APRIL
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Clove Alliance encourages you to check out the “Brave, Bold and Believed” art show in the Kankakee County Museum at 801 South 8th Avenue, Kankakee. On display through May 10th, this exhibit features inspiring pieces by local artists that highlight survivors’ resilience and hope.
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Your local Menards home improvement store is currently serving as a drop site for a local Humane Association. Their Pet & Wildlife Department at Menards offers a wide variety of pet supplies including food, treats, feeders, collars, beds, storage containers, mats and more that can be purchased in store for immediate donation. You’ll find a large collection box near the exit doors. Our local Menards is located at 1260 Christine Drive in Bradley. Their Pet Supplies Drive is running now through the end of May.
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The Bradley American Legion Post 766 will host another fish fry on Friday, April 18th from 5 to 7pm or while supplies last. You’ll get two fresh pollock filets, hand-dipped in homemade beer batter along with fries and coleslaw for $12. Deb & Ed Oberlander will be singing during the fish fry. Stick around afterwards for a dance night with DJ Big Dawgz from 7 to 11pm. The legion is at 835 West Broadway Street in Bradley.
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The Lake Village Presbyterian Church will host a Good Friday service in their church sanctuary on Friday, April 18th at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend as Pastor Jay Janke shares a powerful message about love and forgiveness with “Jesus’s Final 7 Words” of his ministry here on earth. The church is at 9412 North 300 West in Lake Village, Indiana.
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Saint Viateur’s Council #745 are keeping up their Lenton tradition of hosting a Fish Fry at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee every Friday evening during Lent from 4:30 to 7pm. Their options include a dine-in buffet, dine-in shrimp, and fish or shrimp to go. Prices range from $15 to $20. It’s each every Fridays through April 18th at 187 South Indiana Avenue in Kankakee.
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The Reddick Community Fire Protection District will host a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, April 19th from 7am until noon. There will be pancakes, biscuits & gravy, sausage and eggs, along with milk, coffee and orange juice. The cost is $10 for adults. Kids 5 and under eat for free. The fire department is at 210 East Main Street in Reddick.
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Kentland Retail Merchants invite you to join them for their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th on the Newton County Courthouse Lawn at 201 North Third Street in Kentland, Indiana. This is for children ages 8 and under. The egg hunt begins at 10:30am, rain or shine!
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The Bradley Lions invite you to attend their final Pancake Breakfast of the season on Saturday, April 19th at 428 West Broadway Street in the Bradley Community Center from 7:30 to 11am. You get all-you-can-eat pancakes & sausage and biscuits & gravy for $8. Kids 5 and under eat free. For free delivery of 5 orders or more call (815) 932-9180. During this breakfast they will be helping BBCHS student Julia Koerner with her Eagle Scout Project by collecting clothes, food and drinks to be donated to the Manteno Veterans Home. Requested items include: 2-liter bottles and cans of A&W Root Beer, Coke and Pepsi (no diet please), Green River, 20 ounce bottles of Gatorade, jugs of Hawaiian Punch, large 50 ounce cans of Cream of Chicken and Chicken Noodle soup, and sturdy gloves, coats and sweatpants for men in sizes Extra Large up to 4XL.
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You can join the Limestone Township Public Library on Saturday, April 19th from 11am to 1pm and help them create some heartfelt Mother’s Day cards for seniors in our community. This volunteering event is a wonderful opportunity to spread joy and brighten the day of those who may appreciate a personal touch. All supplies will be provided. The Limestone Public Library is at 2701 West Tower Road in Kankakee.
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The Watseka American Legion Post 23 will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Legion Park on Saturday, April 19th at 1pm. This is for children ages 12 and younger. Participants are asked to bring along a basket or bag to collect eggs with. The hunt will take place on the large grass lot just north of the Legion Hall building on South 4th Street in Watseka.
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The American Red Cross needs more willing donors to help save lives by giving blood and platelets. Monday, April 21st from noon to 5pm at Saint Paul’s Lutheran School on Career Center Road in Bourbonnais / Tuesday, April 29th from 10am to 4pm in Riverside Medical Center at 350 North Wall Street in Kankakee / and on Wednesday, May 7th from 1 to 6pm at the Knights of Columbus on South Indiana Avenue in Kankakee. To find a blood drive near you, please visit redcrossblood.org today.
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Show your support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Tuesday, April 22nd by making a food purchase at Culver’s in Bourbonnais between the hours of 5 and 8pm. A portion of all sales made during those three hours will be donated to Clove Alliance.
