Free tax help at Oasis, Liberty Tax appreciation days, MS fundraiser at Mason City Limits, NHM supports HSLC, NIU recruitment, caregiver program at Vonderlieth, Russel Allen Garden Day, writing club, Draw 4 Carroll, Elkhart dinner lecture, Hartem FFA auction, HSLC spay-neuter, Zonta scholarship, MP Rotary scholarships and Lexie Groves in Close Up

[February 28, 2012]  Oasis offers free tax assistance program -- The Oasis Senior Center offers free tax assistance to seniors during the 2012 filing season, Feb. 1-April 13. The center will offer electronic filing, which improves accuracy and ensures each return is accepted by the IRS in a timely manner. Tax volunteers are trained in the "Tax Wise" software but are not trained tax professionals. If your form is complicated or outside the established guidelines, please seek the assistance of a tax professional.

The senior center is obligated to stay within the guidelines for a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center. The guidelines prohibit the center from completing tax forms that involve the sale of property, business earnings, depreciation, stock sales, farm income, and other income or deductions that are not typical in nature.

For an appointment, call 732-6132.

Hours are:

• Mondays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

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Liberty Tax appreciation days

Teachers can leave their lesson plans behind but are invited to bring their tax receipts and information to Liberty Tax Service offices during "Educator Appreciation Days." The company is saluting area teachers, all school employees and bus drivers by offering them free tax preparation if they are new customers from Feb. 27 to March 4 at the Decatur, Lincoln and Springfield Liberty Tax offices.

"Employees of our education systems deserve a tax break," said Chris Fehr, owner of Liberty Tax Service in Lincoln. "We have 'Appreciation Days' to show our respect for the teaching profession and those employed by the schools. They have one of the most important jobs of all."

Eligible educators who spend their own money on classroom supplies may again qualify for a tax break in 2011. An eligible educator is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide who works at least 900 hours in either a public or private school. The adjustment for these expenses, of no more than $250, can be claimed whether or not the taxpayer can itemize.

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Mason City Limits hosts "Laughin' Toward a Cure"

The Mason City Limits comedy club is hosting its third annual "Laughin' Toward a Cure for MS" March 2-3, benefiting the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society through the MS Slugfest softball tournament in Chicago in August.

Featured comedian will be Rob Haney. He is a writer for the "Bob and Tom Show" and has been featured on HBO.

Funds will be donated through the area softball team Hittin' for Kids with MS. Brian and Corky Stoltzenburg, Jeff and Ginger Yeazle, and Bob Dunovsky participate with the team in the softball tournament in August.

Showtimes are Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 3, at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Mention "MS fundraiser" and a portion of the ticket price will be included in the donation to Hittin' for Kids with MS.

Reservations are encouraged. Call 217-728-LAFF (5233) to reserve your seat.

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New Holland-Middletown supports Humane Society in Feb. and March

The service learning project at New Holland-Middletown School for the months of February and March supports the Humane Society of Logan County.

Students are collecting pet food, treats and supplies. Also, a container for collecting change and cash donations is available in the school office. Donations from the public are welcome and can be placed in the school library in Middletown.

The Humane Society of Logan County is a not-for-profit organization committed to the prevention of cruelty, abuse and neglect of animals. The organization has a new shelter at 1801 E. Lincoln Parkway, Lincoln.

For more information about this project, call 217-445-2656. Faculty sponsor for the project is Diane Bicknell.

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Northern Illinois University to host student recruitment event March 6

Northern Illinois University will host an undergraduate admissions information session at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Springfield on Tuesday, March 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. Prospective students and their families will have the chance to learn more about the opportunities awaiting them at Northern Illinois University; discover the next steps to admission, financial aid, and scholarship awards; and receive information on NIU's "Research Rookies" program, "Themed Learning Communities" and other engaged learning opportunities.

Kitty McCarthy, associate vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at NIU, says this is a tremendous opportunity for students considering NIU to have questions answered by representatives. "For students and families in more distant areas, like Springfield, it may be challenging to find a day to get to campus," she says. "NIU's off-campus receptions are a great way for students and families to meet with staff, learn more about the programs and opportunities available at NIU, and explore next steps to becoming a Huskie without having to spend time on the road or take time off work."

Interested students and families may register for the event by Friday, March 2, on the NIU Undergraduate Admissions website, http://www.niu.edu/admissions/springfield/.

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"Remembering to Care for Yourself"

Meeting the needs of a family member or friend who has memory loss or Alzheimer's is a big undertaking. Vonderlieth Foundation is partnering with Harbor Light Hospice and the new Mount Pulaski Alzheimer's Support Group for an event aimed at providing support and resources for those who are providing care for someone with memory loss. The "Remembering to Care for Yourself" program will be at Vonderlieth Living Center on Thursday, March 8, at 2 p.m.

Featured topics of discussion will be:

• Caregiver burnout; guilt tips and techniques

• Safety in the home

• Advance medical directives

• Respite, long-term care and hospice options

Speakers are LaRea Birt, R.N., B.S.N., and Michelle Matteson, B.S. in psychology. There will be food and door prizes, and a chance to get acquainted with the new Mount Pulaski Alzheimer's Support Group.

