The Logan County Home Extension Association will sponsor two blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex. Jan. 3 hours will be from noon until 5 p.m., and Jan. 17 hours will be from noon until 6 p.m.

Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln will host a drive Jan. 23, with hours from 2 to 7 p.m.

Atlanta Christian Church will be the site for a drive Jan. 11, from noon until 6 p.m.

Mount Pulaski Christian Church will host a drive Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Due to the holiday season and wintry weather, there is a need for more blood, so people are urged to mark these dates on their calendar and come give the gift of life — their blood.

The Lincoln Public Library District announces that it has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the office of Jesse White, secretary of state and state librarian, for the purchase of new books for the library. The "Collection Connection" grant will allow the library to add new materials to its adult and juvenile collections in the areas of science and health. The library will use the grant money to purchase materials on drug abuse awareness and prevention, diseases, earth sciences, and biographies of famous scientists. For more information visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-8878.

Official City of Lincoln Christmas ornaments featuring City Hall have arrived in the Main Street Lincoln office.  People who pre-ordered the ornaments can pick them up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the office on the second floor of Union Planters Bank, 303 S. Kickapoo.  Additional ornaments may be purchased at MKS Jewelers, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Eckert's or at the Main Street Lincoln office. 

Lincoln Park District plans

Our new 2001 memberships are now available. Your new membership will be good until Dec. 31, 2001. We offer just a complex membership that allows you to use the sports complex and the cardio area. We also have a fitness membership that entitles you to the complex, cardio area and the weight room. Membership gives you the opportunity to use the sauna; you pay no daily fee; and you get a reduced rate for the tennis courts, racquetball court and aerobics classes. There are also discounted prices for our senior citizens. We also have gift certificates for the fitness-minded on your Christmas lists. If you have questions, please feel free to call us at 732-8770.

Winter session volleyball sign-up began on Dec. 4 and will end on Dec. 15. If you are looking for a way to beat the winter blahs, volleyball may be the answer for you. We are offering a Competitive League on Monday nights and a Recreation League on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Our Competitive League, where the skills of the game are emphasized, is for the serious player, and our Recreation League is for those looking to play with a less serious approach. Both leagues are co-ed. Why don't you talk to your co-workers or friends and get a team together?

Once again, starting the week of Jan. 8, Scotty Hinman will be wielding her brushes and teaching ceramics. This class is great fun for anyone from the novice to the experienced. Trust me, this rookie attended and, with Scotty's instruction, I ended up with a project that looks pretty nice. The course is eight weeks long with a cost of $24 in district and $28 for out-of-district residents. A 25 percent discount will apply to senior citizens.

We will offer Senior Stride and Social beginning in January. Watch this column for further information.

Plans are under way for a Third Saturday Crafts class for the months of January, February and March. Each month will be something different; one month we may make some type of paper or painting project, and one month we will build birdhouses. Each month, whatever the craft, is guaranteed to be fun. Charges will be minimal.

[Lincoln Park District news release]

The Lincoln Optimist Club is sponsoring its fourth annual essay contest. This year’s contest is entitled "Are We Losing Our Freedom?" All high school students under 19 years of age as of Dec. 31, 2000, in grades 10, 11 and 12 are eligible to participate, according to Bob Wood, club contest chairman.

The Lincoln club will select a first, second and third-place winner in its contest, and the first-place entry will automatically be forwarded to the district contest, where it will be judged against the winning entries from clubs in the Springfield area district.

The first, second and third-place winners will receive scholarships in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. In addition to the scholarship, the first-place winner receives an expense-paid four-day trip with his or her parents to the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Penn., in July for the Freedom and Leadership Conference.

All essays must be original and must be submitted by Dec. 31 to the Lincoln Optimist Club. For information, please contact Bob Wood, Contest Chairman, 166 Ninth St., Lincoln, IL 62656; phone (217) 735-4232.

Christina Dye of Lincoln was the 1999-2000 scholarship winner for the Lincoln Optimist Club and was also the second place winner for the Illinois District. Milton Wiggers, past governor of the Illinois District, presented Miss Dye with the Illinois District plaque.

Optimist International is one of the largest and most active service organizations, with over 150,000 members in 4200 Optimist clubs in the United States, Canada and other nations. Promoting "Friend of Youth," Optimist clubs conduct service projects which reach six million young people each year.

[Lincoln Optimist Club news release]