Galva

 

CROSSWALKS DESIGN COMPETITION...

To celebrate our legacy, our vision for a thriving community, and to beautify downtown and our public spaces, the City of Galva and its partners are hosting a “Crosswalks Design Competition”.

Community members of all ages are invited to propose patterns that express the city’s legacy, the community’s strengths and commitment to innovation in agribusiness, manufacturing, and green energy, and for the creative economy like music, art, and design.

Base drawing for digital creation of submission or for hand drawn artwork can be downloaded here and on Allenia Space’s Facebook page. Limited printed page will be available at participating businesses and partners, which may include the Public Library, the Post Office, gas stations, and more.

 

Monday, May 5, 2025 : Program announcement
Friday, May 16, 2025 : Submission deadline at 12:00 pm

Drop off before deadline at Galva City Hall or Allenia Space or Email to design@allenia.space

Saturday, May 17, 2025 : Judging session
Monday, May 19, 2025 : Selected design announcement

 

Please check the City’s website and Allenia Space’s Facebook page for all announcements including public voting session on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

 

Everyone is encouraged to view the Galva Comprehensive Plan materials prepared by the Hometown Consulting team currently displayed at Allenia Space until May 19, 2025, and provide input for the future of Galva. Feel free to use art supplies available at Allenia Space while working on your crosswalks design submission.

 

The selected design will be either implemented before or featured during the Levitt AMP Galva Festival. The final design may be adjusted to fit the field conditions. The City has the sole authority to determine the locations of the decorated crosswalks.

 

Click The Image Below For Your Complete Entry Packet

 

 

 

Gunsmiths of Henry County, IL program in Bishop Hill, Illinois...

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Bishop Hill Heritage Association is hosting Gunsmiths of Henry County, IL program by Curt Johnson, author of Gunmakers of Illinois 1683-1900. His presentation will be on the gunsmiths of Illinois, with an emphasis on Henry County gunmakers. Guns made by area gunsmiths will also be on display.

Mr. Johnson’s program will include the gunsmiths that worked on Illinois soil during the French Colonial period. He will then talk about the early Illinois territory gunmakers. His presentation will then conclude with the gunsmiths of Henry County, and the adjoining counties of Whiteside, Bureau, Stark, Knox, Mercer, and Rock Island.

Curt Johnson is a retired tool & die maker with a lifelong interest in antique firearms. His two-volume book set, Gunmakers of Illinois 1683-1900, has information on over 1,500 early Illinois gunsmiths. This free one-hour public program will start at 1 p.m. on the second floor of the Blacksmith Shop, located at 203 North Bishop Hill Street in Bishop Hill, Illinois. It is sponsored by the Geneseo Foundation and the Galesburg Community Foundation. For more details, please call the BHHA at 309 927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net.

 

 

 

Seventh Annual Levitt AMP Galva Music Series Lineup Announced...

Free live music, family fun, and summertime vibes return to Wiley Park as the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series kicks off its seventh season! Hosted by the Galva Arts Council and presented by Regional Media, this beloved free Sunday evening concert series is back with ten incredible shows planned for a summer filled with rhythm, community, and connection.

Held at Wiley Park (311 NW 4th Ave, Galva, IL 61434), the free concerts run from 6:00 P.M. to approximately 8:30 P.M. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, friends, and family to enjoy a picnic-style concert experience in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Admission is always free.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors, and guests are also welcome to bring their own. Well-behaved pets are welcome to join in on the fun. For those with mobility challenges, a shuttle service is available, and street parking can be found around Wiley Park (To keep everyone safe, please do not park within the park grounds).

In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be streamed live on the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series Facebook and YouTube pages.

"We're excited to continue the tradition of bringing free, high-quality live music to Galva," said John Taylor, organizer of the series. "It's more than just concerts—it's a community celebration, and everyone is welcome."

