Scouts BSA Troop 178’s annual spaghetti dinner and silent auction fundraiser will be held on Jan. 25, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Morton United Methodist Church, 420 N. Tennessee Ave., Morton. Tickets are available at the door: $10 per person for adults, $7 for seniors (60+) and children, $33 for a family of up to five.
Residents of Atlanta Township and the City of Atlanta are encouraged to join the City of Atlanta in partnership with CJD E-cycling on Saturday, April 20, 2024 for an electronic recycling event. Please bring any items with a cord or made of metal to the city parking lot adjacent to the Atlanta Public Library from 9 a.m. to noon for recycling.
Reed Naughton has been honored as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Services. A member of the Olympia FFA Chapter within the Illinois Association FFA, Naughton was recognized for his work-based learning, also referred to as Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). The Illinois FFA acknowledges students in forty-eight distinct areas for their SAEs. FFA members who exhibit exceptional agricultural skills and competencies through meticulous record-keeping, leadership, and academic accomplishments are eligible for this accolade. SAEs provide students with practical learning opportunities, whether through owning and operating an agricultural business, interning or working at an agriculture-related business, or conducting and reporting on an agricultural scientific study. Naughton's SAE is centered around his involvement in his family's auction service.
Carol Ann’s Worsh House is a laundromat located on 109 SW Arch Street in Atlanta, Illinois. This business was opened just a little over one year ago on account of the small town needing a place to wash or “worsh” their clothes after the previous laundromat owner passed away. Jared and Brandy Mattingly saw an opportunity to reopen the facility and stepped up to the task! The name “Carol Ann’s Worsh House” is named in honor of Jared’s mother, the late Carol Ann Mattingly. Both Jared and Brandy’s mothers used to “worsh” everything.
The Sip Shack is a drive-thru coffee hut located in Atlanta owned by Molly Mowery and Samantha Runge. They have just recently opened on Wednesday, July 21, and they are very excited for their new business to get rolling. Molly and Samantha’s goal for The Sip Shack is to give their customers an experience that is “quality and convenient with a laid-back vibe.” The Sip Shack will be a great spot for locals to stop by and grab a quick coffee, lotus energy drinks, tea, lemonade, or even a smoothie.
The Gift Box is a gift shop in Atlanta located just off Historic Route 66. The Gift Box offers locally made unique gifts and free gift wrapping. Currently, they have 21 local artisans located in Atlanta, Lincoln, Bloomington, and McLean. You can find many different items at The Gift Box including goat soap and bath products, stained glass, laser engraved items, blown glass, candles, wax, handmade jewelry, bird houses, signs, repurposed farm and garden tools, candy, popcorn, t-shirts, Watkins table runners, boo boo bags, aprons, rugs, and many more great gift items. The Gift Box is open Wednesday- Saturday from 10 AM- 4 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM. They also offer local delivery and can schedule appointments for any possible wants a customer could have. Artists that work with The Gift Box are more than willing to customize their items to create something that you would be proud to give as a gift.
The Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home is in Atlanta, Illinois. This business was owned by the Quiram family starting with Gordon Quiram in the 1940s. His children, John and Jim, continued the family legacy until Don Peasley took over in September 2006. Now, the funeral home has been independently owned and operated by Don Peasley, a funeral director since 1993. Don purchased his first funeral home in Lincoln in 2002, known as the Peasley Funeral Home. His sister, Krystal Peasley Salvator also works as a partner and licensed funeral director.
Amber Lesson of Atlanta just began her business with WeCraft Family in January 2021. In reality, Amber created this business by accident. All she wanted to do was make a door sign for her friend. Then, she saw a sweatshirt with a cute boutique design and thought, “I can make that cheaper!” With a big hit in this, the WeCraft Family business began. At this time, her family was planning a trip to Washington D.C. and was just trying to make the money to pay for it. WeCraft Family was going to be a little side gig business, but it has now turned into a “second full-time job.”
With summertime approaching, there is nothing more fun than sitting around a fire pit with your friends or family! Well, maybe a tropical trip! Fire pits are a great way to add some fun to a yard! With a little hard work and some elbow grease, you’ll have one in no time. We put one in at our last home and loved it, I can’t wait to do it again!
In Native American culture, dream catchers were believed to catch and trap bad dreams, whilst allowing good dream to pass through the spider-web design, and drift into the heads of the children that lie sleeping below them. Nowadays, dreamcatchers come in many shapes and sizes, and are an incredibly popular bedroom decor choice! If you’re ready for some sweet dreams, why not learn how to make a dreamcatcher?
Sometimes you are in the middle of a project and realize you need something else! This happened to me when I was creating my back garden scape. I placed my new Adirondack chairs in there place. They were a perfect fit, if the ground didn’t slope down in the back! I knew I needed to make an elevated bed for them. I had recently found a ton of old pavers in the yard and knew this was the spot for them.
Into The Bloo
There’s something special about a film that doesn’t just tell a story but pulls you into its heart, allowing you to feel every shade of its subject’s journey. INTO THE BLOO achieves this with a courageous yet tender look at the creative and personal evolution of Lagoona Bloo, David Brumfield's dynamic drag persona. In just 15 minutes, director Austin Nunes crafts a dazzling narrative that blends raw emotional depth with artistic celebration, proving that even short-form storytelling can leave a lasting impression.
My Boo
A film that mixes humor and heart with an inventive twist that captivates audiences; this short film does precisely that. What begins as a quirky exploration of an unconventional romance evolves into a meaningful reflection on personal growth and the courage it takes to embrace individuality. The story combines lighthearted humor with self-acceptance, making it entertaining and thought-provoking. By balancing the whimsical with the introspective, this project captures the complexity of human emotions—even when told through a supernatural optic.
Saint Rose
Few films effectively condense emotion and thematic complexity into a short runtime like Saint Rose. This drama combines striking visuals, heartfelt performances, and sharp social commentary to tell a deeply personal and universally resonant story. It’s a testament to how powerful storytelling can thrive within any constraints, presenting a portrait of quiet resistance against systemic oppression.
The Other Side of the Mountain
Some films invite you to pause, reflect, and soak in the quiet moments that often slip past in life’s rush. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, directed by Yumeng He, is one of those films. This 19-minute documentary is an evocative exploration of memory and modernization, blending a personal story with themes about the passage of time and the cost of progress. By focusing on the relationship between a father and daughter as they journey through Southwestern China, the film creates a delicate balance between intimate emotions and larger cultural narratives, all while asking questions about what is gained and lost in the name of development.
Crois Pas Qu'on Dort (Don’t Think We’re Sleeping)
Some documentaries resonate beyond their surface story, capturing not just events but the essence of human determination, and CROIS PAS QU’ON DORT achieves this with genuine precision. Directed by Nick Walters and Lou Marillier, this film offers an authentic and compelling exploration of ambition through the lens of three young Parisian athletes. With its premiere at the Grand Rex venue, the documentary delivers a fresh perspective on balancing the weight of expectations with personal identity.