Workforce Development needs your feedback! Sponsored survey by State Representative Mike Marron – see survey here
Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit – see news release here
East Central Illinois Community Action Agency is seeking an Energy Coordinator – see details 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.
Honors & Achievements
Internationally renowned author Christopher Dunn (right) met with the Danville Noon Rotary on Mar. 6 to talk about his books on the secret technologies that once operated within Egypt’s pyramids. With the release of his third book impending, Mr. Dunn plans to hold a book launch at the Fischer Theatre. Shown here thanking the Danville author for his presentation is the day’s Sergeant-at-Arms Andy Van Hyfte.
DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College Professor Marcie Wright is the epitome of the community college success story. Initially a high school dropout, Professor Wright actively sought to improve her circumstances through education. Through many years and with a great deal of grit and determination, she eventually climbed to the top of her field and serves as mentor for others. In recognition of her efforts and achievement, DACC has named Marcie Wright their 2023 Distinguished Alumnus and has submitted her for consideration to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for their statewide award of the same name.
We just produced a great #MyDACCStory video about Marcie if you would like to watch it: https://youtu.be/0-TphcnCnss
Healthcare
Amanda Thoennes, Behavioral Health APRN Joins OSF Healthcare in Danville – see news release here
On average there are 123 suicides a day. From 1999-2016 630,000 people died from drug overdose. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. Adults live with a mental illness. Mental Health Training teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders – Want to take the course? See adult flyer here; see youth flyer here
Updates for the next departments moving into Carle at The Riverfront.
Carle Danville on Fairchild and Carle Danville on Vermilion are moving clinical departments to the now open Danville Medical Office Center at The Riverfront.
Carle Danville on Vermilion’s Ambulatory Surgery Center will open at The Riverfront Apr. 3.
All of Carle Danville on Fairchild’s departments have officially moved to their new home at The Riverfront. Patients can speak with their healthcare provider to confirm which location their future appointments will take place.
For more information and the latest information about upcoming moving dates for Carle Fairchild and Vermilion locations, visit Carle.org or call (217) 431-7600.
Education
Illinois Small Business Center at DACC – see upcoming classes & training events here
District 118 Fine Arts – save the date for April 1 Jazz Festival and April 29 for the Fine Arts Festival!
DACC Coordinated Engineering Program – see details here
Child Care Resource Services would like to encourage people to learn about the Grants and Scholarships that are available for Early Childhood and Education -see Higher Education Navigator Flyer here; see Early Childhood DACC flyer here; see ECACE Scholarship flyer here
New Member Alert!
Welcome to Vermilion Advantage SpotOn, The Pump and Be Real Be Humble
Brock Burton
Tell me about yourself:
I was born in Danville in 1973 and have resided in Catlin since that time. I lived in Chicago from 1996 – 2001 but moved back to Catlin after the birth of our first child. I love sports such as golf, basketball, baseball, and football and enjoy traveling. My mother, step-father, and in-laws all still reside in Catlin as well. I have worked in the Golf Industry for 27 years and love that I have the ability to do something different at work on a daily basis if I so choose. I also love the ability to present a product to our members at Danville Country Club that I believe we have improved considerably over the last few years.
Tell me about your family:
I married my wife Carrie Burton (Smoot) in September of 1999, and we have 4 boys – Mason (21), Sebastian (18), Cooper (15), and Rowan (11). Mason currently attends Eastern Illinois University where he has one semester remaining in Education (History). Sebastian is a Senior at Salt Fork High School, Cooper is a Freshman at Salt Fork High School, and Rowan is a 5th Grader at Salt Fork North Elementary. I have a brother (Colby Burton) who is 2 years my elder who resides in Las Vegas and works as an Accountant. I also have a sister-in-law (Ashley Smoot) who resides in Catlin along with her boys Braxton, Fletcher, and Brooks Clem and works as a teacher in District 118. My mother and stepfather Roxie Burton (Robinson) and Jim Robinson, in-law’s Kevin and Teresa Smoot all reside in Catlin.
Did you go to school here?
Graduated from Catlin in 1991
What jobs have you had, and have currently?
Started out in the golf industry doing my internship and becoming the Second Assistant Superintendent at Bryn Mawr Country Club in Lincolnwood, Il (Chicago), then moved on to be the First Assistant Superintendent at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Il (Chicago). Moved home and was offered the job at Harrison Park Golf Course and the City of Danville as the Golf Course Superintendent. During my 19 years with the City I also held the titles of Golf Course General Manager and Parks and Public Facilities Manager. In July of 2021, I accepted a position of General Manager at Danville Country Club and I currently hold that title.
What boards do you serve on?
Danville Country Club, Vermilion Advantage, and Turfgrass Alumni Association at DACC.
What volunteer opportunities do you participate in?
I enjoy coaching at the youth level and have coached Baseball, and Basketball throughout our kids careers.
What do you love about where you live?
You are able to raise your children in a rural community where it is quiet and peaceful. We still have close friends and a lot of family in the area which has been great for our boys in raising them in a family atmosphere.
