•January 29, 2025•
The East Central Illinois Red Cross Club is holding a Socks for Soldiers drive from February 1 - 16.
New adult-sized socks of any kind may be brought to the SHS/SMS and SES offices, sent to school with SHS, SMS, or SES students for their class competitions, or donated at the SHS basketball games on February 3 and 10. Area churches and veterans organizations are also being asked to “host” a “Sock Box” to help collect socks.
Read MoreS. Kenton
•January 29, 2025•
by Janet Roney
Among the seven men and 4 US Rangers in Isaac Hill’s party surveying in the lower Kaskaskia Valley in 1809 was a man listed as S. Kenton. Some of the Bond County people think “S. Kenton” is D. Kenson or “Old Henson”, a hermit who, according to the old Bond County history, lived in a big hollow sycamore tree during the War of 1812 hiding from the Indians. (…That’s right, a sycamore tree.)
Now, I should not presume to tell the Bond local history experts who “S. Kenton” was…
Read More2015
Fifth grader Wesley Standerfer isn’t your typical kid. About a year prior to 2015, he started his very own neighborhood newspaper, the “Shumanville Times.” Living on Shuman farmland inspired him to share the family news to those nearby. He delivered print editions locally, while others requested it by email from as far away as Texas and Washington D.C. At such a young age, he already began to see the potential of the printed word so Standerfer expanded his horizons and took to reporting in the halls of Sullivan Elementary School. The 2015 newspaper staff included students Connor Golden, Devon Winings, Clayton Schmohe, Wes Standerfer, and Ben Bushue.
Read More•January 22, 2025•
Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day. After individuals spend several hours sleeping, breakfast refuels their bodies and prepares them to tackle the day ahead.
People on the go may not have a lot of time to enjoy breakfast, which means they may grab something quick and not always so healthy. But a filling, hot breakfast provides enough sustenance and nutrients to last until lunch. Such is the case with “Green Chile Breakfast Burritos” from “Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Cookbook” (RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC) by the Taste of Home Kitchens.
Green Chile Breakfast Burritos
Makes 6 servings
6 eggs
Read More•January 22, 2025•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator
University of Illinois Extension
Winter is upon us and those longer hours of darkness coupled with the colder temperatures can make many people experience those “winter blues.” I am much more aware of the signs of mental health challenges having become a certified trainer for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). I would highly recommend anyone to complete MHFA as the purpose is to help you recognize when someone is having difficulties and be able to respond in a helpful way. And it is very likely that you will need to be there for someone in that circumstance since according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in five American adults is diagnosed with a mental illness each year and half of those disorders begin by age 14 and three quarters by age 24.
There are many ways to try and prevent those winter blues from sneaking up on us and to maintain positive mental health. Here are just a few tips to get started:
Read More•January 22, 2025•
Smoke Hills
By Janet Roney
I’ve been following an 1811 map made by Isaac Hill of the lower Kaskaskia River and west central Illinois for his brother, Henry, who was, I believe, a Ranger at Ft. Massac in southern Illinois. It shows Indian trails that connected to trails that led into Moultrie County. The many notes written in the margins and his report for Henry hold much information that local historians are still deciphering and debating. (I’m sure adding my two cents worth will be very helpful.)
Read More2015
The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is proudly announced the winners of the 2014 annual awards which will be presented at the SCED Annual Dinner. Larry Stenger was recognized as the 2014 Citizen of the Year. Ron White was honored with a lifetime achievement award. The Briarwood was honored as the Small Business of the Year. Petersen Healthcare was presented the 2014 Business of the Year Award.
Sullivan Lady Redskins jumped forward in the Central Illinois Conference at 4-0 after taking on the St. Teresa Lady Bulldogs and winning 80-32. With a combination of Brittin Boyer, Emily Neuhauser, and Elissa Stewart, it became clear the SHS LadyRedskins are a tough team to beat.
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Funds sponsored by Staley Credit Union to support small businesses in the Central Illinois community.
•January 15, 2025•
Staley Credit Union, in partnership with The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, awarded Monroe Associates, Inc. a grant of $15,000.00 through its Community First® Accelerate Grants for Small Business program.
Monroe Associates, Inc., based in Bethany, provides essential IT services to a range of small businesses, including community banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and other local enterprises. With expertise in network design, installation, hosting services, and hardware solutions, Monroe Associates has become a critical partner in enabling Central Illinois businesses to thrive and compete in today’s digital economy.
Read More•January 15, 2025•
Eastern Illinois University recently announced several award-winning students representing its College of Education for the Fall 2024 semester. Each award recipient has received the prestigious honor for demonstrating “exceptional scholarship, leadership, and dedication to serving individuals with disabilities.” The awardees include graduate and undergraduate students who have excelled both academically and in their communities.
Among the recipients of EIU’s 2024 Special Education Recognition Award was Makenzie J. Ruppert, Senior at Sullivan High School.
Read MoreWho Was Isaac Hill and How Did He know Jefferson?
by Janet Roney
We’ve been following another ancient trail into the interior of Illinois that Isaac Hill followed in 1809-1811 while exploring for Thomas Jefferson and spying on the British still hanging around between the lower Kaskaskia (or “Ocar”) and the Illinois River to the north. This time, I have Hill’s hand-drawn map that leads through Bond, Montgomery, Fayette, and Shelby County towards Moultrie.
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