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Thrivent breakfast, Memorial scholarship, Carlin benefit, Vonderlieth workshop, LCHS show, Relay for Life, Delavan battle re-enactment, Movie in the Park, Carroll Catholic honorees, Logan County Democrats, Elkhart dinner lecture, Route 121 closure, blood drives, Iola Gehlbach, Community Action scholarships, First Baptist and Good Shepherd rummage sales, St. John pie auction, Princess Tea

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[May 11, 2012]  Thrivent Financial to offer free drive-thru breakfast

There will be a free drive-thru breakfast with muffin and juice between 7 and 8 a.m. Monday, May 14, on the Logan Street parking lot of Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Enter off Pulaski Street and drive by to pick up a free home-baked muffin and bottle of orange juice. The event is being sponsored by the Logan County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and is free to everyone.


New scholarship named for Memorial employee

SPRINGFIELD -- Leonia Cole, a surgical technologist at Memorial Medical Center for more than 55 years, was recognized on May 3 for her contributions to the careers of residents, other surgical technologists and nurses with the establishment of the Leonia Cole Surgical Technologist Scholarship Fund.

The fund, which will be administered by the Memorial Medical Center Foundation, will award a grant of $2,500 to a qualified candidate pursuing an associate degree in surgical technology at Lincoln Land Community College.

Cole began her career at Memorial on Jan. 26, 1954, as a nursing assistant. After 15 years, she was promoted to surgical technologist following completion of Memorial's first on-the-job training program for surgical technology.

"Leonia's dedication and commitment to helping others learn is exemplary," said Dave Joerger, administrator for Memorial's surgery department.

To apply for the scholarship, applicants must complete an educational grant application and the Leonia Cole Surgical Technologist Scholarship application, which are available by visiting MemorialCareers.com and clicking on the link to the Educational Assistance page. The application and all supporting documentation must be turned in by June 1. For more information, call 217-757-2125 or email TalentPlanning@mhsil.com.


Benefit in Mason City for Carlin family

MASON CITY -- On Saturday, friends and family will host a benefit in Mason City for Gary and Jessica Carlin and family. Gary, a 40-year-old Middletown native and Lincoln Community High School graduate, was diagnosed recently with an aggressive form of cancer. He and his wife, Jessica, together have four children: Hailee, Gabrielle, Eli and Kaidence. All funds raised from the benefit will go toward assisting them with their living expenses.

The fun, all in the name of a good cause, will kick off at the American Legion in Mason City at 3 p.m. Silent auctions, live auctions, raffles, 50-50 and more will be available throughout the evening. Pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, side dishes, baked items, cake and beverages will be on the menu for the dinner, starting at 4 p.m.

Entertainment for the evening will include bluegrass music by Dan Tackett of Lincoln, starting at 4 p.m. Logan County favorites Vintage Daze will take the stage from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., playing classic rock, modern country and blues. The evening will finish out with Lincoln-based band 5 n Dime playing a mixture of rock, country and more.

It will be an evening of fun, good food, entertainment, auction items and gift baskets, with a special time set aside at 8:30 p.m. for "Jessica's Wishes," coordinated by Gary's wife.

Continued fundraising efforts are also being coordinated in many different ways. Friends and co-workers of Jessica's will host an IGA cookout on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A fundraising night is scheduled at the Lincoln Culver's on May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., and the Carlin Family Fundraising Garage Sale will be at 602 E. Pine St., a former day care, during the townwide sales in Mason City on June 9.

Pampered Chef, Tupperware and Scentsy fundraisers are ongoing as well, with information about these online at https://www.facebook.com/garycarlinfamily.

Online donations can also be accepted at http://www.helpthecarlinfamily.com/.


Dealing with immediate uncertainty:
When a nursing home is the right option

MOUNT PULASKI -- The Vonderlieth Foundation is hosting a workshop open to anyone interested. One of the most difficult aspects of entering a nursing home is the timing. The hospital calls to say your loved one will be released this afternoon and needs to go to a nursing home ... Where do you want them to send him?

You always promised your loved one you would never put her in a nursing home, but now you have no options. What do you do? Your loved one is suddenly not doing well at home alone, and you need to find out the options fast ... What all is involved in admitting from home? What should you look for in a nursing home? What does Medicare pay for? What about Medicaid?

