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Embrace winter: indoor activities to boost well-being

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•December 10, 2025•

by DM Williamee

As the chill of winter sets in and the selection of outdoor activities dwindles, many find themselves searching for ways to stave off boredom while maintaining mental, physical, and emotional health during the chillier winter months. Believe it or not, winter provides an opportunity to explore indoor activities that can both bust boredom and enhance well-being. From creative pursuits to physical fitness, there are options other than binge-watching television that can enhance the season.

Get crafty and unleash your creative side. Winter is the perfect time to dive into arts and crafts, for example. Engaging in creative activities not only provides a productive outlet for stress but also enhances mood and reduces that stress. Painting and/or drawing are simple examples. Experiment with watercolors, acrylics, sketching, or even just doodling. You don’t need to be a professional artist—just let your imagination take over. You can also create handmade gifts, decorations, or upcycle old items into something new. Knitting or crocheting is not only therapeutic but also functional. Both can result in cozy accessories such as scarves, hats, slippers, and lap-blankets, perfect for this chillier season.

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LWWC grant recipients: Mo-Do Mavericks 4-H Club

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•December 10, 2025•

Submitted

The LWWC of Lovington has announced the 2024 LWWC Community Grant recipient: the Mo-Do Mavericks 4-H Club, for their Mavericks Meals of Hope project. This youth-led initiative will expand the Backpack Program by providing weekend and holiday meal packs—including food, hygiene items, and treats—to local students facing food insecurity. Club members will work with schools to identify needs, purchase supplies, and organize volunteer “packing nights” for assembling and discreetly delivering care bags.

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Letter to the Editor 12-10-2025

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A heartfelt thank you to our valued community partner

Moultrie County Dove Inc. Domestic Violence Services extends its deepest gratitude to Mid-Illinois Senior Services for their outstanding partnership and commitment to supporting our clients and the wider community. Your generosity is essential to our mission, particularly during difficult times.

For yet another year, your support ensures our annual Santa’s Little Helper workshop is a success by consistently providing us with a warm, welcoming space to host and hold this important event. This partnership ensures our clients, their children, and the entire community can experience the joy of the holiday season.

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Mo-Do 4-H launches three new clubs for youth

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•December 10, 2025•

Moultrie-Douglas 4-H has announced three brand-new clubs for youth to explore skills, make friends, and grow as leaders while having hands-on fun through learning opportunities.

Dog Obedience SPIN Club: Love dogs? Join the Dog Obedience SPIN Club and learn how to train and care for your canine companion at the Moultrie-Douglas Fairgrounds, Arthur – White Merchant’s Building Shed from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on December 17th, January 7th and 21st, February 4th and 25th, March 11th and 25th, April 1st and 15th, May 6th and 20th, and final practice on June 10th. The Dog Show will be held on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Coles County Fairgrounds (Participation optional). This activity’s club leader is Kathy Davis, who can be reached at (217) 249-2602 for more information. This activity is for children aged 8–18.

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North Point Homes ‘scattered site’ housing development begins construction

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•December 10, 2025•

The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development (SCED) has announced that construction has officially begun on the North Point Homes scattered site housing development—an effort nearly eight years in the making and a major step forward in addressing Sullivan’s long-standing need for safe, modern, and affordable rental housing.

The project’s roots date back nearly a decade, when economic development efforts and local partners began removing dilapidated homes and blighted structures to prepare for future redevelopment. During this foundational stage, local business owner Zak Horn emerged as a key champion for the initiative. Horn invested personal resources into securing teardown properties, participated in meetings with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA), worked alongside developers, architects, and city officials, and helped guide the early application process. His support included transferring his portion of the project sponsor development fee so that SCED could be the financial beneficiary.

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LLC accepting nominations for college awards

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•December 10, 2025•

Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award, Pacesetter Award, Retiree Wall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus Award/Alumnus Achievement Award, and Distinguished Alumni Society. All nominations for these listed awards are being accepted until February 1st, 2026. Nomination forms for all awards are available on the College’s website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Alumni/Award-Nominations/. Physical copies of each form are available by calling the Foundation at 217-234-5376.

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Food Pantry fundraiser

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Last Friday, December 5th, was pick-up day for the 14th annual hand-dipped chocolate fundraiser for the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Friends of the Moultrie County Food Pantry sent out order forms to past fundraiser supporters, and the Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola donated 20% of sales proceeds from those orders. This year’s fundraiser raised more than last year’s, reflecting both the delight in Flesor’s treats as well as the generosity of both Flesor’s and the community. The candy was delivered to the Sweet Vail Cafe in Sullivan for those who placed orders, allowing them to pick up their sweet treats locally. Pictured is Shelly Mossman picking up her goodies.

ETML December Happenings 

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•December 10, 2025•

Every Monday at 9:00 a.m., ETML will be hosting the Memory Café. This is a social gathering for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Get helpful information and support from others who also have loved ones who struggle with memory loss. 

Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. is Story Time. 

On December 10th, drop in between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. to create your own Ugly Sweater. ETML will provide T-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can bring your own shirt. Supplies will be provided. 

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SNAP benefits: eligibility to change Feb. ‘26 

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From the IDHS 
•December 10, 2025•

Full December SNAP benefits will be issued as normally scheduled.  Starting February 1, 2026, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who do not meet work requirements or qualify for an exemption may only receive benefits for three months during a three-year period. That means individuals not meeting the new federal work requirements or otherwise exempt could lose benefits starting May 1, 2026. 

Prior to the Trump Administration’s budget bill, ABAWDS were defined as adults ages 18-54 with no “dependent” children under 18 and no disabilities. But under the new federal guidelines, people in the following categories will also be forced to meet the new work requirements to receive SNAP benefits: veterans, individuals who are 55-64 years old, homeless individuals, and ABAWDs whose at-home children are 14 years old or older

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Credit card checkout: How complicated with this become?

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•December 10, 2025•

by DM Williamee

In a landmark settlement that has sent ripples through both the retail and financial sectors, Visa and Mastercard reached an agreement with a coalition of merchants that will -fundamentally- alter the landscape of credit card transactions at checkout lanes beginning in early 2026. This settlement paves the way for businesses to implement tiered pricing based on the type of credit card that a consumer uses, and will no doubt lead to more complicated shopping experiences for consumers. From “ No purchases by credit card under $5” to “all purchases by credit card will be subject to a fee, depending on the card you use.” Huh? Don’t we already pay interest fees on our credit cards when we pay the bill every month? Yes. But wait, folks, now there’s more…

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