Elkhart spring events, Community Action meeting, Kelsey Griesheim, mobile pantry, Christian Village seminar, Spring for Tea, Pleasant Valley meeting, Christian Women's Conference, dog wash, Lincoln College China trip, Elkhart bird lecture and walks, Elkhart flower walks, landscape waste pickup in Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, HSLC garage sale

[April 19, 2012]  Elkhart continues spring events Saturday and Sunday

ELKHART -- If you missed the first weekend of spring events in the village of Elkhart, there are more activities planned for this Saturday and Sunday.

Elkhart Public Library has a special wildflower book display. In addition, the library staff will give tours of the building and will have a handout for visitors about the library's history. The library is at 121 Bohan St. in Elkhart and will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Elkhart Vintage Market will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the old Miss Jessie Building and in the building next to the Blue Stem on Gov. Oglesby Street in historic downtown Elkhart. Horsefeathers Antiques and Gift Shop at 104 Gov. Oglesby St. will feature an outdoor sale of antiques and bric-a-brac on Saturday.

Throughout the weekend, Dragonfly Art Studio will have an exhibition of student work, highlighting floral painting. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, the studio is also offering a watercolor class on painting bluebells or other native wildflowers. The art studio is on the second-floor flat of the refurbished 1889 building at 102 Gov. Oglesby St. Reservations for the class can be made by calling 217-947-2100.

Open houses of homes on the market will continue throughout the weekend. Look for "Open House" signs in the village.

The Elkhart Historical Society's Wildflower Nature Walks will be on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Information and reservation forms are available at www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org and at Horsefeathers in downtown Elkhart.

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Community Action board meeting May 18

The next regularly scheduled corporate board meeting of the Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois is scheduled for May 18 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be at Community Action's corporate offices, 1800 Fifth St. in Lincoln. This is a joint meeting with the Head Start Policy Council.

For transportation to the meeting, contact the resource specialist at your county office:

• DeWitt County -- Anita Russell, 217-935-2455

• Logan and Menard County -- Cyndi Campbell, 217-732-2159

• Mason-Fulton County -- Anna Richardson, 309-543-6988

• Piatt County -- Wendy Dotson, 217-762-2421

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Mount Pulaski Senior-of-the-Month

MOUNT PULASKI -- Kelsey Griesheim has been named April Senior-of-the-Month at Mount Pulaski High School. Kelsey is the daughter of Glen and Karen Griesheim of Mount Pulaski.

During high school, Kelsey has been a consistent honor roll student. She is a four-year member of FFA and serves as chapter reporter this year. Kelsey was elected junior class treasurer and sophomore class secretary. She participated in Science Olympiad and Scholastic Bowl for one year, volleyball for two years, and Spirit Squad for four years.

In the community, Kelsey has been a Sunday school teacher at Zion Lutheran Church in Mount Pulaski and has shared her musical talents by playing the guitar for her church. She has also been a volunteer with the Macon County Conservation District at Rock Springs in Decatur.

Kelsey plans to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to major in crop science and minor in Spanish.

The Senior-of-the-Year program is sponsored by Johnson's Food Center and Mount Pulaski Pharmacy. Honored students are eligible to compete for the Senior-of-the-Year award.

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Mobile pantry to be in Lincoln Thursday

The Central Illinois Foodbank will have a mobile pantry in Lincoln on Thursday.

The mobile pantry, which is sponsored by Brandt, Graue Inc., Syngenta and Monsanto, will be at the Lincoln-Logan Food Pantry parking lot, 125 N. Logan St., beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Families and individuals in need of food assistance are encouraged to attend the mobile pantry. Bring your own empty box or laundry basket to be filled with food products.

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Christian Village to host seminar Friday for older adults: 'Staying on Your Own Two Feet'

Older adults often lose their treasured independence after a fall. Are falls an inevitable part of aging, or can they be prevented?

The good news is that many causes of falls can be avoided, according to Sandy Rives, certified occupational therapist at The Christian Village.

Rives will describe how to prevent falls in a seminar at The Christian Village on Friday: "Staying on Your Own Two Feet." The session will begin at noon with a light lunch.

The risk of taking a spill increases as a person ages, Rives said, noting that two-thirds of those who experience a fall will fall again within six months.

Preventing falls allows older adults to stay independent longer, she added.

Although the seminar is free, seating is limited, so those interested in attending should contact Marcia Cook at The Christian Village, 732-2189, to make a reservation.

The Christian Village offers skilled nursing care, including short-term rehabilitation, respite care, hospice care and the Haven Center Memory Care Unit. Garden homes and apartments also are available for independent older adults.

