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Celtic Concerts Coming to Bishop Hill...

 

In the spirit of the season of St. Patrick’s Day, Bishop Hill Creative Commons is hosting two upcoming concerts featuring Celtic music and performers from Ireland and Quebec: Sunday, March 24th with Grosse Isle and Monday, March 25th with JigJam. Both shows will begin with a potluck dinner and social hour at 6:00 P.M., with music starting at 7:00 P.M., and are open to guests of all ages.

A $20-30 donation is suggested, with 100% of the proceeds going to the artists.

Below is a quick introduction to each performer. For tickets and more information please visit XroadsCC.org.

 

Grosse Isle

Grosse Isle

 

The traditional music trio Grosse Isle was born out of the “absolutely magical” collaboration between three exceptional musicians from Quebec and Ireland (The Irish Music Magazine). Together, Sophie Lavoie du Lac-St-Jean (fiddle, piano, vocal), André Marchand the legendary (guitar, vocal), and Fiachra O’Regan, Irish champion (uilleann pipes, whistle, banjo) shine with their rich and enveloping music. These musicians all have a national and international reputation as a duo mainly in the case of Sophie & Fiachra and within several groups for 40 years as far as André Marchand is concerned (La Bottine Souriante, Les Charbonniers de l’Enfer and others).

 

JigJam

JigJam

 

When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running naked through the wide open fields of bluegrass/Americana JigJam is born. Bluegrass and American Folk music originated from the group’s home, and now JigJam is here to take it back!

JigJam made its Grand Ole Opry Debut in Nashville in March 2023 to critical acclaim receiving a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd on Country Music’s biggest stage. The group was joined on the night by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle, Lauren Alaina, and many more.

This Offaly and Tipperary-born band has started the first wave of attack in the new Irish invasion of Americana. ‘Foot stomping’, ‘high energy’ badassery is what you’re in for when you see this musical powerhouse live in concert.

Founding members from Offaly Jamie McKeogh (Lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (5 String Banjo and Dobro) were joined by Tipperary-born Gavin Strappe (Mandolin and Tenor Banjo) in 2016. This year they are joined by Kevin Buckley (Fiddle) to make up this iGrass (Irish Bluegrass) quartet.

Described as ‘The best Irish band in bluegrass’ and ‘sparkling, infectious’ these lads have been hailed as ‘Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival’ Bluegrass has its roots in Irish music and Irish immigration. iGrass and JigJam is what happens when the Irish find their prodigal son.

 

Bishop Hill Book Fair...

The Bishop Hill Creative Commons is hosting the fourth annual Bishop Hill Book Fair on Saturday April 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Guests can meet local authors in their natural habitat and 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.

The event will be held at the Commons at 309 North Bishop Hill Road, Bishop Hill.

Authors represent a wide range of genres, from children’s books, folklore and young adult novels, to romance, mystery, biography and history. The line-up includes 16 local authors: Brian “Fox” Ellis, Jannifer Powelson, Amanda McNeill, Carol Paur, Dan Moore, Dave Lager, Debra Borys, Hollye Cox, Connor McManis, Jackie Lawson, Mary Davidsaver, Mike Bayles, Misty Urban, Nadine Roth, Thomas McKay, and Sam Rice. 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 to 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, and all proceeds are earmarked to help re-establish Bishop Hill’s Community Orchard. The event is hosted by author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis of Fox Tales.

The Midwest Writing Center and all of the authors have also offered their support for the success of this community driven event. This weekend is also Bishop Hill’s Spring Jubilee with special sales in many of the shops, a flea market, a lecture on Native American Women’s History and a concert with Arcomusical at the Commons Saturday evening. For more information please contact “Fox” at: 309-696-1017 or foxtales@foxtalesint.com

 

Book Fair

 

 

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.

 

 

Singing Bird

 

Bacon Fest

 

School Carnival 17 April

(Printable Application)

Carnival Flyer and Application

 

 

 

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...

Recycle List

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