Ladies, are you a career person or a stay-at-home mom? Are you looking for a break in your routine? Do you enjoy singing? If your answer is yes to all of these, you are welcomed to visit the Nov. 28 rehearsal of the Bloomington chapter of Sweet Adelines. They rehearse every Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson in Bloomington. The building is wheelchair accessible. For more information, telephone (309) 473-2285.

Saturday, Nov. 11, with fair but cool weather conditions, seven brave Garden Angels and two Angel husbands helped to get 600 spring bulbs into the ground before the snow comes. Mason City Rotary Club donated the flowering bulbs and sought two clubs to do the plantings.

Two hundred red hybrid tulips were donated for the local Salt Creek Prairie Chapter of Daughters of American Revolution to plant at the Soldiers Monument in Memorial Park.  Four hundred daffodils were donated to be divided and planted at the Mason City Gordon Buehrig welcome signs on Route 10.

The few Garden Angel members and spouses turning out were able to complete all planting jobs.  Those giving their time included Pam Agrall and husband Dan, Diane Bergman and husband Dave, Pat Elmore, Miriam Greene, Edna Jones, Bev Purvis and Kelly Tucker.

Come spring, the Mason City Rotary and these folks will deserve all the credit for this additional beauty helping make Mason City "The Best Blooming Town Around."

The Mason City Museum, located at 120 N. Main St. in downtown Mason City, will celebrate its first anniversary with two events sponsored by Mason City Historical Society.

The public is cordially invited to an evening candlelight reception on Friday, Nov. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.  The reception will be throughout the Civic Center and Museum, which occupy the same building at 120 N. Main. Area people who have volunteered for Mason City Historical Society festivals and events will especially be honored.  Everyone is invited to attend this free evening of fellowship, with food and drink being provided by MCHSociety.

The following morning, the Civic Center at downtown Mason City will turn into an Antique Fair with visiting experts in the fields of glassware, furniture, guns, coins, dolls and jewelry.  Doors open to the public at 10 a.m.   The public will be admitted with the cost of a small donation at the door and allowed to show two like items of any category per admittance.  Those interested in "learning what they have" will be permitted to leave and return repeatedly with additional two like items per category per door donation up until 2 p.m., when the fair will come to a close.  Due to liability concerns, there will be no written appraisals or offers to buy, sell or trade at the fair that day.  The area professionals donating their time for the day of fun include Betty Knollenberg, Kay Richards, Sharolyn Apke, Patricia Doyle, Delbert Sielschott and Lester Cox. 

The public is invited to attend this first Antique Fair for Mason City on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  In fact, people are invited to come and enjoy both occasions: Friday evening, beginning at 7, and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All events are at 120 N. Main St. in downtown Mason City and help celebrate the museum's first anniversary.

Auditions for "Bus Stop," the second show of Theatre 7’s 37th season, will be Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. Auditions will be at the Theatre 7 headquarters building in downtown Decatur, 131 N. Water St. The cast includes roles for five men and three women.

People auditioning should:

• Arrive expecting to read a scene from the play with several other actors.

• Bring a list of dates (conflicts) when you will not be available to rehearse.

"Bus Stop," written by William Inge, is a drama/comedy about how a group of travelers stranded by a snowstorm learn about friendship and love. Director William Keagle calls "Bus Stop" the best play written by one of America’s finest playwrights. Other plays written by William Inge include "Come Back, Little Sheba" and "Picnic."

Performance dates for "Bus Stop" are Feb. 2-4 and 9-11 at the Decatur Civic Center Theatre. For more information, contact William Keagle, 875-3533.

[News release from Theatre 7, Decatur's Community Theatre]

Boy Scout Troop 6 will have their annual chili supper on Saturday, Nov. 18. The supper will be served at St. John United Church of Christ from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available from Troop 6 members, St. John Brotherhood members or at the door. If you want tickets to the supper or have any questions, please contact G. Alejandro Valdés at 732-7569.

Due to a blood shortage nationwide, the American Red Cross is asking for immediate blood donations to boost critically low supplies. Virtually all of the Red Cross’s 36 Blood Services regions have been appealing for donations in local communities in recent weeks. However, despite these efforts, a critical need for all blood types remains. All eligible donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a blood donation appointment.

"Patients who need blood in emergency situations absolutely depend on a readily available supply," said Dr. Bernadine Healy, Red Cross president and CEO. "No patient should ever be left to wonder if the lifesaving blood they need will be available to them. Cancer treatments, organ transplants and evolving medical procedures would not be possible without a safe and available blood supply. We urge all eligible blood donors to help us during the critical shortage by scheduling an appointment to donate blood — the gift of life."

Some of the hardest hit areas include major metropolitan cities such as Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. With supply levels down nationwide, it has been difficult for regions that consistently have robust inventories throughout the year to help support these metropolitan areas. Last summer, local efforts were able to sustain the Red Cross’ national blood supply and a nationwide appeal for blood was not needed.

