Writing club, humane investigator training, Grandparent Breakfast, VFW scholarship competition, Rock 4 Life, Mothers of Preschoolers group, hunter safety course, festival volunteers needed, evening at Cro'Hurst, Moving Forward 5K, Head Start recruitment

[Aug. 21, 2012]  Lincoln Writer’s Club next meeting Sept. 11

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 in the Alumni Room of the Lincoln College dining hall.

Suggested topics: a story using your favorite food as the main character; a winter mishap; or a proud achievement.

All are welcome.

For information, call 732-2723.

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Humane investigator training program

The Humane Society of Logan County is now accepting applications for its humane investigator training program.

Classes, which are the first step to becoming licensed to investigate cases of abuse, neglect or cruelty, are scheduled to begin soon. The classes are designed to prepare candidates for taking the state licensing test.

People interested in interviewing for the training program to become a humane investigator should call Wanda Stevens at 217-648-2703 or email [e-mail].

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Annual Grandparent Breakfast Sept. 9

The annual Grandparent Breakfast sponsored by the Oasis Senior Center will be at the American Legion in Lincoln on Sunday, Sept. 9. The hours for the breakfast are 8 to 11 a.m.

Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy a great meal and bid on a special pie at the silent auction.

Tickets will be available at the door.

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Local high school student could win a trip to Washington, DC, and a $30,000 scholarship

SPRINGFIELD -- Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C., through the Voice of Democracy essay competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary.

Commander Joseph Stachon of the VFW Department of Illinois announced the kickoff this week of the 66th year of the scholarship program.

Students begin by competing at the local VFW post level, with a deadline of Nov. 1.

Post winners advance to district, and then the first-place district winner advances to the state competition. All state winners receive a four-day trip to Washington, D.C. A total of $152,000 is awarded to national finalists. First place is $30,000.

Annually the VFW provides more than $2.3 million in scholarships. Each year, around 50,000 students participate in the competition.

This is the theme for 2012-2013: "Is Our Constitution Still Relevant?" Using that theme, students must write and record a three- to five-minute essay on an audio cassette tape or audio CD and present their recording, typed essay and entry form at their local VFW post. Interested students and teachers should contact the nearest Veterans of Foreign Wars post or email [e-mail] for further information.

For details, visit http://www.vfw.org/
Community/Voice-of-Democracy/.

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Lincoln Pregnancy Resource Center's Rock 4 Life event

A five-hour charity "rock-a-thon" is planned for Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Christian University Restoration Hall, The Dowling Auditorium. The Rock 4 Life event will benefit the Lincoln Pregnancy Resource Center.

Entertainment and refreshments will be provided throughout the day, and there will be a prize for the top rocker.

Planners are looking for captains to organize teams, with each team made up of five rockers -- family, friends, co-workers, neighbors -- one for each hour in the Rock 4 Life. Every rocker in the team collects donations for the hour they rock.

Are you ready to rock? Call Linda Nelson or Amanda Stidham at 217-735-4838 or email them at [e-mail].

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Mothers of Preschoolers starting up in Atlanta

ATLANTA -- If you are the mother of a child from birth through kindergarten, Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, is the group for you. It's a place for moms to connect with other moms of preschool-aged children. It's a place to experience mothering support, personal growth and spiritual hope while meeting new friends.

The group will have its first meeting on Sept. 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Atlanta Christian Church. Meetings will be on the first and third Wednesday of each month from September through May.

MOPS encourages moms to value mothering, whether they are working or stay-at-home moms. The group helps to equip each participant as a mother, woman and leader to be the best mom possible. 

A typical meeting will involve mothers dropping off their children in the nursery, where they will be cared for by volunteers. Then the mothers will be free to enjoy time with the other moms. The meeting will start with refreshments and conversation. Then there will be a speaker, presentation or demonstration on a variety of topics. There will also be a craft project, just for fun, while the moms get to know each other. The meeting will conclude with small group time, when the moms are divided into smaller groups for discussion time to get to know one another better.

Simply put, MOPS is a safe place where moms can go and know that they are not alone in their mothering journey. MOPS provides resources and even mentor moms (moms who have "been there and done that") to help along the way.

For registration information, contact Melissa Smith at 217-520-9516 or the Atlanta Christian Church.

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Hunter safety course to be offered at Mount Pulaski

MOUNT PULASKI -- The Mount Pulaski American Legion will be the location for a two-day hunter safety training course. The classes will be on Sept. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. and on Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A noontime meal will be served on Sept. 15.

For anyone under the age of 16 wishing to attend, they must be accompanied by a second party who is at least 16 or older.

Reservations for the class can be made by calling 217-792-5658.

There is no charge for this class.

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Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival in serious need of volunteers

The Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival is all about people -- and volunteers. The annual festival is coming up the weekend of Aug. 24, 25 and 26. The signature event will have the entire city hopping with activity, from downtown Lincoln to the Postville Courthouse to the Logan County Airport. Balloon launches, amusement rides, flea markets, great food, barbecue, art and more make Lincoln the place to be in all of central Illinois the last weekend of the month.

