Blood drives, LCHS exhibit at Lincoln Art Institute, DaVita gift to Community Action, Hartem Alumni Banquet, Woman's Club convention, Relay For Life luminaria, Brenda McCabe, Route 66 weekend June 7-9, May 18 plant sale, New Holland Cruise-In, square dance lessons, Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In, Pleasant Valley meeting postponed, Laurel Jean program, Walk MS, landfill hours, HSLC garage sale donations

[May 01, 2013]  Upcoming blood drives in Logan County

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, the Central Illinois Community Blood Center is providing opportunities to donate blood in Lincoln in early May.

Blood drives:

• Monday, May 6, noon-6 p.m.
  Lincoln Masonic Center
  2022 N. Kickapoo

• Tuesday, May 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  Lincoln Christian University
  Laughlin Center lobby
  100 Campus View Drive

For your convenience, call Alexis toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 5158, to sign up, or schedule an appointment online 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 lifesaving blood for 14 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and 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 87 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.

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Logan County Arts presents 'Functional and Fine Art: Lincoln Community High School Textiles, Woods, Metals and Fine Art'

An exhibit of works by Lincoln Community High School students in textiles, woods, metals and fine art will be on view at the Lincoln Art Institute in downtown Lincoln from May 9 through May 26. The show opens Thursday, May 9, at 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

This event will feature various works by current students attending Lincoln Community High School and includes works that are both functional and creative in a variety of media.

Refreshments will be served at the opening, in addition to a bake sale with the proceeds going to support Logan County Arts, which serves artists and the community throughout Logan County.

The Lincoln Art Institute hosts Logan County Arts with the goal of expanding awareness of arts with a focus on Logan County.

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Lincoln Art Institute
Address: 112 S. McLean, Lincoln, IL 62656
Contact: Toby Prange, curator,
[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Website: www.logancountyarts.org
Hours: Saturdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
or by appointment

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Lincoln Dialysis gives $1,000 to Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois

DaVita, the kidney care division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, announced a $1,000 contribution to Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois.

Earlier this year, DaVita Lincoln Dialysis presented the Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois with a $1,000 check as part of the "DaVita Way of Giving," the company's local charitable giving initiative, which is distributing more than $1 million to help nonprofit organizations throughout the United States grow and thrive.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to address issues of poverty in the community and provide resources for those in need -- like creating Logan Mason Public Transportation after recognizing a need for public transportation within the counties.

DaVita Lincoln Dialysis chose to donate to Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois because of the organization's dedication to transporting residents who might not be able to travel otherwise.

DaVita, a leading provider of kidney care services, is committed to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and is dedicated to spreading ripples of citizen leadership through its "Trilogy of Care" -- caring for its patients, caring for each other and caring for the world. For more information on DaVita, visit http://www.davita.com/.

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Hartsburg-Emden High School Alumni Banquet will be June 8

HARTSBURG-EMDEN -- The 86th annual Hartsburg-Emden High School Alumni Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Lincoln.

Invitations to the banquet will be sent out the first week of May. Anyone who did not receive an invitation but would like to attend the banquet may send a request via email to Ron Spencer at [e-mail], or you may reach him on his cellphone at 309-838-0360.

Anniversary classes being honored this year are 1933, 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and the senior Class of 2013.

The winner of the "Wall of Fame" award will be selected and announced at the banquet. This year's award will be represented in the category of "Athletics/Sports."

Please mail nomination letters to Ron Spencer, 8923 Blooming Grove Road, Bloomington, IL 61705.

Due to the rising costs of the banquet, the alumni association will accept donations to help out with the cost of the event and to continue funding the Alumni Scholarship. Donations are payable to the Hartem Alumni Association and may be sent to Greg Phillips, 208 Market St., Emden, IL 62635.

Officers of the alumni association for 2013 are Chris Boerma, president; Ron Spencer, vice president; Loretta Hellman, secretary; Greg Phillips, treasurer; and Kay Mullins and Verna Lessen, corresponding secretaries.

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Lincoln Woman's Club members attend annual convention in Fairbury

Four members of the Lincoln Woman's Club recently attended the GFWC Illinois 17th District convention in Fairbury. Representing the Lincoln club were Ruth Sloot, Sue Beaver, Sandy Johnson and Mary Cooper.

The Lincoln club was honored to receive seven first-place awards at the convention. The awards were in the areas of public issues, conservation, legislation, fundraising, international outreach, education, and domestic violence.

Recognition as best overall was given to the areas of fundraising and international outreach.

District officers were installed by Patricia Heitman, GFWC Illinois president, with Donna Cross, district president, officiating. Fourteen clubs participated in the annual district convention.