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Master Gardeners host Russel Allen Garden Day

The University of Illinois Extension Logan County Master Gardeners will host Russel Allen Garden Day on Saturday, March 10, at the Meyers-Evans Student Center at Lincoln College. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with registration from 8 to 8:45 a.m. The public is invited for this event that will feature various presentations related to gardening, as well as displays by area plant and gardening societies. The day is in honor of Russel Allen, a charter member of the Logan County Master Gardener volunteer program.

To view a brochure and register online, visit the Logan-Menard-Sangamon website, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/. For additional information, call 217-732-8289.

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Writing club meets

Lincoln Writers Club will meet Tuesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Lincoln College dining hall. The Rev. Barbara Stroud-Borth will chair the meeting.

Suggested writing topics: Mardi Gras, Girl Scouting or Leap Year.

For more information, call 732-2723.

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February Draw 4 Carroll winners -- The winners of the Feb. 15 Draw 4 Carroll drawing were as follows:

• $500 -- Emily Bakken;
  seller: Emily Bakken

• $250 -- R. Michael Jeisy;
  seller: Erika Pellinghelli

• $150 -- Jim Rich;
  seller: Holy Family

• $100 -- Mildred "Mickey" Raffa;
  seller: Dan Raffa

The next and final Draw 4 Carroll drawing will take place on Wednesday, March 14, at 1:30 p.m. at the Holy Family Parish office.

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Elkhart dinner lecture on the 'Irish Connection'

The Elkhart Historical Society will present the second of a new season of lectures at the Wild Hare Cafe in Elkhart on Friday, March 16. "Abraham Lincoln in Logan County, and the Irish Connection" will be presented by Paul Beaver, professor emeritus of Lincoln College. Beaver will talk on little-known facts about Abraham Lincoln in Logan County during the years 1834-1860.

Lincoln was a surveyor, lawyer and politician in and around Logan County and left much documented information, some of which has previously been reported incorrectly in many publications over the years. Beaver will discuss the impact of the waves of Irish immigrants into Logan County, which had a direct influence on the political success of our 16th president of the United States.

Come join an entertaining Irish night with music and corned beef and cabbage (an additional entrée is available).

Reservation forms are available at www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org and the new www.wildharecafe-elk-il.com website.

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Hartem FFA consignment auction

The second annual Hartsburg-Emden FFA consignment auction will be on Saturday, March 17, at the Orvil Township machine shed in Hartsburg.

Proceeds from the auction go toward sending FFA members to the Washington Leadership Conference.

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HSLC offers spay-neuter transport

The Humane Society of Logan County's next transport to the Animal Protective League of Springfield for spaying and neutering will be on Monday, March 19. Call 217-737-4042 now to make arrangements for your dog or cat to be spayed or neutered in March.

For all dogs except pit bulls and pit bull mixes, the fee per dog is $55. Pits are $25. Male cats are $35 to neuter, female cats are $45 to spay, and feral cats are $25. All animals must have proof of a rabies shot, or one must be given at the time of spaying or neutering. Other services are available at a reduced cost.

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Zonta scholarship

This year, the Zonta Club of Lincoln is able to offer scholarships for young women; among them is the Zonta Club of Lincoln's Women's Career Scholarship.

The scholarship being offered is open to any Logan County woman. The school to be attended need not be an Illinois institution; however, it must be accredited or recognized as an approved program in the field of study. Top candidates will be selected based on merit, activities, leadership, honors, awards and need. Awards are offered on a one-academic-year basis and applicants can reapply year after year. Students having less than one academic year remaining until graduation are not eligible for consideration.

Deadline for this scholarship application is March 19.

Scholarship applications are available at local high schools, colleges and university guidance offices.

More information is available in a Jan. 25 LDN article.

For further information or to obtain an application, contact Christel Huff, chairman, Zonta Club of Lincoln Scholarship Committee, 211 Latham St., Lincoln, IL 62656; phone [phone] (home) or 217-737-4470 (cell); or email [e-mail]. Applications can be emailed to applicants.

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Mount Pulaski Rotary Club scholarship announcement

The Mount Pulaski Rotary Club is offering Mount Pulaski High School seniors the opportunity to apply for scholarships through a Rotary Club program again this year. Applications for the scholarships may be obtained from the high school guidance counselor's office.

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January Student of the Month at Zion

Lexie Groves, eighth-grader at Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln, has been selected as the Zion Lutheran January Student of the Month.

Lexie’s ZLS activities include Bible Bowl, Math Bowl, Scholastic Bowl, Geography Bee, student council (president), school plays, band, choir, choir chimes, basketball, golf and bowling.

Lexie is a member of the Lincoln Church of God. Her church and community activities include People to People in Washington, D.C., BLAST Youth Group, puppet programs, singing specials, Dynamite Basketball and LCT plays.

Lexie most enjoys singing, playing basketball and spending time with friends.

Her parents are Perry and Carie Groves of Lincoln.

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