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Utility assistance, haunted house, Woofstock volunteers, Democrats host lunch, Germanfest, Kelly Miller Circus, writing club, Musical Offering for World Hunger, VFW essay competitions

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[October 02, 2012]  Community Action expands utility assistance enrollment

The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois announced that beginning Oct. 1, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, is open to homes with children under age 5. This is an expansion of the current priority enrollment period that includes seniors, residents with disabilities and households that are disconnected from their primary or secondary energy source.

To qualify for the 2013 LIHEAP program, individuals must have incomes of no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Community Action Partnership administers the LIHEAP program that provides a one-time benefit toward utilities for eligible households in DeWitt, Logan, Mason, Menard and Piatt counties.

Interested participants can contact their local Community Action office to schedule an appointment:

  • Logan County: 217-732-2159, ext. 226

  • Menard County: 217-632-3137

  • Mason County: 309-543-6988

  • DeWitt County: 217-935-2455

  • Piatt County: 217-762-2421

All other households that meet the 150 percent federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for the program beginning Nov. 1 and continuing to May 31, 2013, or until all LIHEAP funds are depleted.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois serves low-income, disabled and elderly households in six central Illinois counties: Fulton, Logan, Mason, Menard, DeWitt and Piatt. For more information, visit www.capcil.org.


Lincoln Jaycees present 'Terror by the Tracks' Haunted House

The annual Lincoln Jaycees Haunted House is back again to present "Terror by the Tracks." The decades-old tradition has more rooms and bigger scares than ever before. The award-winning maze is also back. It is known for being the longest and darkest maze around.

The haunted house is again located at 325 S. Chicago St. It is open every Friday and Saturday in October, starting this weekend. It will also be open Oct. 29, 30 and 31. Hours of operation are 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 7-10 p.m. Oct. 29-31. The admission price is $7.

Kids’ matinees are every Saturday in October from 6 to 7 p.m. Lights are on and ghosts will be friendly. Special admission is $3.

(See publicity.)

For more information about the haunted house, visit www.lincolnjaycees.com.


Woofstock volunteers needed

Anytime Fitness and the Humane Society of Logan County are working together to bring the community the first-ever Woofstock at Kickapoo Creek Park on Saturday.

This is a furry friends and fitness fair fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Logan County. Walk and shop with your pets and purchase items to help support the Humane Society.

There will be hound and human health vendors, face painting and games for kids, a balloon artist, hot dogs, chips and drinks.

There will also be contests and raffle items. Raffle items include a recliner from Jake's Furnishings, a freezer from McEntire's Direct Maytag, a TV from Wal-Mart and many more. You do not have to be present to win.

As always, putting on a successful event means having plenty of people involved helping out. Right now the organization has only about six volunteers coming out on Saturday to help out and could use at least nine more.

Volunteers are needed to do the following: set up and take down, meet and greet, direct the public, sell tickets, and help with games and dog contests

There will be two shifts: 9 a.m.-noon and noon-3 p.m. That way no one will feel obligated to work all day.

To volunteer, contact the Humane Society of Logan County at 737-4042.

For more information or to get involved, call Anytime Fitness at 217-732-1155.


Logan County Democrats host 'Grab & Go' pork BBQ Oct. 3

Logan County Democrats are hosting a "Grab & Go" pork barbecue sack lunch event at their campaign headquarters, 503 Woodlawn in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Meet Steve Waterworth, Democratic candidate for 18th District congressional seat, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. Pork barbecue sandwiches, chips and drink will be available for a donation to his campaign.

All Logan County Democrats are welcome to attend. 

Also, certified deputy registrars will be available to register voters who have a name or address change or those who have turned 18 years old this year.

For more information or to volunteer, call Rebecca Drake, Logan County Democrat chair, at 217-796-3519. 


Germanfest at St. John United Church of Christ Oct. 20

The 13th annual Germanfest will be celebrated at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln on Oct. 20. Authentic German food will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church. The Alley Kats band will furnish music during the serving time, including polka music for dancing or listening.

Brats, red cabbage, sauerkraut, German potato salad, apple strudel, German chocolate cake or angel food cake will be served with apple cider, tea or coffee. A hot dog meal with chips, dessert and drink will also be available.

The church youth group will offer the same menu at a drive-thru line at the alley alongside the former ALMH east parking lot.

Tickets are available from church members, by calling the office and at the Germanfest. Free delivery in town will be available with orders of six or more prepaid tickets. Tickets for the German meal are $7.50 and for the hot dog meal $3.50.

Parking for the church is at the corner of Maple and Eighth streets.

Proceeds will benefit mission projects, which have been the recipients from the beginning. Missions served have been Austin Bahn Fundraiser, Back Bay Mission, Boy Scout Troup 106, Church World Service Disaster Relief Fund, Community Action Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity of Logan County, Hope from the Rubble (UCC CWS/9-11-01), Ill. Conference Hurricane Relief Fund, CROP, Mom and Me Camp, Reinhold Niebuhr Memorial Plaque, Salvation Army, SHARE, St. John UCC of Chicago (sister church), St. John UCC Youth Veterans Dance and Teddy Bear Project of ALMH.


