Blood drive, Christmas tree pickup, Salvation Army Red Kettle, Mount Pulaski historical calendar and Habitat meeting for applicants make the Close Up

By Mike Fak

[December 30, 2010]  To help ensure an adequate blood supply for our region, there will be a blood drive at the Lincoln Masonic Center, 2022 N. Kickapoo, on Monday, Jan. 3. The hours of the blood drive are noon to 6 p.m. For your convenience, please call Jessica to sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD, ext. 118, or schedule an appointment online at www.cicbc.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

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The street and alley department in Lincoln will pick up Christmas trees starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3. The department asks that all trees be put curbside by that time and be free of all decorations, bases and bags. All trees will be recycled.

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Although Christmas Eve brought heavy snow and shut down Salvation Army kettle sites by 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, the day's collections brought the current total of the annual kettle campaign to $20,791.66. That figure represents 34.6 percent of the 2010 goal of $60,000.

Financial donations may still be made by check and mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 52, Lincoln, IL 62656; or dropped into any of the kettles in Lincoln at the following establishments: Lincoln IGA, Bryant's Arcade Restaurant, Stacy's Pharmacy and Logan County Bank -- both downtown and Woodlawn Road branches. The Online Red Kettle also remains open for year-end tax-deductible donations.

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The Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society's 2011 calendar commemorates the 175th anniversary of the founding of the town in 1836. Each month has a photograph of an important person, business or event that has transpired since 1836. This keepsake calendar measures 11 by 17 inches, with the top 8 1/2-by-11-inch panel including photos and researched information with sources duly noted.

Read and have photos of the 1910 landing of Wilbur Wright's biplane in Mount Pulaski during the $10,000 race with an Illinois Central train from Chicago to the Springfield fairgrounds; nationally famous Vaughn De Leath, who was born and raised in Mount Pulaski, became the first lady of radio in New York City in the roaring '20s and '30s, and has a star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame”; 1901 photo of the Mount Pulaski House, where Abraham Lincoln visited during his Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit travels to the Logan County Court here; etc.

Calendars are now on sale for $5. For $20, a year's membership is the historical society is included. Order information can be found at www.mtpulaskiil.com or by calling 217-792-5442.

Learn whether you could qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home.

Habitat for Humanity of Logan County will have an orientation meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, in the Community Room of the public housing high-rise at 1028 N. College St. in Lincoln.

Guidelines for ownership of a Habitat home and qualifications for acceptance into the program will be explained. If you have lived in Logan County for one year, you have already met one of the qualifications for homeownership with Habitat. If you put in 250 hours of sweat equity, you will meet another requirement. Find out the other requirements at the meeting. Applications will be available for those who wish to apply for the program.

Habitat may be contacted at 732-6412. You may also e-mail Habitat at [e-mail].

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Got a good piece of news, information or something that we can all brag about? If you do, e-mail Mike and let us tell everyone about it. Plus you can win cash. Every submission, whether we use it or not, will get your name in the Close Up grab bag. At the end of the month we will draw a name and someone will get $25 just for dropping us an e-mail. If you wish, we will be happy to donate your winnings to the organization of your choice.

You can contact Mike at [e-mail].

[MIKE FAK]

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