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Logan County Relay to celebrate American Cancer Society's 100th year

The Logan County Relay For Life is joining all of America in celebrating 100 years of saving lives and creating more birthdays through the efforts and research of the American Cancer Society, begun in 1913. Formerly the word cancer was not spoken, so almost all patients with this dreadful disease were lost.

On Saturday, May 18, the Logan County Relay For Life teams will sell $10 luminaria bags at Lincoln IGA from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The luminaria will also be available at the annual Relay For Life Breakfast at Lincoln College on Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. On Wednesday, May 22, these luminaria will draw attention to the 100th anniversary, as all of those purchased will be placed on the front porch of each participating home and lit at sundown to show support in helping to stamp out this disease in this century.

The luminaria purchased for this celebration will not be relit at the Relay For Life event June 14-15 at Lincoln College.

For more information, contact Bill Post, 732-7564; Tonita Reifsteck, 855-1645; or Nicole Lee, 828-1100.

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Brenda McCabe named Office Professional of the Year

On Thursday, the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce celebrated office professionals in the community with a luncheon at the Knights of Columbus. For the Office Professionals Luncheon this year, 170 individuals came together to celebrate excellence in the workplace.

The event provided a break in the day with a catered luncheon by Guzzardo's Italian Villa and words of wisdom from John Blackburn, retired CEO of Country Financial and 21st president of Lincoln College.

At the luncheon, the Office Professional of the Year nominees were recognized and the 2013 winner was announced.

Nminees and their employers were Candy Brown, Graue Inc.; Judy Busby, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital; Kim Coers, Lincoln Christian University; Angie Ford, Integrity Data; Susan Gehlbach, city of Lincoln, clerk's office; Annetta Green, Frontier Mutual Insurance; Cheryl Hedrick, Logan County Emergency Management Agency; Becky Heyen, The Courier; Brenda McCabe, Lincoln Police Department; Angie Mahler, The Christian Village; and Alice Turner, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

Brenda McCabe, who has worked for the city of Lincoln for 33 years, was chosen as the 2013 Office Professional of the Year. The award is given for outstanding work, dedication to the job, giving 110 percent and always going that extra mile.

Police Chief Ken Greenslate nominated McCabe. He said:

"Brenda McCabe has a positive spirit that has a contagious effect on the entire department. She has worked for the city of Lincoln for 33 years and for the last two years has held the role of administrative assistant at the Lincoln Police Department.

"She prepares all reports for the state's attorney and the city attorney; assists the administration, detective bureau and the patrol division with all of their records management; as well as entering and maintaining many other vital records. Brenda also digitally stored 30 years' worth of case files and evidence records in just two short years.

"Most recently, Brenda performed all of the payroll, budget projections and accounts payable for the city clerk office and for the police department during a two-month period when the city clerk office was shorthanded.

"Whenever she is asked to do something, she happily accepts the new challenge. Not only is she the definition of a hard worker, but she also treats everyone from the chief to the newest officer with the same level of respect and regard."

Greenslate added that "her contribution to the Lincoln Police Department has greatly improved our efficiency while at the same time, improved our work environment. Brenda is a true treasure as both an employee and as a person."

The chamber of commerce thanks the many sponsors who helped make the event possible and all who attended the luncheon, along with the bosses and supervisors who gave their staff the afternoon break to celebrate their special day. The chamber also thanks the Lincoln Knights of Columbus for the use of their facility and their preparations.

The Office Professionals Luncheon is an important part of the chamber's mission to advocate, support and unify local businesses for the prosperity of Logan County.

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Route 66 will anchor weekend of activities in Logan County

Route 66 will be the centerpiece for a diverse series of activities taking place in Logan County on the weekend of June 7-9, Friday-Sunday.

Events will range from garage sales, auto racing and an electric car show to art exhibits and the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame Banquet.

Festivities will begin with the annual Route 66 Garage Sale, which will take place from 7 a.m. until dusk Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Lincoln.

This year, vendors can rent indoor or outdoor space at the VFW, 915 Fifth St., or flea market space at The Mill, 738 S. Washington St. For reservations at the VFW, or general information about the garage sales, call Andrea Dykman at 217-735-0294. The Logan County Tourism Bureau at 217-732-8687 is taking reservations for spaces at The Mill.

For the first time, Logan County Outreach, a community betterment organization, and Lincoln Printers will host the Route 66 Garage Sale.

Private garage sales will also take place throughout the community. Those planners are urged to use traditional news and social media outlets to advertise their sales.

On Friday night, race fans can watch the POWRi competition at Lincoln Speedway on the Logan County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 3 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

The Mill 2nd Saturday Flea Market on June 8 is the premiere event for a series of flea markets there on the second Saturday of each month through October. The flea market will run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Lincoln Art Institute gallery at 112 S. McLean St. in downtown Lincoln will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Main Street Lincoln will sponsor a PLUS 5K run and health fair in downtown Lincoln on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, an Electric Vehicle Cruise-In will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. along the original Mother Road in historic downtown Atlanta. The free public cruise-in is sponsored by the Atlanta Betterment Fund.

