Pictured above is Christmas at Eastview nursing home in Sullivan in 1970. 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.
•December 28, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Happy New Year, if that’s your gig.
My gift to you this week is some help in facilitating conversation with the young people in your life. If you’re like most of us and recently celebrated some combination of the birth of Jesus, capitalism gone wild, and the love of family and friends, odds are pretty good you found yourself in proximity to someone ranging in age from 12 to 30.
This can be scary territory. In what language do you speak with them? More importantly, in what language do they speak?
I’ve had a few opportunities during the holidays to converse with people a fraction of my age. And given that a reporter is always a reporter and it’s always better to know than not know, I ask young people a lot of questions.
My wife and I had Thanksgiving dinner with the Atwells of Barrington this year. What set this column in motion was something 14-year-old Bridget repeated throughout the evening: “Slay!” Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
The eighth annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for persons with disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was held. Fifteen deer were harvested by 23 hunters who participated in the hunt. Trophies were awarded to David Griffit III of Champaign for First Doe; P.J. Sheehan of Shelbyville for Smallest Deer; Avena Kowalczyk of Hinsdale for First Buck and Louis Easi Jr. of Streator for Largest Buck. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Olivia Cordes is the first place winner in the Voice of Democracy Essay contest for 9th to 12th graders for VFW Post 6410.
•December 28, 2022•
Photo by Crystal Reed
Patriot’s Pen essay contest winners for VFW Post 6410 are first place Avram Bates and 2nd place Hannah Taylor. The Patriot’s Pen contest is for 6th-8th graders.
Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts an essay contest for middle schoolers and high schoolers. The Patriots Pen contest for 6th-8th graders offers the opportunity to win up to $5000 in scholarships. This year’s VFW Post 6410’s first place winner is Avram Bates; 2nd place is Hannah Taylor. The Voice of Democracy essay contest for 9th to 12th graders can win up to $30,000 in scholarships this year’s VFW Post 6410 first place winner is Olivia Cordes. Both Olivia and Avram’s essays have moved on to the District 11 judging. Winners will be announced in January.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa’s Helpers Visit Head Start
Santa’s Helpers visited Head Start in Sullivan on Tuesday, December 20. Jeri Davis is an organizer and donor. Members of the community and past community members help support this project with the purchase of toys and other needed items. Members can also donate cash and she will do the shopping. They try to have toys, personal care items, candy and cookies for the children. She encourages those who want to help to buy when items are drastically reduced after Christmas. They use coloring books, Christmas stockings, blankets and Christmas easy reading books. They usually plan for 20 kids each year.
•December 28, 2022•
by Ariana R. Cherry
A public hearing concerning the tax levy was held during the meeting of the ALAH Board of Education Wednesday, December 21. In November, a tentative tax levy was approved with an estimated 6% EAV. Superintendent Shannon Cheek proposed a balloon levy with a 9.43% aggregate levy which ended up requiring a truth and taxation hearing. With no additional comments or oppositions, the tax levy was approved.
The high school cafeteria was quite full of elementary and junior high students who were excited with anticipation to show off some of their recent projects. A group of fourth grade students presented their projects from their annual market day. A number of handmade items were shown which included sport bags made from sports balls, sport necklaces created from washers, wooden animal puzzles, keychains and treasure chests. Read More
•December 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
Arlene Aschermann concluded her 22nd year on the Moultrie County Board December 8, 2022, capping 38 years of service as an elected official in Moultrie County. She is a lifelong resident of Moultrie County and graduated from Sullivan High School in 1955. She moved to Arthur with her husband Lawrence and has been an active member of the Arthur Methodist Church for more than 60 years and served many years with the Arthur Woman’s Club as well.
Aschermann is a fixture in Arthur, serving three terms on the school board of the Arthur Community Unit School Dist. #305 from 1981 to 1995. During her tenure on the school board, a new gymnasium was built. She has also been active in the Arthur community and was part of the committee that raised the funds and constructed the community pool.
From 1994 to 1998 Aschermann served as the Moultrie County Clerk. Prior to that she had worked in the Moultrie County Clerk’s office for six years. Her nephew Kevin McReynolds said that since she had worked in the office prior to becoming clerk, she already knew how county government worked so it let her hit the ground running. Read More
•December 28, 2022•
The Lake Land College Board of Trustees election will be held in the April 4, 2023, general election. Three six-year terms will appear on the ballot for Lake Land College.
The following three individuals have submitted petitions for a six-year term and will appear in this order on the ballot: Denise Walk, Teutopolis, Doris Reynolds, Mattoon, and Mike Sullivan, Mattoon.
Due to an inclement weather incident and the College being closed on Thursday, December 22, 2022, the revised period for filing objections to nomination papers will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following dates: Tuesday, January 3, 2023; Wednesday, January 4, 2023; and Thursday, January 5, 2023.
File all materials at the Office of the President, Lake Land College, Board and Administration Center, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938. For more information, please contact Jean Anne Highland, chief of staff, at 217-234-5329 or jhighland@lakelandcollege.edu.
•December 28, 2022•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is looking for qualified candidates to fill student vacancies for the 2023 summer recreation season. Lake Shelbyville offers a great work experience opportunity for those students who plan to make a career in biological sciences, outdoor recreation, or law enforcement. Temporary student positions are available for graduating seniors and college students at the GS-02 level. These positions are available in Interpretive Services, Visitor Assistance, Facility/Grounds Maintenance, Environmental Stewardship, and Administration with an hourly rate around $15.30 and a 40 hour per week work schedule during the summer term. Candidates may be required to work a combination of days, nights, weekends, and holiday shifts.
Basic Requirements and Qualifications:
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school, at a qualifying educational institution on a half-time or full-time basis pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate
• Minimum education requirement of high school diploma or GED
• Good academic standing with a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
• Transcripts and proof of enrollment/acceptance letter• Detailed resume showing eligibility for this position
• Required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement
Temporary Student Position(s): Announcement closes January 11, 2023
Job Announcements are available online at www.usajobs.gov under the job announcement number. Applicants must create a USAjobs account, build a profile, and create a resume. The job announcements can be located by entering the announcement number into the “keyword” search query on the homepage. Applicants are strongly encouraged to call the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217)774-3951 extension 0 for any questions or assistance in applying for these positions.