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How do Deal with Academic Burnout and Stress

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•December 7, 2022•
by Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension

I would like to share this timely article written by Illinois Extension intern, Sharon Kim. Sharon says: With finals around the corner many students are feeling unmotivated or stressed. It can be hard to finish off the semester strong with such stress and pressure. Sometimes the constant buildup of projects, papers, exams, presentations, etc. can be too overwhelming and cause burnout. There seems to be less time for self-care, and it can cause people to gloss over problems. However, it is important to recognize the signs of burnout and address the issue before it starts to have long term effects.
Signs of burnout include: Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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This photo is post dated May 1910. It is a group photo taken in front of the old school that was next to the Methodist Church in Sullivan. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

‘Gaslighting’ Sparks Dictionary Lookups

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•December 7, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Before flipping the calendar to December, the lexicographers at Merriam-Webster rolled the dice and released their list of most popular lookups for 2022.
I guess if “Mystery comet” or “Y2K23” don’t make a run for it by New Year’s Eve, it’ll be smooth sailing until next year.
The word of the year is ... “gaslighting.”
I’ve always loved this word, in part because it originated from the title of a play and the films that followed. Read More

Remember When? 12-7-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

CyberTek Internet, founded by Duane Wooters of Sullivan, was purchased by the Lovington-based One-Eleven Internet Services, Inc. One-Eleven is affiliated with Moultrie Independent Phone Co. that provided local internet access for Windsor, Bethany, Lovington and Dalton City.
The Sullivan School District received the “Red Apple” award from Bill Lair, managing editor of the Charleston Times-Courier for the top performance on the Illinois Goal Assessment Program tests administered during the 1996-97 school year. Sullivan edged out Oakland as the top performing school. Read More

Metro Communications Places Christmas Tree

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Metro Communications Places Christmas Tree
A new Christmas Tree has been placed in Downtown Sullivan Illinois by Metro Communications. The tree was installed next to the Metro building on the corner of Harrison and Washington streets. Metro employees spent several days out in the chilly weather assembling and decorating the tree. Multiple motorized lifts had to be used to raise workers up to reach the highest of the branches. The artificial evergreen has been covered with silver, gold, red and green ornaments. The biggest size of the metallic spheres has a circumference of 24 inches. The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development organization partnered on this project. Laurrie Minor, the Director of The S.C.E.D., said her organization is incredibly happy to be able to share Metro’s generosity with the community.

Schedule for Monthly Brain Health Classes

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•December 7, 2022•

By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

There is increasing evidence that brain health is directly related to body health. However, most people think more about keeping their bodies fit or their hearts healthy than working at maintaining a healthy brain. Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, will be offering free “Wits Fitness: Brain Exercise Classes” in five different locations each month except for July and December. Locations and dates for 2023 include:
· Every first Monday of the month at the LifeSpan Center of Coles County at 10:00 AM (except for January 9 and Sept. 11 due to holidays.)
· Every first Monday of the month at the Shelby County Senior Center at 1:00 PM (except January 9 and Sept. 11 due to holidays.)
· Every third Monday of the month at the Arthur Extension office at 3:00 PM (except for January 23 and June 26 due to holidays.)
· Every fourth Monday of the month at Mid-Illinois Senior Services at 1:00 PM.
· Every fourth Friday of the month at the Life Center of Cumberland County at 10:30 AM (except for November 17 due to holiday.)
Cheri will lead participants through interactive activities designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. There is no cost to attend, but registration is recommended by calling the class locations or the Extension office at 543-3755. You are never too young or old to get started training your brain, so join Cheri in this fun and informative class! University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please call 543-3755.

One Year Anniversary of Tornado Touchdown South of Windsor

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•December 7, 2022•
by Crystal Reed

On Friday, December 10, 2021, at about 9:50 p.m., a tornado touched down south of Windsor. Thankfully, no one was injured or killed that night. At that time the National Weather Service at Lincoln said when the tornado touched down, it caused the loss of roof panels to a farm outbuilding.
Then the tornado strengthened, causing total destruction of a farm outbuilding and breaking wood power poles southeast of Windsor. South Central FS saw significant damage west of Gays with numerous buildings damaged or destroyed, and three large tanker trucks were flipped. Read More

Windsor School District to Renovate 1980 Addition of Junior Senior High

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•December 7, 2022•
by Crystal Reed

The Windsor School Board made the decision to renovate the 1980 Addition of the Junior Senior High during their November 16 school board meeting. For four to five months, Windsor Superintendent Erik Van Hoveln and the board had been tossing around the idea of whether to renovate or build an addition onto the school. It was determined that it would be a better option to renovate.
Renovations will include upgrades to the ladies’ restroom near the gym making it ADA compliant, new flooring, new sinks, new stalls, new paint and ceiling. The gymnasium will get new bleachers, and the floor will be resurfaced, making it ADA compliant, and the new Hatchets logo will go on the floor. Van Hoveln said that in 2006 the volleyball lines were painted in the gym and that over the years they have blended into the floor due to fading and the oil-based seal of the gym floor. Read More

Sample Selected to Participate in The Vibe

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•December 7, 2022•

Lake Land College selected 13 students from several applicants to participate in The Vibe for the 2022-23 academic year based on their passion for the college and demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.
Lake Land College developed this student marketing council called The Vibe to include a student voice in the college’s marketing and communication materials.
“The Vibe members are incredible individuals who tell the daily Laker experience through their own eyes. In addition to sharing their unique journeys, they assist the Marketing & Public Relations team by highlighting key messages and events, while providing valuable feedback on marketing and communication strategies,” Director of Marketing & Public Relations Kelly Allee said. “We are grateful to them for sharing their talents, thoughts and ideas with us, and we look forward to the many wonderful things they will do in the future.” Stephanie Sample of Sullivan, a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Communication, has been selected for this new student marketing council.

The students serve as social media influencers for Lake Land College, creating authentic testimonials and social media content on the platforms that resonate with their peers and potential students.

LLC to Host St. Louis Cardinals Caravan

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•December 7, 2022•

Lake Land College will host the St. Louis Cardinals Caravan at noon on January 15, 2023 in the Lake Land College Field House.
This event gives fans the opportunity to interact with current and former team players for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team as well as broadcast talents and other familiar faces. Children 15-years-old and younger will also receive one autograph from each current and former player in attendance at the event.
Tickets are $10 per person, and admission includes a drink, hot dog and chips.
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance at the Lake Land College Field House Athletics Office or at Washington Savings Bank in Mattoon. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.
No preferred seating will be available.
The event will be sponsored by Lake Land College Athletics and Mattoon High School Baseball.
For more information, visit lakelandcollege.edu/athletics or call 217-234-5333.