What do you do for fun?
Golf, coach, and travel.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I appreciate this opportunity to be nominated and I appreciate the relationship that I and Danville Country Club have developed with Vermilion Advantage over the last 2 years. I believe both organizations are extremely beneficial to the community for multiple reasons and look forward to the continued relationship over the next several years.
To nominate someone who inspires you, click below!
BIGG Tip of the Week: Choose to Have More Money for What You Really Want
Think wants, needs and musts about your money. Musts include food, clothing, shelter and transportation. But you have choices even within this category. Think about a car. It’s a must, but is it reliable transportation or a statement of who you are? The price you pay will be quite different. So before you buy, ask yourself: What else could you spend the money on? Would that make you happier? By consciously weighing your choices against all your options, you’ll have more money for what you really want. It leads to BIGG success! Get more tips from BIGG Success here.
Doug Ireland – Prudential Advisors
Don’t leave your retirement up to luck. Choosing the right plan for you can help you achieve the future you always dreamed of. Contact me at 217-516-7778 or doug.ireland@prudential.com to start the conversation.
Leadership Tomorrow is seeking sponsors for The Amazing Race – see flyer here
City of Danville CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance Grant Program – see news release here
Introducing a New Event Center in Vermilion County called Blue Heron Ranch – see flyer here
Rotary Memorial Way Flag Sales – see details here; see corporate sponsorship form here; see memorial way flag form here
The Three Kings of Peace is offering rewards to help Danville Police bring justice to unsolved homicides – see news release here
SBA Working Capital Disaster Loans for Small Businesses in Illinois Affected by the 2022 Drought – Submit Completed Loan Application no later than April 26 – see news release here; see Fact sheet here
The Lions Club of Danville is collecting used sneakers to be recycled – see news release here
The City of Danville is pleased to announce the incoming of Sonic Drive-In and separate Jimmy John’s – 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
ECICAA Announces the Start of the Energy Assistance Program
Be a voice from Vermilion County community to discuss Early Childhood service needs – see flyer here
Vermilion County Conservation District 2023 Camp Programs – see flyer here; see program registration here
The Vermilion Conservationist Spring 2023 – see here
East Central Illinois Community Action Agency VOCA Newsletter – see April edition here
SAVE THE DATE Vermilion Regional Airport is pleased to announce the return of the very popular “Cheeseburger Night” – see news release here
The City of Danville, along with other agencies such as Vermilion Advantage, is creating a plan to revitalize neighborhoods nearby Carle’s Medical Campus, which is currently being constructed at W. Madison St. and N. Logan Ave. Accordingly, we are seeking to assess the housing and commercial conditions of its surrounding area and understand the needs and desires of our residents.
The survey will take about 5-10 minutes, and the results will be only used for the purpose of the neighborhood plan.
Your opinions will help us to create a better city. If you have any questions, please contact Jun Sohn at jsohn@cityofdanvile.org or 217-431-2873.
Will you help inform our decisions by taking this brief survey?
“We need a minute of your time! Did you know that around 70 people are killed or seriously injured in roadway crashes each year in Vermilion County? Local leaders are studying existing roadway safety needs and your input is valuable in developing strategies to make Vermilion County safer.”
April 7 Wear Blue Day. Show your support for child abuse prevention in a fun and easy way! Wear blue, take a picture, tag it with #GoBlueIllinois, and share it online!
April 7 First Friday HOP Downtown – see flyer here; see press release here
Join us 10:30 am to 4 pm this Sunday, April 9th for an off-grid, Easter celebration!
Families always welcome, dogs are welcome (must remain on leashes), and the weather looks fantastic!
Boxcar Books & Vinyl:
We have a club for that! The Donut Club grades 5-8, The Coffee Club grades 8-12 and the Adult Book Club.
Check out our Rail Mail Book Subscription Boxes. Choose your genre and the number of months you’d like to subscribe and we will ship you a new release book and bookish gifts each month!
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
Wednesday: 12:00PM-7:00PM For a limited time, Wine Down ALL DAY Wednesday. $5 any glass of wine, small slushy, or small sangria. Take a mid-week break to relax and unwind!
April 7: 6:30PM-8:30PM Live Music Series with Jordan & Jill
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.
Vermilion River Beer Company:
Join us Wednesday, April 5, as we officially recognize Survivor Resource Center as our charity of the month, featuring Joyful Bubbles Pilsner and guest bartenders from the Survivor Resource Center!
Tips for the evening will be donated to them on top of $1 per pint sold for the entire month of April.
Music by David Howie
April 6 5:30PM Firsty-Thursday with SASS
April 7 6:00PM Shake an Egg (Josh Pierce Solo)
April 8 7:00PM Tom Grassman Band
April 9 1:00PM 2nd Sunday Salvation Show with Chad Hays
Westville American Legion Post 51:
Wednesdays: Queen of Hearts Drawing at 7:00PM. Tickets $1.00.
Thursday Night Dinners with Bob Schifo – see menu here