Learn about law enforcement firsthand

The Lincoln Police Department is again offering the Citizens Police Academy. Classes begin Monday, Feb. 26. The Citizens Police Academy gives you an opportunity to learn about law enforcement firsthand — from riding with an officer while on patrol to learning about the different programs the Lincoln Police Department offers to the community.

Academy classes will meet one evening a week for nine weeks. The sessions start at 6:30 p.m. and adjourn at approximately 8:30 p.m. Most of the classes are at the Logan County Safety Complex. Special activities may be at other locations.

To get an application, please contact Officer Rich Montcalm at (217) 735-4905, or you can pick up an application at 911 Pekin St. in Lincoln. Don’t let this opportunity pass!

[Lincoln Police Department news release]

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]

Judy Awe will be our instructor for Saturday Crafts.  Our next class is this Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. A small fee covers the cost of materials.  This session will include rubber stamping, embossing and making a pop-up card.  Preregistration is encouraged.

In March Ed Logan will be our instructor.  Saturday, March 10, is the date.  Woodworking will be featured, with each participant building two birdhouses.  One of the birdhouses can be taken home, and the other we will install in one of our local parks.  For this class, if you have a hammer, please bring it with you.

Boys baseball and girls softball sign-up will be on Saturday, March 17, 24 and 31, at Lincoln Park District, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Questions about costs may be directed to Lincoln Park District at 732-8770. Men's and women's sign-ups will start April 9 and go through May 4.  Again, questions may be addressed to Lincoln Park District

Health Fair for the general public will be Saturday, March 17.  This year’s promises to be even bigger and better.  One of the many new displays we are featuring this year is called the Convincer.  The Convincer is a machine that replicates a low-speed automobile impact and the safety that wearing your seat belt provides.  The hours for this free event are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Program will tell of resources in health care for seniors

LaVerne Landers, from ALMH, will provide a program entitled "Community Resources: What's Available and How to Access It" on Thursday, March 1, at 10 a.m. The program will be given at the University of Illinois Extension building on the northeast corner of the fairgrounds. Mrs. Landers will focus primarily on health care issues for older members of the community, as well as for their caregivers.

For more information please call 732-8289.

Big turnout for bowling party

The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Task Force of the Healthy Communities Partnership would like to thank the community for their participation in the bowling party on Sunday, Feb. 11. We did not know how tremendous the response was going to be. Logan Lanes informed us that there were 340 bowlers in the four-hour time period. We know that there were some of you that did not get a chance to bowl, or bowl as much as you would like, but we thank you all for your patience and understanding.

We consider the day a huge success, and it would not have been as nearly successful without the assistance of Logan Lanes. They made sure that the event was handled fairly and guided the task force in achieving its goal for the day. Jimmy John’s was incredible for making and delivering more sandwiches than we thought we were going to need. A great big thank you to all the task force members and their families that helped make the bowling party a success.

[News release from ATOD Task Force]

DAR chapter welcomes prospective members

The regular meeting of the Mason City Salt Creek Prairie Chapter NSDAR will be on Saturday, Feb. 24. A one o'clock luncheon at Steve's Family Restaurant will precede the business meeting and program.  This "membership meeting" is an opportunity for all prospective DAR members to attend. Guest speaker Wm. Hazard will present genealogy information useful in searching our roots. Mrs. Harold Wm. Mangold, national defense chairman for the group, will report.  A special community service announcement will be made along with any other committee reports.  Mrs. John Walters and Mrs. Harold Taylor will be the hostess committee. Guests are always welcome.

Habitat dedication and open house scheduled

Habitat for Humanity of Logan County will have a dedication service and open house at the property at 316 N. Sherman St. in Lincoln, on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p m. Everyone is invited.

Oasis report

The Oasis, Logan County's Senior Citizen Center, is located at 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln. The Oasis 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.

Crafters are making and adding new items to the gift shop on a weekly basis. The Oasis encourages everyone to stop by and see the new items. Be sure to check out the new sale table. The craft committee needs helpers to make more craft items for the gift shop, and Betty York will be teaching craft techniques. For additional information, contact Sandy Johnson, Janet Henrichsmeyer or Judy Charron and let them know what time would be best to set up classes.

Wanted for crafts: Old jewelry (broken jewelry is OK), beans etc. for crafts. Please leave jewelry in a small sack at the Oasis desk with "Craft Use" written on sack.

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

Veterans Administration representative will be present on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bingo each Tuesday at the Lincoln Recreation Center begins at 6:50 p.m. with an early bird game. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Contact Darlene Freeman or the Oasis if you can help on Tuesday evenings.

Wanted: Someone to furnish food for bingo at the Rec. The person must be a certified food handler. Contact Mr. Dalpoas at the Oasis for information.

Volunteers to make rag rugs are still needed on Wednesday and Friday mornings, beginning at 9 a.m.

