The West Peoria Residents’ Association is sponsoring a community-wide yard sale 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16. If you are interested in participating, contact either wpnewsadvertisements@westpeoriaresidents.org or Maggie Moore at 673-0535. At the time of this writing, residents of the following blocks have indicated their participation in the event: 2200 block of West Alice, 2400 block of West Barker, 100 block of North Cedar, 2700 block of West Heading, 3000 block of West Kenwood and the 2100 block of West Manor Parkway. As other addresses are added, they will be listed in the Community Yard Sale flyer. You are also encouraged to visit the Franciscan Recreation Complex to enjoy that craft and vendor sale, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. that same day.
The 18th annual West Peoria Memorial Day celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 23 at the Franciscan Recreation Complex war veterans memorial and flag pole. This event is hosted by the West Peoria Township Board, under the leadership of Robert DeSutter, township supervisor, U.S. Army veteran and longtime Boy Scout Leader. Troop and Pack 11 scouts participate in this patriotic event. The Presentation of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance, readings of traditional Memorial Day poems, “In Flanders Fields” and “Eulogy of a Veteran” will be read by scouts. You and your family are encouraged to attend and experience a celebration and remembrance of the many who served our country in the past.
The West Peoria Senior Citizen/Retiree group celebrated their first year anniversary in April. This group meets 1 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month in City Hall. The May meeting will be held 1 p.m. May 28.
There is also a book club in West Peoria, and it will meet 6 p.m. May 18 to review “The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. If you enjoy books, contact either Loretta Fehl, 637-0326 or Maggie Moore, 673-0535.
The WPRA Beautification Committee will meet 9:30 a.m. May 11 to plant flowers at the corners of Sterling and Rohmann and fill planters placed at the Welcome Wall and West Peoria businesses. This is weather permitting.
April Dukes was installed as the new president of the WPRA with the resignation of Margie Barnes who was elected alderperson on the West Peoria City Council. The association meets the third Thursday each month; the next meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 21 in City Hall.
Community officer Deputy Middlemas will discuss “Scams” at the Neighborhood Watch meeting 6 p.m. May 13 in City Hall.
Carole Stevens, City Clerk, will end her tenure during the May 12 City Council meeting. Carole has been a very knowledgeable, cheerful and helpful assistant to anyone who contacted City Hall for help. We wish her well with her new found time. She is being followed in the role by April Silver, newly elected City Clerk.
A continuing tradition in our community is the West Peoria Jamboree and Scout Carnival. The 25th annual event will be held 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 5 at Franciscan Park. On occasion, weather has not cooperated and the event has had to be cancelled. This year Sunday June 6 is scheduled as the rain date if needed. The Boy Scout Carnival sponsored by Troop 11 is in the afternoon. Food and drink are sold all day by Jamboree sponsors: the West Peoria Fire Department, Ladies’ Auxiliary, the West Peoria Lions, and Residents Association. Music is featured during the evening. All this is planned to provide a day of family fun.
Planning is also underway for the 2015 four-mile run/one-mile fitness walk that same morning. Race organizer, Jamie Silver, is in need of volunteers for this year’s run. Contact Jamie at 369-2104 for more information or visit www.facebook.com/jamboreerun.
Landscape waste pickup began Friday, April 3 and continues until the last Friday in December. The service is included in your Waste Management bill.
Each year, thousands of people visit our community during the summer. The big event every year for West Peoria is the annual Fourth of July parade and flag raising. This year’s event is in need of volunteers. The Sister Band from Clonmel Ireland will again join us for this event. This is a premiere band from Ireland and will be making its second appearance in our parade. Volunteers are needed for multiple functions. If interested, contact mwrhel@comcastnet.
Let’s get our homes and neighborhoods prepared for this influx of visitors by cleaning, pruning, mowing and generally welcoming visitors and showing them that indeed “Living is Best to the West of Peoria.”