Vermilion Advantage is looking for an Office Assistant – see job 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
DANVILLE — The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Danville Area Community College by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 – see news release here
DACC Celebrates Community College Month IHSA ESports Sectional Tournament – see news release here
Erich Hannah named Ambucs 90th First Citizen – see news release here
Healthcare
OSF Healthcare: Healthy Workplace Newsletter – see Spring edition here
Healthcare
Amanda Thoennes, Behavioral Health APRN Joins OSF Healthcare in Danville – see news release here
Education
Project Success: Help Save Afterschool Program for 12,000 Students in Illinois – see flyer here
Illinois Small Business Center at DACC – see upcoming classes & training events here
District 118 Fine Arts – save the date for the April 29 Fine Arts Festival!
DACC Courses & Trainings:
DACC Introduces an Ingenious New Program: The Engineering Hybrid – see news release here
May 23 Open House: Advance Your Career In Early Childhood Education – see flyer here
Deadlines to Apply for DACC Summer and Fall 2023 Health Career Programs – see details here
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
Sam & Rachel George
“Thank you to Danville.” – Rachel George
Sam and Rachel George are inspirational members of the Danville community, from creating small businesses that bring people together, to continuing to be an inspiration through tremendous grief; they are leaders and a light in Danville. Both of them come from religious backgrounds and have strong core values about the importance of serving their community. Sam is from Seattle Washington, and moved to the Vermillion County area when he was ten years old. Rachel is from Oak Park, Illinois, and moved to Champaign County for school where she attended the University of Illinois along with Sam.
They were married in 2009, and moved into the Danville area shortly after that. Now they stay because of the home they have built here. Danville was not their first choice, but it quickly became their favorite! They appreciate that Danville is affordable, there are many outdoor activities in the warmer months, and it is a great place to raise their family. They both enjoy being outside during the spring and summer, so the activities at Kickapoo and Kennekuk are something that they love taking advantage of. Sam said, “It is easier to live here and be able to take trips to Chicago or New York because Danville is so affordable.” Both Sam and Rachel’s parents moved to the area in their retirement. Rachel stated, “We can’t leave now… We dragged everyone here after all.”
In 2014, Sam and Rachel had the idea to make a communal space that people can study, hangout, or just exist in. This came from Sam having to study one night at a McDonald’s and a sports team came in after a game. It was so loud he could not focus on his studies. However, there was not anywhere else to study because all of the coffee shops in Danville closed earlier in the day, so they opened Mad Goat Coffee and it took off from there. In the first years of opening, they had two great losses in their family. Winnie and Clive are two of their children that left this world too soon. It was then that Sam and Rachel had realized what a large and supportive community they had in Danville. The love that was shown to their family was unmatched. The energy they received from people showed Rachel that many others were facing similar situations and she wrote her book Grieve, Create, Believe – Process Your Loss with Intention and Truth. It was something that she felt a push from God to do, and while talking with Sam and Rachel that seemed to be a common thread.
Everything they have done for Danville and in their lives in general always circles back to their faith. The George’s reflect that, “Opening Mad Goat south, Mad Goat north, and partnering to reopen Royal Donut… it was not planned it just happened. Nine years ago when opening the original Mad Goat, we never thought it would turn into this.” Because of their faith, they both serve their community the way they are called to. Whether it is to open a coffee shop where everyone feels welcome, supporting their church, or even volunteering at their children’s school; they always do the right thing.
Sam and Rachel George are kind, giving, and supportive people and they are another reason why Danville is such a great place to call home. The community they have created through bringing Mad Goat to Danville is unmatched. There have been relationships started, friendships rekindled, dreams shared, families grieving, and friends celebrating at Mad Goat. This is a dream fulfilled for Sam and Rachel.
By Erin Gregory
To nominate someone who inspires you, click below!
