This will be the second year the association has sponsored a mobile
pantry in central Illinois as a way to bring awareness of National
Nutrition Month. The food distribution is through Central Illinois
Foodbank's mobile pantry."We felt this was one of the best
projects we've ever done," said Connie Buskirk, a dietitian from the
district. "We feel it's important to bring nutritious food and
recipes to those who may not otherwise be able to afford it."
The Central Illinois Foodbank mobile pantry costs $1,100 in
sponsorship to help cover the costs of food, transportation and
handling. The mobile pantry on Saturday includes fresh produce along
with some bakery and shelf-stable items. About 500 individuals are
typically served at these food distributions.
For more information on how to find your local pantry or to learn
more about Central Illinois Foodbank, visit
www.centralilfoodbank.org or call 217-522.4022.
Central Illinois Foodbank, established in 1982, distributes more
than 8.5 million pounds of food annually to over 150 food pantries,
soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a
21-county region. Central Illinois Foodbank is a member of Feeding
America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, as well as
United Way. The mission of the Central Illinois Foodbank is to
collect donated food and grocery items from growers, manufacturers,
processors, wholesalers and retailers for distribution to charitable
agencies serving people in need.
Safe
Ride available for St. Patrick's holiday
There's a safer alternative
to driving for anyone who has too much to drink while celebrating the St.
Patrick's holiday this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Safe Ride will be
available in Lincoln to those who need it. Safe Ride is a free ride home
sponsored by the Healthy Communities Partnership.
"St. Patrick's Day celebrations oftentimes include alcohol. The
Healthy Communities Partnership offers Safe Rides to help keep the
streets safer for everyone in the community. Our hope is that the
community will remember the service is available and that bartenders
will suggest it when necessary," said Angela Stoltzenburg, community
partnerships manager.
To receive a free ride home within the city
limits on either night, call American Cab of Lincoln at 735-9696.
Healthy Communities Partnership is
a collaborative organization comprised of community agencies and
private individuals striving to create the healthiest community in
America. It is supported by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare
Foundation. For more information or for updates, "like" Healthy
Communities Partnership on Facebook or call 217-605-5008.
Tourism
to have special meeting Monday night
The Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County will have a
special board meeting on Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in
Lincoln. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the Lincoln
hotel tax.
The tourism bureau will also have its regular monthly meeting at
4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at the Holiday Inn.
Click here to view the
agenda for that meeting.
The tourism bureau is subject to the Open Meetings Act, which
means all board meetings are open to the public.
Total
Fitness celebrates 2nd year
EMDEN -- Total Fitness by Janell recently celebrated two years of bringing
the fun and exciting Latin-based fitness program to Logan County. Owner
Janell Woolard "opened her Zumba doors" at the Emden Community House on
March 11, 2011.
Since that opening night, which Woolard admits was the "very first
Zumba class I ever taught and of course most nerve-wracking," there
have been well over 1,000 participants in her program. "I would just
like to say how grateful I am that people even returned for my next
class!" she said. There were 37 in attendance at her very first
class.
On March 11 this year, 74 participants enjoyed an hour and
a half of Zumba fitness while "glowing in the dark" for a
special-edition party to commemorate the second anniversary. DJ
Holly Payne-Moore provided the sound and much of the lighting
effects.
"I cannot explain the joy it brings to me to watch so many people
having the time of their life while working out!" Woolard exclaims.
"It is the testimonies of my clients that truly fuel my fire to keep
going."
These are testimonies of how clients' lives have been changed
through regular participation in the classes and especially with the
fellowship among the participants. "We're a family full of
encouragement, love and support, and we're always opening our arms
to new ones," Woolard says.
"And I still have my 'board of directors' who I keep close by for
accountability and the constructive criticism I need." She adds with
a grin: "I may not always like to hear it, but I need to hear it.
They are honest. And I love them for it."
In the past year, Woolard added two more instructors to her team.
Bethany Rea, of Lincoln, was certified in February 2012, and Beth
"Liz" Staton, also of Lincoln, was certified in December 2012.
Rea predominantly instructs the classes at the Freedom Hall Event
Center (VFW) on Fifth Street in Lincoln. Both of the additional
instructors also serve as substitutes to greatly minimize the
possibility of having to cancel a class.
"I want to ensure as many class opportunities as possible for my
clients," says Woolard, "In doing that, I needed extra instructors
to minimize life-conflicts with the schedule as much as I possibly
can."
Woolard explains that the two additional instructors bring with
them their own "flavor," and it creates a great variety in the
classes.
