New Douglas news for the week of Feb. 4

Event will help African children get needed shoes

Old blue jeans will turned into shoes during an event planned in New Douglas to help children in the East African country of Uganda.

“We will be cutting pieces of old denim according to patterns, to be sewn together into shoes, for children suffering from a very painful and debilitating condition caused by Jiggers,” said Stephanie McNealy, who is helping organize the event.

The event helping to support the Sole Hope (www.solehope.org) and will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 at the New Douglas Community Center, 123 South Main St.

Children 9 and under are welcome to help trace and/or cut denim when accompanied by an adult. Drinks will be provided, and snacks are being worked on. There may even be a door prize or two.

McNealy will be collecting supplies for this event, for those who would like to donate, however it is not a requirement to attend and participate.

Supplies that are needed:

▪ Denim jeans,

▪ Plastic milk or detergent bottles ,

▪ Scissors for cutting denim,

▪ Sharpie markers, and

▪ Gallon Ziploc bags.

If you would like to help sponsor shoes monetarily, here is what $10 per pair of cut shoes will cover:

▪ $3 to pay the Ugandan tailor;

▪ $3 to pay the Ugandan shoemaker;

▪ $2 to purchase supplies to finish the shoes; and

▪ $2 to get shoes to Uganda.

To donate, or for more information, call Stephanie McNealy at 217) 456-6161.

Community Garden Project has a second wind

Last week, the idea of a community garden in New Douglas was thought to have died on the vine. However, hope is again blooming for the project.

“Once in a while, there is a silver lining after a dark storm, and this is one of those times,” said Peggy Dunn, who has been trying to get the project going.

After less than a 1 percent response from New Douglas residents to an online survey regarding a community garden and farmers market, Dunn had thought that was the end of her garden idea. But now, with the support of the New Douglas Township Board and the Madison County government, a new source of funding has been identified to build a community garden, a rain harvesting program, a weekly village market, and a children’s garden and education program for New Douglas, Dunn said.

“Generous support has been given by the Highland Rural King in the form of seeds for the garden,” she said.

The first information meeting to discuss the New Douglas Township Community Garden will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at the Rec Plex.

“Come learn about the garden project, the market and the children’s garden program and have your questions answered,” Dunn said.

Dunn and Township Supervisor Duane Schallenberg will be in attendance to provide information about the first failed grant attempt and moving forward with the idea of providing food for the township residents also donating to local food banks.

For inquiries, contact the township at (217) 456-6132 or visit the Garden Facebook page at facebook.com/NewDouglasGardenMarket.

Assessor to help with property tax exemptions

Delmar Korsmeyer, Leef-New Douglas multi-township assessor, will be at the New Douglas Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon to answer questions about tax exemptions and tax freezes.

Township residents age 65 and older, or who will turn 65 in 2016, can sign up for the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption. Also, Korsmeyer will have forms for the Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption (PTAX 343), Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption (PTAX 341), and exemption forms for disabled veterans.

Call Korsmeyer at (618) 488-7633 with any questions.

Township sets meeting dates

All meeting are held at 7:30 p.m. at the Rec Plex, 310 South Main St.

Regular meeting dates for 2016 are: Feb. 11, March 10, April 7, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8.

The Annual Town Meeting will be April 12 at 8 p.m.

Fire department to host spring breakfast

The breakfast will be held on March 20 at the Fire Hall on E. Allen Street. This event is still in its planning stages, but as always, plan on enjoying signature sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs, homemade doughnuts and biscuits and gravy. Carry-outs will be available as are bulk sausage orders. More details to follow. For inquiries, contact Dan Robertson at (217) 456-6221.

Spaghetti dinner

New Douglas Lutheran Church will hold a spaghetti dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. Many more details to be announced soon.

Community Center Rental

The New Douglas Community Center can be rented for events. Contact Mary at (618) 541-2259 to reserve a time.

Local Meetings

Senior Citizens Club: The Senior Citizens Club is looking for new members ages 55 and up. Visiting seniors are asked to stop by on Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m. for a free lunch and bingo at the Community Center. Please consider joining.

Village Board: The next monthly meeting will be Feb.15 at the Community Center at 7 p.m.

New Douglas Township: The Township Board meets every second Thursday at 310 S. Main St. (Rec Plex) at 7:30 p.m.

Fire Department: The New Douglas Fire Department meets every Monday (except the third Monday) every month. The department is actively looking for new members. Minimum age requirement to join the department is 18. Contact Chief Danny Robertson at (217) 456-6221 for more information.

The American Legion meets every second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

The Masonic Lodge meets every third Wednesday at 7 p.m.

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 6:11 AM with the headline "New Douglas news for the week of Feb. 4."