•November 23, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

It’s been many years since I’ve played Scrabble.
“Hey, do you feel like beating the pants off me at Scrabble?” is not generally something I’m asked by friends or family members. I’m not sure why.
Games of chance, mixed with strategy, better describes our field of play.
I remember perhaps the last time my sister and I engaged in battle I played the word “ka.”
It was disputed. This was decades ago. We didn’t have a Scrabble dictionary, and we didn’t have Google, either.
Turns out, Jenny, “ka” IS in the Scrabble dictionary. I know, because in doing some research I looked it up.
Nanny-nanny-foo-foo!
I apologize for my lapse into middle school taunting. Sort of. Read More

•November 16, 2022•
November 17th 3:45: Tales and Tunes with Trudy. New Story Time at the Arthur Public Library. Join Trudy in a fun and engaging time filled with movement, songs, books, and participation. Trudy is a former K-5 music teacher who enjoys making kids smile by providing a very warm and inviting environment where they can both learn and be silly as they explore the wonder of books and the joy of reading. Children of all ages are welcome. Read More

•November 16, 2022•
Sullivan will have its lighted Christmas parade and other festivities on Friday, December 2. As part of the festivities, Dove, Inc. will be hosting a Santa’s Little Helper Workshop that day from 4 to 6 pm at the Masonic Temple, 107 W. Jefferson in Sullivan. There will be Christmas crafts for children to make, cookie decorating and also hot dogs and chips, cookies and hot chocolate. There is no admission fee, however donations gratefully accepted to support Dove’s Domestic Violence Program. There will also be events at the pavilion from 4 to 7. Activities will include s’mores, photo ops, buggy rides and Sullivan Singers Jr. will perform at 5:30. Santa will be at his house from 4:30 to 7 p.m. however visits will pause at 5:45 to accommodate him being in the parade.The lighted Christmas parade will be at 6. If you would like to be an entry in the parade lineup starts at 5 in the back parking lot at Sullivan Elementary School (east side facing the high school). No pre-registration required for parade entry.

•November 16, 2022•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator U of I Extension

I would like to share this article written by Illinois Extension intern, Sharon Kim. Sharon says: screens seem to be everywhere in the form of phones, laptops, tablets, and even watches, so we have to think about how we function in an environment with screens constantly being utilized in our lives. According to the CDC website, children ages 8-10 have a screen usage time of around 6 hours. Youths ages 11-14 spend around 9 hours a day in front of a screen. Youths ages 15-18 spend around 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen. We have to ask ourselves: what effect excessive does screen usage have on us? Read More