Center schools to celebrate Illinois’ 200th birthday

Grantfork Elementary and Alhambra Primary are combining their youthful talent to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the state of Illinois.

Festivities will begin at Alhambra Primary at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7.

There will be color displays by the students of the many state symbols, a chance to try your hand at pinning the Illinois on the map.

Kid-sized presidents and first ladies will lead you through the ages of the states first 200 years.

Information on Native American tribes, various inventors and innovators, great disasters and various wars Illinois history,

There will be a full size floor map with locations of many important locations noted.

Enjoy the enactment of the first governor, Shadrach Bond, and his wife. Stay for the square dancing which is the state dance, sing the state song, drink milk, the state drink (generously provided by Prairie Farms Dairy) and have a state snack, popcorn and cookies.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but reservations should be made by calling the school office at 618-488-2200 so they have an accurate tally of how many to expect.

Salem UCC

Salem will celebrate a Totenfest service in remembrance of the lives of Francis Tracy, Orlean Hosto, Doug Bizer and Terry Jakel. The service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 .

Salem United Church of Christ is busy gearing up for the Christmas season. Volunteers are needed to get the Christmas tree up and the hanging of the green. The date set is for 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.

Special Occasions

Anniversaries

Nov. 21: Ken and Bev Showalter

Nov. 22: Trevor and Heather Henkhaus

Nov. 23: Chad and Tammy Burton, Brian and Barbara Dugan

Nov. 24: Patrick and Emily Stille

Nov. 27: Lawrence and Judy Henschen, Julian and Cathy Bright, Dave and Jerri Reichmann

Nov. 30: Jerald and Rita Zeller

Birthdays

Nov. 21: Kevin Wernle and Lauren Robbs

Nov. 22: Caitlyn Westfall

Nov. 23: Aaron Kelso

Nov. 24:Timothy Nicoson, Nash Suhre, Shirley Olsen, Keith Miller and Joye Brase

Nov. 25: Everett Knackstedt, Marilyn Eyman and Phillip Reiman

Nov. 26: John Hanratty and Serena Everett

Nov. 28: David Poeggmoeller

Nov. 29: Nancy Zweck and Bryce Barrett

Nov. 30: Dustin Gall, Joe Balyard, Richelle Ernst and Carol DeClercq