The Levitt AMP Galva Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonprofits across the country to activate underused outdoor spaces through the power of free, live music—bringing people together, fostering belonging, and invigorating community life. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt concerts are welcoming and inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together. The 2025 lineup showcases a rich mix of genres and artists from around the world:

Sat, Jun 7

Quique Escamilla (Mexican)

Charlotte Blu (Folk)

National Anthem: Logan Swedeen

Sun, Jun 8

Alysha Brilla (Folk, World, Soul)

Zach Pietrini (Rock, Americana)

National Anthem: Noah Sopher Sun

Jun 15

The Sweet Lillies (Bluegrass, Hip Hop)

Sophie Coyote (Folk, Americana)

National Anthem: TBD

Sun, Jun 22

Kiran Ahluwalia (Indian, African, Blues)

Amanda Fish (Blues)

National Anthem: Marissa Treimer

Sun, Jun 29

Rye Davis (Country)

Angela Meyer (Country)

National Anthem: Tori Finegan

Sun, Jul 6

Coral Moons (Pop, Rock)

Emerson Woolf (Pop, Folk)

National Anthem: Olivia Obryant

Sun, Jul 13

Ladama (Latin)

Windborne (Vocal)

National Anthem: Kynlee Dwyer

Sun, Jul 20

Brass Queens (Brass)

Blame Not the Bard (Traditional Irish)

National Anthem: Shelley Kinzer

Sun, Jul 27

Pat Byrne (Celtic Rock)

Dickie (Indie Rock)

National Anthem: Aric Burhorn

Sun, Aug 3

Parker Barrow (Southern Rock, Country)

Zydeco Voodoo (Zydeco)

National Anthem: Chloe Finch

 

If you'd like to volunteer or provide financial support to keep the music playing, please visit GalvaMusic.com to get involved. Stay up to date and join the conversation by following the series on Facebook: facebook.com/LevittAmpGalvaMusicSeries

 

About the Galva Arts Council

The mission of the Galva Arts Council is to enrich the quality of life in our town through the advancement and promotion of the arts, the encouragement of the appreciation of the arts through participation and attendance of art events, the provision of membership services, and advocacy for the arts.

 

About the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation

The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation is a private foundation that exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. Through its support of creative placemaking, the Levitt Foundation empowers communities to transform underused public spaces into welcoming destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life. The Foundation's primary funding areas include permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, an annual grants competition. During the past decade, the Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to support access to free, high-caliber live music experiences while bringing new life to public spaces. In 2025, the national Levitt network of music venues and concert sites is presenting 650+ free concerts in 45 towns and cities, with audiences over 750,000. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Levitt Foundation is dedicated to advancing equitable music ecosystems through research and partnerships. www.levitt.org

 

Full press kit with band bios, photos, and links available upon request. For interview please contact John Taylor: (309) 299-4999, john.r.taylor@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

A Night of High-Energy Americana: Adrian + Meredith Bring Their Electrifying Show to Bishop Hill...

On Friday, April 11th, the Bishop Hill Creative Commons welcomes Adrian + Meredith, a genre-defying duo whose magnetic stage presence and relentless rhythm have made them one of the most exciting acts on the Americana circuit today. The evening kicks off with a community potluck at 6:00 PM, followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. A $20–$30 donation is suggested, with 100% going to the artist.

Known for their gritty blend of klezmer, Americana, folk-punk, and old-time swing, Adrian + Meredith craft music that refuses to sit still. Their sound is equal parts sweat and soul, where fiddle, accordion, upright bass, and raw vocals meet a punk spirit and fearless storytelling. Hailing from Nashville, the duo has toured relentlessly, honing their edge in clubs, festivals, and backroom venues across the country.

Adrian Krygowski, formerly a solo folk artist from the D.C. scene, met Meredith Brown—a powerhouse fiddle player and classically trained dancer—and the two quickly fused their backgrounds into something altogether original. Their live shows are infused with infectious energy, drawing from Eastern European melodies, rockabilly swagger, and the rhythm of the open road. With songs that reflect on love, resistance, and chasing dreams in a messy world, they’ve built a loyal following of fans who don’t just listen—they move.

