tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65582309896752506782024-03-13T22:50:23.326-07:00Lake Shelbyville InsiderLake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-24138671875583884072016-08-15T07:23:00.000-07:002016-08-15T07:23:28.413-07:00Windsor Harvest Picnic is Almost Here!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Windsor
Harvest Picnic is Almost Here! Come and
Explore!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It’s almost here!
Illinois’s longest running festival, celebrating 120 years this coming
weekend! The Windsor Harvest Picnic
Committee’s dedicated volunteers have been working hard all year to bring you
the best. There will be tasty treats,
family friendly events including a carnival provided by Fountain City
Amusements, and high class musical entertainment! This year’s lineup includes: Firebox, Sampson Jones Gang, Phil Dirt, and
Shenandoah! To see the entire schedule
for the Windsor Harvest Picnic go to <a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/windsor.htm">http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/windsor.htm</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Windsor is full of rich history, and members of the
community group WHAT, Windsor Happenings Around Town, have collected historical
information and placed it in a brochure for your convenience. While in the area, check out the Windsor
Historical Walking Tour to get a glimpse of the past. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After exploring the town and working up an appetite, visit the
Windsor Food Center to find a great selection of nourishment to satisfy all of
your taste buds. And, if looking to cool
down with a new fun flavor of soda, make Uptown Variety your next stop! You can find jelly belly sodas, delicious
sandwiches, penny candy, and other fun items! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Another great part of Windsor is its access to Lake
Shelbyville from Wolf Creek State Park.
I highly recommend the Fox Trail for an afternoon hike with sites that
overlook the lake. If you would rather
get in the water, there is a nice sandy beach in the park, so bring out your
floatables and sunscreen and enjoy the weather!
And, if you enjoy boating, the boat ramp is easily accessible further
into the park. On your way to Wolf Creek
State Park, don’t miss the goat tower farm where you can find the tallest goat
tower around! The owners are very
friendly and enjoy having visitors. For
more information about the Lake Shelbyville area, visit <a href="http://www.lakeshelybyville.com/">www.lakeshelybyville.com</a>. Enjoy your time in the great outdoors! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-77622264654660295052016-08-11T09:02:00.002-07:002016-08-11T09:04:01.622-07:00Treasures in Findlay, IL<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Treasures in Findlay,
Illinois</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">by Jenny Biggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Living near Findlay, Illinois has been one of my highlights
during my service in Shelby County.
There are a number of great things that make Findlay such a wonderful
place including the friendly and caring residents, the beautiful hiking trails
with great sites of Lake Shelbyville, the Old Country Church filled with
classic country and bluegrass tunes on Saturday nights, multiple events at the
community center, and an activity packed Walleye Festival occurring the last
weekend of July. This fun-filled event
is put on by dedicated members of the community that collaborate on providing
great entertainment for people of all ages.
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If you missed the Walleye Festival this year but are still
looking for a good reason to visit Findlay other than those listed above, the
community group FLIP (Findlay Long-term Improvement Program) is hosting their
annual 5K on August 13<sup>th</sup> at Eagle Creek State Park, providing a
scenic route for participants to enjoy!
Interested . . . contact Jody McCormick at 217-725-5176 for more
information.<o:p></o:p></div>
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campground host, Mike Welch, who built a beautiful wooden chair that is large
enough to seat your entire family. He
doesn’t mind people climbing up and having their photo made, and if you are
lucky, you will see the hot rod that he built out of a ’93 Dodge Dakota named
“Lil Yella Rat.” Once Mr. Welch gets an
idea, there’s no stopping him! Be sure
to check out his other creations when visiting.
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After soaking up the beautiful scenery at Eagle Creek State
Park, participants can enjoy a tasty meal at Foor Family Restaurant and then
proceed to check out some of the great treasures at Don’s Resale Shop in the
downtown area of Findlay. You can also
check out some beautiful work done by one of Findlay’s own local artisan’s at
I’m Board Productions, or if crafts are more your style, Personal Stitches may
be the place for you. If you live close
by, be sure to come back in the evening for some great food at the Lumberyard
or Tailwinds, enjoy a glass of wine at Niemerg’s Winery, and then head to the
Old Country Church, located near the town’s park to wind up the night with some
classic country. Look for a white
building with a red roof, and come on in.
Music starts at 7pm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Be sure to check out FLIP’s website at <a href="http://www.findlayillinois.net/">www.findlayillinois.net</a> to learn more
about local businesses and upcoming events!
And, if you would like to learn about nearby attractions, go to <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/">www.lakeshelbyville.com</a>. We hope you enjoy your stay!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-63664689806541815622016-07-05T07:35:00.001-07:002016-07-05T07:35:24.688-07:00Strongman/woman Competition Comes to Strasburg during Lions Homecoming!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Strongman/Strongwoman
Competition Comes to Strasburg, Illinois<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lots to do
this weekend! If you are looking for
some great entertainment, join the Village of Strasburg, Illinois in
celebrating their 2016 Lions Club Homecoming, July 8- 10th! This town, also
known as the “Home of the Gnomes,” knows how to celebrate. Come on out and see for yourself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This event is open to the public, and there
will be all sorts of family friendly activities to keep you busy!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Be sure to come hungry as these folks know
how to cook up some great food!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday night
the festivities will begin with a magical evening and lots of laughter.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday morning, you can run or walk off all
the tasty treats you ate the night before by participating in the “Gnomecoming”
5K Run/Walk.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If basketball is more your
style, there will also be a 3 on 3 tournament that will be sure to test your
endurance.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tractor pulls will keep the
afternoon going, as well as games for both kids and adults.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday, the
day you have all been waiting for is the . . . <b>THE STRONGMAN/STRONGWOMAN COMPETITON!</b> That’s right, no need to watch Ninja Warrior
on your lazy boy because YOU WILL SEE some LIVE ACTION right here in Strasburg,
where this town truly is “Right! In the Middle of Everything.” So, come on out, flex your muscles, down that
last bit of protein shake, grunt, yell, and sweat! And everyone else, be sure to cheer on the
participants as they will be putting on a great show!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For more
information, see flyer and map below, check out the Lion’s Club Facebook page
at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrasburgLionsClub/?fref=ts"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.facebook.com/StrasburgLionsClub/?fref=ts</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, or call Lion Gary Kull at
217-254-3141. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-86172702429647528572016-06-21T13:58:00.006-07:002016-06-23T08:22:26.800-07:00Celebrate Stewardson<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Village of Stewardson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Many
know this town by its large cow adjacent to T & L Locker Meat Shop. If you are into selfies, this is a spot you
do not want to miss. This is also a
great place to purchase local meat for your next grill-out, whether you are
looking for steaks, ground beef, ribs, brats, rope sausage and more. If you are in the mood for a prepared meal,
the local eatery, Why Not? is easily found in the center of town where you can
find good home cooking. After your
bellies are full, be sure to pay the other businesses in town a visit,
especially if you are on the hunt for accessories, bridal gowns, and prom
dresses, which can be found downtown at Personalities or Ooo La La Brides and
Prom Queens. And, if you enjoy the smooth
texture of homegrown grapes in a glass, check out Vahling Vineyards and peruse
the plethora of choices available. The
friendly owners will be happy to provide you with information about your wine
of choice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, we have covered cows,
dresses, and wine, which provides a great mixture for Stewardson’s very own Mr.
Heifer Beauty Pageant, which is just around the corner as part of their 4<sup>th</sup>
of July Celebration to be held on June 26<sup>th</sup>. Check out the flyer below for more
information. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-28809900199425836482016-05-05T07:16:00.001-07:002016-05-05T09:13:25.239-07:00Wine and Art Spring Festival<div class="MsoNormal">
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Spring Festival<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Despite
the rain this past weekend, visitors flourished to the Wine and Art Spring
Festival held at Vahling Vineyard’s.
With representatives from eight wineries present, there was a plethora
of wines just waiting to serve the curiosity of the palette. The wineries in attendance were Berryville
Vineyards, Bretz Wildlife Winery, Castle Finn Winery, Crooked Creek Winery, Fox
Creek Vineyards, Lasata Winery, Sleepy Creek Vineyards, and the host of the
event, Vahling Vineyards. The friendly <span class="ya-q-full-text">sommeliers gave great suggestions to each visitor on what
wines would best satisfy their taste buds.
They were also very helpful at answering questions about the types of
grapes used and the process of aging the wine.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="ya-q-full-text"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For those of you like me who may not know hardly
anything about wine, I recommend taking a friend who can share their knowledge
on the intricacies of wine tasting. Even
if you have determined the types of wine you like best (white versus red, sweet
versus dry), do not be afraid to try something new. The interesting names of the wines, and
creative labels used for the bottles may lead you to a new favorite. Some of the titles that caught my eye were
Moonlight on the Wabash, Grandpa’s Recipe, Lion Eyes, White Squirrel, Barn
Dance, and the Winey Mary that had everyone.
This particular wine had the distinction of both tomatoes and jalapeños.
