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Decatur Audubon Society

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•June 14, 2023•

The Decatur Audubon Society invites members and other interested persons to its June general meeting on Sunday, June 18, at 4:00 pm at the pavilion in Tabor Park in Sullivan, IL. Directions from Decatur: Take IL Hwy 121 into Sullivan; turn left after the signage to Wyman/Tabor Park just past the 4-way stop sign. After brief announcements, including future July & August confirmed meeting information, local resident and historian, Joseph Pound, will present a brief review of the history of Sullivan and its two city parks, Wyman and Tabor Parks. Following the presentation, attendees may optionally patronize a local restaurant.

Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Making Illinois First State in the Nation to Outlaw Book Bans

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•June 14, 2023•
Governor JB Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, advocates, and lawmakers today at the Harold Washington Library to sign legislation outlawing book bans in Illinois. This nation-leading legislation comes in the wake of a nationwide rise in extremists targeting literature, libraries, and books in an effort to censor the material students need to thrive in the classroom. Targeted books cover a wide range of categories and predominantly consists of stories by and about People of Color and the LGBTQ+ community. Read More

Ice Cream Social

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•June 14, 2023•

In celebration of 20 years in business, VanderBurgh Financial Services, LLC, and The Green Creamery will be hosting a complimentary ice cream social on Sunday, June 18, from 6-8pm, at VanderBurgh Financial Services office, 59 Cardinal Dr., Bethany.
John VanderBurgh purchased the accounting and tax service business in 2003 and would like to thank the Bethany & surrounding communities for the support through the years. The Green Creamery, based in Effingham, will have its ice cream food truck in the parking lot and include the menu of hand-dipped ice cream, water, teas, lemonade, and javas. One complimentary item will be offered per person.

Senior Heifer Calf Champion

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Photo by Next Level Images
Senior Heifer Calf Champion
Kramers Nellie 1253 won senior heifer calf champion at the 2023 Atlantic National Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show, May 28 in Timonium, Md. Quentin Day, Lovington, owns the winning heifer.

Marrowbone Public Library summer reading program

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photo by Crystal Reed
Children gather around Scovill Zoo volunteer John Arnold to pet a corn snake at Marrowbone Public Library during their first summer reading program of the summer. Volunteers Arnold and Sandy Bray brought several animals with them for children to see including a corn snake, kookaburra, turtle, guinea pig and tarantula.

City Council Discusses City Hall Project, Authorizes Rural Development Loan

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•June 14, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting Monday, June 12.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood shared an update on the city hall project. She gave a timeline of the project and the different locations they had explored. The former city hall was demolished in February of this year.
The first bid opening came in way over budget so council members went back to the drawing board. Sherwood noted that on May 23 she received a text message from Mayor Mike Mossman asking her to stop the further development of the building project . Sherwood said she respects the council’s decision, and they should definitely discuss it.
Mossman said before they can sign off on it, they need to know what has gone on with the project prior to the current council. Commissioner Doug Shook indicated he would like a chance to look at the plans for the building before he would be prepared to make a decision. He said he was concerned about ADA access. Read More

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Introduces Advanced Surgical Technology to Eliminate Cataracts

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•June 14, 2023•
Cataracts effect more than 24 million people over the age of 40 in the United States according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is addressing the growing need for improved eye care by establishing advanced ophthalmological surgical services here in Decatur.
St. Mary’s Hospital is the first in the region to use the LenSx® Laser featuring ASCEND Technology to perform cataract surgeries. This system uses advanced laser technology for enhanced precision and increased efficiency.
“A cataract is something we can take care of surgically as soon as it starts to bother you in your daily life,” said Dr. Kenneth Farr, ophthalmological surgeon. “Once we complete the surgery, your cataracts are gone for good.” Read More

St. Jude Dash and Bash

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photo by Crystal Reed
Andrews Family Magic Show
Andrew Anderson of Andrews Family Magic reads the mind of a child in the audience during a magic show at the Sullivan St. Jude Dash and Bash held on Saturday, June 10.

photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show for St. Jude
This vehicle was one of several that was on display during the St. Jude Dash and Bash Car Show. The Dash and Bash included inflatables for children, pedal pulls, raffles, pretzel and lemon shakeup sales, a duck derby and much more.

photo by R.R. Best
St. Jude Dash and Bash Duck Derby
St. Jude Dash and Bash co-chair Phil Ozier uses a hose to spray rubber duckies towards the finish line during the duck derby at Wyman Park on Saturday, June 10.

photo by Crystal Reed
Free Inflatables at St. Jude Dash and Bash
This year the inflatables at the St. Jude Dash and Bash were sponsored by Hydro Gear so children were able to play for free that afternoon. There were bounce houses, inflatable games, slides and more for children to enjoy.

Facts for Families: Spring into food savings

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•June 14, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator

I’m sure you have all noticed that prices seem to be up on everything - including food! Extension educator Jamie Mahlandt recently wrote this article for her blog that addresses how we might be able to at least save a little on food. Jamie says: as food is necessary for everyone, it is an important expense in your regular budget. Some ways to minimize your food expenses may be to keep a list of necessary groceries and stick to the list when shopping. With the option of online grocery ordering that includes pick-up services, you may be able to avoid the temptation of spending on extras that were not part of your plan.
Home Gardening Read More

Bethany Village Board Meets

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•June 14, 2023•

The Bethany Village Board met on Thursday, June 8 at the Bethany Village Hall. During the meeting bids were opened for the next step in the village’s water project. The bids are being submitted to rural development. According to Mayor Jon Book there were apparent low bids. He also noted that bids on the water main project are 9% higher than estimates from 2020 but that was not unexpected. Book also said that they are attempting to add on to the project since the funding is there. The village would like to replace the meters in town with remote readable meters. These have the advantages of providing real usage statistics and detect leaks. The board tabled a decision regarding the purchase of video surveillance for locations on Main Street. They will revisit this item at their next meeting in July.