April 9, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

10 things you don’t know about me… Gary Page

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? At the risk  of being boo’d out of town – I will never forget the feeling of pure joy and exhilaration of beating SJO in a triple-overtime youth football game back in 7th grade.  This was of course after losing to them 7 straight times.  

2. What was your first pet’s name? Gomer – a mutt of a rescue dog my family had all through my childhood.  

3. What book have you read that has stayed with you? Without question, “Quiet Strength”, by Tony Dungy.  My father gave this book to me to read when I was just beginning my career as a young teacher and coach.  The principles and character qualities laid out by Coach Dungy had a profound impact on my personal and professional maturation.   

4. What TV or Movie could you watch over and over? I can narrow it down to three… “For the Love of the Game”, “The Shawshank Redemption”, and “Super Troopers.”

5. What is the best advice you have been given? Always make decisions based upon what you feel is right, not what is easy.  True character is shown in your ability to do the right thing even when you know it is going to be unpopluar.  Brett Robinson (who is Heather Lindenmeyer’s father) told me this during my first year as a principal.  

7. What is something you are looking forward to? Backpacking in the Rockies with my family.  

8. What is something you always find joy in? Morning coffee with my wife and listening to my sons belly laugh.   

9. What is a hobby you have that may surprise people? I love to hike.

10. What is your favorite place you have traveled to? Mount Whitney!  I did a through-hike of the John Muir Trail a couple of years ago and summiting Whitney was one the most breathtaking and humbling experiences of my life.  

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Kidd hopes to ‘Gather the Good’ on blog

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Nancy Kidd knows there is good in all people. The St. Joseph resident said that as a former juvenile detention...

SJO to name football field in Duval’s honor

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

Like most people who have ever known Dick Duval, Brian Brooks can remember their first-ever meeting. It happened 17 years...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

It takes a Christmas village

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Roberta Morris’ childhood dream was to be an architect. Instead, she worked as a pipe fitter at the Clinton Nuclear...

St. Joseph resident Lewis to star in ‘Frozen Jr.’

September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019

Hayden Lewis loves to act. The St. Joseph Middle School student is participating in the The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company...

Longview Bank helps area schools

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

Longview Bank is helping local schools. The bank donated $2,500 to eight school districts. Shiloh, Villa Grove, Unity, Heritage, St....

‘We lost a very good man in Jim Cotter’

September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Jim Cotter loved to brag about his kids. This past Saturday was no exception. Cotter took time out from covering...

Talk of the Town with SJO head football coach Shawn Skinner

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Every week we ask a school official, village trustee or mayor three questions. This week we spoke to St. Joseph-Ogden’s...

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

‘Once a spartan, always a spartan’ by Katelyn Berry

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined...

Senior spotlight… Lindsey Aden

January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020

What are your plans after high school? I hope to attend Stanford University to double major in political science and...

Senior Spotlight…Jenna Albrecht

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jenna Albrecht, who is a...

How I get it done …. with Jennifer Huls Wayland

October 14, 2022

October 14, 2022

We asked local business owners to describe their leadership style and how they make decisions. This week we talked to...

Get to know Senior SJO Marching Band member Allegra Pearman

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the very end of the show when the dust settles and the cheering...

Wentzloff brings Lurch to life in Addams Family

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Lili Wentzloff knows how to portray a character with few words. She is portraying Lurch, the butler of the creepy...

Comments
Leave a Reply