•December 21, 2022•
Keegan Rhodes, from Mattoon, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2022 Fall Quarter. Rhodes is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Undergraduate students who have earned at least 30 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (out of 4.0) are on the Dean’s List. Students who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.”
•December 21, 2022•
The Lovington First Christian Church will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, January 4 from Noon to 5:30pm. Individuals interested in donating blood may make an appointment with redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.
•December 14, 2022•
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will be closed from Friday, December 23 until they reopen on January 5, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
This has been a very busy year for the Society from acquiring a new building, moving and setting up the library and the museum with many new ways to research historical and family records and setting up many new displays in the museum that depict Moultrie County history and the people of Moultrie County who lived and work here.
Plans being made for a Grand Opening to take place in the Spring along with many outdoor displays that will take place during the new year.
•December 14, 2022•
The University of Illinois Extension in cooperating partnership with Decatur Catholic Charities and Sullivan United Methodist Church will be holding a mobile food pantry on Wednesday, January 11 from 4-5 pm at Sullivan United Methodist, 216 W. Jefferson, Sullivan (across from the firehouse in Sullivan). A mobile food pantry delivers a 2 week supply of food per family in rural communities. Any individual or family that does not have a steady food supply qualifies to receive food. No financial information is required to qualify. This distribution is open to all, not only residents of Sullivan. Sign up deadline is by Wednesday, January 4 at 4:30 pm by calling 217-259-2920 or 217-728-8521. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring with you on the day of distribution. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification. The food will be distributed according to your household size on January 11 from 4-5 pm at the Methodist Church in the parking lot across the street.
•December 7, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
There is increasing evidence that brain health is directly related to body health. However, most people think more about keeping their bodies fit or their hearts healthy than working at maintaining a healthy brain. Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, will be offering free “Wits Fitness: Brain Exercise Classes” in five different locations each month except for July and December. Locations and dates for 2023 include:
· Every first Monday of the month at the LifeSpan Center of Coles County at 10:00 AM (except for January 9 and Sept. 11 due to holidays.)
· Every first Monday of the month at the Shelby County Senior Center at 1:00 PM (except January 9 and Sept. 11 due to holidays.)
· Every third Monday of the month at the Arthur Extension office at 3:00 PM (except for January 23 and June 26 due to holidays.)
· Every fourth Monday of the month at Mid-Illinois Senior Services at 1:00 PM.
· Every fourth Friday of the month at the Life Center of Cumberland County at 10:30 AM (except for November 17 due to holiday.)
Cheri will lead participants through interactive activities designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. There is no cost to attend, but registration is recommended by calling the class locations or the Extension office at 543-3755. You are never too young or old to get started training your brain, so join Cheri in this fun and informative class! University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please call 543-3755.
•December 7, 2022•
Lake Land College selected 13 students from several applicants to participate in The Vibe for the 2022-23 academic year based on their passion for the college and demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.
Lake Land College developed this student marketing council called The Vibe to include a student voice in the college’s marketing and communication materials.
“The Vibe members are incredible individuals who tell the daily Laker experience through their own eyes. In addition to sharing their unique journeys, they assist the Marketing & Public Relations team by highlighting key messages and events, while providing valuable feedback on marketing and communication strategies,” Director of Marketing & Public Relations Kelly Allee said. “We are grateful to them for sharing their talents, thoughts and ideas with us, and we look forward to the many wonderful things they will do in the future.” Stephanie Sample of Sullivan, a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Communication, has been selected for this new student marketing council.
The students serve as social media influencers for Lake Land College, creating authentic testimonials and social media content on the platforms that resonate with their peers and potential students.
•December 7, 2022•
Lake Land College will host the St. Louis Cardinals Caravan at noon on January 15, 2023 in the Lake Land College Field House.
This event gives fans the opportunity to interact with current and former team players for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team as well as broadcast talents and other familiar faces. Children 15-years-old and younger will also receive one autograph from each current and former player in attendance at the event.
Tickets are $10 per person, and admission includes a drink, hot dog and chips.
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance at the Lake Land College Field House Athletics Office or at Washington Savings Bank in Mattoon. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.
No preferred seating will be available.
The event will be sponsored by Lake Land College Athletics and Mattoon High School Baseball.
For more information, visit lakelandcollege.edu/athletics or call 217-234-5333.
•December 7, 2022•
The Lovington Park Board will be hosting Breakfast With Santa on Saturday, December 17 from 9-11 am at First Baptist Church, 360 W. Springfield Rd in Lovington. Every child will receive a special gift from Santa. There will also be crafts, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, bacon, orange juice and coffee.
•December 7, 2022•
Santa Picture Bingo and Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 17 from 8 to 11 am at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. Breakfast is all you can eat $8 for ages 12 and older and $5 for children under 12. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, donuts, juice, milk and coffee. Picture Bingo is for all ages. The first game will begin at 8:30 am and each game played in just 25 cents. Proceeds go to the Down Syndrome Network.
•December 7, 2022•
On Saturday, December 17 at 3 pm Santa will be making an appearance in the Village of Gays to collect last minute Christmas wishes. The event will include a photo with Santa and a craft, available for purchase and pizza, cookie and drink for a free will donation. Pajamas are encouraged but not required. All proceeds go towards the Two Story Outhouse Festival 2023.