As voters prepare for the March 17 Primary Election, Delavan Township Clerk Brad Donley is seeking the Republican nomination for Tazewell County Board District 1, bringing more than 20 years of service to the Delavan community into the race. Donley is also the only Delavan resident running for any county office this year.

District 1 elects multiple members to the County Board, and Illinois uses a cumulative voting system for this office. Each voter receives three votes to distribute among the candidates in any combination—whether all three for one candidate, one vote each for three candidates, or any other split. The system is designed to broaden representation in multi member districts and give voters flexibility in how they express their preferences.

For communities like Delavan, cumulative voting can also serve as a tool to amplify local representation, allowing residents to concentrate their votes in ways that help ensure the district’s smaller towns have a voice on the County Board.

On the Republican ballot, Donley’s name appears in the final position for County Board District 1. While ballot order does not affect how cumulative votes may be allocated, the last slot can still shape how voters scan and interpret the list in a competitive field.

No candidates filed for this office on the Democratic ticket. As a result, the winners of the Republican primary will advance to the November general election unopposed, making the March 17 primary effectively the decisive contest for the district’s seats.

Donley highlights his long tenure in township government—overseeing records, budgets, and public meeting administration—as preparation for serving at the county level. His two decades of involvement in Delavan’s civic life have included a wide range of administrative and community support roles.

Voters may cast their cumulative votes during early voting, by mail, or in person on Election Day. For official sample ballots, polling locations, and voting guidance, residents should consult the Tazewell County Clerk’s office or other trusted election authorities.

The Optimist Club of Delavan has announced the winners of its annual Poster Contest, held this year under the theme “How I Can Show Optimism in My Community.” One winner was selected in each of two grade divisions—3rd and 4th graders, and 5th and 6th graders—during the club’s regular meeting on Thursday, March 12.

The contest was coordinated by Debbie Woiwode, who oversaw the project and guided the review process. Optimist Club members evaluated the student submissions and cast votes to determine the winners. Each winner received a $25 prize in recognition of their work.

The Poster Contest is one of the Optimist Club’s longstanding youth initiatives, designed to encourage students to reflect on the values of optimism, service and community leadership. Each year, the theme challenges participants to think creatively about how they can make a positive impact in their schools, neighborhoods and daily interactions. Teachers across the district help promote the contest, and many incorporate the theme into classroom discussions about kindness, responsibility, and civic engagement. Club members noted that the contest continues to grow in both participation and artistic depth, with students offering thoughtful interpretations of what optimism looks like in action.

In the 3rd and 4th grade division, Lacey Fann earned top honors with a poster depicting a tree “rooted in kindness,” its branches extending outward to represent Family, Community, Nature and Friends.

In the 5th and 6th grade division, Nora Harland was selected as the winner for her illustration of a chain of people holding hands, each figure expressing messages of hope, love, community and family.

The Optimist Club expressed appreciation for all participating students and emphasized that the creativity and thoughtfulness displayed in this year’s entries reflect the many ways young people help build a more optimistic community.

Long before hybrid seed companies dotted the Midwest, before yield trials and precision planting and before Illinois became synonymous with towering fields of golden grain, one farmer’s curiosity helped reshape American agriculture. His name was James L. Reid, and the corn he developed—Reid’s Yellow Dent—became one of the most influential crops ever grown on the prairie.

Though Reid’s work began in the 1840s in Ohio, it was the fertile soils of Tazewell County that turned his experiment into a national powerhouse. When the Reid family moved to Central Illinois in the 1850s, they brought with them a handful of seed from a cross James had made years earlier: a soft kerneled, early maturing variety from his father and a hard, flinty corn from a neighbor. The combination produced a distinctive kernel with a deep crease—“dent”—down the center. It was hardy, adaptable, and remarkably productive.

In an era when most farmers saved seed from whatever happened to grow best in their fields, Reid took a different approach. He selected carefully, season after season, choosing ears that showed the traits he prized: uniformity, strong stalks and high yields. His neighbors took notice. So did seed buyers. By the 1870s, Reid’s Yellow Dent was winning prizes at county fairs and agricultural exhibitions across the Midwest.