 

 

Whether you're a fan of traditional folk, swing dancing, or just looking for a jolt of musical joy, this is a night you won’t want to miss. Bring a dish to share, a friend to dance with, and an appetite for something fresh and real.

The Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill, IL, provides the perfect backdrop for this intimate concert experience. Located in the historic village of Bishop Hill, this unique venue and artist cooperative is known for fostering creativity and bringing exceptional live music to the community.

 

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters Coming to Bishop Hill...

Get ready for an electrifying night of heartland rock and gritty storytelling as Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters take the stage at Bishop Hill Creative Commons on Friday, April 4th, at 7 PM. This is a must-see event for fans of original Americana music that blends elements of country, rock, and folk into a sound that’s as authentic as the Midwest itself. The show will begin with a potluck dinner at 6PM, with music starting at 7PM, and is open to guests of all ages. A $20-30 donation is suggested.

Hailing from Indiana, Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters have carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the Americana scene. Their music captures the spirit of the open road, small-town struggles, and working-class resilience, delivered with a soulful, rough-around-the-edges style that has drawn comparisons to Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, and Sturgill Simpson. Their tight musicianship and high-energy performances make every show an unforgettable experience.

 

 

With multiple albums under their belt, including the critically acclaimed Heavy Denim and All Damn Day, the band has built a loyal following through relentless touring and a commitment to storytelling that resonates with audiences far and wide. Whether it’s an upbeat honky-tonk romp or a poignant ballad, their songs paint vivid portraits of life in the American heartland.

The Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill, IL, provides the perfect backdrop for this intimate concert experience. Located in the historic village of Bishop Hill, this unique venue and artist cooperative is known for fostering creativity and bringing exceptional live music to the community.

Don't miss your chance to see Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters live in Bishop Hill! Mark your calendars for Friday, April 4th at 7 PM, and come ready for a night of top-tier Americana music.

 

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

 

Grace Morrison & Katie Dahl to Bring Soulful Storytelling to Bishop Hill Creative Commons...

Two of folk music’s most captivating voices, Grace Morrison and Katie Dahl, will take the stage at Bishop Hill Creative Commons on Sunday, April 6th, at 7 PM. This special evening promises an intimate and unforgettable showcase of exceptional songwriting, rich harmonies, and masterful storytelling. The show will begin with a potluck dinner at 6PM, with music starting at 7PM, and is open to guests of all ages. A $20-30 donation is suggested.

Grace Morrison is a singer-songwriter with an undeniable gift for weaving personal experiences into compelling musical narratives. Hailing from Massachusetts, Grace's music blends folk, pop, and country influences, creating a sound that is both fresh and timeless. Her emotive vocals and honest lyricism have earned her acclaim in the folk world, with songs that capture the beauty and complexity of life, love, and resilience. With awards such as the Grand Prize at the New England Songwriting Competition under her belt, Morrison’s music speaks to the soul and lingers long after the last note fades.

Joining her on stage is Katie Dahl, a Wisconsin-based songwriter known for her razor-sharp lyrics and deeply rooted storytelling. A fixture of the Midwest folk scene, Katie’s songs paint vivid pictures of everyday life, the changing seasons, and the quiet struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. Her music has been praised for its warmth and intelligence, earning comparisons to Nanci Griffith and John Prine. In addition to her thriving solo career, Katie is also a playwright, further showcasing her talent for crafting meaningful and thought-provoking narratives.

 

 

The Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill, IL, provides the perfect backdrop for this intimate concert experience. Located in the historic village of Bishop Hill, this unique venue and artist cooperative is known for fostering creativity and bringing exceptional live music to the community.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind performance featuring two outstanding artists at the peak of their craft. Join us on Sunday, April 6th, at 7 PM for an evening of heartfelt music and storytelling that will leave you inspired.

 

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

 

 

 

Indigenous Folk Group Coming to Bishop Hill...

