Oasis report

The Oasis, Logan County’s Senior Citizen Center, is located at 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln. The center is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for Friday and Sunday night pinochle and other table games. The center is closed on holidays. Activities are open to all Logan County senior citizens.

The ceramics group and instructor Jane Thompson would like to invite people to join them on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. If you are making an item for the Oasis Gift Shop the lesson is free, or if making an item for yourself, the lesson is $2 to the Oasis plus greenware and firing costs.

The monthly lunch gift certificate drawing is at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Bonanza donated this month’s gift certificate for a free lunch. The drawing will be followed by bingo, sponsored by Maple Ridge.

Rag Rugs group meets on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m., and needs help cutting and sewing strips of fabric. Contact Lois Vannoy for more information.

Both beginning computer and word processing classes will now be on Monday afternoons. Beginning classes will be at 1:30 p.m. Word processing classes will be at 2:30 p.m.

Friday and Sunday evening activities still continue at 6 p.m.

Free blood pressure checks are available each Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Oasis.

A Veterans Administration representative will be present on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and an Office of Rehabilitation Services representative will be available beginning at 9 a.m.

Wanted: a certified food handler for bingo at the Rec on Tuesday evenings. Contact Mr. Dalpoas at the Oasis for information.

Think Tank continues each Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., with various local and area speakers. This includes questions and answers from those in attendance. Come have coffee and doughnuts with us and join in the fun!

Par-A-Dice bus trip is still accepting reservations. The trip is Wednesday, March 14. Participants will leave the Oasis at 10:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. The cost is $5.

Police Officer Rich Montcalm will present a "Senior Fraud" program on Monday, March 26, at 10 a.m. The presentation should take approximately one hour, and the public is invited. Coffee will be provided by the Oasis.

Circuit Breaker appointments are still scheduled for Mondays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Call 732-6132 for an appointment.

The Goodfield buffet dinner and theater van trip has a limited amount of space. The show "Look No Hands" is on Sunday, March 11. The van will leave Oasis at 11 a.m. and return at approximately 5 p.m. The cost is $33.50 per person. Sign up at the Oasis.

The Springfield Senior Citizens Center van trip to play cards is Wednesday, March 21. The van will leave Oasis at 9 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. The trip costs $5, which includes lunch. Sign up at the Oasis.

The Bloomington Quilt Show and shopping trip on Saturday, March 31, still has vacancies, but seating is limited to seven people. The cost is $11 per person, which includes transportation and admission to the Quilt Show. Lunch is on your own. Sign up at the Oasis.

Game winners: Pinochle winner for the week of February 16-20 was Esther Will. Henry Warnisher was the winner Friday and Tuesday evening. Winners at 5-in-1: Bernie De Puy, Tom Garrison and Ken McCray. Friday evening pool winners tied: Harley Health and Alice Thornton. Sunday evening pool winner was Harley Health.

A bimonthly newsletter will be mailed to those who choose to have a Friends of the Oasis membership. Call the Oasis, 732-6132, for further information.

The Lincoln Baseball Association will have their Pony sign-ups over the next few Saturdays for the upcoming summer baseball season. Pony baseball covers ages 7 to 14.

Sign-ups will be at the Lincoln Rec Center on March 17, 24 and 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  An LBA board member will be present on each of the sign-up Saturdays to answer any questions about the upcoming season.

Pony baseball is of a recreational nature and is for all of Lincoln's youth. Come on out and enjoy America's pastime the way it's supposed to be.

The baseball league now has a website to provide information, schedules, standings and game-of-the-week recaps. The site is at http://www.geocities.com/lincolnbaseball.

[LBA news release]

Church hosts craft and bake sale Saturday

St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St. in Lincoln, will be hosting a Spring Craft Show and Bake Sale on Saturday, March 10. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. the public is welcomed to come in, browse and buy crafts made from wood and stained glass, as well as framed cards, towels, ceramics, appliqués and hand-poured candles. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a lunch with rib-eye sandwiches and homemade pies.

CIEDC February report

Faith-based organizations

When President Bush established a White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, both the National Community Action Association and National Community Action Foundation asked agencies to examine their existing relationships with local churches and other faith-based organizations. In completion of this assignment, CIEDC was pleased to find that established working relationships exist between this organization and 66 churches. Churches refer to us, accept referrals from us, donate cash to us, donate goods to us and donate the use of space to us for meetings, training sessions and nutrition sites. Some churches serve as landlords for Head Start centers as well. CIEDC appreciates the wonderful cooperation that we have had over the years with faith-based organizations in central Illinois.

