Other Relief Sale/MCC Related Activities   Relief Sale Kick-Off MCC Meat Canning - Arthur's Involvement Ice Cream Social Arthur (IL) Mennonite Homecoming Reunion   MCC Meat Canning in Arthur Somewhere between the mid 50s and the mid 60s this community was first in involved in canning meat for relief under the guidance of M.C.C.  The cattle were purchased locally and slaughtered at a local canning factory, then canned, labeled and shipped to M.C.C. located at Akron, Pennsylvania. Eventually the canning factory closed down and the local efforts of canning meat for M.C.C. relief ended along with it.  In 1994, Jerry Kuhns was appointed to the Great Lakes Region Board covering seven states, representing the conservative conference.  While serving on the Board, Jerry became excited about the meat canning program that was going on in the four (4) regions across the United States. With a bit of persuasion on Jerry's part, a local board was formed consisting of Eight (8) members from the local Mennonite and Amish churches and one member from the Thomasboro Illinois area representing the Champaign, Fisher, Dewey and East Bend Mennonite churches. It is pleasing to see how well the community has responded to this cause; food for relief.  Not only the Mennonites and Amish have responded but the whole community in general.  Most of the canned meat goes to third world countries, however this meat has found it's way to hurricane victims in South Florida, the Gulf Coast and New Orleans.  Ice Cream Social August 10, 2009 The Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale's annual ice cream social will be held at the Arthur Community Building on Monday night from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M.  Pulled port BBQ sandwiches will be offered along with locally made and donated cakes and homemade ice cream.  This event allows people to give money, fellowship with the local crowd and to get an early taste of the ice cream flavors planned for the main Relief Sale event. No cost to attend however donations are accepted to raise funds.  These funds will be used to cover pre-sale expenses such as advertizing, paper goods, etc.  Please come as you are and enjoy a relaxed evening of fellowship. ___________________________________________________________ Arthur (IL) Mennonite Homecoming Reunion August 28-29, 2009 "We're headed home for the weekend - Please join us!" We would love to see you…at a reunion of friends from Arthur, Illinois, gathering on the weekend of the Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale for fellowship, biking, storytelling and fun. If you attended any of the Mennonite Churches in the Arthur, Illinois community from 1955-1975, we would love to see you again. Please join us and tell your family and friends about this reunion.  Location: Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale – Otto Center – ½ mile South of Arthur Schedule of activities include: Fellowship: At the Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale (Otto Center), Friday Afternoon and Evening, Relief Sale activities and fellowship, Sign a guest book,  Saturday Morning and Afternoon, Breakfast and Lunch - at the Relief Sale,  Fellowship and Relief Sale Activities, Reunion dinner and program Saturday 6:00 PM @ Yoder's Restaurant – (East edge of Arthur on Hwy 133)  This event is open to out of town guests and locals, Cost for the meal $18.00 (RSVP Required), Program – Storytelling, confessions, Fellowship, Entertainment – John Schmidt, Biking - (for those interested in biking through the country). Friday & Saturday 7:00 – 8:00 AM Registration and check-in for biking at the Otto Center (Ride begins at 8:00),  Rides 35 miles or 66 miles, Snacks provided,   Suggest contribution per day $35 for shorter ride and $50 for longer (proceeds to the Arthur Relief Sale), RSVP for Saturday Evening Dinner and Friday and Saturday Biking to:  Dorothy Miller dfmbyke@aol.com or Phil Helmuth Phil.helmuth@emu.edu, 540-746-2068) Planning Committee includes:  Phil Helmuth – Phil.helmuth@emu.edu, Sam Miller - visamiller@g.mail.com, Jonas Borntrager - JBorntrager@ldbinsurance.com, Dorothy Miller - dfmbyke@aol.com     -