Free tax help is available. We are fortunate to have Peggy Haseley of Lincoln volunteer to assist people with their tax paperwork. Bring in your paperwork for the year 2000. She will be available on Feb. 21 and 28 — both Wednesday evenings — from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please call to schedule appointments. If you don’t have tax forms, pick up a copy at the library.

Free legal help is available from Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation on Thursday, Feb. 22. Please call to preregister for an appointment.

Ceramics sessions are each Thursday at 9 a.m.

Bingo will be offered Thursday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. It will be sponsored by AARP. Please bring white elephant gifts for prizes.

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

Internet/e-mail computer class is on Friday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon. The class fee is $2. This will be the last Friday class. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 26, the Oasis computer classes will switch to Monday afternoons. On the first and third Mondays, beginning classes will be at 1:30 p.m. and word processing classes will be at 2:30 p.m. On the second and fourth Mondays, Internet/e-mail classes will be at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Friday and Sunday evening activities continue, starting at 6 p.m. each day.

Something new: Speakers Bureau will start in March. Topics will include living wills, technology devices, insurance and a variety of other interesting topics. Check future Oasis reports for more information and details.

A van trip to Goodfield Buffet Dinner and Theater is scheduled for Sunday, March 11. The van leaves at 11 a.m. from Oasis and returns at approximately 5 p.m. Cost is $33.50 per person. Please sign up at Oasis. The trip is limited to 13 people.

A van trip to Springfield Senior Citizens Center is on March 21. The van departs at 9 a.m. and returns to Lincoln at 3 p.m. The cost is $11.50, and it includes lunch. Please register at Oasis.

A van trip to Bloomington Quilt Show and shopping will be Saturday, March 31. Lunch on your own. The trip cost of $11 per person includes transportation and admission to the quilt show. Seating is limited to seven people. Please sign up at Oasis.

February lunch winner, sponsored by Blue Dog, was Ken McCray. The March 1 drawing will be sponsored by Bonanza restaurant.

Game winners: Pinochle winner for the week of Feb. 9 was Easter Behrends with Esther Will. Winners for 5-in-1 were Bernie De Puy, Tom Garrison and Henry Warnisher. Friday and Sunday evening pool winner was Harley Heath.

A bi-monthly 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 Area Community Chorale rehearsals began on Monday, Feb. 12, for the 2001 spring concert. Rehearsals take place in the St. John United Church of Christ fellowship building and begin at 7 p.m. Richard Reinwald is the choral director. For more information, phone him at 732-6957.

The Lincoln Area Community Orchestra will begin rehearsals on Sunday, Feb. 25, for the 2001 spring concert. Rehearsals take place at the Lincoln Community High School band room and begin at 2 p.m. Julie Kasa is the orchestra director. For more information, phone her at 732-3118.

Both the chorale and orchestra are volunteer groups, and each would welcome new members from the community. The spring concerts will be April 28 and 29 in the LCHS auditorium.

Members of the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi have been preparing once again for their "School Daze" benefit. All proceeds from this benefit will go toward their annual school bag project for Lincoln students. Each year students are screened for eligibility through CIEDC for this program provided by Beta Sigma Phi. Students who meet the qualifications are then provided with a school bag and all of their school supplies for the upcoming school year. The number of eligible students rises each year. For the 2000-2001 school year, bags and supplies were provided for 81 children.

To help cover the expenses of this project, members have again planned a "School Daze" benefit. The dance will be Feb. 17 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. This will be an evening for adults to benefit children while dancing to the lively tunes of Music 4U DJ service. There will be a cash bar, snacks, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes that have been donated by local merchants.

When tickets are presented at the door, they will automatically be entered into the drawings for door prizes. Winners of the door prizes need not be present to win, with the exception of one grand prize: a hot-air balloon ride with a local balloonist. Tickets will be on sale at the door. Tickets are also being sold in advance by local members and at MKS Jewelers on the square.

If you would like to purchase tickets in advance or donate a door prize, please call the following officers of Lincoln’s Beta Sigma Phi: Pattie Quint, president, 732-7585; Jan Van Bibber, vice president, 732-3438; Eleanor Lamm, secretary, 732-3744; or Tish Podunajec, treasurer, 735-1085.

This is sure to be an evening to be enjoyed by all, especially the children of Lincoln who will ultimately benefit with needed school supplies.

[News release from Beta Sigma Phi of Lincoln]

Theatre 7 - Decatur’s Community Theatre will be having auditions for its next production, the comedy "Dearly Departed." It is about a colorful but dysfunctional Southern family coming together to hilarious results when its patriarch, Bud, passes away.

Auditions will be Tuesday, Feb. 20, and Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at Theatre 7 headquarters, 131 N. Water St. in Decatur.

Roles are available for four to seven men and six to eight women. Possible ages range from late teens to 60ish.

Those 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.

Performance dates for "Dearly Departed" will be March 30-31 and April 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. and April 1 and 8 at 2 p.m.

For more information about the cast, contact Joe Straka, director, at 875-7211, Ext. 369, or jstraka@richland.cc.il.us.

