•July 6, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

With the lazy days of summer upon us, Extension Educator Karla Belzer has a great article about how to make it more successful and enjoyable with our kids. Karla says: around my house, summer is a cherished time of year. Routines are more relaxed, the pace is slower, and the “rules” are bent a little. Even though everyone in my is enjoying a little more freedom from the frantic school year, we’re equally ready for a little more “normal.”
What does having a successful summer mean to you? Fulfilled kids, relaxing days, a break from the norm? Have you ever thought about what a successful summer looks like? While each family may have its definition of a successful summer, I think it’s safe to say that most parents want their children and family to enjoy all that summer brings.
Before long, the chorus of “I’m bored” rings through my house. To prevent that, I thought it would be helpful to share a few tips on how to have a successful summer with kids. Read More

•July 6, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced both junior and open live shows at the Illinois State Fair will be cancelled for 2022 to protect from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Illinois State Fair junior poultry exhibitors will continue to have an opportunity to receive recognition and premiums through a virtual poster competition. Rules and entry requirements will be available at www.illinoisstatefair.info. To allow time for junior poultry exhibitors to adapt to the new format the Illinois State Fair will extend the entry deadline to July 15, 2022. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

U.S. News and World Report recognized Lake Shelbyville as one of the most popular places in Illinois. Lake Shelbyville was named to its list of 12 places to visit in Illinois.
The Lovington Village Board discussed hiring a secretary/bookkeeper to be available to the public during business hours at the village hall.

50 Years Ago This Week

The old water tower behind the Metallizing Co. plant on South Hamilton Street, a longtime landmark in Sullivan, was pulled down. It had not been in use for a number of years. Cables were attached to two legs of the tower about two-thirds of the way up and a winch truck supplied power to buckle the legs and bring the tower crashing to the ground.
Gayle Garmon was crowned as Miss Sullivan. First runner-up was Chris Foreman and Miss Congeniality was Mary Ann Webb.

•June 29, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

What I know about sports you could stick in my eye and I’d still be able to see.
But I can still turn just about anything into an entertaining sports analogy with the best of them. It’s how I’ve survived weekly meetings with sports editors for more than a decade.
I received an email from D.M. Cook, a dentist who wonders whether he is being too picky. Having a dentist ask me whether he’s too picky is like asking Anthony Rizzo whether he’d like me to lob him an 80 mph “fastball” around the knees.
See what I mean? Read More