’t verbalize where you are
located.
1. MTCO provides a fast, dedicated
Internet service
keeping
you connected
to your favorite
websites and
entertainment
during
these
long, dark, cold
days. Since we were the
first company to bring
Internet to our community
in 1995, we knew that being
the leader meant offering great
service at a fair price. Sixteen
years later we feel we have met
this achievement, and we hope
our customers and friends feel
the same.
2. We have “Built From The
Ground Up” a TV network that
is 100% digital entertainment
all in its’ own. We offer over 70
channels of HD programming
along with all of your favorite
movie packages including HBO,
Cinemax, Showtime, and more.
The Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
will capture
the shows
that you do
not want to
miss, and
With our Triple Play bundle you
get great telephone service,
100% digital television, and
dedicated high-speed Internet.
Stop in today and see us at our
local office or give us a call. You
will be happy that you connected
with us!
The Germantown Hills Chamber of Commerce
hosted The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast with Miss
America on September 19 at Metamora Fields.
She is pictured singing God Bless America during
the breakfast, and later spoke to students at
Metamora High School and Metamora Grade
School.
For more information about our services,
please visit
www.mtco.com
or scan this QR code with your
smart phone.
MTCO Communications
220 N. Menard Street
Metamora, Illinois 61548
309-367-4197
President & CEO
Glenn Rauh
Vice President & CFO
Ann Dickerson
Wireless Operations Manager
Editor - Connected Magazine
Bob Becraft
Marketing Manager
Editor - Connected Magazine
Kip DuBois
Connected Magazine is published monthly by MTCO Communications
with corporate office located at 220 North Menard Street, Metamora,
Illinois, 61548. The publication is intended for use of the residents of
Metamora and Germantown Hills.
No article in this issue or any part of this publication may be reproduced
without the expressed written permission of the Publisher.
For more information about this magazine, or for additional copies,
contact Bob Becraft or Kip DuBois at 309-367-4197 or connected@
mtco.com.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your services, please
contact our Customer Service Representatives at (309)367-4197 or 800859-6826.
Copyright 2011 MTCO Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Entertainment & Technology
TNT Mystery Movie Night This Fall
This fall, TNT is debuting a new lineup of
original movies based on contemporary
crime dramas that range from true-life
crime stories to fictional mysteries from
some of the best-selling authors of this
genre.
Action, drama, and suspense! These
movies are based on New York Times best
selling mystery/thriller novels that come from
highly regarded authors that will keep you guessing!
Baker Boys
This new documentary will air four episodes on Wednesday
evenings in October, premiering
Wednesday, October 5 at 9:00pm CST.
This series achieves the most accurate,
honest, and unfettered look at what the
U.S. Army’s counter-insurgency effort in
Iraq really looks like from the ground--from the
point of view and in the words of the soldiers who fight in it.
Hassle-Free
Protection
For Your Computer
We all know Internet security is a must to protect
our computers at home, and MTCO now offers
fully-mananged, hands-free protection with
SecureIT Plus. One major benefit is the free, U.S.
based 24/7 technical support via telephone and
online remote assistance. With online remote
assistance, the SecureIT tech takes remote access
of your PC while you watch, and works on any antivirus/spyware service issues you may be having.
In addition, this is a monthly subscription service
so you don’t have to worry about your protection
lapsing. If you postpone or forget to renew a
yearly contract with other anti-virus services,
your protection quickly becomes obsolete by not
receiving needed updates.
SecureIT Plus offers real-time Anti-Virus/AntiPhishing and Spyware protection with the
following features:
• Hands-Free Updates & Personal Firewall
Is It Necessary to Update Windows?
• Automatic Hard-Drive Maintenance to keep your
computer running efficiently
Although it’s perfectly natural to get annoyed by Windows’
seemingly endless “New updates are available” alerts, it’s not a
good idea to ignore them. You do so at your own risk.
• Parental Controls
The vast majority of updates (which arrive on your system
courtesy of the Windows Update tool) deal with security.
Microsoft routinely patches newly discovered holes, adds
malware definitions to its Windows Defender and Security
Essentials utilities, bolsters new Office security, and so on.
And don’t forget the occasional Windows hotflix, which may
address serious issues such as random system lockups.
In other words, yes, it’s absolutely necessary to update
Windows, but it’s not necessary for Windows to nag you
about it every time. To make Windows Update work mostly
behind the scenes, click Start, type Windows Update, and press
Enter. (In WindowsXP, head to the Control Panel and seek out
Windows Update). Next, click the Change Settings option, and
choose Install updates automatically. Click OK to finish the
process. Now, the only time you’ll hear from Windows Update
is when it requires a reboot. Please note these instructions
may vary per computer. (PCWorld)
• Monthly Summary Reports
• 24/7 Technical Support via Telephone and Online
• SecureIT Plus ranking among peers:
Protect your PC for $4.95/mo. for one computer
($3.95/mo for each additional computer) + one-time
$15 assisted install (per computer). Call or visit
MTCO today for more information or to subscribe.
