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Is It That That That Was One Too Many?

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•April 21, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

There you have me repeating myself again.
Readers Mike and Gayle Politowicz feel (that) I am a serial abuser of “that.”
That is to say the word “that,” not this or that.
“Please help explain the word ‘that,’ which has us perplexed,” they wrote. “It is an overused word and if removed, most of the time, it would not change the intent of the sentence.”
They went on to explain (that) in a recent column — about “because” — I used “that” 17 times, and in eight of those cases it could have been eliminated without affecting the meaning of the sentence.
“The rest of the article could have used alternate words such as ‘which,’ ‘it,’ ‘the,’ or ‘this,’ for that matter,” the Politowiczes wrote. “If the word ‘because’ is disappearing, let’s do away with the redundant use of ‘that’ and we can all save some keystrokes.”
I should note Mike and Gayle’s criticism came wrapped in a compliment. I’m sure they appreciate I mentioned so and I eliminated three “thats” I ordinarily would have put in this paragraph. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is the 8th grade graduation of Lovington students around 1928. Front row: Bill Flavel, John C. Smith, Charles Taylor Jr., Foster McBride, Clyde Alumbaugh, & Harold Dugan. 2nd row: Thelma Drum?, Martha Hirt, Madge Mikesell, Lillie Simpson, Grace Selby, Blossom Shields. 3rd row: Dorothy Davis, Angelina Pacotti, Viva Butler, June Gould, Eloise Dixon,. Back row: Joe Liptock, Harold Schable, Jr. Bailey, Jr. Munch, Albin Plazzota, Dennis Coward, faded out, Wayne Wilt, Jacob Miller.
Should be 25 total & all graduated HS together. The teachers were Joe Hursh, Ruby Davis & Gerald Hill.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.

Community Food Drive

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•April 21, 2021•

Bethany First United Methodist Church is sponsoring a food drive for the community food pantry on Saturday, April 24 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Please drop-off food items at the food pantry, which is located on St. John Street next to the First Christian Church in Bethany.

Loop Lake Shelbyville Bike Ride

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•April 21, 2021•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Friends of Lake Shelbyville are excited to be hosting the Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride on Saturday, June 12th, 2021. The event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, therefore dust off your bicycles and join us for a fun ride! All rides will start from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor and will include options for a 22 mile, 34 mile, 48 mile or a 65 mile ride. Proceeds for the ride will benefit the Friends of Lake Shelbyville (FOLS). The FOLS provides education, historical interpretation, recreational and environmental improvements at Lake Shelbyville.
Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride starts at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center. Rest stops will be provided every 10-13 miles for riders with water and snacks available. The 22 mile ride will take riders to Findlay and back to the Visitor Center. The 34 mile route will take riders toward Coon Creek and Lone Point Recreation Areas then to Findlay and back to the Visitor Center. The 47 mile and 65 mile routes will loop Lake Shelbyville, ferry across the lake at Lithia Springs and head back to the Visitor Center.
Check-in at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m. Riders may start riding after they have checked in.
Participants should plan their route to be back at the Visitor Center no later than 3:00 pm.
Riders must be over the age of 14 years. If under the age of 18, riders must be accompanied by a responsible adult. All riders will be required to wear a helmet for the duration of the ride and obey all applicable Illinois State rules of the road. If registered by May 21st participants will receive a t-shirt! Online registration is required and can be found at www.bikereg.com/loop-lake-shelbyville
For additional information, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951 ext 2.[/s2If]

Southern Gospel Concert

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•April 21, 2021•

There will be an evening of southern gospel music featuring Roger Crews on Saturday, April 24 at 6 pm at the Allenville Christian Church, 201 S. Allen Street in Allenville. Roger has been traveling and singing southern gospel for over 40 years. He just released a new solo cd project and wrote a book about his 40 years in gospel music. Finger food fellowship following the concert.

LLC Women’s Bball Team Seeded No. 2 in National Tournament

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Submitted Photo
Members of the Lake Land College Women’s Basketball Team: Olivia Niemerg, Shania Schoonover, Tresoir Newson, Kamaria Gant, Josie Orris, Harley Barry, Avery Still, Abigayle Weis, Joanna Schultz, Mikayla Sirjord, Jaelynn Riggleman, Karrington Krabel and Elizabeth Buescher.

•April 21, 2021•
The Lake Land College Women’s Basketball Team earned the No. 2 seed at the 2021 NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship. The Lady Lakers will begin the tournament facing off against the No. 15 seeded Lackawanna College Falcons.
“I’m excited and I’m sure the team is,” sophomore player Tresoir Newson said. “We’ve been working hard all year.”
Ranked third in the nation behind Johnson County and Kirkwood, the Lady Lakers’ record is 21-2 with a 12-game win streak leading up to the national championship.
Head Coach Dave Johnson said the team has consistently played at a high level, having won against six nationally ranked teams this year.
“I think it’s a reflection of the hard work our players have put in this year,” Johnson said. “We’re just super excited, and I’m really proud of how these young ladies have played this year.” Read More

Check Presented to Bethany Fire Protection District

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Photo Submitted
Check Presented to Bethany Fire Protection District
The 10 Bones on the Marrowbone committee presented a check for $500 to the Bethany Fire Protection District for equipment. From left to right: Assistant Chief Phil Ozier, Chief Mike Jennings and Curt Robinson from the 10 Bones on the Marrowbone committee.

Safety Training

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Photo by R.R. Best
Safety Training
Safety training was given to Sullivan, Bethany and Lovington firefighters last Saturday. The crew of Air EVAC Lifeteam from Mattoon taught how to choose the best landing zones and safe loading of the patients. Pictured is Medic Tyler Wright and firefighter Tyler Graven.

American Legion Fifty Year Membership Awards

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Photo Submitted
American Legion Fifty Year Membership Awards
American Legion Post 68 Sullivan made four presentations on April 16 at their weekly Friday evening meal event. Fifty year membership awards were presented by Commander Bob Sims pictured on the left to Hubert McCoy, Michael Keown, Stephen Jenne and Claude (Ben) Bennett.