IN OUR COMMUNITY

The Germantown Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Metamora Area Business Association sponsored the Community Prayer Breakfast held Wednesday, October 25th.  With over 120 guests in attendance, the Keynote Address was given by former Executive Director of the Peoria Rescue Mission, Jerry Trecek.  Music was provided by the Metamora Township High School Madrigal Singers, directed by Emma Morris. 

The Chamber presented its 2023 Servant Leadership Award to Julie Perry of Mended Hearts in Metamora, and; MABA presented its 2023 Distinguished Service Award to Jack Weddle of Metamora.   A big congratulations to both Julie and Jack!

Join the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 115 at the Spring Bay American Legion (500 Legion Ln) to honor our Veterans!  They will host a Chicken and Noodle Dinner from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 12th.  The cost is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children under 10 years old, and free to Post 115 Veterans in good standing.  

Dine-in and carryout are available and it is open to the public.  There will also be apple and cherry pie, and pumpkin bars available for sale.  Call 309-822-8741 to place an order.  

The Metamora Grade School and Germantown Hills Grade Schools are joining forces to support our Veterans and help raise money for the Peoria Honor Flight!

On Saturday, November 4th, the 7th and 8th grade boys and girls teams from both schools will compete in basketball games with the first game starting at 10:00 a.m. and the last of four games starting at 1:45 p.m.  There will be special performances by the MGS and GHMS dance and cheer teams, half-court shots, and a 50/50 drawing.

The cost is $3 for adults and high school students, $2 for children and seniors, and free for military/veteran

Metamora Township High School will present the 48th annual Madrigal Dinner from Friday, December 1st through Sunday, December 3rd.   On Friday and Saturday, doors will open at 6:00 p.m., with the show starting at 6:30.p.m. On Sunday, doors open at 3:00 p.m., with the show starting at 3:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now through the MTHS Box Office.  Tickets are $30 per person. To buy tickets via phone or email, call (309) 367-4151, ext. 574 or email kherrick@mths.us

Come get your holiday shopping done early and support a great school at the Germantown Hills PTO annual Craft & Vendor Show on Saturday, November 4h from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Browse over 90 crafters and vendors that will offer something for everyone of all ages!

Come shop the sale at Germantown Hills School along Route 116 at 103 Warrior Way and help benefit the staff and students!

Exciting playoff coverage continues the MTCO digiMAX LIVE Local channel 401 and on the digiMAX Sports Network YouTube channel!  Watch the IHSA 2nd round football matchup between Metamora and Highland at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4th. 

Got Candy?  Anytime Fitness in Germantown Hills is collecting candy for Soldiers’ Angels Treats For Troops!  Donate your extra Halloween candy from November 1st - 7th.  The hours to drop candy off at Anytime Fitness are Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., and Friday & Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Whether you help with landscaping, spend time with residents, or lend a hand at fundraising events, there are lots of ways in which you can help at Snyder Village!  Click below to learn more and to sign up.  Questions?  Contact Ashley Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator, at (309) 366-4135 or visit https://www.snydervillage.com/volunteers-2/

MYSA is looking for high school or college students who want to make some extra cash!  They need workers to assist during home games at both Metamora Grade School and Germantown Hills Middle School:

- Admission/Concessions:  $15 per game 

- Time Keepers: $20 per game

- In-House Basketball Referees: $25 per  

  game

- Clean-up Person:  $50/ night with a $500 

  bonus (please inquire for more details).

All positions will be paid once per month.  Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AAAE2EA7FDC61-45304738-mysa?fbclid=IwAR0n1A3tYGV7UERcPQLymeaN0PXpgvQJzLzhTu-ITWmU1C8VobIsf-EEJiY#/

The Community Holiday Gift Card Committee is again providing Metamora Kirby Foods gift cards to area residents before the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Thanks to our community’s generosity, 100 gift cards each of the last three years. You can help by donating! Make your check payable to the Community Christmas Basket Fund. Mail or drop off your donation to Metamora Commerce Bank, 1 South Englewood Dr, Metamora IL 61548.  There will also be collection jugs at Metamora Kirby Foods in November. 

Anyone with food insecurities living in the Metamora Township High School district, or attending a school in the district, is eligible for a gift card. Please contact Becky Weber, 602 Malone Ct., Metamora, IL 61548, phone 309-369-1133 or email beckygfwc@gmail.com  

The deadline for submitting names (kept confidential) is Friday, November 3rd. If you are submitting a family’s name, be sure to contact the family first and ask if they would be willing to accept a gift card. All gift cards need to be picked up on Saturday, November 18th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Christian Union Church in Metamora. 

MTCO is a drop-off location for the Woodford County Heartline and Heart House Tree of Hearts program that provides Christmas gifts to low-income people in Woodford County.  They are looking for new, unwrapped gifts for children ages newborn through high school.  Ideas include toys, games, arts and crafts, Legos, bedroom décor, clothes, sports items, cologne/perfume, wallets, etc.

Donations will be accepted at MTCO (220 N. Menard St., Metamora) from November 27th until December Wednesday, December 13th.  In 2022, gifts were given to more than 100 families!

Great American Family FREE PREVIEW Nov. 1st - Nov. 30th.

Enjoy a free preview featuring 24/7 Christmas movies and 18 Original Movie Premieres every Saturday and Sunday on the  Great American Family channel!  Free for all MTCO digiMAX TV customers on channel 496!

The latest tools to help you get more done in life. From a smarter printer, headphones to block out noise, and a mouse to correctly position your thumb to relieve cramps:  https://cyberguy.com/best/best-productivity-gear/

If you ever click an “unsubscribe” button when you receive unwanted email, you could be putting yourself at risk for a malware scam or possibly adding yourself to another email spam list.

One tip is to mark the email as” junk” or “report phishing.”  This option will vary depending on which email client you are using.  By flagging it as junk or phishing, you will remove the email from your inbox and you have the option to block the sender.

Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages with links and other attacks to deceive people into handing over sensitive information or installing malicious software.  Phishing has been around for a long time.

Now, scammers are using QR codes to carry out their attacks, aka, Quishing.  QR codes are everywhere: in restaurants, mass transportation, commercials, and to access product information manuals.  They are using QR Codes to target mobile phones, which are more vulnerable to attacks than desktop operating systems.

Protect yourself by not scanning a QR code until you verify the validity of the sender, especially a QR code sent in an email.

The cellular companies' 5G is no match for MTCO digiMAX Internet. Here's what you will get:

• Slow upload speeds  = lag and 

   frustration

• Internet speeds that are throttled and 

   shared with neighbors 

• 5G Home Internet is “for residents 

   without access to traditional high-speed 

   Internet options.”

• Speed offerings that are not offered in 

   our local areas.

Don’t be duped by their slick marketing and consider the local provider that gives you the speed that you pay for and quality service with local service and support.