First National Bank announcesthree new members of Blue Diamond Team
The First National Bank of Arenzville is pleased to announce three new members to our ever-growing Blue Diamond team, serving our communities of Arenzville, Jacksonville and South Jacksonville.
Lisa Stambaugh
Lisa Stambaugh is taking on the role of Vice President of Retail Lending, and can be found greeting customers at our South Jacksonville branch. Stambaugh brings us over 20 years of lending experience in our community and offers an educated perspective to our customers’ needs.
After earning her business administration degree in 2003, Stambaugh began her career at Jacksonville Savings Bank, becoming a member of their respected lending team. She later continued her education in banking, attending the Community Bankers School, graduating in 2018 with high honors.
Locally, Stambaugh served on the board of Prairieland United Way and is a member of The Rotary Club of Jacksonville. She keeps busy raising her three sons and enjoys summers by the pool.
Matt Cors
Matt Cors comes to The First National Bank of Arenzville as our new Chief Strategy Officer. He began his banking career at Jacksonville Savings Bank, advancing through the organization and gaining extensive operational experience in loans, IT and retail banking. These diverse responsibilities have equipped him with broad organizational insights and a deep understanding of the bank’s customers and communities.
After a merger with CNB Bank, Cors assumed leadership of the organization’s residential mortgage and consumer lending operations, and was eventually promoted to Chief Experience Officer, helping shape the bank’s client experiences across a wide market area. These skills will enable Cors to continue to add improvements to the ever-growing First National Bank business. Cors will be working with all branches within the bank’s network.
Cors is a lifelong Jacksonville resident, a 2006 graduate of Illinois College and a 2021 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters.
Erica Thomas
Erica Thomas is excited to bring her knowledge to First National Bank as our new Loan Processor. Her 30 years of experience in our local banking community will be an asset to our operations and customers.
Beginning as a teller at Jacksonville Savings Bank in 1996, Thomas has taken on many roles. In 2017, Thomas transitioned to working with the creation, processing and servicing of consumer, commercial and mortgage loans. Thomas will be working out of our South Jacksonville branch.
Thomas is involved in our community, serving as a member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Services Committee, and volunteering for scoreboard operations for Our Saviour School and Routt Catholic High School volleyball home games. Thomas was born and raised in Jacksonville and enjoys spending time with her two cats, Tate and Daisy, and her boyfriend, Patrick Gibson.
The First National Bank of Arenzville is proud to be adding these experienced bankers to our professional Blue Diamond Team, as we continue to serve our community as we have for the last 140+ years. Welcome, Lisa Stambaugh, Matt Cors and Erica Thomas!
About First National Bank: The First National Bank of Arenzville, Jacksonville and South Jacksonville has a long history that began in 1882 in Arenzville, Illinois, and has been continually community-focused for over 140 years.Originally established as The People’s Bank of Arenzville, the bank name was changed to The First National Bank of Arenzville in 1908. Over the years, the bank has survived many local and national challenges, but has continued to thrive by focusing on serving our communities, now including Jacksonville and South Jacksonville. Today, many of the bank’s stockholders and customers are descendants of the original shareholders. The First National Bank of Arenzville began as an independent locally owned community bank, and that is still the focus today. The bank is committed to the communities it serves, and the new generation of customers who are now coming through the doors.
Member FDIC – Equal Housing Lender
Registration open for WIYC Summer Camps
Camp Director Tanell Meado has announced that registration for the 2026 day camps at Western Illinois Youth Camp has opened and early registration is encouraged as camps do fill up.
Meado adds, “We have a new registration portal at our website, www.wiyc.net, that provides details on each camp and includes a payment plan option. We think parents will find this portal more informative and convenient to use.”
The weekly camps run from June 1 through July 31 for youth ages 6 to 14. This year’s camp themes are as follows: June 1-5 Camp Color Craze; June 8-12 Wild Wild West; June 15-19 Forest Fitness; June 22-26 Camp Cuisine; June 29-July 3 Water Wars; July 6-10 Find Your Calling; July 13-17 Outdoor Survival; and July 27-31 This is Survivor. In addition to themed activities, the camps will offer swimming, crafts, archery, hiking, canoeing, ropes course and much more. The camps are held on the grounds of the Western Illinois Youth Camp located on Lake Jacksonville at 2244 4-H Club Lane.
Meado highlighted that new this year lunch will be provided for campers as part of their registration fee.
More details on the camps and the link to the registration portal are available on the youth camp’s website, wiyc.net, or on the camp’s Facebook page, “Western Illinois Youth Camp.” Scholarship opportunities are available on a limited basis. For questions, please email the camp director at contactourcamp@gmail.com.
LLCC student Claire Bonjean celebrates special milestone
Lincoln Land Community College student Claire Bonjean is celebrating a unique milestone this week — earning her associate’s degree before receiving her high school diploma.
Bonjean will graduate from LLCC on Friday in Springfield and then will walk the stage again just two days later to receive her high school diploma from Routt Catholic High School, marking the culmination of her hard work through dual credit coursework.
“I would tell high school students who are considering LLCC classes to take full advantage of the opportunity,” Bonjean said. “Lincoln Land offers classes covering so many more subjects than you can find in high school, and it is a great way to find out what you like and don’t like when figuring out your major.”
Through her time at LLCC, Bonjean says she gained valuable experience and confidence that will benefit her in the future.
“My favorite part of being an LLCC student was feeling so prepared for my education at the next level after completing each class,” she said. “I enjoyed having the opportunity to experience college-level coursework before I attend in-person classes at the University of Kentucky, and I feel confident that I will have an upper hand in my more advanced classes because of my educational experience at LLCC.”
After graduation, Bonjean plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study business on a pre-law track.
By getting an early start on her college education, Bonjean has positioned herself for success and serves as an example of the opportunities available to high school students through LLCC.
Free community giveaway
A free community giveaway event, Closet 951, will take place April 23 and April 24 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Clothing and household items will be available to the public at no charge. Closet 951 is hosted by the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. Anyone in need can go the event held in the church’s fellowship hall, located at 951 Lincoln Ave. in Jacksonville.
