Area News

Return from Vacation
Rev. Bill and Roxanne Emrick of St. Peter vacationed in San Antonio, Texas, last week.
They returned on Monday of this week. While there, they visited Bill’s brother Tom Emrick.  
Birth
Jeremy and Danielle (Drewes) Chasteen of Kinmundy are the parents of a daughter, born on Jan. 15, 2012. She has been named Claire Anna. She weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 20 inches long.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesday, Jan. 18
• The monthly birthday party at the Friendship Manor Nursing Home, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 19
• At the St. Elmo Public Library, an Excel computer class will be held at 10 a.m., and the eBay/Craig’s List class is at 6:30 p.m.
• The Vit-Em-In Sunday school class will have a potluck at noon in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church. All interested persons are invited to attend the potluck.
• The Friendship Quilt Club, 7 p.m., St. Elmo Public Library.

By Panzi Blackwell

Blackie & Rhonda (hens) Declare Truce on the Chicken Roost
As our faithful readers know, Blackie, the bereaved hen, would not accept Rhonda, the red hen, as a friend, perhaps out of loyalty to Anita, her childhood playmate and mature hen, best-girl friend and confidant (who met a horrible fate when a devious Red Fox took her “out for breakfast”).

By Anna Jean Rhodes

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesday, Jan. 11
• The U of I Extension will host a workshop, “Finding Your Get Up and Go,” at 1:30 p.m. at the Effingham Extension office. There is no fee, but those interested need to pre-register by calling 217-347-7773. The workshop will introduce strategies for getting motivated and taking action and will cover optimism, attitude, social involvement and positive outlook.