8-30-2011

THE CIRCUS IS COMING TO TOWN

The circus is coming to town.  The DeMoulin Museum is bringing the Culpepper and Merriweather circus to town Thursday, September 1 at the Bond County Fairgrounds.  WGEL was visited by Skeeter the Clown who gave us the specifics of the gala event. Performances will be at 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. and you’re invited to be at the fairgrounds at 9:30 a.m. for the raising of the "big top."  If you watch the raising of the big top, you will also learn about the circus and how long they have been entertaining children of all ages and get to meet the Siberian tigers. Advance tickets may be purchased at the DeMoulin Museum, Watson’s Drug Store, G.E.T. Video, Funderburk’s in Pocahontas, and the First National Bank branches in Greenville, Mulberry Grove and Vandalia. Tickets will also be available on the grounds prior to each show.

---

CIRCUS TICKETS GIVEAWAY

Wednesday, August 31 we will be giving away free circus tickets to callers.  The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus is coming to town Thursday and the DeMoulin Museum and WGEL Radio are giving you a chance to win free circus tickets.  Listen for the circus ticket window to open and be the right caller and you will be "running away with the circus" all the way to the Bond County Fairgrounds.  Employees and immediate family members are not eligible to participate.  No purchase is necessary and anyone of any age may win.  Just listen for the circus ticket window to open Wednesday for your chance to win circus tickets.  Don’t forget, you may buy advance tickets throughout the area.

---

GREENVILLE FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO IGA SUNDAY

Greenville firefighters responded to Capri IGA Sunday morning around 6:30 to the report of a gas leak.  The gas company was also called. Fire personnel checked the building and were back in service about 8:00 a.m.  

GOVERNOR QUINN SIGNS PLAN TO MINE AT STATE PARK

Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill allowing coal mining in a southern Illinois State Park.  The law provides that 240 acres, located within Pyramid State Park near Pinkneyville, will no longer be designated part of Pyramid State Park and the Department of Natural Resources is authorized to lease the property to a private company for mining. The law requires the private company to demonstrate the property does not include any specified protected areas and the operations must include the removal of overburden, or waste, removed to access the coal.  The term of the lease is ten years with no option for renewal. The bill was sponsored by several southern Illinois State Representatives and Senators.  The law is effective immediately.

---

KASKASKIA COLLEGE BOARD HONORS ROBERT GAFFNER

At the recent Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees meeting, the board honored long-time board member Mr. Robert Gaffner of Greenville for his 36 years of dedicated service to the college.  During his term as trustee, Mr. Gaffner worked to enhance educational opportunities for people in the college district, assisted in expanding outreach educational programs, and provided strong leadership in fiscal accountability.

A $20,000.00 MentorLinks Grant was recently awarded to the college.  The two-year grant will be used for professional development and technical assistance in the development of a new instructional program in Geospatial Technology.  The college received one of only eight MentorLink Grants awarded nationwide this year.

August 11, the Correctional Center Campus had its first graduation ceremony since 2004, presenting certificates and degrees to more than 123 graduates. 

The KC Cosmetology Club hosted a charity event July 27 raising $800.00 for the American Lung Association.

IAA CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS IN BLOOMINGTON

September 7, 2011 marks the 50-year anniversary of the Illinois Agricultural Association’s move into its headquarters building on Towanda Avenue in Bloomington.  The association is the legal entity that operates as Illinois Farm Bureau.  Prior to 1961, Illinois Farm Bureau was in Chicago.  Today, in addition to the Farm Bureau, the headquarters building houses Country Financial and Growmark providing employment to approximately 1500 persons.

---

SPORTS

COMETS FOOTBALL WIN

The Greenville Comets high school football varsity team opened their 2011 schedule Friday night with a 41 to 20 victory over Litchfield. The State number five ranked Comets will travel to Southwestern this Friday night for game two of their nine-game regular season schedule. 

COMETS SOCCER AT ST. ANTHONY TOURNAMENT

The Comets soccer team competed in the St. Anthony Tournament this past Saturday.  In the first round, the Comets defeated Christ of Our Rock Lutheran 5-0.  The Comets beat Mt. Carmel 2-1 in the second round of play and in the championship match against St. Anthony the Comets were victorious with a score of 1-0.  This is the third straight year the Comets soccer team won the St. Anthony Tournament.

---