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Moultrie Co. Board Awards Final Round of American Rescue Plan Grants

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•October 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board awarded American Rescue Plan (ARPA) grants to eight recipients during their Thursday, October 13, meeting. The total amount awarded in this round was $1,095,525. Board members John Fayhee and Marsha Kirby attended the meeting via phone, and John Vander Burgh was absent.
Grants were awarded to the Life Center in the amount of $41,000 for roof and HVAC upgrades, Moultrie County Dive Team in the amount of $100,000 for mobile command unit and upgrades to rescue boats, Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital in the amount of $15,000 for generator as county’s animal hospital and boarding provider, Village of Arthur for $200,000 for water sewer project, Sullivan Bakery for $89,000 for lost revenue during COVID, County Detention Center for $167,525 for upgrades to electronics and door, Bethany Diner for $60,000 for roof and HVAC updates and Andrew’s Group for $423,000 for consultation, deployment and investment of childcare crisis plan. Read More

Sullivan Fire Protection District Receives Donation for Grain Bin Rescue Equipment

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Photo by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan Fire Protection District was presented with a check for $1,000 from South Central FS and Total Grain Marketing for grain bin rescue equipment on Wednesday, October 12. Pictured from left to right are Captain Tyler Wright, South Central FS, Inc. CEO and TGM General Manager Joe Meinhart, Fire Chief Larry Edwards and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wright.

•October 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Fire Protection District has a new tool to help them out when responding to grain bin rescues. South Central FS and Total Grain Marketing presented the fire district with a check for $1,000 which was applied to the purchase of a rescue grain auger. The auger may be used when a person becomes trapped in a grain bin.
The person trapped is placed inside the tube, and it removes the grain or other product surrounding them. According to Captain Tyler Wright, prior to this, if the department should have a rescue, crews would use old coffee cans to remove the product from around the victim. Wright noted that the Arthur Fire Department also has a rescue grain auger available to them as well. Read More

LTOTS to Host an Evening with John and Julie

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•October 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Little Theatre on The Square will host An Evening with John and Julie on Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 30 at 2 p.m. The show was staged by Executive Producer John Stephens and Decatur native Julie McClarey-Smith. McClarey is the undefeated national Ragtime Piano Playing Award winner.
She will play a little bit of everything from Ragtime and the Bumble Boogie to classical music and praise hymn favorites. John will bring some of his past favorite roles back to life and also visit a medley of songs from roles in which he wishes he had been cast as well as some classic pop and country hits. Read More

Women’s Small Business Month

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•October 19, 2022•

To recognize and build awareness for the way women entrepreneurs are having a positive impact on jobs and the economy in Central and Southeastern Illinois, the Business Navigators Alliance will host an online panel discussion, Thursday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. starting with Michelle Lura White, Women’s Business Development Manager, DCEO-Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and four regional women business owners.
During the presentation, guest panelists will discuss the importance of their business plans, the importance of their relationships with vendors and banks, the importance of their employees and their growth strategy as well as how they’ve overcome barriers to enter sometimes male dominated sectors.
Guest panelists include: Leslie Tarble with 3 Sisters Logistics, Cathrine Craig with Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More, Robin Trapp with Betty Jane’s Kitchen and Resa Shaner with Crawford County Development Association.
Register for the online event here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sYs88hQhRyCntC03Nc5Hug
The Business Navigator Alliance was formed to provide professional outreach and technical assistance in applying toward local, state, and federal economic relief programs for businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Our mission is to ensure that small businesses throughout the region are competitive in applying for necessary resources, and our goal is to position local businesses for success by accelerating recovery and growth. BNA, which can be found at www.ilbusinessnavigators.com, hosts outreach events, virtual offices hours, and provide one-on-one technical assistance.

Fields of Faith

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•October 19, 2022•

Sullivan Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host “Fields of Faith” on Sunday, October 23 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Blake Lane Memorial football field. FCA chapters and youth groups from around the area are invited to attend for games, food and worship.

Seeking Recipes Submissions for Magazine

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•October 19, 2022•

We are currently seeking recipe submissions for our Annual Recipe Magazine that will be coming out in December. Have a favorite family recipe that you always get compliments on that you think others might enjoy? Typed recipe submissions must be e-mailed by Tuesday, November 1 to advertise@newsprogress.com.

Recent Obituaries: John R. Henderson

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John R. Henderson
John R. Henderson of Springfield went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on October 17, 2022.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2022, at Smyser Christian Church, rural Gays. No visitation will be held. Burial will be in Smyser Cemetery, rural Gays. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Side Christian Church, Springfield, Illinois. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
John was born July 8, 1938 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Charles and Margaret Cole Henderson. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1956, Lincoln Bible Institute in 1960, Washington University in St. Louis with an MSW degree in 1969 and Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois with a Master’s in Public Administration degree in 1978.
As an ordained Christian minister, John served as youth and adult minister in Illinois area churches, and as Director of Social Services for Children’s Christian Homes. For several years he served as elder and adult bible fellowship teacher at West Side Christian Church in Springfield. He retired from the state of Illinois, Dept of Children and Family Services after 35 years of service.
John married Joyce Johnson of Windsor, Illinois in 1959 in a double wedding with his brother Dane and Joyce’s sister Nancy. He is survived by 2 daughters, Dee Henderson and Tammy Henderson, both of Springfield, son Mike Henderson, of Braidwood, IL, and Grand-daughter Breanna Henderson of Springfield. He is also survived by his brother, Dane (wife, Nancy) of Sullivan, Illinois, several nieces and nephews and their families.  His mother and father preceded him in death.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Helen Louise Hunt

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Helen Louise Hunt

Helen Louise Hunt, 84, of rural Sullivan, passed away 11:03 p.m. Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Smyser Cemetery, rural Gays. Memorials may be made to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice: 1004 Health Center Drive, Suite 202Mattoon, IL 61938.

Louise was born March 31, 1938, in Windsor; the daughter of Andrew and Helen (Cummings) Weakley. She married Jesse Edwin Hunt on May 20, 1961, in Windsor; he preceded her in death on September 7, 2022. She was a member of the Smyser Christian Church in rural Gays.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Clough of Mattoon; grandchildren, Matt (Tiffany) Hunt of Mattoon and Jesse Clough of Mattoon; brother, Richard (Karen) Weakley of Clifton. Louise is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Facts for Families: Take a Moment of Mindfulness

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•October 12, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Many times in this column, I have shared articles about mindfulness and techniques you can use to relieve stress. Extension Educator Emily Schoenfelder recently wrote this article about one of those techniques called progressive muscle relaxation. Emily says: Life can be overwhelming! Sometimes, you just need to take a minute. Next time you get to that point, try this relaxing mindfulness technique to help you rest, relieve tension, or reset your body after stress. Read More

Margie Pondo Memorial Coat Giveaway

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Photo furnished
Margie Pondo Memorial Coat Giveaway
The annual Margie Pondo Memorial Goat Giveaway was held on Monday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 4 at the Sullivan American Legion. According to Jeri Davis, Over the two days, 145 plus families were helped with over 310 children outfitted for winter. Pictured are Memphis and Mason Harper, sons of Jamie Miller trying out their new winter gear.