Annual IVCC Edible Car Contest returns Wednesday

One of the most popular and tasty traditions is back for a tenth time at Illinois Valley Community College.  Student teams will battle it out Wednesday during the annual Edible Car Contest. Teams build cars made entirely from food. Past cars have included bodies made out of cucumbers and hot dogs and wheels made of cookies.

Teams are judged on things like speed, design and creativity. High school and college teams are welcome to compete. Last year Hall High School was the big winner among 26 teams.

For more information call Dorene Verucchi at IVCC. All cars have to be checked in by 11am Wednesday.

Bus service begins to bring Streator students to IVCC

It’s gotten easier for people in Streator to take courses at Illinois Valley Community College.

A bus route going from St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator to IVCC’s Oglesby campus begun running Monday. IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says they want to make it easier for people in Streator to get their GED and offering a ride to campus is a way to do that.

The bus is an NCAT bus, the same service that provides rides in other parts of La Salle County. A one-way ride is four dollars. You can also buy 10 rides for $30. Passes are on sale in Streator and on campus.

Learn more about service by listening to an interview that’s available at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

A funny fairy tale for children planned for the Hegelar Carus Mansion

You probably know somebody that needs to be the center of attention. Perhaps you could take them to a performance coming up at the Hegelar Carus Mansion in La Salle.

“Grunella, The Story Stealer” is a play about a delusional, high-strung, witch in Fairy Tale Land who is so desperate for her own story she casts a spell over all princesses including Snow White and Cinderella.

The play is a production by the Illinois Valley Community College Theater Department. It was written and directed by IVCC’s Dr. David Kuester.

Performances are at seven Friday night and at one, four, and seven Saturday at the mansion. Because seating is limited, you must make a reservation online at the mansion’s website.

IVCC alumni game to benefit Lily Rosploch

Big and tall basketball players will do their best to help little Lily Rosploch of La Salle.

The annual Illinois Valley Community College’s alumni men’s basketball game will benefit Rosploch as she continues to battle cancer. IVCC’s current team will take on a group of alumni at 7pm Wednesday inside the IVCC gym.

You are encouraged to contribute to the “Rally for Lily” fund while attending the game.

IVCC’s next musical production opens Thursday

When a couple of sailors fall in love with a couple of actresses things get silly in the musical “Dames at Sea”. The fast-paced, comedy opens Thursday at St. Bede Academy.

It’s a production of the Illinois Valley Community College Theater Department. Don Grant Zellmer is the director and choreographer. He says the play is a spoof of 1930’s movie musicals and features a lot of tap dancing and familiar local actors including Norm Engstrom and Alex Guerrero.

Performances are October 16-19 and October 23-26 at the small theater at St. Bede Academy. Performances start at 8pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for IVCC students with an ID.

Learn more by listening to an interview with Zellmer at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Newest hall of fame class unveiled for IVCC

Big names in broadcasting and politics highlight the newest hall of fame class at Illinois Valley Community College.

Peter Miller Jr. and his son Peter Miller III will be inducted posthumously as will Joe Mikyska. Rounding out the class is State Representative Frank Mautino, Lincoln Frost and the 1976 football team.

While publisher of the NewsTribune in the 60’s and owner of La Salle County Broadcasting, Miller Jr. is credited with backing a campaign to win public support for building the college at its current spot. His son was the head of Miller Group Media and renowned philanthropist in the Illinois Valley. The new technology center is named after the Millers.

Mautino is credited with playing a big role in getting funding for the new technology center. He was also involved in getting money for the truck driving center.

Mikyska taught political science at IVCC for 39 years. He was also an alderman in Peru.

The final individual inducted meanwhile is Lincoln Frost. He taught math at IVCC for 31 years.

Herman named IVCC head men’s basketball coach

The new head men’s basketball coach at Illinois Valley Community College knows his way around campus. Former assistant, Chris Herman will take over the helm this season. The college announced the move Thursday.

Herman was an assistant for Tommy Canale for six seasons. Prior to coming to IVCC, he was an assistant at Pratt Community College in Kansas and worked under his father at Illinois Central College. He played basketball at Washington High School and Sam Houston State and Georgia College.

Herman says IVCC will play an attacking style defense and offense.

IVCC names an interim athletic director

A softball coach and instructor will oversee sports at Illinois Valley Community College at least for the time being.

Cory Tomasson is the new interim athletic director. College officials made the announcement Friday. Tomasson has been at IVCC since 1994. He replaces Tommy Canale who left the position this summer.

Instructors picket for new contract at IVCC

Holding signs that said things like “fair contract now”, 51 faculty members at Illinois Valley Community College held an informational picket Monday morning.

Their three-year contract is expired and negotiations are at an impasse according to Ray Roskos with the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He says salary and benefits are the biggest sticking points.

The two sides met Friday and are both asking that a mediator get involved. There won’t be another picket Tuesday.

Upgrades to the Cultural Center has the IVCC theater department on the road

The Cultural Center at Illinois Valley Community College is getting a new sound system that should improve your theater experience.  Don Grant Zellmer of IVCC says that will have them producing four shows this fall semester on the road.

The venue for their children’s production is the Hegeler Carus Mansion.  Zellmer says they’ve produced shows at the mansion before and it is a great experience for the children.  Three other shows, including the tap dancing musical Dames at Sea, will be performed in St. Bede Academy’s small theater.  Zellmer says they have developed a great partnership with St. Bede.

You don’t have to be an IVCC student to audition for a part. Auditions are being held later this month.  Learn more about the upcoming theater season by listening to an interview at the WLPO AM and FM news page.