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In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month you can help raise money for Clove Alliance on Tuesday, April 22nd during a “Neighbors Supporting Neighbors” fundraiser at Culver’s in Bourbonnais. Between the hours of 5 and 8pm that evening 10% of all sales will be donated to Clove Alliance, an organization providing hope and healing to survivors of sexual violence. Culvers is on Route 45 in Bourbonnais.
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Join United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties for the Day of Action this Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22nd. Volunteers are needed for 15 community cleanup projects, including street cleanups, tree planting and park beautifications. You can help make a difference in your community by signing up online to volunteer for a Day of Action this Earth Day at myunitedway.org/dayofaction.
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You can join the Alzheimer’s Association for “What’s Brewing With Brain Health” on Tuesday, April 22nd from 9:30 to 10:30am in the Manteno Community Center at 1211 North Main Street. This will be an engaging morning of networking and education with community leaders and all those passionate about ending Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. This event is also in partnership with the Manteno Chamber of Commerce and MCA Senior Adult Day Center. For more info, call (815) 373-5114.
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The Tabea Altar Guild for Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church is holding its semi-annual Rummage Sale on Thursday, April 24th from 8am to 4pm in their downtown church location at 348 East Merchant Street, across from the farmer’s market in Kankakee. They ask that you use the alley entrance when you stop by to browse.
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Visit the Salvation Army of Kankakee on Thursday, April 24th from 4 to 6pm for the “Pathway of Hope Community Resource Fair”. Attendees will receive resources regarding housing, nutrition, mental health, child development, education and more. There will be food to-go, raffles and door prizes. This will be at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee.
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The River Valley Wind Ensemble will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a free public concert on Friday, April 25th beginning at 7pm in the Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School Auditorium at 700 West North Street in Bradley. Visit windensemble.org for more info.
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The Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held in the Bradley Public Library at 296 North Fulton Avenue on Friday, April 25th from 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 1pm. Book prices range from 25 cents to a dollar. Money raised will support library programming.
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You can stop by the Bradley American Legion Post 766 on Saturday, April 26th for some tunes and good company with Lois & Dave. They will be performing from 7 to 10pm at 835 West Broadway in Bradley.
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Heritage Woods of Manteno, an assisted living community, will be holding their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 26th at 355 Diversatech Drive in Manteno. Kids up to 10 years-old will be divided into three age groups. Weather permitting, the egg hunt will begin at 11am. Children will want to be present at 10:30am when tickets are distributed for free raffles to win kids’ bikes and other goodies. Please bring along a basket or bag to collect your eggs.
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Manteno High School will be holding their spring musical, “The Addams Family” at 7pm on Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th. A third and final performance will be on Sunday, April 27th at 2pm. This takes place in the Manteno Middle School gymnasium. Admission is $5 per student or $10 per adult. Tickets can be purchased in advance at tinyurl.com/Addams2025 They will also be sold at the door.
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It’s National Guitar Month and King Music is celebrating with their 11th annual “Strings For Food” event on Saturday, April 26th. This is a food drive to benefit local food pantries. Stop by and donate 6 non-perishable food items that day between 10am and 4pm, and you’ll receive a free set of guitar strings. They will also restring and clean your guitar while you wait. King Music is at 670 West Broadway Street in Bradley.
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A dedication ceremony for Alexis McCullough’s Gold Star Eagle Project memorial monument for Gold Star families will take place at 10am on Saturday, April 26th and you’re invited to attend. This will take place at Marcotte Park, 1140 West State Route 102 in Bourbonnais. The venue will be wheelchair accessible.
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The Kankakee Kays Student Council will host their 2025 Spring Craft Show on Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 3pm and Sunday, April 27th from 10am to 2pm. There will be over 40 crafters and vendors to shop from, hourly raffle drawings, and class raffle baskets to win. This will be at 1200 West Jeffrey Street inside the Kankakee High School.
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New Beginnings For Cats will celebrate the lives of their Harry’s House kitties on Sunday, April 27th during an “FIV & Leukemia Kitties Birthday Celebration” at the Bourbonnais Municipal Center with raffle baskets, an ice cream sundae bar and birthday cake from 1 to 4pm. Admission is a $10 donation to their no-kill animal shelter or a gift for the kitties, such as treats, Purina Naturals dry food or Friskies pate wet food. Bleach and laundry soap will also be accepted. The Municipal Center is located at 600 Main Street Northwest in Bourbonnais.
