February The Elkhart Historical Society is preparing an outstanding line-up of speakers for their 2011 dinner/lecture series. Decatur Garden Club on the Wildflower Nature Walk on Elkhart Hill, listening to Botanist Bill McClain, Carlinville, retired program manager from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Photo by Peggy Lee. The response to the 2010 series was so positive that additional presentations are being planned for 2011. Held at The Wild Hare Cafe in historic downtown Elkhart at 104 Governor Oglesby Street. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. The following dates and topics have been selected for the first half of 2011: January 28 Ð ÒLogan County During the Civil WarÓ February 25 - ÒWhatÕs a National Scenic Byway and Why Should Elkhart Care?Ó and ÒElkhartÕs Place in Rt. 66 HistoryÓ March 25 Ð ÒGovernor Oglesby and LincolnÓ April 15 Ð ÒThe Spring Wildflowers of Elkhart HillÓ Cost of the dinner is $24 pp and includes tax, tip, gratuity and a complimentary glass of wine. www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org or 217-947-2046. Mitch AlbomÕs, Tuesdays With Morrie, Feb 18th -20th and Feb 25th -27th, HooglandCenter for the Arts, Springfield, call 217-523-2784 or www.hcfta.org. A Gus Gordon Production. Public Syrup-Making Demonstrations, weekends from Feb. 19th through March 13th, Lincoln Memorial Garden, each Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., 2p.m., and 3 p.m. An Open Door Session on Funerals, Cremation & Advance Planning, Feb. 10, 12:00pm, Butler Funeral Homes, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield; Feb. 20, 1:00pm, VFW NorthenderÕs Post #10320; Feb. 22nd, 5:30pm, American Legion Post #32, (217) 544-4646, www.butlerfuneralhomes.com 18th Annual The Boat Show, Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield. Friday, Feb. 25th, 5pm to 9pm; Saturday, Feb. 26th, 10am to 7pm; Sunday, Feb. 27th, 10am to 5pm. Regular Admission $4, Senior Admission $2, Children 12 & Under Free. Visit www.theboatshowinspringfield.com Bus Stop, One Day Only, FEB 26th, Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL. March An Historical and Spiritual Look at the Passion and Death of Jesus, March 8, 22, 29, April 5, 12, and 19th. 7pm to 9pm, St. Anthony Parish Center, Effingham. Contact the parish secretary at 217-347-7129. Pancake and Sausage Breakfasts, 19th & 20th /26th & 27th, Nature Center, Lincoln Memorial Garden, 8 am to Noon. 217-529-1111. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Children under 3 will be admitted free. Hank and Karla Daubs invite you to an afternoon of gospel music. Ivan Parker, Sunday, March 27th, 2:00 pm, Arelee Theater, 139 S. Main St., Mason City, IL. Special guests: The Ball Brothers. Advance Tickets $15.00 Starting Feb 14th. At the Door $18.00. Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope and Check payable to: Karla Daubs, 504 S. Keefer St, Mason City, IL 62664 or at City Hall, 145 S. Main St., Mason City, IL, Hours 9-12 and 1-4 Monday-Friday, 217-482-5114 or e-mail: hankdaubs@hotmail.com April Introduction to Scripture, April 2nd, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Springfield, 9am to 3pm. Contact Cathy Becker at 217-744-0578. Springfield Train Fair, Sunday, April 3rd, Illinois State Fair Grounds Orr Building10am to 4pm. A Look AheadÉ Benefit Luncheon and Card Party, Wednesday, May 11th, Fair Hills Residence of the Illinois Presbyterian Home, 1pm to 4pm. 13th Annual Central Illinois Senior Celebration, May 18th , Wednesday, Illinois State Fair Grounds Orr Building, 9am to 2pm. Social Scene WhatÕs NEW in the Area?? Flip Flops Consignment Shop has opened at 1020 W. Lawrence (corner of Lawrence and MacArthur), Spfld. Phone 217-793-7283, owner Christina Karins. Look for a huge clearance sale in February to make room for spring/summer merchandise! Iris & Ivy boutique on South 7th Street in Springfield has a for sale sign in the front yard. They are NOT closed, the building is just for sale. Be sure to check-out the clearance items on the upstairs level! Winter hours are 10 am to 3 pm. Adopt-A-Pet Animal Shelter, a not-for-profit, no-kill animal shelter, founded in 1983 in Benld, IL has new board members. President Karen Barnett, Williamsville, IL; Vice-President Lorraine Jackson, Benld, IL; Treasurer Lori Ortman, Springfield, IL; Secretary Lisa Lange, Springfield, IL; Joe Koval, Staunton, IL; Monte Oberman, Gillespie, IL; and Louie Laughling, Taylorville, IL. My friend Linda Vono sent this to me by email, so I thought IÕd share it with you. ÒUnfortunately one of my co-workers was held by gunpoint at a store* on Stevenson Drive a few days ago. She came out of the store and entered her car (that was parked at the front of the store), and she was reading a text on her cell while entering the car so was not aware of surroundings. The guy knocked on her window to get her attention and before she knew what had happened, he opened the car door and pointed a gun at her and told her to give him all her money & wedding ring or he would blow her brains out. The SPFLD PD told her that this is happening a lot around Springfield-during daylight as well at all shopping type areas and even fast food parking lots. They are targeting vulnerable women that are either pregnant, elderly, or distracted in some way (talking on the phone, texting-looking at receipts etc).