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Schedule for Monthly Brain Health Classes

News Progress Posted on by

•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

News Progress Posted on by

•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

News Progress Posted on by

•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

News Progress Posted on by

•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.

Breakfast with Santa

News Progress Posted on by

•December 7, 2022•

The Lovington Park Board will be hosting Breakfast With Santa on Saturday, December 17 from 9-11 am at First Baptist Church, 360 W. Springfield Rd in Lovington. Every child will receive a special gift from Santa. There will also be crafts, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, bacon, orange juice and coffee.

Santa Picture Bingo and Breakfast

News Progress Posted on by

•December 7, 2022•

Santa Picture Bingo and Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 17 from 8 to 11 am at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. Breakfast is all you can eat $8 for ages 12 and older and $5 for children under 12. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, donuts, juice, milk and coffee. Picture Bingo is for all ages. The first game will begin at 8:30 am and each game played in just 25 cents. Proceeds go to the Down Syndrome Network.

Pizza, Pajamas and Santa

News Progress Posted on by

•December 7, 2022•

On Saturday, December 17 at 3 pm Santa will be making an appearance in the Village of Gays to collect last minute Christmas wishes. The event will include a photo with Santa and a craft, available for purchase and pizza, cookie and drink for a free will donation. Pajamas are encouraged but not required. All proceeds go towards the Two Story Outhouse Festival 2023.

Recent Obituaries: Susan Matusas

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Susan Matusas

Susan B. Matusas, 57, of Sullivan, passed away peacefully in her sleep in her residence on Saturday November 26, 2022.

A Celebration of Life reception will be from 6 - 8 pm. Friday in the Sullivan VFW. Private family services will be Saturday December 3, 2022 in the Liberty Cemetery, Sullivan. Susan requested memorials to Moultrie County PAWS, 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951, where she had adopted her two dogs, Gerdie and Stella. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Susan was born December 31, 1964 in Naperville, Illinois, the daughter of  David W. and Ruth Mark Miller. She had been a cook for the Sullivan Elementary School for several years. Susan was a member of the Sullivan First Baptist Church and Sullivan T.O.P.S. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her apple orchard. She enjoyed playing canasta, chinese checkers, and her favorite was monopoly. Susan was a devoted wife and mother and a people person who enjoyed socializing and was a good listener for people to talk to. She married Phillip Matusas on August 11, 1984 in Sullivan.
Surviving are her husband Phillip of Sullivan, children Cory (Michelle) Matusas of Decatur, Jasmine (Shane) Mize of Lovington, Heather Matusas of  Bethany,  Holly Matusas and partner Nathan Tavoletti of Bement and Phillip ( Kristin) Matusas, II of Oak Harbor, Ohio;  brothers Byron (Pam) Miller of St Charles and David (Barbara) Miller of West Chicago; sister Marcia (Pat) Casey of West Chicago and grandchildren Brooklyn Matusas, Brett Matusas, Baylor Matusas, Tatum Williams, Laynee Williams, Alexus Mize, Gavin Alsup, Kalie Alsup, Olivia Matusas, Sofia Matusas, Phillip Matusas III and Rozalie Matusas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Nancy Bown.