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With harvest time around the corner, now is a good time to consider your farm equipment financing options.
If you have an interest waiver on equipment that expires in the next few months, check the rate of interest that your loan will begin accruing. In many cases, the accrual rate from the company is much higher than what is available at Farmers & Merchants State Bank. Check with the company, then compare the rate to ours!
If you have a purchase in mind, please check with us. We have fixed rate plans, as well as a variable rate plan tied to Wall Street Prime. Our terms are flexible and will meet your needs. We also guarantee a quick turnaround on approval and preparation of the loan.
LOWEST RATE OR BEST DEAL? WHICH DO YOU WANT?
Many car/truck dealerships are bringing back low financing offers with the purchase of new 2003 vehicles. Those same dealerships may also offer a rebate instead of, or in addition to, low financing. Before you sign on the dotted line, stop by our bank and check out our rates. In many cases you will save a considerable amount of money if you take the rebate offered by the dealership and take advantage of our low interest rates on cars, trucks and SUVs.
Whatever your financing needs, call Doug, Pat or Don today at (309) 772-2171, or stop by the main bank Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Evelyn Kreider of Bushnell, and Kenneth Effland of Avon recently celebrated their 90th birthdays! We wish you both many happy and healthy years to come.
Bushnell’s All-Weather Track project recently earned our community the Governor’s Home Town Award for 2002. Congratulations to all who played a part in making this track a reality. The sign will soon be displayed as you enter the Bushnell city limits north of town.
Former director of Farmers & Merchants State Bank, H.M. (Mickie) Logsdon and wife Marilyn of Bushnell celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this month. Richard and Marjorie Williams of Avon also recently celebrated their 50th. We wish both couples many more blissful years together.
Watch the local newspaper for details of the upcoming ‘Hawaiian Day’ at F & M to be held September 3rd!!
Our own Becky White is a grandmother again! Grandson number four, Kanaan, was born June 17, 2002, to parents Kim and Brian Wohlfeil of Decatur. Congratulations on the new arrival.
W.E. (Swede) and Sally Borg of Ellisville recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Best wishes to both of you for many happy years ahead.
Be sure to attend and support the annual Bushnell Town & Country Festival August 21st through 24th.
J.R. (Bob) Beatty of Avon was recently the recipient of the 2002 Land of Lincoln Hall of Fame award as the owner of the oldest swine herd on the same farm and within the same family in the United States. Bob’s grandfather established the Poland China hog farm on his family farm 115 years ago. Good for you, Bob! What an honor for you and your family!
Looking for an unusual gift to commemorate a special occasion? One that is suitable for a wedding, special birthday, retirement, or birth of a child? And that is affordable?
The 2002 Proof Sets can be yours now for only $29.95. This annual set includes 10 never previously minted coins, packaged in airtight cases. The penny, nickel, dime and half dollar are packaged along with the new Sacagawea “Golden Dollar”. In a separate case are the five state quarters issued for 2002 (TN, OH, LA, IN and MS). Each of the ten coins are uncirculated, in proof condition, buffed to a brilliant finish and not touched by human hands. Each coin contains the San Francisco mint.
These coin sets will be available while supplies last, and once the supply is exhausted can only be obtained through special order. Remember, for less than $30 you can buy that special gift, begin (or finish!) your Christmas shopping, or start your own collection that is sure to appreciate in value as the years go by.
Stop by the lobby of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank today. Ask Missy, Peggy or Erin for assistance with your purchase or for additional information.
Betsy Powell joined Farmers & Merchants State Bank as a teenager and has literally grown up with the F & M family.
Betsy was born to Ron Featherlin of Bushnell and Ann Hopping of Ellisville (30 years ago this September!). Betsy attended B-PC schools, began working part time in the trust department as a COE student in 1988, and remained on staff following graduation. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor of business degree in finance in 1994, and in 2000 graduated from ABA Graduate Trust School. Betsy is not only an Asst. Trust Officer for Trust-Mart® at F & M but also an Asst. Vice President and the Marketing Officer as well.
