If you would like to place a flyer insert into our February issue of Inside Vermilion County, please bring 560 copies to Vermilion Advantage. The cutoff date will be January 25. Thank you!
“Marcia Keys makes our community a better place in so many ways.” This statement couldn’t be truer after interviewing this week’s IYW. From winning an award for being a good student in the 8th grade to working at the prison to starting a non-profit, Marcia has spent her life as a servant in Vermilion County.
Marcia was born and raised in Danville along with her 8 siblings. She attended St. Patrick’s (which is now Holy Family) through 8th grade and graduated from Danville High School. She moved to Georgetown at the age of 18 and has been there ever since. Marcia along with her husband, Richard, and their combined 8 children and several grandchildren have always considered it home.
Marcia started her 12-year career at Lee’s Famous Recipe and in 1986 got hired at the Illinois Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. She did that for almost 2 years, then went to food service, and was then fortunate enough to be the assistant for the food service operation for 3 years. She eventually was promoted to the Food Service Administrator and did that from 1994 until she retired in 2016. “It was an awesome experience at the prison. I thought it was such a rewarding opportunity. I felt like I was a servant trying to make the lives of the incarcerated better while they were there: uplifting them, loving them, and not judging them,” Mrs. Keys said. She recalls several inmates who have since been released who have told her that she made a difference in their lives. “That’s worth it all. When you find out what you did naturally just being yourself, treating them with compassion and understanding: we gave them hope and made them feel like they were somebody.”
After retirement, Marcia was charged by a friend to start a non-profit after seeing her and her husband do so much for the community. After much encouragement to magnify what they were already doing, she started up the 501c organization called Over the Rainbow Ministries, after her late mother’s favorite song. They assist people in the community to meet whatever the needs may be. They have given money to other non-profits, provided transportation, car repair, anonymous payment for gas at the pump, and so on through their ministry. “We try to meet the needs of people as God directs us to. We don’t necessarily go searching for people: God sends them to us. His desire is to show His love through us.”
You may catch Marcia and Richard out in the community running errands with her siblings, checking on her father-in-law’s farm, or attending New Life Church of Faith, where Marcia is spearheading the upcoming grocery store in Heavenly Square. They also put together care packages for the homeless that Chief Yates distributes to police officers to hand out as they see fit.
“I can only do what I do because of God and because of my husband, who is my best friend. Jesus wants us to love people through the bad stuff. If you treat somebody as if they’ve never sinned, that’s the love of God.”
Thank you, Marcia, for your faith, compassion, generosity, and giving heart that you bless Vermilion County with daily.
You may send donations for Over the Rainbow Ministries, LLC to 305 W. 9th Street, Georgetown, IL 61846.
Vermilion Advantage News
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
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).
Leadership Tomorrow Class 33 Graduation – see news release here
The City of Danville would like to congratulate their Exterior Decorating Contest Winners!
People’s Choice Awards:
1 Place: 2323 N Vermilion
2 Place: 2501 Northview
3 Place: 1622 Franklin
City’s Choice Awards:
1 Place: 1428 May
2 Place: 1517 Eastview
3 Place: 308 Delaware
Congratulations to Nichole Lesko – new owner of Iron Mike’s Bar & Grill located at 2511 Georgetown Road! Monday, December 19th, Nichole cut the ribbon with Vermilion Advantage CEO, Tim Dudley, Chamber Director, Nicole Van Hyfte, and community supporters for their grand opening at 2pm. Festivities will continue throughout
this evening with Catlin Crozier playing from 4-6 pm, a drawing for a
Blackstone Grill and Air Fryer Combo at 6pm, and Karaoke with
Insomnia DJ & Karaoke from 7-10pm.
Regular hours will be 7 days a week from 10am-midnight with specials happening every day. To see all that there is to offer at Iron Mike’s Bar & Grill, visit www.facebook.com/IronMikesBarGrill.
Health Care Announcements
OSF HealthCare has added a new pediatric physician to its team at the OSF Medical Group office in Danville to better serve the community of Danville and surrounding areas.
The addition of Luis Garcia Tillan, MD, offers increased access for patients in need of pediatric care at the
OSF Medical Group office at 707 North Logan Avenue.
