•November 15, 2023•
Sparrows Unlimited is seeking donations for their Annual Christmas for the Kids Auction which will be held on Saturday, December 2 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington. Donations are currently being accepted at Jerry’s East End or by calling Barry Morgan at 433-6123 or Pam Anklam at 201-0662. All proceeds generated from the auction benefit local Lovington families.
•November 8, 2023•
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation’s Holiday Festival returns November 10 to 13 with an Online Auction full of items sure to help with your holiday shopping.
This year’s auction features a wide variety of decorated 4-foot trees, home décor, handmade treasures, coupons for fresh greens and more. With this year’s Holiday Festival falling on Veterans Day weekend, there is also a common ‘Americana’ theme in some of the packages.
Among the many wonderful gifts available, including several American flags, one package honors current military members and veterans from all branches. SBL’s Clinical Education/Employee & Organizational Development (EOD) departments created an “All-American Christmas” package to commemorate current military members and veterans, and recognize them for their service.
Lindsey Truex, RN, clinical instructor, said she and her coworkers have friends and family members who have served in the military. In addition, SBL EOD Director Lorenzo Smith is a veteran himself. “We wanted to highlight all military members and veterans for their selflessness and their dedication to our country,” Truex said. The Festival’s Online Auction runs November 10 through the 13, and although it wasn’t planned, Truex said she is thrilled that her team’s theme coincides with Veterans Day, November 11.
The 4-foot Christmas tree is beautifully decorated and features glass-blown ornaments that honor each branch of the military. The entire package includes a wide variety of items that compliment the holiday season well. An advent calendar includes 25 activities and many of the items needed to complete them. The activities include making cookies and making cards for veterans, to name a few. Also included in the package: a cooler with tumblers; hats that light up; a wicker basket full of blankets; various wines; apple cider; candies and much more.
Decorating the Christmas tree and putting together the gift package was fun for the staff. “It’s extremely exciting for us to do this,” Truex said. “There were a lot of smiles, a lot of laughs and a lot of glitter.”
While it’s fun to create a package for the Holiday Festival, the employees also enjoy supporting a great cause. Proceeds from the 2023 SBL Holiday Festival will support SBL Behavioral Health Services by helping provide emergent needs for the uninsured, resources for providers to use in therapy, assistance with the substance abuse crisis in the region, and funding school assemblies to address mental health needs of area youth.
Truex has helped create a Holiday Festival package the past four years, and she is proud to support a worthy cause. “Giving back to the community is a passion of mine,” she said. “I always strive to make a difference for others.”
The Holiday Festival Online Auction opens at 8 am on Friday, November 10, and runs through 8 pm, Monday, November 13. It features approximately 80 items designed by Sarah Bush Lincoln employees, area residents and businesses, including a wide variety of home décor and holiday items, handmade wooden trees, fresh greens from Hager Tree Farm and much more.
To register and participate, visit https://www.sarahbush.org/holidayfestival/. Early registration is encouraged to receive important announcements and updates. For more information, contact the SBL Health Foundation at 217-258-2511.
•November 8, 2023•
6th grade High Honors: Lilly Ayer, Jace Burnett, Jacoby Burnett, Jaleb Burnett, Jianna Burnett.
6th grade Honors: Hunter Carter, Owen Crum, Maranda Pratt.
7th grade High Honors: Macelyn Boddy, Abigail Franklin, Brian Hadley.
7th grade Honors: Jonathan Aldana, Anthony Graham, Griffin Hilton, Zoey Mendoza, Ben Stutzman.
8th grade High Honors: Jansen Burnett
8th grade Honors: Gabriel Devenbaugh, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Teagan Murphy, Zebediah Peck, Lincoln Scroggins, Lyla Sutton, Landon Willoughby.
•November 8, 2023•
The Lions Club Turkey Party will be held on Friday, November 10 at 6:30 pm at the Sullivan American Legion. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Food available for purchase. Beanie Babies for children 10 and under donated by Lion’s supporters. Proceeds from the 50/50 drawing will go to the SES Weekend Food Program. Proceeds from the party to help the vision impaired. There will also be door prizes.
•November 8, 2023•
The Bethany Senior Citizens Potluck will be held on Wednesday, November 15 at Bethany Library. Turkey meal furnished at 11 am. All are welcome.
•November 8, 2023•
The deadline for advertising, legals and content for the Wednesday, November 22 edition of the NewsProgress will be Friday, November 17 at Noon.
•November 1, 2023•
Soyland Access to Independent Living, SAIL, will hold a Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant on Wednesday, November beginning at 1 pm at the Shelbyville SAIL office, 1604 West Main Street Suite 100 in Shelbyville. Personal Assistants are employed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation Program. A reservation is needed to attend the Personal Assistant Training. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to reserve your seat, contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888 or 800-358-8080 or email edobson@decatursail.com.
•November 1, 2023•
Two local area historians are seeking to borrow or accept donations of artifacts, pictures, stories, paperwork, tools, and other memorabilia of the Lovington Coal Mine for free future community presentations. Help us preserve these memories for this and future generations. To discuss donating or loaning, email Dale Jones in Lovington at jones101@one-eleven.net or Ralph Kirk in Sullivan at ralphk0202@gmail.com. You will be contacted. Donors will receive public credit when donations are used.
•November 1, 2023•
The Findlay American Legion 409 will be hosting their Third Annual Military Show on November 10 from 10 am to 6 pm, November 11 from 10 am to 6 pm and November 12 from Noon to 5 pm. On display will be uniforms, equipment, maps and other military items from the Civil War to present day. Almost all items are authentic from the time periods they represent. There are displays for both good and bad guys. For further information or to schedule a group viewing call 217-273-5922.
•November 1, 2023•
Moultrie Amateur Radio will hold Hamfest on Saturday, November 4 from 7 to 11 am at the Sullivan American Legion. A fox hunt will be held immediately at 11 am. Admission is $5, table rental is $10. Items for sale will include outdoor tools, electronics and ham radio gear. For more information contact Ralph Zancha at 217-254-7574.