•June 7, 2023•
by Sarah Hudson Pierce, columnist

Doctor Leo Buscaglia wrote “if you wish to let the reader know who you are you must tell the story in your own words or we won’t be able to see who you really are.”
But no matter what happens to us we can work it into the legacy of our lives because we all have a unique story if we dare to share -- to go apart -- to delve into the deepest recesses of our minds and to tell it like it was.
It has been said that Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of The Little House On The Prairie series, was believed to have been more interested in leaving her story behind rather than the money she might make from the stories she wrote.
Erma Bombeck, the late best selling author, and syndicated columnist said “It’s not the money that you make but knowing your words reach people you will never meet.” Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

The Redskins’ incredible ride through the IHSA Class A State Baseball finals came up just one stop short as they fell to Normal-U High 10-0 in six innings in the championship game.
Moultrie County’s long awaited new animal control facility would soon be operational. Water and electricity were both in and a few minor items were left to do. Read More

•May 31, 2023•
Submitted by Lauren Fultz
Sullivan Elementary's first grade classes visited Ballard Nature Center in Altamont this month. At the nature center, students participated in a hands-on lesson about mammals and also took a nature walk through a variety of native Illinois habitats to view animals. This trip was the culmination of a weeks-long study on plants, animals, and habitats, and was a group favorite.
The students loved spending the day at Ballard and couldn't have done so without the gracious help from the Illinois Biodiversity Grant they received. Donors for this grant include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, the D. F. and M. T. Grohne Family Foundation, and the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

•May 31, 2023•
The Illinois Conservation Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2023 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame class.
Since 2002, the foundation has recognized individuals who have records of exemplary service in and commitments to improving conservation efforts and outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois. Read More

•May 31, 2023•
Parents of special needs children are required to make many, often serious, decisions about their children’s healthcare, a job that only gets harder if they can’t get access to test results and other medical records. In Illinois, sometimes those parents aren’t able to get access, even if the records are from tests and procedures that required the parents’ consent to be performed. State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer have passed legislation through the General Assembly designed to help with this issue.
“Parents who have children with special needs should have timely access to test results and medical records,” said Senator McClure. “Parents shouldn’t have to resort to legal action to get access to their children’s health records, especially when tests and procedures required their consent in the first place.” Read More