Betsy and husband Eric reside in Bushnell and are the parents of two children, Riley (age 3) and Hadley (age 7 mos.) In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking, decorating her home and spending time with her family. She is also a big sports fan, and especially loves the Chicago Cubs, LA Lakers and Dallas Cowboys!
Betsy’s favorite recipes include:
PEANUT BUTTER BARS
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Milk for consistency
Mix sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs and peanut butter. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes in well-greased jelly roll pan. Spread icing over warm bars.
WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEX MIX
1 pkg. white chocolate chips
6 cups Rice Chex, Corn Chex, or Crispix
Candy sprinkles
Melt chips in microwave. Stir until smooth. Add cereal and mix until well coated. Add sprinkles. Spread on waxed paper and let cool. Break into pieces.
SCOTCHEROOS
1 c. sugar
6 c. Rice Krispies
1 c. light corn syrup
1 pkg. chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter
1 pkg. butterscotch chips
Combine sugar and syrup in saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Add Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. Press mixture quickly into greased 9"x13” pan. Melt chips in microwave. Spread evenly over Rice Krispies. Cool until firm.
Starting in 2002, teachers will be able to deduct up to $250 for unreimbursed amounts spent on classroom supplies. Save your receipts and submit them to your tax preparer when you file your tax return next spring.
Coca-Cola Co. (ticker KO) is the world’s largest manufacturer of soft drinks and non-carbonated beverage concentrates. Major brands of KO include Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Tab, Mr. Pibb, Mello Yello, Minute Made juices, Five Alive, Fruitopia, Hi-C and Bacardi Mixers to name a few. The newest product, Vanilla Coke, was just introduced this summer.
Georgia based Coca-Cola has a 10% debt-to-capital ratio, with no pension liability or preferred stock. Earnings-per-share have increased during the last fifteen years from $0.26 to $1.80, and KO recently increased the annual dividend to $0.80 per share.
Coca-Cola recently traded at $55.80 per share with a price-to-earnings ratio of 36. The company’s 52-week range has been $43.50 to $57.91. Many analysts rate KO as a Strong Buy or Buy, and feel an 11% average growth per year for the next five years is not unrealistic.
For further information on Coca-Cola Co. or any investment, please contact Shirley Rapp or any of the professionals of Trust-Mart® to help you implement your investment decisions.
Recipes using Coke include:
SWEET & SOUR CABBAGE
3 cups cabbage
2 medium apples
1/2 cup Coca-Cola
2 T. brown sugar
1/2 t. caraway seeds
2 T. bacon drippings
2 T. vanilla
1 t. salt
Coarsely shred cabbage. Core and dice apples. In pan, toss together all ingredients. Cover, simmer cabbage about 25 minutes or until tender. (To reduce foam, use Coke at room temperature and stir rapidly.)
THICK BARBECUE SAUCE
2 medium onions
3/4 cup Coca-Cola
3/4 cup catsup
2 T. vinegar
1/2 t. salt
3/4 t. chili powder
2 T. worcestershire sauce
Chop onions finely. Combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil; cover pan; reduce heat and simmer about 45 minutes until sauce is thick. Stir occasionally. Makes about 2 cups. To serve, heat frankfurters in sauce, or spoon sauce over cooked burgers, steak, chops or ribs.
*This column is informational only, with no investment advice given or intended. Investments in securities are not insured by the FDIC, and involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Before buying any security, its prospectus should be carefully read. Trust-Mart© is a full-service trust department of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Bushnell, Illinois.
Did you know that you can make a loan payment at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning? When you sign up for internet banking at Farmers & Merchants State Bank, you will not only have access to your account balances and be able to transfer funds from one account to another, but will also be able to make your loan payments. If you don’t have a computer you can bank by phone. Anytime, day or night, call 877-428-2171 to obtain your account balance information or transfer funds between accounts. Simplify your life and enjoy the convenience of our newest banking products.
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