STATE

Bus trip to Cahokia Mounds state historic site

The remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico are preserved at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Within the 2,200-acre tract, located a few miles west of Collinsville, lie the archaeological remnants of the central section of the ancient settlement that is today known as Cahokia.

On Oct. 12, join University of Illinois Extension Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit Master Naturalist/Master Gardener volunteers to explore this fascinating site with Mike Wiant, PhD, interim director of the Illinois State Museum, and Bill Iseminger, site manager for the Cahokia Mounds Historic Site.

A detailed itinerary will be handed out the day of trip.

Space is limited. Registration is $80 until 4:30 pm on Sept. 9. Late registration after Sept. 9, if seats are still available, is $90. Registration includes bus charter, instruction by Wiant and Iseminger, “Cahokia: City of the Sun” reference booklet, water and snacks. Cost of lunch is not included in the registration fee. Register at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=14877.

Rachel Barton Pine

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Violinist to perform with Heartland Festival Orchestra

An internationally known violinist will perform two recitals in Central Illinois. Rachel Barton Pine has appeared as a soloist with many of North America’s most prestigious ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; has collaborated with many contemporary composers and has worked with renowned conductors.

She will perform with the Heartland Festival Orchestra, a versatile chamber orchestra composed of professional musicians in Central Illinois, who choose local community groups to benefit from their concerts.

The first recital will be at Eureka College (EC) at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 in Becker Auditorium, 300 E. College Ave., Eureka. Admission will be free for the college community, $20 for general admission and $5 for students. EC is the orchestra’s community partner for this performance.

The next performance, featuring the work of Beethoven, will be 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Five Points Washington, 360 N. Wilmor Road, Washington. Tickets are $35 for adults and $8 for children and students. Tickets (limited areas only) may be purchased in person at Kidder Music, 7728 N. Crestline Drive, Peoria. The Community Workshop and Training Center is the orchestra’s community partner.

EUREKA

Library receives grant of 20 books

The Eureka Public Library has been selected as a winner in the 2016-17 Abraham Lincoln Book Award grant competition. The grant gives a 20-book set of selected award finalists to each winning library. 

The library will partner with Eureka High School staff to encourage high school students to read for pleasure and to become lifelong readers. Students will have the opportunity to hear book talks by faculty, staff and librarians, and read their way through the list of 20 titles chosen by Illinois students and librarians. 

Voting will take place statewide in February to choose the most popular book on the list – the 2017 Abraham Lincoln Reader’s Choice Award winner. The award is named after President Abraham Lincoln, an avid reader and noted author, and is sponsored by Illinois School Library Media Association and administered by the Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award steering committee. For more information on this grant project, call the library at (309) 467-2922.

Advocate Eureka Hospital names prize winners

Two Eureka residents were among the winners at Advocate Eureka Hospital’s Family Wellness Expo, held Aug. 13.

Grand prize winners were Nancy Aldridge, Eureka, who won a Fitbit fitness tracker, and Carson Bloomer, Eureka, who won a child Fitbit.

Other prize winners were: Jill Wette, Linda Wagner and LaVonne Deubel, all of whom won “Recipes from the Heart” cookbooks; Allison Schrock – a body wash gift set; Ashley Schrock – an Advocate sports chair; Luann Zobrist, Susan Zobrist and Angie Arnold, who all won take-along lunch bowls; and Drake Arnold – Advocate sweatshirt.

The Family Wellness Expo was a free event that focused on finding balance in life through a variety of wellness topics including nutrition, exercise, sleep and spirituality. Screenings, food demonstrations, children’s activities and special speaker cardiologist Dr. Dory Jarzabkowski were all part of the morning program.

–Woodford County News Briefs–