Coles County Animal Shelter Closed on Friday
The Coles County Animal Shelter will be closed Friday for a staff training day. If you have an emergency, please call your local law enforcement and they will contact the shelter’s emergency line. If you need to report a violation, you can leave the information on the shelter’s answering service.
Okaw Valley Student Council – Haunted House
The Okaw Valley Student Council will host a haunted house October 15th and 16th from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. each night. A kid-friendly haunted house will be open from 7:00 to 8:00. Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door. Tickets will be available at Tuesday’s (10/12) volleyball game.
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins 10/15
The Medicare open enrollment period begins Friday (10/15). Older adults looking to change their existing plan can receive free, personalized assistance through the Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior Health Insurance Program. Counselors are available at 1-800-252-8966 or at the State of Illinois website.
Benefit for the Curry Family
A benefit for the Curry family will be held at Windsor Christian Church October 16th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Four members of the family are dealing with serious medical issues, and proceeds from the event will help with travel, food and lodging. The fundraiser will include a pulled pork meal, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and a raffle to win a variety of prizes, including a two-night stay at Whitetail Cabins; boat rental from Findlay Marina; and a gas grill from Rural King. If you’d like to make a donation to the silent auction, please call 217-254-8504.
St. Michael School in Sigel – Rocktoberfest
St. Michael School in Sigel will host Rocktoberfest October 16th from 5:00-11:00 p.m. The party will include a beer garden, food, bounce houses, and live music by St. Michael graduate Jake Schumacher, Randy Kemme and Thunder Road, and Flight Fifty.
Dine in Dieterich
Dine in Dieterich, a benefit for the community center and the Seth Weber family, comes to Liberty Park October 16th at 5:00 p.m. For $10 you can get 12 samples of locally made food and drinks. They’ll also have a beer tent and Halloween costume contest. Food vendors that would like to participate should call Alex at 217-663-2924.
Quail & Pheasant Hunt for Kids
The Effingham Area chapter of Quail Forever will host a free quail and pheasant hunt for kids, ages 10 to 16 on October 16th in Louisville. Morning and afternoon hunts are available. They’ll also have a raffle to win a new gun. Registration is required at 217-342-4111.
Hit the Pavement 4 Paws 5k Run/Walk
Hit the Pavement 4 Paws, a 5k run and walk to benefit the Effingham County Humane Society, will be held October 16th in Effingham. Entry fee is $30. Go to runsignup.com, and look for ‘em on Facebook for more information.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Pop-Up Site at Village Square Mall
The Village Square Mall in Effingham will be a household hazardous waste collection site for the Illinois EPA. The site will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on October 16th. You’re welcome to bring oil-based paint, anti-freeze, motor oil, paint thinner, weed killer, kerosene, insecticide and pesticide, old and outdated medicine, and similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be dropped off. Items that will NOT be accepted: latex paint, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, explosives, agricultural chemicals and business waste.
School Bus Training Courses
Regional Office of Education #11 is hosting a series of school bus training courses for those who want to become drivers. All new bus drivers must complete the eight-hour initial training before applying for a permit. Training courses will be offered on October 13th and 14th, November 20th, December 11th, and January 15th. Cost is just $10.00. Please call Katie O’Dell at 217-348-0151 or email kodell@roe11.org.
American Red Cross – Emergency Platelet Shortage
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage and must collect 10,000 additional blood products over the next month for the supply to recover and meet hospital and patient needs.
Your next chance to donate is:
- 10/14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Oblong High School
12:15-6:45 at the Effingham Blood Donation Center
1:00-6:00 at Flora Church of the Nazarene
2:00-6:00 at Dieterich High School and the Apostolic Life Center in Mattoon. - 10/15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Newton High School.
For the rest of the other area blood drives, visit myradiolink.com.
Coles County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited – Annual Membership Banquet
The Coles County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will have its annual membership banquet October 23rd at the Mattoon Eagles Club. The evening includes a meal and the chance to bid on silent and live auction items, like a Terry Redlin print, Charles Daly over-and-under 20 gauge, Glock 43X 9-millimeter, and a Savage A-22. To reserve tickets, call 217- 254-5334.
Future Teacher Night
The Regional Office of Education will host a future teacher night October 27th from 5:30 to 8:30. Representatives from five teacher preparation universities will be there to answer questions, and all attendees go into a drawing to win a $500 scholarship. There is no charge to attend.
Jasper County Softball Team – Gun Raffle
Tickets are available for a gun raffle to benefit the Jasper County 12 and under girls’ softball team. The grand prize is a Smith & Wesson M&P Sport II with crimson trace optic. Tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $20.00. To reserve yours, call 618-843-6511.
Effingham County Relay for Life – Sig Sauer Raffle
Effingham County Relay for Life is raffling off a Sig Sauer P365 9 millimeter. Tickets are $10 each. You can call Becky at 217-821-5487 to reserve yours. The winner will be drawn December 18th.
Stew-Stras Alumni Basketball Game
The Stew-Stras class of 2024 will sponsor an alumni basketball game on November 6th. Former players from Stew-Stras and Windsor High Schools that graduated between 1990 and 2021 are invited to play. Please RSVP by October 25th by emailing ssmith@stew-stras.org, or by calling 217-682-3355.
Arcola High School Hosting Veteran’s Day Parade
Arcola High School will host a Veteran’s Day parade and celebration on November 11th. Families are encouraged to drive their veteran in the parade and the community is encouraged to line the parade route and show your respect and appreciation for all they’ve done. Line-up will be at 1:00 in the south parking lot of the high school and the parade will start at 1:30.
Illinois Office of Tourism – Fall Color Report
The Illinois Office of Tourism has released the Fall Color Report. This guide will help you know the best time to view fall foliage in all regions across the state. Along with the Fall Color Report, new road trip itineraries highlighting fall experiences around the state were also released. The color report will be updated weekly, offering a real-time look at where to spot fall foliage during peak times throughout the season. You can see the report at enjoyillinois.com.
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