Erin Dederich is a Mail Correspondent covering the Olympia communities. She is from McLean, Illinois, and is a senior at Olympia High School. Erin is involved in many extracurricular activities, ranging from sports to Student Council and yearbook.
The last Art Tuesday for the Atlanta Public Library will be next week! This Art Tuesday will occur on July 26th from 1-3 pm. Call the library at 217-648-2112 to pre-register for ages 5+. READ MORE...
Christmas in July is happening this weekend on the 23rd and 24th! The event will take place on Arch Street in Atlanta. There will be decorations, food, and a huge vendor fair. Saturday hours are 10am-4pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm.
The 9th Annual Route 66 Race will be on Saturday, August 27th. Participants will walk or run from Funks Grove to McLean in a benefit for the community of McLean. Many fun events and activities will be running throughout the day at the square too! The cost is $45, but to guarantee a t-shirt, you must sign up by August 1st. Registration is open to participate in the race online and via mail.
The Mt. Hope Funks Grove Park District has recently installed an outdoor track. One lap around is ¼ mile. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Come out for a walk, jog, or run!
Sonshine Daycare is looking for more fun things to do this summer with the kids! They are open to volunteers that would like to come in to read or color with the children for example. If you have a special talent or hobby you would like to showcase, feel free to contact Sonshine Daycare. If interested, call 309-874-2522.
The Waynesville Library is having a Teen Summer Art Club on Tuesday, July 26th from 4-5 pm. Karen Sue Eilts will host a fun summer art project with snacks. Junior high and high school students are welcome.
The summer reading program in Waynesville takes place from June 15th-July 27th. As children complete a reading log, they are able to color a tent and make their own campsite on the poster in the library. Programs and lessons also run for ages 3 and up. There are only two sessions left for this summer. Guests from The Miller Park Zoo are coming on July 20th. Then, face painting follows on July 27th. Both events take place at 2 pm and are free of charge.
The monthly board meeting for the Village of Armington will be held on July 13th. This is located at 103 N. Main Street at 6:30 pm. For questions contact the Armington Village Clerk.
The Atlanta Public Library will be having Art Tuesdays for ages 5+. Art Tuesday will occur on July 12th and 26th from 1-3 pm. Call the library at 217-648-2112 to pre-register.
Christmas in July is happening on the 23rd and 24th! The event will take place on Arch Street in Atlanta. There will be decorations, food, and a huge vendor fair. Saturday hours are 10am-4pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm.
McLean Community VBS is from July 11-15th from 6-8 pm. VBS will be held at the Village Park. The theme is Castle of Courage. There will be plenty of lessons, skits, crafts, games, music, and snacks during the week. Registration forms can be found online or at local city buildings. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.
The Village of McLean’s monthly board meeting will be on July 11th at 7 pm. This meeting will be held at the Village of McLean Office Building. All are welcome to attend.
The next Comfort & Care group will meet Thursday, July 14th at 6:30 pm. This takes place at the Waynesville UMC. For more information, please contact Cindy White.
The Waynesville Library will have a Doterra Essential Oils Make and Take on Tuesday, July 12th from 6-7:30 pm. Kelly Byrd will be teaching how to make roller bottles of essential oils to improve one's health. Other topics of discussion include immunity, tummy and respiratory relief, sleep, and calming.
The Waynesville Library is having a Teen Summer Art Club on Tuesday, July 12th and 26th from 4-5 pm. Snacks will be provided and all teens are welcome to attend.
The race is a 6.6k which is equivalent to 4.1 miles. Participants are able to walk or run. They start in Funks Grove and will follow Route 66 to end at the park under the water tower in McLean. This park was recently built and funded from proceeds from the years prior.
The Atlanta Golf Scramble will be at the North Greens Golf Course on Saturday, July 23rd. Four people will be on each team. The registration deadline is July 10th. There is a team fee, including lunch and the golf cart rental. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams. More information can be found on the Atlanta Christmas Celebration Facebook page.
McLean Community VBS is from July 11-15th from 6-8 pm. VBS will be held at the Village Park. The theme is Castle of Courage. There will be plenty of lessons, skits, crafts, games, music, and snacks during the week. Registration forms can be found online or at local city buildings. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.