After it was commissioned in 1926, Route 66 was responsible for a huge increase in automobile traffic that led to the need for businesses to serve the traveling public. Among these new businesses were service stations.

Now, Route 66 is poised to help create the next big transportation infrastructure -- charging stations for electric vehicles. Atlanta is interested in helping other Route 66 communities discover how to better serve the traveling public that will be searching for an electric plug-in instead of a gas pump.

The June 8 Electric Vehicle Cruise-in, Illinois' first, will display some cool EV cars and offer a chance to learn more about how the Mother Road is working to give birth to a new travel infrastructure.

All electric and hybrid cars are invited to participate in the cruise-in. The event will also feature vintage music, great food, a 50-50 drawing and hourly drawings.

Atlanta offers two Level 2 Eaton charging stations, available by advance reservation at no fee. There are also 16 Level 1 charging stations available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the cruise-in, or to make reservations to use the Level 2 charger, contact Bill Thomas of the Atlanta Betterment Fund at 217-648-5077 or [e-mail].

Atlanta will also exhibit the results of its first Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project from May 1 through Aug. 13.

Modeled on Chicago's "Cows on Parade" exhibit, the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project presented artists the opportunity to create their own take on one of the 20th century's most iconic and recognizable symbols, the U.S. Route 66 highway shield.

Artists were provided a blank 2-by-2-foot wooden cutout of the Route 66 highway shield, painted white, which then became their personal canvas. Each shield was required to incorporate the text "U.S. 66," but otherwise the design was left to each artist's imagination.

The Atlanta Betterment Fund, sponsor of the project, selected 10 shields as finalists. Visitors can vote on their favorites, and those with the most votes will be named winners of the contest. At the conclusion of the project, the five winning shields, along with the names of the artists who created them, will be displayed on a permanent basis in the Atlanta Rt. 66 Park. For more information, contact Bill Thomas at the telephone number or email address above.

The annual Route 66 Association of Illinois Motor Tour will pass through Logan County on Saturday, June 8. Many of the participants will stay overnight Saturday before continuing the tour on Sunday.

The Route 66 Association Hall of Fame Banquet will take place Saturday evening at Lincoln College. Advance reservations are required for the banquet. For more information about either the banquet or the motor tour, visit the Route 66 Association of Illinois at il66assoc.org.

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Master Gardeners postpone plant sale to May 18

Those who are familiar with and look forward to the plant sale each year by the Logan County Master Gardeners may be looking for the announcement that the sale will be held in the early part of May. However, this year the gardeners are initiating a change in date.

This year's annual plant sale at the Logan County Fairgrounds will be on May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The gardeners have changed the date due to the cool and wet spring season thus far. Because of the weather, the growth of many perennials is behind schedule. Therefore, the young plants are not yet of a sufficient size to dig and divide.

The gardeners are hoping that by delaying the sale, they will be able to continue to provide the community with the outstanding quality they have become accustomed to over the years.

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New Holland Cruise-In schedule announced

NEW HOLLAND -- For its ninth year, the New Holland Cruise-In will again be sponsored by the New Holland Firemen. Antiques, classics, hot rods, street rods, rat rods, race cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome.

The free event will be in downtown New Holland from 5 to 8 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from May to October. The evening dates are May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. The New Holland Firemen's Toys for Tots Cruise-In will be on Oct. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Besides the vehicles on display, there will be music, 50-50 drawings, door prizes, food by the New Holland Fire Department, fun and friends.

For information about cancellations due to weather, check Facebook at New Holland Fire Department.

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Park district to offer square dance lessons in May

Lincoln Park District will provide a unique opportunity to learn to square dance this spring. Classes will be on Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30, for four weeks, beginning May 7. This activity is for all ages, teenagers through senior citizens.

Instructors will be Ron and Jan Betzelberger of Lincoln. They have been square dancing since 1976. Ron started calling and teaching in 1980. When not teaching in Lincoln, they share their talents with the residents of Rio Grande Valley, where they winter.

If you enjoy meeting new people, moving to good music and having fun, you're invited to come and give this a try.

The class cost is $30 per couple in district.

Square dancing is generally offered on the first and third Saturday evenings in the ballroom at the park district.

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Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In May 11

ATLANTA -- Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy classic cars, vintage music, great food, a 50-50 drawing, hourly drawings and more -- all along an original alignment of the Mother Road itself in downtown Atlanta.

All area car club members and anyone with a great old car they want to display are invited to attend. Stop by the registration table to be included in the hourly drawings. The first 50 registrants will receive a free Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In dash plaque.