Five regularly scheduled Zumba classes are taught each week in
three Logan County locations: the Emden Community House, Lincoln
Christian University's Laughlin Center gymnasium and the Freedom
Hall Event Center.
"My goal has always been to bring convenience and easy
accessibility to my clients," says Woolard.
After a strong demand for an additional Lincoln class and
location, Woolard opened her Tuesday night class at the Freedom Hall
Event Center last October. After having to close a short-lived
Atlanta location due to location conflicts, "Bethany was, of course,
ecstatic to start up classes again," said Woolard. "She is an
excellent instructor and an important part of this team.
"The people of the VFW Post 1756 have been so accommodating to
our class," she continued. "They are excited to have our crazy dance
party there every week, and it has been wonderful to have an extra
Lincoln class during the week."
Janell Woolard is a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor holding
licenses for Zumba Basic, Zumba Toning and Zumba Gold. In addition,
Woolard holds a Personal Fitness Trainer certification from the
Aerobics & Fitness Association of America. She currently lives in
Emden with her husband, Tim, and their two children.
Woolard's full class
schedule of times and locations can be found
at
www.janellwoolard.zumba.com, and she can be contacted via email
at janell.zumba@gmail.com.
[By JANELL WOOLARD]
Atlanta Public Library & Museum present a visit with Michael Rothberg
March 25
ATLANTA -- On March 25, the
Atlanta Public Library's Worldviews Book Group -- which has been studying
the Holocaust this year -- will present a special evening with Michael
Rothberg, founder and director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Memory Studies
Initiative at the University of Illinois. Rothberg will discuss the
importance of preserving memories of the Holocaust and answer questions
about the role genocide continues to play in the world today.
The program will be from 7 to 8:30
p.m. at the North Greens Golf Course in Atlanta. It is free.
A professor at the University of
Illinois, Rothberg is a well-known teacher and writer, and this
program is a rare opportunity for members of the public to meet
informally with an expert whose insights into one of the world's
most significant events promise to be informative and
thought-provoking.
Knights
appoint new manager and event coordinator
Grand Knight Andy Fitzpatrick announces
that the Knights of Columbus Council 1250 facility is under new management. Gary Woodhall of Lincoln has accepted the position of bar manager and Deb Rohrer,
also of Lincoln, is the new events coordinator. Both began their duties
March 1.
The Knights of Columbus Hall is
located at 217 Limit St. in Lincoln. The Fitzpatrick Banquet Hall is
available for rental to the general public. It is a spacious hall
for all types of events and can accommodate up to 350 people. For
smaller gatherings, the meeting room can accommodate 70 guests
comfortably. Catering by the K of C is available for events. There
is also a full-service bar and lounge open daily to the public.
Members of the Knights of Columbus invite people to celebrate
weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, showers, community
programs, graduation and private parties at the K of C facility. For
many years people have created beautiful memories there.
To inquire about renting the facility or scheduling an
appointment, call the K of C at 217-732-2548, Deb Rohrer at
217-737-5418 or email
kcbanquet@gmail.com.
Atlanta
Public Library hosts local city and township candidates
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Public Library invites
the public to attend two public meetings where they can ask questions of
candidates running for city and township offices. On March 18, candidates
for city council, the library board and the parks board will be available
for questions. Township candidates will attend on April 1. Both meetings
will be at the North Greens Golf Course from 7 to 8 p.m. The events are
free.
On March 18, members of the library
board will also be in attendance to answer questions about the
library's ballot referendum. Representatives of the rescue squad
will attend on April 1 and answer questions about the Logan County
Paramedic Association referendum.
While candidates' attendance
depends on their availability, the library expects most to
participate and encourages the public to take advantage of this
important opportunity to learn about candidates' plans for Atlanta
in advance of the election on April 9.
Candidates for city offices are Fred Fincham for mayor; Billie
Cheek, Matt Clemmons and Bill Moore for city council; Ken Martin for
city clerk; and Vickie Martin for city treasurer.
Library board candidates are Randy Brooks, Anne Hieronymus, Karen
Horn and Susan Kuhlmyer.
Park board candidates are Doug Thompson and Greg Tucker.
Township candidates are Staci Hieronymus Kong and Jack Renfrow
for supervisor; Melanie Blankenship and Julie Tabor for clerk;
Daniel Osborn for highway commissioner; and Joe Daugherty, Wesley
Green, Alex Hoblit, Julie Osborn, Betty Renfrow and Greg Tucker for
trustee.
The public meetings are part of the library's Civic Connections
program, which is sponsored by the A-Team.