MATTOON — A family-friendly tradition returns to the Mattoon and Neal Center YMCA’s on Saturday, April 30.
Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s kick-off to summer. For over 30 years, Healthy Kids Day at the Y has been an annual tradition of inviting all youth and their families, regardless of membership status, to play, explore, learn, and access healthy snacks at no charge.
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While the event had to be canceled for the last two years due to the pandemic, this year it returns in person to both YMCA locations. Healthy Kids Day includes games, crafts, activities and interactive booths from local partners such as Fit-2-Serve, Douglas Hart Nature Center, and the Mattoon Public Library.
“Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to enjoy time as a family, and to learn more about kid-friendly opportunities around our community,” Sarah Dowell, YMCA Membership & Community Programs director said.
Healthy Kids Day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and is free and open to the public. More information can be found at www.mattoonymca.org or on the Mattoon & Neal Center YMCA Facebook page.
PHOTOS: A look back at Mattoon businesses through the years
Mattoon Area Educational Extension Center
1965: The school is housed in the former Humble Oil Co. building on Route 45 on the south side of Mattoon.
General Electric Co.
1950: Proof that flash photography has become a national hobby is the Mattoon plant of the General Electric Co. which manufactures flash bulbs almost exclusively. A few incandescent or regular light bulbs in larger wattages are made here also.
Ellen Kay’s
1989: Pat and Rodney Williamson are ready to dine. Owner Leonard Losch looks on at Ellen Kay’s.
East Rudy Place
1992: A bicyclist pedals along East Rudy Street where a row of new duplexes were built, next to a subsidized housing project.
E. Rudy Place
1992: A group of children wait in line to challenge the winner to a game of tether ball at the E. Rudy Street housing project.
Downtown Aerial
1985: aerial view of downtown Mattoon.
Douglas Nursing Center
1977: Acquisition of the Douglas Nursing Center will complete another phase in Wesley Tower’s total care package.
Consolidated Telemarketing Association (CTA)
1991: The CTA office is carpeted, air conditioned, well-lit and features work stations designed around employee needs. Telemarketers generated $435 billion in sales last year. For each customer who says yes, 99 say no.
Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS)
1959: The Eastern Division of the CIPS is completing a move into the new building in Mattoon. The structure has 36 offices and 23,000 square feet of office space.
Burtschi
1988: Burtschi is the first store in Illinois south of Springfield to offer Hummel figurines.
Blaw-Knox
1963: A new line of paving equipment is exhibited by the Mattoon Blaw Knox plant at the Construction Equipment Exposition and Road Show, Chicago.
Anaconda
1959: In an effort to better serve the growing needs of the Midwest, Southwest and Far West market for flexible metal hose and tubing the American Brass Co. built its American Metal Hose Division plant in Mattoon.