Four-time Canadian Folk Music Award winners, 2022 Vocal Group of the Year, Twin Flames will perform a live concert on Saturday, March 29th at Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill, IL. The show will begin with a potluck dinner at 6PM, with music starting at 7PM, and is open to guests of all ages. A $20-30 donation is suggested.

Witness the extraordinary connection of Twin Flames as they effortlessly bridge gaps between cultures, continents, and musical styles. Their talent has been recognized and celebrated worldwide, leaving no doubt that they possess a unique and remarkable gift. Twin Flames have amassed an impressive collection of 50 music awards and nominations, a testament to their undeniable talent and dedication. Prepare to be captivated by their unforgettable performances, where music, comedy, and thought-provoking stories intertwine to create an experience like no other. The undeniable synchronicity and genuine love that radiate from Twin Flames will leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul.

 

 

Twin Flames are a husband-and-wife who deliver a powerful sound that is both contemplative Folk and unapologetic Rock ‘n’ Roll. Their songs have earned them a unique place among contemporary music-makers and songwriters, which has, in turn, led to them touring all over the world.

Together, they create sonic soundscapes using Indigenous spirit flutes, traditional drums, and Western instruments. They share a genuine love for songwriting, which stands out lyrically and melodically for the world to hear.

Jaaji (Inuk from Nunavik and Mohawk from Kahnawake) and Chelsey June; (with both Settler and Indigenous heritage) write songs delivered through a mix of English, French and Inuttitut. Well, on their way to becoming a Canadian household name, the sky seems to be no limit for this pair.

Twin Flames songs have been featured in movies and television series, including Amazon Prime’s The Lake (“Battlefields”), CBC’s Tallboyz (“Grace Too”), the 2018 film Trouble in the Garden (Plane Song), the “Trapped in a Human Zoo” episode of David Suzuki’s The Nature of Things (“Isuma”), and the 2015 documentary Okpik’s Dream (“Nunaga”). Their music videos for “Taanisi” and “Porchlight” were chosen among the films screened at INDIANER INUIT: DAS NORDAMERIKA FILM FESTIVAL in Stuttgart, Germany, in January 2018.

Twin Flames’ journey in music and the values they hold for relationships have led them to share the stage with a diverse roster of talented artists from a wide array of backgrounds, including Tom Jackson, Bruce McCulloch of Kids in the Hall, Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Danny Michel, Rose Cousins, Wild Rivers, Royal Wood, Midnight Shine, Sultans of String, Peter Katz, Scenic Route to Alaska, Noura Mint Seymali, Dobet Gnahoré, Donavan Woods, Rick Mercer, Ken Whiteley, Trent Severn, Dala, Florent Vollant of Kashtin, Silla, Riit, and more.

Twin Flames have opened on festival stages for Ashley McIsaac, David Francey, Marc Dupré, Eric Lapointe, and Damien Robitaille.

They have been honoured to share the stage with legendary Top 40 and Juno Award-winning artist Susan Aglukark and the NAC orchestra at the National Arts Centre, Southam Hall, where they performed “Human” and a few other fan favourites.

 

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

 

 

Acoustic Adventurers Stillhouse Junkies and Christian Folk Singer Dan Holmes Coming to Bishop Hill...

 

 

Stillhouse Junkies will perform a live concert on Sunday, March 30th at Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill, IL. The show will begin with a potluck dinner at 6PM, with music starting at 7PM, and is open to guests of all ages. A $20-30 donation is suggested. Christian folk-singer Dan Holmes will open the show.

Acoustic adventurers Stillhouse Junkies explore the worlds between roots, bluegrass, Texas swing, blues, and rock. Their free-flowing musical interplay and improvisation make every show unique as they weave their way through high-energy, intricately composed original songs, never taking the same path twice.

Based in the Southwestern Colorado town of Durango, the trio consists of founder Fred Kosak on guitar and mandolin, longtime member Alissa Wolf on fiddle, and Matt Thomas on upright bass.