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-no-proof: yes;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOjjzONtQXU/VytUnQYeWUI/AAAAAAAAANY/38HDfCCBGYwzwDpy3wHZErIoJfuZEQtTwCLcB/s1600/wine%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOjjzONtQXU/VytUnQYeWUI/AAAAAAAAANY/38HDfCCBGYwzwDpy3wHZErIoJfuZEQtTwCLcB/s640/wine%2B1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Besides the wine, there were other tasty treats to
consume.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">My favorites were the spiral
spuds and pork burgers provided by Strasburg’s Lions Club.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">I can now add spiral spuds to my list of new
things I have tried while living in Illinois!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">This was just what the doctor ordered to finish off an excellent
day.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJX60kNKbS8/VytUnIClfPI/AAAAAAAAANU/jW7otkskmlQ4MzM-Y67AbHpz2KP2kKlQACKgB/s1600/wine%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJX60kNKbS8/VytUnIClfPI/AAAAAAAAANU/jW7otkskmlQ4MzM-Y67AbHpz2KP2kKlQACKgB/s640/wine%2B2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">And, to further top off the day, I met some very sweet
vendors who were selling the most unique items at the festival.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">This couple works together on making homemade
fishing lures carved out of cottonwood.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">They are called APARTAP lures (applied properly at right time and place
. . . they will catch lures).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">They are
hand carved and hand painted, leaving no two lures exactly alike.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">There are many lures to choose from, or you
can special order one to your liking.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Mr. Kermicle will do the carving, and Mrs. Kermicle will do the
painting, and then you will have your very own, one of a kind APARTAP fishing
lure to catch your next big one!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6KXlM6YcGU/VytVavdWyMI/AAAAAAAAANg/zkdh-HgFUSE6uN3NgCdptsbc-GEiR5TAwCLcB/s1600/wine%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6KXlM6YcGU/VytVavdWyMI/AAAAAAAAANg/zkdh-HgFUSE6uN3NgCdptsbc-GEiR5TAwCLcB/s640/wine%2B3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<h3>
<span class="ya-q-full-text"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A HUGE thanks to VAHLING VINEYARDS for putting on
such a great event (even in the rain), and to all that made this event a
memorable experience! Everyone was very friendly
and welcoming, showing the hospitable nature of the Midwest! <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">To learn more about Vahling Vineyards in
Stewardson, Illinois, be sure to check out their website: <a href="https://vahlingvineyards.com/">https://vahlingvineyards.com/</a></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="ya-q-full-text"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A BIG thanks also goes out to the Radio Station
WMKR, Genuine Country 94.3, for providing us with tickets for this event. We had a wonderful time, and I recommend
checking out this event next year!<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="ya-q-full-text"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></h3>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-81158372494616148602016-04-21T12:00:00.001-07:002016-04-21T12:00:06.133-07:00Enjoying the Beauty of Spring!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Enjoying the
beauty of Spring!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s that
time of year again when one can find the many joys of spring. Plants are blooming and birds are singing. This time of year is great for getting out
and exploring. The weather is not too
hot, nor too cold, so pack a light jacket, snacks, plenty of water, and enjoy
your adventure! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shelby
County has an abundance of trails to check out, so start making plans for your
next leisure event! You can visit Eagle
Creek State Park in Findlay, Wolf Creek State Park in Windsor, Hidden Springs
Natural Forest in Strasburg, the General Dacey Trail in Shelbyville, and other
trails on property owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is always a great idea to take a map for your
journey, so be sure to stop by the Shelby County Office of Tourism, located at
315 E. Main Street in Shelbyville to find maps for the local state parks. And, for the most up to date maps of the
U.S.A.C.E. trails, check out the following website: </span><a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Trails" target="_blank">www.tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Trails</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope you
enjoy the beauty of spring and your time in the great outdoors! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Below are
just a few of the treasures I found while hiking on the Fox Trail at Wolf Creek
State Park in Windsor. Be sure to check
them out before they are gone . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7x4BuZJ42g/VxkhWVp7N3I/AAAAAAAAAMo/DiEMnpWFT5spEgN6Loto9HgTmubRvwPZACLcB/s1600/Birdfoot%2BViolet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7x4BuZJ42g/VxkhWVp7N3I/AAAAAAAAAMo/DiEMnpWFT5spEgN6Loto9HgTmubRvwPZACLcB/s320/Birdfoot%2BViolet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdfoot Violet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gth8lqQoSk/VxkhWB-vrHI/AAAAAAAAAMk/1gywSI-AN_0RRHdCIuN_BNj2qLlgyXE9gCLcB/s1600/Buttercups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gth8lqQoSk/VxkhWB-vrHI/AAAAAAAAAMk/1gywSI-AN_0RRHdCIuN_BNj2qLlgyXE9gCLcB/s320/Buttercups.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttercups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z1Ze6j4dqg/VxkhWz3nwmI/AAAAAAAAAMs/WlI3DpXfKvY4eJ0SNy76Tpf-38hTWoayACLcB/s1600/Dutchmans%2BBreeches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z1Ze6j4dqg/VxkhWz3nwmI/AAAAAAAAAMs/WlI3DpXfKvY4eJ0SNy76Tpf-38hTWoayACLcB/s320/Dutchmans%2BBreeches.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutchmans Breeches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frVlSUCzgJI/VxkhYIyWGgI/AAAAAAAAAMw/MYPzVfuZyGsaz_IAb5ksG2fG_GRa-pQvgCLcB/s1600/Golden%2BThread%2BMoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frVlSUCzgJI/VxkhYIyWGgI/AAAAAAAAAMw/MYPzVfuZyGsaz_IAb5ksG2fG_GRa-pQvgCLcB/s320/Golden%2BThread%2BMoss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Thread Moss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzoxzYd10qs/VxkhaUbGH2I/AAAAAAAAAM8/ly8AXZSPwy0gy6JMuzUPsEgeZ1tLdMBegCLcB/s1600/Prairie%2BTrillium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzoxzYd10qs/VxkhaUbGH2I/AAAAAAAAAM8/ly8AXZSPwy0gy6JMuzUPsEgeZ1tLdMBegCLcB/s320/Prairie%2BTrillium.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Trillium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTKOirGDv74/VxkhbOXJB4I/AAAAAAAAANA/kHNNsUV4zF42-zX-v1CtHeUl6FzhHnTrgCLcB/s1600/Spring%2BBeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTKOirGDv74/VxkhbOXJB4I/AAAAAAAAANA/kHNNsUV4zF42-zX-v1CtHeUl6FzhHnTrgCLcB/s320/Spring%2BBeauty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Beauty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3_tx-9R_sQ/VxkhZ8UGsUI/AAAAAAAAAM4/spSZFFSxW7cLGxwNJ5pYUgJ-SI4abJevwCLcB/s1600/Overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3_tx-9R_sQ/VxkhZ8UGsUI/AAAAAAAAAM4/spSZFFSxW7cLGxwNJ5pYUgJ-SI4abJevwCLcB/s320/Overlook.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite overlook from Fox Trail</td></tr>
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</div>
Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-32979589901224202922016-04-18T11:46:00.001-07:002016-04-18T11:46:10.646-07:00Shelby County Partners, Communities Working Together<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Shelby County Partners, Communities Working
Together </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shelby County Partners,
a collaboration of five communities </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">surrounding Lake Shelbyville, “is a like-minded group that wants
to see Shelby County businesses, schools, nonprofit groups, and especially its
people achieve goals that better our communities and benefit our families now
and for future generations,” states Nate Wascher, president of the C.O.W.S. group
in Stewardson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The
Shelby County Partners are made up of community members from the groups F.L.IP.
in Findlay, C.O.W.S. in Stewardson, S.C.A.N. in Strasburg, W.H.A.T. in Windsor,
and various representatives from Shelbyville.
These communities have been through the MAPPING Program (Management and
Planning Programs Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups) provided by the Illinois
Institute for Rural Affairs. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
leaders of this program encouraged residents to identify high priority goals
that would benefit their towns, as well as strategies and projects to achieve
their desired results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After experiencing
positive results from the MAPPING process in their individual towns, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the five communities decided to form a group known as the Shelby County
Partners in order to identify goals that would benefit the county. Some of these goals include</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">
increasing access to broadband for both residents and tourists, promoting
community development by re-evaluating Shelby County’s five year plan, and
increasing the awareness of options available to tourists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Marcia Johnson, from the group F.L.I.P. in Findlay,
shared that, “Shelby County Partners is a way for the communities in the county
to work together toward larger goals which individual towns might not be able
to accomplish. Also, communities can find inspiration and strength by sharing
successes and working together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shelby County Partners
is also a way for the communities involved to share about their local attractions,
and encourage neighboring communities to check out their businesses and events. Freddie Fry, director of the Shelby County
Office of Tourism, states, “We know the value of visitor dollars spent in our
area, but as we travel to each other’s communities, we are finding new services
and products that let us leave more of our own dollars in Shelby County.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The main goal of the
Shelby County Partners is to work on various projects that will have positive
impacts in Shelby County. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This group meets monthly to discuss ways in which they can collaborate on
promoting efforts of community and economic development throughout the county. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you would like to learn more about the Shelby
County Partners, feel free to contact their Peace Corps Fellows/AmeriCorps member
at </span><a href="mailto:jl-biggs@wiu.edu"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">jl-biggs@wiu.edu</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
or by calling 217-774-2244. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For more information on
the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs MAPPING Program, or the Peace Corps
Fellows Program at Western Illinois University, contact Gisele Hamm, MAPPING
Program Manager at gf-hamm@wiu.edu or Karen Mauldin Curtis, Peace Corps Fellows
Program Manager at k-mauldin-curtis@wiu.edu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-43785734351864351682016-02-18T07:41:00.001-08:002016-02-18T07:41:17.022-08:00Looking for Something to Do?<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking for
Something to Do? <o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shelby
County offers a lot of wonderful activities.
