•April 1, 2026•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, April 28th, at building 1225, the annual Easter Marketplace was packed to the rafters with consumers taking advantage of the shopping and socialization opportunity while enjoying the peppy pop music piped throughout. There was a clear sense of community as one walked throughout the market, watching friends and neighbors ask each other for advice on a purchase, chat together, and exchange hugs.

•March 18, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Where to shop for the person who has everything? On Friday, March 13th and 14th, the Prairieland Frontiersmen held their 37th annual Historic Arts and Crafts show at the Sullivan American Legion. The Legion Hall was packed wall to wall with traders and artisans representing the colonial, fur trade, and Civil War eras, with their multitude of hand-made goods and wares on offer. Many men and women dressed in historical attire, spanning the different eras represented. From beautiful maple-stocked muzzle-loading rifles, all manner of loading gear, rattlesnake vertebrae earrings, fur accessories of all types, books and manuals, and beaded necklaces to leatherworks tanned and tooled, period pieces of clothing and camaraderie, the craft show was a step into the past.

•March 4, 2026•

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins partnered with the Mid-Illinois Senior Services to collect items for the center. 

This is SBD’s first year helping this organization, titling it, ‘Swimmers Supporting Seniors’. This collection was structured very similarly to the annual ‘Swimmers Supporting Soldiers’ that the Dolphins do every summer. 

Mid Illinois Senior Services sent the SBD a list of items that were much-needed. The team collected numerous items such as puzzles, paper towels, bathroom tissue, cups, sweeteners, Lysol wipes, plastic cutlery, and flower arrangement items. 

The SBD believes in giving back to the community that has so ardently supported them. 

•February 11, 2026•

by DM Williamee

On Tuesday, February 3rd, the Mid-Illinois Senior Services hosted their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc.’ Their guest speaker was Jake Lehr, Senior Program Manager for the Central Illinois Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter. This highly engaging guest informed attendees about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, from early detection and warning signs, therapies, and other forms of support, to healthy brain habits. Lehr clarified that dementia is an umbrella term for loss of memory and other thinking abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, including the following: Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, others, such as Huntington’s, and mixed dementia, which may have more than one cause. Lehr shared that everyone experiences Alzheimer’s differently and that Illinois is the first state in the nation to enact legislation mandating both state-regulated and private insurance plans to cover FDA-approved treatments, medications, and necessary diagnostic testing for Alzheimer’s disease. 

•January 28, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Moultrie County Health Administrator

Winter brings plenty of challenges to Central Illinois, including the risk of frostbite. It can develop quickly, even during routine activities like walking the dog, shoveling snow, or commuting to work. Frostbite can cause lasting tissue damage and often strikes before a person realizes they’re in danger. The time necessary for frostbite to occur depends heavily on the temperature, wind chill, and how long the skin is exposed. Understanding how it happens and how to prevent it is essential. This article offers practical steps to stay safe, protect vulnerable loved ones, and make informed decisions during harsh winter weather. 

What is frostbite? Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. It typically affects body parts farthest from the heart, such as fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Reduced blood flow to these areas allows ice crystals to form in the tissue. Frostbite results in tissue damage that ranges from mildly uncomfortable to permanent tissue death. Early recognition and prevention are key.