Formed in 2017, Stillhouse Junkies plan to release their fourth album in early 2025. Their prolific songwriting, tight vocal harmonies, and blistering instrumentals earned them the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Momentum Band of the Year” award in 2021.

As they tour relentlessly across the United States and abroad, Stillhouse Junkies are gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting bands in the acoustic music scene. They have played such beloved festivals as Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Rockygrass, Merle Fest, and ROMP, and their busy schedule has seen them supporting Willie Carlisle, The Lil Smokies, and Asleep at the Wheel.

Dan Holmes' mission is simple. "Through the sharing of music, we can celebrate what God is doing in us, for us and through us! I am an old school singer/songwriter bringing a gentle Christian message of hope! I pray that our paths will cross and we can celebrate together!"

 

 

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

 

 

 

Fifth Annual Bishop Hill Book Fair...

The Bishop Hill Creative Commons is hosting the fifth annual Bishop Hill Book Fair on Saturday, April 12th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 309 Bishop Hill St., Bishop Hill, IL 61419.

Guests can meet local authors in their natural habitat. Attendees can hear them roar and talk about their work. Aspiring authors can visit with local authors writing a variety of genres. Books will be available for purchase, so people can collect autographs from their favorite local wordsmiths.

Authors represent a wide range of genres, from children’s books, folklore and young adult novels, to romance, mystery, memoir, poetry, and history. The line-up includes 17 local authors: Amanda McNeill, Carol Paur, Dan Moore, Grace McCormick, Jackie Lawson, Jannifer Powelson, Jill Maglio Ryan, Karen Musser Nortman, Ketra Simpson, Marie Smysor Watson, Mary Davidsaver, Misty Urban, Nadine Roth, Robert Glaser, Sharon Meisenheimer, Susan Pierson, Mike Bayles, and Thomas McKay.

 

 

This book fair is designed to offer something for everyone. For book lovers: This is a day to meet and greet local authors, hear them discuss their recent work, and support them in their artistic endeavors. The event is free, and books will be available for purchase!

For young authors: Hear about the life of real writers from actual authors! Collect autographs and add to your growing stack of books to read. Explore writing ideas and walk away inspired to pursue your dreams!

For teachers: Meet some of your favorite local authors and make a few new friends. Book author visits your school. Pick up some fun ideas to inspire your students to want to read and write more fluently.

For aspiring authors: visit with local authors to help learn more about writing, publishing, and promoting your works.

There is no fee to attend. A portion of proceeds from sales will go to local nonprofit organization Cultural Crossroads Connections.

 

For more information, please email jannifer.powelson@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Indie Rock Show Coming to Bishop Hill...

The indie rock band Dickie will perform a live concert on Friday, March 28th at Bishop Hill Creative Commons, located at 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill, IL. The show will begin with a potluck dinner at 6PM, with music starting at 7PM, and is open to guests of all ages. A $20-30 donation is suggested. Trevor Sensor will open the show.

Dick Prall, the band leader of Dickie, is a master of what a recent interviewer called “self-deprecating indie rock.” For almost a decade, the 55-year-old Iowa artist has been best known as Dickie, the loving nickname that his late mother bestowed on him before she passed away in 2013. Dickie’s newest release, the Headful of Hiss EP, is a gleaming testament to his ever-strengthening gifts as a songwriter, spanning lush folk, irresistibly catchy pop, yearning alternative, windswept heartland rock, and the timeless sensibility of ’60s classics. Produced in Des Moines by Bryan Vanderpool of illustrious folk-pop duo The Well Pennies, the record comprises five exquisitely well-wrought songs that cloak ruminations on anxiety, substance abuse, and depression in majestic, sweetly tuneful, aw-shucks beauty.