The Christian Village is one of the 14 senior living communities of Christian Homes, the second-largest not-for-profit long-term health care provider in the U.S., with campuses in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

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Harvest of Talents Spring for Tea this Saturday

The Harvest of Talents for World Hunger ministry will host the ninth annual Spring for Tea on Saturday in the Lincoln Christian Church Fellowship Center. Doors to the tea open at 10:45 a.m., and tea will be served at 11:30 a.m. The tea menu features a special tea blend and a variety of sweet and savory delicacies including traditional tea sandwiches and scones.

The annual tea has become a premier Logan County event.

Tables will be decorated in a variety of styles and color schemes, with each tastefully appointed with china, silver and crystal. Hostesses graciously decorate the tables and serve the guests assigned to their table.

Men in black will escort tea guests to their assigned tables. A promenade of tables will precede the serving of tea. Music from a string quartet will provide ambiance for the event. Following the tea, a brief musical program will be presented, and door prizes donated by local merchants and individuals will be awarded.

Special guests will include Nancy Jett, wife of Rick Jett, executive director of International Disaster Emergency Service; Rita Camden, bookkeeper, and Debra Tinkle, administrative assistant, as well as Janet Bates, sister of Mrs. Jett.

International Disaster Emergency Service, based in Kempton, Ind., is the recipient of funds raised at the annual Harvest of Talents for World Hunger each October. IDES is a nonprofit organization that seeks to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people in times of emergency.

All proceeds from ticket sales for the tea will become a part of the 29th annual Harvest of Talents for World Hunger, scheduled for Oct. 22. In the past 29 years the Lincoln event has raised over $1,636,000 to aid in the fight against world hunger.

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Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association board meeting notice

MIDDLETOWN -- The annual meeting of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association will be on May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Knapp-Chesnut-Becker Library in Middletown.

All lot owners are welcome to attend.

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Christian Women's Conference April 25

Lincoln Christian University is hosting its annual Christian Women's Conference on April 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme is "Spaghetti for the Soul," and the featured speakers will be Kathy Troccoli and Ellie Lofaro. Details are listed below.

Host: Lincoln Christian University, 100 Campus View Drive, Lincoln

Date: Wednesday, April 25

Time: Registration begins at 8 a.m. First session begins at 9. Conference ends at 4 p.m.

Theme: "Spaghetti for the Soul"

Key speakers: Kathy Troccoli and Ellie Lofaro

Schedule:

• 9 a.m. -- Session One: "Abundant Faith," with Ellie Lofaro

• 10:35 a.m. -- Session Two: "Abundant Hope," with Kathy Troccoli

• 11:30 a.m. -- Lunch (included)

• 1 p.m. -- Slide show and "Banter" with Ellie and Kathy

• 1:25 p.m. -- Session Three: Kathy Troccoli concert

• 2:35 p.m. -- Session Four: "Abundant Love," with Ellie Lofaro

• 3:35 p.m. -- Closing worship, led by Kathy and Ellie

Lunch in the Laughlin Center is included. Other noon options include free time to visit the coffee shop, book tables or tour the campus.

Guests may register online at www.lincolnchristian.edu/cwc or call 217-732-3168, ext. 2215.

This event is open to the public. All conference activities will be in the Earl Hargrove Chapel and the Laughlin (Athletic) Center.

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Dog wash

The Humane Society of Logan County will have its first dog wash of the season on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Graue Inc., 1905 N. Kickapoo in Lincoln. The event will be inside. Go behind the building to the Detail Shop. Donations accepted for the wash. Nail clipping is available for a fee.

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Lincoln College program offers trip to China

The Lincoln College Global Studies program is announcing its next study-abroad opportunity: a 12-day trip to Imperial China in May of 2013.

The trip is open to Lincoln College students, local students who may attend other colleges and the general public. Students who participate in the trip have the opportunity to earn one credit from Lincoln College.

The trip will include some of the most historic destinations in China, with stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Hong Kong. The all-inclusive price for the trip includes hotels, transportation, a daily light breakfast and several meals (including seven local dinners), and admission to many tourist sites, such as the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall, a Tang Dynasty show and dinner, and a tour of Landau Island.

The program is arranged with the help of Education First College Study Tours, which offers tours to over 60 destinations across the world.

"We are excited to offer this wonderful cultural and educational opportunity to our students and our community," said Paula Knopp, coordinator of the Global Studies program at Lincoln College. "China is an especially exciting place to visit at the present time. We will be able to see many great historical sites while also being able to observe a country that is rapidly growing, with many recent advancements in technology, infrastructure and architecture.

"We feel that the all-inclusive price is very reasonable and encourage anyone who is interested to contact the Global Studies program for more details."

