The Junior Lynx program will host a third- and fourth-grade basketball tournament on Saturday, April 9, in the brand-new Lincoln Center on the campus of Lincoln College. Teams will play three games. The cost is $125. For more information, call Kirk Whiteman at 217-714-7263. Deadline to sign up is April 2.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight thanks individuals, organizations and businesses for their generous donations and efforts that have made it possible for 88 World War II veterans to go on an April 5 charter flight from Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport in Springfield to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and other memorials. Seventy-four guardians who are responsible for the comfort and safety of the veterans will accompany these veterans. Kirk Farah from Springfield radio station WMAY will be broadcasting remote from Washington, D.C.

Gov. Pat Quinn has issued an executive proclamation designating April 5 as Honor Flight Day in Illinois in "gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our World War II veterans, and in recognition of the wonderful service provided by the National Honor Flight Network and its Illinois hubs."

The public is invited to a "welcome home" ceremony for these veterans when the plane arrives back at the Springfield airport at 9:40 p.m. on April 5. Wear red, white and blue; bring flags and signs to show your appreciation.

Veterans on this flight will come from the towns of Alton, Athens, Batchtown, Blandinsville, Bloomington, Chatham, Decatur, Divernon, East Peoria, Easton, Eureka, Godfrey, Hillsboro, Hopedale, Irving, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Lincoln, Litchfield, Minonk, Morrisonville, Morton, Mount Olive, Mount Pulaski, Nokomis, Normal, Pekin, Peoria, Raymond, Riverton, Rochester, Roodhouse, Springfield, Tremont, Virden, Washington and White Hall.

Applications from World War II veterans are still being accepted for other flights. Names continue to be added to the waiting list, which currently numbers 325 World War II veterans.

The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight board welcomes the chance to speak to organizations, businesses, churches, conventions or others groups about their mission, future flights, guardian duties, fundraising and donations.

For more information about this flight, how individuals and groups can help the mission, how to obtain applications, how to become a member and to learn more about Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, go to the website landoflincolnhonorflight.org or contact Ray Wiedle: home, 314-427-2317; cell, 217-622-1473; arwiedle@sbcglobal.net.

The Stanford Olympia High School FFA chapter had their 39th annual chapter banquet on March 12 at the Olympia High School cafeteria and auditorium. There were 110 people in attendance for the evening, including FFA members and their families, FFA Alumni chapter members and other supporters of the FFA chapter.

The dinner was furnished by P-Nut Catering of Bloomington.

Morgan Ott of Danvers, the 2010-2011 Illinois FFA chapter reporter, welcomed everyone. Next on the agenda were the FFA officer slide show and opening ceremonies. Tanner Springer and Hayden Chapman gave the FFA Creed.

The Honorary FFA Member Degree was presented to Mike Lootens of Bloomington. Looten is the Olympia High School and Middle School activities director and assistant principal. The Olympia FFA and Alumni chapters also congratulated Looten and his wife on the engagement of their son Jason to Jennifer Giesler of South Carolina.

Doug Springer gave an ag plot report and Joan Harrison gave a GPA Scholarship Award to eight FFA members.

The Greenhand Award for first-year members was presented to 37 FFA members. Tanner Springer was awarded as the Star Chapter Greenhand. Hayden Chapman won the Outstanding Freshman Award, and Kiana Glueck won the Freshman Leadership Award.

Sixteen FFA members were awarded the Chapter Farmer Degree. Mike Hainline won the Outstanding Sophomore Award, and Klair Hartzold won the Sophomore Leadership Award.

The Freshman Spirit Award was awarded to J. T. Graff, and the Sophomore Spirit Award went to Chase Allen.

Kali Hartzold received the Outstanding Junior Award, Ashley Kauffman the Junior Leadership Award and Eric Sheppleman the Junior Spirit Award.

A slide show was presented featuring the senior FFA members. Afterward, the eight seniors recognized with four-year membership awards.

The Outstanding Senior Award went to Rod Graff. Emily Sanbeck was awarded the Senior Leadership Award, Doug Springer the Senior Spirit Award, and Brian Weihmier was given the DeKalb Award.

Marie Denzer, who chairs the McLean County Farm Bureau Young Leaders, presented the McLean County Farm Bureau Award to Emily Sombeck of Danvers.

Sharon Hartzold of Stanford gave an FFA Alumni report of activities in the past year, followed by "A Year in Review" slide show.

At the end of the evening, auctioneers David James of Minier and Hayden Chapman of Atlanta conducted a labor auction. Several FFA members as well as chapter director Joan Harrison offered their services at auction for one day's worth of labor.

--Information provided by Kyle Haning, chapter reporter

Lincoln wrestlers participating in the spring and summer training program traveled to Petersburg to compete in the Porta Bluejay Wrestling Open on March 26.

The placings were as follows:

• Kade Schmidt, second in the elementary division

• Max Koning, sixth in the junior division

• Connor Schmidt, fifth in the advanced division

• Matthew Brewer, second in intermediate division and fifth in the advanced division

• Luke Koning, first in the intermediate division and third in the advanced division

• Jonathon Beverman, second in the advanced division.

• Brian Haggard, fourth in the intermediate division and fourth in the advanced division

• Thomas Bruce, fourth in the advanced division

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for our region, the Central Illinois Community Blood Center is offering opportunities to donate blood in Logan County.

• Monday, April 4: Lincoln Masonic Center, 2022 N. Kickapoo; noon-6 p.m.

• Thursday, April 7: Farmers Bank of Mount Pulaski, 130 S. Washington; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For your convenience, call toll-free 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 118, to sign up or schedule an appointment online at www.cicbc.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

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