Ellen Rice, a Tazewell County Master Gardener, right, instructs a member of the Pekin Saintly Dragons 4-H Club during their recent collaboration on the National Wildlife Federation Mayor’s Pledge Project at the Pekin City Hall. The goal is to beautify City Hall and plant flowers that attract monarch butterflies, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

COUNTY

4-H is looking for future quilters

Do you have a 10- to 18-year-old interested in quilting? Or perhaps you know a youth wanting to learn how to quilt. Then the Tazewell 4-H’s Special Interest (SPIN) Club is for them.

Youth will learn the fundamentals of quilting, while working on their own quilt. Quiltchat is open to beginner through advanced quilters. Youth will work closely with adult mentors from the Patchwork Pals quilting group in Pekin on their quilt, while learning the art and history of quilting.

Quilting is a historical practice with deep, cultural roots, and a form of storytelling. Quiltchat will mimic a similar structure to traditional quilting groups, allowing for the members to learn and grow from each other, develop bonds, and further their passion for quilting.

There is a $20 4-H program fee for youth not already enrolled as 4-H members. Space is limited for this new 4-H Club, so reservations are recommended soon. For details about the Quiltchat Club or general information about the Tazewell 4-H program, contact University of Illinois Extension at (309) 347-6614, girone1@illinois.edu or web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/.

Art to be celebrated at First Fridays

The public is invited to celebrate the arts in Tazewell County once a month at Tazewell Art Loop Fourth Fridays. The first celebration is May 26.

The Tazewell Art Loop is supported by the Morton and Pekin Area chambers of commerce and Tremont and Delavan businesses, and presented from 5-9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of every month between May and November.

The dates present an opportunity to enjoy local art, mingle with the artists, view featured exhibits, see art and performance demonstrations, hear live music and explore local shops and restaurants. To learn more about Fourth Friday activities, visit Facebook. Artists who want to exhibit their work and businesses that want to participate should go to mortonchamber.org.

PEKIN

4-H, master gardeners beautify city hall

The Pekin Saintly Dragons 4-H Club and University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners from Tazewell County made the National Wildlife Federation Mayor’s Pledge Project a reality at Pekin City Hall.

The Master Gardeners are leading this project that will benefit the community and the environment. In addition to beautifying Pekin City Hall, the Master Gardeners planned a garden to attract pollinators. The chosen plants are intended for monarch butterflies to thrive and sustain their migration, and attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

To prepare for planting, the 4-H Club cleaned up debris and weeds from the flower beds, while the adults brought in compost donated by the Pekin Park District for the beds. The youth worked alongside the Master Gardeners to determine suitable placements within the beds for the plants, with consideration of the height and need for sun. The Master Gardeners also taught the youngsters how to plant the flowers.

MORTON

Village board OKs funding for organizations

The newly elected Morton Village Board approved 10 tourism grants totaling $76,100 at its first meeting. The grants were recommended by a committee that rated applications based on factors such as the ability to attract overnight visitors and generate restaurant traffic.

The grants are going to:

• Morton Youth Baseball Association tournaments: $20,000,
• Morton Girls Softball Association tournaments: $15,000,
• Ledgestone Championship disc golf tournament: $10,000,
• Morton Pumpkin Classic soccer tournament: $9,000,
• Morton High School soccer tournament: $6,750,
• Morton High School marching band competition: $5,000,
• Morton High School girls basketball tournament: $4,050,
• Morton Civil War Days: $2,700,
• Arts in the Park concerts: $1,800, and
• Morton Downtown Super Cruise & Tractor Show: $1,800.

The baseball, softball and disc golf tournaments were awarded 100 percent of their grant requests. The others received 50 to 90 percent.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–