 

 

Prall grew up in Sheffield, Iowa, and he lost both his father and his older brother at a very young age. A youthful admirer of the Beatles and R.E.M., he didn’t take up guitar until he was 25. Four years later he had already released his debut (as Dick Prall Band), 1998’s Somewhere About Here, which the alt-country bible No Depression celebrated as a “track-by-track monster.” He became a linchpin of the Chicago scene, and his next album (as Starch Martins), 2001’s Dressing Up the Failure, won praise from the Chicago Sun-Times for achieving “a brand of rootsy power-pop that is smart, introspective, and filled with great hooks.” His solo debut, 2005’s Fizzlebuzzle, was “a box of chocolate for your ears” (Performing Songwriter), while 2007’s Weightless featured Glen Phillips on one of its “daring, original songs” (Chicago Tribune). Dickie’s self-titled 2015 debut album topped several year-end “Best Of” lists. The follow-up, 2019’s Minus Thieves, was “delightfully out of step” (Little Village) and co-produced by Pat Sarsone (Wilco). With Headful of Hiss, the group’s latest release, Prall says, “My goal is to write a song that I like and I’m confident enough to share with other people. And that’s really it.”

Known for his distinctly husky vocals, intellectual lyrics, and atmospheric folk-laden, punk-infused indie rock, Trevor Sensor is an American singer/songwriter from Sterling, Illinois. Growing up in the small city (occasionally deemed the “former hardware capital of the world”), the abandoned factories and working-class bars that adorn the rust belt landscape ultimately fed into what the young songwriter would use to fuel his musical creations. This, alongside the elusive idea of pop culture and stardom, inspired Sensor to try and escape the city himself. He eventually relocated to Iowa, where he studied literature and philosophy at college. The words of great minds such as Marcel Proust, Søren Kierkegaard, and beat generation authors William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, would be some of the vital elements to Sensor’s art. He went on to discover his musical voice in a number of bands before penning his own songs, and after a number of live performances, he caught the attention of Indiana-based indie label Jagjaguar.

 

 

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

 

 

 

Local Music Organization Chosen for Global Music Project...

Center for Music Ecosystems is delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 Music Policy Resilience Network. Due to the massive impact live music has had socially, culturally, and economically on Henry County, Illinois and the surrounding area, local non-profit organization Crossroads Cultural Connections was selected to participate as part of a cohort of 20 cities around the world which will benefit from bespoke research, masterclasses, international best practice examples, and knowledge exchange, focusing on the most important issues facing their areas and music ecosystems.

Center for Music Ecosystems’ mission is to demonstrate that music bolsters economies and improves livelihoods. The organization collaborates with leaders and policymakers to foster policies that lead to social and economic development at local, national, and global levels.

“Despite being a rural area, Henry County has become a destination for live music, and I think that is something we all should be proud of, but I also think we are just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible. Everyday world-class musicians from across the globe are asking to come here to perform. Guests from surrounding areas and beyond are traveling here to attend shows. My hope is that by participating in this project, we can not only solidify the work we have been doing, but also build something that will ensure live music is part of life in this area for well beyond our lifetimes,” says John Taylor, president of Crossroads Cultural Connections.

The Music Policy Resilience Network is a landmark transnational collaboration that aims to implement pro-music and culture policies that foster resilience in cities facing unique geographical, economic, or sociological challenges. It is generously supported by the Nordic Culture Fund and the Levitt Foundation.

The Music Policy Resilience Network is a result of 2022’s Defining Resilience in Remote Music Ecosystems and 2023 2024’s Music Policy Resilience Lab. It aims to further resilience in places that are, in some way, geographical outliers, facing various sociological, geographical, economic—or simply logistical—challenges to incorporating music and culture into strategic objectives, but united in their desire to advance their music ecosystems to their fullest potential.

2024 CITIES: Arundel (Norway), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Cuenca (Ecuador), Cumberland (Maryland, USA), Darwin (NT, Australia), Dera Ismail Khan (Pakistan), Ede (Nigeria), Folkestone (UK), Gallup (New Mexico, USA), Galva (Illinois, USA), Gander (Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada), Homer (Alaska, USA), Lerwick, Shetland (UK), Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland), Nuuk (Greenland), South Tarawa (Republic of Kiribati), St. Johnsbury (Vermont, USA), Torshavn (Faroe Islands), Umeå (Sweden), Whitehorse (Yukon Territory, Canada), Whitesburg (Kentucky, USA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Songwriter Shines Spotlight on Neglected Historic State-Owned Buildings with Heartfelt Anthem...

