Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church members & friends – Family Fun Day 2023

Sangamon Valley Presbyterian observes 175th 

The Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church, located on the Beardstown/Chandlerville blacktop, will be observing its 175th anniversary with a celebration on Sunday, September 24th.   The church was established in 1848, with the first service being held in the Hickory schoolhouse, near the current church building.  The church building was built in 1849, one-eighth mile northeast of the present structure.  The present church building was erected in 1892 with a dining room and kitchen being built under the church in 1947.

CCHGS annual nut sale

The Cass County Historical & Genealogical Society (CCHGS) is gearing up for its annual nut sale!  This year we are offering a variety of nuts, including pecan halves, medium pecan pieces, light (English) walnut halves & pieces, whole cashews, mixed nuts, a Harvest Medley Mix (featuring dried cranberries & cherries, cashews, pecans and pistachios), praline pecans and milk Cchocolate covered almonds.

ambulance

Red Cross facing national blood shortage

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.  Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

Calendar Fall

Community  Calendar

A-C Central School Board will hold its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 20  in the Board Conference room at the Unit Office in Ashland.

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The Virginia Spooktacular will hold its Halloween Parade at 5:15 p.m. October 21 in Virginia. The parade will begin on Illini Street and go down Main Street. 

Anyone interested in being part of the parade should contact Billie Gardner at 217-204-5949 or fill out a registration link.

Bread of Love    

September 18- 22: Monday - Ham loaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, apricots,  bread, milkTuesday - Bratwurst patty on bun, pickles, German potato salad, sauerkraut, tropical fruit, milk Wednesday - Stuffed pepper soup, cottage cheese, red bean salad, mandarin oranges, crackers, milkThursday - Chicken & noodles, broccoli, pears, dinner roll,  milk Friday - Pork Chop, whipped potatoes & gravy, red cabbage, apple crisp, bread,  milk

Trick or Treat

Virginia Spooktacular set Oct. 21

The Virginia Spooktacular will hold its Halloween Parade at 5:15 p.m. October 21 in Virginia. The parade will begin on Illini Street and go down Main Street. 

Anyone interested in being part of the parade should contact Billie Gardner at 217-204-5949 or fill out a registration link.

Twin Towers during attack on 9/11/01

Looking Back – Remembering 9/11

As I drove to my Springfield office, I thought this would be a perfect late summer day. The sun glowed brightly in a clear sky. The weather was mild. Alas, I had plenty of work awaiting me. 

After I crossed Veterans Parkway, the radio carried a concerning report. A plane had crashed into 1 World Trade Center (north tower). However, the DJ said it likely was a small private aircraft.

Then within a few blocks of my destination, the AmerenCIPS Illinois Building, I heard the grim news. An airliner had struck the building.

Trivia Too

Trivia Too – Illinois, home of many stars

I have always been proud of Beardstown and even additionally proud of Illinois.  I was never a celebrity, but I’m surprised at the number of celebrities who were born or have lived in Illinois at one time.  

For example, Dick and Jerry Van Dyke came out of Danville.  Betty White was born in Oak Park.  Others born in Illinois from a column recently published by Bill Flick are Raquel Welch, Robin Williams, Pat Sajak, Walt Disney, Ernest Hemingway, Rock Hudson, Keke Palmer, Quincy Jones, Eddie Vedder, Melissa McCarthy, Harrison Ford, Jim Gaffigan, and Cindy Crawford.

Never forget the lessons of our past

It’s been a few days since Monday, Sept. 11, the attack on the World Trade Center, the Twin Towers. I wonder.......

Have we learned anything?

On that date in 2001, life seemed to be normal as usual. People were going to work, children were going to school, some were struggling with finances, depression, medical news, and at the same time celebrating weddings, births, promotions and other everyday circumstances. It was just an ordinary Tuesday. Or so we thought.

Tena Seymour

Tena Seymour

Tena Jo Seymour, 69 of Beardstown, died Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

She was born July 16, 1954, in Rushville, the daughter of Roger and Delores (Campbell) Skiles. She married Richard Seymour on December 31, 1976 in Beardstown and he preceded her in death on October 12, 2012.