Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon admires the World Series trophy. The public can view the historic prize when it comes to Peoria March 9.

STATE

Fundraising goes high-tech for state historic sites

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has launched an app that provides information and photographs of state historic sites, as well as a link to make an online donation.

The app is available through Apple’s App Store by searching “historic sites of Illinois” or on Google Play by searching “IHPA.”

The app features a list of state historic sites and event calendars, along with a page for each site that includes hours of operation and a link to donate. The “donate” link takes users to the state’s epayillinois.com website, where the user can designate a donation to the site of his or her choice.

The IHPA hopes to build on more than $494,000 donated at 22 historic sites in 2016. Donations were up 4.2 percent last year after a 7.5 percent drop the prior year.

Extension’s videos show how to care for houseplants

New YouTube videos from Rhonda Ferree, Extension educator in horticulture with University of Illinois Extension, provide simple tips on houseplant care. After watching these short videos, even those with “brown garden thumbs” will know how to have healthy houseplants throughout their home. Ferree’s horticulture YouTube channel extends her gardening education outreach. Videos are the latest social media trend, with predictions that 74 percent of all internet traffic in 2017 will be video. Her videos teach a number of tricks.

Overwatering house plants is very common. The “Watering Houseplants” video teaches how to know when to water and how much to water house plants.

Selecting the correct pot and correctly handling the plant and roots are critical aspects of repotting houseplants. Ferree demonstrates tips in “Repotting Houseplants” from her home gardening work center.

“Moving Houseplants Indoors” shows how to clean and groom houseplants.

View these videos at go.illinois.edu/ILRiverHortvideos.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

World Series trophy coming to Peoria

Get up early March 9, if you want to see the Chicago Clubs’ World Series Trophy.  The trophy, marking the Cubs’ historic World Series win, will be at the Peoria Civic Center from 1:30-3 p.m. The trophy will be on display in the ballroom of the Civic Center, 201 S.W. Jefferson Ave.

Fans will be able to enter the civic center starting at 8 a.m. The first 500 people will receive wristbands, which will ensure that they will have a chance to see the trophy and take a photograph with it. Others will get the opportunity if time permits.

Fans with questions about the event should contact Chicago Cubs Fan Services at 1-800-THE-CUBS. The trophy has been touring Illinois and other parts of the Midwest since the team’s World Series win over the Cleveland Indians in November.

EAST PEORIA

Culinary arts school celebrates new degree, student honors

The ICC Culinary Arts Institute has earned a new accreditation and top awards.

The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation has accredited the institute’s Associate in Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts Management.

Two ICC chefs received top Chef of the Year Awards from the Heart of Illinois Professional Chefs Association. Chef Amanda Pyle, adjunct instructor and owner of The Cookery Inc in Morton, has been awarded the 2016 Chef of the Year Award by the Heart of Illinois Professional Chefs Association. ICC alum and December 2016 Culinary Arts graduate Jessica Deppermann has been awarded the 2016 Student Chef of the Year medal.

MORTON

Book club for tweens to meet March 16

Chapter Chatters Book Club for Tweens will meet at the Morton Public Library, 315 W. Pershing, Morton, 3:30 p.m. March 16, to discuss “The Mailbox“  by Audrey Schafer. Youngsters, between the ages of 9 and 12, are invited to contact the library for a copy of the book, so they can read it before the club meets.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–