NATIONAL ROAD DIRECTOR RETIRING
Jerry Roll, Executive Director of the Illinois National Road Association, is retiring effective April 1. Roll has been a key player in the association since its inception. The group will begin taking applications soon for the position. Board president Mary Truitt reported that an effort is also underway to find a permanent office for the association. She said a location may be available soon in Vandalia.
Roll said he is submitting the paperwork for a marketing grant for which the state would provide 80% of the funding. The two-year grant would cover 2008 and 2009 and support a major advertising campaign to promote the National Road. He also said that work continues on the welcome center located in Marshall. Member communities are being asked to provide the information featured on the kiosks that will be erected next spring. Greenville’s kiosk is planned for the parking lot south of the municipal building.
The National Road is beginning to attract more interest. The AAA Motor Club recently requested information on 2007 National Road Festival dates for inclusion in their travel guide. President Truitt urged each community on the National Road to plan something special for February 2009 in recognition of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday.
Wednesday night’s Illinois National Road Association meeting was held at Funderburk’s in Pocahontas. Representatives from member communities gave updates on recent happenings in their towns. Points of interest for Greenville included the hospital auxiliary holiday bazaar, the Greenville Women’s Club house tour, and the 75th performance of Handel’s Messiah.
HOSPITAL BAZAAR CONTINUED TRADITION IN COMMUNITY
The Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar has been a tradition for many years in our community. In 1957 the first Holiday Bazaar was held in the basement of the Greenville Public Library. Thirteen years ago, the event was moved from the Community Building at the Bond County Fairgrounds to the Greenville College Glen and Maxine Crum Recreation Center. From 2002 through 2005 it was held in the Family Life Center of the Greenville First Christian Church. And this year the bazaar was held at the Greenville Free Methodist Church.
Over 210 volunteers staffed this year's booths and approximately 100 area businesses donated funds and items to the bazaar or the public auction. Many anonymous contributors also supported the event. And in continuing its reputation as one of the largest and most popular holiday bazaars in the area, individuals from the St. Louis metropolitan area and throughout the state were represented, including visitors from numerous other states.
Remaining holiday bazaar items will be sold at this Saturday's 55th annual Greenville Kiwanis Club Pancake and Sausage Day at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church from 7AM until 2PM. This year's 49th annual Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar brought in over $38,800 total revenue.
KASKASKIA COLLEGE DEDICATED JANE KNIGHT AUDITORIUM
Kaskaskia College recognized a lifetime dedicated to education and the fine arts when the College officially renamed the KC Auditorium the Jane Knight Auditorium in honor of the former Centralian. The ceremony took place during intermission of the College’s Winter Concert Tuesday night. A longtime educator who taught in Michigan, Jane Knight returned to the area following her retirement but never lost her desire to teach, serving as a tutor in the Reading Link program and volunteering many hours to helping others learn. In recognition of her commitment and service, Mrs. Knight was named Volunteer of the Year in 1996 for the Reading Link program. This dedication was due to the generosity of Mrs. Knight’s family in supporting the Kaskaskia College mission and their wish that she be remembered for her love and commitment to the college’s support fine arts.
MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP SHOULD BEGIN IN JANUARY FOR MULBERRY GROVE
Although they accepted a bid several months ago for mandatory trash pickup, the Mulberry Grove village board hasn’t finalized a contract with Doty Sanitation. The board reviewed the contract with a Doty representative Tuesday night. Some changes in the terms of the two-year contract were discussed and agreed to by Doty. The village board will meet December 13 to vote on the final contract. There is an option for a third year which calls for a 15% increase. If accepted, Doty Sanitation begins trash pickup in Mulberry Grove on the first Tuesday in January. Commercial customers are not required to have dumpsters through Doty but are encouraged to call the company to inquire about rates.
The board voted in favor of the $40,290 tax levy for the coming fiscal year. Mayor Jana Willis said a check for $1,400 had been received from the Circuit Clerk’s office for recent fines collected. They also okayed Christmas bonuses for village employees. It was announced that Santa Claus will visit the community building at the Fireman’s Park on December 10th from 2-4pm. He will arrive in Mulberry on a fire truck.
Mulberry Grove Police Chief Robert Sutton reported that 39 traffic stops were conducted last month with 18 tickets written. There were three arrests made and three ordinance violation warnings issued.
