•August 24, 2022•
The day a young person moves into his or her first apartment or home is a momentous occasion. Few things evoke a sense of accomplishment and independence as much as having your own place.
Upon moving into a first home or apartment, young people soon realize just how many items they need to make a home feel like home. It goes without saying that furnishings like a bed and couch are a necessity, but young people also will need some kitchen essentials so they can prepare some simple meals on their own. As young people expand their culinary horizons, they may want to look for more specialized cooking utensils and gadgets. Until then, these items are some of the basic building blocks of any kitchen.
· Pots and pans: It goes without saying that pots and pans are vital for anyone looking to cook their own meals at home. Modern young people are health-conscious and aware of the challenges facing the planet, and overcoming those obstacles can start in the kitchen. For example, various manufacturers produce pots and pans and other cookware that is not made with polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, a fluoropolymer that researchers have found can contribute to myriad health problems. Read More

•August 24, 2022•
As hot, humid days give way to cool fall temperatures, it is prime time to enjoy a new bounty of fresh vegetables. Homeowners may be ready to pick the vegetables they have been growing the past several months. While many home vegetable gardeners focus on early spring plantings that yield the tomatoes, cucumbers and squashes of summer, they also should consider summertime sowing that will yield tasty offerings throughout fall. Some of these cooler-weather stock can be harvested just before frost sets in. Individuals ready to bite in to produce plucked at the peak of fall have many different options to look forward to. Here are some of common fall produce items that will be available at farm stands near you well into November. Read More

•August 24, 2022•
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker awarded Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, with the Illinois Distinguished Service Medal for the general’s “leadership and poise” during the state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
The Governor, who is the Illinois National Guard’s Commander-in-Chief, awarded the medal to General Neely during the Guard’s quarterly Senior Leader Engagement on Aug. 19 at Manufacturing times Digital (MxD) in Chicago. Read More

Photos by Crystal Reed

The Windsor Harvest Picnic was held on August 18-20. On Thursday evening there were pork chop dinners for sale by the Windsor Harvest Picnic were served and the Methodist Church had an ice cream social. The Windsor American Legion presented a patriotic opening and musical entertainment included the Family Worship Center Band and Jake Hoult and Mikayla Joy. On Friday evening, there were fish dinners by the Windsor Harvest Picnic with homemade desserts by 5th and 6th graders. Little Miss Harvest Picnic was announced and that honor was given to Brystol Wiltermood. She received a crown and a sash and also rode in the parade on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday, the Windsor FFA served breakfast under the pavilion. The 5K run began shortly after and mid morning children competed to see who could go the farthest distance in the pedal tractor pull. In the afternoon, the parade was held with Shelby County royalty as well as royalty from the Mattoon Bagelfest. This year’s theme was “Back to Our Roots.” That evening there was a chicken dinner by Windsor Harvest Picnic and homemade desserts by W.H.A.T. Musical entertainment that evening was T.G. Sheppard.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Shelby County Royalty
Junior Miss Shelby County Kinley Chaney and Miss Shelby County Maggie Kelly wave at parade goers during the Windsor Harvest Picnic on Saturday, August 20. More photos are on page 9 and 10.

•August 24, 2022•
Caden Petro, 19, of Bethany, has been sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections. At a sentencing hearing on August 18, 2022, Judge Jeremy Richey imposed the sentence after Petro had previously pled guilty to: Read More