BIGG Tip of the Week: Too Busy? Here’s the Likely Culprit…
We think we’ll miraculously be less busy in the future. When it becomes the present, we’re shocked that we’re overcommitted…again. Avoid this trap with one simple question: If you had to do it tomorrow, would you still say “Yes?” If you don’t have time now, chances are you won’t have time later. Say “No” to make your schedule more manageable! For more tips from BIGG Success, click here.
Doug Ireland – Prudential Advisors
Market volatility can be stressful, but it’s also an opportunity to reassess your long-term investment goals. Contact me at 217-516-7778 or doug.ireland@prudential.com to schedule a review today!
City of Danville is excited to continue its efforts to preserve, maintain and replace its roads in 2023 – see news release here
City of Danville CDBG-CV Small Business Assistance Grant Program – see news release here
Danville Dans Looking to Give Back to Community – see news release here
Monyok Leadership Introduces The Lab: The Lab is an exclusive monthly leadership innovation experience for organizations serious about inspiring and innovating with their leaders.
Leadership Tomorrow is seeking sponsors for The Amazing Race – see flyer 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
Need Help Finding & Affording Quality Child Care? Child Care Resource Service is here to help – see flyer here; see who we are and what we do here; see higher educational navigator flyer here
May is National Photography month and we want to celebrate by showcasing some of our area talent.
The Danville Public Library, the Fischer Theatre and a number of downtown businesses are clearing some space to host both amateurs and professionals behind the lens for a month long walking tour.
A printable map will be posted in the event discussion once details are finalized.
Additionally, the Danville Public Library will be getting into spirit with a special photography section of books.
Look for additional pop-up events and opportunities throughout the month.
And it’s not too late to participate. Interested Business Hosts and Photographers alike can contact Peter Blackmon with the Foundation at 217-477-5220 Ext 114 or by email at peter@danvillelibraryfoundation.org.
Brought to you in part by the Danville Public Library, the Danville LIbrary Foundation and First Fridays in Downtown Danville.
Upcoming Member Events
April 27 Child Abuse Awareness Conference – see flyer here – see agenda here
April 28 You’re Invited to Celebrate Women’s Care Clinic – see flyer here
April 28 & 29 Gregory’s Academy of the Arts present The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – see details here
April 29 Health Alliance Medicare Moments at the Little Lorraine Theater – see flyer here
April 29 Boys & Girls Club of Danville Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser – see flyer here
April 29 Join Boxcar Books & Vinyl for Independent Bookstore Day – see flyer here
April 29 Crafts & Tea for Mom & Me at the Vermilion County Fairgrounds – see flyer here
April 29 Bird Identification Program at Kennekuk Education Center – see flyer here
April 30 A Teddy Bear Tea Party at the Danville Boat Club – see flyer here
May 15 Free May Adult Craft: Painted Gnome Planter – see flyer here
May 19, 20, & 21 DLO Performs, Seussical, at The Fischer Theater – see details here
Local Sponsors Needed – DLO Musical Theatre production of Seussical the Musical is hoping to do another giveaway full of local goodies. We love supporting small businesses in the area and are looking for donations for a big gift basket
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
April 28 – April 30 Mash-C Farms Burger Meltdown featuring Mash-C Farms Livestock LLC beef from Ridge Farm, Illinois! See menu here
In addition to being all-around great people and producing tasty beef, MASH-C Farms has a super easy online ordering system. Pick your butcher date, place your deposit, and pick up from the butcher when it’s ready: www.mashcfarms.com
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!
Fridays: Wieners & Wine Friday 5:00PM-8:00PM
April 28 6:30PM-8:30PM Live music with Mike and Jess
April 30 3:00PM-5:00PM Live Music Series with Stuart Smith Solo
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
Fridays: fish fillet dinners and Bill’s seafood chowder will be served from 5:00PM-8:00PM/ Dine in and carry-outs available
Sundays: Family bingo every Sunday promptly at 2:00PM. Children are welcome, but be 18 years of age to play. A Sunday lunch special and a variety of sandwiches and snack foods are available.
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