Waiting until you need to make the decision is often overwhelming. Come for an hour of information, support and networking in the Vonderlieth Living Center Activity Room, 1120 N. Topper Drive, Mount Pulaski, on May 17 at 2 p.m.

There will be snacks, and a door prize will be given away.

For more information, call Jo Hilliard at 217-792-3218.


LCHS to present 'Beauty and the Beast'

Lincoln Community High School will present "Beauty and the Beast" on May 17, 18 and 20 at the Johnston Center on the campus of Lincoln College.

Shows will start at 7:30 p.m. on May 17 and 18, and there will be two shows on May 20, at 2 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.


Relay for Life breakfast May 20

Relay for Life has announced that this year's master of ceremonies will be Jim Xamis. A well-known local businessman, Xamis will help keep the activities known and moving during the event, from 6 p.m. June 15 until the closing ceremony at 6 a.m. June 16.

The public is invited to attend the annual Relay for Life breakfast in the Lincoln College cafeteria on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tickets for the breakfast are $6 for each meal. Organizers ask that there be no carryouts. More ticket information can be obtained from Maritta Robinson, 217-671-2309.

All proceeds will go to Relay for Life of Logan County.

More information on Relay for Life of Logan County is posted at www.relayforlife.org/loganil.


Delavan to host Civil War re-enactment battle June 30-July 1

DELAVAN -- The inaugural Little Crane Creek Civil War re-enactment battle will be on June 30 and July 1 at the Lake Park in Delavan. It is one of many events in Delavan in conjunction with the city's175th birthday. The re-enactment is free and open to the public.

Re-enactors representing both the North and South will participate in a battle scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The weekend will also include an appearance by President Abraham Lincoln, Civil War storyteller Brett Hall and Civil War songs by Bob Welch. On Saturday evening there will be a period dance featuring the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band.


Free movie in the park on Saturday

Come join Lightning McQueen and his friends for a free Movie in the Park event Saturday at Postville Park. The movie "Cars" will be shown on a giant, 25-foot inflatable screen at dusk, or approximately 8 p.m.

In case of rain, the event will be postponed until June 2.

People attending should bring lawn chairs or blankets, and are welcome to bring food and drink.

This free event is a great way for families to relax together following the townwide garage sales earlier in the day. The Postville Park location was chosen since it is adjacent to Old Route 66, which is a central theme of the movie "Cars."

Prime sponsors of the event are Rick Hamm Insurance Agency and Integrity Data, with funding also provided by many more local businesses.


Carroll Catholic School announces May Students of the Month

Each month, teachers at Carroll Catholic School select two students from first to fourth grade and two students from fifth to eighth grade to receive Student of the Month awards. Students are chosen based upon Christian attitude, cooperativeness, courteousness, self-discipline and effort.

May Students of the Month are Hayden Gellner, second grade; Mia Young, fourth grade; Zachary Craig, fifth grade; and Emma Cameron, sixth grade.


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Logan County Democrats to meet Saturday

The Logan County Democrats will meet on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. in the Pegram Room at the Lincoln Public Library. All Logan County Democrats are welcome to attend. Note the change in location.


Elkhart Historical Society presents …
'From Lincoln's Tomb to Arlington and Back'

ELKHART -- The Elkhart Historical Society will present a dinner lecture on May 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wild Hare Café in Elkhart. Virgil Davis and Chuck Fricke will talk about and explore America's rich history of military funerals and ceremonies.

Davis has obtained many original artifacts from Abraham Lincoln's funeral as well as other notable funeral items from Lincoln's time to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Attendees will be able to view original items going back to the Lincoln funeral and the ceremonies that accompanied that sorrowful time in our country's history.

The evening is planned as an entertaining and educational opportunity to learn about the pomp and ceremonies for those "who gave the last measure of devotion" to their country.

Tickets are $25 per person. Seating is limited, so please call 217-947-2238 to confirm reservations. Reservation forms may then be downloaded from the Elkhart Historical Society website, www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org, or picked up at Horsefeathers in Elkhart.


Planned highway closure

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the following planned road closure:

Illinois Route 121 at the Canadian Northern railroad crossing southeast of Lincoln and Deer Creek will be closed to all traffic May 14-18 for replacement of the railroad crossing.

IDOT will attempt to complete a three-day closing if the situation allows but is planning for a full five days in the worst case.