Despite an overall increase in collections this year, higher demand contributed to the blood shortage this summer — an already challenging time for collections. Red Cross systemwide collections are more that 145,000 units ahead of last year at this time. Compared to 1999, hospital distribution this year of Red Cross blood was up 5.8 percent in April and 6.1 percent in May.

"Whenever a natural disaster strikes, the overwhelming response the Red Cross receives from the public is what helps victims of that disaster carry on," Healy said. "A blood shortage is a disaster, and we need the same level of public support for this disaster as we do for a hurricane, tornado, flood or fire."

Volunteer blood donations help patients being treated for accidents, routine surgeries, and serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hemophilia. Despite the fact that giving blood is easy, safe and takes less that one hour, only 5 percent of eligible Americans donate blood. To donate blood, individuals must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more.

For more that 50 years, the American Red Cross has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross collects blood voluntarily donated by approximately 4.5 million donors, annually providing more than 6 million units of blood for patients nationwide.

[American Red Cross news release]

The American Red Cross will have a challenge class for people who wish to be recertified in CPR. It will be on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. A community first aid and safety class will be on Nov. 29 and 30. This class will cover adult CPR, infant and child CPR, and first aid. Hours on Wednesday, the 29^th, will be from 6 until 10 p.m., and class hours the second evening will be from 5 until 10 p.m. All classes will be at the Lincoln Red Cross office, 125 S. Kickapoo in Lincoln. Preregistration is required. For further information, people may call 732-2134. Office hours are from noon until 4 p.m. weekdays.

[Logan County Red Cross news release]

Shriners hospitals are dedicated to providing treatment for needy children. The Shriners are hosting a local pre-qualifying clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, for children newborn to 18 years of age. Children can be brought to the off-premises clinic at the Masonic Lodge, 2022 N. Kickapoo St., for evaluation. 

In an effort to help the public to be aware of cases treated at Shriners Hospitals, the group has prepared the following list of conditions that may be acceptable and non-acceptable. Of course, the ultimate decision is determined by the chief surgeon.

Those severely affected or in a near-vegetable state are not accepted. Likewise, those with a severed spine are usually not accepted, as Shriners hospitals can accept only those cases which "present reasonable hope of material improvement. Certain spastic cases which cannot be materially helped and emergency care arising from acute bums SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED."

This is a free service. There are no costs to the family. This service is available to any child, regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

Call (217) 947-2935 for further information.

[News release from Shriners Hospital for Children]

Logan County Shriners are having an opportunity drawing. You can get tickets for the Dec. 13 cash prize drawing from any Shriner.

The Senior Citizens of Logan County Inc. will host their annual chili supper at The Oasis Senior Center, 501 Pulaski Street in Lincoln, on Thursday, Nov. 30. This is the same night as the downtown Christmas parade. Serving hours are 4 to 7 p.m. The menu includes chili, crackers, homemade pie and beverage. Tickets are available at the door. A bake sale and bazaar is also on this same day, starting at 9 a.m. For further information, call The Oasis, (217) 732-6132.

The Logan County Salvation Army is now accepting names for their annual Thanksgiving basket distribution. Families or individuals in need of this assistance may call (217) 732-7890 or stop by the office at 1501 N. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln to sign up. The sign up ends on Nov. 10. No names can be accepted after that date. The Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed at the Logan County Salvation Army office at 1501 N. Kickapoo St. on Monday, Nov. 20.

The United Way of Logan County 2000-2001 campaign began Sept. 11 and runs through Nov. 17. The United Way hopes you will consider a pledge, a payroll deduction or a one-time donation. The Logan County goal is $104,000. You can contact the United Way of Logan County at (217) 735-4499 or at the following address:

United Way of Logan County

120 S. McLean St.

P.O. Box 684

Lincoln, IL 62656

Sponsors needed for Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees Committee is seeking businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor Christmas trees, wreaths and swags. The lavishly decorated items will be displayed at the festival in the Logan County Courthouse from Fri., Nov. 24, to Sun., Dec. 3. Sponsors’ names will be publicized at the festival, where 3,500 attendees are anticipated this year.

Sponsorship fee is $200 for a 7½-foot tree, $100 for a 4½-foot tree, $50 for a wreath and $50 for a swag. Sponsors may decorate their own trees or have others decorate them.

Most of the trees, wreaths and swags will be auctioned off at the ’Tis the Season Gala on Friday, Dec. 1. Some will be available for purchase through a silent auction at the Festival of Trees site. The proceeds will be equally divided between Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation for improving the quality of health care in Logan County and Main Street Lincoln for revitalizing downtown Lincoln.

Those interested in sponsoring or decorating items for the Festival of Trees may contact Main Street Lincoln, 732-2929, or the Healthcare Foundation at 732-2161, Ext. 316.