Family Craft Day at the JPL on Nov. 14
Join us for a Family Craft Day on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Jacksonville Public Library. We will be making book pumpkins.
PLEASE NOTE: Young children are absolutely welcome to tag along, but just a heads-up that we’ll be working with some sharp/hot tools, so they will need adult supervision. Registration is limited — please contact us today to reserve your spot!
To register, email ajones@jaxpl.org or call 217-243-5435, ext 235. The Jacksonville Public Library is located at 201 W. College Ave. in Jacksonville.
LLCC to host FAFSA events
Lincoln Land Community College in Jacksonville will host five Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion events to assist students and parents filling out the FAFSA. All events will take place at LLCC-Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park Plaza in Jacksonville.
LLCC financial aid professionals will provide personalized help for students and parents during these open-house-style events. These events are free. Registration is not required, but families may make a 30-minute appointment at a time most convenient to them at www.llcc.edu/jacksonville, or by calling 217-243-6699. Events will take place 2-5:30 p.m. on the following dates, unless otherwise noted.
– Wednesday, Nov. 18
– Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027 — Includes a community scholarship tabling event from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
– Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2027
– Wednesday, April 14, 2027
LLCC Financial Aid on the main campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd., Springfield, will offer drop-in or appointment FAFSA assistance Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call or text 217-786-2237, or email Financial.Aid@llcc.edu.
Jacksonville Area Pigeon Club announces 52nd annual show
The Jacksonville Area Pigeon Club is proud to announce its 52nd Annual All-Breed All Age Pigeon Show, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The highly anticipated event will be held at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, located at 110 N. Westgate Ave., Jacksonville, IL 62650. Judging for the event will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and will be presided over by the honorable judge, Terry Daily.
As one of the region’s premier avian exhibitions, the 52nd annual show welcomes exhibitors of all ages and will feature both Open and Junior divisions (ages 5-18). The competition will showcase a wide variety of breeds, judged in class order of Young Hen, Young Cock, Old Hen and Old Cock.
Awards and Competitions
The event features generous cash payouts for top competitors, including $100 for the Champion of Show. Additional cash prizes will be awarded for Champion Sporting, Fancy, Utility, AOV, Racing Homers, and Show Homers. Special sponsorships include awards for Rare Breeds (sponsored by the Rare Breeds Club), Pouter/Croppers (sponsored by the North American Pouter & Cropper Club), and squab market weight classes (sponsored in memory of Leonard White Jr.). Please note that a minimum of 12 birds must be exhibited in a breed to qualify for cash breed awards.
Event Highlights and Amenities
Buy/Sell/Trade: A dedicated section will be available for attendees to purchase, sell, or trade pigeons, doves, and exotic birds.
Food & Refreshments: Breakfast and lunch will be available on-site for purchase from the B&S Grub food truck.
Friday Cooping: Available by request. Contact Sarah Brown at 217-320-3543. The showroom will close at 7:00 P.M. on Friday and reopen at 7:00 A.M. on Saturday.
Health and Safety
The JAPC prioritizes the health and safety of all attendees and animals. All exhibited birds must wear proper identification bands, and any unhealthy animals will be strictly removed from the showroom. Any applicable masking regulations or COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time of the show will be enforced. The building will be a strictly NO SMOKING environment.
For full show rules, entry forms or general inquiries, please contact Sarah Brown at 217-320-3543 or email JAPCpigeons2017@gmail.com.
‘Music Under the Dome’ event at JPL
Please join the Jacksonville Public Library on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. as we welcome the Illinois College Chamber Vocal Ensemble to the Music Under the Dome series.
The Illinois College Chamber Vocal Ensemble consists of members from the Chamber Singers, Bellavoce and the Blue Tie Affair. Please join us as we listen to these beautiful voices “under the dome!”
Admission is free – we hope to see you there!
Find out more at jaxpl.org. The Jacksonville Public Library is located at 201 W. College Ave. in Jacksonville.
JPL to host ‘Sylvia Shults: Spirits of Christmas’ on Nov. 24
’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring … but are you sure about that? The dark winter nights can hold many secrets, along with tales of both horror and hauntings.
Join award-winning author Sylvia Shults as she shares a gathering of yuletide spirits, holiday horrors and Christmas catastrophes that give new meaning to the “dead of winter.” This talk is sure to send shivers down your spine!
Admission is free – we hope to see you there!
The event will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Jacksonville Public Library, which is located at 201 W. College Ave. in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Festival of Lights moving to new location: downtown Jacksonville
The display will light up immediately following the Santa Parade at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. It will shine nightly through December 31. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
Visitors can walk through the display or enjoy it from their vehicles. While downtown, guests can also explore the many local shops and restaurants.
Happy holidays from the Jacksonville Festival of Lights! For more information, call Sarah Shellhammer at 217-291-5722 or follow “Jacksonville Festival of Lights” Facebook page.
Nativity Festival coming in December
Enjoy Jacksonville’s largest nativity display this December! The Jacksonville Area Conference of Churches is proud to offer something new to our community this Christmas season.
The Nativity Festival will highlight an extensive collection of nativity sets on display on Dec. 5 and 6, along with holiday refreshments and Christmas musical performances.
The event is being hosted at Faith Lutheran Church, located at 1385 W. Walnut St. in Jacksonville on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free, but is supporting the Unmet Needs ministry with donations or the sale of baked goods.
The community is asked to loan their nativity sets for display at the event. Donors need to drop off sets on Nov. 29 from noon-4 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, or during church office hours the week before. Sets can be picked up on Dec. 6 after the event, or during church office hours the week after the event.
All donors must fill out a loan form with a full description of their nativity set. To loan your set(s), please call the church at 217-204-6054, or email the church at faithlutheran62650@frontier.com.
Loans can be made online at:
https://tools.signupgenius.com
c/2026-nativity-festival-registration/forms.
Organizers are also seeking volunteers:
– Musicians offering 1 hour of music during the festival
– Volunteers to help set up on Nov. 29 from 5-8 p.m., or tear down on Dec. 6 from 4-7 p.m.
– Donations of baked goods
- Individuals to assist with coffee bar, sell baked goods, or host visitors
Volunteers can sign up online at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4AAAA82BA1FB6-67367163-2026.
The Conference of Churches hopes this event will help kick-off the Advent and Christmas season in our community!
Questions? Contact coordinator Mia at 217-204-6054, or email faithlutheran62650@frontier.com.
Annual book sale at JPL on Dec. 5
The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library are getting ready for their Annual Book Sale on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale will be held in the meeting room of the library, which is located at 201 W. College Ave.
They will be selling hundreds of books: mystery, romance, history, nature, art, classics, literary fiction, children’s books and much more.
There will also be DVDs and CDs for sale. All books are priced at $1 or 50 cents. From noon to 1 p.m., it will be “Fill a Bag” for $5.
This is the biggest fundraiser of the year. Come out and support our library!
