By Michele Evans, Grants & Communications Director Recently a group of teens attending a weeklong Respite Camp went outside their comfort zones and conquered many challenges at Easterseals’ Timber Pointe Outdoor Center on Lake Bloomington, near Hudson. The entire camp stay challenges campers to participate fully in many new experiences. Key among the new experiences…

Reposted from Illinois State University News Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and School of Music are excited to announce the return of Concerts on the Quad (COTQ) for summer 2021. All concerts are free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. on the east side of…

Reposted from WGLT By Breanna Grow Musical theater fans are no doubt eager for the return of live performances. In the meantime, Prairie Fire Theatre Artistic Director Bob Mangialardi suggests Bloomington-Normal residents give opera a try. The nonprofit theater company will be live and in-person for “Opera Under the Stars” at 7:30 p.m. June 29…

Reposted from The Pantagraph By Lenore Sobota; Photos by Lewis Marien and David Proeber BLOOMINGTON — Illinois Wesleyan University is having its first Youth Esports and Leadership Camp this summer. The IWU Language School for Kids also is returning this summer in person after being virtual last summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Language School…

By Michele Evans, Grants & Communications Director On Saturday, May 1, about 50 senior citizens gathered at the Replex in LeRoy for the 4th Annual Living Well Senior Prom.   After having to cancel the 2020 Senior Prom because of COVID-19 restrictions, attendees were eager for the chance to gather and socialize after receiving their…

BLOOMINGTON — Children from pre-K to fifth grade have the opportunity to learn French and Spanish language and culture this summer through the Illinois Wesleyan University Language School for Kids (LSK). LSK classes will meet in the Buck Memorial Library or on IWU’s quad, when weather permits, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 2:30…

Reposted from The Pantagraph By Lyndsay Jones; Photos by David Proeber BLOOMINGTON — A “matter of milliseconds.” That’s how Carol Kalmes, 74, describes the process of snagging an appointment for the COVID vaccine online. It’s something Kalmes, a retired teacher, learned through trial and error — a learning process she feels lucky to have navigated,…

Reposted from The Pantagraph By Sierra Henry; Photos by David Proeber TOWANDA — Valerie Gray Beguin still remembers those garbage bags. Working for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, it was her job to help kids get out of abusive and neglectful households. Sometimes it would be six children at a time. In…

Reposted from The Pantagraph By Paul Swiech BLOOMINGTON — Thirty-one McLean County young leaders, two teams, two nonprofit advocate organizations (including IPCF’s Youth Engaged in Philanthropy group) and two adult mentors have been nominated for service awards sponsored by the nonprofit organization, For A Better Tomorrow. Nominees will be honored at the organization’s annual Why I See You…