But it was the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 that changed everything. Reid’s corn took top honors, beating out dozens of competitors and earning national attention. Seed orders poured in. Agricultural journals praised its consistency. And farmers from Illinois to the Great Plains began planting it by the wagonload.

For communities like Delavan, where agriculture was the backbone of daily life, Reid’s Yellow Dent arrived at exactly the right moment. The post-Civil War decades saw rapid expansion of railroads, grain elevators and rural markets. Farmers needed a crop that could withstand unpredictable weather, deliver reliable yields and store well for transport. Reid’s corn did all three.

By the early 1900s, it had become the dominant corn variety in the United States, forming the genetic foundation for many of the hybrid lines that would follow. In fact, when hybrid corn began its rise in the 1920s and 1930s, plant breeders often used Reid’s Yellow Dent as a parent line because of its vigor and stability. Its DNA still runs through countless modern hybrids grown today.

The impact on central Illinois was profound. Higher yields meant more grain moving through local elevators, more railcars leaving small towns like Delavan and more income circulating through rural economies. The success of Reid’s corn helped solidify Illinois’ reputation as a national leader in corn production—a distinction the state still holds.

But the story of Reid’s Yellow Dent is more than an agricultural milestone. It’s a reminder of how innovation often begins in the quiet work of everyday people. Reid wasn’t a scientist in a lab. He was a farmer walking his fields, studying ears of corn laid out on a kitchen table and trusting his instincts about what would grow best on the prairie.

His approach—patient selection, careful observation and a willingness to experiment—mirrored the spirit of countless early settlers who shaped this region. They built mills, dug wells, planted orchards and raised barns. They tried new tools, new crops, and new methods, always looking for ways to make life a little more secure for their families and their neighbors.

Today, when we drive past the endless rows of corn surrounding Delavan, it’s easy to forget that each field carries a legacy. The uniform stands of modern hybrids trace their lineage back to Reid’s original cross, made nearly two centuries ago. The grain hauled to elevators each fall is part of a story that began with a handful of seed and a farmer’s determination to improve what he had.

Reid died in 1905, but his influence never left the prairie. His corn fed livestock, fueled early ethanol experiments and helped launch the hybrid seed industry that transformed American farming. And though the name “Reid’s Yellow Dent” may not appear on seed bags anymore, its genetic fingerprint remains woven into the fabric of modern agriculture.

For Delavan and the surrounding countryside, the story of Reid’s Yellow Dent is a testament to the power of local innovation.

Visitors are invited to stop by during the Delavan Community Historical Society museum’s open house on April 12, from 2–4 p.m., to learn more about Reid’s contribution—or simply to enjoy the display in person.

The March 3 meeting of the Delavan City Council marked the final day of Interim City Administrator Eric Diekhoff’s employment with the city—an ending that arrived without ceremony, public acknowledgment, or even a brief word of thanks from the council that had appointed him. His departure closes a turbulent chapter in City Hall, following weeks of closed-door deliberations that preceded the resignations of both Diekhoff and City Attorney William Connor.

The meeting opened with an unexpected jolt during public comment. Former Ward 3 Alderman George Mitchell, who served 11 years on the council, stepped forward to address what he described as internal discussions among current aldermen about eliminating the city administrator position altogether. Mitchell alluded to council members privately debating replacing the administrator’s role with a system of alderman-led committees, with elected officials directly overseeing individual city departments.

Such a proposal has never been introduced, debated, or even hinted at in any public meeting during the current council’s term. No notice has been given to residents that the structure of city government might be under consideration, nor has the public been invited to weigh in on a change that would significantly alter how Delavan is managed.

Mitchell urged the council to abandon the idea, reminding members that Delavan’s employees unionized years ago in response to what he called “aldermanic mismanagement of departments, micromanagement, and terrible supervision.” He warned that returning to a system where elected aldermen directly oversee day-to-day operations would risk repeating the same mistakes.