Keep up with Entertainment and Technology news. Add MTCO to your Facebook and Twitter groups
and visit www.mtco.com and click on “MTCO News” on the right section of the webpage.
31
30
25
Metamora Village
Board Meeting 7pm
18
Metamora Area Business
Association Monthly Meeting
11:30am
11
Metamora Village
Board Meeting 7pm
4
27
Redbird Replay
on digiMAX @ 7pm
26
Redbird Replay
on digiMAX @ 7pm
19
Redbird Replay
on digiMAX @ 7pm
12
Metamora Park
Board Meeting 7pm
Redbird Replay
on digiMAX @ 7:00pm
5
28
Germantown Hills
Village Board Meeting 6pm
27
Germantown Hills
Chamber of Commerce
at Amie’s Music Together
in Washington at 12pm
20
Woodford County Historical
Society Meeting 7pm
Germantown Hills
Village Board Meeting 6pm
13
6
29
28
Metamora High
Homecoming VS Dunlap
21
14
7
30
Add the regular season of NFL RedZone to your digiMAX channel lineup for just $45
Every Touchdown. From Every Game. Sunday Afternoons. On digiMAX ch. 29.
24
Germantown Hills Planning
Commission Meeting 7pm
17
23
16
9
10
3
2
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
St. Mary of Lourdes Parish
Center 7am-Noon
26
25
Halloween on the Hill
at 5pm
Germantown Hills Fire Dept.
29
Germantown Hills
Fire-Rescue Challenge 7:30am
22
Metamora Farmers Market
on the Square 8am-Noon
15
Marching Band-31st Annual
Metamora Parade & Field
Invitational
Metamora Farmers Market
on the Square 8am-Noon
8
Metamora Farmers Market
on the Square 8am-Noon
1
In Our
Community
FIRST Robotics Program
Snyder Village Garage Sale
Metamora Township High School is
excited about the prospect of starting
a FIRST Robotics team this school
year. FIRST Robotics is a worldwide
event where students build a robot
to contend in a competitive game
each year.
This program provides
background in different career paths that will be in high
demand in the future, challenges students academically
in a fun environment, and develops positive leadership
qualities. Students in the program participate in sub-teams
such as design, programming, electrical and mechanical.
The 3rd Annual Snyder Village Garage Sale will be held
at the S/V Center on Friday, October 14th from 8:00am. 4:00pm, and Saturday, October 15th from 8:00am. - Noon.
Metamora High School has a tremendous facility for hosting
this event. However, there is high cost of the regional
competition along with the amount of equipment needed such
as electrical supplies, pneumatics, motors, sensing devices,
control mechanisms and aluminum. MTHS is still pursuing
several grant opportunities in addition to sponsorships
from local industry to be able to start the program this year.
If you would like to participate in the Metamora FIRST Robotics
Team as a student member, through a financial sponsorship,
or through a mentorship role, please contact Joseph Bachman
at Metamora High School through e-mail at jbachman@
mths.us. If sufficient grants and sponsorships are attained
that the team can commence, a student/parent/mentor
informational meeting will be held at a date to be determined
toward the end of October. The actual competition will
then begin on January 7, 2012, at which time students
will have 6 weeks to build the robot. More information
about FIRST Robotics can be found at www.usfirst.org.
Metamora High School is very excited about the
FIRST Robotics program and its focus upon Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math careers, as it will
continue to facilitate the goal of bringing excellent
educational opportunities to students in the community.
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast
The Lourdes Men’s Club will hold its Pancake & Sausage
Breakfast on Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 7:00am - noon at
the St. Mary of Lourdes Parish Center. If you wish to pre-order
fresh sausage, please contact Bill Kessling at 645-7795. Sausage
orders must be picked up between 7:00am - noon on October 2.
All proceeds from the sale will go to the Snyder
Village Resident in Need Fund. This fund helps offset
the cost of care for individuals in the Health Center
that have exhausted their means of support. Last
year’s sale brought in $4000 for the Resident in Need
Fund and we hope this year will be even better.
A very special thank you goes to the 2011 Garage
Sale Co-Chairs, Jane Kramer and June Ahrens and
their team for the great job they do with the sale.
For more information about the garage sale, please
call Snyder Village at (309) 367-4300, ext. 116.
Parade & Field Invitational
The 31st Annual Parade & Field Invitational will
be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011. The parade
portion of the event steps off at 11:00am followed
by the field competition beginning at 1:00pm.
