NEWS IN BRIEF

First Book board selects winners

BLOOMINGTON — The First Book McLean County advisory board has announced book grant awards to six literacy programs that serve children in need in McLean County.

Receiving a total of 6,926 books are Bloomington Day Care Center Inc.; Project Oz Youth Book Club; Bloomington-Normal Family Literacy Program; Heartland Head Start; The Baby Fold; and LeRoy Right Start.

Each child served by these organizations will receive one book per month for a year, enabling them to start their own home libraries. These grants, worth more than $17,000, will provide books to 732 children.

Back to School party set Thursday

NORMAL — The Back to School Party will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Horton Field House, Illinois State University.

It is hosted by University of Illinois Extension, State Farm Insurance Cos. , Illinois State University, Country Insurance & Financial Services, CEFCU, Interstate Theatres II and volunteers.

The event will feature food, music, informational tables, and games. Free backpacks full of basic school supplies will be given to all students who have completed school registration and acquired the proper immunizations and physicals. Proof will be needed to receive the school supplies.

Organizers work with McLean County school officials to identify students who qualify for participation. For more information, call (309) 663-8306.

Labor Day parade planned for Sept. 3

BLOOMINGTON — “Save the American Dream” is the theme for this year’s Bloomington Labor Day parade, which begins at at 10 a.m. Sept. 3.

The parade will begin at Center and Madison streets, proceed west on Front Street to Lee Street, south on Lee to Wood Street and west on Wood to Miller Park.

A picnic for union members follows at the Miller Park Pavilion. A $3 raffle ticket per person is the admission price.

To join the parade, register with the Trades & Labor Assembly. Call (309) 828-8813 for a form and parade rules.

Recorder, others make election bids

OTTAWA — LaSalle County Recorder Tom Lyons will seek a fourth term in the November 2008 elections. Also seeking election are three people who want the new post of elected county board chairman.

Democrat Jerry Hicks, of Marseilles, who is the current chairman, and Republicans Steve Carlson of Mendota and Randy Freeman of Lostant will seek the new position. Previous chairmen were selected by a majority of the county board.

Vrooman open house to aid group

BLOOMINGTON — The owners of the Vrooman Mansion, 701 E. Taylor St., Bloomington, will open their bed and breakfast and hospitality establishment to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 23 with proceeds to benefit the Old House Society Foundation.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (309) 820-0548. Deadline is Thursday.

Pam and Dana Kowalewski own and operate the 1869 house, which was doubled in size in 1900 and now has 35 rooms. The event is $10 per person and includes appetizers and wine.

For details, visit www.oldhousesociety.org.

NEWS IN BRIEF

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