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Obituaries 5-11-2022: Rick Blickensderfer

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Rick Blickensderfer

Rick E. Blickensderfer 63, of Dalton City, went to join his wife and love of his life in Heaven at 11:37 a.m., Sunday, May 8, 2022, in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Rick was born August 8, 1958, in Monticello, Ill., a son of Robert and Norma (Wattles) Blickensderfer.  He married Elizabeth “Renee” McPeak November 17, 1979. She preceded him in death June 28, 2021. Rick had retired as a diesel mechanic from Midwest Fiber. He had served as a trustee for the village of Dalton City.  He took pride in having a well-kept yard. His passion in life were his family and especially his grandchildren. Read More

Obituaries 5-11-2022: Stanley Barnes

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Stanley Barnes

Stanley Wayne Barnes, 85, of Zionsville, Indiana, passed away Monday, May 2, 2022.
Stanley was born August 24, 1936, in Sullivan, to Wilford Earl and Ida Grace (Grider) Barnes. Stan graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University where he attended on a basketball scholarship and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Upon graduation, he began his career at National Distillers and Chemical Company in Tuscola. Read More

Dept. on Aging Promotes Home and Community-Based Services During Older Americans Month

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•May 11, 2022•
Highlighting the vital, positive roles older adults play in communities throughout the state and the services that support them, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) are recognizing May as Older Americans Month.
“I’ve directed my administration to use every tool of government to enhance state services and supports for all residents to live their best lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Senior Illinoisans deserve every dignity of their younger neighbors, and I’m proud to declare May Older Americans Month in recognition of all that our elders bring to the communities they call home.” Read More

Mental Health Matters, Learn how to Respond when Someone needs Aid

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•May 11, 2022•
Mental health and substance use issues are common. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness according to the National Institute of Mental Health. From 1999 to 2016, 630,000 people died from drug overdose according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Give someone in your community a hand by learning how to recognize and respond when someone might need help with a free Mental Health First Aid workshop offered by University of Illinois Extension and the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Woodbine Park near Long Creek was a favorite gathering place on summer days before our communities had their own parks. Pictured is the Lovington Band and their friends gathered there. This photo was taken in1902. 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.

On Cribbage Scoring and Standing People Up

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•May 11, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

If I know my readers, most of you are familiar with pickleball, waltzing, dinner by 5 and ... cribbage.
For those of a generation or two younger, today’s main topic might be foreign to you.
Tough beans. Cribbage is a terrific card game primarily for two players. It’s fast-paced and fun. Try it!
Reader Bev Cherney wrote with a question about cribbage’s lighting-fast self-scoring. Read More

Remember When? 5-11-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

Holocaust survivor Carl Ofisher visited Sullivan High School to tell his story. He was a survivor of the Auschwitz, Sachsenhausen, Liberose, Mauthausen and Kunskirchen concentration camps in Poland, Germany and Austria. His visit was part of a Sullivan Community Education Foundation sponsored workshop.
The northwest corner of the county was selected as the site of Moultrie County Animal Control facility. Read More

“The Story of the Lovington Coal Mine “ is the May Program for MCHGS

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•May 11, 2022•
Lovington, Illinois was once the home of a 900 foot deep coal mine producing the highest quality coal in central Illinois. Because of it, city fathers of Lovington expected their town to become one of the largest towns in the area. Come to the society’s regular meeting on Thursday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Lovington’s Fire House on Route 32 in the heart of town to hear what happened to this productive, rich mine. Read More

Arthur Native Bringing Awareness to Domestic Violence

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•May 11, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Martha Chupp, a native of Arthur who is currently living in Fort Worth, Texas, is bringing awareness to domestic violence using her love of film. She is a domestic violence survivor. Her first film titled “Broken” has been released to YouTube as a collaborative project with Dallas actor and filmmaker Joseph Herrera. Read More

Little Theatre On The Square Preparing for Summer Season

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•May 11, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Little Theatre On The Square is looking forward to their summer season which opens June 2 with Mamma Mia! Executive Director and Producer John Stephens said that currently the mask mandate for the theatre is not in effect but they cannot sell the first two rows of seats in the theatre for any of the shows for the protection of their actors and the audience. Other precautions being taken include thorough cleaning, vaccinating staff and actors and conducting testing twice a week ensure staff and actors are healthy. Read More