Listed below are some great examples!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AjpB1_414n8/VsXk9Ue9eXI/AAAAAAAAAMI/iQcGtXERLLA/s1600/ice%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AjpB1_414n8/VsXk9Ue9eXI/AAAAAAAAAMI/iQcGtXERLLA/s320/ice%2B2.jpg" width="239" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Willow Ridge Winery Ice Sculpting
Event:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure
of visiting Willow Ridge Winery and watching an Olympic winning ice sculptor work
his magic before my very eyes. Aaric
Kendall used a variety of tools to make his masterpiece complete out of 300
pound blocks of ice. A beautifully
formed dragon was made on the spot since Dragon’s Pizza was present on this
special day. Mr. Kendall was great with
the audience, welcoming questions about ice carving and his experience in the
Olympics. Thanks to Willow Ridge Winery for
providing this awesome event!</span><span style="color: #5f6567; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4rugu_zcns/VsXk_vs9dtI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/z26slrmVt6Q/s1600/sculpture%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4rugu_zcns/VsXk_vs9dtI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/z26slrmVt6Q/s320/sculpture%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOEyOpvFFvg/VsXk7Mf8n1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/W9zLTW-YkZk/s1600/eagle%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOEyOpvFFvg/VsXk7Mf8n1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/W9zLTW-YkZk/s320/eagle%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMvsZTA5-7Y/VsXk7ucbUDI/AAAAAAAAAMA/RzkrdNfEuKc/s1600/eagle%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMvsZTA5-7Y/VsXk7ucbUDI/AAAAAAAAAMA/RzkrdNfEuKc/s320/eagle%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Eagle Days at USACE:</b> This past weekend, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers at Lake Shelbyville hosted “Eagle Days” with the Illinois Raptor
Center. The raptor rehabilitators, Jane
Seitz and Jacques Nuzzo, provided educational programs for children and adults,
as well as an interactive question and answering session about these beautiful
birds. The audiences were able to view a
broad wing hawk, a peregrine falcon, a barn owl, and a bald eagle. The program director, Mr. Nuzzo, provided
great information in a way that motivated listeners to want to learn more. The executive director, Ms. Seitz, exuberated
calmness when having the birds rest on her arm, which was no simple task,
especially with the restless bald eagle who kept wanting to fly away. The presenters did a great job, and the crowd
was continuously engaged during the program.
Thanks to the Illinois Raptor Center for their great presentation, and
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville for providing this
public outreach!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Lincoln Program:</b> In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, there
was a presentation at the “Little Bookstore” on Main Street in Shelbyville
about the life of Lincoln. <span lang="EN">Professor Dan Guillory presented on “Abraham
Lincoln and His World.” The speaker did
a wonderful job at describing various aspects of Lincoln’s life. He talked about Lincoln’s time spent in
Shelbyville, and how he walked along the town’s very own Main Street to enter
the courthouse during his time as a lawyer.
Listeners could imagine being back in history and catching a glimpse of
this future President in downtown Shelbyville.
Thanks to the “Little Bookstore” for celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s
Birthday by having such a wonderful event! </span><span lang="EN"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm_ELgZoF-I/VsXk-Q29olI/AAAAAAAAAMM/dDwFF4whjoI/s1600/lincoln%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm_ELgZoF-I/VsXk-Q29olI/AAAAAAAAAMM/dDwFF4whjoI/s320/lincoln%2B2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1vTNJpHteY/VsXk6gTxKzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/XTVc0-QykCs/s1600/biscuit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1vTNJpHteY/VsXk6gTxKzI/AAAAAAAAAMY/XTVc0-QykCs/s320/biscuit1.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Biscuit and Gravy Gathering:</b> There are also many local events that help
support community groups. I attended the
Findlay Community Building’s gravy and biscuit fundraiser to fuel up before
heading to “Eagle Days” in Shelbyville.
It was a great way to learn about upcoming activities that will be held
at the Community Building, as well as meet some of Findlay’s finest
residents! A job well done by the
Findlay Community Building Committee!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9rWa1gShCY/VsXk_2ueO_I/AAAAAAAAAMY/PSAYCzJTYiU/s1600/tourism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9rWa1gShCY/VsXk_2ueO_I/AAAAAAAAAMY/PSAYCzJTYiU/s320/tourism.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span lang="EN">How can you find out about future events?</span></b><span lang="EN"> Check
out the Daily Union’s community calendar; visit various Facebook pages of
places you like to attend that may be providing activities; check bulletin
boards; </span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">OR</span></b><b><span lang="EN"> . . . </span></b><span lang="EN"> you could make it a little easier on
yourself by checking out the Shelby County Office of Tourism’s calendar of
events page at </span><a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/calendar.htm"><span lang="EN">http://lakeshelbyville.com/calendar.htm</span></a><span lang="EN">,or their Facebook page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Shelbyville-Area-CVB/320413020598"><span lang="EN">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Shelbyville-Area-CVB/320413020598</span></a><span lang="EN">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Between the two,
you are very likely to find out what is going on nearby! The Shelby County Office of Tourism does a
great job at providing information about happenings in the area, but remember,
even though they are always searching for events to share, they are a small
office with a lot of ground to cover. To
ensure that your event will be listed, please contact them with dates and details
by calling them at 217-774-2244. You can
also email them with your event at </span><a href="mailto:calendar@lakeshelbyville.com"><span lang="EN">calendar@lakeshelbyville.com</span></a><span lang="EN">, or you can visit them in person at their office. They are located at 315 East Main Street in
Shelbyville, Illinois, next to the Shelby County Courthouse. Thanks to the Shelby County Office of Tourism
for providing information on “What to Do” in Shelby County!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">There are always events
to check out, so go ahead and “Explore More in Shelby County!” </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">by Jenny
Biggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-69623264512862834872016-01-28T13:25:00.001-08:002016-01-28T13:25:11.449-08:00Luminary Walk a Success<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ingredients for a great night on the
General Dacey Trail: 2.5 miles of paths
aligned with the glow of luminaries, 3 Inches of Snow, 1 Full Moon, and much more.
. . <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
something special about the warm glow of a candle. Many of us have been to a candlelight
Christmas Eve service, where the beautiful light created by just one match,
lights the entire room. Others of us
have attended a candle lighting vigil in a cemetery to honor loved ones,
lighting candles set up in front of tombstones to brighten the night. From a distance, it appears that stars have
settled on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On January
23<sup>rd</sup>, I had the privilege of walking by the light of the moon on the
General Dacey Trail. And while I have
been on trails at night with the moon providing enough of its own light to
guide the way, I had not been on such a path where luminaires were hung from
trees and aligned on the edges of the trail, making me feel as if I was a child
in an enchanted forest. The reflection
of the moon on the lake, and the trail even more aglow due to the snow, made
this night a great choice to hold this event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To make the evening
even more special, ice ball luminaries lit up the path leading to the bonfire
where more artistic frozen designs were magnified by L.E.D. lights. Hot drinks awaited those wanting to warm
themselves by the fire, and there were bales of hay for those desiring to rest
their legs and socialize with the many participants. For those wanting to leave their mark, there
was also a 6 foot luminaire in which one could sign their name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each of
these ingredients made for yet another great experience on the General Dacey
Trail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A huge thank
you to the Shelbyville Area Community Foundation and Mr. Jerry Yockey for
organizing this event. Thanks also to
Mr. Bob Newstradt for the artistic luminaries, and to each person that helped
out with this successful community event that allowed the trail to be used for such
a great activity!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jenny Biggs</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-56705535384485047772016-01-15T07:48:00.002-08:002016-01-15T07:48:22.733-08:00Canned Food Drive<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmcttU3ihX8/VpkUW5BylCI/AAAAAAAAALU/opDv79oqJpw/s1600/drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmcttU3ihX8/VpkUW5BylCI/AAAAAAAAALU/opDv79oqJpw/s320/drive.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Representatives
from the group, Shelby County Partners, along with WIU Peace Corps
Fellow/AmeriCorps Member, Jenny Biggs, will be collecting canned food items for
local food banks as part of a National Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther
King Jr. Day.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">On January 18, 2016, Ms.