He earned a Bachelor of Science from IPVCE José Martí Pérez and a medical degree from Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago in Cuba. Dr. Garcia Tillan completed his pediatric residency at San Juan City Hospital in Puerto Rico.
Whether you are a new patient to OSF or an existing patient, appointments for pediatric care with Dr. Garcia Tillan can be made by calling (217) 477-4716. To learn more about Dr. Garcia Tillan, visit osfhealthcare.org.
OSF Pediatrics offers care from infancy through the teenage years – see flyer here
Crosspoint Human Services Offers Mental Health & Psychiatric Services – see news release here
Rosecrance “On You Radar” Podcast – See “Trauma and Crisis Close to Home” episode here
Education Announcements
DACC Corporate Education 2023 Training Opportunities – see flyer here
Vermilion County Park Building & Shelter Rentals for 2023 – see news release here
Luxe Lift Aesthetics & Women’s Wellness is moving at the first of the year! Check out their new location 612 N Logan Avenue, Unit B in Danville
Healthy Prep Meal Service – A Gift for Tomorrow – see flyer here
City of Danville CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance Grant Program – 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 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 13 Laugh Till you Scream Comedy Show at the Fischer Theatre – see flyer here
January 14 Bricks and Ivy Sports is hosting a Huge Fighting Illini Signing Event – see flyer here – *Please note the Skyy Clark portion has been cancelled*
January 27-29 & February 3-5 Red Mask Players Present Humble Boy – see flyer here
January 20 Encounter Yoga Faith a Free Community Event – see flyer here
February 11 Bricks and IVy Sports is hosing an autograph signing with Chicago Cubs World Series Champion Manager Joe Maddon – 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
Boxcar Books and Vinyl Event Calendar – see upcoming events here
Boxcar Books and VInyl – See most antiicpated reads of January 2023 here
Boxcar Books and Vinyl invite you to the 2023 Audio Challenge – see details here
Friday Dinner served 5:00PM-7:00PM with options of beer battered fish, shrimp, and a variety of sandwiches
Big Thorn Farm & Brewery:
Bar Hours: Friday 3:00-9:00PM, Saturday Noon-9:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM–4:00PM
Enjoy our delicious craft beer, great food, and one-of-a-kind Greenhouse Bar setting. This is a heated, outdoor venue, so dress in layers! No reservations are required.
Danville Boat Club: (15750 Boat Club Road)
January 15 Boat Club Breakfast Buffet 9:00AM-1:00PM. Menu includes biscuits & gravy, casserole eggs, bacon & sausage links, pancakes, potatoes, bread pudding & fruit.
Big Burger Tuesday Members & Invited Guest- Doors Open at 5 orders taken starting at 5:30PM: Several burger, shrimp, and chicken options.
Thursday Lunch Open to the Public 11:00AM-2:00PM; Hot Bar – Chicken Stir Fry and White Rice – $10. Burgers with Chips or fries, Chicken Fingers/Wings, shrimp and salad bar all available.
Danville Farmer’s Market: (First Presbyterian Church 100 N. Franklin, Danville)
February 4
March 4
April 1
Hours are 10:00AM-2:00PM
Fischer Theatre:
January 12 at 7:00M Narnia – The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
January 13 at 7:30PM Laugh Til’ You Scream for a Good Cause! Enjoy stand-up comedy at the Historic Fischer Theatre and also support Arts In The Park! Join local comedian and host of this party Chris Hightower as he features Rob Mayfield and headlines Adam Burke
January 19 at 7:00PM The Goonies and $1.00 Popcorn!
January 20 at 7:00PM Doctor Zhivago
January 21 at 7:00PM Lightyear
January 26 at 7:00PM Spider-Man No Way Home
January 27 at 7:00PM Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
There will be no Friday night cook this Friday due to installation practice. We will return with the Friday night cook next Friday.
Sleepy Creek Vineyards:
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.
January 13: 6:30PM-8:30Pm Live Music Series with The Nightcaps
January 14: 8:00pm-10:00PM After Dark Music Series with Blue Iris
January 15: 3:00PM-5:00PM Live Music Series with Marc Chenoweth
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.
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