News Briefs
Summer Lunches for Kids underway
An expanded and more frequent Summer Lunches for Kids program this week began another year of operation in Fayette County.
Under that program, free lunches are available to school-age children from 11-11:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 9 through Aug. 15.
The lunches are served in Vandalia (across Gallatin Street from the Vandalia Statehouse and also at the Fillmore Street circle drive in Rogier Park), Shobonier (at the township building across from the post office) and Vera (at the township garage parking lot). No lunches will be served on July 4.
Additionally, lunches will be provided on Wednesdays only in Ramsey, from 11-11:30 a.m. in Lions Park, and in Brownstown, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church.
The mission of the program is: "To provide the children of our community with a free and nutritious lunch during the summer months when they are not in school."
VFW Auxiliary raffling off quilt
The VFW Ladies Auxiliary at Old Capitol Post 3862 in Vandalia is holding a raffle for a patriotic quilt made by one of its chairwomen.
Tickets for the 72-inch-by-50-inch quilt are $1 each or six for $5 and are available at the VFW Home on West St. Louis Avenue.
The drawing for the quilt will be held on Friday, July 4.
Summer reading program under way
Evans Public Library and McDonald’s invite local youth to sign up for the library’s summer reading program, "Paws to Read."
"Paws to Read" offers two reading programs this summer – one for students entering kindergarten through sixth grade, and one for students in junior high through newly graduated high school seniors.
Prizes will be awarded for reading throughout the summer, and three special programs will be offered during June at the library.
Sign up began on Monday and will run until school resumes in August. Children may sign up at any time throughout the summer.
For more information, call the library, 283-2824.
Pet supplies accepted for library fines
In celebration of its summer reading program, “Paws to Read,” Evans Public Library will be accepting donations of pet supplies in place of fines or lost book charges.
The library will collect donations June 2-Aug. 19. All items will be donated to Second Chance Animal Rescue.
For every item donated, $1 in fines or charges will be removed. New or gently used items accepted include blankets, rawhides, food bowls, treats, leashes and collars.
Family stories still being accepted
The Fayette County Genealogical and Historical Society has received word from the publisher of “Fayette County IL History & Family Book” that it still needs a lot more family histories.
Those who haven’t sent in family stories and wish to do so must do so as soon as possible, as the time for going to press is fast approaching.
Once the book goes to press, stories cannot be added.
The society hopes to have the book in hand by the end of the year.
Stories are to be sent to: FCGHS Book, P.O. Box 177, Vandalia, Ill., 62471. They may also be dropped off at Evans Public Library and given to Cathy Smith, or emailed it to brazlehaus@frontiernet.net.
For more information, call Judy Brazle, book chairman, at 347-2207.