Biggs will be at the County Market in Shelbyville from 12pm to 3pm to collect
canned food items to kick off the event.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Shelby County Partners will have collection boxes available for
canned food donations from January 19,</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2016 through January 31, 2016
at various locations.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Collection boxes
can be found at Findlay’s Village Hall, the Shelby County Tourism Office in
Shelbyville, the First National Bank in Stewardson, Strasburg’s Shortstop, and
Windsor’s E K Petro Mart.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">During regular
business hours, residents are welcome to drop off canned food items in the
collection boxes.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Shelby County Partners canned food drive is one way of honoring Dr. King’s
legacy. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said,
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for
others?’” During difficult times, Dr. King and many of his fellow citizens of
all races came together to promote a united country. Martin Luther King Jr. Day</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> is an opportunity
for Americans to renew their own personal vows of citizenship through service
to others. There are many organizations
that strive to make their communities a better place to live, and the group,
Shelby County Partners, is one such organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
main goal of the Shelby County Partners is to make positive impacts by
increasing county wide cohesiveness through various projects that will aid in
future successes of Shelby County. The
group, Shelby County Partners, includes the communities of Findlay,
Shelbyville, Stewardson, Strasburg, and Windsor. Each community has been through the MAPPING program
(Management and Planning Programs Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups) with the
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. The
Shelby County Partners meet monthly to discuss ways in which they can work
together to promote efforts of community and economic development throughout
the county. For more information, feel free
to contact Jenny Biggs at the Shelby County Tourism Office by calling 217-774-2244,
or via email at </span><a href="mailto:jl-biggs@wiu.edu"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">jl-biggs@wiu.edu</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The MLK Day
of Service is led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal
agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its
AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund
programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United
We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-66206165590446195302015-12-11T07:20:00.002-08:002015-12-11T07:20:19.346-08:00Holiday Events
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Holiday Events in Shelby County </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">by Jenny Biggs<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<p class=MsoNormal>
Happy Holidays Everyone!<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span>I have been noticing that there are many holiday events taking place
in the communities of Shelby County.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span>Thanks to the “lakeshelbyville.com” website and their Event Calendar
page, I have found information on the many places that people can visit to
get into the holiday spirit.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
<o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>
Some of the events listed include photo opts with Santa,
Breakfast with Santa, Festival of Lights, a ginger bread house contest, numerous
bazaars with homemade goodies, open houses at local businesses, live nativity
scenes, concerts and cantatas, toy and tool auctions, parades, parties,
free movies, and Christmas Eve Candlelight services.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
So take your pick and delve into the many possibilities!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
As for me, one of the things I enjoy is hearing groups
play hand bells.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I was rewarded by
the sweet sounds at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church hand bells concert in
Shelbyville.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>The performers did a
great job, and the crowd was pleased with the show!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
Be sure to check out:<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span><a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/hometownholiday.htm">http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/hometownholiday.htm</a>
or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lake.shelbyville?fref=nf&pnref=story">https://www.facebook.com/lake.shelbyville?fref=nf&pnref=story</a>
for upcoming events, and have a great holiday season!<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfdazy7UJ7M/Vmro9LwM7pI/AAAAAAAAALE/bkEQ6-f4cXE/s1600/SCCS%2Bconcert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfdazy7UJ7M/Vmro9LwM7pI/AAAAAAAAALE/bkEQ6-f4cXE/s320/SCCS%2Bconcert.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
Happy Holidays Everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been noticing that there are many holiday events taking place in the
communities of Shelby County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to
the “lakeshelbyville.com” website and their Event Calendar page, I have found information
on the many places that people can visit to get into the holiday spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td height="26" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="201"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the events listed include photo opts with Santa,
Breakfast with Santa, Festival of Lights, a ginger bread house contest, numerous
bazaars with homemade goodies, open houses at local businesses, live nativity
scenes, concerts and cantatas, toy and tool auctions, parades, parties, free
movies, and Christmas Eve Candlelight services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So take your pick and delve into the many possibilities!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />As for me, one of the things I enjoy is hearing groups play hand
bells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was rewarded by the sweet
sounds at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church hand bells concert in
Shelbyville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The performers did a great
job, and the crowd was pleased with the show!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be sure to check out:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/hometownholiday.htm"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/hometownholiday.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
or </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lake.shelbyville?fref=nf&pnref=story"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/lake.shelbyville?fref=nf&pnref=story</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<br /> for upcoming events, and have a great holiday season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br clear="ALL" style="mso-ignore: vglayout;" />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-86727190389275203542015-11-13T12:47:00.004-08:002015-11-13T12:48:19.872-08:00Festival of Lights Work in Progress<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Bill Bly and his crew continually make the Festival of Lights
a great Event<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Many of you know about the Festival of Lights in Shelbyville
at Forest Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, you may not
understand all of the work that goes into making this event run successfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Bill Bly and his crew of dedicated
volunteers have been working diligently to provide this Winter Wonderland for
Shelby County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The following pictures will give you an idea of what these
individuals have been doing to make this event possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the responsibilities include checking
each individual bulb and replacing them as needed, painting the light fixtures,
and once dried, carefully placing them in their viewing locations, attaching yellow
ribbons to supporting wires to warn passersby’s of their presence, making sure
all cords and plugs are working each night of the display, contacting sponsors for
support of this event, displaying sponsor signs in appreciation of donations,
recruitment of volunteers to do various tasks, making arrangements for the
annual soup supper to raise funds for the festival of lights, getting the word
out about this great event, and many other tasks, including the taking down and
arranging of items back in storage once the event is over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This team is made up completely of volunteers, and it is to
them we give our gratitude in doing their part in making Shelby County a better
place to live!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This truly is a community project that could not be done
without the support of all of the sponsors, organizations, volunteers, and the
city playing their roles in this festive event!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A big thanks to Mr. Bill Bly and his crew for all that you
do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you would like to help out with this event in any way, feel
free to contact Mr. Bly at 217-259-2361.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8qWItAJpUI/VkZG2oGqmVI/AAAAAAAAAJU/G1xp4DFtnTg/s1600/light1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x8qWItAJpUI/VkZG2oGqmVI/AAAAAAAAAJU/G1xp4DFtnTg/s320/light1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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</o:lock><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_i1033" style="height: 188.25pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 251.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="DSC03602" src="file:///C:\Users\SHELBY~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></v:path></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mr. Bill Bly,
graciously teaching me about the intricacies of the Festival of the Lights.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vga4pvh3BO4/VkZG46_InTI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/MuNDTv25i0c/s1600/light2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vga4pvh3BO4/VkZG46_InTI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/MuNDTv25i0c/s320/light2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just a fraction of
the lights that are now displayed outside. (And notice how nicely arranged the
fixtures are stored. I was impressed by the organization of this shop!)</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWnOmqpaiRY/VkZG3AsLouI/AAAAAAAAAJk/E3qLJdJQxm0/s1600/light3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWnOmqpaiRY/VkZG3AsLouI/AAAAAAAAAJk/E3qLJdJQxm0/s320/light3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1031" style="height: 231.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 309pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
</v:shape></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ms. Gail D<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">epew</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">diligently adding color to the
fixtures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bli0dhtJsXA/VkZG3mCm_xI/AAAAAAAAAJo/NyGZMqV9IX4/s1600/light4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bli0dhtJsXA/VkZG3mCm_xI/AAAAAAAAAJo/NyGZMqV9IX4/s320/light4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1030" style="height: 141pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 188.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="DSC03583" src="file:///C:\Users\SHELBY~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bulbs ready to be
used for the opening night if needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8Bg8pxh-Y0/VkZG7-8c3SI/AAAAAAAAAKY/gnz2cJp5t70/s1600/lights5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8Bg8pxh-Y0/VkZG7-8c3SI/AAAAAAAAAKY/gnz2cJp5t70/s320/lights5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mrs. Norma Anderson and
Mr. Bob Thomas making sure replacement bulbs are in working condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDwykZT5oIg/VkZG5_XuNlI/AAAAAAAAAKA/lywq0epnieA/s1600/light6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDwykZT5oIg/VkZG5_XuNlI/AAAAAAAAAKA/lywq0epnieA/s320/light6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mr. Ken Ward, Mr.
Thomas, and Mrs. Anderson replacing bulbs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InSHEYnI650/VkZG6vxvmrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Ddk_mGIHsWU/s320/light7.jpg" width="239" /><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 264pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 198pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
</v:shape></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mr. Thomas, Mr. Dakoda,
and Mr. Bly making sure each bulb is lit while Mr. Ward and Mrs. Anderson insert
bulbs on another fixture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6FHKoxkdsg/VkZINh0V8dI/AAAAAAAAAKs/IEMhQZgCV8s/s1600/light8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6FHKoxkdsg/VkZINh0V8dI/AAAAAAAAAKs/IEMhQZgCV8s/s320/light8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mr. Ward and Mr. Dakoda
putting together the light fixtures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNkicf0T8yg/VkZINMU9XLI/AAAAAAAAAKo/yVkX-doIk2c/s1600/last%2Blight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNkicf0T8yg/VkZINMU9XLI/AAAAAAAAAKo/yVkX-doIk2c/s320/last%2Blight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mr. Thomas and Mr.
