Calendar

Free Calendar items are for Non-Profit Organizations. When submitting information please keep it as minimal as possible - Who, What, Where, When and a contact number. That way more items may be listed each week. Send calendar information to:

pa@pacc-news.com

Food pantry new hours

The Pearl City area Outreach Food Pantry from 9-11 a.m. for drop-off the first Saturday of the month. Then pick-up will on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 9-11 a.m. Located in the lower level of the Pearl City Methodist Church.

GROwing Table meals serviced

The GROwing Table open from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday with Warm meals served at no charge, open to the public. Donations accepted. Located at the old Chestnut Park School Facility - now the New Unity Deliverance & Worship Center, 926 Viaduct Rd, Savanna. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Pastor Floyd West at 815-902-0293, 815-275-4761, or 815-238-6868.

Veterans commission

The Carroll County Veterans Assistance Commission (located in the Carroll County Courthouse), is open 8 a.m. to noon Mon., Wed. and Fri. The first and third Wed. of the month, an IDES veterans employment representative is available to help with veterans' employment needs. For additional information, contact John Helms at 815-244-0226.

Wysox Township Library

The Wysox Township Library at Milledgeville will host a story time every Wednesday, beginning on January 9 and continuing through May 28. Story times begin at 10:00 and are open to children accompanied by an adult. For more information, call the library at 815-225-7572.

Hospice support helps

Hospice of the Rock River Valley invites individuals to attend A Mother's Love. Any adult child who has lost a mother is invited to come share, laugh, communicate and heal from 4-5 p.m. every Monday (Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28) at the Hospice of the Rock River Valley Office, 264 IL Route 2, Dixon. For more information call 800-646-9242 or view www.hospicerockriver.org.

Through November 17

Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) is starting the IL Route 73 alteration work north of Lanark at the Payne Road entry to Lake Carroll. The Carroll County Economic Development Corp. (CCEDC) published the detour map in the Prairie Advocate News in the September 10th issue, anticipating the 9/17-11/17 closure, which you may "clip & save" for future reference.As a community service of The Prairie Advocate News and the CCEDC, the detailed map will continue to be available for you to check your travel plans on the Prairie Advocate website from now thru the re-opening at www.pacc-news.com.

September 17

4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care

4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care is offering "Embracing All Families" a workshop for child care center staff and family child care providers. Participants in this workshop will receive an overview of the changing family structure and the challenges this may pose for some families. Understanding bias and the importance of respecting all families will be addressed. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Kreider Services in Dixon, IL. 4-C membership IS required. This workshop is FREE and registration is REQUIRED. To register call Kim (815) 758-8149 ext 226 or (800) 848-8727 ext 226.

September 18

Hug somebody­with a shawl

The Lanark United Methodist Church Shawl Ministry invites anyone to come knit with us. We witness to God's love by knitting, blessing, and giving shawls to those in need of friendship, celebration, healing, and comfort. Knit 3, Purl 3 ­ come share God's work with us, at 7 p.m.on the first and third Thursdays, at Lanark United Methodist Church. Questions? Call Marcia Merchant, 815-493-6324.

September 20

Annual Roast Beef Dinner

The Milledgeville United Methodist Church (MUMC) will be serving the Annual Roast Beef Dinner on Saturday, September 20, from 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM.. Tickets may be purchased from MUMC members. Carry outs for the Milledgeville area are available by calling the church at 815.225.7511. The church is located at 321 N Holcomb. Chair lift entrance is on Fourth across from Ewers Garage.

September 22

Hospice support helps

Hospice of the Rock River Valley invites individuals to attend A Mother's Love. Any adult child who has lost a mother is invited to come share, laugh, communicate and heal from 4-5 p.m.every Monday at the Hospice of the Rock River Valley Office, 264 IL Route 2, Dixon. For more information call 800-646-9242 or view www.hospicerockriver.org.

