•April 24, 2024•
Hearing is not merely a sense but serves as a gateway to communication and connection with the world. However, many individuals face challenges with hearing loss, significantly impacting their daily lives. Recognizing this, individuals must educate themselves and understand the importance of hearing health. Read More
•April 24, 2024•
Slow-cooked foods seem tailor-made when the mercury is low. Stews, soups and casseroles can simmer and gain great flavor through slow-cooking methods. But slow cooker appliances don’t need to be stored away when spring flowers start to bud. In fact, this method of cooking can bridge the gap between cold weather cuisine and the grilled and chilled fare of summer days to come. Read More
Photo furnished
Royalty
Gabe Benning and Rissa Montgomery were crowned as the 2024 Okaw Valley High School Prom King and Queen on Saturday, April 20 at the Mt. Zion Convention Center.
•April 24, 2024•
The Shelby County Senior Center, Shelby County University of Illinois Extension, and SAIL, Soyland Access to Independent Living, are hosting the Shelby County Health Fair. The health fair will take place on Thursday, May 2nd from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Shelby Christian Church located at 200 North Hickory Street in Shelbyville. This event is free & open to the public.
There are over 40 organizations participating in the health fair this year awarding door prizes and distributing lots of information about programs and services available in our community. Mark your calendars for May 2nd and plan to attend.
For more information, contact Betty Watkins, SAIL Rural Outreach Coordinator at (217) 774-4322.
•April 24, 2024•
The Moultrie County Republican Party held its county convention on Wednesday, April 17 in the Metro Communication Conference Room. At the convention, Precinct Committee-persons elected in the March 19 primary election officially began their terms and officers of the general committee were elected. Officers re-elected were Mike McDaniels, Chairman, Gail Scribner, Vice Chairman and Aaron Wilhelm, Treasurer. Lisa Florey is the newly elected Secretary.
•April 24, 2024•
Pre-school Story Hour for 2-5 year olds Fridays at 11am
Coffee Hour: Thursdays at 1 pm
Lego Night: Last Thursdays at 6-7pm
Summer Reading Program: Plant a Seed - Read! June 6 - July 6.
New to the library: Read More
•April 24, 2024•
Author Anitra Rowe Schulte, a 1998 graduate of Bethany High School, earned her second Christopher Award for Willow and Bunny (Kindergarten and up, Two Lions). It is one of 12 books for adults and young people as the Christopher Awards program marks its 75th year. Read More
•April 24, 2024•
By Rhiannon Branch
FarmWeek
Illinois will experience a rare phenomenon of nature this year as two broods of periodical cicadas are scheduled to emerge at the same time.
And this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence won’t happen again until 2245.
Kacie Athey, a specialty crop entomologist at the University of Illinois, said the Northern Illinois Brood that emerges every 17 years and the Great Southern Brood, which emerges every 13 years, will come out simultaneously for the first time since 1803. Stragglers from the Mississippi Valley Brood might also appear in 2024.
While the two broods will emerge at the same time, there will likely be only a few places in central Illinois, around Springfield, where they will emerge in the same area, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Read More
•April 17, 2024•
A retirement open house is planned for Susan Rauch to be held at the Moultrie County Beacon Commons Area on Thursday, April 25, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m with refreshments.
Rauch began her career at the Moultrie County Beacon on August 22, 1983 as a family support unit caseworker. She was promoted to Director of Rehabilitation Services on December 2, 1985 and on October 16, 198, she was offered the position of Executive Director which she has held for 38 years. Susan has been a huge advocate for the independence of the individuals the Beacon serves and the agency’s growth and will be missed for years to come by all who have had privilege of working alongside her.
Everyone is invited to stop by and congratulate her on her retirement.
Prairie Fires
•April 17, 2024•
by Janet Roney
Have you ever seen a prairie fire? If it’s a dry day with a good wind, it will make a believer out of you. Flames leap into the air forty or fifty feet, and it rushes like mad across the land, taking about twenty minutes or less to burn twenty acres, depending on the speed of the wind.
We know this because for about twenty years in early spring we have burned our prairie on our 20 acres of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) land along route 32 between Sullivan and Lovington. Annual fires help maintain the prairie for invasive species are destroyed and nutrients are released that stimulate new growth. The deep rooted prairie grass prevents soil erosion and retards movement of agricultural chemicals into the stream that runs through it. Read More