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Sullivan library hosts traveling exhibition

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Free “Harry Potter” themed activities for the community

Harley Turner, 10, reviews the care instructions on her seedlings as she plants her selected herbs at the library’s NLM exhibit.

•April 2, 2025•

From now until April 17th, the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library will be displaying the NLM (National Library of Medicine) Traveling Exhibition titled, “Renaissance, Science, Magic, and Medicine in the World of Harry Potter” which includes free activities. For those not familiar with the Harry Potter series, Harry is 11 years old when he discovers he is a wizard and can attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Readers follow Harry and his friends as he grows up and discovers the world of magic. The popular fictional book series by J. K. Rowling was also produced into 8 movies - all of which are available to check out at the library. 

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Heritage Woods’ lively Centenarians

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Family, humor, and gratitude key to quality of life at any age

•April 2, 2025•

by DM Williamee

"Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” – Walt Disney.

Only 0.027 percent of the US population will live an entire century, making the three centenarian ladies at Sullivan’s Heritage Woods a standout in any community. Bright, cheerful, and friendly, these ladies shared some insights into what quality of life means to them.

Lorraine Livesay

Lorraine Livesay, 100, referred to as the “baby of the bunch”, shared that the happiest times of her life were her 40s and 50s. She was still working, was in good health, and enjoyed the company of her children and grandchildren. Some of her happiest memories as a child and teen were visiting friends and families on their local area farms (she was a town girl), where she would see the animals and help out however she could. These days, the things that make her the happiest are good jokes and happy people. Lorraine is also a sports fan who particularly loves basketball and baseball (never having been a fan of football). “Go Cubs! Like they say, maybe next year…” she chuckled.

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Mo Co Monthly “Quarter Madness”

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•April 2, 2025•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold the April Quarter Auction on Wednesday, April 9. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Moultrie County Beacon, Inc. is the organization of the month. The Moultrie County Beacon, currently serving 70 clients, has been providing services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Sullivan community since 1968. They have a community day service program, a 24-Hour Residential CILA program, a supported employment program, and home-based services. They are the fifth largest employer in Moultrie County, with approximately 105 staff members. 

Vendors at the event could include direct sales such as Avon, Jordan Essentials, Tastefully Simple, Norwex, Color Street, Pampered Chef, Plunder, Scentsy, JBloom, PLUS different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, wreaths, earrings, wind spinners, potholders, signs, décor, soy based candles and melties, freeze dried candies, and more. 

Come shop the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to at-tend. Food will be available for purchase through the “Highway Heartburn” food truck in the Legion Parking Lot. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion. A Bake Sale benefit-ting the Moultrie County Beacon will also be taking place. For more information, visit the “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page or contact Ginger Voegel.

MISS April luncheon speaker

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•April 2, 2025•

The Mid-Illinois Senior Services Center is hosting a free lunch with Heather Calcara, Outreach Liaison for the Illinois Attorney General’s office, who has previously presented on senior scams, as well as other common scams, including identity theft. This event will be held at the Sullivan Senior Center, 113 East Jefferson Street in Sullivan, on April 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

This monthly event provides attendees with helpful medical  (when presented by a physician) and other valuable information they can use, and an opportunity to ask important questions. The goal of the “Dine With a Doc” program is to help ensure Seniors’ quality of life, promote enhanced living, extend their available financial resources, enjoy fellowship with their peers, and provide them with resources and information to make informed medical decisions. Attendees can also win door prizes.

For more information on Dine with a Doc, visit www.dinewithadoc.com or contact Senior Education Ministries at (217) 917-4970 or email senioreducationminitries@yahoo.com. To reserve a spot for lunch, call the Mid-Illinois Senior Services center at (217) 728-8521.

“Spring Fling” fashion show

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•April 2, 2025•

On Monday, April 14th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., the Mid-Illinois Senior Services (MISS) at 113 East Jefferson Street, Sullivan, in partnership with Thrifty Boutique, will be hosting a Spring Fling fashion show. Spring fashions from Thrifty Boutique will be showcased, and coffee and donuts will be provided to all in attendance. There is no cost to attend, but donations are always welcomed. Attendance is open to anyone - the more, the merrier. 

