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F&M Newsletter - September 2002
Simplify Your Life
No matter which way you use your card, SAFETY is always important. Here are some very important Check Card and ATM safety tips.
Friends in Motion 
May 10, 2002, is a day that Bushnell resident Dave Cortelyou will remember for many years. He got a hole-in-one on hole number 5 at Shaw Creek Golf Course with his trusty 4 iron. Rumor has it that he’s going to give up his yard work and think about going “on the tour” as he’s now beginning to feel like Superman!!
Scooby Doo’s birthday is September 13th! Walter (Swede) and Sally Borg of London Mills recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Last month we had them in Ellisville! Sorry for the error, and we still wish you many more happy anniversaries, wherever you reside! Dorothy (Walters) Markley of Macomb recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Hope your special day was spectacular and that you have many happy years ahead.
Hope everyone enjoyed Hawaiian Day at Farmers & Merchants State Bank on September 3rd. It was proof that you don’t have to be on the “Islands” to share in the spirit of Aloha. Thank you, customers, for helping us celebrate life, freedom, and being an American.
HEADS UP, TAXPAYERS!! The IRS intends to launch its National Research Program this month, designed to measure taxpayer compliance. The plan covers almost 50,000 audits divided into four categories:
Hey, Julie... 
The new JULIE Law may have you singing a different tune if you fail to “call before you dig.” JULIE is a not-for-profit corporation that helps homeowners and excavators find buried utility facilities by calling 1-800-892-0123. Whether you’re planting trees, installing a fence or deck, or adding a room to your house, Illinois law now requires all homeowners to call JULIE before digging. The law requires a call to JULIE 48 hours (not including Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) before you dig, to allow utility companies time to mark their buried facilities. The penalty for not calling JULIE will also get your attention. Each excavator and/or utility offense will be up to a $5,000 fine when no call is made. A penalty of up to $1,000 will be charged for individuals who are not involved in the process and who remove markings before a project is completed. Call Julie and be prepared to give the following information:
At the end of your call, the JULIE operator will verify your information and then give you a Dig Number. Write it down and keep it with your records. If you need to call back for any reason, such as to refresh the marks on your project, you will need this Dig Number. If possible, mark the area where you will be digging with white paint to help utility locators properly identify your project area. Also, most locators will not enter your yard if pets are present, so make sure your property is accessible.
Remember to call 1-800-892-0123 or obtain additional JULIE information at www.julie1call.com.
Debbie was born and raised in the Good Hope area to Bob and Sara Hudson (of rural Avon), graduated from Northwestern High School, and earned a degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University. She and husband, Roger, reside in Bushnell with their son Chase (age 17) who is a senior at B-PC High School. Their son, Justin (age 23), is a 2nd Class Petty officer in the Navy and is currently stationed in San Diego CA. Deb enjoys reading, golfing, decorating her home and watching movies to relax. She loves spending time with her boys (when they are around!) and is actively involved with the Hometown Heroes and After Prom Committees. In addition to golfing, Deb is also an extremely avid Chicago Cubs fan (she’s already agreed to co-chair the celebration next year (??) when they win the World Series!) and a Chicago Bears fan!!
SUGAR COOKIES
Cream together margarine, oil and both sugars. Add vanilla and beaten eggs. Sift dry ingredients. Stir into first mixture. Roll a teaspoon of dough into a ball. Press down on balls with the flat bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 375º for 12 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE! OYSTER CRACKERS
Mix all dry ingredients together, then add oil to mixture. Bake in large container at 225º for 1 hour. Stir often. Great snack! TACO SQUARES
Press crescent rolls on jelly roll pan to form crust. Brown ground beef and drain. Add taco seasoning to beef. Spread over crescent rolls and bake at 350º approximately 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Add shredded cheese and return pan to oven only until cheese is melted. Cut into squares and garnish with lettuce and tomatoes. Optional garnishes include black olives, onions, sour cream or additional cheese.
Need to replace that old pickup truck before winter arrives? We have competitive rates and terms for both new and used vehicles. On new vehicles, take the rebate and finance with us. In many cases this means a lower monthly payment for you! Stop by Farmers & Merchants State Bank today to see for yourself!
For Your Consideration*...by Shirley Rapp Staples Inc. (ticker SPLS) is the largest operator of office superstores in the world with stores located in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and The Netherlands. SPLS has purchased seven companies since 1994, obtained Quill Corp in 1998, and in July agreed to buy Medical Arts Press Inc.
Staples, an $11 billion retailer of office supplies, business services, computers, furniture and technology, is headquartered just outside Boston, MA. Popular school supplies this year include Plush Packs (backpacks with support), s-t-r-e-t-c-h-a-b-l-e book covers that fit most books and are washable and reusable, computers, solar calculators and glue sticks. Many analysts rate Staples as a Buy or Strong Buy with an earnings growth estimate of nearly 17% for each of the next five years. Earnings-per-share rose from $0.03 in 1990 to $0.66 in 2001, with sales-per-share increasing from $1.82 to $23.16 for the same time period. SPLS recently traded at $15.25, with a P/E (price-to-earnings ratio) of 21.3, and a 52-week trading range of $11.02 to $22.45. Total debt for the company is about $363 million, with a 15% debt-to-capital ratio. For further information on Staples Inc. or any investment, please contact Shirley Rapp or any of the professionals of Trust-Mart® to help you implement your investment decisions.
*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.
Research suggests that people find it easier to make positive changes when they are armed with facts about personal risk. The Mayo Clinic suggests putting health risks into perspective. Direct energy toward making lifestyle changes to better your chances of living longer, and stop stressing out over the “low risk” threats popularized by the media.
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That’s it. All of your purchases are recorded on your current checking account statement. Visa Check Cards are accepted worldwide at restaurants, hotels, airlines, and retailers. Your Visa Check Card can also be used as an ATM card. If you need a little cash on hand, your card is accepted at ATM machines worldwide.
Debbie Powell's pleasing smile can be seen and her contagious laugh heard as soon as you enter the loan department at Farmers & Merchants State Bank. Deb has been a member of the F & M family for 19 years, first as a teller, then loan secretary, trust department assistant, and currently as an administrative assistant in the loan department.
Some of Debbie’s favorite recipes include:
Staples recently established Staples Foundation for Learning, a private foundation, to provide funding to charitable programs that support or provide job training and education opportunities for all people, especially disadvantaged youths. Texas Rangers shortstop, Alex Rodriguez, will help with the kick-off , with the first recipient of the foundation being Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
In the United States, one of five people succumb to heart disease and one in seven to cancer. Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly all reduce the risk of serious and common illness.
