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Community Action scholarships, blood drive, Mount Pulaski Honors Night, First Baptist and Good Shepherd rummage sales, St. John pie auction, VFW events, Elkhart sales, Princess Tea, Lauren Soebbing, Shelby Voyles, Jaycees service mowers, Hartem FFA plant sales, writing club, Brooklyn Hermes, Zack Prather, Mary Ginter, Community Action meeting, Kelsey Griesheim, Pleasant Valley meeting, Lincoln College China trip, landscape waste pickup in Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, HSLC garage sale

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[May 03, 2012]  Scholarships available at Community Action

Community Action is accepting applications for $1,000 Community Services Block Grant scholarships. The CSBG scholarships, offered in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, are designed to provide financial assistance to low-income and disadvantaged individuals of high academic attainment or potential. Scholarships will go toward providing formal education or occupational training in an accredited Illinois educational institution to CSBG-eligible clients.

To be considered, applicants must be income-eligible and reside in DeWitt, Fulton, Logan, Mason, Menard or Piatt counties, and must be enrolled or accepted at an Illinois accredited higher educational or occupational training institute.

Applications will be accepted through June 15. Interested applicants should visit their local Community Action office or contact Kathy Shepherd, community services director, at 1-877-588-7189, ext. 246, for details.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois is a not-for-profit organization serving low-income and senior populations in six central Illinois counties. To find out more about the services offered, visit www.capcil.org. For updates, like the agency on Facebook.


Community blood drive at Lincoln Masonic Center

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, there will be a blood drive at the Lincoln Masonic Center, 2022 N. Kickapoo, on Monday, May 7, from noon to 6 p.m.

For your convenience, call Alexis to sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 158, or schedule an appointment online using sponsor code 60057 at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of life-saving blood for 12 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield. CICBC is a division of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which collects over 180,000 units of blood annually and serves 80 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.


Honors Night at Mount Pulaski High School

MOUNT PULASKI -- Honors Night at Mount Pulaski High School will be on Tuesday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym. Departmental honors will be awarded, scholarship winners will be recognized, and the Senior-of-the-Year will be announced. Family and friends of Mount Pulaski High School students are invited to attend.


First Baptist Church rummage for missions

First Baptist Church, 101 Broadway St. in Lincoln, is having a rummage sale for missions on Friday, May 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to noon.


Good Shepherd Lutheran rummage sale May 11-12

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will participate in the citywide garage sales on May 11 and 12. The sale will be at the church at 1140 N. State St. in Lincoln.

Hours will be Friday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to ?? and Saturday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to ??.

Items to be offered will include baby stuff, toys, clothing, household goods, miscellaneous items and much more.


Pie auction for missions at St. John United Church of Christ

The Charity Guild of St. John United Church of Christ will have a pie auction on Sunday, May 13, with all proceeds going to mission projects.

This is to replace a long-standing ice cream social that will not take place this year.

Karen Birnbaum, guild president, said requests can be made for favorite pies until May 9, and they will be on the auction table.

All pies will be at the church for the "Cup of Fellowship" at 9:30 a.m., prior to the 10:30 worship on May 13. Following worship, the winning bidder will be revealed with each pie.


May-June events at VFW

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1756 is a busy place with many events coming up throughout the summer and beyond. With a new tenant in the basement, The Wishbone, and some remodeling taking place in the main hall, the group is equally as busy planning and promoting community activities.

The VFW will host the vendor spaces for the sixth annual Route 66 Garage Sale, which is scheduled for May 11 and 12. The VFW is offering spaces inside and outside, with public restrooms and concessions provided throughout the event. For more information on booth space, call 217-732-8687.

This is a list of events scheduled at the VFW through June:

  • May 11-12 -- Route 66 Garage Sale

  • May 19 -- Marine Corps League Roadside Café, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • May 24 -- Ladies Auxiliary dinner

  • May 27 -- Dance Club, 6:30-9 p.m.

