While many libraries and museums throughout the state are also closed, those in East Central Illinois that do stay open oftentimes have programming for families to learn more about King.

Festivities kick-off on Feb. 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Vineyard Church Urbana Campus, located at 1500 N. Lincoln Ave. in Urbana.

The Countywide Celebration, hosted by the cities of Champaign and Urbana, alongside Champaign County, the Village of Rantoul, Parkland College and the University of Illinois, will include Keynote Speaker Dr. Sampson Davis, who grew up in Newark, NJ and founded The Three Doctors Foundation. Davis is also the youngest African American to receive The Scroll of Merit, the National Medical Associations highest honor.

The Nfinite Soul Band will also provide entertainment.

The Krannert Center for Performing Arts will hold its 35th Annual Dr. MLK, Jr. Service of Celebration on Jan. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Foellinger Great Hall.

Since 1988, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee has awarded more than 200 scholarships to local students attending colleges such as Parkland College, University of Illinois, and historically Black colleges and universities.

This year, they honor the memory of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a keynote address and music from the community choir.

The Vineyard Church, Mahomet Hub will celebrate King’s birthday with the 35th Annual Unity Breakfast at the Urbana Campus from 8:30 to noon on Jan. 20.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20, the Champaign County Forest Preserve will host School’s Out: Martin Luther King Celebration at the Museum of the Grand Prairie.

Guests will have opportunities to explore the rich cultural heritage of the African American community in Champaign County. Activities, that include crafts, songs and videos, will help guests learn more about the  life of Dr. King, celebrate his legacy and how everyone can keep that mission alive in the present time.

The Danville Public Library will provide crafts and a documentary, “10 Things You May Not Know About Martin Luther King, Jr.” for children ages 5-12 on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Danville will kick-off MLK Day at 10:30 a.m. with a parade that will begin at the corner of Main St. and Logan Ave. and end with a ceremony at St. James United Methodist Church where Reverend Daniel J. Garrett, pastor of Spirit Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago will speak.

St. James United Methodist Church will also host “Pursuing Peace Together” on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. at the Days Hotel at 77 N. Gilbert St., Danville.

When Shepards Worship (WSW), a gospel group from Chicago, Illinois will perform.

The fun doesn’t have to stop there, though. Other organizations provide other activities during the late afternoon and evening hours.

The Middle Fork River Preserve will host School’s Out: Owl Prowl from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 20.

The great horned howls begin nesting in January, providing owl-watchers will a great change to see or hear a live owl during the month of January. The CCFPD staff will begin with a presentation about native Illinois owls and dissecting owl pellets indoors. The group will then head outside to look for owls before the sun sets. Space is limited and there is a $5 per person fee.

Those looking for an adventure can grab an Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl card from their home library, then venture out to meet new people and discover new libraries during their time off school or work.

The St. Joseph Township- Swearingen Memorial Library, which is participating in the Library Crawl, is hosting their Winter Book Sale until Jan. 30. Books and other library material is available with a donation.

From 6:30 to 7 p.m. the St. Joseph library will also be telling stories to children during their regularly scheduled storytime.

The post Martin Luther King Jr. ceremonies and celebrations in East Central Illinois first appeared on SJO Daily.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is ready to develop a five-year strategic plan that will take its vision into 2025.

But first, they are looking for input from their constituents in Champaign County.

The process, which began in the fall of 2018, will come to a head at the Dec. 19 board meeting.

During the last year, the Forest Preserve board, staff and public have put together an initial vision for the priorities of the district.

During the month of October, the District utilized public comment during two sessions held in Mahomet and Homer.

Marketing Coordinator Lisa Sprinkle said that the feedback received was important.

One couple wanted to know more about the district’s cross-country skiing trails while an avid visitor offered important insight into opportunities at Homer Lake.

After the Nov. 14 board meeting, the District decided to pause a little longer to gain additional information from the community through an online survey.

While the District’s mission has remained the same since its establishment in 1948:  the conservation of the county’s natural and cultural resources, educational opportunities

designed to increase the community’s knowledge and appreciation of these resources, and recreational opportunities consistent with conserving the natural qualities of the District’s resource base, the development of a five-year strategic plan will help the District understand how it can best serve its stakeholders while protecting the natural assets for generations to come.

The 5-minute survey asks responders to reflect on the District’s vision and mission statement while they also provide feedback on what is most important to visitors and what might be important to develop in the future.

Sprinkle said that throughout the District’s six forest preserves, guests will find signs with QR codes that will lead them to the survey. The survey can also be accessed directly here.

The data collected will be presented to the District’s board on Dec. 19, and a plan will be developed to ensure that staff and stakeholders are working towards common goals.

The post Champaign County Forest Preserve asks public for input on strategic plan first appeared on SJO Daily.