25 Years Ago This Week
Little Theatre coloring contest winners were Courtney Radford, Dylan Short, Ashlyn Gregory, Megan Risley, Zayne Troxel and Zachary Righter. They received free tickets as their prize.
The Lovington Panthers defeated the Bethany Mustangs 68-40.
Lovington boys’ basketball won two in a row with a 53-40 win over Kansas. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Singers Jr
Sullivan Singer Jrs sang Christmas carols at the pavilion on the square prior to the parade.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Christmas Lights
Sullivan Dance Studio dancers walk the parade route with lighted necklaces.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Roasting Marshmallows with the Mayor
Easton, Kylie and Miles Wickline roasted marshmallow with help from Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook prior to the lighted parade on Friday, December 3.
Photo by Crystal Reed
The Grinch
The Grinch and other characters on a float during Sullivan’s Christmas parade.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan royalty
Miss Sullivan Alexis Swaim rides along the parade route.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Buddy the Elf
Buddy the Elf rides on the back on a vehicle during the parade.
Photo furnished
Santa Arrives
Santa arrived on a Lovington Fire Truck to Christmas in the Park. Other activities during the event included crafts, silent bids on fully decorated trees and carolers.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Christmas Crafts
Jaxson and Chase Utley decorate ornaments during Christmas in the Park last Saturday. There are plans to make it an annual event.
Photo furnished
Decorating the tree
On the morning of Christmas in the Park, businesses, individuals and organizations gathered to decorate trees for the silent auction. There were 20 fully decorated trees on display during the event that people could bid on.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Visiting Santa
Hometown LOVE organized Old Fashioned Christmas in the Park on Saturday, November 28 in Lovington. Pictured is Joseph Spradling talking to Santa.
•December 1, 2021•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) will hold COVID-19 vaccination and booster clinics during the month of December. Individuals may register for an initial vaccine series or a booster. All vaccinations are by appointment only.
The CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health recommend that anyone over the age of 18 be fully vaccinated and receive a booster. Individuals who have initially received Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations must wait at least six months from their last injection before receiving a booster. Those who have received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least two months since their initial vaccination.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only vaccine currently available for children aged 5-17 years. The December 10th clinic will provide adult and children’s COVID-19 vaccines. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It will be held at the Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain, Sullivan. Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Dec. 6 - Chicken and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Pickled Beets, Pineapple, Whole Grain Wheat
Dec. 7 - Taco Salad w/Meat, Lettuce, Beans and Tomatoes, Pears, Taco Chips, Pudding
Dec. 8 - Ham and Beans, Copper Carrots, Mandarin Oranges, Cornbread
Dec. 9 - Sloppy Joe, Sweet Potato Puffs, Corn, Chunky Applesauce, Whole Grain Bun
Dec. 10 - Seasoned Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, California Medley, Seasonal Fruit Dessert, Whole Grain Wheat
•December 1, 2021•
Lights on a Christmas tree may seem like a relatively recent phenomenon, but people who can’t wait to deck the halls each December may be surprised to learn that this beloved tradition dates all the way back to the late nineteenth century. Edward Johnson, a friend and colleague of Thomas Edison, introduced holiday light bulbs in 1882. Prior to that, candles were lit on trees and families would briefly gaze at this awe-inspiring bit of holiday decor before the candles were quickly extinguished. Johnson is credited with being the first to suggest light bulbs, which were invented by his friend Edison, be used to light trees in place of candles. While many were impressed by Johnson’s eight-bulb holiday display, it remained a novelty until the 1920s, when preassembled lights became more accessible. Since then, Christmas tree lights have taken hold as a must-have piece of holiday decor in households across the globe. HL21A363
•December 1, 2021•
Lake Land College student Kelly McGill, of Findlay, will be taking part in a week-long externship through Heartland Dental.
The program is designed to place second-year students alongside practiced dentists and teams to help the students develop professionalism, ethics, communication and knowledge.
“Lake Land College and Heartland Dental’s values are comparable, in that both of these affiliations want the students to gain hands-on experience through this externship,” Director of Dental Hygiene Program Kristen Holsapple said. “We are proud to have such a collaborative teamship with Heartland Dental.” Read More
•December 1, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Who doesn’t need more joy in their lives? I wanted to share this great article from Extension Educator Kristin Bogdonas about how to find more joy. Kristin says: When you’re feeling down in the dumps, what do you do? You have two options: keep doing what you’re doing or try one of these happy hacks to bring a smile back to your face and ultimately boost your mood.
Here are five simple ways to bring more joy to your life right now:
Unplug- Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. If you are vulnerable to social comparison, limit your time spent on social media. Social media can help us stay up-to-date with our social networks but too much of a good thing can have negative effects. Frequent cellphone use is associated with higher anxiety levels and reduced happiness. Be careful how much time you spend scrolling through your newsfeed so you can stay present in your own life. There is no substitute for human interaction so if you miss seeing your friends, give them a call and find out how their day is going. Read More
•December 1, 2021•
Safety might not be the first thing people think of as the holiday season approaches. Faith, celebrations, decorations, and holiday dinners all come to mind when considering the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean safety should be left out of holiday planning.
Fire safety bears special consideration during the holiday season, when the prevalence of fire hazards like Christmas trees, holiday lighting displays and other decorative items increase the risk for home fires. Such tragedies can be averted with a few simple safety measures.
· Tend to your tree. Live Christmas trees are awe-inspiring, but they also pose a significant fire risk. The National Fire Protection Association urges celebrants to purchase only healthy trees with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Such trees are less likely to dry out, especially when well-watered throughout the season. Dry trees can catch fire more easily than healthy trees if embers from nearby fireplaces or candles drift in their direction. Read More
•December 1, 2021•
Shopping for gifts for kids makes many shoppers nostalgic for their own childhoods. Few adults can forget the joy of finding the perfect gift under the tree on Christmas morning. Recreating that magic for a youngster can be as joyous for gift givers as it is for kids. That’s especially so when shoppers make it a point to give safe, age-appropriate gifts.
Whether shopping for their own children or their grandkids, nieces or nephews, shoppers can keep these tips in mind to ensure they give toys that are as safe as they are fun.
· Speak to Mom and Dad first. When buying for a grandchild, niece or nephew, shoppers should first ask Mom or Dad for suggestions. Parents will know which types of toys their children like, and they’ll also know the child’s level of maturity. Some kids may not be mature enough to play with otherwise age-appropriate toys, while others may be mature beyond their years and enjoy more complex toys than their age would suggest. Parents will know what makes a good toy and what doesn’t. Read More