For Felicia Farden, the mission of Birth to Five Illinois is more than a job. It is deeply personal.

As Regional Council Manager for Region 53, which serves Tazewell, Woodford and Mason counties, Farden works every day to connect families with resources, identify community needs and help build a stronger support system for young children. Her passion for the work stems from her own life experiences.

“If families thrive, communities thrive,” Farden said.

Birth to Five Illinois was created to bring together families, caregivers, educators, health care providers and community leaders to strengthen early childhood services throughout the state. The organization focuses on ensuring that children from birth to age five have access to the programs and support they need to succeed.

In Region 53, that work is coordinated from a small office on Locust Street in Delavan. The office has three employees who collaborate with community stakeholders to identify challenges facing local families and develop strategies to address them.

Central to that mission are two advisory groups: a Family Council and an Action Council. The Family Council provides parents and caregivers with an opportunity to share their experiences, concerns and ideas. The Action Council brings together community partners and service providers to review those needs and create action plans designed to improve access to resources and services.

For Farden, helping families navigate those systems is especially meaningful because she understands firsthand how life-changing the right support can be.

Growing up, her family struggled with poverty. She credits the Head Start program with helping change the course of their lives.

“Head Start pulled my family out of poverty,” Farden said.

The experience showed her the difference that early childhood programs can make, not only for children but for entire families. Years later, she found herself facing another challenge as a parent.

Her son, Tucker, is on the autism spectrum. As she searched for programs, services and child care options, Farden encountered the same barriers many families face, including complicated processes, difficult paperwork and a maze of agencies and requirements.

Navigating that red tape strengthened her commitment to making resources more accessible for other parents.

Today, through Birth to Five Illinois, Farden works to ensure families do not have to face those challenges alone. By listening to community voices, fostering partnerships and advocating for solutions, she and her team are helping lay a foundation for healthier families and stronger communities.

For Farden, the goal is simple: when families receive the support they need, children flourish, communities grow stronger and future generations have a better chance to succeed.

Delavan City Hall will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 5, through Friday, Aug. 7, while city staff participate in training for a new accounting software system.

The upgraded software is being implemented to provide city officials and staff with greater insight into municipal finances and improved budget tracking capabilities. City leaders say the new system will help streamline financial management, enhance reporting, and provide better tools for monitoring revenues and expenditures throughout the year.

During the three-day closure, staff will undergo hands-on training to ensure a smooth transition to the new platform. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for any city business that would normally require an in-person visit to City Hall. Regular office hours will resume following the completion of the training.

In addition, the city has announced the final mosquito spraying dates for the 2026 season. The next scheduled spraying will take place Wednesday, Aug. 5, weather permitting.

Residents should also note a change to the final spraying date. The last scheduled mosquito control application, originally planned for Wednesday, Sept. 2, has been moved to Tuesday, Sept. 1.

As with all spraying operations, treatments are weather dependent and may be adjusted if conditions are unfavorable. 

Thad Lee “Elvis” Timms, 45, of Emden, passed away Wednesday July 22, 2026, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. 

He was born on September 15, 1980, to Jesse and Marla Eeten Timms. 

Surviving are his parents; one brother, Chad (Kim) Timms; and one sister, Tara Timms.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents. 

Thad worked as a bar tender at the Bulldog Inn in Emden, Ill.    

He was a lifelong Cubs fan. 

A graveside service was held at 1:30 pm Thursday July 30, 2026, at the Hartsburg Union Cemetery.    Visitation was 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday July 30, 2026, at Davis Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan.   

Memorials may be made to the family. 

As the community counts down to the 2026 Delavan Fall Festival on September 5, anticipation continues to build for one of the city’s most beloved annual traditions. The festival brings together residents, former residents, visitors, local organizations and businesses for a weekend packed with family fun, entertainment, food and community pride.

Each week leading up to the festival, we’ll spotlight events and attractions that make the Delavan Fall Festival a highlight of the year. This week features four exciting activities that offer something for nearly everyone: Delavan’s Got Talent, the Paddle Boat Race, the inaugural Apple Pie Baking Contest and the all-new Glow in the Dark Foam Party.

Delavan’s Got Talent Seeks Local Performers

Community members with a flair for entertaining are encouraged to sign up now for Delavan’s Got Talent, the annual Fall Festival Talent Contest.
The contest is open to performers of all ages and welcomes a variety of acts, including singing, dancing, instrumental performances, comedy, magic acts and other unique talents. The event has become a festival favorite, giving local residents an opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of a supportive hometown audience.

This year’s competition will take place on Monday, September 7, at 4 p.m. in the pavilion at Delavan Lake Park.

Individuals interested in participating can contact Debbie Tomm-Woiwode at 309-267-0627 for additional information and registration details.

Paddle Boat Race Returns to Delavan Lake

Also making a return this year is the popular Paddle Boat Race, which combines teamwork, friendly competition, and plenty of excitement.

The event is a two-person team race with an entry fee of $5 per participant. Registration begins at noon on Sunday, September 6, at Delavan Lake  Park, and the race will start at 1 p.m.

Participants will compete in one of two divisions:

• Ages 8-11
• Ages 12 and older

All racers must sign a waiver before participating. For contestants under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.

The race routinely attracts enthusiastic spectators who line the shore to cheer on their favorite teams as they paddle toward victory.

New Apple Pie Baking Contest 

A brand-new event has been added to this year’s festival lineup, and it is sure to appeal to bakers throughout the area.

Festival organizers are inviting residents to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with something that tastes distinctly American by entering the first-ever Delavan Fall Festival Apple Pie Baking Contest.

Contestants are encouraged to peel their apples, prepare their favorite recipes, and compete for the honor of becoming the inaugural Apple Pie Baking Contest champion.

Judging will take place on Sunday, September 6, at 1 p.m. at the Lake Park Pavilion.

Pie drop-off will be on Saturday, September 5, at 501 E. 7th Street.

Anyone wishing to participate should register with Dianne Eigenbrod by calling 217-828-0522.

Organizers hope the contest will become a new festival tradition while helping commemorate America’s historic 250th anniversary celebration.

New Glow in the Dark Foam Party Promises High-Energy Fun

Perhaps the most exciting addition to the 2026 festival is the debut of the Glow in the Dark Foam Party.

Festival organizers are inviting the community to get ready for a glowing, high-energy experience that will transform the festival grounds into a vibrant nighttime attraction.

Scheduled for Sunday evening, the event will feature glowing foam, music, lights and nonstop fun for festival-goers of all ages. Organizers have partnered with Foam and Flight to bring the unique attraction to Delavan.

The Glow in the Dark Foam Party is expected to become one of the weekend’s signature events, offering a memorable way for families and friends to celebrate together after a full day of festival activities.

A Tradition for the Entire Community

Beyond these featured events, attendees can enjoy vendor booths, local artisans, community organizations, food vendors, live entertainment and opportunities to reconnect with friends and neighbors.

For generations, the Delavan Fall Festival has served as a celebration of community spirit and hometown pride. Whether visitors come to compete in a contest, sample local food, enjoy live entertainment or simply spend time with family and friends, there are countless ways to participate.

With each passing week, excitement continues to grow as organizers and volunteers prepare for another successful festival weekend.