Many exciting events are happening at the Benton Public Library this month!

SHARE and Polaris are coming

The library is joining the SHARE database of over 10 million books from 427 libraries in Southern Illinois. The library will transition to the new database system, called Polaris, from April 1 to 8.

Some of the library’s usual services will be unavailable during this time, including interlibrary loan requests, also known as holds requests. Hold requests will resume April 9^. The library staff asks for patience during the transition. The new database and the number of items available should make small inconveniences worth it.

Trivia Night is April 20

The 10^th Annual Benton Public Library Trivia Night will be held at the library on Saturday, April 20. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Play begins at 7 p.m. Teams of 6 to 8 players are welcome.

There will be a fee of $10 per person. Members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board will be available to join a team for $20 more.

Proceeds will benefit the library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. Many generous local businesses have donated door prizes. Joelle Keener and Austin Endicott, members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board, have been visiting businesses to distribute flyers and solicit door prize donations.

“The businesses have been very supportive and also very interested in the Trivia Night,” said Endicott. “I like trivia and I hope I get a chance to play on a team.”

Questions are developed by Steinsultz and staff member Joe DeVillez and cover a wide variety of subjects.

“Everyone should leave feeling like they’ve been able to answer something and contributed to their team,” said Steinsultz. “Between Joe’s useless information and mine, we cover a lot of ground.”

“TAB members are always very important to getting things set up, taking flyers around town, and getting door prizes, but they never know the questions ahead of time,” said library director Erin Steinsultz.

TAB members offer an extra boost of knowledge and may know different subject areas than those on a team.

“TAB members are in school now, sometimes members of Scholar Bowl, and generally very avid readers,” said Steinsultz. “They make a great addition for just $20 more. They may give a team that extra competitive edge.”

Advanced registration is encouraged, but teams can also sign up at the door. For more information, call 438-7511.

Something for Everyone

Regular library activities continue in April, including walking class Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and Children’s Story time Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m.

Teen Game Day will be April 15 at 3 p.m. All teens and tweens are welcome for fun board games in the meeting room. Snacks are provided.

A Talking Books presentation will be held April 16 at 2 p.m. All are welcome to come learn about the services of the Talking Books and Braille Services and the Illinois Machine Lending Agency, which provides unabridged audio books to Illinois residents with visual and other physical disabilities.

The library’s monthly Book Club meets at noon on April 17 to discuss Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

An eReader Workshop will be April 22 at 6 p.m. Learn more about what the library has to offer by way of downloadable books for your eReader using your Benton Public Library card.

Family Craft Day will be held April 25 at 4 p.m. Join us to make a Mother’s Day craft.

More information can be found online at www.benton.lib.il.us or by phone at (618) 438-7511.

Do you need something to motivate you to work out? Maybe you would love to work out in a fun way, but you are afraid of getting in over your head? Maybe you have been working out for some time, and are physically fit, but need a change.

Or maybe you need something to challenge you as your workouts have become routine and easy for you. Are you too shy to take a class? If any of these describe your situation, you need to check out the classes at American Fitness in Christopher, IL.

American Fitness offers a variety of classes for all fitness levels. Classes take place Monday through Thursday, and Saturday. Most classes are free with your Gym Membership. You can also purchase a “Classes Only” package if you prefer. We try to encourage and help our members to achieve whichever goal they have set for themselves. Our instructors are there to help you and make each one feel welcome and comfortable in their class.

Once you have attended a class we are sure you will be back! Moves are modified for you and you can also work at your own pace. Class schedules are always posted at the gym, on Facebook, on our website www.americanfitnessllc.com or you can call 724-4000 during business hours to see what classes are offered. Try one ….or try them all!

On Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Clint Mayer teaches Boot Camp. A prison guard by day, Clint knows about fitness. When asked about his class, Clint said, “This class works for everyone no matter how old you are or what shape you are in.” He goes on to explain that “Every exercise has a modification for your fitness level.” In looking over the class participants, you know that is true. Participants from 10 yrs to over 60 yrs old were enjoying the class. With good music and a 100% positive environment, this class works every body part from your shoulders to your toes. It features hit training and intense cardio.

On Tuesday from 5:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturday 9:30 – 10:30 am, Storey Mayer teaches Tabata. Tabata is a type of high intensity interval training.  It consists of 20 seconds of high intensity exercise, 10 seconds of rest, and repeats 8 times for a total of 4 minutes.  Storey focuses on targeting different areas such as your legs, abs, glutes and arms.  Storey keeps you moving and what a great class to tone up!

On Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Mitchell Witcher, is a certified Zumba Instructor.  Zumba is a very fun and exciting class full of all kinds of different dance moves including Latin and international music.  Michelle also uses many songs that you hear on the radio every day!  You will forget that you are working out because you are having so much fun and you don’t need any previous dance experience at all.  The workout is basically ‘watch and follow’.  You will be surprised at how fast you catch on to the routines!  The moves are repeated often and are not complicated.  Some songs are fast and sometimes she slows it down a bit, but you are burning those calories the entire hour!
Saturday from 9:30 – 10:30 am Hayley Hudgens, wife of owner Trent Hudgens teaches our most popular class, American Rhythm & Dance. Hayley designed this class with a mixture of dance, aerobics, and a high intensity cardio. The dance moves work your legs, arms, and core for a full body workout. Although the class is an hour long she incorporates 16 songs non stop.  The class goes by fast because you laugh, scream and have FUN! She comes up with new moves and you never know when she will pull another one out for you to try. I assure you when you leave her class there won’t be a dry spot on you even though they keep their classes at 68 degrees at all times and all fans are on. Her classes are normally always full so be sure & get signed up. You never know what she has in store for you and it is always something new & exciting I assure you. Awesome is the only word to describe Hayley and her unique American Rhythm & Dance class!

Wednesday Mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 am, Holly Wangler teaches Senior Stretch. After a light warm up this class focuses on strengthening the major muscle groups.  Low impact cardio intervals are done with exercises to keep the heart rate up. Floor static stretches are then done for the muscles that were just worked.  The class is ended with core exercises to strengthen the abdominal & lower back muscles.  This class helps to stretch those muscles that are not used to help keep them moving & in shape. This class has people of all ages participating and both men & women love what Holly has in store for them on Wednesday mornings! Holly is a Certified Health Fitness Specialist and serves as a personal trainer for the gym. Next week, you’ll learn all about Holly’s services.

Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Tracy Walker teaches Low Impact Aerobics & Dance. This class is a mixture of Zumba and American Rhythm & Dance, but is meant for people just starting out their exercise routines. Tracy throws in allot of different dances with a much slower pace but you get a great workout.  She modifies moves for those who have certain issues. This class is a lot of fun and a great way to burn calories!  Each of our Instructors has their own unique way of helping you to achieve your goal whatever it may be!

These are just a few of the classes offered at American Fitness with many more to come. Trent Hudgens, owner and operator says that many new & exciting things are in the works at American Fitness. He hasn’t given out any details but assures us that American Fitness is soon to be the “Largest” fitness center in Franklin County with the “Lowest” rates.  New & exciting things are about to come to Christopher, IL … home of American Fitness!