The tension underlying Mitchell’s remarks echoed the recent sequence of events inside City Hall. On February 3, the council entered executive session at the request of Ward 2 Alderman Joe Watts to discuss “the future” of both the city attorney and city administrator positions. The public was barred from hearing the reasoning or deliberations. Connor’s resignation was announced two weeks later, and Diekhoff submitted his own on February 18.

When Tuesday’s meeting reached Diekhoff’s final administrator’s report, he focused not on the circumstances of his departure but on the work he leaves behind. He highlighted improvements to the city’s budgeting process and emphasized the value of the monthly cash flow reports he implemented—tools designed to give the council clearer, more timely snapshots of Delavan’s financial position.

Diekhoff also noted that during his tenure, he received only two phone calls from aldermen. He urged the council to be more engaged with city operations, particularly the budgeting process, saying that consistent communication and involvement are essential for effective oversight.

Council members offered no comments before moving on to the next agenda item.

With both the city attorney and city administrator positions now vacant, and with no public discussion yet on how the city intends to proceed, residents are left waiting for clarity on the future structure—and stability—of Delavan’s government.

The Ayer Public Library was closed on Friday, March 6, to allow staff members dedicated time for building maintenance and professional development. Library Director and staff used the day to complete a thorough cleaning of public and work areas, ensuring the facility remains welcoming and safe for patrons. The closure also provided uninterrupted time for staff training, including updates on library procedures, technology use, and upcoming program planning.

Library officials said the periodic staff day helps the team stay current on best practices while keeping the building in good condition for the community. Regular hours will resume on Saturday, and patrons are encouraged to check the library’s website and social media for updates on spring programs and services.

The Ayer Public Library thanks residents for their understanding as staff work to maintain a high standard of service for all who rely on the library’s resources.

A Delavan Dispatch subscriber has questioned whether the city council should consider adding accountability for golf carts and other low‑speed or motorized vehicles permitted on city streets: a clearly visible permit tag with an identifying number, similar in function to a small license plate.

The suggestion comes as Delavan, like many small Illinois communities, continues to see increased use of golf carts, UTVs, and other alternative vehicles for short‑distance travel. While the city already requires an annual permit for such vehicles, the current stickers are typically placed on the front windshield and can be difficult to read from a distance.

The subscriber who raised the idea said a more visible identifier would help both the public and law enforcement quickly determine whether a vehicle is properly permitted and, if needed, identify the owner. “It’s not about policing neighbors,” the subscriber noted in their message to the Dispatch. “It’s about making sure everyone who uses these vehicles is following the same rules and that there’s a way to report unsafe or reckless operation.”

Communities across Illinois have adopted similar systems, often using small metal or plastic plates with bold numbers mounted on the rear of the vehicle. Supporters say the approach improves safety and compliance without adding significant cost.

City officials have not yet discussed the proposal publicly, and no formal request has been placed on an upcoming council agenda. However, the suggestion aligns with broader conversations happening in many municipalities as alternative vehicles become more common on local roads.

The Dispatch will continue to follow this topic and report on any future city action or public discussion.

Local officials are urging residents to help spread the word: the Delavan Ambulance Service is fully operational and has been transporting patients for more than a year.

The service briefly halted transports after a sharp drop in EMS volunteers left too few personnel to meet state staffing requirements. During that period, responders could stabilize patients but had to wait 20–40 minutes for ambulances from neighboring towns.

Creative staffing solutions, and dedicated volunteers have allowed Delavan to resume transports—and the service has remained active ever since.

Leaders emphasize that if residents call 911 today, Delavan’s ambulance can respond and take patients directly to the hospital.

Delavan residents now have increased access to home-delivered meals through the regional Meals on Wheels program, which is already serving several clients in the community and is prepared to welcome more.

Program representatives say they are eager to support additional Delavan seniors or adults with mobility or nutrition challenges. Enrollment begins with a simple referral process. To get started, prospective clients—or a family member or caregiver—should call 309-674-1131, ext. 231, which connects directly to the office of Meals on Wheels Director Amanda McCoy.