An invitation for those dealing with loss of a loved one

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Hospice Care of Illinois are offering "Always in Our Hearts," an adult bereavement support group established to help individuals cope with the loss of a loved one. This group meets the fourth Thursday of each month at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. The Feb. 22 meeting will be in the physicians lounge on the fifth floor, from 1 to 3 p.m. No reservations are necessary, and there are no dues or fees. It is not necessary to attend any set number of meetings. Come as you are, as often as you like — you are always welcome.

"Always in Our Hearts" is facilitated by a bereavement counselor and is open to any central Illinois resident dealing with a loss. Grief and mourning are an integral part of the healing process for a spouse, family member or friend after the loss of a loved one. Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for individuals to discuss their feelings and the changes the loss has brought to their lives. For more information, please call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

A.G. Edwards & Son will sponsor the Red Cross blood drives on Feb. 7 and 21. They will be at the Lincoln Sports Complex, and hours for both drives will be from noon until 5 p.m.

The Logan Correctional Center will be the site for a blood drive Feb. 15 with hours from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Blood donors who recently reached goals are Willard Emmons and Elaine Knight, who have given 11 gallons each; David Andreason, 8; Hugh Hunter and Tim Aue, 6; Joyce Westen, 5; W. B. Frantz, 4; Karen Dellow and Kenneth Werth, 3; Shannon Leininger and Mary Riggs, 2; and Jennifer Heidbreder, Thomas B. Steiner and Sheila Sheley, 1 gallon each.

In February, the Vineyard Cafe welcomes Alan Braun from Pekin. Alan plays an acoustic set that almost defies categorization. His first recording, "Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs," is available at various outlets around central Illinois. Come hear this unique artist on Saturday, Feb. 17. The Vineyard Cafe is at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, south of Bloomington on Route 51, one-half mile south of I-74. Doors open at 7 p.m. Call (309) 663-4943 for more information or visit www.communityzone.com/community/vineyardcafe.

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.

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.

Calendars with pickup dates marked on them will be distributed at this afternoon’s pickup.

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. Feb. 23, March 23, April 20

[LDN]

The Mason City Historical Society gears up for another exciting year of programs, exhibits and excitement.

Preparations are under way for opening of the museum's literary exhibit, featuring local writers of poetry, short stories, music and more. Of most recent interest is the newly published book by Jessie Johnson Young and a music cassette release by The Prairie Aires. The gift department of the museum plans to have these new releases available for purchase by the public. David W. Tomlin II, museum director, is excited to be showing the works of local artists in this year's rotating exhibits, including the literary works, textiles, photography, woodworking, hunt-art and more.  Museum hours at 120 N. Main will be weekends only.

As usual the historical society calendar is a highly sought after item.  The society will again depend on loaned photos to compile this demand item.  Begin now to set aside Mason City photos you would like to see in the 2002 calendar, which must meet earlier print deadlines each year.  Those looking for a trip down Mason City memory lane can still find 2001 calendars at City Hall, the museum and Mason City Pharmacy. Some pre-2001 editions are still available at the museum for individuals seeking keepsakes.  Mason City Historical Society also stocks a limited supply of the town afghan for special gifts any time of the year.

"Save a Site" continues to be an ongoing project for Mason City Historical Society.  The Soldier's Monument in Memorial Park is the current site of preference.  Once preservation and rededication of this site is completed, the society will select another neglected town site deserving preservation. To date the Soldier's Monument has a newly carved Civil War statue, new walk surrounding it and 240 tulip bulbs planted. Estimates to re-carve the original 184 Civil War soldier's names and other engravings in the marble structure, a base replacement, wrought iron fence for the monument and the soldier, plus other incidentals are completed and funding is now being sought.  Donations to "Save A Site" may be sent to Melanie Gordon, treasurer, 407 N. Main, Mason City, IL 62664. 

Again this year, Mason City Civil War Days on Memorial Day weekend will help fund the Soldier's Monument project. The May 26-27 event will again feature invited re-enactors for a living history weekend about the Civil War. Clubs and organizations of the community are invited to set aside those dates since period food booths, with items such as cookies, lemonade, fried chicken, ham sandwiches, taffy and apples, root beer and the like, are being recruited to be open all day Saturday, May 26. (Spectators and soldiers like to eat.)

The Saturday night Civil War Ball is being planned once again also.  Those attending in period dress will be admitted free. A costuming merchant is being solicited to set up shop in Mason City weeks in advance of the event. It is hoped that the shop will feature new, exchange or remake services.  Also available will be the local seamstresses who helped last year. If you think you can't dance and want to learn more about period steps, free lessons will run for six weeks preceding the Civil War Ball.

A memorial service at the monument will be Sunday, May 27, with a march to the cemetery, as was done last year.  As always, this kind of festival takes many volunteers as well as attendees. The Mason City Historical Society believes that the events will be fun and of great interest.

The purpose of the Mason City Historical Society is to bring together people interested in history, especially the history of this small Midwestern town.  This basic part of our democratic way of life gives us a better understanding of our state and nation and helps us to better appreciate our American heritage.