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September Peace Meal menu

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

Peace Meal helps boost the nutritional health of older adults by providing healthy pre-cooked meals, conducting nutrition assessments and education, and sharing food safety instructions.

For reservations, call (217) 728-8521. Skim milk and desserts without added sugar are available in many locations; ask the site Supervisor for more information. Sometimes substitutions need to be made to the menus, but a nutritious meal is guaranteed. The Peace Meal Nutrition Program suggests a $4.00 donation for each congregate and home delivery meal. No older person shall be denied a meal because of their inability to contribute towards the cost of the meal. Illinois LINK cards are accepted.

Sept.1- CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

Sept.2- Pork burger and bun, German potato salad, baked beans, and fruit.

Sept.3- Meatloaf, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, carrots, potato salad, and a roll.

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Illinois public schools’ mental health screening: more questions than answers

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

Op-Ed by DM Williamee

A new Illinois law (SB1560) will mandate that all students in 3rd through 12th grade have annual mental health screenings beginning the 2027-2028 school year. (105 ILCS 5/2-3.203)

The Illinois State Board of Education has until September 1st, 2026, to develop its guidelines, such as how these screenings will be conducted, how any follow-ups/referrals will be implemented, and how they plan to protect students’ privacy as well, as the information gathered will be done so digitally. Parents can opt out of the screenings, but the process for doing so, as well as any consequences for opting out, if they exist, are still unclear. As many already know, educators are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, and while it is widely accepted that more resources are needed for mental health services for all ages, is implementing a program like this (with the word “mandatory”) in our schools 1) necessary, 2) wise, and 3) an overreach of the State? How will this mandatory screening impact mandatory reporting?

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“I am Miami”

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

Cheryl’s Grandfather, Albert E. Nitzschke, Pop-az-ia-cio

Submitted

Cheryl Avitts shared with the Moultrie County Genealogical and Historical Society regarding her discovery of her family’s First Nations lineage. Titled, “I am Miami,” Cheryl shared, “Our family of Nitzschke’s had no idea of our heritage until Grandpa Albert A. Nitzschke was asked questions of the when’s and where’s of their mother’s and father’s lineages. That was when we learned of his amazing journey. Since 1958, our family has journeyed into genealogy: find a grave, newspapers, court records, family letters, and such. In the U.S. Government rolls, we found the Miami connection.”

Cheryl's brother, Randy, Len-eh-pinj-eah, and Cheryl Avitts, Kin-oh-zah-qwah. The Pendleton blankets were given to elders 75 and older. Naming was done privately.

A smile for everyone to start the day right

News Progress Posted on by

by DM Williamee 

Since 2019, Misty Parrish, with her friendly companion Zo, has dressed in numerous kid-friendly costumes (with the T-Rex being a crowd favorite) and shared smiles, waves, and comments of good cheer and encouragement with students on their way to SES on their morning trek to school. Parrish, a former preschool teacher of 12 years, bought the costumes while she was teaching to greet students each day. 

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Lovington Town Meeting: “MAPPING the Future of Your Community” 

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

All residents of Lovington and the surrounding area are invited to attend a Town Meeting to be held at the Lovington Grade School on Saturday, September 6th, at 4:30 p.m. Lovington recently enlisted the help of the “MAPPING the Future of Your Community” program through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University in an effort to take a proactive approach to planning for the future of the community. 

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Findlay Police to re-establish D.A.R.E program

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

by Officer Benjamin Schoonover

I’m proud to see our community standing behind the reinstatement of the D.A.R.E. program. As a police officer and a parent, I believe one of the most vital aspects of law enforcement is drug abuse prevention and early intervention. Programs like D.A.R.E. and Safe Passage allow us to extend a helping hand through education and support, using proven strategies to guide individuals away from substance abuse before it starts. Prevention is just as important as treatment when it comes to addressing addiction.

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Bridging the digital generation gap on Grandparents Day

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

Submitted by Vicky Gemme, 

Senior Care Specialist 

Staying close to grandchildren in today’s screen-driven world can feel like a challenge, especially for families separated by distance. But the connection doesn’t have to fade between visits. By making small adjustments in how technology is used, grandparents can become part of their grandkids’ everyday lives - not just the occasional phone call or holiday visit.

One of the easiest ways to start is by focusing on a single method of communication. Whether it’s a video calling app, a messaging platform, or even simple texting, sticking with one tool in the beginning helps reduce confusion and builds comfort on both ends. When communication is predictable and straightforward, it becomes easier for everyone to connect without hesitation.

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Cheese Festival kicks-off this weekend

News Progress Posted on by


•August 27, 2025•

The 52nd Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival opens early Saturday morning, August 30, with a pancake and sausage breakfast at the firehouse on Route 133 West.

Arthur firemen will serve pancakes and sausage from 6 to 11 a.m. The 10-bay facility has plenty of room to serve the hundreds of people who flock to the annual event. This is a good opportunity to have a delicious breakfast prepared by members of Arthur’s volunteer fire department.

They cook the sausage patties over an open flame, and the pancakes are served hot off the griddle, prepared in sight. The firemen served a record 1,643 meals in 2018, destroying the previous record of 1,483 meals served in 2011. In 2024 they served 1,511.

How much food does it take to serve breakfast to that many people? The firemen prepared and served approximately 1,300 pounds of sausage, 500 pounds of pancake mix, 110 gallons of orange juice, and 60 pounds of butter during the five hours they worked the breakfast.

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