The Filger Public Library, 261 E. 5th St., in Minonk

COUNTY

Parents invited to learn about young childhood effort

Baby Talk is a Woodford County Program for children from newborn to 3 years of age. Its mission is to positively impact child development and nurture healthy parent-child relationships during the critical early years of life.

There are many benefits to reading to children. Reading aloud builds parent-child relationships, encourages language development, boosts a child’s self-concept and lays a foundation for moral development. Reading helps your baby to understand the world, encourages imagination and creativity and makes parenting easier.

Sign up at your local Illinois Prairie District Public Library branch library for this program. For additional information, call Carole Hanlon at the Woodford County Special Education Department, (309) 367-4901.

MINONK

Library receives high marks

The Filger Public Library, 261 E. 5th St., scored high in the latest evaluation of libraries by the Edge Assessment with a score of 700 out of a possible 1,000. By comparison the average score for its peer group was 451. The library beat its score of last year, when it received 500 points.

The evaluation included community value, engaging the community and organizational management for libraries. Filger scored very high on Engaging the Community as reflected in the many events it has held this past year. The Filger Library was included in the Very Small peer group which covers a population of less than 5,000. The range of scores for this peer group was 125-815.

Edge is a nationally recognized management and leadership tool that is designed to help libraries achieve community goals and address community issues.

Librarian is Debra Blunier and assistant librarian is Susan Ryan.

EUREKA

Seminar to show how to turn garbage into compost

Learn how to convert yard and garden trimmings, food scraps and fall leaves into compost to improve soil structure. University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardener Kenneth Smith will lead the class 6:30 p.m. May 24, at the Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St.

Compost provides nutrients back to the soil without using chemical fertilizers and reduce your family’s contribution to the landfill by up to 20 percent. A mix of browns and greens is needed to start the composting process. Learn what materials are the “browns,” which are the “greens,” and the ratio to combine them for a successful composting. Other topics to be discussed include whether vermicomposting, indoor composting where “worms eat the garbage,” may be an attractive alternative for you.

Each attendee will receive a full measure of “black gold” to take home. For more information and to register, call the library at (309) 467-2922.

This program is sponsored by the Woodford County University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program. The U of I Extension office can be reached at (309) 467-3789.

STATE

Photos need for Remembrance Wall

As Memorial Day approaches, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Senate Republican caucus are teaming up to honor and remember the sacrifice of servicemen and servicewomen who have died.

The public is encouraged to submit a photograph and written remembrance of veterans who are no longer living, which will be displayed on the Illinois State Capitol Memorial Day Remembrance Wall. The submissions will be displayed in the State Capitol Rotunda from Memorial Day, May 26 through July 4.

The project is designed to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate price for America’s freedom.

All deceased veterans can be honored, not just those who died in service. The public is encouraged to email a photo and a written remembrance of a maximum of 250 words, along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan and Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, Other) to MemorialDay@senategop.state.il.us.

Military photos are preferred but other photos will be accepted.

The deadline for submission is May 23. Submissions by mail are also acceptable. Send the information and photo to: Memorial Day Remembrance Wall, 309G State House, Springfield, 62706.

Questions can be directed to (217) 782-1650.

–Woodford County News Briefs–