Ward attaching the supporting posts so the fixtures can stand firm in Illinois
winds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While many of the
fixtures are now up, there is still much to be done!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t forget, opening night is on
November 20<sup>th</sup>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There will be a soup
supper at the Senior Center in Forest Park with plenty of food offered at only
$5 per person (children 12 and under are free).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Proceeds go towards maintaining the light displays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We appreciate your support!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks
again to all of those involved with the Festival of Lights!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You make this wonderful winter event
possible!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-82575921946791167222015-11-03T10:20:00.000-08:002015-11-06T08:00:40.217-08:00Halloween Ball at the Chautauqua<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "batang" , serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-effects-shadow-align: topleft; mso-effects-shadow-alpha: 40.0%; mso-effects-shadow-angledirection: 2700000; mso-effects-shadow-anglekx: 0; mso-effects-shadow-angleky: 0; mso-effects-shadow-color: black; mso-effects-shadow-dpidistance: 1.5pt; mso-effects-shadow-dpiradius: 3.0pt; mso-effects-shadow-pctsx: 100.0%; mso-effects-shadow-pctsy: 100.0%; mso-effects-shadow-themecolor: dark1; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none; mso-themecolor: text1;">Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2015 Halloween Ball at the Chautauqua!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Halloween night brought
with it great fun provided by Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets inside the
beautiful Chautauqua building in Forest Park!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Members of the band interacted with the crowd, and after all of these
years of performing, they can still kick their legs at impressive heights!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">The dance floor was
occupied by happy feet during each song, and costumes kept the night decorated
with all sorts of creatures feeling the beat of the music. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Thanks to everyone who joined us for this
awesome night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Stay tuned for more
exciting events that will help support the Chautauqua building!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xahEx7t_IN4/Vjj5q1zz0oI/AAAAAAAAAIU/Hnzc8Cu0sSM/s1600/Captain%2BRat%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xahEx7t_IN4/Vjj5q1zz0oI/AAAAAAAAAIU/Hnzc8Cu0sSM/s320/Captain%2BRat%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Captain Rat and the
Blind Rivets performing in the Chautauqua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3fqKp_5Fhg/VjzOnv6vMiI/AAAAAAAAAJE/sSRiQOiQ8ok/s1600/captain%2Brat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3fqKp_5Fhg/VjzOnv6vMiI/AAAAAAAAAJE/sSRiQOiQ8ok/s320/captain%2Brat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Attendees dancing the
night away to some great tunes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwmWv8ScbSU/Vjj6SHIQINI/AAAAAAAAAIo/IIJnweXv_Eo/s1600/Captain%2BRat%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwmWv8ScbSU/Vjj6SHIQINI/AAAAAAAAAIo/IIJnweXv_Eo/s320/Captain%2BRat%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Great costumes for
the Halloween Ball<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qt07pStqxHg/Vjj6SbxExVI/AAAAAAAAAI0/lfud7DiVudM/s1600/Captain%2BRat%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qt07pStqxHg/Vjj6SbxExVI/AAAAAAAAAI0/lfud7DiVudM/s320/Captain%2BRat%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">More great costumes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3ApZjxcYxA/Vjj6TpSErDI/AAAAAAAAAI4/NJv60bYtgGw/s1600/Captain%2BRat%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3ApZjxcYxA/Vjj6TpSErDI/AAAAAAAAAI4/NJv60bYtgGw/s320/Captain%2BRat%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fun to be had by all,
including Shelbyville’s Mayor, Jeff Johnson <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A Big Thanks to all
of the volunteers that made this event possible! <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-12323783921677451882015-10-09T07:19:00.004-07:002015-10-09T07:19:57.187-07:00AmeriCorps Member helping Shelby County Partners
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello Everyone, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My name is Jenny Biggs, and I am a Western Illinois
University Peace Corps Fellows/AmeriCorps member in Shelby County with the
group Shelby County Partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
serving in the communities of Findlay, Shelbyville, Strasburg, and Windsor on
various projects, and when I am not out and about in one of these communities,
you can find me in my office at the Shelby County Tourism building in
Shelbyville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first project we worked on was collecting baseball
gloves and baseballs for troops overseas in remembrance of 9/11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AmeriCorps teamed up with the organization
Gloves 4 Troops and various communities in collecting and shipping gloves and
baseballs overseas to our armed forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
participating communities had two collection sites where collection boxes were
left out from September 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> through September 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A big THANKS to all of the places that allowed us to leave
boxes out for donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
include:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Findlay Village Hall, Tailwinds
Steakhouse in Findlay, Shelby County Tourism in Shelbyville, Shelbyville Public
Library, Shelby County State Bank in Strasburg, Strasburg Shortstop, E-K Petro
Mart in Windsor, and Shelby County State Bank in Windsor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks again to the communities of Findlay,
Shelbyville, Strasburg, and Windsor for your cooperation in the Gloves 4 Troops
project!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For more information about how
you can help out with Gloves 4 Troops, check out their website at </span><a href="http://www.gloves4troops.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.gloves4troops.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, a big thanks to those who distributed the boxes in
Shelby County!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWLmd-fTzws/VhfMgaQFoSI/AAAAAAAAAIE/AlxFLG9PxRg/s1600/gloves%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWLmd-fTzws/VhfMgaQFoSI/AAAAAAAAAIE/AlxFLG9PxRg/s640/gloves%2Bpic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jenny Biggs, David Johnson, David Young, Gary Kull, Maria
Shafer, Marcia Johnson, and Freddie Fry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For information about the communities listed above, please
visit the following websites:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Findlay, Illinois:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.findlayillinois.net/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"></span></a><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.findlayillinois.net/">http://www.findlayillinois.net/</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><br />Shelbyville</a>, Illinois:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"></span></a><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/">http://lakeshelbyville.com/</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><br />Strasburg</a>, Illinois:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.strasburgil.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"></span></a><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.strasburgil.com/">http://www.strasburgil.com/</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><br />Windsor</a>, Illinois:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://windsorillinois.net/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://windsorillinois.net/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-55476615027530706612015-05-05T09:28:00.001-07:002015-05-05T09:29:02.001-07:002015 Photo Contest<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Shelby County/Lake Shelbyville Digital Photography Contest has begun!</div>
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The Shelby County Office of Tourism in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Lake Shelbyville are sponsoring a digital photography contest that began on May 4th, 2015 and entries will end on July 31, 2015. Photos can be placed on a CD and mailed to SCOT, 315 E. Main, Shelbyville, IL 62565 or digitally to <a href="mailto:photo@lakeshelbyville.com">photo@lakeshelbyville.com</a>. <br />
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Online voting will then take place from August 11th-24th. Voting is allowed once per day in each of the four categories per IP address. The categories are Parks and Recreation, Scenic, Wildlife (NO Human interaction), and Faces at Places. The winners will then be announced on August 25th. <br />
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All photos must have been taken at Lake Shelbyville or Shelby County. Digital photos must be 5 megapixels or above. The contest is open to everyone except SCOT & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees. Each individual photographer may enter up to two photographs in each category. An entry form must accompany each digital photograph. SCOT reserves the right to refuse entries (ex: poor resolution, questionable content). All entries will become the property of the Shelby County Office of Tourism. <br />
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Last year's Grand Prize winner was titled "Breathe".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8SxISZDI5Q/VUjsrM-pWKI/AAAAAAAAAHs/1iP_r3SQOoo/s1600/BREATHE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u8SxISZDI5Q/VUjsrM-pWKI/AAAAAAAAAHs/1iP_r3SQOoo/s1600/BREATHE.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Use your summer to enjoy the great outdoors, bring your camera and take pictures along the way to enter our photo contest and maybe you will win! Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-78338358256450521072014-03-20T11:10:00.000-07:002014-03-20T09:12:21.805-07:00Spores N More Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvLhvpC-5S0/UWcDAf-nRAI/AAAAAAAAAGM/v-HrQtxv1Jk/s1600/morels-+many.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 183px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 279px;"><img border="0" bua="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvLhvpC-5S0/UWcDAf-nRAI/AAAAAAAAAGM/v-HrQtxv1Jk/s1600/morels-+many.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size: x-large; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Spores N More Morel Mushroom Festival: </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size: x-large; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">April 18-19, 2014</span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Come and enjoy the thrill of the hunt for the elusive morel mushroom or come and bid at the auction. Friday night kicks off the event with a welcome dinner, reception in Findlay featuring our incredible mushroom soup with guest speakers Andy Miller and Dr. Methuen: authors of "False Morels". This will all happen at the American Legion Building. The dinner starts at 5:30 and includes mushroom soup, spaghetti, baked potato, drinks, and desserts and there will also be hotdogs for kids. The cost of your dinner is a donation. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Saturday morning, come to Wyman Park in Sullivan with registration for the hunt from 6:30-8:30 in the morning. The busses leave for the hunt at 8:30 and lasts about 2 1/2 hours. If you can't or don't like to hunt but love morels, the auction starts at 1:30 on Saturday with registration for it from 6:30 am - 1 pm in Wyman Park. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Findlay will have a Biscuit and Gravy breakfast at the Christian Church basement from 7-9:30 Saturday morning. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Events in Windsor on Saturday will include an vendors at the Red Barn from 10 am - 4 pm selling food, crafts, and more. The Methodist Youth will be selling perennial plants and baked goods. And W.H.A.T. will be selling Portabella Mushroom Sandwiches and Shiskabobs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5b; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 600 12px/22px 'Open Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Other events Saturday in Shelbyville include Blessing of the Bikes at the Best Wedding Chapel at noon. The Horseshow Pitchers will be selling their famous Sausage sandwiches on Friday and Saturday from 9 am - 5:30 pm at the West Courthouse Parking Lot. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWRorDgS1No/UWcUdjiJsTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/bvo4WKWikbE/s1600/Spores2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWRorDgS1No/UWcUdjiJsTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/bvo4WKWikbE/s200/Spores2.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
For a complete listing of events, hunt & auction registration forms and more, you can go to <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/sporesnmore.htm." target="_blank">Spores N More</a> page on the Lake Shelbyville website. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Be sure to visit the official Lake Shelbyville Website @ <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/">www.lakeshelbyville.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Are you on Facebook? Like us @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Shelbyville-Area-CVB/320413020598">Lake Shelbyville Area CVB</a></i></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-70231484515817359862013-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:002016-02-09T13:49:23.483-08:00Sweets for Your Sweeties, Happy Valentine's Day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3o08Mn4QjLc/UR1DS3r5v5I/AAAAAAAAAF8/SWOTuANR3ek/s1600/valentines_banners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3o08Mn4QjLc/UR1DS3r5v5I/AAAAAAAAAF8/SWOTuANR3ek/s400/valentines_banners.jpg" uea="true" width="400" /></a></div>
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What is Valentine's Day without something sweet? As promised we saved Greg's delicious dessert recipes as our Valentine gift to you!<br />