While in town, visitors can step into the Palms Grill Café for a piece of blue-ribbon homemade pie, tour the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum, get their pictures taken with the Bunyon Giant, pick up souvenirs at the Gunnar Mast Trading Post or handcrafted items at the Arch Street Artisans shop, have a cheeseburger at Chubby's, visit the Atlanta Museum, enjoy a cold one at Phanny's or the Korner, then stroll around and enjoy the assembled cruise-in cars.

The Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In is sponsored by the Atlanta Betterment Fund.

For more information, phone [phone] or email [e-mail].

The next cruise-in will take place on Saturday, June 8, and will be Illinois' first Electric Vehicle Cruise-In. Visitors will definitely want to come to downtown Atlanta that day to see the variety of electric and electric hybrid cars that will be on hand.

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Meeting postponed

Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association annual meeting

MIDDLETOWN -- The annual meeting of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association will be on Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at the Knapp-Chesnut-Becker Library in Middletown. All lot owners are welcome to attend.

April 23 special note: This meeting has been postponed to a later date. A new notice of date and time will be posted when it is announced by the cemetery association board.

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United Methodist Women host annual May breakfast

SAN JOSE -- The United Methodist Women of the San Jose Methodist Church, 600 S. First St., are having their annual May breakfast on Wednesday, May 1. A breakfast of french toast, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea will be served in the Fellowship Hall of the church at 9 a.m.

An offering will be taken for the Cunningham Children's Home, a ministry supported by United Methodist Women.

A musical program will be presented by Laurel Jean. Blind since birth, this Christian recording artist, pianist, vocalist and inspirational speaker travels extensively delivering a message through her music for God's children of all ages.

She began her career in music and ministry at the age of 14, producing her first album while still a teenager. Her music takes on several different styles, such as gospel, comedy, blues, jazz and country, and includes many of her own original compositions. She has 12 CDs to her credit and has been featured internationally on the Total Christian Television Network. To learn more about Laurel Jean, her music and ministry, visit www.laureljean.com.

To help in planning, make reservations by April 27 with the church office, 309-247-3232, or Lucy Albers, 309-247-3450.

San Jose is located on U.S. 136, two miles east of Route 29 and about eight miles west of Interstate 155.

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Walk MS event at Kickapoo Creek Park on May 5

Plans are nearing completion for the 14th annual Walk MS event at Kickapoo Creek Park in Lincoln on Sunday, May 5. According to Nancy Ireland, coordinator for the event, "all we need now is a beautiful day and lots of walkers."

Check-in begins at noon, team pictures will be taken at 1 p.m., and the walk starts at 1:30. The walk route is 100 percent accessible, and participants have the option of walking 1.5 or three miles. There will be assistance for anyone who is unable to complete the route.

All activities begin at the north shelter in the park. The day's events include music provided by Greg & Joe Hackett Music 4U DJ Service, as well as face painting and a silent auction.

A "bags" tournament will take place at 11:30 a.m. Team check-in is at 11. Cost is $10 per team, and there's prize money for the top two teams. Bring boards and bags. Participants must register by May 1 by calling 732-2339.

It's not easy to pinpoint the cause of multiple sclerosis, and so far, the cure rests on continuing research. Every hour, another person is diagnosed with MS. For 20,000 people in Illinois and some 400,000 nationwide, that hour has already arrived. Money raised by Walk MS helps to support research along with much-needed programs and services that enhance the quality of life for people living with multiple sclerosis.

People may register for the walk by calling 732-2339 or online at www.lincolnms.com. Donations may be sent to Lincoln MS Walk, 23 Tulip Drive, Lincoln, IL 62656.

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New springtime hours at Lincoln city landfill

Now through May 5 the city landscape waste facility in Lincoln will be open every day except Monday from 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Beginning May 8 the facility will go back to normal hours of operation, which are Wednesday and Saturday only from 8 a.m. to 3.50 p.m.

The public is reminded that the city landfill accepts only landscape waste.

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HSLC now seeking donations for 2nd annual garage sale

The Humane Society of Logan County is seeking donations of goods for the second annual "Big Spring Garage Sale." Clean, gently used items for donation can be dropped off every Wednesday and Saturday, beginning April 3, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Use the south entrance.

For more information or to arrange pickup, call 732-1979 or 732-7853. Electronics cannot be accepted.

This year's sale will be May 10 and 11, a Friday and Saturday, at the Logan County Fairgrounds.

Items for sale will include home decor, toys, sporting goods, furniture, clothes, shoes, accessories, holiday items, outdoor goods, books, CDs, DVDs and much more. There will also be food, music and fun stuff just for kids.

With the support of the community, the HSLC was able to open a shelter in 2011. Since then, they have placed more than 200 cats and dogs in forever homes, and facilitated in more than 400 low-cost spay and neuters per year.

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