•May 20, 2026•

The Village of Strasburg will hold their annual town wide rummage sales and flea market on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Sale locations, featured items and sale times will be posted on these Facebook pages: “Strasburg Community Action Network – SCAN” and “Strasburg, IL: Right In The Middle of Everything!”. Check the list as some sales will be held both Friday and Saturday.

•May 20, 2026•

On Thursday, May 14th, at the Lovington First Church of God’s Family Life Center, the American Red Cross held a blood drive with a goal of acquiring thirty-three donations of blood and plasma. Their next blood drive will be held at the same location on July 9th, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Blood program leader, Shelley Martina, shows how it is done with the assistance of friend and assistant Julie Jurgens. Pictured L-R: Kasey Flynn, Hailee Insley, Shelley Martina, Carmen Whitney, and Julie Jurgens.

•May 20, 2026•

The American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association (ASPDA) announced the winners of the ASPDA Association Awards at their 18th Annual Conference on May 13th in New Orleans, LA. ASPDA members are nominated by the association’s members and voted on by the Board of Directors. Their work in their professional field throughout their career is carefully considered when selections are made. Each award recognizes those who are making a positive, undeniable impact in their respective categories. Anna Turner, MS, RD, CSSD, won the Trailblazer Award (Diversified Foods), which is in recognition of the visionary goals and groundbreaking innovation brought to the profession and to ASPDA.

•May 20, 2026•

Hamburgers are a staple of summer menus in millions of homes. Whether you’re hosting friends on Memorial Day weekend or simply looking for a hearty midweek meal, burgers and summertime cooking go hand in hand.

Hamburgers are a straightforward dish that are often prepared on a grill. But burgers also can be prepared on a stovetop, which can add a new flavor profile to this beloved summertime staple. Those looking to do just that can try this recipe for “Beef Burgers With Onions, Spinach, Ketchup, and Blue Cheese” from Lines+Angles. 

Beef Burgers with Onions, Spinach, Ketchup, and 

Blue Cheese

Makes 4 Servings

For the sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil

•May 20, 2026•

As the weather warms up and more people head outside, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding everyone to leave young birds and other animals alone when they encounter them in the wild. Well-intentioned people may believe they’re helping nature by taking possession of young rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds, and other animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned. However, in nearly all cases, human intervention does more to hurt animals than to help. Young birds and animals are still being fed and cared for by their parents, who usually stay away from nests and dens if humans are nearby. “The most helpful thing people can do for wildlife is to enjoy the animals through observation, not interference,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “If you really care about the animals, just leave them alone when you come across them in nature.” 

The Illinois Wildlife Code provides legal protection for wildlife. Keeping wild animals as pets or raising wild animals believed to have been abandoned is prohibited. Additionally, agency responses to incidents involving illegal captive wildlife can be costly and divert time from other important work. Most wild birds are protected by the Wildlife Code. This includes protection of eggs, nests, and feathers. Migratory birds are also protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.