It’s no secret that I rarely cook, bake or even get near that thing called an oven that is standard in most kitchens. It’s not that I don’t know how (contrary to what many believe); it’s just that I choose not to. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Blog/Sample Work
A second-grader’s mission to warm Madison
A second-grader's mission to warm Madison 'I kept seeing a lot of kids without coats,' says girl When Z'Sanique Sanders, 7, told her principal she had an idea to warm up her classmates this winter, she meant business. The second-grader at Harris Accelerated Elementary School in Madison was serious about opening up her heart to the community, Principal Terrien Fennoy said. "She came to me in September and said 'I have an idea' and then she kept stopping by my office each week to remind me. She was persistent and genuinely concerned as the weather got colder," Fennoy said. Sanders' idea evolved from a wish to help her classmates into a community-wide winter coat drive called "From Our Hearts to Yours." Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Granite City girl scout sells 1,040 boxes of cookies
Granite City girl scout sells 1,040 boxes of cookies When Hannah Groetecke sets her mind to something, she gets the job done — even if it means carrying an order form at all times. Groetecke, a member of Girl Scout Troop 403 in Granite City, got the job done this month, selling 1,040 boxes of cookies for the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. Her efforts earned her a Mongoose bike, an iPod Touch, her name on the district office's plaque and recognition as one of five girls in the area deemed Super Sellers. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
My Christmas Shoes
When I was little, Christmas was my favorite time of year. It was the anticipation of spending time with my family, the excitement over gift giving and the nervousness of holiday plays and church programs. For me, the main events always lived up to the anticipation. But, I’m not so little anymore. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
See You on the Other Side, Grandma J.
To many, my grandma was June, the longtime checker at ShopLand. We knew this as kids because someone recognized her everywhere we went. To others, she was Aunt June, Junie, Mrs. Jordan, mom and Nana J. She was Grandma J to most of us. Beyond what she was called, she was the one who opened up her home and her heart to our friends, to extended family and anyone else who knew she had candy bars in that bottom drawer of the fridge. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Family Works to Remember Fallen Edwardsville Soldiers
Family Works to Remember Fallen Edwardsville Soldiers Monument Planned at City Park Doug and Jill Garbs remember their son as a "behind-the-scenes" type who aspired to serve his country as an army ranger. Spc. Ryan Garbs spent two years on secret operations as a U.S. Army Ranger before he was killed Feb. 18, 2007, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. Ryan Garbs' story is similar to those of at least 74 other soldiers from the Edwardsville area. One fought in hand-to-hand combat during World War II, another was killed in a plane crash in North Carolina and two Hamel brothers were killed on the same day. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Journalists Serve Up Passion
Passion: It sounds like a dirty word or something straight out of a Harlequin novel, but for journalists, passion has nothing to do with romantic embraces or terms of endearment. Passion is a clean and clear sign that a journalist will succeed. There’s no doubt that good journalists are passionate about what they do and that passion is contagious. It’s our secret, dirty little word that gets us through the day. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Spock over volo, please: The language of an Italian favorite
Spock over volo, please: The language of an Italian favorite Bocce ball kindles community, family spirit Clif Dellamano II remembers playing bocce ball in the backyard with his dad as a child. It's a sport that's rich in Italian tradition and one that his family has embraced for more than 40 years. "I can't remember a time when we didn't go out in the backyard to play," Dellamano said. "For me, it's the enjoyment of being with my dad." Clif Dellamano Sr., 70, began playing when he got out of the service in 1963 and brought the sport to the Italian Fest with the help of Joe Ashmann in 1984. The tournament has evolved from a parking lot sport with 20 teams to a full-fledged event at Glidden Park each year, now with more than 65 teams. Clif Dellamano II and his cousin, Pat Dellamano now organize the event each September. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Keeping Toddlers Safe
Published October 2010: ParentUSAcity.com Keeping Toddlers Safe Article Overview: Toddlers are constantly moving and exploring their surroundings, and it takes no time at all for a toddler to get into harm’s way. There’s no hotter priority for parents than finding ways to prevent the unthinkable before it happens. But the relationship between parent and child doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. [More...] Article Excerpt: As parents, we do our best to keep a close watch on our children. However, it is impossible to monitor a toddler’s every move, especially when that toddler is constantly on the move. Melissa Finley, mother of 9-year-old Emily and 3-year-old Evan, learned that in less than five minutes a toddler can ultimately put himself in a life or death situation. “The unthinkable can happen,” Finley said. “I am so cautious with my children and it happened to me.” Last summer, Finley found her 3-year-old floating in the backyard pool at her southern Illinois home, completely blue and unresponsive. “I went downstairs to fold laundry and the house seemed too quiet,” Finley said. “I got this weird feeling and asked Emily to check on her brother.” Moments later, Finley heard her daughter scream as she jumped in the water to save her brother. Finley administered CPR, and Evan responded before the paramedics arrived. It was estimated that he had been in the water for approximately three minutes. Even though the Finleys had a lock on the pool ladder, their curious and energetic 3-year-old found his way into the pool. Since the incident, Evan has recovered fully and the Finleys have installed a pool alarm that alerts both exterior and interior receivers. “If anything hits the water that weighs more than 15 pounds, the alarm goes off,” Finley said. Read the full story here.
Nonprofit Recognizes One of Its Own
Tenia Buchanan spent years shopping at Goodwill to provide necessities for her children. On a whim, she said, she applied for a job and 15 years later, as the store manager of the Fairview Heights store, she is now considered a local hero by the nonprofit. "I was a welfare recipient, a low-income parent looking for a job. When I started here, I never thought I would find myself in this position 15 years later," Buchanan said. "I've been very blessed with an opportunity of a lifetime." Buchanan's climb from store cashier at the Cahokia store to managing the Fairview Heights location took hard work and years of training, she said. It ultimately landed her the Local Hero Award, given by Lewis Chartock, CEO and President of MERS/Goodwill. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 