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Your Hometown News Since 1840 www.WashingtonTimesReporter.com Vol. 171 No. 5

Former NFL player treats Washington, Morton families

By chelsea peck
TimesNewspapers
A former NFL tight
end spent time in Morton
talking, taking pictures
and helping present a
check for $10,000 to St.
Jude Children’s Research
Hospital Thursday.
Ken Dilger, who played
for the Indianapolis Colts
from 1995-2001 and the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
from 2002-04, talked
and was entertained by
the Geier family of Wash-
ington and the Kolvek
family of Morton.
Sherrill Kolvek and
Beth Geier, sisters, en-
tered a photo contest
called “Take it to the
House,” through Procter
and Gamble and spon-
sored by the NFL.
The contest asked con-
sumers to submit photos
that capture the essence
of an NFL Sunday.
Eight finalists were
selected throughout the
season and won a meet
and greet in their home
with a former NFL player
and a $10,000 donation
to a local school or char-
ity.
Geier’s photo was
chosen as the eighth fi-
nalist. All finalists then
had a chance to compete
against each other by
getting the most votes on
their photo to win tickets
to the 2011 Pro Bowl in
Hawaii.
With only having about
a week to prepare before
voting began, Geier said
the experience was hum-
bling.
“Given the fact that we
had such limited time to
The photo that got the Geiers and Kolveks in as the eighth finalist in the “Take it to the House” photo con-
test. Photo courtesy of beth geier
See Fans page 5

Skill Sprout helps Miller High Life makes special delivery in Washington
improve kids’ social skills By brandon schatsiek
TimesNewspapers
By holly richrath
TimesNewspapers Arguably one of the most famous commercial pitch-
men, Windell Middlebrooks — known as “The Miller
Inspire. Teach. Grow. High Life delivery guy” — made a delivery to Gracie’s
These three words embody the guidance a Sports Grille and Pizza in Washington, Jan. 27.
local organization is providing to parents and As part of Miller’s “The Beer of You” campaign, Mid-
children across the world. dlebrooks is traveling around the country promoting
“Skill Sprout works with families and their the beer dubbed the “common sense beer.”
children in developing new skills and reducing “We’re tired of throwing away money on (endorse-
problem behavior,” said Amy Shymansky, Skill ments from celebrities and athletes),” Middlebrooks
Sprout’s director of operations. “Children ben- said. “What High Life is about is the middle class —
efit from these services by making significant hard working folk ... let’s put (money) back into the
Windell Middlebrooks, middle, poses for a photo with
gains on short- and long-term objectives, which people that are important.”
Gracie's Grille and Pizza staff members and owner,
generalize into their natural environment set- The new campaign gives everyone the chance to be a Gregory Wilson, right. They are pictured with the more
tings.” “sponsor” of the beer after signing a contract on Miller than 3,600 bottle caps collected since June as part of
Located at 102 Walnut St. in Washington, the High Life’s website. The sponsorship kit comes with Miller's donation program to the Iraq and Afghanistan
professionals at Skill Sprout are able to reach customized gear and a coupon for $1 off the next pur- Veterans of America. BRANDON SCHATSIEK/TIMESNEWSPAPERS
out to families worldwide via the Internet. The chase of High Life, which can be donated to the Iraq
organization offers various services including and Afghanistan Veterans of America fund. home from war.”
behavioral consultation, parent and staff train- “I don’t care if it’s your ping pong tournament or tail- Owner and manager of Gracie’s, Gregory Wilson, said
ing, online data collection tools, a tutoring pro- gating — things that represent the High Life — (you’re) the bar’s success was in part due to Miller High Life
gram and social skill groups. doing this anyway, so why not get sponsored?” Middle- and it was rewarding to be recognized for it.
A social skill group is made up of two “typical” brooks said. “We are the No. 1 seller of High Life and High Life
children and one with a disability. The visit for Middlebrooks was two-fold because in Light in the Tri-County area,” Wilson said. “I just want
“We’re facilitating successful opportunities addition to the new promotion, he was in town to col- (Middlebrooks) to know that this is a common sense
for practicing skills in a safe environment,” Shy- lect the more than 3,600 High Life bottle caps collected kind of place. We don’t have a $10 cheeseburger. We fit
mansky said. by Gracie’s since June. right into the mold that he’s looking for as a common
Skills worked on during these sessions include For every bottle cap collected, 10 cents is donated to sense or Miller High Life guy.”
everyday social skills and greetings. the IAVA. Middlebrooks said that is what the commercials
“Skill Sprout provides services that utilize Adina Ruberg with Dig Communications said the
idea, “was (to bring) the High Life to veterans coming See Life page 5
the science of applied behavior analysis, which
is the science of human behavior,” Shymansky
added. “Applying these principles in our work
allows us to maximize learning, increasing skills
acquisition and reducing problem behavior.”
Play performed at Kennedy Center by WCHS grad
By brandon schatsiek the Millenium Stage at specifically for the 50th “A lot of people argued
TimesNewspapers the Kennedy Center for anniversary celebration about whether his (initia-
See Social page 5 Performing Arts Monday that focuses on Kennedy’s tives such as the peace
Excitement and ner- as a part of “The President efforts toward civil rights, corps) would stay (after
vousness filled Rachel John F. Kennedy: A 50th women’s equal rights and he died),” Barclay said.
Barclay in the weeks, days Anniversary Celebration.” the peace corps “His vision leg-
and hours leading up to When asked what would movement. acy is the trunk
one of the most exciting be going through her “It’s a short play and all of the
experiences of mind as the play that commemo- branches come
her life. was being per- rates his legacy,” out from his
As a play First In formed, Barclay Barclay said. “All original ideas
writer, she has PRINT said, “Excitement of these different and visions.”
seen a couple and gratitude. I movements that Along with
of her finished know it’s a short he created — just Rachel Barclay three other win-
projects come to life, but answer, but it’s the most how his envision- ners, Barclay
this one had more mean- truthful. Excitement and ing of ideas were was awarded a
ing behind it, according to gratitude, and maybe a put into place and the $1,000 scholarship and
Barclay. twinge of anxiety — just power of his vision and two-day residency at the
A 2002 graduate of hoping the play comes to legacy has lived on.” Kennedy Center in prepa-
Washington Community life, the actors are fully im- She said the play deals ration for the showcase.
High School, Barclay’s mersed in their characters, a lot with metaphors The four winners were
Danica Mooney uses the Taskmaster, a schedule play “Trees are Living Leg- and that it all goes well.” of trees with Kennedy’s chosen from hundreds of
board that helps teach independent skills and acies” was performed on The play was written legacy.
routines to children of all ages. SUBMITTED PHOTO See Play page 7

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