September 23

Stroke Screening

A Stroke Screening is coming to Carroll County. Sponsored by FHN Memorial Hospital, the stroke screenings will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon. Pre-registration is required, so call 1-800-364-0457 to register. For details, see the special bright pink flyer in this week's Prairie Advocate News,

September 24

4-C: Intentional Harmony: Managing Stress at Work

4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care is offering "Intentional Harmony: Managing Stress at Work" a workshop for child care center staff and family child care providers. Participants in this training will discuss ways to effectively manage stress in important areas of life by planning and the use of effective strategies. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Kreider Services in Dixon, IL. 4-C membership IS required. This workshop is FREE and registration is REQUIRED. To register call Kim (815) 758-8149 ext 226 or (800) 848-8727 ext 226.

September 19-20

MH-Tootsie Roll Drive

The Savanna Knights of Columbus Council #890 will be participating in the state-wide "MH-Tootsie Roll Drive" on Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20. Volunteers will be stationed throughout Savanna distributing Tootsie Rolls and accepting donations. Proceeds will go toward helping the mentally challenged, with a large portion remaining locally in Carroll County. Rolling Hills Progress Center in Lanark was last year's recipient. For more information, call Brian Reusch at 815-273-7757.

September 25

Hospice of the Rock River Valley

Meet from 12-1 p.m.on the fourth Thursday of every month (Dec. 27), at the Hospice of the Rock River Valley, 264 IL Route 2, Dixon. Bring your own lunch and join us! For more information, call 815-288-3673 of (800) 646-9242.

September 26-27

Recycle Collection

Recycle your outdated, working or nonworking, electronics and other household appliances. The first collection will be in Mt. Carroll at the University of Illinois Extension parking lot Friday, September 26, Noon to 3:00 p.m. The second collection is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, in Freeport at the Southwest Plaza Shopping Center, 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Collection events are open to both residents and businesses in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll counties. Many items may be dropped off for free, such as: hard drives, keyboards, printers, scanners, telephones, cell phones, fax machines, photocopiers, calculators, radios, stereos, boom boxes, VCRs, DVD players, microwaves, blenders, toasters, fans, electric heaters, and various other small appliances. Please direct questions regarding the event to Maggie Friedenbach, Recycling & Conservation Programs Coordinator, at 815-244-9444 or Nikki Keltner, Program Coordinator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 815-235-4125.

September 27

3rd Annual Carroll County EDC Golf Outing

For a beautiful fall day on the golf course, join the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation for its 3rd Annual Carroll County EDC Golf Outing. The event is set for Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Buck's Barn and Golf Resort, 5020 IL Rte 84, Thomson, IL.

The event is a 4-person best-ball, which features an 8 a.m. shotgun tee off, Continental Breakfast, and awards luncheon following golf. You may register by calling the CCEDC office at 815-273-1153, or on-line at www.carrollcountyedc.org . For questions about services offered by the CCEDC, E-mail them at director@carrollcountyedc.org.

Harvest Festival

New pastor Jerry Martz will be welcomed during the Harvest Festival at the Brookville Grace UM Church on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 10:30. Dave and Duska Ruter will present a program on their Gospel Music Ministries, with a Potluck dinner to follow. A collection of food items will also be taken for the Food Pantries of Shannon and Polo. For more information, call Judy at 815-493-2274.

September 28

Mystery Fun Run

4th annual Mystery Fun Run. This year our run is to benefit the Polo Fire Dept. Sunday, Sept. 28, Rain or Shine. Start at the Fire House from 9AM to 11 AM. All vehicles are welcome! Ends at Jeff's Ref's Bar, Main St. in Polo. Last Vehicle in at 5:00 PM. Door Prizes and 50/50 drawing. Donation per rider. Question? Call Dennis Yeager 815-238-6262

September 29

4-C: What is CCAP?

4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care is offering "What is CCAP?" a workshop for child care center staff and family child care providers. This informative session is to become familiar with the IL Child Care Assistance Program's (CCAP) policy and procedures, including the application process, provider qualifications, the payment process and parent co-payments. This workshop will be held on Monday, September 29, 2008 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the YWCA of Sauk Valley in Sterling, IL. 4-C membership IS required. This workshop is FREE and registration is REQUIRED. To register call Kim (815) 758-8149 ext 226 or (800) 848-8727 ext 226.