The Village of McLean’s monthly board meeting will be on July 11th at 7 pm. This meeting will be held at the Village of McLean Office Building. All are welcome to attend.
The Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Library has multiple positions available. They are seeking a library director, custodian, and part-time library clerk. Wages will be based on experience and qualifications. If interested, email a cover letter and resume to dhdoty@frontier.com.
Sugar Grove Nature Center is hosting Youth Nature Photography on Friday, July 8th from 9-11:30 am. John Tobias will be teaching students how to use the features of a camera to take pictures of real world nature! Make sure to bring a digital camera, not a cell phone camera. The program is for ages 10-16 and costs $15 for members and $18 for non-members. The registration link can be found on the Sugar Grove Nature Center Facebook page.
The Waynesville Library will have a Doterra Essential Oils Make and Take on Tuesday, July 12th from 6-7:30 pm. Kelly Byrd will be teaching how to make roller bottles of essential oils to improve one's health. Other topics of discussion include immunity, tummy and respiratory relief, sleep, and calming.
To go along with the Christmas theme, the Atlanta Christmas Celebration Committee will be selling festive Route 66 shield stickers. These will cost $1 and are part of the fundraiser for the upcoming celebration in November. The new Missy’s Sweet Shoppe will have a special Christmas cookie for customers to purchase. A portion of the proceeds will then be donated to the Atlanta Christmas Celebration Committee. Chubby’s Bar & Grill will also be having Christmas specials contributing to the Celebration Committee fund. The famous cheeseburger special will run during the whole weekend at Chubby’s.
There will be 4th of July Fireworks at the Atlanta Ball Diamond on July 2nd.
During the summer, the Atlanta Public Library is having Storytime Mondays. This event will be held every Monday at 11 am until August 1st.
The McLean Community VBS is coming up soon through July 11-15. They are still in need of some items for the week including, crowns, medieval costumes, table cloths, and string lights. Please contact Pastor Tami at the office(309-874-2564) to help out.
Sugar Grove Nature Center is having “Eagles & Hawks & Owls, Oh My!” camp for 8-12 year olds. This will run from 10 am-3 pm on June 28, 29, 30. Special guest, Tamara Hanley of Fractured Feathers Wildlife Rehab will also be there. Registration is available on the website or by emailing mariah@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.
To kick off summer, there will be an ice cream social at Gingerbreak Park from 7-8pm on Sunday, June 26th. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy some ice cream and cookies. This also gives students the opportunity to sign up for VBS!
Lava Lava Luau Vacation Bible School will take place at the Waynesville UMC from 6-8 pm each night from June 27-30. The lesson focuses on controlling personal emotions with God’s help geared towards Preschool-6th grade. There will be skits, games, snacks, crafts, and music. Pre-registration is encouraged on the Facebook page or by contacting Pastor Tami.
The baseball team had players in all positions make All Conference recognition. Riley McCallister earned 1st team outfielder. Many other players were honorable mentions; Zach O’Donnell as pitcher, Drew O’Donnell as catcher, Adam Swartzendruber as infielder, Cole Kindred as infielder, and Edwin Hohulin as outfielder. Edwin will be back as a Spartan next year for his senior season too! The Pantagraph All Star Baseball Game was played last week. This game is for senior intercity and area baseball players that are chosen for their academic and athletic success. Drew O’Donnell, Adam Swarzendruber, Cole Kindred, Riley McAlister and Zach O’Donnell all played in this game at the Corn Crib. This was also that last time that twins and pitcher-catcher duo, Zach and Drew got to play a baseball game together. Shortly after this night, Zach, Riley, and Cole played in the McDonald's All Star Game.
The Atlanta Public Library will be having Art Tuesdays for ages 5+. The dates are June 14th and 21st and then July 12th and 26th from 1-3 pm. Call 217-648-2112 to pre-register.
During the summer, the Atlanta Public Library is having Storytime Mondays. This event will be held every Monday at 11 am from June 13th to August 1st.
The Independence Day Celebration at the Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Park District is on Saturday, June 25th from 4 pm to dusk. There will be plenty of food, inflatables, games, music, door prizes, face painting, Fireworks, and more!