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Enjoy.......with a loved one!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E08q6Ug7doU/UR09X0jMuQI/AAAAAAAAAFM/dq1cmb8_xmY/s1600/group-of-sweethearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E08q6Ug7doU/UR09X0jMuQI/AAAAAAAAAFM/dq1cmb8_xmY/s200/group-of-sweethearts.jpg" uea="true" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="Section1" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">AMARETTO CHEESECAKE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Section1" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3-8 oz pkgs cream cheese <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">4 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">⅓ cup Amaretto<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1½ cups graham cracker crumbs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">¼ cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">6 T butter, melted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">8 oz sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 T + 1 tsp sugar <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 T amaretto<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Garnish: sliced almonds and whipped cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">CRUST<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Mix graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, sugar and butter. Pat mixture in bottom of a 9” spring-form pan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar. Beat in ⅓ cup Amaretto. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Pour into and bake in a pre-heated 375ºF oven for 45-50 minutes. Mix the sour cream, sugar and 1 T Amaretto. Spoon the mixture over the cheesecake when done and return to oven for 5 minutes at 500ºF. Garnish before serving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KB47jRomiL8/UR09soUEyDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/_IgsVxNZHD0/s1600/sweetheart+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KB47jRomiL8/UR09soUEyDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/_IgsVxNZHD0/s200/sweetheart+2.jpg" uea="true" width="200" /></a></div>
<pre style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></pre>
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<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Section2" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">2 cup gingersnaps (about 40 cookies), crushed<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar, divided<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">¼ cup butter or margarine, melted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">2 T all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">15 oz can pumpkin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">14 oz can sweetened condensed milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 T vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">½ tsp ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">¼ tsp ground allspice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section3" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1½ cup sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Combine cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and butter. Press on bottom of a 9” spring-form pan. Set aside. Beat cream cheese and flour until creamy. Add pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and allspice and next 5 ingredients. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 350˚F for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 225˚F and bake 1 hour. Cool on a wire rack 5 minutes. Combine sour cream and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Spread over cheesecake. Bake 5 more minutes. Cool on a wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and chill overnight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="Section5">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDla0HbDR1g/UR095QOAhoI/AAAAAAAAAFc/3eIThij1cZ0/s1600/Sweetheart+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDla0HbDR1g/UR095QOAhoI/AAAAAAAAAFc/3eIThij1cZ0/s200/Sweetheart+3.jpg" uea="true" width="200" /></a></div>
<pre style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></pre>
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<div class="Section5" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">LEMON MERINGUE PIE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Section5" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 T cornstarch<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="Section6" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">2 tsp lemon rind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section6" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section6" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1¼ cup warm water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section6" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 lemon, juice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section6" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section6" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">9” pie shell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Separate eggs. Grate lemon rind. Cook first 5 ingredients and 3 egg yolks until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally. Cool before putting into cooked 9” pie shell. Beat egg whites, add vanilla, and ½ the powdered sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spread this mixture over pie and cover edges. Put in oven at 350˚F for 8 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">PASTRY FOR 9” ONE CRUST PIE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">⅓ cup shortening or lard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">½ tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 T cold water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Cut shortening into flour and salt until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle in water, <br />1 T at a time. Cut with a pastry cutter. Additional 1 to 2 tsp water can be added. Form <br />dough into ball and shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Roll pastry <br />2” larger than inverted pie plate, 9x1¼”. Place in plate. Press firmly against bottom and side. <br />Trim edge of pastry 1” from rim of plate. Flute the edges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="yshortcuts"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">COCA COLA CAKE</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">2 cups flour<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">2 cups sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">½ cup <span class="yshortcuts">buttermilk</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup cola<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">2 eggs, beaten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp <span class="yshortcuts">baking soda</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1½ cups marshmallows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 T cocoa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Heat the oven to 350ºF. Stir the flour and sugar together. Heat the butter, cocoa and cola until hot and mixed well. Stir this mixture into flour and sugar. In separate bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, soda, vanilla, and marshmallows. Add this mixture to the batter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The batter will be thin. Spray a 13”x9” pan with nonstick spray. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Spread icing on while hot. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">ICING<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup butter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">6 T cola<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 T cocoa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 pkg <span class="yshortcuts">powdered sugar</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">3 T cocoa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup nuts, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Heat the butter, cocoa and cola to a boil. Stir into the sugar and mix well. Add the nuts. Ice the cake while both cake and icing are hot.</span><br />
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<strong>About the Author: Gregory Heal</strong></div>
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Went to college at Eastern Illinois University. Graduated from Disney College Program in Orlando, FL. Attended Culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. Graduated with honors from Parkland College in Champaign, IL with a degree in Restaurant Management; a member of the National Deans List and Phi Theta Kappa. He has worked for various restaurants and hotels, including Levy Restaurants and America's Convention Center, Cracker Barrel, Marriot, Renaissance, Renaissance Grand Hotel, Thelma Keller Convention Center, Fat City Saloon, Pie-Full Delight, Walt Disney World and his own, Grilling and Go Catering.</div>
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He has published two cookbooks, "Give Thanks, a Collection of Heartland Recipes," and "Harvest Time, Favorite Fall Foods." They are available through Lulu.com.</div>
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Currently working on a Grilling and BBQ book, developing resources for Heartland Cooking and Living, and Catering at Grilling to Go Catering!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKMAkfptar0/URVX5SnNPMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/bcOojYoTEvM/s1600/Harvest+Time+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" jea="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKMAkfptar0/URVX5SnNPMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/bcOojYoTEvM/s200/Harvest+Time+Book.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>Greg's Facebook Pages:</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>For Grilling to Go, Catering Grilling and more:</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/GrillingtoGo">http://www.facebook.com/GrillingtoGo</a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>For Heartland Cooking and Living, Recipes, Heartland Cities and Towns, Special Events:</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCookingandLiving">http://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCookingandLiving</a> </o:p></span></div>
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Greg will be back soon - hopefully the weather will be nicer and we'll be ready to do some outdoor cooking!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">For all the info all the time: </span><a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.lakeshelbyville.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-88941780528582878482013-02-08T12:49:00.000-08:002013-02-08T12:56:03.786-08:00A Recipe for Blogging!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcelJPi5tjU/URVc-Hm8A8I/AAAAAAAAAE8/6ghQEJsmW-A/s1600/2013+cover+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" jea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcelJPi5tjU/URVc-Hm8A8I/AAAAAAAAAE8/6ghQEJsmW-A/s200/2013+cover+small.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
Back to Blogging! It can be hard to keep up with everything we want to get done, and fortunately a thought came to me, to enlist guest bloggers! We have a few people that have graciously offered to share some thoughts and skills with us, starting with Gregory Heal. Greg had been posting some great looking recipes, and information on the two cookbooks he has published; and he grew up in Shelbyville, thankfully he is willing to share! So while one of these roasts of tenderloin is in the oven - download our new Lake Shelbyville <a href="http://content.yudu.com/Library/A2121z/2013VisitorGuide/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffree.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F702552%2F2013-Visitor-Guide" target="_blank">guide</a> and plan your next visit! Like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/lake.shelbyville?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><br />
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BEEF RIB EYE ROAST<br />
4 lb beef rib eye roast<br />
3 closes garlic, crushed<br />
1 T salt<br />
1T cracked black pepper<br />
1 T dried thyme leaves<br />
<br />
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. <br />
Press evenly into surface of roast. Place roast on rack in roasting pan. <br />
Roast 18 to 22 minutes per pound for rare to medium. Remove the roast <br />
from oven when meat thermometer register 135 degrees for rare, <br />
155 degrees for medium. Let stand 15 minutes before carving. <br />
(The temperature will continue to rise to 140ºF for rare, 160ºF for medium.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">RIB ROAST OF BEEF AND WILD MUSHROOMS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">BEEF<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 cloves garlic, minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 ± 9 lbs rib roast of beef <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">MUSHROOMS</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 oz dried wild mushrooms, any kind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 cups warm water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 cup beef broth <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 leeks, white parts only, washed, finely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 T butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">¾ lb fresh wild mushrooms, any kind, trimmed, cleaned, sliced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp dried rosemary leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 T fresh parsley, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">4 plum tomatoes, finely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">salt and pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Soak the dried mushrooms in the warm water until they are soft about 15 minutes. Squeeze liquid from mushrooms. Rinse well. Strain the soaking liquid. Combine the strained soaking liquid and the beef broth in a saucepan, place over high heat and reduce to 1 cup. Sauté the leeks in butter. Add fresh wild mushrooms, white mushrooms, soaked wild mushrooms, rosemary and parsley. Add the tomatoes and the reduced soaking liquid. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Preheat oven to 475ºF. Mix together salt, pepper and garlic, Rub into the surface of the beef. Place the beef in a roasting pan, with fat side up. Roast for 1 hour. Reduce the oven temperature </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">to 400ºF and continue roasting for about 1½ hours. A thermometer inserted in the center of the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">meat will register 130ºF for medium-rare or 140ºF for medium. Remove beef from the oven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Allow it to rest 20 minutes before slicing. Serve the meat with mushroom sauce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">ROAST BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH HORSERADISH-CHIVE SAUCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 3 lb beef tenderloins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 T dried rosemary, crumbled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3 T cracked black pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 T granulated garlic <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">¼ cup soy sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">¼ cup unsalted butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rub beef with rosemary pepper and garlic. Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Take out and rub with butter and soy sauce. Let set for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 500ºF. Place beef on roasting rack in pan. Roast for 15 minutes to seal in flavor. Reduce oven to 400ºF, and cook until thickest part registers 120ºF for rare, about 40 minutes. Let beef stand for about 20 minutes before slicing. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">HORSERADISH CHIVE SAUCE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">1½ cups mayonnaise<o:p></o:p></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1½ cups sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">½ cups chopped fresh chives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">¼ cup prepared horseradish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fresh ground pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season the sauce with fresh ground pepper.</span>
