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Confidential paper shredding, glass recycling, 'Babe' in Atlanta, winter outerwear, 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,' Roy Logan, New Holland Toys for Tots Cruise-In, 'Our Town,' utility assistance, haunted house, Germanfest, writing club, Musical Offering for World Hunger, VFW essay competitions

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[October 08, 2012]  Confidential paper shredding & hard drive destruction Saturday

Are you worried about your personal information getting into the wrong hands? If so, bring your financial records, old tax returns and other sensitive household records to be shredded and destroyed in a secure and confidential manner at the Logan County Fairgrounds on Saturday morning. Hard drives will also be accepted for shredding. Proper disposal of sensitive information may prevent individuals in your household from becoming the victim of identity theft.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants should enter the fairgrounds at the main gate.

The last glass recycling collection of the year will also be at the same time and location.

The State Bank of Lincoln and the Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency are co-sponsoring the free program for on-site confidential paper shredding and hard drive destruction.

Participants will be limited to five bags or boxes of materials to be shredded and are asked to ensure that no plastic, glass, trash or non-paper items are brought to the collection. The hard drives must be removed from the computers before participants bring in the hard drives to be destroyed. Participants will be responsible for the disposal of bags and boxes brought to the collection.

People bringing in papers and hard drives will be able to watch the shredding and destruction via a camera located in the bed of the shredding truck. Participants should maintain possession of their materials until they are brought to the truck for shredding. Sponsors of the paper shredding and hard drive destruction are not responsible for any materials left unattended prior to or during the shredding event.

For more information on the paper shredding and hard drive destruction, contact Mitzi Rohlfs, Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency coordinator, at 732-9636 or visit the agency's website at www.co.logan.il.us and select "Joint Solid Waste Agency."


Last monthly glass collection for 2012 on Saturday

The Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency, in collaboration with the Lincoln Woman's Club and Verallia Saint-Gobain Containers, will have its last monthly glass collection for 2012 on Saturday at the Logan County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon.

The collection will be canceled in event of inclement weather.

Participants are reminded that only container glass will be accepted during the collection. Container glass is any glass that formerly held either a food or beverage product. All colors of glass will be accepted. The glass recycling program will no longer accept broken glass due to safety issues.

Participants are asked to thoroughly rinse all containers and remove all plastic or metal lids and rings and foil labels. Paper labels may be left on the containers. Due to the large volume of glass being collected, the recycling program reserves the right to refuse any glass that does not meet the preparation guidelines.

The glass recycling program does not accept light bulbs, fluorescent lights, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, dishware or CorningWare items. Participants are asked to comply with the glass collection guidelines, as a single piece of ceramic material or a light bulb can contaminate an entire load of glass.

Information on the county's recycling programs is available by contacting the Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency Office at 217-732-9636 or by accessing the agency's website at www.co.logan.il.us and selecting "Joint Solid Waste Agency."


'Babe' comes to Atlanta Public Library

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Public Library's popular Saturdays on the Lawn program will conclude on Oct. 13 with an outdoor showing of the movie "Babe." The family evening includes a wiener roast and other activities.

The event is free and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. It's an opportunity to kick off the fall season and learn about the programs planned this year at the library.

Popular with kids and enjoyable for adults as well, "Babe" is a comic fable about not fitting in and the lengths to which an ordinary pig will go to find acceptance -- even daring to be a sheepdog. Babe's approach to barnyard life is different than all the other animals, and he reminds us that life can be more challenging, but all the sweeter, for the pig who marches to the tune of a different drummer.

Join the group around the fire on the library lawn for an evening of family fun, games and good food. Bring your own lawn chairs and hot dogs. The library will provide sticks, buns, condiments, marshmallows and other goodies.

Saturdays on the Lawn is sponsored by grants from the Mirza Arts and Culture Fund of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation and by the Jerome Mirza Foundation. The Atlanta Methodist Church is the lead sponsor of the Oct. 13 family event.

For more information, contact the library at 217-648-2112 or email apldinformation@gmail.com.


Atlanta United Methodist Women host winter-wear giveaway Oct. 20

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta United Methodist Women are organizing a winter-wear giveaway to help families in need get ready for cold weather. There will be a selection of gently worn or new coats, hats, gloves and some boots. This will be available in the basement of the Atlanta United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 20.

