•May 3, 2023•
Master Gardeners are excited to announce their annual spring plant sale is back at Garden Fest. They will be selling a variety of plants at Lytle Park, Mattoon on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 9 am-12 pm. Our knowledgeable Master Gardeners will be available throughout the morning to address your yard and garden questions and give you suggestions for planting, pruning, and landscaping.
This year we will feature a limited amount of fun hostas to add to your shaded landscapes including Blue Mouse Ears, Island Breeze, and Shadowland Whee just to name a few. Limited quantities of beautiful 10” and 14” hanging baskets will include assortments of petunias, impatiens, and geraniums. These baskets would make wonderful Mother’s Day gifts. We recommend arriving early for the best color selection – these will sell out. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Leonardo Music Entertains Students
Photo by Crystal Reed
Leonardo Music Entertains Students
Leonardo Music out of Chicago entertained children at the Sullivan United Methodist Church. The concert was made possible by Moultrie County Baby Talk.
Okaw Valley Prom Court 2023
Photo by Jeni Yantis
Okaw Valley Prom Court
Front: Grace Moeller, Lexi Bartimus, Reagan Reedy and Karson Park. Back: Brett Lybarger, Evan Waldrop, Trey Hall and Jace Rickey.
Moultrie Douglas Association for Home and Community Education Holds Annual Meeting
•May 3, 2023•
The Moultrie-Douglas Association for Home and Community Education (PAHCE) held the Annual Meeting on April 20th at the Arthur United Methodist Church. A delicious Potluck lunch was enjoyed by about 30 members and guests. Therese Kincade the Artistic Director at the Little Theater in Sullivan, gave a very interesting talk about the history of the Little Theater and her responsibilities, including acting in several productions. Sandra Cameron presented the Memorial Service to honor the members that had passed away in the last year. Read More
Matheson to Receive MBA
•May 3, 2023•
Moranda A. Matheson will receive a Master of Business Administration degree from Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois in the school’s 110th annual commencement, Saturday, May 6 at 2:30 p.m in the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel. Read More
Illinois Extension Program Offers Online Gardening Training
•May 3, 2023•
For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow.
Take your love of gardening to the next level in 2023 by joining an online training course. Whether you’re interested in the Master Gardener certification process and continuing on to volunteer in your community, or you’re simply interested in bettering your own gardening knowledge, Illinois Gardener Training is for you.
Online training is again being offered starting June 12, 2023. This self-guided course is for Illinois residents and can be taken from the comfort of home on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. Read More
IDPH Urges Illinoisans to Get Educated About Tickborne Illnesses at Start of Lyme Disease Awareness Month
•May 3, 2023•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from Lyme disease at the start of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
“Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We encourage everyone who enjoys spending time outdoors to get educated about how to protect themselves from tickborne illnesses. Please review our many IDPH resources and join us as we all work together to Fight the Bite.”
Director Vohra said the most important thing people can do to “Fight the Bite” is to diligently check themselves, their pets, and help children with a tick check after spending time in areas where ticks live, such as in and near wooded areas, tall grass, and brush. Removing ticks within a 24-hour period reduces the risk of potential disease transmission. Read More
Gardner Honored
•May 3, 2023•
The Booth Collaborative Advisory Committee at Eastern Illinois University recently honored a student from Sullivan as a winner of the 2023 Award for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity. Read More
Secretary Giannoulias & Rep. Ford Seek to Protect Motorists and Police by Decriminalizing Rearview Mirror Air Fresheners
•May 3, 2023•
A new proposal from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and State Representative La Shawn Ford (8th District – Chicago) would no longer make it illegal for motorists to have items hanging from their rearview mirror, which often serve as a pretext for traffic stops.
Under House Bill 2389, law enforcement would no longer have the authority to stop a motorist for simply hanging items like air fresheners, rosaries or disability placards from their rearview mirror while driving. This legislative effort – which passed the Illinois House on March 24 and is awaiting an expected floor vote in the Senate – follows through on a campaign promise Giannoulias made in 2021. Read More
Facts for Families: Strong Couples Program Helps Families Build Relationships That Last
•May 3, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Sustaining a healthy and supportive relationship can be difficult for many couples. The Strong Couples Project started in Illinois in 2020 as an effort to assist couples by providing them with knowledge and skills related to communication, as well as techniques for changing the tone of escalating conflicts and arguments. Judy Schmidt, 4-H youth development educator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties serves as a program coach for this state-wide project. Cheri Burcham also serves as a program coach that began in Illinois and is now starting to go national. Read More