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<strong>About the Author: Gregory Heal</strong></div>
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Went to college at Eastern Illinois University. Graduated from Disney College Program in Orlando, FL. Attended Culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. Graduated with honors from Parkland College in Champaign, IL with a degree in Restaurant Management; a member of the National Deans List and Phi Theta Kappa. He has worked for various restaurants and hotels, including Levy Restaurants and America's Convention Center, Cracker Barrel, Marriot, Renaissance, Renaissance Grand Hotel, Thelma Keller Convention Center, Fat City Saloon, Pie-Full Delight, Walt Disney World and his own, Grilling and Go Catering.</div>
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He has published two cookbooks, "Give Thanks, a Collection of Heartland Recipes," and "Harvest Time, Favorite Fall Foods." They are available through Lulu.com.</div>
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Currently working on a Grilling and BBQ book, developing resources for Heartland Cooking and Living, and Catering at Grilling to Go Catering!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>Greg's Facebook Pages:</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>For Grilling to Go, Catering Grilling and more:</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/GrillingtoGo">http://www.facebook.com/GrillingtoGo</a></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>For Heartland Cooking and Living, Recipes, Heartland Cities and Towns, Special Events:</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCookingandLiving">http://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCookingandLiving</a> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>Next week, more from Greg-Sweets for Your Sweeties, special treats for Valentine's Day!</o:p></span></div>
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Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-77659273145954375792012-10-29T13:44:00.002-07:002012-10-29T13:44:40.200-07:00Holiday HappeningsCool weather has finally come after the long, hot dry summer. The leaves have changed and are vacating their summer homes for us to rake up and if your a kid, jump into. <br />
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Time to start thinking about your holiday plans. We have been busy, calling or e-mailing to bring our list up to date. If you have an event that you would like for us to publish, please e-mail it to <a href="mailto:info@lakeshelbyville.com">info@lakeshelbyville.com</a> and we will post on our special page <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/hometownholiday.htm">http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/hometownholiday.htm</a>. There are already plenty of activities posted and more to follow. <br />
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Just to name a few, there is Christmas on Main in Moweaqua, Holiday in Herrick-both happening December 1st, The Shelbyville Festival of Lights-November 16th-December 30th, Free Movies every Saturday morning at ten at The Roxy Theatre and much more. Shelbyville will also be hosting a spectacular shopping day on December 1st. There's even more shopping opportunies with different craft shows, Toy auctions, a Christmas Store, and Holiday Open Houses throughout Shelby County. There is also Christmas music concerts at schools, churches, and The Barn. <br />
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Santa will be visiting several towns before his global trip on Christmas Eve. His first stop in the area will be at Christmas in the Park in Strasburg on November 10th from Noon till 3 pm. Check out the Hometown Holiday page for updates for further visits. <br />
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We are also gathering dates for our 2013 Lake Shelbyville Visitor Guide. These events/dates will be placed on our website as well. Qualifying events and businesses will also be placed on the EnjoyIllinois website.<br />
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Again if you know of an activitity or would like yours posted, please let us know at <a href="mailto:info@lakeshelbyville.com">info@lakeshelbyville.com</a> or give us a call at 217-774-2244. Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-70018588468921589482012-09-13T13:57:00.000-07:002012-09-13T13:57:25.932-07:00Fall...Still a Busy Time in the OfficeIt's been a while since we posted last, Stephen has went back to school and we've been busy in the office.<br />
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This Friday and Saturday, September 14th and 15th, we are helping with a fundraiser for Balloon Fest by being grocery baggers at County Market from 4-8 Friday evening and 10a-2p on Saturday. Come out and see who else is helping to make The Touchstone Energy Balloon Fest a success. <br />
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September 14-16 is the Tower Hill Fall Festival. Event listings are at <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/towerhill.htm">http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/towerhill.htm</a>. Come and check out the Hypnotist on Friday and Saturday, the PRODUCE 500 on Saturday, a scavenger hunt, and much more along with the Demolition Derby that's Sunday afternoon. <br />
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Wednesday, September 19th is another fundraiser for the Balloon Fest. All day at Monical's Pizza, they will donate 20% of your meal to the Balloon Fest as long as you have the flyer. Flyers can be picked up at Monical's Pizza, The Shelby County Office of Tourism, and they will be distributed in the Grocery bagging fundraiser.<br />
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September 20-22 is the Bassmaster Elite Series All-Star Week. Pro Fishermen fish two days on Lake Shelbyville and two days on Lake Decatur. You can visit <a href="http://www.bassmaster.com/attend-all-star-championship">http://www.bassmaster.com/attend-all-star-championship</a> for details. We will be in Decatur showcasing the Lake Shelbyville/Shelby County area and everything we have to offer.<br />
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September 21-23 is the 1st Annual Kaskaskia River Pow Wow at the Dam East Recreational Area. You can visit <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/riverpowwow.htm">http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/riverpowwow.htm</a> for the listing of events and times. There will be vendors, dancing, a hand drum competition, an auction and more. Come and learn about native American Indians with representatives from Cherokee, Lakota, Balckfoot, Sac-Fox, Oneida, and Haliwa-Saponi present. This event is free and so is parking. Please bring your lawnchairs. <br />
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October 5-7 is the Touchstone Energy Balloon Fest. Visit <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/balloon.htm">http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/balloon.htm</a> for a listing of events and to see what balloons are coming visit <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/Balloonpics.html">http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/Balloonpics.html</a>. Balloons will take to the sky Friday night from the soccer fields at Forest Park. Saturday morning they will take flight from various areas to try to hit a target at the soccer fields and Saturday night the balloons will be at the Dam East Spillway to light up the night sky as well as food vendors, music, raffle sales, tethered balloon rides and much more. Sunday morning they will take flight again and try to hit a target that will be at the Dam West Recreation Area. As always with hot air balloons-weather permitting. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.<br />
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October 5-7 is also the weekend for Scarecrow Daze Festival with the theme of "Back to the Future". New to event this year is Pumpkin Chucking on Friday night at the soccer fields from 4:30-7. Events Friday night will take place in Forest Park except for the Quilt Show at the First United Methodist Church Basement. The festival will still have vendors, art, kids games, entertainment and much more on Saturday.....all happening downtown. There will even be special showings of the movie "Back to the Future" Friday and Saturday at 9pm. If you would like to enter the Scarecrow contest, entry forms must be returned to the Chamber of Commerce by September 28th at 3pm and they will be judged on September 30th. Sorry, but only scarecrows located within city limits will be judged. For a listing of events go to <a href="http://www.shelbyvillechamberofcommerce.com/ScareCrowDaze.php">http://www.shelbyvillechamberofcommerce.com/ScareCrowDaze.php</a> or <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/daze.htm">http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/events/daze.htm</a>. <br />
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<br />Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-43713782665529663612012-07-30T11:06:00.001-07:002012-07-30T13:06:13.276-07:00The Mailman, He Cometh<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhEDwCaPA9g/UBLtUPgIXZI/AAAAAAAAADI/whMpRtRj4Io/s1600/100_4979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhEDwCaPA9g/UBLtUPgIXZI/AAAAAAAAADI/whMpRtRj4Io/s320/100_4979.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the camera failed to keep up with my swift packing!</td></tr>
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Actually, that title is a big, fat lie. The mailman was nowhere to be seen. I suspect he may have been hiding. As a result, I had the opportunity -- nay, the <i>honor</i> -- of loading over 2,500 Lake Shelbyville Visitor Guides for bulk mailing.<br />
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I suppose the moral of the story would be "don't smile and agree to do something without actually understanding what the task entails." With that said, I was glad to help. It wasn't really all that horrible.<br />
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It was, however, <i>very</i> surprising. I wasn't aware of the sheer amount of mailing that needed to be done. And anyone who has ever needed to move any great distance knows one of the worst things to pack: <i>books</i>. A magazine is just a really thin, glossy book, and let's be honest, a book is just thinly-sliced bits of <i>tree</i>. Trees are heavy ... writing interns are wimpy.<br />
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Still, there's something to be said about this very practical, mundane task. Thus far, most of the work I've done has been electronic. It's involved communication, social networking, or writing. It's been communication, contacts, and e-mail. This was a nice wake-up call, to be honest. Sure, the point of the internship is to help develop professional communication skills, but it's easy to forget that the physical, mundane aspect of mailing is still just as important as its electronic component. Tweeting, Facebooking, and e-mailing is well and good, but it doesn't help much when you have a couple thousand mini-tree slices to send all over the place. And yes, while many publishers are opting for wholly electronic publication, there are still plenty of people (myself included) who prefer something to hold. Until we develop molecular teleportation, that means bulk mailing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't actually fall asleep, but it was a fun photo to take</td></tr>
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There's always going to be something surprising in any given job. If the purpose of an internship is to prepare one for the professional world, I think it's equally important to learn to prepare for the unexpected. Well, that and to develop a spontaneous case of the flu when mailing day rolls around. <br />
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</div>Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-76025926864339371492012-07-27T12:36:00.002-07:002012-07-27T12:36:28.085-07:00Lake Shelbyville Photo Contest<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqLWRxtOHA4/UBLnIZgDLGI/AAAAAAAAAC4/0VqofioduEI/s1600/Waiting+for+Mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqLWRxtOHA4/UBLnIZgDLGI/AAAAAAAAAC4/0VqofioduEI/s320/Waiting+for+Mama.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Grand Prize Winner</td></tr>
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I'm terrible with a camera. I'm surprised most of the pictures I take don't cause the lens to shatter in protest. Fortunately, there are a lot of people in the community who <i>are </i>capable of taking some pretty gorgeous photos. And even if you're not, why not give it a try? The Lake Shelbyville photo contest is rapidly coming to an end, and I always find it fascinating to see the kinds of surprising moments that people can capture.<br />