The church is at the corner of Second and Race streets and is handicapped-accessible.


Auditions for 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' Oct. 14

DELAVAN -- Have you always wanted to be in a play but were afraid of memorizing lines? Here is the show for you. Prairieland Theatre Company will perform "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at The Farmhouse Banquet & Event Center in Delavan. Additional performances are possible.

Auditions for "It's a Wonderful Life" will be on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 505 E Fourth St. in Delavan. There are parts for as few as five individuals -- three males and two females -- and as many as 40. There are parts for children (age 8 and up, please), young adults and adults. There's a part for anyone who wants to be involved.

If you are unable to come to the auditions but would still like to be considered, call Jim Sullivan, 244-9022.

Don't want to be on stage, but would like to help in other ways? Prairieland Theatre Company welcomes you, too. Please stop by the audition to talk about how you can be involved.


Roy Logan honored as Kiwanian of the Year

The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln installed new officers at a special evening meeting Tuesday at Lincoln College.

Dinner was prepared by Lincoln College chef Warren Wendlandt, and the LC Jazz Combo offered musical entertainment along with a comedy bit by a student.

Joe Haning served as president during the past year, and it is the privilege of the outgoing president to select the Kiwanian of the Year. Haning chose Roy Logan.

Haning said that Logan has been a hard worker. He has especially been there to help the group with food at fundraisers, including an Italian dinner of spaghetti. Logan added cavatelli this year, ham and beans, and the chili and oyster dinners.

The club had been meeting at Rusty's when it was learned one Monday that the business was closed for good. Logan quickly stepped up and made arrangements for the group to meet at the Rec Center and even provided the lunch himself with the help of Marcia Greenslate. Haning said that Logan had provided a couple of meals for the group.

Logan is always willing to help with a lot of things, "and," Haning added, "Roy is a very personable kind of guy."

K. Bridgett Schneider, the incoming president, said: "Roy is always a hard worker. He comes in and does what he needs to do and likes to do it without the spotlight."

Logan has been a Kiwanis member approximately 10 years.

For 2012-2013, new officers will be K. Bridget Schneider as president; Alyssa J. Schneider, president-elect; Tom Comstock, treasurer; and C. Wayne Schrader, secretary.

The local chapter is affiliated with the international organization, whose motto is "Serving the children of the world."

The name Kiwanis means "we trade" or "we share our talents."

The Lincoln Kiwanis Club hosts a number of fundraisers and sponsors service projects throughout the year. Committee chairmen include Mike Booher, Logan, Schneider, Marti Sawicki, Bob Sullivan, Tom Zurkammer and Schrader.

According to the chapter brochure: "When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream and succeed, great things can happen." Emphasis is placed on encouraging and developing youth leadership, as well as providing for children in the community.

Haning is the committee chair and adviser for the Builders Club. Junior high students conduct acts of service at school or bus tables at Kiwanis events.

Also stated in the Kiwanis mission is to help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged and care for the sick.

Membership is open to any adult, male or female. The local chapter has about 40 members, with about 20 in attendance at its meetings each week. The group currently meets at the St. John United Church of Christ on Seventh Street in Lincoln, starting at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. Peggy's Place caters the lunch.

[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]


2nd annual New Holland Fire Dept. Toys for Tots Cruise-In Oct. 13

NEW HOLLAND -- The New Holland Volunteer Firemen will sponsor the second annual New Holland Fire Department Toys for Tots Cruise-In on Oct. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. in downtown New Holland.

The cruise-in is open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles. Cruisers are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy.

There will be music, a 50-50 drawing, door prizes and food by the New Holland Fire Department.

This year, the first 50 cars to register will get a free event T-shirt.

All proceeds will go to Toys for Tots.


Lincoln College to present 'Our Town'

Lincoln College will present the play "Our Town," by Thornton Wilder. The play is directed by Martin Holden, assistant professor of theater, with a cast of 25 Lincoln College students. The show will be presented Oct. 24-27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. in the Johnston Center for Performing Arts on the college campus.

Tickets are $7 for general admission, $5 for seniors and students, and $1 for Lincoln College students with ID. To reserve tickets, call the box office at 1-800-569-0556, ext. 280.


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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.


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.


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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