Blood drives in Logan County need your help

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, the Central Illinois Community Blood Center is offering opportunities to donate blood in May in Logan County.

Thursday, May 17:

  • Elkhart -- Christian Church, 113 S. Gillett; 3-6 p.m.

  • Atlanta -- St. Mary's Catholic Church, 805 Pearl St.; noon-6 p.m.

For your convenience, call toll-free 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 158, to sign up, or schedule an appointment online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of life-saving blood for 12 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield. CICBC is a division of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which collects over 180,000 units of blood annually and serves a total of 80 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.


Iola Gehlbach of rural Lincoln celebrates 96th birthday

Iola Gehlbach of rural Lincoln will be 96 years old on May 12. She was born Frances Iola Garton on May 12, 1916. After graduating from Lincoln Community High School and Lincoln College, she taught for three years at Hatton School, which she had attended as a child.

She married Albert E. Gehlbach on July 30, 1938. He died in 2003. Her family includes two sons, Gerald (and wife Nancy) of rural Lincoln and Donald (and wife Ann) of Sarasota, Fla.; four grandchildren, Scott (and Maria) Gehlbach, Brian (and Krista) Gehlbach, Chad (and Michele) Gehlbach, and Jody (and George) Agnacian; and five great-grandchildren, Emma and Jacob Gehlbach, Adrian Gehlbach, and Lily and Charlie Agnacian.

Birthday cards may be sent to 1166 State Route 121, Lincoln, IL 62656. The family will be celebrating with special occasions throughout the months of May and June.


Scholarships available at Community Action

Community Action is accepting applications for $1,000 Community Services Block Grant scholarships. The CSBG scholarships, offered in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, are designed to provide financial assistance to low-income and disadvantaged individuals of high academic attainment or potential. Scholarships will go toward providing formal education or occupational training in an accredited Illinois educational institution to CSBG-eligible clients.

To be considered, applicants must be income-eligible and reside in DeWitt, Fulton, Logan, Mason, Menard or Piatt counties, and must be enrolled or accepted at an Illinois accredited higher educational or occupational training institute.

Applications will be accepted through June 15. Interested applicants should visit their local Community Action office or contact Kathy Shepherd, community services director, at 1-877-588-7189, ext. 246, for details.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois is a not-for-profit organization serving low-income and senior populations in six central Illinois counties. To find out more about the services offered, visit www.capcil.org. For updates, like the agency on Facebook.


First Baptist Church rummage for missions

First Baptist Church, 101 Broadway St. in Lincoln, is having a rummage sale for missions on Friday, May 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to noon.


Good Shepherd Lutheran rummage sale May 11-12

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will participate in the citywide garage sales on May 11 and 12. The sale will be at the church at 1140 N. State St. in Lincoln.

Hours will be Friday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to ?? and Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to ??.

Items to be offered will include baby stuff, toys, clothing, household goods, miscellaneous items and much more.


Pie auction for missions at St. John United Church of Christ

The Charity Guild of St. John United Church of Christ will have a pie auction on Sunday, May 13, with all proceeds going to mission projects.

This is to replace a long-standing ice cream social that will not take place this year.

Karen Birnbaum, guild president, said requests can be made for favorite pies until May 9, and they will be on the auction table.

All pies will be at the church for the "Cup of Fellowship" at 9:30 a.m., prior to the 10:30 worship on May 13. Following worship, the winning bidder will be revealed with each pie.


Harvest of Talents Princess Tea planned for June 30

Harvest of Talents for World Hunger and Lincoln Christian Church are sponsoring a Princess Tea again this year for young ladies ages 3-13. The event will be on June 30 at the Lincoln Christian Church Fellowship Hall. Doors will open at 10:45 a.m., and the tea is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The theme of the event will be "Secret Garden." Young ladies are invited to dress in whatever makes them feel pretty. Tea will be served on decorated tables and entertainment will be provided. There will also be time allowed for photo ops.

Tickets go on sale May 1. Seating is limited. For more details and to make reservations, contact Vera Thomas at the church office.

Young ladies are to be accompanied by a chaperone, such as their mother, grandmother, aunt or friend.

Lincoln Christian Church is located at 204 N. McLean St. in Lincoln.

All proceeds from the Princess Tea will go the 2012 Harvest of Talents for World Hunger, to feed hungry people worldwide.


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