Blood drives, LCU tuition discounts for 60-plus, 4th of July parade winners and park district notes in Close Up

By Mike Fak

[July 06, 2011]  To help ensure an adequate blood supply for our region, the Central Illinois Community Blood Center is offering opportunities to donate blood in Logan County next week.

• Thursday, July 14, 3-6 p.m. -- Elkhart Christian Church, 113 S. Gillett, Elkhart

• Friday, July 15, 9 a.m.-noon -- Farmers Bank of Mount Pulaski, 130 S. Washington, Mount Pulaski

For your convenience, call toll-free, 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 118, to sign up, or schedule an appointment online through www.cicbc.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

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Lincoln Christian University is offering tuition discounts to any adult age 60 or older enrolling in the Hargrove School of Adult & Graduate Education. Opportunities for financial assistance exist for both degree and non-degree students.

Adult students seeking degrees from the Hargrove School may enroll in classes for $299 per credit hour, a 25 percent discount from the standard rate.

Students who are not seeking a degree may enroll in classes for $50 per credit hour. After completing four classes, they will receive a non-academic certificate for their accomplishment. Certificates may be pursued for this discounted price at both the Eastview Christian Church extension site in Normal and the main campus in Lincoln.

For more information, call the Hargrove admissions office at 217-732-3168 or email [e-mail].

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Lincoln Park District along with the fireworks and celebration committee for the Fourth of July sponsored the sixth annual "Let Freedom Ring" old-fashioned children’s walking parade. There were many patriotic participants, including several of the four-legged variety. The winners are listed below by age divisions.

Up to age 6:

Bicycles and tricycles

1. Jadyn Fish

2. Zildjain Bolton

3. Triston Steen

All other wheels

1. Sammy Lewis

2. Chloe Heuring

3. Jessica Evans

Ages 7-8:

Bicycles and tricycles

1. Quinton Jamie

2. Murphy Roate

3. Zoe Foertsch

All other wheels

1. Lucas McNeer

Foot, skateboard, skates

1. Will Stambaugh

2. Sadie Bolton

Ages 9-12:

Bicycles and tricycles

1. Destiny Gibson

2. Cassie Everson

3. Jacob Franklin

All other wheels

1. Brandyn Griffin

2. Dell Curry and Jese White

3. Ali Roate and Tucker Roate

Foot, skateboard, skates

1. Alexia Rutherford

Any age division:

Best bicycle overall -- Timmy McDougall

Dogs:

1. Angus

2. Tank

3. Snickers

Following the awarding of prizes, many of the participants stood up against the city fire department and a couple of their firemen in a water fight. While the firemen had a truck and hoses, the children were armed with water balloons. Team Kids were valiant in the attack led forward by the mayor, Keith Snyder; the chief of police, Ken Greenslate; and the park district program coordinator, Roy Logan. While a good time was had by all, the firemen went home far drier than any others.

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The Lincoln Park District welcomes back veteran dance instructor Audra Turley. She is the owner of Audra’s Studio of Dance, a master graduate of Dance Educators of America and the director of the award-winning Flying Feet Cloggers and Competition Teams. For three mornings in a row, class participants will experience jazz, ballet and clogging. Dancers will also double as their own choreographers, as Audra teaches how to apply new moves to their favorite songs. The three-day class will start Wednesday, July 13, and end Friday, July 15, with one-hour sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. Special shoes are not needed, but please wear something other than socks. Previous experience is not necessary. Families and friends will be invited to a demonstration on the last day.

Park district pool passes are now half-price. Buy a pool pass and enjoy swimming as often as you want the rest of the season. A flat fee can cover an individual or an entire family.

The park district’s last session of swim lessons kicks off on July 18 and ends on July 29. Each one-week session consists of several skill levels. From youngsters who have no swimming ability to adults wanting to improve their skills, there is instruction available.

Still ahead on the horizon is the park district’s annual Splashapalooza Pool Party with CITV 5 on Tuesday, July 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. Added to the "Soda Scramble" will be a "Flip Flop Float." Fun will be had by all.

Another offering will be a Senior Resource Fair. Join this community-based affair on Thursday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The park district will host a number of agencies that offer services to seniors in particular. Come out and enjoy this free event and see what is being offered. More details will be released closer to the date.

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