February 11, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 things you don’t know about me… Noreen Acton

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 things about themselves that we may not know. This week we talked to Villa Grove AD and St. Joseph resident Noreen Acton.

My favorite childhood memory is visiting DisneyWorld for the first time as a kindergartener.

My first pets names were Mittens and Nutmeg. They were two cats from the same litter.

I am most proud of raising my children. I think they are turning out to be two pretty decent human beings.

I wasn’t seeking out the AD role when I was hired at Villa Grove. The opportunity presented itself when my former cooperating teacher left her position and the AD job opened up along with a PE/Health teaching job. I am grateful to the principal who took a chance on a 25 year old kid who didn’t have a clue. My job as AD allows me to interact with kids as I get to watch them grow as athletes and people, mentor coaches and be involved in the a administrative side of competitive interscholastic athletics—all things I enjoy tremendously.

I always carry my dad’s prayer card from his visitation

I could watch “Christmas Vacation” over and over.

I last binge watched “Dead to Me” on Netflix.

Thornton Wilders “Our Town” is a book that I read in high school that stayed with me because of the idea of appreciating each moment as we live.

Fall is my favorite season. There’s something exciting about the start of a new school year, the leaves changing color, bonfires and football.

Besides the obvious things most people love about St Joe-schools, rec programs/parks, restaurants close to home and great people/teachers who watch over my kids like they are their own. I specifically love the floral arrangements currently wrapped around the lightpoles in town & how they are then tastefully decorated with greenery & ornaments for the holidays.

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Spartan Spotlight… Kendall Ayers

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

Kendall Ayers has plans to travel after graduating from high school. The St. Joseph-Ogden senior plans to take a vacation...

10 things you don’t know about me… John Mills

July 10, 2019

July 10, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is John...

Senior Spotlight… Jillian Plotner

January 23, 2020

January 23, 2020

What are your plans after you leave SJO?I plan on studying forensic anthropology. I haven’t decided what school yet! If...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

Running for a good cause

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

John Lubinski has a sizable commute each day to get from his home in St. Joseph to his place of...

10 things you don’t know about me… Cindy Berry-Rajlich

September 11, 2019

September 11, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 facts about themselves. This week we talked to Cindy...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

St. Joseph youth Dalton revs it up at motocross nationals

July 29, 2019

July 29, 2019

This week, Tristan Dalton is trying to become a national champion. The 11-year-old St. Joseph resident is competing at the...

Senior Spotlight…. Brayden Grimsey

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Brayden Grimsey. This post is sponsored...

Food pantry in need of donations

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

The shelves are almost bare at the St. Joseph Community Food Pantry. The pantry, housed in the St. Joseph Church...

SJO community mourns death of Chris Knipfer: ‘He truly had a heart of gold’

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

Chris Knipfer always wanted to help. “He would do anything for anyone,” said Jason Retz, the cross-country coach at St....

Senior spotlight: Chloe Duckett

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. Next up is Chloe Duckett! What will you be doing...

10 things you don’t know about me… Amy Gibbons

December 18, 2019

December 18, 2019

How did you come up with the name for your salon? 192 is actually the St. Joseph exit number. I...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jim Cotter

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is going to Kings Island with my family every summer on vacation My first pet was...

Wagner shines positive light on St. Joseph Grade School

May 7, 2019

May 7, 2019

Michelle Wagner is an optimist by nature. That optimism now permeates St. Joseph Grade School, where Wagner is completing her...

Comments
Leave a Reply