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Logan County trail plan, New Holland Toys for Tots Cruise-In, blood drive, costume swap, paper shredding, glass recycling, Christmas cantata, Germanfest, utility benefits, Operation Santa

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[October 09, 2013]  Logan County trailway effort continues; public invited to planning meeting

The wheels are turning for a Logan County trail plan. The public is invited to the Steinfort Conference Center at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. to hear about a Logan County bicycle and trailway plan and get involved to help move the project forward.

The plan provides a framework for transportation enhancements for bicyclists, pedestrians, in-line skaters and non-motorized vehicles throughout Logan County.

The master plan was developed under the guidance of the Logan County Regional Planning Commission. The design was completed by Farnsworth Group using a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The plan was approved by the Logan County Regional Planning Commission in February and by the Logan County Board in May.

The Healthy Communities Partnership is collaborating with the planning commission to host this public opportunity to discuss the approved plan, hear feedback and help set goals to implement the plan. The Healthy Communities Partnership is a collaborative organization comprised of dozens of community agencies and supported by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation.

A comprehensive trailway system enhances the overall quality of life. Trails play an important role in health and wellness of the populations they serve. Research has shown that walking and biking may help reduce cases of asthma, decrease rates of obesity, lower health care costs and even improve mental health.

To review the Logan County Bicycle & Trailway Master Plan, visit
http://www.co.logan.il.us/zoning/docs/
Bicycle_Trailway_Master_Plan.pdf
.

For more information, contact Angela Stoltzenburg at 217-605-5008.


New Holland Fire Department hosts Toys for Tots Cruise-In this Saturday

NEW HOLLAND -- The New Holland Fire Department is sponsoring its third annual Toys for Tots Cruise-In in downtown New Holland on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. This event will take place "rain or shine."

There will be cars, trucks, motorcycles, music, door prizes, food by the New Holland Fire Department and fun.

Cruisers are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy. The first 50 car registrations will receive event T-shirts.

All proceeds go to Toys for Tots.


Red Cross blood drive Oct. 16 at park district

Red Cross recommends increased iron intake prior to blood donation

PEORIA -- Many people can donate blood, but even healthy donors are sometimes temporarily deferred due to low hemoglobin levels. The American Red Cross recommends that eligible blood donors eat a well-balanced diet with extra iron-rich foods prior to their donation this fall.

During the fall, iron-rich produce such as broccoli, kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots and chard is in season and therefore more abundant.

Food can have two types of iron, heme and nonheme. The body can absorb up to 30 percent of heme iron, primarily found in meat, but only 2 to 10 percent of nonheme iron. Foods high in vitamin C, such as leafy greens, peppers and citrus fruits, help with iron absorption.

Iron-rich foods

  • Poultry

  • Dried fruit

  • Cereal

  • Beans

  • Peas

  • Raisins

  • Red meat

  • Eggs

  • Bread

  • Strawberries

  • Fish

  • Lentils

For a link to a list of more iron-rich foods, visit redcrossblood.org/iron.

The Red Cross also recommends iron supplements for regular blood donors after consulting with their personal health care provider or pharmacist. Visit redcrossblood.org/iron to learn more.

Healthy blood donors help patients in need every day. Make an appointment to roll up a sleeve by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visiting redcrossblood.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunity in Logan County:

  • Oct. 16, noon-5 p.m.
    Lincoln Sports Complex
    1400 Primm Road

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit www.redcross.org or on Twitter: @RedCross.


Lincoln Public Library Halloween costume swap

This is the first year for the Lincoln Public Library children's Halloween costume swap. According to children's librarian Ms. Lou, as of Saturday morning eight families had stopped by to drop off gently used costumes or look through the selection for a costume for their little goblins' trick-or-treat adventure.

When a family drops off a costume, they are given a ticket entitling them to take one costume.

The costume exchange is on track to become a regular program for the children's section of the library. The exchange ran all day Friday and continued Saturday until noon.

[By CURT FOX]


Secure disposal of paper records, hard drives

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

The paper shredding and hard drive destruction will be available Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Participants are asked to use the Main Gate entrance.

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

The State Bank of Lincoln and the Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency are co-sponsoring the free program to shred confidential papers and destroy hard drives on-site.

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. Hard drives for destruction must be removed from the computers prior to bringing them in. Participants will be responsible for the disposal of bags and boxes brought to the collection.

Participants will be able to watch the shredding and destruction of paperwork and hard drives via a camera in the bed of the shredding truck. Participants are responsible for maintaining 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 mrohlfs@co.logan.il.us, or access the agency's website at www.co.logan.il.us and select "Joint Solid Waste Agency." Area recyclers can obtain the most up-to-date information on recycling activities by visiting the agency's Facebook page.

 


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Last monthly glass collection for 2013

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 this year on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Logan County Fairgrounds between 9 a.m. and 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 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 accessing the agency's website at www.co.logan.il.us by selecting "Joint Solid Waste Agency."

 


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.


Voices needed for community cantata

This is an open invitation for individuals to join the community Christmas cantata. The group will be singing "Lead Me Back to Bethlehem," with words and music by Pepper Choplin.

The Rev. Larry Maffett will direct the cantata, with Laura Lee accompanying.

Rehearsals will begin at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m. and alternate back and forth with St. John UCC.

Performances will be on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John UCC and at 7 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church.


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


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