To initiate a referral, callers will be asked to provide basic information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Any known food allergies
• An emergency contact

Once the referral is submitted, a third party assessor contacts the potential client or their representative to complete a nutritional assessment. This conversation reviews the individual’s nutrition needs, any risks related to diet, and mobility or daily living challenges that may affect their ability to prepare meals.

There are no financial requirements to qualify for Meals on Wheels. If a person is not approved through the assessment but still wishes to receive meals, they may choose to participate privately at a cost of $8 per meal.

If approved, clients can begin receiving home-delivered meals shortly after the assessment is completed.

Program staff also noted that Delavan could explore establishing a Congregate Meal Site, similar to the one operating in Tremont on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Congregate sites offer free meals to adults aged 60 and older and provide a social setting designed to reduce isolation and strengthen community connections. Local leaders or organizations

Long before grain elevators dotted the prairie skyline, Delavan’s earliest entrepreneurs were already trying to turn the region’s rich farmland into a thriving milling industry. Their efforts—some bold, some costly, all ambitious—laid the groundwork for a chapter of local history that would eventually send Central Illinois flour across the globe.

The town’s first attempt came in 1839, when Deacon Henry R. Green established a steam-powered custom mill. It was a forward-looking venture for a frontier community still finding its footing. A second effort followed in 1861, when John L. Orndorff opened another mill. That project proved far more painful: Orndorff reportedly lost $10,000, a staggering sum for the era.

Despite these early setbacks, the idea of Delavan as a milling center never fully disappeared. It simply needed the right combination of timing, technology, and tenacity.

That moment arrived 29 years after Deacon Green’s first mill, when Frederick Starz, along with partners Fred Lehman and Arthur Stubbs, founded the Delavan City Mills in 1868. Their operation marked a turning point—not just for the town’s economy, but for its identity.

The Delavan City Mills blended locally grown wheat with western hard wheat, producing a high-quality flour that quickly found buyers far beyond Illinois. With a capacity of 100 barrels per day, the mill shipped its product to England, Ireland, Scotland, and even Cuba, placing Delavan on an international map few small towns could claim.

Success bred expansion. In 1870, just two years later, a second major operation opened: the Young America Mills, launched by Arthur Stubbs and John B. Starz, Frederick’s son. With a daily capacity of 150 barrels, it surpassed its predecessor and solidified Delavan’s reputation as a regional milling powerhouse.

For a time, the rhythmic hum of grinding stones and steam engines became part of the town’s soundtrack. Farmers brought in wagonloads of wheat. Railcars carried out barrels of flour stamped with Delavan’s name. And a community that once struggled to sustain a single mill found itself home to two flourishing enterprises.

Today, the mills are gone, but their legacy remains woven into Delavan’s story—a reminder of the persistence, partnership, and quiet ambition that helped shape the town’s early economy. In the span of just a few decades, Delavan went from hopeful experiments to global exports, proving once again that even small towns can leave a wide footprint when opportunity meets determination. interested in this option are encouraged to reach out for further discussion.

The mystery of the 1940 postcard featured in the February 22 edition of the Delavan Dispatch is beginning to clear, thanks to early translation work from readers and regional history enthusiasts.

The postcard, mailed from the Delavan Post Office on April 27, 1940, and addressed to Mrs. Otto Gries, 10040 Aberdeen St., Chicago, contains a short message written in German. The first decipherable lines translate to: “Everything is going well so far, I hope Roselle is too, and that you are all well. Greetings to Mr. Gries.”

Additional fragments are now legible, including phrases that appear to read: “Could write a letter today. Delavan Armory, Delavan, Illinois. I am here.” The reference to the Delavan Armory remains the most intriguing element, raising new questions about the sender’s purpose in town and their connection to the Gries family in Chicago.

While the handwriting is still challenging in places, these early breakthroughs offer the first real glimpse into the postcard’s intent — a friendly update, a travel note, or perhaps something more.

The Dispatch will continue sharing translation progress and invites readers with German‑language expertise to join the investigation.