October 4-5

Depot/Rail Days

Depot/Rail Days takes place at the former Savanna Army depot, 6 miles north of Savanna and 7 miles south of Hanover. Both Savanna Army depot Museum and the Rock Island Technical Society will be open to visitors, and food will be available. Take a ride on the rails in an old section car (fee, available both days) and free tours of the Lost Mound National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday. For tour times and to make your reservations, call 815-273-4013. Watch Carroll County's Prairie Advocate News for details, or go to www.PACC-news.com.

Youth Fishing Clinic

A youth fishing clinic will be held at Frog Pond, located 1.5 miles south of Savanna on Rt. 84. Look for the banners along the road. Saturday, September 6, is the day, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hillary Johnson, with the Corps of Engineers, will have a fun and interactive program on water safety along with other instructional activities. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the day. The Service will provide poles (for those that do not have their own), bait, lessons and some good 'ol fishing fun. Following an exciting day of fishing will be a "shore lunch", hot dog cookout. Contact the District Office at (815) 273-2732, to register your child or volunteer to help. Registration ends September 5 at 4 pm. Please bring your own fishing pole if you have one.

October 5

3rd Annual Rolling Hills Raffle & Pancake Breakfast

It's time for the 3rd Annual Rolling Hills Raffle & Pancake Breakfast. 3 Awesome Grand Prizes: Florida Trip, LCD TV, Computer plus 10 other prizes (all in the $100 range). Tickets are available from any RHPC staff or client (or phone 493-2321 or stop by Plant #1 in Lanark) Winners will be drawn during the RHPC "All You Can Eat" Pancakes & Whole Hog Sausage Breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 5 at RHPC Plant #1 in Lanark from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Drawing at 11:00am. Raffle tickets will be sold until 10:50am.

October 9

"Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder"

Sinnissippi Centers will present "Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder" a community presentation at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon (1013 Franklin Grove Road) at 6:30 p.m. on October 9. The public is invited to attend this free presentation.Annually during October the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsors Mental Illness Awareness Week, which this year is October 5-11th. For more on the "Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder" presentation on October 9th call 1-800-242-7642 or visit www.sinnissippi.com.

October 11

Hiher family recognizes Lawrence Hihr for a lifetime scout membership

You're Invited! The Hiher Family invites former and present scout members of Troop 44 & 45, family, friends and any acquaintances of Lawrence Hiher to please help the Hiher family recognize Lawrence Hihr for a lifetime scout membership in Troop 44 on October 11, 2008. Please bring your scout memorabilia, photos, stories to share and a dish to pass to St. John's Catholic Parish Hall in Savanna at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck dinner and an evening to reunite with troop 44 and 45. Please RSVP to Mary Stephenson at 815-289-3100 with number of attendees and type of dish. Hope to see you there.

Savanna Lions Candy Day

The Savanna Lions Club will feature their Candy Day on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 8am to 12 noon. Volunteers will be stationed around Savanna distributing mints and soliciting donations. Funds raised will be used to assist those with visual and hearing impairments. A percentage of the proceeds will remain in the Savanna community. 2008-2009 marks the 81st Anniversary of the Savanna Lions Club. For more information, call Brian Reusch at 815-273-7757.

October 25

Have Your Coins Appraised

Have you heard of the rare nickel that recently sold for $3 million?Did you know that a penny found in a "Leave a Penny, Take a Penny" tray at a gas station later sold for $400? There are many coins worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.You may own some of them and not know it. The First State Bank of Shannon has arranged for professional numismatist, Ron Beckstrom, a dealer-member of the American Numismatic Association,to appraise your coins for free. Hewill be available toevaluate your items atthe bank from 8:00 am until noon on Saturday, October 25th. He will also buy them, and/or appraise your unwanted gold jewelry. For more information, call FSB of Shannon at 815-864-2111.