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Don't wait until it's too late! The last day to submit your pictures is <b>August 3, 2012</b>. Online voting will begin pretty shortly thereafter, so it's important that you get these to us as soon as possible.<i> </i><br />
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I know I'm looking forward to seeing all the entries, and I also know that many people tend to be too hard on themselves. Don't be! Perhaps I'm being a bit of a hypocrite, especially considering the first five words of this post, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to see your pictures. Yes, <i>you</i>, John Aldridge.<br />
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(Okay, I admit, I don't know anyone named John Aldridge. But it would have been <i>really</i> awesome if someone with that name had read this post.)<br />
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Even if you're not named John Aldridge, be sure to get your pictures in ASAP. Don't make the new intern cry. That would just be a shame.<br />
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<i>To download the contest submission form, <a href="http://lakeshelbyville.com/images/Event%20Images/Photo%20contest/Photo%20contest.pdf" target="_blank">click here<span id="goog_309132558"></span><span id="goog_309132559"></span>.</a> </i><br />
<i>To see previous winners (along with other great Lake Shelbyville pics) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakeshelbyville/sets/" target="_blank">click here.</a></i>Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-5976435625828258752012-07-12T12:35:00.003-07:002012-07-27T11:20:07.675-07:00WCIA Swings By Shelbyville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vjofi5rdXKA/T_yUFam4D4I/AAAAAAAAACs/cTTSpsv1XjE/s1600/Publication1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vjofi5rdXKA/T_yUFam4D4I/AAAAAAAAACs/cTTSpsv1XjE/s320/Publication1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
Ah, television. Now, I don't generally spend a lot of time in front of the tube (though I am guilty of the occasional Burn Notice or Castle marathon), but even a media caveman like myself can appreciate the excitement of being on the news. It hearkens back to my younger years, when getting my picture in the paper was automatically fridge-worthy, even if it was something relatively innocuous: <i>Sixth-Graders Eat Cake. Cat Found Living With Squirrel. Man Walks Down Street. </i>Still, news is news, and televised news is a whole different monster from paper.<br />
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When I heard WCIA was going to feature Shelbyville in their upcoming "Our Town" segment, I was thrilled. My inner seven-year old immediately began planning the best ways to sneak in a surprise "Hi, mom," complete with a frantic wave and overenthusiastic smile. Thankfully, the adult part of my brain managed to distract it with shiny promises of candies and kittens.<br />
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The project was a massive undertaking, but what impressed me most had nothing to do with the final product (even though it was fantastic; check it out for yourself <a href="http://illinoishomepage.net/ourtownshelbyville" target="_blank">by clicking here</a>). I was most impressed by how such a varied crew -- composed of volunteers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees, camera crews -- was able to come together so swiftly to ensure the program ran without a hitch. Though the heat was murderous, attitudes remained positive and participants did what was necessary.<br />
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Even handing out hot dogs and lemonade.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Alas, our Tourism display did not end up on television.<br />My prime-time breakthrough will just have to wait ...</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I wouldn't have imagined that handing out snacks in the summer heat would have been enjoyable, but it truly was. Don't underestimate the power of a cool glass of lemonade handed out with a smile, especially when the sun decides to crank it up into the triple digits. The advantage of such a position is it allows you to meet people from all facets of the project. It doesn't matter whether you're a cameraman, Corp worker, or visitor -- everyone needs a drink. And while there were those who simply smiled and returned the "hello", content to grab a snack without conversing, many of them hovered by the table to talk, if only for a short while. Local artist Dan Modzelewski stopped by while I was restocking. Putting a face to the name I'd known since first encountering his paintings drove home the sense of small town community that I've grown to love.<br />
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Though I don't have time to go into all of what WCIA covered during their stint in Shelbyville (check the links!), I will say it involves snakes, bobby pins, and farmers. Not all at once. That would be awesome -- and would probably involve the folks from Guinness or Ripley's Believe it or Not. Still, despite the disappointing lack of record-breaking, bobby-pin eating snake farmers, it's worth checking out.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who made it all possible!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Be sure to visit the official Lake Shelbyville Website @ <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/">www.lakeshelbyville.com</a></i></div>
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<i>Don't miss a moment: Follow our Twitter feed in the right-hand column!</i></div>Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-75887673238452836872012-06-22T12:44:00.003-07:002012-06-22T12:44:30.952-07:00Making Meetings Memorable<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psmhEa2i6ms/T-C7TpcCB8I/AAAAAAAAABc/lAaX7p5ptbY/s1600/Co-op+meeting+picture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psmhEa2i6ms/T-C7TpcCB8I/AAAAAAAAABc/lAaX7p5ptbY/s320/Co-op+meeting+picture.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Darla and I speak with one of the Cooperative members.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A few asked if they could have the stuffed bear in the boat.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">What is the first image that jumps to mind when you hear the word "meeting"? I always think of a bunch of stuffy guys in suits sitting around a polished mahogany desk, droning on about quarterly financials, share options, ROI expectations, and other equally invigorating topics that make growing grass seem lively and exciting by comparison. So it's no surprise that when I was asked to participate in the Shelby Electric Cooperative annual meeting, my blood ran cold. I immediately began calculating how much it would cost to steal an I.V. dispersal unit from the local hospital and fill it with Red Bull.</span><br />
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Fortunately for my heart and blood pressure, I quickly found out there was no need for caffeine-inducing shenanigans. Freddie informed me that we were going to be one of the pre-meeting vendors at the park. This is where I started scratching my head. Vendors? At a meeting? Were we going to practice sales pitches? I wasn't sure what to expect at this point, but Freddie made mention of free pork chops, which was more than incentive enough for me.
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The meeting itself was scheduled to begin at 1:00, but people began arriving much earlier than that. By the time I arrived at 10:30, the park outside the Chautauqua building was covered with tents and displays. The smell of shredded BBQ and pork chops was wafting through the air, and a local band was playing old-fashined tunes. Honestly, it felt like equal parts science fair and cook-out. Various other vendors set up their tables around us, mostly to chat with the cooperative members and offer various tidbits, information, and samples. We were situated directly next to AirEvac, a company that offers to zip you through the air if you need airlifted to a distant hospital. To be honest, I'd be in it for the free mug they were offering. A lifesaving helicopter ride is nice and all, but free stuff is hard to beat -- like the free popcorn offered from the table on our other flank. In retrospect, I'm surprised I didn't come home covered in salt and mugs.
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We spoke to the passing Shelby Cooperative members about the various spots to visit in Shelby County. It was very informal and conversational. We might have been called a vendor booth, but the majority of the people seemed interested in information. The most popular item on our table was the big fold-out map of the lake, but we provided fliers, business cards, Visitor Guides, and -- most important of all -- candy. Our little stuffed bear was pretty popular too. One member said to his wife, "Just take the bear and run, Ethel!"
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The Cooperative also had several of their own displays set up. One must have been showing off some kind of sound-proof insulation, because every so often I would hear a shriek that would suddenly drop off as a Cooperative member lowered whatever was making the horrid noise into a box. Another was demonstrating how much energy was needed to create electricity. Their display was simple, yet amusing: a bicycle hooked up to a series of light bulbs. The harder you pedaled, the brighter the light.
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It was a nice chance to get out into the community and speak with people. Frankly, I think it was a smart business move, giving folks a free lunch and setting up a nice mix of community, vendors, and Cooperative demonstrations. The pervasive, choking atmosphere that accompanies many such meetings (made even more oppressive by claustrophobic conference rooms) was nicely countered by the friendly faces, cool breeze, and delicious food.Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558230989675250678.post-83671606793078676912012-05-31T11:28:00.003-07:002012-05-31T12:47:42.035-07:00The Best Laid Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNBbwx97_QQ/T8e1JdW7c0I/AAAAAAAAABQ/0xsEkC1slCQ/s1600/business-plan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNBbwx97_QQ/T8e1JdW7c0I/AAAAAAAAABQ/0xsEkC1slCQ/s320/business-plan2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In 1949, after dealing with faulty equipment at the Wright Field Aircraft Lab, a frustrated Captain Edward Murphy exclaimed of the main technician, "If there is any way to do it wrong, he will." Though it was far from the first time this sentiment had been expressed, he was supposedly the man who gave this phenomenon its namesake: Murphy's Law. If it can go wrong, it will.<br />
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As easy as it is to use Murphy as a pedestal for pessimism, I prefer to embrace it as an opportunity to adapt. If your plan survives first contact with the enemy, your foes aren't very smart. Or you're Batman. I realize the analogy's a bit of a stretch, but the point remains the same -- few things are as simple as we expect. Before coming to work here at the Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourism Office (henceforth referred to as "the office"), I assumed everything was pretty straightforward. Smile. Hand out brochures and maps. Answer questions over the phone (including "How far is the dam from the lake?" -- not far, by the way).<br />
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It turns out, in fact, that quite a lot goes on behind closed doors. The office cooperates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Lake Shelbyville and partners with several events throughout the community. There are, of course, requisite niceties we show to those who come in looking for something to do, but the phrase "tourism office" is deceptively simplistic. The people I work with have shown a remarkable ability to adapt to a variety of situations, even when they fall outside of what might considered strictly tourism related. Much of the Visitor Guide is done in house, as is a majority of the work to get them to the public -- gathering, mailing, coordinating with the post office -- just to name one. Just collecting the guides for distribution ends up being an adventure in itself, especially considering some of the unexpected locales. <br />
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Requests for Visitor's Guides have come in from Nigeria, Congo, Yemen, Greece, Morocco, Algeria, India, Guam, Mexico, the UK, Germany, Canada, Jamaica, France, the Philippines, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Czech Republic, Brazil, Italy, and Belgium. Funding now forces us to file such requests electronically.<br />
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And speaking of the ever-evolving world of electronic communication, I have a new appreciation for those who monitor the Twitter feed(s), Facebook page(s), and website(s) of any given organization. It's one thing to occasionally pop in and tell the world that my cat is chewing on my computer tower. It's an entirely different monster to try and gather, monitor, and distribute relevant information on a social network. Facebook as a means of friendly communication is nothing like Facebook as a networking tool. It's nice in that it allows the office to quickly get information out to those looking for it. Getting that information can be a pain. It doesn't matter <i>when</i> I make Facebook posts about my cat, or a book, or the latest movie I've seen. When it comes to time-sensitive information such as local events, meetings, or activities time becomes a crucial factor. So to those of you who manage such information, kudos. My hat goes off to you. Well, first I would have to get a hat. But mark my words, if I was wearing one right now,<i> </i>it <i>would</i> be off to you. <br />
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Of course, all this talk of complications and plans has a specific point. We here at the office are working towards a free online newsletter for all who are interested in local events, attractions, and activities. It's not quite ready yet, but you should keep an eye on the website for a link to our subscription. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Be sure to visit the official Lake Shelbyville Website @ <a href="http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/">www.lakeshelbyville.com</a></i></div>
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<i>Are you on Facebook? Like us @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Shelbyville-Area-CVB/320413020598">Lake Shelbyville Area CVB</a></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>Lake Shelbyville Area CVB / Shelby County Tourismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18242989960755931991noreply@blogger.com0