If you would like to place a flyer insert into our January issue of Inside Vermilion County, please bring 550 copies to Vermilion Advantage. Due to the holidays the cutoff date will be December 22,2022
This week’s IYW takes a dive into the Hoopeston Pool and the woman who spearheaded the campaign to keep it up and running: Kristi Hudson.
Kristi was born and raised in Hoopeston where her and her husband have raised their two boys, Sam, and Sean. She received her bachelor’s degree in Anatomy from the University of Illinois and came back to Hoopeston to be a massage therapist. After 20 years of that career, she decided to make a change, studied occupational therapy at Parkland Community College and began to work for Vermilion Association for Special Education (VASE) in Vermilion County schools.
In 2021, Kristi was hired to manage the Hoopeston Pool and with the support of the group “Save the Hoopeston Pool”, she was tasked with improving the image, attendance, and finances of the pool. “Once the city was convinced to keep the pool open, the group changed its name to ‘Hoopeston Aquatics Coalition’ (HAC) to better express our purpose.” Kristi serves as president of the group. They are now raising money for pool improvements.
Kristi was able to rally local businesses such as AMBUCS, Hoopeston Rotary, The Pump, and other individuals, to help purchase an ADA approved staircase so that people of all abilities can easily enter the pool. They have revived private and group lessons, started water exercise classes, offered evening parties and special hours for teens, adults, women, and family hours. They have hosted community days offering a buy one, get one entry for people of different communities in Vermilion County. Last summer, they were able to reopen the concession stand after several years and have big plans for next summer. “I hope to get a volleyball league going, and we would love to find someone to resurrect the swim team!”
Last October, HAC introduced the inaugural “Boo at the Pool”. Along with the Hoopeston Women’s Club and members of the high school marching band, they transformed the pool into a maze and haunted scenes that over 800 people enjoyed.
Kristi has previously served on the board of Keep Vermilion County Beautiful and started a Hoopeston group called Trash Walkers who met weekly to pick up litter. She loves where she lives and says, “I love living in a town with access to grocery, seven restaurants, a pharmacy, banks, gasoline, swimming pool, mini golf, bowling alley, barber, chiropractor, doctors’ offices, all within ¼ miles from my house, and my backyard being in the country with corn or soybeans every summer” about Hoopeston. “I love living in a community where strangers collect clothes and goods for a family who lost their home to a fire or where someone passes on a couple of $100 bills because they hear someone is having a rough holiday season or where people send boxes and boxes of food and supplies to a food cupboard or animal shelter.”
We thank you, Kristi, for all you do throughout Vermilion County and for all the love you pour into the Hoopeston community.
Vermilion Advantage News
Vermilion Advantage News
BIGG Tip
What’s the Secret to Overcoming All Odds?
A bright shining star. Your vision of BIGG success lights your way three ways. (1) Perspective – Little things roll off you when you see the BIGG picture. (2) Fixed point of reference – You can’t control everything, but your response is clearer with a constant long-term goal. (3) Internal reserve – External forces create doubt. Your star provides comfort on your journey to BIGG success! Get more tips from BIGG Success here.
Community Tours
We can help with your Professional Recruitment and/or Short- or Long-Term Rental Needs – Vermilion Advantage can help our members with professional recruitment by taking your new employees or employment candidates on a (free) Community Tour. We can also help your current or new employees with rental referrals – we keep a word-of-mouth list of available home and apartment rentals, also including some furnished short-term corporate rentals, that the public may not be aware of through other channels. In addition, we have some lovely extended-stay hotel suite options. And, if you have professional rental properties coming available, make sure Nicole has your property on her list! Questions? Call Nicole at 217-442-6201 or email her at nvanhyfte@vermilionadvantage.com.
APPI Energy
Data-Driven Procurement and Consulting For 23 years, APPI Energy has remained a trusted name as the preferred provider of energy consulting services for 158 trade associations and chambers of commerce including Vermilion Advantage. We provide our clients with recommendations designed to save time, reduce expenses, and create budget certainty during the energy procurement process. Find out more at www.appienergy.com.
Jobs
Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit – see news release here
Vermilion Advantage Job Board – For current, local job opportunities posted directly by employers, please see the Vermilion County Jobs Board at www.vermilionadvantage.com/job-board – Vermilion Advantage is Vermilion County, Illinois’ electronic resource for career and occupational opportunities, employer profiles, career information, K-16 education programs and partnerships in our area. Learn more about local training through Danville Area Community College and other local training resources. It’s all here. If you need help to be set up as a user on our Vermilion County Jobs Board page to post job openings, please contact Vermilion Advantage at 217-442-6201.
All A’s/Achievements
Share Your Stories & “All A’s” – These Member Announcements & the Inside Vermilion County magazine are here to help you share your stories & your “Awards, Achievements, and Accolades” for your business or your employees. Everyone has a story – successes, challenges, great employees, there are good stories about every one of your businesses that you can share with the community. Please tell us your story by email at contact@vermilionadvantage.com or contact us at 217-442-6201.
Leadership Tomorrow Class 33 Graduation – see news release here
Watchfire Signs sponsors Route 1 Robotics in the community (First Lego League) and their elementary/middle school team just scored well enough to participate in state competition at the end of January. The team is coached by Watchfire employees Scott Ohlmiller (head coach) and Ashley Harrier (assistant coach).