But it takes more than great activities to make the weekend memorable for all who attend; it also takes volunteers -- hundreds of them -- to make sure the weekend goes smoothly for all the guests who visit Lincoln.

Andi Hake, executive director of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, said there is concern with the current rate volunteers are signing up to help.

"If we were scheduled to have the Art & Balloon Festival today, we wouldn't be able to have it," she said. "We are that short of volunteers." Hake said at least 200 more volunteers are needed in all types of capacities that weekend.

She also pointed out that a volunteer doesn't have to give up the opportunity to enjoy all the events with their family and friends. Shifts in the morning, afternoon and evening on various days allow Logan County residents to help but still be able to personally enjoy the fun during the long weekend. There are also positions open for coordinators, who are essential to the smooth running of the festival. Weekend wristbands are given to each volunteer, and the week of the event there is a party for all the volunteers.

Anyone interested in finding out more about being a volunteer can call the chamber office at 217-735-2385 or go to the chamber website at www.lincolnillinois.com. (To sign up, click here.)

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Elkhart Historical Society presents 'An Enchanted Evening at the Cro'Hurst Mansion'

ELKHART -- The Elkhart Historical Society concludes its summer events program with an evening on Elkhart Hill. "An Enchanted Evening at the Cro'hurst Mansion" is planned for Sept. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event will include finger foods, drink and music as attendees immerse themselves in the late-summer beauty of Elkhart Hill.

Those who attended last year enjoyed a memorable evening as they visited with friends and neighbors. This is a perfect way to say goodbye to the long, hot summer.

The cost is $30 per person.

Call 217-947-2238 for reservations; then download a reservation form from the Elkhart Historical Society website, www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org, or pick one up at Horsefeathers in Elkhart.

For further information, contact Gillette Ransom at 217-947-2238 or email Gini Bertoni [e-mail].

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Register now for 2nd annual Moving Forward 5K

Registration is open for the second annual Moving Forward 5K Run/Walk, scheduled for Oct. 13 at Edward R. Madigan State Park. At 9 a.m., rain or shine, walkers and runners of all fitness levels will take off on a route that meanders through grassland and woodland. All are encouraged to join friends and family and enjoy the fall scenery while being active.

The event is brought to the community by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital's Sportscare.

Runners and walkers can register online at: https://almh.proeventreg.com/
movingforward#register.

For those who register before Sept. 15, there is a discounted registration of $20, which includes a men's or women's dry-fit race shirt. After Sept. 15, the registration fee will increase to $25. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registrants.

"Our mission is to improve the health of the people and communities we serve, and what better way than through exercise," said Todd Mourning, physical therapist and manager of rehab services at ALMH. "I hope that this event encourages people of all fitness levels to get moving forward towards good health."

The event's lead sponsor is Gehlbach Law, PC. Other sponsors are Blue Dog Inn, Clinical Radiologists, Eaton Corp., Nikles Chevrolet, Nobbe Eye Care, Linda Barrick at Brady Realtors and Tracy Olson Insurance Agency.

The Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation will use proceeds from the Moving Forward 5K Run/Walk to support community wellness programs.

Sportscare at ALMH is a full-service athletic training program for young athletes and active adults. Services include performance enhancement, injury prevention, concussion management, training zone programs, high-tech knee and shoulder treatment, and more.

For more information about the Moving Forward 5K event, call the rehabilitation department at ALMH at 217-605-5500.

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Community Action Head Start Logan County recruitment

Community Action Head Start, a free program for income eligible-families with children from birth to age 5, is recruiting in Logan County for the 2012-2013 program year.

Head Start is a federally funded preschool program that serves income-eligible families and children between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Logan County Head Start provides center-based preschool services and runs during the school year, beginning Aug. 27.

Early Head Start is a child development program that serves income-eligible children and families including pregnant mothers, infants and toddlers up to age 3. Early Head Start provides home-based services throughout Logan County and runs the full calendar year, beginning Aug. 27.

Children do not have to have a disability to qualify. The program welcomes all eligible children. Additional services, including screenings and access to medical, dental, vision services are what set Head Start apart from other child development and preschool programs. Transportation is available to children and families to participate and receive full benefit of the program.

To apply for Head Start or Early Head Start, contact Brittany Feese or Cathy McIntosh, family partnership specialists, at 217-732-3448, or Leticia Cook or Amber Wright, family partnership specialists, at 217-732-2159.

The following documentation is required to complete the application:

• Completed 2011 tax forms or W-2

• Copy of child's birth certificate or medical card

• Proof of Social Security, TANF and cash assistance (if you receive it)

Logan County Community Action Head Start is sponsored by the Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, which serves the low-income and senior populations of six Illinois counties. For more information, visit www.capcil.org or facebook.com/capcil.

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