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VOLUME 82, NUMBER 28
211553
July 15, 2015
Stockton Strong hosts its July Movie in the Park
Leverton Sales
211554
STOCKTON — Who doesn’t remember those special nights when mom and dad would load everybody in the car, grab a cooler, pillows and a blanket and head out to take in an outdoor movie? Times haven’t changed and with the arrival of warmer weather, outdoor movie night is back in Stockton. “We’ve had two movie nights so far this season and the kids are very excited,” said Stockton Strong Events and Activities committee member Erin Jordan. “Our goal is just to bring people together and provide free entertainment and activities through the use of our sponsors.” The committee had brainstormed some ideas for entertainment earlier and decided to start with the Movie in the Park series. “We wouldn’t be able to do this if it weren’t for the Citizens State Bank and the Stockton Banking Center,” Jordan said. “We also have Scott Noller from Basses Wild doing sound and the Fire Department donated use of the projector last Friday and Community Planning and Funding Services is allowing us to use their projector tonight,” Jordan said. “The whole town is pitching in to make these movie nights a success.” There’s more to Movie in the Park than just the fresh air and the stars and a film. “They’re bringing hula hoops from the elementary school; we have our bubble machine that the kids always enjoy playing with and it’s always nice to invite families out to spend an evening together in our park,” she said. Who doesn’t want popcorn
with an outdoor move and Barb Schultz is there to see that the park’s concession stand is open. “I’m just trying to help Stockton Strong move forward,” Schultz said. “I get help from volunteers and folks get the snacks they want to make their night at the movies a little more fun.” Another activities and events committee member Jill Wood said she had moved to the area about a year ago and quickly decided to get involved with Stockton Strong. “It’s a great way to meet people and get to know more about the town,” said Wood. “I love the idea of bringing people together for an evening in the park. The kids can run and play. I think this is a great thing for families to be able to do on a weekTracy Siegner photo end; it’s free and Chasing bubbles is a big part of every Stockton Strong Movie in the Park event and last Friday night was fun and Movie in no exception. the Park is an awening process for rural commu- the Western Illinois Univer- a nice place to grow up and some thing to do.” Peggy Tully was busy help- nities to create a long-range sity Illinois Institute for Rural everybody knows everybody. We’re a friendly community ing with the games before vision for the economic devel- Affairs. “We’re all working to grow and everybody is welcome the movie. She is also with opment of their communities. the events committee and got MAPPING is spearheaded by Stockton,” Tully said. “It’s here.” involved with Stockton Strong early last year when it spun out from the town’s involvement with “MAPPING the EAST EDGE of McConnell 815-868-2237 Future of Your Community,” Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-3 or by appointment a strategic visioning and plan-
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