Energy Assistance Program

Just this week CIEDC was able to request additional funding for its Energy Assistance Program. The fourth budget modification of this program year has been submitted, raising the funding level in the five counties where CIEDC provides services to $2,229,441.00. Fulton County is provided this service through another entity.

Weatherization

CIEDC's Weatherization Program is in the process of assisting a household in which both husband and wife are hearing impaired. The staff has been communicating with the family through the Illinois Telecommunications Relay Service and by written notes during home visits. An energy audit has been completed, a work order issued, and the staff has met with the contractor and clients to explain the work to be done. A specially developed smoke detector for the hearing impaired has been located which will alert the family with a strobe light. CIEDC is happy to be able to provide this detector, even at many times the cost of a regular detector, and happy to provide weatherization services to these clients.

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2001 VITA services

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to help low-income and elderly households began Feb. 1. Three staff members are assisting with the program this year. Kathy Inman and Tammy Buse will be trained to assist clients in Logan County, and Trish Lumpkin was trained in Fulton County. This will be done by appointment, and only the very basic forms (EZ, 1040A) will be done. The staff is not trained to do long forms. There is no charge for this service, and it ends April 10. For more information or to set up an appointment, please contact Kathy Inman at (217) 732-2159 or Trish Lumpkin at (309) 668-3244.

Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

CIEDC is currently assisting clients in applying for an expanded assistance program.

To qualify for the Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Program, applicants must be (a) 65 years old, (b) 63 or 64 years and recently widowed, or (c) 16 years or older and disabled to apply. The income maximum is $21,218 a year for one in household, $28,480 a year for two, and $35,740 a year for three or more in household.

The Circuit Breaker Program may provide a yearly grant for relief from property tax, mobile home tax, rent or nursing home charges that qualifying senior and disabled persons pay on their residences.

The Pharmaceutical Assistance Program is an optional benefit that helps pay for approved prescription medications used for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, glaucoma, heart and blood pressure problems, lung disease and smoking-related illnesses, and Parkinson's disease.

Form IL-1363 must be postmarked on or before Dec. 31.

Another benefit of the Circuit Breaker Assistance Program is that qualifying people may receive a discount on their vehicle license plates after the Circuit Breaker is approved and forwarded to the secretary of state's office.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please call Paula Poe at (217) 732-2159.

The blood drives on March 7 and 21 are being sponsored by A.G. Edwards & Sons. Both drives will be at the Lincoln Sports Complex. Hours on March 7 are noon to 6 p.m. and on March 21 from noon to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 17, there will be a blood drive at the Community Health Fair in the Lincoln Sports Complex. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Blood donors who recently reached goals are Vern Reichle, nine gallons; David Kastendick, six; Joseph V. Hickey Sr., five; Thomas P. Mikelson, three; Carole Hurley, two; and Marilyn Maffett and John Castelein, one gallon each.

Have you been thinking about making your own ceramic seasonal decorations or maybe unique hand-painted gifts for friends?  Spring Ceramics starts Monday, March 5.  Scotty Hinman keeps an inventory of everything from cute to functional.  She's also great at tracking down a specific piece you might be looking for.  If you have any questions, call Scotty at 732-8770.

Saturday, March 10, is our last winter craft session.  This time we will be building birdhouses.  Each "carpenter" will build two: one for themselves and the other to put in a local park.  Cost for the project is $5.  We encourage preregistration because class size is limited.  This woodworking project ties in with a new summer program.  In July, Lincoln Park District is fortunate enough to have a Park Interpreter come for the day.  A Park Interpreter is a trained professional from the Department of Natural Resources who teaches young people how to identify trees, wildlife and plants.  We will be at Memorial Park, starting our day around the fire, preparing lunch in cast-iron Dutch ovens, just the way the pioneers did.  Later that day we will look for the birdhouses we built and identify the bird species that inhabit them. 

Once again Lincoln Park District and the Logan County Health Department team together to organize the Logan County Health Fair.  There have been countless hours donated by dozens of people to make this year’s fair a success.  Saturday, March 17, is the day for this year’s fair.  Admission is free, and the hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Many of the health screenings are free or the charges are minimal.  This year’s focus is on safety.  We urge the community to participate — the life you save could be your own.