Individuals seeking more information may contact Professor Knopp at 217-732-3155, ext. 304, or by e-mail to [e-mail].

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'Birds of Elkhart Hill' dinner lecture April 27 and bird walks April 28

ELKHART -- A dinner lecture titled "The Birds of Elkhart Hill" will be presented on April 27 at Elkhart's Wild Hare Café by the Elkhart Historical Society. Rhetta Jack will talk about the migratory and permanent birds on Elkhart Hill and the variety of habitats for birds on the hill.  

The following day, April 28, the Elkhart Historical Society will host two bird walks on beautiful Elkhart Hill. The walks will be also be led by Rhetta Jack, ornithologist formerly with the Illinois Natural History Survey. The walks will be offered at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., leaving from Gov. Oglesby Street in historic downtown Elkhart.

Jack has extensive experience in birding and joins the walkers looking for the migratory birds that pass through Elkhart Hill every spring. The bird walks are a perfect opportunity for a spring family event. The outing will be on foot, so walkers should dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes and bring insect repellent. Don't forget the binoculars. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.

For an online reservation form for the dinner, go to www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org or call 217-947-2046.

For the bird walks, registration forms are available at www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult and registration is limited to 15 people per walk.

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Elkhart Wildflower Nature Walks April 21

ELKHART -- Enjoy the spectacular wildflowers on Elkhart Hill on Saturday,  April 21, when David Schroder leads the annual Wildflower Nature Walks. Schroder is a retired science professor from Lincoln College and a Master Gardener.

Walks are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each outing will last approximately 90 minutes, and each group is limited to 15 people. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Everyone on the Wildflower Nature Walks will receive a wildflower "bingo" card to help learn the names of the flowers and to keep track of the beautiful wildflowers they see on Elkhart Hill.

Reservations are required for the walks. The cost is $7.50 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. For more information and the online, printable reservation form, go to www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org.

Master Gardeners in Macon, Sangamon-Menard, McLean, Peoria and Logan counties can obtain CE credit for the walk. Contact your Master Gardener coordinator directly for credit.

The outing will be on foot, so walkers should dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes and bring insect repellent.

Walkers should meet in historic downtown Elkhart approximately a half-hour before the scheduled walks. The meeting place is at the Bluestem Bake Shop, 107 Gov. Oglesby St., for the 9:30 walks, and at Horsefeathers for the 1:30 walks.

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City of Lincoln's spring landscape waste pickup

The street and alley department in Lincoln will provide the annual landscape waste pickup on the following dates:

• Ward 1 -- April 30

• Ward 2 -- May 1

• Ward 3 -- May 2

• Ward 4 -- May 3

• Ward 5 -- May 4

All landscape waste must be placed curbside by 7 a.m. on the appropriate date. Brush must be stacked, and no limbs can be over 10 feet in length. Leaves must be in biodegradable bags. The department will not take any landscape timbers, railroad ties or any building materials.

Through May 6, the facility will be open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-3:50 p.m.

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Landscape waste pickup schedule in Mount Pulaski

MOUNT PULASKI -- Pickup dates for landscape waste in Mount Pulaski are scheduled for May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 4, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.

On the above dates, the city of Mount Pulaski will remove landscape waste that has been placed within the area between the sidewalk and the edge of the street. If the weather is bad on the scheduled dates, then the pickup will be on the next day with good weather.

The following rules must be followed:

1. Have your landscape waste ready for pickup by 7 a.m. on the scheduled dates.

2. New requirement: All small debris, grass, leaves, etc. must be in bags.

3. Do not place any material in the street or on the sidewalks.

4. Place all material within 6 feet of the edge of the pavement.

5. Do not remove entire trees from your private property and place them for the city pickup.

6. If you hire a contractor to remove your trees, have your contractor haul the material to the sewage treatment plant and place the material in the proper location.

7. Excessive amounts of material will not be removed by the city.

A separate notice for leaf pickup service in the fall will be published later.

If you have any questions about the landscape waste pickup, contact City Hall at 792-3222.

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New, big garage sale by HSLC

Now seeking donations from the community

As you clean out your closets, attics and garage this spring, donate your clean, gently used items to the new, big garage sale sponsored by the Humane Society of Logan County at the Logan County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 12.

Donations will be taken at the south entrance to the Logan County Fairgrounds on specified days.

Following are the remaining donation times and dates this month:

• April 25, noon-3 p.m.

• April 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you cannot come to the fairgrounds, someone from the organization will come to you. Please call Adrienne, 732-1979; Marilyn, 732-7853; or Sue, 732-9422.

If you would like to volunteer for this new event, please call one of the above numbers.

Plan to attend for an exciting day of great bargains, food, music, stuff just for kids and more.

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