•September 6, 2017•

By spending an evening playing bingo with friends, community members can help provide comfort and end-of-life requests to hospice patients and their families in 20 Illinois counties.

In support of services provided by Lincolnland Hospice, Sarah Bush Lincoln is hosting its 10th annual Lincolnland Binga Tuesday, September 19, at the American Legion in Mattoon. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with a light meal available for purchase. Binga participants will have the opportunity to win more than $2,000 in Longaberger hand-crafted baskets and other home and lifestyle products. Early-bird binga games begin at 5:30 p.m., with regular binga beginning at 6 p.m. The event also features a silent auction.

Net proceeds from the event make it possible for Lincolnland Hospice to offer free community bereavement, fulfill end-of-life wishes through its Grant-A-Wish program, provide care to patients without resources and meet the unique needs of our veterans through the Veteran Outreach Program.

The Grant-A-Wish program offers patients up to $500 toward life-fulfilling wishes. Whether it’s engraved jewelry, baseball game tickets, or a trip with loved ones, Lincolnland Hospice grants special end-of-life requests to people throughout the year. In addition, bereavement services begin when a person is admitted into Hospice and are offered for a minimum of 13 months after the person’s death.

Binga is played just as regular bingo with game winners receiving Longaberger baskets, pottery, wrought iron products or other home and lifestyle products. For one of 250 seats available call the SBL Foundation at 258-2511 or online at www.sarahbush.org.

Additional tickets may be purchased at the event, including two games of early-bird Binga, three intermission games and five Big Five games. The Big Five games will be played for prizes each worth more than $150 with a final black out game valued at more than $250. A silent auction will be held throughout the evening including items ranging from retired Longaberger products to hand-made treasures and sports tickets.

For more information, call the SBL Foundation at 217 258-2511.

•August 30, 2017•

The Moultrie County News Progress office will close Monday, September 4 to observe Labor Day. Early deadline for the September 6 edition of the News Progress is noon Friday, September 1. This includes all advertising and news items.

Thank you and enjoy the holiday.

•August 30, 2017•

Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan will sponsor a benefit cookout 10 a.m.-2 p.m. September 9 and 16.

All proceeds will directly benefit Pastor Paul McGhghy to make their home handicap accessible and help cover medical expenses. Funds to assist for the benefits will come from Thrivent Financial.

Make check donations payable to Faith Lutheran Church. Also indicate McGhghy Benefit on the memo line. Donations may also be mailed to Faith Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 109, Sullivan, IL 61951.

For questions or more information contact the church office at 217-728-7711.

•August 23, 2017•

There have been some rumors circulating concerning bats at the Sullivan Civic Center.

According to Civic Center Director Sue Weaver, occasionally over the last year bats have made it into the pool area.

It was determined that the bats live outside of the building and are slipping inside. They are NOT living inside the roof.

Weaver assured the public that personnel at the Civic Center are constantly fixing holes and cracks where it may be a potential sight for the bats to enter.

•August 23, 2017•

In the Moultrie County Relay for Life story on the front page of the August 16, 2017 News Progress we incorrectly reported that Jamie Crosier had passed away.

In fact she is alive and received the outstanding volunteer award for giving dedication to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

Rumours of your death have be greatly exaggerated and we apologize Jamie, congratulations.

Also it’s the UMC Holly Hoofers not the UMC Holy Hooters in the same story.