EUNICE MAY RUSSELL DEMOCRAT SCHOLARSHIP

 

The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee has announced that it will award a $1000 scholarship this spring to a graduating senior in one of the county high schools. The scholarship is available to any 2026 graduating senior from a Montgomery County High School, who is a resident of Montgomery County, Illinois and from a DEMOCRAT family, and who will be pursuing a degree at any post secondary educational institution.

Interested applicants should provide the following to their guidance counselor for transmittal to the committee: NOTE: FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE APPLICANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP

1. Letter of acceptance from the institution of higher education the applicant will be attending.

2. A seven hundred and fifty (500) word essay on the topic “What I Consider America’s Greatest Accomplishment in its 250 Years of Existence.” “Should ANY Citizen be Above the Law?”

3. Copy of high school transcript.

4. Statement of family income

Deadline for RECEIPT of applications is Friday April 18. 2026.

The scholarship, named in honor of the longest serving Montgomery County Clerk, Eunice May Russell, will be awarded at the annual awards ceremony at the successful applicant’s school. This will be the twelveth annual awarding of the Eunice May Russell Democrat Scholarship

What: Annual Quilt Show

When: Month of April

Where: Gillespie Public Library, 201 West Chestnut

Etc. The Library welcomes all quilts to be displayed

for viewing. Please drop off quilts during the

last week of March. Any questions? Call 839-3614   

What: Gillespie FFA Greenhouse Sale 

When: Thursday, April 16th 3p-6p

Friday, April 17th 3p-6p

Saturday, April 18th 7a-11a,

Sunday, April 19th 10a-2p

Thursday, April 23rd 3p-6p

Friday, April 24th 3p-6p

Saturday, April 25th 7a-11a

Sunday, April 26th 10a-2p

Where: Gillespie High School, 612 Broadway 

What: Nokomis Town Wide Rummage Sales

When: Friday, April 17th & Saturday, April 18 @ 8a 

Where: Nokomis, maps available at

Casey's, UJ's and Nokomis Christian Missions 

*Most sales begin at 8a   

What: Coal Country Sports Complex Cookout 

When: Saturday, April 18th 10a - til sold out 

Where: Randy's Market, 403 S. Macoupin, Gillespie 

Etc. Pork burgers, butterfly pork chops, hot dogs,

water and soda will be sold. Come out & support

the continued development of the area's sports complex. 

What: Chicken Dinner

When: Saturday, April 18th 3p-6p

Where: Sorento Baptist Church, 206 West Taylor

Etc. 2 pc chicken dinner w/mashed potatoes, gravy,

green beans or corn, drink & dessert, $12

Proceeds go to the church. 

What: Retirement Services

When: Sunday, April 19th @ 10:30a

Where: Coffeen Free Methodist Church,

207 South Church Street 

Etc. Pastor Gene & Pastor Jenni Dunkley

are retiring from home ministries. Special services

at 10:30a with a potluck at 1p. All are welcome.  

The City-Wide Spring Clean-up program, is scheduled for Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24th.  They will begin in Ward 1 on Monday, April 20th and proceed through the wards accordingly, weather permitting.  Friday, April 24th will be appliance pick-up day.  Please remember the City will not pick up tires, brush, railroad ties, paint, household trash, electronics, glass or cardboard.  No construction materials will be accepted.  Crews will make only one pass on each street.  Residents are reminded not to place any items out earlier than 1 week prior to these dates.

 

 

What: Carlinville City Hall Meeting 

When: Monday, April 20th 9:30a &

Friday, April 24th @ 9:30a

Where: Carliville City Hall, 550 North Broad 

Etc. Special meeting interview for City Administrator Position

What: Raymond Community Blood Drive

When: Tuesday, April 21st, 3p-7p

Where: Raymond KC Hall, 510 East Sparks

Schedule: 1-800-747-5401 or bloodcenter.org

 

What: Jim Marcacci Book Signing

When: Tuesday, April 21st @ 5:30p

Where: Carlinville Public Library, 510 East Broad

Etc. Book signing & presentation. Books willbe

available for purchase.   

What: North Mac Career Fair

When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 12:15p - 6p

Where: North Mac High School,

231 West Fortune Street, Virden 

Etc. If any organizations would like to be represented

and provide students a chance to learn more about

careers in your field, call 217-854-3141 ext. 1922

or 217-371-4875.  

What: Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

What: Annual Meeting

When: Thursday, April 23rd @ 6p

Where: SCI Regional Workforce & Innovation Center,

2001 Eilerman Avenue, Litchfield 

Doors open @ 5:30p 

 

MCPT will take you to shopping destinations in Litchfield, including Aldi, WalMart, Rural King and Dollar General.  Dining at China Town.  $10 per person.  Call for pickup and dropoff locations.  All trips require a minimum of 6 riders.  Call 217-839-4130 to reserve a seat.  