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The Chebanse American Legion will hold their 13th annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 27th for children 10 and under. The hunt begins at 1pm at Chebanse American Legion Park on West 4th South Street.
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Members of the nonprofit community organization “Kankakee Forgives” are looking for walkers to participate in their upcoming Walk Against Violence on Tuesday, April 29th. Taking place during National Youth Violence Prevention Week, the event will be from 5:30 to 8pm and is focused on uniting our community to promote peace, healing and hope. Walkers will depart from King Middle School on East Court Street in Kankakee. There will be speakers, food, music and T-Shirts. Visit kankakeeforgives.org for further information.
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The United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties invites community members, early childhood professionals and nonprofit leaders to attend a free “Success By 6” luncheon on Tuesday, April 30th from noon until 1:30pm at Trinity Church in Watseka. This will be in partnership with the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley. Pre-registration is requested through myunitedway.org/april2025
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The Bourbonnais Friendship Festival will issue four different scholarships this year to qualified individuals within our community. The Friendship Scholarship, Mianna Malone Scholarship and the Patte Thompson Scholarship are intended for people enrolling or who have already enrolled in college or vocational training. The Lee Braford Scholarship is intended for High School Seniors with a demonstrated dedication to community service. All applications are due Wednesday, April 30th. Learn about these scholarships and find out how to apply under the “contests” dropdown menu at bourbonnaisfriendshipfestival.com
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The Jazz Band and other music students from Watseka Community High School will host an evening of entertainment along with dinner and a silent auction on Saturday, May 3rd with their annual “And All That Jazz” event at Trinity Church on East Walnut Street in Watseka. Starting at 6pm, funds raised will go directly to the music students in the form of instruction, equipment, and travel needs. They are currently seeking donated items to include in the silent auction, such as gift cards, gift certificates, merchandise and more. If you would like to donate items, please contact band director Erik Parmenter at erik.parmenter@watsekaschools.org or call (815) 432-2486 by April 30th.
MAY
Prairie Lodge #125 is having their all-you-can-eat pancake and whole hog sausage breakfast on Saturday, May 3rd from 6am until noon at the Rensselaer Mason Lodge. Tickets are $8 and will be available at the door. The town wide garage sales will also be going on that day. The Mason Lodge is at 724 West Washington Street in Rensselaer, Indiana.
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The Bradley American Legion will host Auxiliary Bingo beginning at 1pm on Sunday, May 4th. $10 per person gets you 2 cards. Additional bingo cards will be available for $3 each. There will be ten games played for random prizes, and three more games played for cash winnings. The American Legion Post 766 is at 835 West Broadway Street in Bradley.
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You can show off your ride or just stop by for a delicious meal during the annual Raub United Methodist Church Chicken Dinner & Cruise-In on Sunday, May 4th in the Kentland Community Center at 405 North 4th Street in Kentland, Indiana. The dinner will cost $12, but only $5 for kids 6 to 12, and free for those 5 and under. The event is from 11am to 1pm.
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The 15th Annual Benefit Car Show for the Caleb’s Prayer Foundation will be held on Sunday, May 18th at Phillips Auto Group of Bradley. In memory of Caleb Hoggins, this is a fundraiser to help local families impacted by cancer. It’s $20 to enter your vehicle and the first 30 people to pre-register by April 11th will receive a free event T-shirt. Day-of registration is from 9 to 11am and trophies will be awarded at 3pm. For more information, email JMB1257@sbcglobalnet or call (815) 347-4831, or visit the “Annual Benefit Car Show” page on Facebook.
JUNE
The Manteno Sons of the American Legion Squadron Post 755 are selling raffle tickets at $20 a piece for a chance to win a 2-night getaway at Blue Chip Casino and Spa. Only 500 tickets will be sold and the drawing will take place on Sunday, June 1st at 5pm. You need not be present to win. Tickets are available now through the American Legion bartenders at 117 North Walnut Street in Manteno.
AUGUST
The Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet golf outing fundraiser, “A Swing and a Prayer” will take place on Tuesday, August 26th at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont. Rain or shine, this will be a day filled with golf, food and drinks, a raffle, silent auction and lots of fun. Registration opens at 7:30am and the shotgun start will be at 9am. A cocktail hour starts at 2pm, followed by dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Funds raised with this event will help the homeless, hungry, lonely, and poverty-stricken among us. More details are available at catholiccharitiesjoliet.org/swing
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