• Congratulations to Marcella Champion, who will be honored on May 7 at 1 p.m. at the Cumberland Town Hall for her many contributions to the town. Marcella organized the Farmer’s Market in Cumberland, plus was involved at Cumberland Parks Dept. She will have her name added to the plaque at Honors Park, on the corner of Saturn and Munsie streets.
• The BIG Red Box Project will have a second location, thanks to Kevin Miller of Urban Restoration LLC and the good people at Coal Yard Coffee on Ritter. Miller generously donated his time, talents and materials to build a second box, and Coal Yard Coffee will host the box. Completion is expected at the end of May. The BIG Red Box in front of 30 N. Audubon offers non-perishable food for those in need in the Irvington community. If possible, please swing by and donate non-perishable items.
• Dr. Lori Katz has been selected to be the new principal of Mt. Vernon Middle School. She worked for the Greenfield-Central Community Schools prior to joining Mt. Vernon. She will begin her tenure sometime this summer.
• The Benton House Book Sale is coming up in July, so if you have books to donate to the cause, you can drop them off in the big box behind the house, 312 S. Downey Ave.
• The Belfry Theatre will present Crimes of the Heart April 28-May 7 at the Arts for Lawrence Theatre, 8920 Otis Ave. The comic drama of three sisters in a small town gathering to hear the news of their grandfather is memorable. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. General admission is $20 for adults, with 65+ and students at $15. Order tickets online at artsforlawrence.org.
• If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid due to the changes in requirements, visit HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-22596 for options on the Federal Marketplace. With the end of the health emergency coming up in May, agencies are re-examining eligibility for assistance.
• Earth Day is April 22, and the city is offering an Electronics Recycling event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 2420 E. Riverside Dr. Residents are encouraged to drop off unused, outdated and broken electronics so they may be properly recycled.
• Shepherd Community Center has a great playground that is a valuable resource for kids on the near eastside. However, they need to make improvements in order to make it safer to play and are asking for donations. Learn how you can help by visiting ShepherdCommunity.org/Playground.
• Tarkington Park’s multi-purpose field, coming in 2025, has been named “Richard ‘Coach Nell’ Hamilton Field.” The name honors the legacy of Coach Nell.