I Won’t Buffalo You. We Monkey with Animal Names All the Time

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

Recently I wrote about animal names that also can be used as verbs. Merriam-Webster came up with a list of nine: ferret, fox, ape, parrot, weasel, rat, badger, snipe and squirrel.

I came up with seven more without giving it more than a moment’s thought: bat, cat, snake, buffalo, mouse, goose, worm and fly.

I asked you for your thoughts, partly to see if any of you were still reading and partly to prove a point.

“Nothing to crow about, but I thought of a few animal verbs: horse or monkey (with ‘around’), skunk, hog, bear, yak and seal,” wrote Gerry McGovern. Read More

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital President and CEO Announces Plans to Retire

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

Theresa Rutherford, RN, MSN, MBA, FACHE, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer, has announced her plans to retire from HSHS this spring. Her last day will be April 1, 2024. Rutherford will retire with over 45 years of experience in healthcare. 

Rutherford shared, “I am honored to have served the patients who put their trust in us, throughout the communities where I have lived and practiced my faith, with the amazing colleague teams I have worked alongside. 

Every person is called to serve at a time according to God’s plan. We have accomplished great things in our time together. Now you are ready and able to live and write the next chapter of our mission, “to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan healthcare ministry.”

“To quote St. Francis,” Rutherford continued, “I have done what is mine; now may Christ teach you yours.” Read More

Ag Colleges Offer New Programs for Illinois Students

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

by Phyllis Coulter

FarmWeek

Ag colleges are ramping up a new crop of programs, research efforts and facilities this year. FarmWeek caught up with education leaders to learn about the big new things unfolding on three campuses this year.

In the Heartland

Everything is new at Heartland Community College (HCC) as students start their first semester at the new Ag Complex at the college in Normal this month. Read More

SHS Honor Roll Fall 2023

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

Straight A Honor Roll

Seniors: Amalie Bear, Jaiden Beckwith, Logan Brinkman, Brett Bushue, Kyle Corkill, Rebekah Cullen, Kiley Dyer, Kaden Guest, Isabella Harden, Gracee Helton, Avery Hopper, Brand Jesse, Ryan Lawyer, Taylor Lingafelter, Hayden Moody, Hannah Righter, Ava Shriver, Landry Still, Isabelle Stone, Alexia Tull, Luke Waelde. 

Juniors: Addison Brush, Olivia Cordes, Hannah Creek, Isabel Donovan, Madison Flexser, Taylar Mercer, Addison Minor, Lola Shonkwiler, Tabitha Webb, Claire Welch. Read More

Happenings for February at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

Story times: Every Wednesday, February 7, 14, 21, 28 at 10:00am

 On the 14th we will have a Valentine’s party

  Homeschool class Feb 8 at 2:30. We have a special guest providing an educational program on bees. All school aged homeschooled students are welcome.  Please call to register if you are interested. Read More

Pothole Repair Operations Taking Place Across Illinois

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

The Illinois Department of Transportation is advising the public that maintenance crews are out patrolling and repairing potholes on state highways and interstates across the state, requiring drivers to slow down, use caution and move over for workers. Non-emergency patching operations usually take place during nonpeak travel periods and often require temporary lane closures. Read More

Cherries are the Star of Valentine’s Day Treat

News Progress Posted on by

•January 24, 2024•

Tart, red cherries and Valentine’s Day seem to be the perfect pair. Not only do cherries align with a Valentine’s Day color scheme, they even resemble little hearts when hanging from their stems. 

Celebrating Valentine’s Day involves many different traditions, and enjoying decadent desserts is among them. Purchasing ready-made treats from a local bakery is one way to indulge in a sugary confection, but crafting a recipe at home is another way to show that special someone how much you care. Read More

Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Hosts Preview Showcase

News Progress Posted on by

Photo submitted
Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Hosts Preview Showcase
Sullivan Dance Studio’s 2023-2024 Competition Team hosted their annual Preview Showcase at Sullivan Elementary School on Sunday, January 14. Friends, family, and the public were invited to attend to view the team’s 28 different routines. Competition season for the team begins in just a few weeks. This year the team is made up of 30 dancers who range in age from 3-15 and come from Sullivan and surrounding towns. Members include (in no particular photo order): Abigail Plank, Adalee Foster, Addi Finn, Addisyn Carter, Alayna Ard, Alayna Young, Blair Camp, Brinnley Hobbs, Caroline Hobbs, Davanee Lenover, Elizabeth Plank, Emma Hostetler, Fionn Lynch, Gianna Krieger, Kaylee Hostetler, Keelyn Karnes, Knox Weakly, Lexi Yoder, Mara Inman, Mia Lovett, Miah Voegel, Natalia Beals, Paysley Dowds, Sophie Elliott, Sophie Foster, Synthea Doss, Tiffany Hostetler, Tinley Krieger, Zoe Lynch and Zola Krieger. The team is coached by Melissa Krieger.

Personal Assistant Training

News Progress Posted on by

•January 24, 2024•

Soyland Access to Independent Living, SAIL, will hold a Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant on Thursday, February 15, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 Water Street, Sullivan. Personal Assistants are em-ployed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation Pro-gram. A reservation is needed to attend the Personal Assistant Training. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to re-serve your seat, contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888 or 800-358-8080 or email edob-son@decatursail.com.  

A Matter of Balance Program Seeking Coaches

News Progress Posted on by

•January 24, 2024•

A Matter of Balance, an award winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels, is hosting a coaches training on Wednesday, February 21, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Avenue in Decatur. Lunch will be provided. Criteria for leadership include good communication skills, enthusiasm and dependability, willingness to lead a small group and interest in working with older adults. Training expectations are attend eight hours of coach training and earn A Matter of Balance Certification, attend 2.5 hours of coach training update annually and agree to coach one A Matter of Balance class within one year of certification. The classes themselves are eight two hour sessions. Classes can be held once a week for eight weeks or twice a week for four weeks. 2 coaches per 8-10 participants. To register or for more information contact Tara Voorhees at voorhees_dec@cc.dio.org or 217-428-0013.