  • June 7 -- Ladies Auxiliary dinner

  • June 21 -- Ladies Auxiliary dinner

  • June 24 -- Dance Club, 6:30-9 p.m.


Elkhart NAG plant sale, townwide garage sales and sidewalk sales Friday and Saturday

ELKHART -- The village of Elkhart's Needs and Goals organization will host its annual flower and plant sale on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Elkhart Village Hall on Gov. Oglesby Street downtown. Flowers of all kinds will be available for purchase.

NAG is a not-for-profit organization that supports the needs of Elkhart residents and special projects, such as Elkhart Library's recent landscaping project.

In addition to the flower sale, Elkhart will host garage and group sales throughout the weekend. The Methodist Church on Gillett Street is sponsoring a large "basement sale." Birdsong Books and Vintage Shop, downtown at 111 Gov. Oglesby St., is planning a sidewalk sale. Multiple homes will host garage and group sales. Sale times are Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maps for the garage and group sales will be available at Hudson's Talk of the Town, 115 Gov. Oglesby St.; at the first sale home, 330 Kennedy Road; and at the NAG plant sale in the Village Hall.

Hudson's Talk of the Town will have a fish fry dinner (dine in or carry out) available on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. for bargain hunters who are hungry following a day of shopping in the village.

Additional parking for the events is across from the Village Hall on Gov. Oglesby Street. More information can be found on Facebook at "The Village of Elkhart, IL – Your Special Event Destination."

Birdsong Books and Vintage in the historic downtown offers an eclectic mix of books, linens, vintage clothes, purses, jewelry, paper ephemera, kitchenware and art. Birdsong is a rebirth of Nellie's Café, for years an Elkhart institution, built in 1914. The shop has retained the marble soda fountain counter from Nellie's and the mirrored wall piece behind it that features lighted stained-glass windows, as well as two café booths.

The quaint village of Elkhart offers unique businesses and quality services in restored structures. Elkhart is located less than a mile from Interstate 55 at Exit 115 and right off old Route 66. Settled in 1855, the picturesque early 1900s-style downtown makes Elkhart one of a kind. Rich in history and natural beauty, Elkhart is famous for its unusual landscape -- a tree-covered hill that rises 777 feet above sea level, surrounded by a horizon of flat Illinois prairie land.


Harvest of Talents Princess Tea planned for June 30

Harvest of Talents for World Hunger and Lincoln Christian Church are sponsoring a Princess Tea again this year for young ladies ages 3-13. The event will be on June 30 at the Lincoln Christian Church Fellowship Hall. Doors will open at 10:45 a.m., and the tea is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The theme of the event will be "Secret Garden." Young ladies are invited to dress in whatever makes them feel pretty. Tea will be served on decorated tables and entertainment will be provided. There will also be time allowed for photo ops.

Tickets go on sale May 1. Seating is limited. For more details and to make reservations, contact Vera Thomas at the church office.

Young ladies are to be accompanied by a chaperone, such as their mother, grandmother, aunt or friend.

Lincoln Christian Church is located at 204 N. McLean St. in Lincoln.

All proceeds from the Princess Tea will go the 2012 Harvest of Talents for World Hunger, to feed hungry people worldwide.


Logan County Bank February and March Seniors of the Month

Logan County Bank sponsors the Lincoln Community High School Senior of the Month/Year award and scholarship program.

Each monthly winner receives a $50 U.S. savings bond from Logan County Bank and is then eligible for a $1,500 scholarship awarded by the bank, to be used at the college of their choice.

The February Senior of the Month is Lauren Soebbing of Lincoln.

Lauren's parents are Scott and Robin Soebbing.

Lauren's school activities have included volleyball, cheerleading, soccer, Pep Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, French Club, LEAF Club and National Honor Society.

Lauren is active in the community as well, including volunteer work with Special Olympics, Together for Lincoln, Humane Society of Logan County, Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival, Zonta dinner, Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, West Lincoln-Broadwell School, Carroll Catholic, Chester-East Lincoln School, American Legion, and numerous other volunteer efforts.

Lauren is planning on nursing as a college major.

