•September 10, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Sullivan ten-year-old 5th grader Matthew “Matty” Gudenrath heard his neighbors smoke alarm going off and when he was unable to reach his neighbor, he immediately hopped on his bike and rode directly to the Sullivan Fire Department to alert them to the situation. Offered a ride on the fire truck to show them where the address was, Matty opted to hop back onto his bike and lead them nearly 2 miles to residence address, where the call out was quickly resolved. 

On Friday the 5th, Sullivan Fire Department Captain Kenny Graven awarded him a plaque of recognition, “for his courage and quick thinking alerting the fire department of a smoke alarm activation on August 15th, 2025.” A very surprised Matty accepted it humbly. Said Captain Graven of Matty with a handshake, “that was quick and smart-thinking.”

•August 27, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Walter H. “Walt” Jenkins was born October 26th, 1934, in the brick house at what was, at the time, the Illinois Masonic Home. Walt and his older brother Glen were both born in the brick house, with Walt being born in 1934. Walt’s father was Walter Jenkins, and his mother was Effie Niccian.

•August 13, 2025•

Submitted by Cheri Burcham

U of I Illinois Extension Educator

There is increasing evidence that being in and around nature can benefit humans physically and mentally. There is also more research showing how mindfulness techniques can be beneficial to a person’s well-being.

A group of Illinois Extension staff, consisting of horticulture and family life educators and Master Gardeners, and Naturalists EPCs, formed an interdisciplinary workgroup called “Wellness in Nature.” This workgroup has been developing materials and a curriculum that focuses on how green spaces, gardens, and nature benefit your overall well-being.

by DM Williamee 

•July 30, 2025•

On Tuesday, July 22nd, Linda Henry from the Moultrie County Soil and Water Conservation District provided a fun and educational water conservation activity for local youth at the Lovington Library, focused on water conservation. Mrs. Henry used a terrarium-building project to demonstrate water conservation, hands-on. Many of the youth have been learning about space, and Mrs. Henry shared the mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” (which elicited smiles and giggles) to help the children remember the order of the planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Those present were eager to ask questions, share their thoughts on the subject, and discuss what they had learned. All were especially excited to build their terrariums. 

•July 16, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Last Friday, July 11th at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, participants in the library’s summer reading program arrived to enjoy their reward for completing five weeks of their reading logs: a foam and slime party. Laughing, joyful children could be found lounging in the foam bed, chasing bubbles or slinging slime into the air or at each other. The colorful slime adorned clothing, skin and hair, with one young lady exclaiming, “I’m a frog!” Parents stood nearby grinning and supervising the festivities as slime flew and bubbles abounded - with towels and clean-up supplies on hand. It was a hot day, so the final clean up at the end with the garden hose was a welcome cooling off for all.