Danvers Mail

Erik Malmgren

Erin Dederich | Correspondent

Erin Dederich was a Mail Correspondent covering the Olympia communities until July 2022. She is from McLean, Illinois.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July is happening this weekend on the 23rd and 24th! The event will take place on Arch Street in Atlanta. There will be decorations, food, and a huge vendor fair. Saturday hours are 10am-4pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm.

Volunteers Needed

Sonshine Daycare is looking for more fun things to do this summer with the kids! They are open to volunteers that would like to come in to read or color with the children for example. If you have a special talent or hobby you would like to showcase, feel free to contact Sonshine Daycare. If interested, call 309-874-2522.

9th Annual Route 66 Race

The 9th Annual Route 66 Race will be on Saturday, August 27th. Participants will walk or run from Funks Grove to McLean in a benefit for the community of McLean. Many fun events and activities will be running throughout the day at the square too! The cost is $45, but to guarantee a t-shirt, you must sign up by August 1st. Registration is open to participate in the race online and via mail.

Get Your 6.6 on Route 66

Instead of Get Your Kicks on Route 66, Get Your 6.6 on Route 66 this year! The 9th Annual Route 66 race is occurring on Saturday, August 27th. The CORE of McLean sponsors the event as a nonprofit organization. All proceeds go to benefit the community of McLean, IL.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July is happening on the 23rd and 24th! The event will take place on Arch Street in Atlanta. There will be decorations, food, and a huge vendor fair. Saturday hours are 10am-4pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm.

McLean Community VBS

McLean Community VBS is from July 11-15th from 6-8 pm. VBS will be held at the Village Park. The theme is Castle of Courage. There will be plenty of lessons, skits, crafts, games, music, and snacks during the week. Registration forms can be found online or at local city buildings. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.

Library Make and Take

The Waynesville Library will have a Doterra Essential Oils Make and Take on Tuesday, July 12th from 6-7:30 pm. Kelly Byrd will be teaching how to make roller bottles of essential oils to improve one's health. Other topics of discussion include immunity, tummy and respiratory relief, sleep, and calming.

Library Make and Take

The Waynesville Library will have a Doterra Essential Oils Make and Take on Tuesday, July 12th from 6-7:30 pm. Kelly Byrd will be teaching how to make roller bottles of essential oils to improve one's health. Other topics of discussion include immunity, tummy and respiratory relief, sleep, and calming.

Youth Nature Photography

Sugar Grove Nature Center is hosting Youth Nature Photography on Friday, July 8th from 9-11:30 am. John Tobias will be teaching students how to use the features of a camera to take pictures of real world nature! Make sure to bring a digital camera, not a cell phone camera. The program is for ages 10-16 and costs $15 for members and $18 for non-members. The registration link can be found on the Sugar Grove Nature Center Facebook page.

Positions Open

The Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Library has multiple positions available. They are seeking a library director, custodian, and part-time library clerk. Wages will be based on experience and qualifications. If interested, email a cover letter and resume to dhdoty@frontier.com.

McLean Community VBS

McLean Community VBS is from July 11-15th from 6-8 pm. VBS will be held at the Village Park. The theme is Castle of Courage. There will be plenty of lessons, skits, crafts, games, music, and snacks during the week. Registration forms can be found online or at local city buildings. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.

Golf Scramble

The Atlanta Golf Scramble will be at the North Greens Golf Course on Saturday, July 23rd. Four people will be on each team. The registration deadline is July 10th. There is a team fee, including lunch and the golf cart rental. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams. More information can be found on the Atlanta Christmas Celebration Facebook page.

Atlanta Celebrates Christmas in July

It’s about Christmas time… for July. Christmas in July is happening in Atlanta this year on July 23 & 24. Saturday it is from 10 am-4 pm and Sunday from 11 am-4 pm. This event is being run at the same time with the 2nd Annual Market Weekend on Route 66. Right in downtown Atlanta the streets will be decorated for Christmas. The tourism director, Whitney Ortiz, writes “it is all like Christmas, just without the cold & snow.” The specific location is Arch Street, known as the former U.S. Route 66. 

Waynesville Community VBS

Lava Lava Luau Vacation Bible School will take place at the Waynesville UMC from 6-8 pm each night from June 27-30. The lesson focuses on controlling personal emotions with God’s help geared towards Preschool-6th grade. There will be skits, games, snacks, crafts, and music. Pre-registration is encouraged on the Facebook page or by contacting Pastor Tami.

Ice Cream Social

To kick off summer, there will be an ice cream social at Gingerbreak Park from 7-8pm on Sunday, June 26th. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy some ice cream and cookies. This also gives students the opportunity to sign up for VBS!

McLean Community VBS

The McLean Community VBS is coming up soon through July 11-15. They are still in need of some items for the week including, crowns, medieval costumes, table cloths, and string lights. Please contact Pastor Tami at the office(309-874-2564) to help out.

Nature Center Camp

Sugar Grove Nature Center is having “Eagles & Hawks & Owls, Oh My!” camp for 8-12 year olds. This will run from 10 am-3 pm on June 28, 29, 30. Special guest, Tamara Hanley of Fractured Feathers Wildlife Rehab will also be there. Registration is available on the website or by emailing mariah@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.

Blood Drive

On June 25th, there will be a Blood Drive at the Waynesville United Methodist Church from 9 am-1 pm. You may schedule yourself on redcrossblood.org or call Sherie Ross at 217-949-3681. Make sure to bring a photo ID and your blood donor card.

Sounds of the Beaten Path

The Bloomington Public Library is partnering with Sugar Grove Nature Center to put on the Sounds of the Beaten Path event. You will learn about the sounds of nature and take a hike to listen to all of them. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for a walk in the woods and bring along a water bottle. Registration is required by calling 309-590-6168 and talking to the Adult Services Desk at the library. This event takes place at the Nature Center on Friday, June 24th at 2 pm.

Blood Drive

On June 25th, there will be a Blood Drive at the Waynesville United Methodist Church from 9 am-1 pm. You may schedule yourself on redcrossblood.org or call Sherie Ross at 217-949-3681. Make sure to bring a photo ID and your blood donor card.

Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Park District

This week’s community spotlight, is on the Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Park District. The Park District is located at 107 N. West Street in McLean. To start off, I interviewed the director, Stacey Reinhardt. She turned over some of the questions to the board president, Jenny Denham, to get more information on the history of the building.