Tickets on sale now for Kelly Miller Circus

The Kelly Miller Circus is coming to Lincoln. The circus will roll into town on Oct. 6 to set up on the front lawn of the Best Western Plus on Lincoln Parkway and historic Route 66.

Everyone is invited to come out and watch the animals being unloaded and fed, as well as the elephants raising the big top. Activities will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the tent will be raised at 9 a.m. Throughout the day as setup continues, guides will be furnished for school groups and anyone attending.

The day will be filled with activities, all to raise funds for the preservation project for The Mill on 66, spearheaded by the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County.

The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club will once again host their annual cruise-in to support The Mill. The car show will be at the corner of Fifth Street and Lincoln Parkway between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The traditional, "old style" circus will present performances at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Circus tickets are now on sale at several locations throughout Lincoln. Beck's Travel Plaza, all State Bank of Lincoln branches, Kroger, the Information Station and the Best Western Plus all are selling adult tickets at $10 each and children's tickets at $6 each for the big event.

The circus promises to be more exciting than ever with many new acts and entertainers to amaze and amuse you. Come out and enjoy a day of fun-filled excitement.


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Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Oct. 9

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Lincoln College dining hall.

Suggested topics: story about autumn, harvest time or Halloween.

All are welcome.

For more info, call 732-2723.


Lincoln Christian Church presents 20th Musical Offering for World Hunger

This year's Musical Offering for World Hunger will be on Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Christian Church sanctuary.

2012 marks the 20th year for the Musical Offering for World Hunger. Linda Storm and Tim Searby developed the idea for a "musical offering" in the early years of Harvest of Talents at Lincoln Christian Church for musicians to have a way to share their talents in helping to feed hungry people around the world.

Throughout the years the musical offering has included music from the masters to Broadway, and this year is no exception. The concert will include organ, piano, vocal solos and duets, choir, handbells and the H.O.T. vocal ensemble.

A freewill offering will be taken, and all proceeds will be given to Harvest of Talents to feed hungry and hurting people all over the world.

Participants this year are Linda Storm, Tim Searby, Gail King, Kay Dobson, Laurin Hill, Dinelle Frankland, Darrin Akin, Paula Landess, Deb Parker, LaVerne Tesh, Paula Knopp, Donnie Parker, Bev Kurka, Jennifer Ramsey, Barry King, Bob Kurka, Cheryl Baker, Rich Knopp, Mike Vernon, Lorna Searby, Randy Storm, Brenda Maddox, Julie King, Brandon Davis, Lincoln Christian Church Sanctuary Choir, John Stein, Zach Ramsey, Lincoln Christian Church Bell Choir and Jeremy Goeckner.

Immediately following the concert, the ministry team for Harvest of Talents for World Hunger will host a punch and homemade cookie reception in celebration of the 20th anniversary. Everyone attending the concert is invited to attend the reception, offering them an opportunity to express their appreciation to the musicians.

Harvest of Talents is celebrating 29 years of ministry, and the musicians involved in the musical offering are delighted to share their talents in support of this vital ministry.



Local student could win $5,000 in college money

Commanders of Veterans of Foreign Wars posts across Illinois have announced the kickoff of this year's VFW and Ladies Auxiliary "Patriot's Pen" essay competition. Middle school students in grades six to eight in this area have the opportunity to compete in the annual competition and win thousands of dollars.

Students are invited to write a 300- to 400-word essay on a patriotic theme. The theme for 2012-2013, which is the 18th year of the contest, is: "What I Would Tell America's Founding Fathers."

Students begin by competing at the local post level. Post winners advance to district, and district winners participate in the state competition. The state winners compete for $46,000 in awards, and first place wins $5,000.

Each year, around 126,000 students participate nationwide.

Deadline for student entries is Nov. 1. Interested students and teachers should contact their local VFW post for more information.

For details, visit http://www.vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen/.


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

Commanders of Veterans of Foreign Wars posts across Illinois have announced the kickoff of the 66th year of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

The Voice of Democracy Scholarship contest is an annual nationwide audio essay competition designed to give ninth- to 12th-grade high school students, ages 15-19, an opportunity to voice their opinion on their responsibility to our country. Home-schooled students are also invited to participate.

Students must write and record a three- to five-minute essay on this theme for 2012-2013: "Is Our Constitution Still Relevant?" The recording is to be on an audio cassette tape or audio CD. Students competing enter their recording, typed essay and entry form at their local VFW post. The deadline is Nov. 1.

Post winners advance to district judging, and then the first-place district winners advance to the state competition in Springfield. 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 a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational-technical school.

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

The Voice of Democracy contest was started by the National Association of Broadcasters in the late 1940s, and the VFW became involved in the late 1950s. The VFW took over primary sponsorship in 1961, when the broadcasters could no longer sponsor the program nationally. Then in 1964, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary joined in sponsorship of the program.

Because of the active program promotion and participation, the national scholarship funds have steadily increased from four national winners in 1962, with total scholarships of $3,750, to the current level of 63 national scholarships totaling $152,000.

For more information about the Voice of Democracy competition, contact the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in your area. If you are unsure of the post in your area, contact Illinois VFW headquarters in Springfield at 217-529-6688.

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


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