MTHS is proud to present this years program to our
community, “1945, The Greatest Generation Ever.” The
program includes music
from the WWII era,
paying tribute to those
who served, those who
stayed at home and kept
the country going, and
the pride we feel to call
ourselves
Americans!
Our parade marshalls
include
Metamora
residents that served
in WWII, along with
other tributes to our
veterans
displayed
throughout the day.
For further information, please contact Dr. Parks
at 367-4151 regarding the band program, or Patty
McGuire at 383-3398 regarding Parade & Field.
Can’t escape cable’s
scary price increases?
Germantown Hills Fire-Rescue
Challenge
Germantown Hills Fire Department will
have their Fire-Rescue Challenge, a
5,000 Meter/3.1 Mile Run/Walk & 0.66
Mile Kids’ Fun Run on October 29, 2011.
The 5k Race begins at 7:30 a.m. and race
packets can be picked up at 6:30 a.m. The
Kids’ Run will begin at the conclusion of the 5k Race. The entry
fee is $10 for the 5k until October 9 and $15 after. You are
encouraged to register before race day, and you can get forms
at the fire house or online at www.germantownhillsfd.com.
Other activities for Halloween include a costume contest,
pumpkin carving contest and Germantown Hills Chamber of
Commerce Halloween on the Hill. For more information contact
the Germantown Hills Chamber or Fire Department websites.
Historic Structures of Metamora
Presentation
The Woodford County Historical Society will present
a pictorial program “Historic Structures of Metamora”
at its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 13 at
7:00pm at the Christian Union Church. This program
will be narrated by Murllene Kramer (co-founder and past
president of the Metamora Association for Historic Preservation
and past president of Woodford County Historical Society).
The slide presentation will include narrative of the history of
structures such as the Metamora Courth House, which was
built in 1845, the Joseph Schertz home and the cornerstone
of St. Mary’s Catholic Church (started during the Civil War),
Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Oakwood Cemetery,
Partridge Church Monument (first Amish-Mennonite
Church in Illinois), numerous local stone structures
built by stonesman Herman Weber, and much more.
The Woodford County Historical Society meets the second
Thursday of the month at various locations in the county. The
meetings are free and open to the public.
Do you have some community news to share with the residents
of Metamora and Germantown Hills?
Send it to connected@mtco.com, or mail it to us at 220 N.
Menard St., Metamora, IL 61548, Attn: Connected Magazine.
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Catch the excitement of the
2011 Metamora Redbird
football season with Redbird
Replay, shown only on digiMAX HD
channel 410 (digital ch. 400) on Wednesdays at 7pm.
Let the nostalgia kick in with Redbird Classics on Sundays
at 7pm. Enjoy the ‘75, ‘07, and ‘09 State Title games plus
other classics from the past like the ‘96 Normal semifinal.
www.mtco.com
309-367-4197
Your exclusive LOCAL CHANNEL for
Germantown Hills & Metamora to watch the
Metamora Redbird Football Replay in HD!
Catch all the action on digiMAX Channel 400
(HD channel 410) Wednesday evenings at 7pm.
Special thanks to the outstanding businesses below for helping underwrite the Metamora
Redbird Football Replay, along with our other sponsors: Bill Christ/Country Financial, Kaufmann
Chiropractic, Kouri’s Grille & Bar, Mason Funeral Homes, McDonald’s, Metamora Fields, Metamora
IGA, PA Atherton Construction, Redbird Express Mart, Sunbelt Rentals, The Flame Family Restaurant.
Greg Edwards, AAMS®
Financial Advisor
418 Old Germantown Road
Germantown Hills, IL 61548
Bus. 309-383-3131 TF. 888-383-3138
Cell 309-472-1198 Fax 877-222-8716
greg.edwards@edwardjones.com
www.edwardjones.com
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(Excluding Specials)
CARRYOUT AVAILABLE
Metamora - On The Square (309) 367-2600
Washington - Across from DQ (309) 444-5858
www.michaelsitalianfeast.com
Let’s Go Redbirds!
GO BIRDS!!!
BREAKFAST BUFFET
Every Sunday
7:30am to 11:00am
Catering
Banquets
Parties
& Carry Outs
400 Riverside Dr.
East Peoria
1006 Peoria St.
Washington
605 Upper 10 Mile Creek
Germantown Hills
Kitchen
Open Until
11pm
Watch The Redbird Replay
Every Friday Night
We’ll replay the football game that night on all TV’s
920 N. Niles - Metamora (309) 367-2108
www.didleysplace.com
GREAT FOOD - FAST SERVICE
513 Jubilee Lane - (309) 383-3030