[Lincoln Park District news release]

Vineyard Cafe announces March 17 program

The Vineyard Cafe, a Christian coffeehouse, welcomes the gospel-rock trio Revelation and the pop-rock worship group Bridge on Saturday, March 17. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and snacks and coffee-based drinks will be sold. The Cafe is located at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Bloomington, on U.S. 51, one-half mile south of Interstate 74. For more information, call Steve at (309) 663-4943 or visit the website at www.communityzone.com/community/vineyardcafe.

The Mason City Historical Society meeting for February was Tuesday, Feb. 20. The last Thursday of the month continues to be a regular meeting date, with conflicts forcing this one-time change.  Business at hand included reports that the literary exhibit at the museum was well-attended for its opening weekend. Guest author Jessie Johnson Young and her book have been well-received by the public.  Her book will continue to be on sale at the museum gift case while supplies last.  At this time the new gift case also features cassette tapes and CDs of folk music by The Prairie Aires, Celtic harp music by Melane Coulter, Music Association Cook Books compiled by Marjorie Brown, plus MCHSociety afghans, calendars, postcards and key chains.  Additions to the gift line will be made periodically.  Hours for the Mason City Museum continue to be noon to 4 p.m. each weekend.

Plans for Civil War Days

Civil War Days return to Mason City on Memorial Day weekend. Special ceremonies, flag drills and dedications will be part of the two-day living history event scheduled May 26 and May 27. The many re-enactors featured last year, plus several other groups, have been invited.  Early registrations have already been taken for Brenda Schingel, civilian tableau; lst South Carolina, Capt. William Bierbaum; Independent Sharp Shooters, Rob Leinweber; and the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band.  The band will be featured in a performance from 7 to 9 at the Saturday evening Civil War Ball.

Free dance lessons will again be given for all those wishing to dance at the period event.  Lessons in the waltz, grand march, Virginia reel and broom dance will be offered beginning the middle of April.

Costumes for the dance, though not required, will be available through local seamstresses, a buy-sell-trade event, by purchase from a local setup or from industry sutlers over the Internet. Free admission to the band and dance will be granted to all participants in costume.

Period food booths for the weekend event are needed from Mason City individuals and organizations.

Restoration of Soldiers Monument

Restoration of Soldiers Monument is under way.  The 10 pieces of the monument are being returned to nearly their original state.  Discoveries make the project very interesting, as it has been disclosed that the scarf drape with tassel is really a flag with stars and stripes. The names on the monument have been drafted to a master copy, which is now being verified by the Mason City Historical Society.  The approved master will be cut to a rubber stencil, and then each letter will be carved into the monument by laser technology.  The completed project will be returned and placed on a new solid base of granite for dedication during the living history weekend. 

Local and area citizens are being of support through word and deed as MCHSociety continues its endeavors. Financial support for the Soldiers Monument project, "Save A Site," remains a high priority.  Anyone can become a lifetime member of the society for a one-time $100 fee, and names of lifetime members will be on a plaque commemorating the Soldiers Monument restoration. Melanie Gordon is receiving those requests at 407 N. Main St., Mason City, IL 62664.

[MCHSociety news release]

'New Beginnings...'

Divorce recovery program to begin sessions

Jefferson Street and Lincoln Christian churches are sponsoring their annual "New Beginnings" and "Broken Promise" for families who have been through a divorce. "New Beginnings" is for divorced individuals, whether or not they have children. "Broken Promise" is offered for children caught up in a divorce. Everyone is welcome, whether the divorce was recent or some time ago. The program begins the evening of Monday, March 5, and lasts approximately for 14 sessions. There are only so many seats in each class — offered first come, first served — so call Jefferson Street Christian Church soon for information at 732-9294.

Broken Promise...

• is for children age 4 through teens. (Free child care for children under 4 is provided.)
• has weekly sessions, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
• is limited to a first-come, first-served enrollment. Your name will be added to a waiting list for the next session when this one is filled.
• is funded by tuition fees and by Jefferson Street Christian Church and Lincoln Christian Church.
• helps your child identify and express his needs and emotions on neutral ground.
• helps your child understand his feeling through the use of stories, games, puppets, crafts and conversation.
• helps your child develop a sense of belonging and stability.
• helps your child realize that crisis brings about unique opportunities for new beginnings.
• is a recovery ministry for children living in a single-parent home because of divorce.

• is staffed with Christian men and women who have received special training for this program.

With the guidance of a supportive leader, your child will learn to identify by name and understand all the emotions he has experienced, or may yet be experiencing, such as denial, guilt and anger. He will learn how to deal positively with separation and loss. God understands the hurt and will give strength and healing needed to put the pieces back together again.

