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Germanfest, utility benefits, Operation Santa, Behind the Scenes, costume swap, pet blessing

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[October 05, 2013]  New features added to St. John Germanfest

Children's games, 50-50 drawing and bake sale

The 14th annual Germanfest is set for Saturday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh. St. John is being joined by the Oasis Senior Center in providing the meal and program, which this year includes a 50-50 drawing and bake sale through the Oasis.

In the parking lot, an area facing Maple Street will be set aside for handicap parking only. Children's games and activities will be on a section of the lot. The Alley Kats Band will furnish music during the serving time, including polka music for dancing or listening -- outside, weather permitting. Tables for those who want to sit outside to eat or listen to the band will also be on the lot. .

Authentic German food -- 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 meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the St. John Church Fellowship Hall.

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

Free delivery in town will be available with orders of six or more prepaid tickets. Tickets are available from church and Oasis members, church or Oasis offices, or by calling Marilyn Armbrust at 732-4261. Tickets for the German meal are $8.50 and $4 for the hot dog meal. Profits will be evenly split between the Oasis for their programs and St. John UCC for their mission projects.

Co-chairs for this year's Germanfest are Wayne Mara, 737-6639, and Tonita Reifsteck, 732-9796, for St. John UCC; and Georgina Binzen, 732-6132, and Dennis Schrader, 871-4155, for the Oasis.


Community Action expands utility assistance enrollment

The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois has announced that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, is now open to homes children under the age of 6. 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 this program, individuals must have incomes of no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Community Action Partnership administers the program, which provides a one-time benefit toward utilities to 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. The program will continue until May 31, 2014, 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.

 


Woman's Club prepares for Operation Santa

Submit names to a new address this year

The Lincoln Woman's Club is once again this year participating in Operation Santa, a project that sends Christmas cheer to men and women in the military service.

If you have a family member in the armed forces whom you would like to see receive a gift from the Woman's Club, submit the soldier's name and address to:

Leatha Poshard
1721 Sunrise Place
Normal, IL  61761


New season of 'Behind the Scenes' to serve up more intrigue

ATLANTA -- Cathy Marciariello has had a very busy summer as program director of the Atlanta Public Library. In addition to adult and children's programs and library renovations, she has been hard at work booking programs for the library's fall and winter "Behind the Scenes" programs.

Marciariello searches the country for interesting people whose professions will provide fascinating glimpses into areas of expertise that we may not encounter here in central Illinois. This year is no exception.

The programs will present not only members of the arts, an area that Marciariello knows well from her career directing orchestras and arts organizations in the U.S. and Europe, but will also include people in unique professions.

 

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Behind the Scenes kicks off on Oct. 25 with a visit to Atlanta by a representative of the world-renowned St. Louis Zoo, who will discuss their baby animal program and how it is managed. No animals will be brought because of the distance, but animal care, mating and management of the program will be topics of discussion.

On Nov. 22, Marciariello is bringing Dudley Cocke to Atlanta. Cocke is nationally known for his Roadside Theater program, where he enlists members of a community to participate in a production that he directs. While he has staged productions in large cities like Brooklyn and New Orleans, he specializes in bringing theater to rural America, with a theme of social activism.

Bob Lupone will travel to Atlanta on Jan. 10, 2014. A dancer and actor, Lupone is the brother of actress Patti Lupone. He has starred on stage and television, appearing in the original production of "A Chorus Line" on Broadway and in "Jesus Christ Superstar." His television credits include the popular crime drama "The Sopranos," where he had a recurring role, and "Sex in the City."

Marciariello is offering a change of pace from the arts world on Jan. 31. Ryan Aper, a Lincoln High School graduate and Major League Baseball draftee, will be interviewed about what his experiences have been breaking into professional sports. Aper holds several records set during his time at Lincoln High and Lincoln Land Community College. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins.

Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, will be a special evening as the Atlanta Country Club will be turned into a cabaret when Brian Davis travels to town to entertain. Davis is a Peoria-area singer and songwriter.

All of the Behind the Scenes programs will be at the Atlanta Country Club. The evenings begin at 6:30 with a wine and cheese reception, and the program commences at 7. The cost is $10 per show, or $9 when a person books four or more programs.

Check the Atlanta Public Library website, www.apldinfo.org, for further details. The Behind the Scenes information is listed under "Programs & Services > Programs for Adults," or click here. The library phone number is 217-648-2112.


Lincoln Public Library to host Halloween costume swap

The Lincoln Public Library District will have its first-ever costume swap in early October Bring your clean, gently used children's costume and exchange it for another.

The swap will be in the Annex on Friday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.

You can bring in costumes earlier in the week and receive a ticket to use during the swap. Costume donations will be accepted.

For more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call 732-8878.


HSLC to host blessing of animals and dedicate new pet cemetery Oct. 5

The Humane Society of Logan County invites all pets and their owners to a blessing of animals, in the spirit of St. Francis. The ceremony will be on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Humane Society, 1801 E. Lincoln Parkway in Lincoln. The Forever Home Pet Cemetery, located on the grounds, will also be dedicated and officially opened.

Pastor Tami Werschey from Hartsburg United Methodist Church and the Rev. Mark Evans from Trinity Episcopal Church will conduct the dedication of the cemetery and the blessing of the animals.

Pets should be leashed or crated.

The pet cemetery is the most recent program of the HSLC, created to fulfill a need in Logan County and provide a source of income to support the shelter.

Visitors will be invited to tour the shelter and meet the newest adoptable pets. Donations of pet food for the shelter and pantry will also be accepted.


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