Susan Lind of Princeton spends a few quiet moments at her dining room table, preparing to go through some family heirloom cookbooks. Lind, who first learned her love for cooking from her grandfather, describes cooking in her kitchen as her greatest comfort zone.

MANLIUS — The Bureau Valley School Foundation will host a drawdown on April 10 at Arnie’s Happy Spot in Deer Grove.

PRINCETON — The Princeton Book Club will discuss the book “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Princeton Public Library. Also Thursday, watercolorist Dana Collins will present a program at 7 p.m.

This year, the Illinois Valley Fine Arts Trust awarded an all-time record high of $16,460 in grants to 13 area art, theater and music non-profit organizations and to another 15 community groups for fine arts programs.

Dane Suarez of Princeton is pursuing the career of his dreams. He’s willing to accept that there’s no guarantee of employment and ready to put in the hard work — all for the love of being in the spotlight and belting out music in front of a crowd.

Orchard View Rehabilitation and Health Care residents and staff enjoyed a Valentine's party where the crowning of the 2010 kings and queens was held. Pictured are 1R Queen Mary McCarrall and King Richard Bierwirth. Absent from the photo are 2R King Robert Ellis and Queen Hazel Schafer. The kings and queens are voted on by their peers and the staff at Orchard View.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Air Force Airman Brooke M. Reinbeck graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

PRINCETON — Susan Gorman, from Perry Memorial Hospital, presented a program on infectious diseases to the Princeton-Illinois chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution at its February meeting held in the Prouty Building in Princeton. She presented information on the H1N1 flu. After the presentation, members participated in a vaccine clinic.

Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Tree of Lights Chairperson Deb Kirley (left) presents Brenda Streit, Auxiliary president, with a check for part of the 2009 Tree of Lights contribution. A portion of the monies raised during the 2009 campaign have been used to purchase an Interosseous Gun for the emergency department which is used to inject medication directly into a patient’s bone. The cost of this equipment was $1,390.31. The balance of the campaign contribution will be used to purchase three wheelchairs for Perry’s special procedures unit.

PRINCETON — American Legion Auxiliary Unit 125 of Princeton will conduct its monthly business meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the post home, 1549 W. Peru St. in Princeton.

MANLIUS — The Manlius Historical Society met Feb. 15 at the Manlius Village Hall with President Lois Swanson leading the group in the pledge of allegiance and then opening the meeting by asking Kenneth Rodgers for minutes of Nov. 16 meeting and treasurer’s report.

Auxiliary workshop

How important is parental involvement in your students' education?

PRINCETON — The Princeton Public Schools Foundation held its second annual Trivia Night fundraiser on Feb. 20 at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton.

PRINCETON — The Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is accepting applications for its 2010 health career scholarship awards.

More than 230 friends of Illinois Valley Community Hospital gathered Jan. 30 at Celebrations 150 in LaSalle for the 22nd annual IVCH Foundation Ball. The Foundation’s principal yearly fundraiser, the ball was organized by a committee headed by Elaine Buckman and her husband, George (left), assisted by IVCH chief executive officer Tommy Hobbs and his wife, Lisa. Proceeds from the event, which are still being tabulated, will be used to help the hospital purchase medical equipment. Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner before an evening of dancing to the music of Vince Gelsomino and Phaze.

Fish fry

PRINCETON — The Princeton High School Fine Arts Division will have its annual Festival of Two Arts on Monday.

Book club meeting

PRINCETON — The Prairie Arts Center in Princeton will showcase works of art by the members of the PAC Junior Art League in an exhibit beginning Saturday and ending March 14.

PRINCETON — Taking commitment to community seriously, Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Spring Valley has again done more than “put their money where their mouth is,” they’ve put muscle behind the strength of their volunteerism ... at least where Freedom House is concerned.

PRINCETON — There is no lack of talent, enthusiasm and ambition for Tag! You’re It, a high school Christian/metalcore band from Princeton. This group of young men has diligently worked hard the past year to establish themselves as a group of musicians who are worthy of listening. Their work has paid off as the group has gained local fame and admiration from a number of teenagers in the area, and as the members hope for continued success.

PRINCETON — Dozens of plates of spaghetti and garlic bread were served by members of the Princeton KidLit Committee at Italian Express on Feb. 21. More than 100 people came out to support the fundraiser, some unknowingly, by buying all-you-can-eat spaghetti, garlic bread, and a drink for $6. “I was shooting for 100 people,” said KidLit Foundation president LuAnn Salz. “We met that goal and then some. I’m very happy.” In addition to the meal, there was also a bake sale. Some of the baked goods were donated by the Princeton Public Schools Foundation from their Trivia Night the day before. “We would like to thank everyone at Italian Express for their help and generosity,” said KidLit Board Member Chad Brokaw. “They provided a great way for us

PRINCETON — Cheryl Bebej will give a demonstration on stringing beads from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Princeton Public Library. There will also be a hands-on beading project. The program “Visual Literacy” with photographer Ben Martinkus will be presented at 7 p.m.

PERU — Mary Brandt of Peru won the quilt raffle at the recent Lily Pads Resale Boutique.

LASALLE — The results of last year's fundraiser was discussed at the planning committee meeting for the Illinois Valley Memory Walk at their meeting held Feb. 24 at Vitas Innovative Hospice in LaSalle. The committee generated a total of $31,304 for Alzheimer's disease.

Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will hold a book fair from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the north lobby of the hospital. A bake sale will also be held from 7 a.m. to noon on Friday. PMH employees Carla Beaber (left) and Deb Wood look over the assortment of books and gifts at a recent fair.

Monthly meeting

Residents and staff at Liberty Village who wore red in honor of Heart Month are (front row, from left) residents Margaret Emmerson and Freida Anderson; (second row) Marcia Vancauwenberg; and (back row) staff members Penny Lusietto, Mandi Hansen, Karin Baugh, Marge Milby, Robin Squires and Bernice Schuetz.

PRINCETON — The Princeton Rotary Club has released information about the 2010 Swan-Eickmeier Scholarship Program.