New Beginnings...

• helps you as a single parent understand what your child is experiencing when there is a divorce.
• provides you with tools to help rebuild your family.
• gives you resources and support in a Christian framework.

• has weekly sessions, concurrent with Broken Promise.

For more information, call Jefferson Street Christian Church (732-9294) or Lincoln Christian Church (732-7618).

[click here for an in-depth article on the programs]

The Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring a tree sale program again this year to encourage more tree planting. The trees may be used for any purpose and planted in town or country. Some uses are windbreaks, timber production, wildlife cover, Christmas trees and ornamental planting.

Evergreen species being offered this year include white pine, red pine, Norway spruce, Colorado blue spruce, Douglas fir and Scotch pine. Hardwoods, ornamentals and shrubs being offered are red maple, sugar maple, red oak, white oak, green ash, mountain ash, river birch, black walnut, eastern redbud, white flowering dogwood, red osier dogwood, high-bush cranberry and American bittersweet

The evergreens will be sold in bundles of 25, and the hardwoods will be sold in bundles of five. These trees will be sold at a cost of approximately $1 to $1.25 per tree. If you cannot use 25 trees, you might want to combine your order with a neighbor. Individual trees may be purchased at a cost of $2 per tree.

Marking flags will be sold. These flags may be placed by the trees to help locate them when mowing. A two-year time-release fertilizer tablet is also available. Orders will also be taken for tree protectors. These are corrugated plastic wraps that protect the tree from deer, rodents, weather and mowers. The wraps promote straighter and faster growth.

Trees are scheduled to be delivered in April. You will be notified of the exact date for pick-up. Please call the district office at 732-2010, Ext. 3 or stop by at 1650 Fifth Street Road in Lincoln for more information and an order form. Deadline for ordering trees is March 10.

[News release from Logan County SWCD]

The local 2001 MS Walk will be on April 1 at Kickapoo Creek Park in Lincoln. Funds received through the walk support research, education, advocacy and local programs that enhance the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and their families.

The first walk, last year, was tremendously successful, exceeded its goal and raised over $10,000, thanks to all who helped.

Anyone who wishes to form a walk team or make a donation for this year's walk should contact any member of the MS Walk committee: Brenda Centers, (217) 735-3667; Jeanne Handlin, (217) 732-3350; or Gene or Toni McDonald, (217) 732-8424. There is no minimum amount that must be donated by each walker.

[MS Walk committee announcement]

SHARE

A price break on food

If someone wanted to give you $15, a little more or less, every month, would you take it? Maybe, depends? Well, let’s see, $15 x 12 = $180 per year. Now we’re talking. How do I get that, you say? Well, that’s the amount you will save by buying some of your basic groceries through the local SHARE program. (SHARE is an acronym for Self-Help And Resources Exchange.)

The price break is achieved by buying food in bulk. "When we all pool our money, we can get a better price," says John Sutton, local SHARE coordinator. Volunteers drive to western Illinois and as far east as Terre Haute, Ind., for food purchases and pickups. Peoria is the central clearinghouse. The Peoria Catholic Diocese serves as coordinator of SHARE in central Illinois.

"SHARE is open to anyone who wants to plunk down their money and perform some community service," says Sutton. Community service constitutes just about any activity you would do for someone else, from praying for someone to taking someone to the hospital — anything to help out your fellow man.

Participants pay only $15 per month. From that total, $14 is used to buy the food, and $1 is for transportation costs. Last month’s food had an equal value of $28.05 at the grocery store. It is composed of the same basic everyday kinds of foods. The food that has been purchased is divided equally, with everyone getting exactly the same thing. Anyone wanting to see if it is something they would benefit from is welcome to come by and have a look while the pickup is going on. It’s a good deal if it is food you would ordinarily buy anyway. It’s essentially half the price.

SHARE food pickups are once a month. This month’s pickup is this afternoon from 4 to 5:30 at St. John United Church of Christ. Sutton invites you to "come have a look." You can sign up for next month’s pickup if it suits you. He and the other volunteers would like to see lots more people take advantage of this opportunity. There’s plenty of room for this program to grow.

Who: Anyone who buys groceries

What: Basic foods sold at great savings

Why: Because it’s a great way to reduce your grocery bill

Where: St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St.

When: 4-5:30 p.m. March 23, April 20

[LDN]

[click here for related article]