Logan County Bank congratulates Lauren on her selection as LCHS Senior of the Month for February.

The March Senior of the Month is Shelby Voyles of Lincoln.

Shelby's parents are Jamie and Jill Voyles.

Shelby's school activities have included Spanish Club, Fine Arts Club, Thespians, choir, marching band, concert band, pep band, numerous plays, speech team and National Honor Society.

Shelby is active in the community as well, including volunteer work for Together for Lincoln, Zonta dinner, Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry, West Lincoln-Broadwell School, Lincoln Park District's Halloween FunFest, Honor Flight breakfast and numerous other volunteer efforts.

Shelby is planning on pharmacy as a college major.

Logan County Bank congratulates Shelby on her selection as LCHS Senior of the Month for March.


Jaycees provide another mower clinic

The Lincoln Jaycees have scheduled a second mower service clinic this spring. Bring in your push mower (no riding mowers), and the Jaycees will change the oil, change the spark plug, sharpen the blade, clean the mower deck and check the air filter.

The cost is payable at drop-off. A discount is available for those who prepay online at www.lincolnjaycees.com. All profits help fund upcoming community projects by Lincoln Jaycees.

Mowers may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 5, at the Lincoln Jaycees Center, 325 S. Chicago St. Mowers may be picked up Sunday, May 6, from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Thomas Hackett, 217-871-0260.


Hartsburg-Emden FFA to have weekly plant sales

HARTSBURG -- The Hartsburg-Emden FFA plant sales will continue each Saturday through May 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. The plant sales will be in the school's greenhouse.

Stop by during the week if you cannot make it on Saturday.


 

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Lincoln Writer's Club to meet May 8

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Tuesday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Lincoln College dining hall.

Suggested topics: describe your childhood bedroom, mom's favorite things, biggest bargain or most foolish purchase.

For more information call 732-2723. All are  welcome.


ZLS Students of the Month

Brooklyn Hermes, a seventh-grader, has been selected as Zion Lutheran School March Student of the Month.

Brooklyn's ZLS activities have included honor roll, basketball, track and field, band, choir, and choir chimes.

She is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln.

Her church and community activities have included youth group, youth conference, talent show, piano and softball.

Brooklyn enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with friends.

Her parents are Carl and Sondra Hermes of Lincoln.

Zack Prather, also a seventh-grader, has been selected as Zion Lutheran School March Student of the Month.

Zack's ZLS activities include honor roll, chess, band, student council and spelling bees.

He is a member of Atlanta Christian Church.

His church and community activities include plays, Bible study, Sunday school and Boy Scouts.

Zack most enjoys participation in Boy Scouts, watching TV, playing video games and riding his bike.

His parents are Mike and Jennifer Prather of Lincoln.


Ginter to graduate with multiple degrees

Mary M. Ginter will graduate from Black Hawk College -- East Campus, near Kewanee, on May 18 with associate degrees in agribusiness management and agricultural production technology and a beef science certificate. Ginter attended BHE from August 2010 to March 2012.

She is the daughter of Dan and Sara Ginter of Lincoln and granddaughter of the late Mary and Joe Ginter of Elkhart.

Ginter will graduate with magna cum laude honors due to her 3.88 GPA.

During her two years at BHE, she earned membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter, as well as a certificate in artificial insemination in cattle, was an active member of the undefeated soils judging team and won fifth place individually at a national soils contest in Modesto, Calif.

She completed an eight-week internship with Advanced Crop Care, of Sterling, and an eight-week internship with T & J Farms, Prophetstown.

Ginter currently resides in Prophetstown with her fiance, Jeff, and is seeking full-time employment.

She will have a celebration at her home in Prophetstown on June 9 at noon. Cards may be sent to 4201 Yager Road, Prophetstown, IL 61277, and the celebration will be at that address.


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


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.


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.


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 pknopp@lincolncollege.edu.


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.


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.


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.

  • May 2, 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

  • May 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • May 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • May 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • May 9, 11 a.m.-4 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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