HEYWORTH - Heyworth's celebration of the town's 150th birthday will last beyond this May. Although the sesquicentennial will revolve around official events scheduled for May 15-21, the town hopes to make memories last decades out with a time capsule.

The sesquicentennial committee wants items for the capsule, which actually will be an air-tight funeral vault donated by Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home of Heyworth. The capsule will be buried this fall (probably during homecoming week) at Centennial Park.

"Basically, we want small things people might want to put in, and it will be opened in 50 years," said committee member Deb Elderton. "Maybe a newspaper, a coin, a letter."

Items should be non-perishables. Submissions can be brought to City Hall.

Steak dinner

A newly announced fund-raiser is a rib-eye steak dinner, which will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 22 at the American Legion hall. Cost is $9 for adults and $4.50 for children 12 and younger for a rib-eye steak, baked potato, green beans, salad, dessert and drink. Carry-outs will be available for an extra 50 cents per dinner.

Proceeds will benefit the sesquicentennial celebration.

Items for sale

Elderton said the $15 cookbook is in its second printing of 500, and continues to sell well. She added, however, several other items also are for sale.

"I don't think people are aware of the Heyworth flag. Also, the throws are awesome, pretty and very unique," she said, pointing out the blankets include images of notable Heyworth buildings both past and present.

There is also an ornament for sale. The 2006 ornament features the Heyworth railroad depot, and is available for $10. A limited number of 2005 ornaments featuring the old high school are also for sale.

Other items for sale include the 2006 ad book ($2), postcard collection ($8), note card sets ($5), and the 13-month calendar (currently $8, but soon to be discounted).

Schedule of events

The schedule of events for the sesquicentennial is nearly finished:

May 13 Citywide garage sales.

May 15 Community hamburger and hot dog dinner; family games; contests; potato sack races; cake walk.

May 16 Community grilled chicken dinner; Chatauqua; Zoot Song and Dance Company.

May 17 Carnival rides; ceremony honoring veterans; 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band.

May 18 Community barbecue dinner; carnival rides; Cattle Bandits (country music).

May 19 Carnival rides; Rick Roy and McLean County Country Opry Band.

May 20 5K race; merchants' tent; parade; petting zoo; carnival rides; classic tractor drive; classic tractor show; fireworks (set to music).

Entertainment National anthem and local entertainment; John Rapp; Sister Groove.

May 21 Community church service; community rib-eye lunch; Homeward Bond; carnival rides; Sounds of Illinois; Soul Real.