Ó *name omitted for legal purposes. EditorÕs note: an officer with the Downtown Springfield Police Department told us to always look around when walking, and look people in the eye if necessary, as criminals never want you to be able to identify them. If you are crossing a street, donÕt talk on your phone, as you might get hit by a car! Walk purposefully, sort of with an attitude. Keep your phone handy, in your pocket, and it is possible to use your car keys as a weapon, if necessary. Shoetopia in Montvale Junction (Spfld) has closed. We are sorry to see them go. Phena White, owner of EuphemiaÕs Victoria Parlour in Springfield, decided to put her magic hands to rest as of December 15th, 2010. She and her husband Ed will be retiring to a warmer climate. Thank you for all of the wonderful facials, Phena! Have you seen the latest fashion jewelry by Stella & Dot? If you are interested in viewing a new catalog, email Alissa Wheeler at Skip79@gmail.com or go to www.stelladot.com/alissawheeler. Are you wanting to look slimmer, burn calories, and maintain a better posture? Lift & Firm in Springfield is now carrying the Ardyss line of medical-quality garments! Call Susan Hines, owner/nurse at 217-793-9870 to find out more about it or go to www.liftandfirm.com. SheÕs located at 2309 W. White Oaks Drive, Suite B (across the street from SamÕs Club) if you are interested in stopping by to take a look and try them on. White Oaks Mall in Springfield will be losing the Ruby Tuesdays restaurant. It would be great to have a new ethnic restaurant move in! Call the mall offices to voice your opinion. Hat Society News! Reported by Char Mathes, Queen, Red Hot Tamales Here Ye, Hear Ye! 2011 News! February DazzlinÕ QueenÕs will be having a ÒMeeting of the MindsÓ gathering on February 12th at the Golden Corral restaurant in Springfield. Valentine Breakfast hosted by Queen Ann Forrler, 9:00 a.m., cost: $7.01 (includes tax and drink ) for seniors, $10.24 ( includes tax and drink ) for non-seniors. Decorated ÒValentine MailboxÓ contest! Bring your Valentines to ÒmailÓ to everyone attending. Pay at the door. Send or call your reservation to Ann Forrler, 101 Neptune Villa, Springfield, Illinois 62703, phone 217-529-8003 or e-mail: mrandmrself@msn.com. February will be the second meeting for the Black Foxes at Lime Street Cafe, Springfield. Please contact Char Mathes for details at bones3245@comcast.net March ÒThe Lacy Red Hat Hotties Ò presents ÒMardi GrasÓ, cost $74.00 + hotel fee, March 26 and 27, registration 10 a.m., lunch at noon. Vendors, games, entertainment both days. Raffles and Big 2-day 50/50 cash raffle, and we are going to have a Sat.oOnly cash raffle - 4 winners! 25% each 2 tickets for $1.00 ÒCash BarÓ entertainment & Mardi Gras costumes in the afternoon. FUN! Queens March , after dinner, Mardi Gras March. The winners get the Prizes and then we have a LIVE 7pc. Band-- Darrell PattersonÕs ÒLegal TenderÓ will play 7:30 - 11:00 Saturday Night Only. They play all kinds of music, all the music that we want to dance and party to! Legal Tender-- ROCKS !! You canÕt sit still when they play and sing. Seven guys in this band and they are the Hottest Band around in Indiana. You have my word on that, they are great, and you all will love them. AND---If you like, you can take off your Mardi Gras Costumes and we can wear our PJÕs and Party down and have fun and be silly all at the same time. Rooms for only $59.95! Quality Inn, 2500 N. Lafayette Rd., Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933. Phone 765-362-8700. Deadline is March 15th. 175 Ladies Only! Send check to : Queen Brenda Embry, 7826 N. 1800 East Road, Georgetown, Illinois 61846. e-mail : run.bren@yahoo.com or phone765-362 8700. Cell: 217-898-1808. April Bus Trip April 9, Bus Trip ! PeggyÕs Travel Club . Join us for lots of fun on a Bus Trip! We will be stopping at K. G. Superstore and the Galleria. The cost is round trip price of $35.00 per person. We need 54 and all must be paid for by March 6, 2011If the bus isnÕt full, your fare will be returned to you no later than March 6, 2011. Bus leaves Jacksonville @ 7 a.m. ( HardeeÕs ) Bus leaves Springfield @ 8:15 a.m. ( SamÕs Veteran Parkway ) Call- Peggy Howlett at ( 217 ) 370- 0948, P. O. Box 561, Jacksonville, Illinois 62651 Make check payable to Delores (Peggy) Howlett, and mail to above address. Community Calendar & Social Scene is published four times a year, on a quarterly schedule. Deadline for submission for the next edition (May-July) is July 10, 2011. Send items to debpil@yahoo.com or seniornews6@att.net.