Education Announcements
DACC Corporate Education 2022-2023 Training Opportunities – see flyer here
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee is now accepting applications until December 9th for the MLK Scholarship – see news release here
Healthy Prep Meal Service – A Gift for Tomorrow – see flyer here
Downtown Danville Parking for the Holiday Season – see news release here
City of Danville CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance Grant Program – see news release here
The Citizens Police Academy is a free opportunity to take a unique look at your Police Department – see news release here
Illinois Housing Development Association’s Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) is a court-based rental assistance program for people who are facing eviction and are in court proceeding – see program information here
The Salvation Army is in need of Volunteer Bell Ringers – see flyer here
A successful Christmas Season is vital to The Salvation Army – see flyer here
The Salvation Army of Vermilion County Partners with Burlington & Delivering Good – see news release here
Red Mask Players 2022-2023 Sponsorship Opportunities – see flyer here
DLO Invites you to become a 2022-2023 Season Member – see flyer here
DLO would like your support – see support opportunities here; see ad flyer here
DSO 2022-2023 Concert Season Program Ad Opportunity – see flyer here
Free Holiday Light Display at Bunker Hill Historic Area at Kennekuk County Park 5:00PM-8:00PM Nightly through December 31
December 14 The Rat Pack Christmas Party Benefit at VRBC – see flyer here
December 15 Tom Grassman at VRBC 5:30PM-7:30PM
December 16 Ugly Sweater Party at Turtle Run – see flyer here
December 17 Come See Santa and Super Penguin – see flyer here
December 18 DSO Present The Nutcracker – see flyer here
December 18 Danville Country Club’s Brunch with Santa – see flyer here
December 21 DCC Christmas Cocktail Party – see flyer here
The University of Illinois Extension Office in Vermilion County will offer Online Master Gardener Training Classes at end of January 2023 – see training information here
January 6 First Friday Event: Fire & Ice free family event a the David S. Palmer Arena – see news release here; see flyer here
January 14 Bricks and Ivy Sports is hosting a Huge Fighting Illini Signing Event – see flyer here
February 11 Neuoff Media Home & Auto Show – If you would like your business to be a part of this event please click here
Danville Public Library – see upcoming events here
Bar Hours: Friday 3:00-9:00PM, Saturday Noon-9:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM–4:00PM
December 16-17: 3:00PM-9:00PM Join us for our annual Winter Solstice celebration, Winter Welcome! We’ll be releasing farm-only draft and bottles of our hefty Winter warmer, named for the occasion. Hot soup, mulled cider, and a special surprise, THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING. A vertical tasting of three Winter Welcome vintages that we’ve been patiently aging in our cellar: 2019, 2021, and 2022. Taste them side-by-side and decide which is your favorite!
Danville Boat Club:
Tuesdays: Members & Invited Guests Big Burger Tuesdays, Doors open at 5:00PM, Food orders begin at 5:30PM. Big burgers with fries $10 several burger, shrimp and chicken options. Burger with chips $9.
Thursday Lunch: Hot bar $10 Ham and Beans, Corn Bread & Fruit. Big Burger with fries $10 or Burger with Chips $9. Several burger, shrimp, and chicken options
Danville Farmer’s Market: (First Presbyterian Church 100 N. Franklin, Danville)
February 4
March 4
April 1
Hours are 10:00AM-2:00PM
Danville V.F.W. Post #728:
Sundays: Bingo at 2:00PM.
Fischer Theatre:
December 15: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 7:00OPM
December 16&17: It’s A Wonderful Life at 2:00PM & 7:00PM ( A portion of ticket sales will be contributed locally to The Salvation Army)
Mondays: Yoga & Wine with Linda every Monday; Doors open at 5:30PM Class begins at 6:00PM, Cost is $10
Tuesdays: Yoga & Wine with Mandy every Tuesday; Doors open at 5:30PM Class begins at 6:00PM, Cost is $10.
December 16: Holly Jolly Ugly Sweater Party with DreamCatchers 6:30PM-8:30PM
December 17: North Pole Naughtiness – Murder Mystery Dinner 6:00PM
December 18: Zach Dable Trio Live 2:00PM-5:00PM
Sundays: Winey Mary Bar Every Sunday Noon-6:00PM
Sleepy Creek Hours: Sunday-Tuesday Noon-6:00PM; Wednesday-Thursday-Saturday Noon-7:00PM & Friday Noon-9:00PM. Please visit our Facebook page at Sleepy Creek Vineyards or online at www.sleepycreekvineyards.com for updates
Turtle Run:
Wednesdays: Queen of Hearts Drawing – see info here & see the winning pot each week on Facebook.
December 16: Ugly Sweater Party
Westville American Legion Post 51:
Wednesdays: Queen of Hearts Drawing at 7:00PM. Tickets $1.00.
Thursdays: Tacos/Nachos with Bob Schifo from 5:30-7:30PM
American Legion Post 210:
Friday Dinner served 5:00PM-7:00PM with options of beer battered fish, shrimp, and a variety of sandwiches