What: Drive Thru Dinner

When: Friday, April 24th 4p-6:30p

Where: Holy Family Parish, 410 South State, Litchfield 

Etc. Slow-cooked, smoked pulled pork,

baked beans, KC's coleslaw & dessert, $14.

In church parking lot. 

What: Hillsboro FFA Plant Sale 

When: Friday, April 24th 3p-6p

Saturday, April 25th 9a-4p

Sunday, April 26th 9a-4p

Friday, May 1st 3p-6p

Saturday, May 2nd 9a-2p

Sunday, May 3rd 9a-4p

Where: Hillsboro High School Greenhouse, 522 East Tremont  

Etc. Flowers, succulents, vegetables & strawberries

 

What: Benld Adopt-A-Pet Golf Tournament 

When: Saturday, April 25th @ 10a

Where: Staunton Country Club,

3283 South Country Club Lane

Etc. Registration @ 9a , tee off @ 10a

4 person scramble, $100 per person

includes: green fees, flighted cash payouts, cart & lunch. 

Proceeds to benefit Adopt-A-Pet 

618-303-4650 or 217-835-2538 to sign up 

    

What: Irving Tailgate Sale

When: Saturday, April 25th 8a-2p

Where: Irving Community Park

Etc. Sell your trunk, truckload or tailgate of goods 

along the road at Irving Park. Buy, sell & swap.

Questions, call 217-851-1660 

What: Spring Craft & Vendor Fair

When: Saturday, April 25th 9a-3p

Where: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 

150 North Windmill Street, Marine 

Etc. More info, 618-887-4535

 

  

In conjunction with Witt Museum

All You Can Eat Breakfast
Adults $12.00 Children (3-10) $7.00
Biscuits and Gravy
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon
Hash Browns
Breakfast Sweets
Coffee, Orange Juice & Milk

WE DELIVER TO ANYONE IN WITT, PLEASE CALL 273-9701 TO PLACE YOUR ORDER. PLEASE CALL NO LATER THAN THE DAY BEFORE.

What: Hillsboro FFA Chapter Banquet

When: Monday, April 27th @ 6:30p

Where: Hillsboro High School Cafeteria, 522 East Tremont

Etc. RSVP 618-499-8814. Doors open @ 6p   

MCPT will take you to the legendary Horse Hookey at Fairmount Park Casino and Racing in Collinsville.  $20 per person.  Call for pickup and dropoff locations.  All trips require a minimum of 6 riders.  Call 217-839-4130 to reserve a seat. 

What: North Elementary School Kindergarten Screening  

When: Wednesday, April 29th 8:30a-11:30a

Where: North Elementary School,

110 West Hamilton, Nokomis 

Etc. For children who will be 5 years old on or before

September 1st, 2026 and are NOT currently enrolled

in the Pre-K Program at North Elementary School.

Screenings are by appointment only.

To schedule, call 217-563-8521    

What: Mother Jones Festival Concert

When: Saturday, May 2nd 3p-6p

Where: Mississippi Culture,

201 South Union Street, Staunton

Music by Casting Runes, Kelley Hatlee

and Nick Davio.   

What: Mother Jones May Day Festival

When: Sunday, May 3rd 1p-3p

Where: Mt. Olive Library, 215 Main Street

Music: Piasa Canyon, Wildflower Conspiracy 

For kids: Professor Longhair, antique fire truck

museum tours, food & drinks   

 

 

Who: HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary

What: Drive Thru Dinner

When: Monday, May 11th 5p-6:30p

Where: St. Francis Hospital, Franciscan Drive, Litchfield 

Etc: Dinner must be ordered by Noon on May 4th

To place order: stfrancis-litchfield.org/dinners or

at the hospital gift shop. 

Dinner: Grilled pork chop, loaded mashed potatoes,

glazed carrots, and roll prepared by Nelson's Catering. 

What: Benld Italian American Days Car Show 

When: Saturday, May 23rd 8a-1p

Where: Benld City Park, 305 North Main 

Etc. Registration 8a-Noon, judging @ Noon

Trophies presented following judging.

Food and refreshments available. 

What: Mulberry Grove High School Alumni Banquet

When: Saturday, June 6th @ 4:30p

Where: Mulberry Grove Grade School Gym,

801 West Wall Street 

Etc. Honoring Classes from 1956, 1966, 1976

Meet & greet @ 4:30p, banquet @ 6p

Info: 618-292-5588   

What: Drive Out Hunger Golf Scramble 

When: Friday, July 24th @ 8a

Where: Indian Springs Golf Course,

21347 IL Rte 185, Fillmore

Etc. Proceeds to benefit the 

Montgomery County Food Pantries.

Call MCFB office to register 217-532-6171  

or kwilson@montcofb.com

What: Gambler's Anonymous Meeting

When: Thursday nights 6:30p-8p

Where: Holy Family Parish Center

211 East Columbia, Litchfield