•November 28, 2018•

The Coles County Barbershop Chorus will perform their 40th Annual Christmas Benefit Concerts Sunday, December 2. The 3 p.m. performance will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church at 2206 S. 4th St. in Charleston while the 7 p.m. program will take place at the First Presbyterian Church at 10 Charleston Ave in Mattoon…just west of Big Lots.
There is no admission charge; however, a free will offering will be taken. Each year every penny is donated to area Food Pantry and Homeless Shelter programs with more than $8,000 collected annually. The 30 man chorus will be joined by five local quartets in the one hour program.
The singers come from 15 area communities and both secular and sacred songs will be sung. The churches have adequate parking and are wheel chair accessible.

•November 28, 2018•

Carriage Crossing Senior Living located at the Green Mill Village development in Arcola is hosting its annual Holiday Walk, a family-friendly holiday festival, expected to bring sparkle and shine Saturday, December 8 from 8 a.m. to noon and Sunday, December 9 from 1-3 p.m.
Carriage Crossing Senior Living will be transformed with enchanting and brilliant displays of decorated trees, wreaths, and holiday décor. All of the items on display will be auctioned off by silent auction and each item has a non-profit organization to which the proceeds will be donated.
Saturday, December 8, 8 a.m.-noon
-Browse and bid on holiday items in the silent auction
-Breakfast with Santa
-Storytime with Mrs. Claus
-Kids’ crafts and cookie decorating at Santa’s Workshop
-Breakfast with Santa and Storytime with Mrs. Claus ($5 per person)
Sunday, December 9, 1–3 p.m.
-Browse and bid on the holiday items in the silent auction
-Holiday Gospel Concert by State of Grace
-Free Pie and Coffee Reception
Public admission to the Festival of Trees is free. “This event is to give back to the communities and what better way than to let businesses and groups donate trees and pick an organization that is near and dear to their hearts and give the proceeds of their tree to that group,” said Cassie Yoder, Green Mill Village marketing director “It doesn’t matter whether it is Girl or Boy Scouts, a church group, or non-profit, there are so many people trying to do good in the surrounding communities but don’t have the ability to raise funds to make a difference, and this Festival of Trees and Santa’s Workshop can help these groups accomplish those goals.”
If your organization would like to donate a tree to raise funds for an organization, contact 217-268-3516 today to reserve a spot. Carriage Crossing Senior Living is located at 909 Green Mill Road, Arcola, at the I-57 exit for Arcola.

•November 21, 2018•

The Moultrie County News Progress is offering a chance to send letters to Santa.
Santa’s North Pole drop box will be placed in front of the Monroe Street office this week.
Plans are to publish all letters in both The Fish Wrap and The News Progress on Wednesday, December 19 and Thursday, Dec. 20 to give Santa Claus time to figure out who has been naughty or nice.
Letters may also be sent to santa@newsprogress. com or by mailing to Santa Claus c/o News Progress 100 West Monroe St., Sullivan, 61951.
Letters should be received no later than Friday, December 14.

•November 21, 2018•

Lovington water customers will pay an additional $6.87 per month for water service to help pay for improvements to the village water system.
Lovington’s minimum water bill is currently $30 compared to $50 average bills in surrounding communities, with the increase keeping the monthly bill below other communities.
At the Tuesday, Nov. 13 village board meeting president Roger Walker explained the increase for water customers was part of the required application process for a $600,000 Environmental Protection Agency loan to makes upgrades to the water treatment plant as well as replace existing water meters and some older valves and main lines.
Walker noted once the application is submitted by ESI consultants the village could be eligible for principal forgiveness which could reduce the loan amount.
On a motion by Dennis Garmon, attending trustees Gary Clem, Brenda Wood and April Daily approved the water increase in preparation for the water improvement loan application. Doug Smith and Pam Anklam were absent.
A proposed $200,000 Safe Routes to Schools grant which will provide safe sidewalks from Lovington Elementary School for students was approved with ESI providing preliminary work preparing for the grant.
Walker explained it was a two phase project with ESI charging up to $16,500 if the grant is approved. Attending trustees approved the resolution to support the Safe Routes to Schools program.
Following a 30 minute executive session, the village approved sale of previous purchased RR right of way property to the Harold Dietz farms retaining an easement for village use.
Breakfast with Santa at the First Church of God from 9-11 a.m. Sat. Dec. 15 was supported by the board with up to a $500 contribution upon recommendation by Garmon.
Trustee Wood reported on the Christmas Gathering set for Sat. Dec. 1 from 3 to 5 p.m. During the event citizens are asked to help decorate the Christmas tree downtown as well as enjoy Christmas caroling and refreshments at the library.
In conjunction with the downtown Christmas Gathering the village has upgraded the public address system for improved sound.
April Daily recommended approval of the new health insurance program with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The $250 deductible remains with increases in emergency room fees and medications as major changes with no premium increases.
Christmas bonuses for employees remain the same as the previous year with $200 for full time and $100 for part -time employees approved.
Approval was granted Shooter’s Bar and Jerry’s East End Tavern to remain open until 2 a.m. New Year’s Eve.
Zoning coordinator Dave Gregory presented two variance recommendations which were approved. A carport for 101 E. William St. and a garage for 415 S. Panther Dr. were approved with variance requests.
Meeting adjourned with Walker, Daily, Clem, Garmon, Wood and city clerk Alma Fair attending.

•November 14, 2018•

The Charleston Elks # 623 will be host the annual National Hoop Shoot including shooters from Sullivan and Windsor-Gays on Saturday, Dec. 1.
The National contest in its 47th year is a free throw competition for age groups 8-13 years of age.
Three divisions each for girls and boys,will shoot 25 free throws for best score. Winners will advance to District in January in Robinson and possibly onto State, Iowa Regionals & the Chicago National Finals in April.
Competing age groups are 8-9,10-11,12-13, girls and boys each. Ages will be based on how old contestants are on April 1, 2019. The Hoop Shoot will be held at Mattoon Middle School at 1200 S. 9th Street in Mattoon.
The Charleston Elks area includes Oakland, Mattoon, Ashmore, Kansas, Casey, Greenup,Toledo, Sullivan, Windsor-Gays, Arcola, Tuscola, Newman and Hume. The event is free, and any expenses past local shoot will be covered by the Elks National Foundation.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with competition starting at 9:45 am. Last year more than 232,000 girls and boys participated in the National Hoop Shoot . For further information contact Rod Franklin at 217-345-9668.