The Sullivan high school FFA Chapter will host their annual FFA petting zoo / open house in the ag classroom and ag shop 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, February 26. Scovill Zoo will have their mobile zoo present from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.. The public is welcome to attend.
The Lovington Public Library is hosting a “White Elephant Bingo” 1-3 p.m. Friday February 27.
Adult patrons are asked to bring a “White Elephant” prize that will be given away during this time. Call the library to preregister; in the case of inclement weather the event could be cancelled. For more information call the library at 873-4468.
Former Arthur Junior High English and high school speech teacher Judy Godfrey will be in Sullivan Monday, March 2 for the Fortnightly Book Club’s special event as a guest speaker. Godfrey will talk about her first novel titled “Finding Rose”. The event will be held at the Sullivan Elizabeth Titus Library from 6-8 p.m. and will include a book signing.
Godfrey, who currently lives in Branson, Mo., will also have a book signing at the Arthur Public Library 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 5. The public is invited to both events.
Lake Land College will host its annual Ag Open House for area high school students March 6 in the West Building. Throughout the day, students will learn about careers and opportunities in the agriculture industry and will get hands-on experience during the interactive breakout sessions. Specifically, students will experience livestock judging, agriculture economics, agronomy, horticulture, John Deere technology and agriculture technology. Students will tour campus and will have time to ask questions of the Lake Land College Student Ambassadors. To learn more, contact Jon Althaus at (217) 234-5208 or jalthaus@lakeland.cc.il.us.
Potential employees from around central Illinois, including students and community members, will be present to meet employers, distribute resumes and ask and answer questions at Lake Land College’s professional job fair Wednesday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. The fair will be in the Lake Land College Field House located at 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. For a map of campus, click http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/col/map/
Having recently held their school spelling bee contests, both Okaw Valley middle school and Lovington grade school have announced the winners who will be advancing to the Moultrie County spelling bee on February 18 at the Little Theatre in Sullivan.
For OVMS, Caleb Lane (eighth grade), Dallas Decker (seventh grade), Amelia Landreth (sixth grade), Ethan Suarez (sixth grade), Mikhayla Ward (fifth grade), and alternate Baylee Suarez (eighth grade) will advance.
For Lovington grade school Alyssa Thompson was the overall school winner. Laytin Pratt, Gabe Hallford, Natalie Lambdin, Norman Mast, and Isaac Ashenfelter will also advance.
The Moultrie County Relay for Life is inviting teams to their kickoff to pre-register and to get fundraising events started early.
The kickoff will be held February 17 6-7 p.m. at the Sullivan Church of God.
This year’s Relay for Life will be held Saturday, June 13 in Wyman Park.
For more information, contact Alicia Pettyjohn at 217-356-4861 or alicia.pettyjohn@cancer.org. Information may also be found at the event website www.relayforlife.org/moultrieil
Lake Land College in Mattoon will host the National Swine Registry Bootcamp for children ages 8-12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Feb. 14 in the West Building.
This event allows participants to learn new things about the swine industry, gain leadership skills and have fun meeting new friends with similar interests from across the country.
For more information, call Kaley Bontrager at 765.463.3594 ext. 109 or e-mail kaley@nationalswine.com. Register online at https://mail.nationalswine.com:8443/NJSAconferences/bootcampsignup.aspx.
Youth Book Club Meeting
The Youth Book Club meetings for 4th-8th grades will be held on Tuesday February 3 and Tuesday February 17 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to bring a book that he or she wishes to talk about. The club will also be discussing a possible future project with the summer Farm Progress Show.
Make It & Take It
Workshop
The Lovington Public Library is offering a Make It & Take It Craft Workshop on Wednesday February 11 from 3:45-4:45 p.m. This will be a workshop where children may stop in after school and make a Valentine project for someone whom they love and take it home when completed.
Wee Readers Story Times
This event is for preschool children who are two years and older. Each Thursday morning from 10-10:30 a.m. children are read a story, sing songs, do finger plays, sometimes do a craft and always read a story or two. The following dates and themes are being planned for February: Feb. 5-“Snowball Fun”, Feb. 12-“Valentine’s Day” and “Abraham Lincoln”, Feb. 19-“George Washington and the Cherry Tree”, and Feb. 26-“Going to the Dentist.”
Knit/Crochet Time
On Monday evenings, the Library offers a time for any adult who wants to learn how to knit or crochet. The class is also for those working on a project at home and need help or just want to come be with the group. The time is 6-7:30 p.m.
Finger Knit Class
A class is being offered for 4th-8th grade youth who would like to learn how to finger knit. The class will meet on Saturday Feb. 14 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Pre-Registration is required by Friday Feb. 13 by calling the library at 873-4468.
Bob Ross Painting Class
Jim Rhodes will be offering the “Bob Ross Painting Class” on Saturday Feb. 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pre-Registration is required by calling the library at 873-4468 no later than Thursday Feb. 19. Participants are asked to bring a roll of paper towels and their lunch. There is a class fee associated with this event.
If your child is between the ages of birth to five years old the Okaw Valley and Sullivan School Districts and Project H.E.L.P. (Helping Educate Little People) will offer free preschool screenings.
Sullivan will offer screenings February 11 and 12 at the First United Methodist Church, 210 West Jefferson in Sullivan. For more information and appointments, call the Sullivan Elementary School at 728-2321.
Okaw Valley will offer screenings March 5 and 6 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 219 South Lincoln in Bethany. For more information and appointments call Stacie Hill at 665-3541.
The free preschool screening is to see how your child is developing in the areas of concepts, motor, speech and language. The free developmental screening lasts about one hour.