Area Headlines

West Salem Grade School will hold its annual Valentine Dance Friday night, with crowning of the Queen and King slated for 7 p.m. in the gym. The public is invited to attend coronation. The 2012 candidates include, Front (L-R) Katelin Adams, Kali Weisenberger, Sadie Marks and Maddy McKinney; Back: TJ Smerdon, Maverick Troyer, Roy Johnson and Jacob Keortge.

A very special evening is being planned for Tuesday, February 14, and proceeds from the event will be donated to Linda Oxby. Oxby, the vollleyball coach and athletic director at ECHS, is battling cancer. The evening will feature a chili supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the ECHS cafeteria, and will conclude with the Albion Grade School Lady Lions taking on Grayville in volleyball action. Due to a large crowd being anticipated, the volleyball matches will be played in the ECHS gym. Both teams will be wearing pink that night, and the community is asked to wear pink as well. The 6th grade match will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the 7th grade match slated to start at 6:30. The 8th grade match will follow. The chili supper is being sponsored by the Edwards County schools and volleyball teams. Organizers are seeking donations from both businesses and individuals to help make the evening as successful as possible. Anyone willing to make a monetary donation or donate ingredients for the meal is asked to contact the Albion Grade School office at 445-2325 or 445-2327. The menu for the evening includes chli, crackers, peanut butter sandwich, carrots, cheese, dessert and drink. The cost for the meal will be a free will donation. Carryouts will be available. Organizers are also asking those who plan to attend to reserve their plate by calling the AGS office. In order to prepare enough meals, a preliminary head count is necessary. Please contact AGS by Wednesday, February 8 to reserve your plate for this very special evening. Special shirts are also being made for the event. The shirts will be hot pink, and will feature a white logo that says, “Beat the Ball for Oxby! Right Here! Right Now!” Shirts are available in youth and adult sizes. Youth and regular adult sizes are $10 each. XXL shirts are $12 and XXXL shirts are $13. Shirts are being sold through TJ Marche, and orders must be placed by Friday, February 3. Call TJ Marche at 445-2314 for more information.

COUNTRY Financial Representative Steven Thomson of West Salem, Illinois has earned a position on the insurance group’s distinguished All American team. Thomson is among a select group of top COUNTRY agency managers and financial representatives who qualified for the award. COUNTRY has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 14 states. All American is awarded each year by COUNTRY to agency managers and financial representatives who have excelled in identifying insurance products and financial solutions that fit the needs of their clients. Agency managers and financial representatives who receive the award provide outstanding service to their clients. Thomson serves clients from his office at 107 East North Street in West Salem. The office phone number is 618-456-2309.

Wabash Valley College will provide one last chance for local real estate license holders to upgrade to the new license levels. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY: Class Dates: February 13, 14, 15, 16, 2012 Times: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Central Time State Exam: Last night of class, February 16, 2012 Location: Lawrenceville High School Instructor: Dave Craske (618-943-5781) You must pre-register with Wabash Valley College, 1-866-982-4322. To register, refer to course BMG 1211 62292. You must arrange for a textbook prior to the start of class. You may either buy one from the WVC Campus Store or borrow one from someone who has taken the class. You need the Broker to Managing Broker book. The books are the same for both license tests. Attendance for the class is optional, but you should attend the first night to get test rules for Thursday’s test. Please note this is not CE credit. This is only for those individuals who have not upgraded their licenses. WVC will do CE early in 2012. Special note to current upgraded license holders: If you have not processed your new license after taking the test, you must do that before starting your CE class in 2012. You must have your new license number to receive CE credit for the 2012-2014 renewal.

Mon., Feb. 6: Beef Cabbage Casserole, Potatoes, Peas, Corn bread, Pudding
Tues., Feb. 7: Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Corn, WW roll, Fruit
Wed., Feb. 8: Vegetable Soup, Cheese Slices, Crackers, Salad, Pudding
Thurs., Feb. 9: Chicken Livers, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Mixed Vegetables, WW roll, Fruit
Fri., Feb. 10: Tuna Salad on WW Bread, Raw Vegetables, Chips, Pudding
All meals meet 1/3 USDA requirements as established by the Food and Nutrition Board. Meals are served with coffee, tea, milk or juice. Suggested donation is $4 for those over 60 and their spouse. Link cards accepted at all centers. Project Director: Phil Blair