The Bloomington Public Library is partnering with Sugar Grove Nature Center to put on the Sounds of the Beaten Path event. You will learn about the sounds of nature and take a hike to listen to all of them. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for a walk in the woods and bring along a water bottle. Registration is required by calling 309-590-6168 and talking to the Adult Services Desk at the library. This event takes place at the Nature Center on Friday, June 24th at 2 pm.
On June 25th, there will be a Blood Drive at the Waynesville United Methodist Church from 9 am-1 pm. You may schedule yourself on redcrossblood.org or call Sherie Ross at 217-949-3681. Make sure to bring a photo ID and your blood donor card.
The Waynesville Library is having a Teen Summer Art Club on Tuesday, June 21st at 2 pm. Karen Sue Eilts will host a fun summer art project with snacks. Junior high and high school students are welcome.
The Bible School lesson was taught through the Zoomerang curriculum from Answers in Genesis. The lessons took place as a simulation of going on a trip through Australia. Here the children could really experience and focus on the value of life we have. Pastor Tyler Escoubas summarizes, “The kids learned that the Creator of the universe created people as his special creation, not an evolution of something different. God created people, as Psalm 139:14 states, ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ God designed our bodies to function as he intended to see, smell, touch, and hear for our structure and protection. God values everyone, whether young, old, healthy, or sick- each is a priceless treasure. God values people so much that he offered redemption from sin through the death of Jesus to forgive sin and allow people to become part of God's family. Our value is also in our purpose as we have gifts and talents to use for the church to tell others about Jesus and his love and value for each person.” It is clear that the children learned a lot about God and the whole world while at VBS.
The Atlanta Public Library will be having Art Tuesdays for ages 5+. The dates are June 14th and 21st and then July 12th and 26th from 1-3 pm. Call 217-648-2112 to pre-register.
Coming up on Saturday, June 18th is another Cars & Coffee for the Logan County Route 66 Days. Join the club on Arch Street between 8-10 am to pick up the challenge cards!
During the summer, the Atlanta Public Library is having Storytime Mondays. This event will be held every Monday at 11 am from June 13th to August 1st.
The Independence Day Celebration at the Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Park District is on Saturday, June 25th from 4 pm to dusk. There will be plenty of food, inflatables, games, music, door prizes, face painting, Fireworks, and more!
On June 25th, there will be a Blood Drive at the Waynesville United Methodist Church from 9 am-1 pm. You may schedule yourself on redcrossblood.org or call Sherie Ross at 217-949-3681. Make sure to bring a photo ID and your blood donor card.
Summer Reading programs at the Waynesville Library are beginning this week! There will be programs every Wednesday at 2 pm from June 15th-July 27th. All ages 3 and up are welcome to attend.
To start off, Taylor Nowaskie will be playing basketball at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL with an athletic scholarship. Taylor holds the scoring record at Olympia and is playing in the point guard position. Next, Zach O’Donnell will be playing baseball at Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, IL. Zach is a lefty baseball pitcher with an athletic scholarship. Cole Kindred is another baseball player who will be going to play at Rend Lake Community College in Ina, IL. All of these schools are two-year community colleges in the NJCAA Division II league.
The grand opening for Missy’s Sweet Shoppe is June 10th! This bakery will take the place of The Palms Grill Café on Historic Route 66. Her bakery will be open Wednesday-Sunday from 8 am-4 pm during the summer.
“Bluebirds and Blue Birds” is a 1-day camp on Wednesday, June 8th for ages 6-12 years old. This event will take place at Sugar Grove Nature Center from 10 am-3 pm. Registration is available on their website.
The Village of McLean’s monthly board meeting will be on June 6th at 7 pm. This meeting will be held at the Village of McLean Office Building. Anyone is welcome to attend.
The next Comfort & Care session will be on Thursday, June 9th at the Waynesville UMC at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact Cindy White.
Summer Reading programs at the Waynesville Library have just been announced! There will be programs every Wednesday at 2 pm from June 15th-July 27th. All ages 3 and up are welcome to attend.
The Waynesville Library is having a Teen Summer Art Club on Tuesday, June 21st at 2 pm. Karen Sue Eilts will host a fun summer art project with snacks. Junior high and high school students are welcome.
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