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
DACC Names Employees of the Year – see news release here
2023 DACC Graduates – see list here; see commencement here
The Danville NAACP’s “Pandemic Health Navigators” program has received six nominations for Community Health Worker awards from the Illinois Department of Public Health – see news release here
Carle Health Certified as Great Place To Work for 6th Straight Years – see news release here
Greater Illiana Sports Hall of Fame Announces 2023 Inductees – see news release here
Healthcare
OSF Healthcare reopening Danville birthing center in September – see news release here
OSF Healthcare: Healthy Workplace Newsletter – see Spring edition here
OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart to Open New Wound Clinic – 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
DACC Courses & Trainings:
DACC College for Kids Summer 2023 Camp – see news release here
DACC Adult Educational Summer 2023 Classes – see news release 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
Merrit Spicer
“I want to live a long, happy life. I want to look back at my life and see that I did something good.” –Merrit Spicer
Merrit is a Danville native; she was born and raised in the city, and only left for a couple of years when she studied ultrasound in Indianapolis. She went to Cannon Elementary and East Park Junior High, finally graduating in 1984 from Danville High School. When they tore Cannon Elementary down she saved a couple of bricks because her grandfather laid the first and last brick of that building. Merrit loves living in Danville and is not planning to leave although she has grandbabies in Houston that she loves to visit. She says, “I love my local friends and family too much and I would constantly miss them.”
Merrit has been married for 35 years and has two children, a son that is an optometrist in Houston, and a daughter that teaches special education at Danville schools. She is so proud that her kids are in helping professions. Her son is married with two kids of his own, and Merrit goes to visit them every three months. One of her reasons for being as active is her grandkids. She wants to be able to crawl around with them and chase them around the park. Merrit says, “I wouldn’t be able to have the things I have or do the things I do without my family. I am so grateful for my entire family and how supportive they have been throughout my life.”
Merrit owned and instructed dance at Roselawn Dance by Merrit. Because she grew up in competitive dance, she loved to introduce the art to others as well. While she owned and operated her small dance school, she was also an ultrasound tech at the VA in Danville. Once Merrit decided that she wanted to retire in September of 2022, she sold the school and left the VA. Merrit masterfully planned this because her favorite month is September stating, “It is my favorite song by my favorite band, Earth, Wind, and Fire.” Now she is retired, but she works at Danville Gardens, Second Chance Thrift Shop, and visits schools to teach yoga to the younger generations. Merrit has a green thumb, and enjoys her work at Danville Gardens and even cares for Orchids in her spare time. People are now bringing their sick orchids to her to tend to them.
She also teaches a yoga class every Wednesday evening in the summer at Willow Barn on Henning Road. Every now and then she will host a yoga wellness retreat at the barn as well. She also volunteers teaching yoga at Luella’s Lodge, helping families that lost a child cope with that loss. Merrit is on the Humane Society and Danville Symphony Orchestra Boards. She is very involved in the arts and currently, she is choreographing Suessical the Musical with Danville Light Opera. When she has time, she also volunteers at the Fischer Theater as an usher.
“Because I can.” Merrit says that she does all of this volunteer work because she is able to. As long as she keeps her body moving, she hopes that she can continue to do all of the extra activities that she does now. “A body in motion stays in motion.” Merrit has always gone by this motto and it is probably the reason that she keeps herself so busy. She is a powerful and outstanding force and Danville is so happy to have her as a part of the community. Merrit has helped so many and inspired many more. We are all so thankful for Ms. Merrit!
By Erin Gregory
To nominate someone who inspires you, click below!
BIGG Tip of the Week: What Do People REALLY Expect from You?
Surprisingly, less than you think according to research. Stop putting undue pressure on yourself. Ask key stakeholders in your life what they really expect. Discuss options to meet those expectations. Agree on how you will participate in each other’s lives. Then schedule accordingly for your BIGG success! For more tips from BIGG Success, click 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 City of Danville is pleased to announce the incoming of Sonic Drive-In and separate Jimmy John’s – see news release here
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
Danville Dans Looking for Host Families – see details 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
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
Vermilion County Conservation District Programs and Events – see 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
Reach 1 Coach 1 Basketball Skills – see details here
The State is resuming redetermination for Medicaid patients – see flyer here
East Central Illinois Community Action Agency VOCA – May Newsletter
Monyok Leadership Introduces The Lab: The Lab is an exclusive monthly leadership innovation experience for organizations serious about inspiring and innovating with their leaders.
May 30 Keep Vermilion County Beautiful is asking volunteers of all ages who can clean up litter to join us in the back of Walmart parking lot at 5:00PM. We will work until 7:00PM, please bring gloves. RSVP 217-304-7541
May 31 Energy Efficiency Roundtable – see flyer here
June 2 First Friday Sports & Brews – see news release here; see flyer here
June 3 Explore Forest Glen on National Trails Day – see flyer here
Danville Public Library – see upcoming events May 22- May 30 here
Hoopeston Public Library – see June Newsletter here
Warm weather brings endless dining options at 112 Wine and Coffee Shoppe! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or sweet snacks on the patio, in the game room, or in our beautiful dining room! You can also use the Joe app to place carry out or curbside orders. Our full menu is available all day long! Make some fun summer memories with your people at 112
American Legion Post 210:
June 10 Early Father’s Day Dinner 5:00PM-7:00PM & Comedy Show 7:30PM
June 15 Tacos/Salads 5:00PM-7:00PM & Band-The Danville’s Blue Coalition 6:00PM-8:00PM
Big Thorn Farm & Brewery:
Bar Hours: Friday 3:00-9:00PM, Saturday Noon-9:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM–4:00PM
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
Friday May 26 6:30PM-8:30PM FREE music with David Howie
Friday May 26 8:30-10:30 Free Music with The After Party
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
This is Howie Wednesday 6:00PM-8:00PM – Join us every Wednesday for David Howie all request Happy Hour.
May 26 11:30AM Lunchbox with Brangie
VFW Post 728: (8 Pine Street, Danville)
Fridays: fish fillet dinners and Bill’s seafood chowder will be served from 5:00PM-8:00PM/ Dine in and carry-outs available
May 20 Bill’s Monthly Breakfast. Menu includes eggs over and scrambled, biscuits & gravy, sausage and pancakes. Meal includes coffee or milk and juice. Carry-outs are available. Everyone is welcome!
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