August 28, 2025 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

Senior spotlight with Kolton Batty

October 31, 2019

October 31, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Kolton Batty. What do you...

Kids Say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

Kids say… what does a farmer do?

December 22, 2019

December 22, 2019

This week we asked students at St. Joseph Grade School to tell us what they think a farmer does. What...

Wagners give back in a variety of ways

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

Jim and Jen Wagner like to help people. They have helped people through the pandemic at their business, Wagner Signs...

Kelso add commercial space for rent

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Josh Kelso wants to help expand commercial space in St. Joseph. The owner of Kelso Heating and Cooling knows how...

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....

Hartman makes finals of Project Run and Play.

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman has made it to the last round of Project Run and Play. The project is...

Remembering B.J. Hackler: ‘He made people smile’

September 10, 2021

September 10, 2021

B.J. Hackler liked to stay busy. He belonged to the St. Joseph Tea-Totalers, a group of residents who meet in...

Kids Say…

June 24, 2019

June 24, 2019

Every week we ask five students to tell us what they think a farmer does. This week it is second...

Acklin goes the distance, earns induction into SJO Hall of Fame

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Jim Acklin has dedicated his life to coaching and teaching. For that he is being inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden...

‘St. Joseph is better because of Dixie Hackler’

January 20, 2020

January 20, 2020

Dixie Hackler always had a smile on her face. Always made time for others. And always made sure others knew...

5 things you don’t know about me… Josiah Thaman

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Josiah is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

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...

Grindley keeps positive attitude during pandemic

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all experiencing, it’s just not high school athletes that are being affected. Lucas...

Acklin named acting mayor of Ogden

November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023

Jim Acklin is the acting mayor of Ogden. Acklin was selected at the Nov. 2 meeting by the Ogden Village...

Comments
Leave a Reply