Dr Cliff Martin, Chief Surgical Officer at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, was our guest on Tuned In on Monday. Dr Martin joins WKEI for a Medical perspective on COVID-19. This week we discussed children and COVID-19 and the unusual symptoms that are occurring a small number of COVID-19 cases among children. We also discussed pregnancy and COVID-19. The IDPH recommends that pregnant women get tested for COVID-19 and Dr Martin explains why this is a helpful precaution for the baby and for hospital staff. And finally, we talked about an unusual story related to re-infection.

Retired Princeton High School teacher, coach and bus driver John Smith spoke with Wake Up Princeton host Paul Bomleny recently. The PHS and Northern Illinois University graduate spent the first four years of his career teaching at Mendota before returning to Princeton where he taught math for 29 years. He's coached everything from football to basketball and golf. John says he's proud of all the student athletes he's coached, especially his freshman football teams and his girls basketball squads that won regional championships in four of his first six years at the helm. He retired in 1994 but stayed on as a substitute teacher and bus driver. Saying "it takes a special breed of cat to be a teacher", he calls his 33 year career a "blessing". John and his wife Linda have three grown children and will be celebrating their 54th anniversary in June.

Elly Olson of Galva has an incredible resume. Despite the premature end of her High School season, Elly is staying positive as she works on staying in top Volleyball shape as she makes the move to Carl Sandburg College where she intends on continuing her hard work and determination in multiple sports while studying for a future in Radiology. Elly Olson is one of many inspiring young people across our area and she offered some advice for the Galva High School students coming up behind her.

The Levitt Amp Galva Music Series was postponed officially earlier this month but the team behind the Levitt Amp Galva series is not remaining idle. The Galva Arts Council, Heartland Connections and the Bishop Hill Creative Commons along with financial partners, the Galesburg Community Foundation, are launching an initiative called Play it Forward. Play it Forward is a grant organization for local musicians hit hard by COVID-19. Musicians who apply could receive a $500.00 and the chance to perform as part of a pair of virtual concerts where these musicians could receive tips from those watching the concert on YouTube or Facebook. Go to HeartlandConnections.com or PlayitForward.rock to apply for a grant if you're a musician or to find out more about watching or donating to the cause of Play it Forward.

Dr. Paul Steinke, CGH by Regional Media

Andy Jackson Sinnissippi Centers by Regional Media

The Kewanee Farmer's Market returns to business on Saturday, May 16th in Barrien Park. Like everything else in the age of COVID-19, the Farmer's Marker won't be the same but it will be there. Diane Demay and Mary Ann Dybdal joined our People to People program to discuss the guidelines that need to be followed for the Farmer's Market to operate safely. First, facemasks are required. Customers should come alone, don't bring the whole family. Credit or Debit cards are preferred but cash will be accepted however, no change will be given, that means try to have exact amounts to pay with. Social distancing is necessary in order to keep customers and vendors safe.

The Kewanee Public Library will begin curbside pick-up for library members on Monday, May 18th. Barbara Love from the Kewanee Public Library joined WKEI on Tuned In to discuss how curbside pick-up will work, how they came to deciding on opening for curbside pick-up pick and how they are able to have curbside pick-up as safely as possible. Beginning Monday, May 18th, you can call the library, tell them what you are looking for and set a time to come pick it up. Returns are done only via the library dropbox. Also remember, there are no longer late fees at the Kewanee Public Library as of April 1st.

Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau was our guest on Tuned in on WKEI on Wednesday. Katie joined WKEI with the latest COVID-19 resources for farmers available from the Henry County Farm Bureau and the Illinois Farm Bureau. If you're a farmer concerned about getting help during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Farm Bureau is ready to help with web resources for just about any question. It's also time to remember to share the road. Farm equipment is on the road more every day and drivers need to be aware and be safe.

Lori Cortez with Twin Cities Sunrise Rotary in Sterling called WSDR this morning. She shared information on the club activities, and how they have adapted to social distancing by using ZOOM for meetings. Also discussed was the Rotary grant program and the current available will be for Chromebook log books for area students, plus grants for some seniors in the area. She also welcomed anyone interested in rotary and their function to check them out on Facebook.