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Facts for Families: Five Ways to Find More Joy

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•December 1, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Who doesn’t need more joy in their lives? I wanted to share this great article from Extension Educator Kristin Bogdonas about how to find more joy. Kristin says: When you’re feeling down in the dumps, what do you do? You have two options: keep doing what you’re doing or try one of these happy hacks to bring a smile back to your face and ultimately boost your mood.
Here are five simple ways to bring more joy to your life right now:
Unplug- Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. If you are vulnerable to social comparison, limit your time spent on social media. Social media can help us stay up-to-date with our social networks but too much of a good thing can have negative effects. Frequent cellphone use is associated with higher anxiety levels and reduced happiness. Be careful how much time you spend scrolling through your newsfeed so you can stay present in your own life. There is no substitute for human interaction so if you miss seeing your friends, give them a call and find out how their day is going. Read More

How to Reduce Risk of Home Fires This Holiday Season

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•December 1, 2021•
Safety might not be the first thing people think of as the holiday season approaches. Faith, celebrations, decorations, and holiday dinners all come to mind when considering the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean safety should be left out of holiday planning.
Fire safety bears special consideration during the holiday season, when the prevalence of fire hazards like Christmas trees, holiday lighting displays and other decorative items increase the risk for home fires. Such tragedies can be averted with a few simple safety measures.
· Tend to your tree. Live Christmas trees are awe-inspiring, but they also pose a significant fire risk. The National Fire Protection Association urges celebrants to purchase only healthy trees with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Such trees are less likely to dry out, especially when well-watered throughout the season. Dry trees can catch fire more easily than healthy trees if embers from nearby fireplaces or candles drift in their direction. Read More

Toy Buying Tips When Shopping for Kids

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•December 1, 2021•
Shopping for gifts for kids makes many shoppers nostalgic for their own childhoods. Few adults can forget the joy of finding the perfect gift under the tree on Christmas morning. Recreating that magic for a youngster can be as joyous for gift givers as it is for kids. That’s especially so when shoppers make it a point to give safe, age-appropriate gifts.
Whether shopping for their own children or their grandkids, nieces or nephews, shoppers can keep these tips in mind to ensure they give toys that are as safe as they are fun.
· Speak to Mom and Dad first. When buying for a grandchild, niece or nephew, shoppers should first ask Mom or Dad for suggestions. Parents will know which types of toys their children like, and they’ll also know the child’s level of maturity. Some kids may not be mature enough to play with otherwise age-appropriate toys, while others may be mature beyond their years and enjoy more complex toys than their age would suggest. Parents will know what makes a good toy and what doesn’t. Read More

In Court Documents, Democrats Deny Racial Gerrymandering Claims

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•December 1, 2021•
By Capital News Illinois

Lawyers for the General Assembly’s Democratic leaders filed documents in federal court Wednesday, Nov. 24, denying that newly drawn state legislative district maps amount to racial gerrymandering, instead accusing the plaintiffs in the three lawsuits of trying to use race to redraw districts for their own purposes.
Among other things, 2020 U.S. Census numbers showed Illinois had lost population overall since the 2010 census. But there had been a substantial increase in the state’s Latino population while Black and white populations both declined.
In separate suits, Republican leaders and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF, both argued that despite the growth in the Latino population, the new maps actually reduce the number of districts in which Latinos make up a majority, or a large plurality, of the voting age population. They argued that violates both the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is the old church at French Cemetery near Allenville. The year that this photo was taken is unknown. 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.

Enjoy Some Thanksgiving Leftovers

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•December 1, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

I hope you like leftovers!
I write this with the promise of leftovers still a week away.
As you read this, I will be returning from a column-foraging expedition to Tennessee. I hope to bring home some souvenirs.
So please enjoy a couple of old favorites as you try to digest what’s left in the fridge.
Put away the apostrophe
If you’ve read this column for a while, you might remember my bringing up the subject of addressing holiday cards just before Thanksgiving. I apologize if you’ve lost your taste for leftovers, but if last year’s batch of Christmas cards delivered to Casa de Baumann is any indication, this subject bears repeating. Read More

Remember When? 12-1-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Workers constructed high-water boat ramps at Lake Shelbyville. Following the 1996 washout of the recreational season at the lake, two-lane concrete, high-water boat ramps were added at five locations around the lake: Dam West, Bo Wood, Lithia Springs, Opposum Creek and Lone Point.
Selena Griffith of Mattoon purchased the Sullivan Bakery from Barb Woolsey. She purchased the recipes along with the store.
Steve Mayberry and Tim Singer were re-elected chairman and vice chairman of the Moultrie County Board in a reorganizational meeting following the swearing in of newly elected county officials. The four board members sworn in by Judge Dan Flannell were all re-elected to four year terms. They were Sally Foley, Joe Bone, Mayberry and Orris Drew. Read More

Tentative Levy Set at 4.94%,Tax Levy Hearing to be held in December

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•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Members of the ALAH school board met at the Atwood Grade School at their recent school board meeting held November 17. Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported that some of their bills were a bit larger than usual - one of the reasons being that they had both bond payments and interest that needs to be paid. There was nothing new to report in the treasurer’s report, but Cheek stated that the district received a payment from transportation; although it was the first they had received for this calendar year.
The audit for the calendar year through June 30, 2021 was presented. The district received financial recognition with a 3.9 Financial Score. Financial recognition is the highest level in the financial finding process. This recognition was also received in last year’s audit. In the treasurer’s bond finding, there were no bank accounts overdrawing the shares, and balances were being kept where they needed to be. The district’s debt is a total of $2.89 million dollars. COVID had an effect in some parts of the audit such as attendance, which was mainly because of many students having to quarantine or do remote learning during the last school year. The 305 School District attendance was down 86 students. The auditor mentioned that in most of the reports they did, these figures were all over the board for many school districts. Read More