Looking for something fun to add to the calendar this Fall and Winter? Look no further! We’ve gathered a few highlights:

BLOOMINGTON
Treat Fest in Uptown Normal | Thursday, October 24 5:00-6:30pm

Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market | Saturday, October 26 7:30am-12:00pm| Downtown Bloomington

November First Friday | Friday, November 1 5:00pm- 8:00pm | Downtown Bloomington

Holiday Makers Market | Sunday, November 10 10:00am-2:30pm | Destihl Brewery

46th Annual Turkey Trot | Thursday, November 28 9:00am-11:00am | Miller Park

December First Friday | Friday, December 6 5:00pm- 8:00pm | Downtown Bloomington

Women's Christmas Celebration | Saturday, December 7 8:00-11:00am | DoubleTree Hotel

Wild Lights at the Zoo | Saturday, December 7 5:00-8:00pm| Miller Park Zoo

PONTIAC

2024 Family Fall Festival | Saturday, October 26 3:00-6:00pm | Oaks at Rivers Edge Golf Course

Happy Fall Ya'll Street Festival | Saturday, October 26 3:00-6:00pm | Downtown Pontiac

Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade | Friday, November 29 | Downtown Pontiac

We know that many of you have been watching the current election cycle and are curious (to say the least) about how the results may impact the economy and, thus, the markets and your investments.  We too have been watching and listening in an effort to make sure we are cognizant of both real and perceived potential impacts.  Just recently, we received this Global Market Update from one of our managers, Russell Investments.  It gives a really good perspective on the current market environment, and this paragraph in particular lays out how we are feeling right now about the impact of the election:

"The U.S. elections are also nearing, with very competitive races for the presidency and control of Congress. It’s important to note that the democratic system of government in the U.S. features checks and balances across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, which makes it hard for individuals and parties to enact sweeping change. As a result, the impact of politics on U.S. markets is typically limited."

In many recent client discussions, we have noted that history tells us that the markets tend to disconnect themselves from election turmoil, and strangely enough, the periods after elections tend to be very favorable regardless of how things turn out.  We attribute that to markets always preferring the known to the unknown, and thus while we may get near-term volatility given how fast information flows, over longer periods of time markets will begin to weigh the actual probability of various policy and economic shifts and respond accordingly.  In our minds, that will present both opportunity and continued vigilance.

We encourage everyone to stay engaged, to vote and to encourage others around you to do the same.

Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions that we can address as we move further into the election season...we are hear to help in whatever way we can.

In today’s age there always seems to be the newest and greatest things. This is no less true when it comes to technology in this online world we live in. With things always changing around us, it is important to protect yourself and your online presence. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you navigate your many online accounts and software.

• Don't have the same password for all your accounts. To help keep your devices secure, make sure you keep them up to date (e.g. do updates).

• If you get an email from someone you don't recognize, it is okay not to open the email and it is actually suggested.

• Lots of websites that have sensitive information now offer 2-factor authentication; this is a good practice to use.

• If you are on a website that you are not familiar with, do not provide any personal information.

These are just a few tips that can be implemented to help keep you safe online, however the best guard you have is you. If you do not understand something or you don’t trust something, it is okay to avoid that and keep yourself safe!

Summer is around the corner and we wanted to share some fun Central Illinois outdoor activities for you to enjoy.

·     First Friday in downtown Bloomington runs from 5:00-8:00pm the first Friday of every month. Browse art galleries, shop at local retailers & enjoy several dinning options. downtownbloomington.org 

·     17th Annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival in Pontiac is Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th. visitpontiac.org

·     Sugar Grove Nature Center at Funks Grove has trails & educational events. Stroll back to the Chapel in the Trees for a peaceful experience. sugargrovenaturecenter.org

·     Bloomington Farmers' Market is a producer only market. The Outdoor Farmers' Market is open every Saturday May-October from 7:30am to noon. downtownbloomington.org

·     Parklands Foundation has several hiking trails to explore. The Bluebells are in full bloom the end of April/early May. parklandsfoundation.org

from Denise Ng

I’ve had the pleasure of serving as an English tutor for 2 adult women during the past year. Both women are eager to improve their English language skills while living and working in Bloomington with their families. The basic commitment is to meet with them once a week for an hour either in person (in designated public meeting places) or virtually. STAR Adult Literacy Program provides all the needed English as a second language materials and training so that you can be successful. One of my students recently passed her test to become an American citizen which brought her great joy and I was happy to be a part of her reaching this important milestone. The program is always in need of more volunteers so if you have a few hours a week I encourage you to look into volunteering with STAR. Julie is a pleasure to work with (in addition to being from the great small town I grew up in!).

Julie Meenen | STAR Adult Literacy Program| Volunteer Coordinator

201 E. Grove St., Suite 300, Bloomington, IL 61701

309-888-5120 ext. 1211 (Office) | 309-242-3574 (cell)

meenenj@roe17.org