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MCHGS Presentation Focuses On Flora and Fauna of Lake Shelbyville

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Photo by Crystal Reed
MCHGS member Janet Roney with program presenters Brock Key and Makayla Tinker, both Natural Resource Specialists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville.

•March 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

Members of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society and other attendees heard a presentation on Flora and Fauna 1963 to Present at Lake Shelbyville on the evening of Thursday, March 16. The program was presented by Brock Key and Makayla Tinker, both Natural Resources Specialists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville.
Key began by sharing a brief history of the lake. Lake Shelbyville was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, and then World War II happened. Authorization was granted then from the Flood Control Act of 1958.
Work was started in 1963 and finished in 1970. The total cost at that time was $56 million which in today’s dollars is around $400 million. This included the relocation of utilities, highways, cemeteries, construction of the recreation areas and the Findlay bridge.
Key gave the big five which were five reasons why the lake was built. The main two are navigation on the Mississippi and flood control. The others are recreation, habitat sustainment and improvement and future water supply. Key then showed several photos of Lake Shelbyville prior to or during construction and asked members of the audience whether they knew where the photos were taken.
Tinker then went into combating invasive species. She noted that the problem with invasive species is that they adapt quickly and cause harm to natural plants and wildlife. The first ones she addressed were phragmites and reed canary grass. Read More

Remember When? 3-22-2023

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25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan’s Water Department was notified by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health that it has been recognized for its public water supply’s high degree of compliance with the state’s Illinois Fluoridation Law maintained throughout 1997.
The Sullivan Singers captured the second place trophy and won best crew award in competition against eight other high school show choirs in the Westosha Show Choir Invitational in Salem, Wis. Read More

Take A Walk on the Wild Side

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•March 22, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Guinness World Records has determined the verb “set” has more definitions than any other word.
Some 430 senses of the verb are listed in the Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, published in 1989. It has the longest entry in the dictionary at 60,000 words — or the equivalent of a short paperback novel.
We’re a little tight on space (and I imagine consciousness) to explore that in this column. But for some reason it got me thinking about a boring little word with a multitude of wonderful and very specific synonyms: “walk.”
In the interest of writing descriptively, I utilize probably three or four dozen words when I try to sum up a person’s walk.
Perhaps it’s a bit on the voyeuristic side, but I like to people watch — wherever I am — and, of course, put a name to a gait.
Mind you, this is not a form of judgment but rather a vocabulary exercise for me. Read More

Illinois Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 1 at 58 Locations Statewide

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•March 22, 2023•
The 2023 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 1, at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state.
An early opportunity at selected trout sites – the spring catch-and-release fishing season – opened March 18. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release fishing period, but anglers can keep trout after the opening of the regular season beginning April 1.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. An additional 80,000 trout will be stocked for the fall trout fishing season, which begins in October.
The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support from those who use the program through the sale of Inland Trout Stamps. Read More

ALAH Board of Education Approves the District to Seek Bids to Repair School Parking Lots

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•March 22, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry

Superintendent Shannon Cheek spoke with members of the Board of Education about the school parking lots and their condition at the most recent meeting held Wednesday, March 15. What, originally, he thought would be a simple fix at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School will actually be much more of a significant repair after a closer look.
The area near the playground and east lot where most people usually park is estimated to be around $61,000. Cheek also said the staff area parking lot was estimated to be a bit lower at just $10,500. He feels that the parking lots at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School are in need of some major repair and by doing so, could extend their life much longer. The ALAH High School parking lot is also not in the best condition, but Cheek said it could get by another year by just simply filling in some of the cracks and holes. The Arthur Grade School’s parking lot east of the building has been estimated to be at $43,000. The board approved Cheek to collect bids and see what the total costs would be. He informed the board that it may not be a reality that all three parking lots can be repaired. Read More

Learn How to be Part of a Successful Deer Donation Program

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•March 22, 2023•
In response to rising food and meat prices and the challenges food pantries have in obtaining meat, University of Illinois Extension, along with key partners, launched the Illinois Deer Donation Program in 2022. This 12-county pilot program fought food insecurity by matching hunters in East Central Illinois with meat processors and food pantries.
Extension is presenting a live online webinar summarizing the outcomes of the inaugural program on April 19, from Noon to 12:45 p.m. Information covered will include pounds of meat donated, number of pantries reached, and plans for next year. Representatives of The Master’s Hands food pantry and Morgan’s Meat Market will share their experiences participating in the program. Read More

Facts for Families: Give Kids a Break

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•March 22, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Now that we are all getting back out and attending events again, we need to find a happy medium with balancing “down time” with activities – especially with our children. This article was written by Extension Educator Susan Sloop and is a good reminder to allow children breaks. Susan says: Is your child forgetful, crabby, or constantly tired? He may be “overscheduled.” Would you be surprised to find your child’s day is as hectic as your own? People who study young children say that youngsters need time for unstructured activity—what adults sometimes call “free time” or “down time.”
Why is free time good for children?
· Health. A child’s body and brain need relief from demands and expectations. Rest and recreation help keep a child healthy and ready to learn! Read More

Windsor February Students of the Month

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Windsor February Students of the Month
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School recently announced their February Students of the Month Gracie Brownlee and Izzi Cloe.
Gracie Brownlee is the daughter of Greg and Ashleah Brownlee. She is currently a senior and is involved in Student Council and Yearbook. She plans to attend Urshan College.
Izzi Cloe is the daughter of Darrell and Alison Hite. She is currently in 8th grade and is involved in Volleyball, Cheerleading, Softball, Scholastic Bowl, FFA, and Club 217 Volleyball. Izzi plans to one day become a Veterinarian.

IDPH Launches $30 Million Program to Distribute Air Purifiers in Illinois Schools

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•March 22, 2023•
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have announced that the state is launching a $29.6 million program to distribute more than 60,000 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers to Illinois schools to help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
IDPH is coordinating the program with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The program is funded by the CDC through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and is targeted for school districts that serve lower income communities and counties that have elevated air pollution counts. IDPH estimates almost 3,000 schools will be eligible for the program, covering 68 percent of school districts in the state. It will cover schools throughout the state, including Cook County, with the exception of Chicago, which has received a separate federal grant. Read More