•May 24, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Tod Kruse has a question about questions.
“Today, I decided to ask you about the use of ‘right’ or ‘OK’ at the end of a sentence when the speaker or writer is not asking a question, nor expecting a response. This seems to proliferate in interviews, speeches and general conversations. Help.”
Thanks for your email, Tod. Was there a question? You mentioned you were going to ask me one, but never quite did. What tipped me off was the lack of a question mark.
Assuming you meant to pose one, I’ll do my best to answer.
As the editor of the paper, I might say to a reporter or one of our editors, “Why don’t you write a story about the proliferation of weasels living under people’s decks.” Read More

•May 17, 2023•
The Decatur Audubon Society invites members and other interested persons to its May meeting on Saturday, May 20, at 8:00 am. The general meeting will be preceded by a BYOB (Bring Your Own Breakfast) at the pavilion at the Illinois Raptor Center (IRC) on 4695 West Hill Road (Directions from Decatur: Go west on US Hwy 36 past the Decatur Conference Center to the stop sign; go south 1 mile to Cantrell Street; go west 1 mile to Joyn’t Road; go south for 1 mile to Hill Road; continue south 1/4 mile to the IRC pavilion.) Following breakfast, newly elected officers will be installed. After brief announcements, including June, July & August confirmed meetings, Jacques Nuzzo, IRC Program Manager and Travis Wilcoxsen, Millikin Biology Professor & IRC board member, will lead a short tour to the new bird-banding facility funded by the Decatur Audubon Society (DAS) in 2022.

•May 17, 2023•

Photo furnished
Ariana Cherry is one of the new artists whose work is available at The Vault Art Gallery in Tuscola.

Recently, some of Ariana Cherry’s works of art have been displayed at two local art festivals - the First Annual Arthur-Area Spring Art Festival, the Mattoon Artworks Festival or even online via social media or eBay where she regularly sells many of her prints. In early May, her art began to appear at another place - The Vault Art Gallery in Tuscola. Read More

•May 17, 2023•
Have you turned down a chance to go out with family or friends because you were concerned about falling? Have you cut down on a favorite activity because you might fall? If so, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is a program for you. Read More

•May 17, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Those of you who know me well are aware that I am not a coffee drinker.
The only time I tried it was in 1987, while interviewing then-Roselle Village Manager Glenn Spachman in his office. He offered me some in a 6-ounce Styrofoam cup, and it was so repulsive that I vowed to never try it again. I don’t recall having done a spit take in front of him, but I imagine he enjoyed whatever face I must have made after choking it down.
However, I do have a serious Coke Zero habit.
Occasionally, the paltry 34 milligrams of caffeine a Zero offers isn’t enough. Read More