When singer-songwriter Dan Holmes heard the historic state-owned properties in his hometown of Bishop Hill, Illinois had fallen into disrepair he knew he needed to do something. "So, like I usually do when moved, I wrote," said Holmes. The finished product ended up being a song, titled "Hometown", which is partly a history lesson of the colony and partly an autobiographical account of a childhood spent in Bishop Hill and insight gained through a life of travel. Holmes, very gently, makes a nod to the long neglected historical landmarks owned by the state, in hopes that "it might help the cause". The Bishop Hill Colony Church was recently added to Landmarks Illinois' Most Endangered Historic Places List.

Holmes began playing guitar at age 10, learning by listening to James Taylor, Paul Simon, Jim Croce and John Denver records. His music career later began to grow while attending Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. For a time, Holmes moved to the east coast and experienced some success there, once opening for Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. When his father was diagnosed with cancer he moved home and put music on hold for a time, while he began a career in education. Years later, Holmes began performing again, including four tours of Europe, performing at the Illinois State Fair and the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk To Cure Breast Cancer, and writing music for the Appalachia Service Project.

Dan calls himself an "old school singer/songwriter" who loves creating music about the presence of God in our world. He lives in Belvidere, Illinois with his wife.

 

"A recording of Hometown" can be heard at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngk0muiXq80

 

Those interested in helping the cause are encouraged to voice their concerns to Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and their state legislators.

 

 

Blue Star Home Program Announced...

Applications are begin accepted for those that wish to participate in the Blue Star Home Program ("the Program").

Upon completion of an extensive background check, a Blue Star home will be given the opportunity to display a blue star on on their homes indicating that they have chosen to assist any young person that feels threatened in any manner, whether that threat is bullying, suspicious activity or imminent bodily harm.

Any juvenile that is uncomfortable with conditions outside a Blue Star Home may seek refuge from those conditions by ringing the door bell, pounding on the front door or yelling for help.

Blue Star Home participants are limited to assessing the situation, calling the child's parent or guardian absent an immediate threat, reporting all such incidents to the Galva Police immediately after contacting the child's parent or guardian, or in the case of a threatening situation immediately dialing 911.

Further, Blue Star Home participants agree that they will NOT take the law into their own hands, and that they will always have the best interests of the child in mind when offering assistance.

The Galva Police Department reserves the right to reject any application for the Blue Star Home Program for any reason or for no reason at all.

If you would like to participate in the Program, download the Application, fill it out in its entirety, and return it to City Hall. If your application is approved, you will receive a call from the Galva Police Department indicating acceptance into the Program and will be allowed to pick up your Blue Star from City Hall.

 

 

 

Letters from Galva...

 

 

 

 

Galvan Ryan Olson Featured In Airman Magazine...

When Ryan was a senior at the Air Force Academy, Airman Magazine wanted to do a video on the space program at the Academy. Ryan was the number one cadet in the Astronautical Engineering department and was chosen to do this video.

 

 

 

The Galva Giant Makes It To YouTube...

 

 

 

OSF Announces The Care-A-Van Mobile Health Care Unit...

 

 

 

 

Gary Metiever Produces Galva Levitt Amp Video...

 

 

 

 

Eagle Enterprises Publishes New Recycling Standards...

View or Print the Recyclables List

 

Sons of the American Legion...

The Galva American Legion Post #45 has received their charter for a new Sons of the American Legions Squadron.

The Legion is looking for new members to get the squadron rolling.

If you have a parent, grandparent or great grandparent or step parent or step grandparent that was in the military, you are eligible to join.

If interested, please contact Wayne Glisan at (309) 335 - 2931, Lloyd Anderson at (309) 853 - 7347 or Earl Stuckey at (309) 853 - 7917