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Virtual Writing Workshop Offered

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•January 20, 20201•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator

Do you have treasured memories from your past you would like to record? Have you written down the special moments of your life to share with your family? Everyone has a unique and individual story to tell. Start writing yours with a little help and guidance. University of Illinois Extension is hosting an 8-week online workshop called Life’s Moments: From Memory to Legacy. Classes will be held via Zoom every Tuesday starting January 19th - March 9th from 11 a.m. - noon CST. Read More

3 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier Every Day

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•January 20, 20201•
Diets can be difficult to navigate. Since no two people are the same, a healthy diet that satisfies one person won’t necessarily satisfy another. Vegetarians might be perfectly happy without chicken or steak, while some people might shudder at the notion of never indulging in the occasional filet mignon.
While the most effective diets tend to be those that emphasize nutrition while still allowing individuals to indulge in some of their favorite dishes in moderation, the following are three ways that everyone, regardless of their personal preference, can eat healthy every day.

1. Eat lots of whole-grain carbohydrates. Read More

Menu 1-20-2021

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, January 25 - Breakfast Casserole, Warm Fruit Compote, Fruit Juice, Cinnamon Roll, Craisins
Tuesday, January 26 - Shepherd’s Pie, Harvard Beets, Dinner Roll, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, January 27 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Spinach, Whole Grain Wheat, Pears
Thursday, January 28 - Beef Stew w/Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions, Tangy Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll, Warm Bread Pudding w/Fruit
Friday, January 29 - Ham Loaf, Frosted Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Midori Vegetables, Whole Grain Wheat, Chunky Applesauce

Recent Obituaries: Gerald E. Lowry

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Gerald E. Lowry

Gerald E. Lowry, age 93 of Sullivan, IL passed away at 5:12 PM, Monday, January 11, 2021 at Mason Point in Sullivan, IL.

A graveside service in his honor will be held Friday, January 15, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Branch Side Cemetery in Gays, IL.  Pastor Ron Dickinson will officiate. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of services.

Gerald was born on June 30, 1927 to the late Irl Wayne and Rochelle Marie (Nirider) Lowry. He married Ruby N. Wallace on June 14, 1950 in Mattoon, IL; she preceded him in death on June 30, 2019. He is survived by four sons, Ronald K. Lowry and wife Sharon of Sullivan, IL, Dennis E. Lowry and wife Mary Ruth of Delavan, IL, Larry L. Lowry and wife Patricia of Lerna, IL, James A. Lowry and wife Texanna of Charleston, IL; ten grandchildren, Amanda Farley and husband Roger, Timothy Lowry and wife Kelly, Thomas Lowry and wife Casey, Margaret Dannhorn and husband Ryan, Douglas Lowry and wife Becky, Dustin Lowry and wife Sydney, Dakota Homerding and husband Zach, Carly Lowry, Scotty Pitts, Nicholas Pitts and wife Danielle; thirteen great-grandchildren, Christina Farley Wilkie and husband Matthew, Kenneth Farley, Mary Makenzie Farley, Dexter Lowry, Abrielle Lowry, Calvin Hunter, Otis Lowry, Ella Dannhorn, Lorelai Dannhorn, Kara Lowry, Karson Lowry, Austin Pitts, and William Pitts. He is preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Lowry, Donald Lowry; and one grandson, Dylan Lowry.

Gerald honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1945-1946. After his retirement in 1987, Gerald pursued his passion for farming.

A faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Mattoon, IL, Gerald instructed the Champion Sunday School Class for numerous years. He held many active memberships throughout his life that include: American Legion of Mattoon, IL; Masonic Lodge 240 of Mattoon, IL for 58 years; Moose Lodge of Mattoon, IL and Eagles Club of Mattoon, IL.

Gerald enjoyed gardening, woodworking, traveling, and square dancing with his beautiful wife Ruby. He will be lovingly remembered by all.

Memorials in his honor may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938.

Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuenralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Summer Employment Available

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•January 13, 20201•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is looking for qualified candidates to fill student vacancies for the 2021 summer recreation season. Lake Shelbyville offers a great work experience opportunity for those students who plan to make a career in biological sciences, outdoor recreation, or law enforcement.
Temporary student positions are available for graduating seniors and college students at the GS-02 level. These positions are available in Interpretive Services, Visitor Assistance, Facility/Grounds Maintenance, Environmental Stewardship, and Administration with an hourly rate around $12.33 and a 40 hour per week work schedule during the summer term. Candidates may be required to work a combination of days, nights, weekends, and holiday shifts. Read More

LLC Board of Trustees Approves ERCA Intergovernmental Agreement

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•January 13, 20201•
At the January Lake Land College Board meeting, trustees approved an intergovernmental agreement with 14 area school districts to formalize the role of the Effingham Regional Career Academy (ERCA) in providing specialized career and technical educational programs for students residing within the member districts.
The intergovernmental agreement demonstrates the commitment of all involved to propel the Effingham Regional Career Academy forward and outlines the roles and responsibilities involved in delivering the programs. Lake Land College will administer career and technical education programs that allow students at the member districts to earn high school and college credit simultaneously.
As part of Lake Land’s commitment to the agreement, the director of the Effingham Education Center will serve as the vocational/technical director of the ERCA program. Read More

Obituaries 1-13-2021: Dorothy Logan

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Dorothy Logan

Dorothy Marilyn Logan, 88, of Springfield, died at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Regency Nursing Care.
Marilyn was born August 2, 1932, at Mattoon Hospital in Coles County, Ill., a daughter of F.W. (Bo) Wood and Phyllis E. Harshman Wood. Marilyn graduated from Sullivan High School in 1950. She attended the National College of Education for 1-½ years. Marilyn married James T. Logan March 2, 1952, in Sullivan United Methodist Church. Read More

Madigan Suspends Speaker Campaign; Veterans Affairs Director Resigns

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•January 13, 20201•
By Capitol News Illinois

House Speaker Michael Madigan announced he would suspend his campaign for House Speaker of the 102nd General Assembly on Monday, Jan. 11, but his statement made clear he was not withdrawing from the race.
“This is not a withdrawal. I have suspended my campaign for speaker,” Madigan said in a statement released by his office Monday morning. “As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first. The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”
The last sentence of the brief statement is indicative of the uphill battle Madigan’s challengers will have to climb – they will need 60 votes, or 42 more than any challenger appeared to have Sunday night.
The House speaker is chosen by House members, and can receive both Republican and Democratic votes. There are 73 Democrats and 45 Republicans who will be seated in the 102nd General Assembly.
Traditionally, however, a majority party speaker receives votes from members of their own party.
In the first closed-door unofficial ballot conducted between Democrats in a private room at the Bank of Springfield Center on Sunday night, Madigan received 51 votes, according to several reports confirmed by Capitol News Illinois.
The speaker also has the endorsement of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus – two key voting blocs that make up the majority of his support, although some individual members of those caucuses have said they would not vote for Madigan. Read More

City Council Approves Additional Funds For COVID PPE Supplies

News Progress Posted on by

•January 13, 20201•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved additional funds for COVID PPE supplies during Monday night’s meeting. The action was granted to the city administrator to purchase COVID personal protective equipment in the amount not to exceed an additional $10,000 for a total authorization of $60,000. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood asked City Administrator Dan Flannell whether he has seen a need for youth masks. He replied that he will contact the Sullivan school superintendent to look into it.
Flannell said he is hopeful not to spend the full $10,000 which come from the general fund. Read More