The Spring Fling Fashion Show is sponsored by MISS and RSVP (Retired Seniors and Volunteer Program). The event is being held to help bring community awareness to The Thrifty Boutique, which raises funds to support MISC and RSVP. Held in the past, the goal moving forward is to make this an annual event. 

Fashion models and other volunteers are from Sullivan High School and RSVP/MISS. From SHS: Zoe Conlin, Kendall Penberthy, Allyssa Prahl, Issac Reider, Joleigh Tipsword, Camdin Waidelich, Ivan Moxley, Maddison Walters, and Miracle Wilson. RSVP/MISS volunteers: Wanda Abbott, Debbie Eaton, Judy Fiest, Ann Sanners, Sandy Cameron, Esther Nelson, Norma Piper, Barb Stinson, Shirley Ford, and Brenda Stone.

To RSVP for this event and reserve your spot, contact Norma Piper, CEFS, at (217)728-7721.

Lovington enlists MAPPING for its community

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•March 26, 2025•

Lovington has enlisted the help of the MAPPING The Future of Your Community program through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University to take a proactive approach to planning for community and economic development. 

 The MAPPING program is a participant-driven strategic visioning and planning process whereby local leaders and citizen volunteers create a long-range vision for the future of our community and a plan of action for achieving it. A series of five, three-hour sessions, involving community members will be held to discuss: Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How are we going to get there? How do we make it happen? How do we make it happen and maintain momentum?

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Preparing for safety as Spring weather arrives

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Readiness for spring weather is crucial to keep yourself and your family safe

•March 26, 2025•

by Angela Hogan

Spring brings warmer temperatures, longer days, and the chance to enjoy the outdoors. However, spring weather can also bring unpredictable conditions, including severe storms, heavy rain, and even late-season cold snaps. 

Here are five steps you can take to prepare for the season: Stay informed About Spring Weather Patterns -Spring weather can change quickly, often bringing thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash floods. Here’s how you can stay aware and informed: check weather forecasts daily through reliable sources like local TV stations, the National Weather Service (NWS), or a weather app. Moultrie County residents can sign up for CodeRED, the county’s emergency warning system. Enable emergency alerts on your phone to receive notifications about severe weather. Understand weather warnings. A “Watch” means conditions are favorable for threatening weather to develop. A “Warning” means severe weather is happening or imminent.

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Dolphins compete at Winter Regional Championships

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Kinsley Eads

•March 26, 2025•

Blue Dolphins had a great showing at Winter Regional Championships sending 17 swimmers who swam 72 individual events. 

Blue Dolphins went to the podium 48 individual times and every swimmer finished in the top 20 of all 72 events. SBD also two swimmers who qualified for state in their individual events. Kinsley Eads qualified in the Girls 10&u 50 butterfly and 10&u 100 butterfly. Emily Crosier qualified in the girls 1,000 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, and 50 breaststroke. 

Emily Crosier

Crosier also qualified for the Central Zone North Speedo Championship in Rochester, MN where she swam the 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, and 200IM.

A full list of swimmers and their finishes is available on the NewsProgress Facebook page.

Lake Land College introduces new substance abuse counseling program

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Fall 2025 program developed to provide students with skills to excel 

•March 26, 2025•

 Lake Land College has introduced a new Substance Abuse Counseling concentration within its Human Services program. Beginning Fall 2025, the program aims to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to excel in the field of substance abuse counseling.

 “We are thrilled to introduce this new concentration to our Human Services program. The demand for compassionate professionals in the substance abuse counseling field is significant, and this program offers students a clear pathway to earn the necessary clinical hours for certification efficiently,” said Madison Dailey, Health and Physical Education Instructor.

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The Illinois Department of Revenue alerts taxpayers to common errors to avoid when preparing tax returns

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•March 26, 2025•

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is advising taxpayers to be vigilant when preparing tax returns in order to avoid several common errors which can lead to delays, rejections, or even penalties.

“We encourage taxpayers to file electronically and review their information carefully in order to ensure their returns are complete and accurate,” said` IDOR Director David Harris. “Mistakes on returns can have negative consequences, such as delays in processing refunds, or even the rejection of returns.”

The following are common filing errors to avoid:

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