•May 24, 2023•
The Shelby County Farm Bureau Foundation is putting the final touches on plans for the 2023 Tractor Drive. The Tractor Drive will be held on Saturday, June 10, rain or shine. This year the event will be leaving from the Shelby County Farm Bureau office in Shelbyville, IL. Participants will have the opportunity to share the exciting event with other antique tractor enthusiasts as they travel through a portion of Shelby County. Pre-registration is encouraged by completing a registration form. Registration forms can be obtained in the Shelby County Farm Bureau office or online at www.shelbycofb.com. Registration is free. Do-nations are appreciated and all proceeds will benefit the Shelby County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship program.
Refreshments, lunch, and a fun-filled experience will be provided. If you would like more information, you may contact the Shelby County Farm Bureau at (217) 774-2151. All proceeds will benefit the Shelby County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship Program.
Illinois Wheat Yield Contest Registration Open
•May 24, 2023•
Registration for the Illinois Wheat Association’s (IWA) 2023 Wheat Yield Contest is now open to Illinois farmers competing for the top weight/yield of wheat harvested.
This year, entrants will compete statewide for the top three yields, which must be from a 2022 commercial seed purchase. Those interested in participating in the annual contest must be members of the Illinois Wheat Association and submit their entry by June 4.
“The Wheat Yield Contest is not just a competition but a great opportunity for farmers to learn from one another and see what worked or didn’t work,” said Megan Dieken, IWA interim executive director.
A farm or operation may enter more than one entry, but each entry must have a different individual name. Participants are asked to fill out separate forms for each entry. Contest field must be at least 10 continuous acres of one variety number.
IWA defines continuous as fields that are not separated by public roads, permanent field roads, or waterways that are delineated out of FSA maps or other structures of features that cause a field to be “farmed” separately. Read More
Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, Decatur Memorial Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Celebrate Cancer Survivors
•May 24, 2023•
Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, Decatur Memorial Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital will once again join together to celebrate local cancer survivors. National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration that honors cancer survivors, whether recently diagnosed or in remission for years.
We encourage cancer survivors and caregivers to join us at Fairview Park Pavilion #1 on Sunday, June 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. for a meal provided by Notorious P.I.G. and music from Pizzazz. Read More
Make your Memorial Day Barbecue a Success
•May 24, 2023•
Summer unofficially starts with the arrival of Memorial Day at the end of May. Although it is a holiday designed to honor American military personnel who have died in various wars, it also serves double-duty as a chance to gather with friends and loved ones and enjoy the return of the warm-weather entertaining season.
Barbecues are the centerpieces of Memorial Day celebrations. It may have been awhile since the grill was fired up, so anyone can use a little refresher course in barbecue etiquette. Here are some tips for making the most of Memorial Day parties.
Ready the grill: If your grill has lain dormant for several months, it’s wise to inspect and thoroughly clean it in advance of Memorial Day. Insects like spiders may have built homes inside, and grease and grime may be lingering from last year. Ensure the grill is in top form before cooking for guests. Read More
Letter to the Editor 5-24-2023
•May 24, 2023•
Has Sullivan youth sports dropped the ball for our kids?
Dear Editor,
Summer is a time for the great American game of baseball and for years our Sullivan ball diamonds have been open to all of our youth, giving them the opportunity to play recreational (rec) baseball or softball. For the last 8 years, I have had the privilege of coaching many of these kids. I care passionately about sports, particularly youth sports and the opportunities it provides for our children to develop both physical and social skills.
Last year we had 26 girls sign up for middle school softball rec league which gave us two teams, one of which I coached. This year I received an email stating there would be no girls middle school recreational softball team for Sullivan. Knowing we had so many playing last year, I was shocked to hear this. And as someone who also signed up to coach again this year, I wrote to the Sullivan Youth Sports Board asking why. Here is, in part, the answer I received: Read More
When is a Question Not a Question?
•May 24, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Tod Kruse has a question about questions.
“Today, I decided to ask you about the use of ‘right’ or ‘OK’ at the end of a sentence when the speaker or writer is not asking a question, nor expecting a response. This seems to proliferate in interviews, speeches and general conversations. Help.”
Thanks for your email, Tod. Was there a question? You mentioned you were going to ask me one, but never quite did. What tipped me off was the lack of a question mark.
Assuming you meant to pose one, I’ll do my best to answer.
As the editor of the paper, I might say to a reporter or one of our editors, “Why don’t you write a story about the proliferation of weasels living under people’s decks.” Read More
Remember When? 5-24-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
Susan Foster, an educator in the Lovington Elementary School, was named Rural Teacher of the Year in Telecommunications for her accomplishments as a technology coordinator. The announcement was made by the Fund for Rural Education and Development, a national educational foundation located in Washington.
The Bethany school board voted to eliminate three of the four name which the district had acquired over the year and to refer to all teams, from now on, as the Mustangs. Read More
Decatur Audubon Society Meeting
•May 17, 2023•
The Decatur Audubon Society invites members and other interested persons to its May meeting on Saturday, May 20, at 8:00 am. The general meeting will be preceded by a BYOB (Bring Your Own Breakfast) at the pavilion at the Illinois Raptor Center (IRC) on 4695 West Hill Road (Directions from Decatur: Go west on US Hwy 36 past the Decatur Conference Center to the stop sign; go south 1 mile to Cantrell Street; go west 1 mile to Joyn’t Road; go south for 1 mile to Hill Road; continue south 1/4 mile to the IRC pavilion.) Following breakfast, newly elected officers will be installed. After brief announcements, including June, July & August confirmed meetings, Jacques Nuzzo, IRC Program Manager and Travis Wilcoxsen, Millikin Biology Professor & IRC board member, will lead a short tour to the new bird-banding facility funded by the Decatur Audubon Society (DAS) in 2022.
Third Annual Thomas Houser Memorial Golf Outing
Photo furnished
The Houser family recently presented two $1,000 scholarships to Alaina Moore & Jalexis Barrett at Sullivan High School. Money for the scholarships in raised through the Thomas Houser Memorial Golf Outing. The third annual outing will be held on June 3 at Sullivan Country Club. Pictured are Ked Houser, Keeley Houser, Alaina Moore, Jalexis Barrett, Elizabeth Houser, Kyler Houser.
•May 17, 2023•
The Third Annual Thomas House Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, June 3 at Sullivan Country Club. Registration is at 10 am with a shotgun start at 11 am. The outing is a 4 person scramble.
The cost is $100 per person and there are four people on each team. The cost includes being able to golf, lunch and supper. If you cannot attend but would still like to support the event it is $100 for sponsorships and that will get you a sign with your business name on it. Read More
Ariana Cherry One of the New Artists at the Tuscola Vault Art Gallery
•May 17, 2023•
Photo furnished
Ariana Cherry is one of the new artists whose work is available at The Vault Art Gallery in Tuscola.
Recently, some of Ariana Cherry’s works of art have been displayed at two local art festivals - the First Annual Arthur-Area Spring Art Festival, the Mattoon Artworks Festival or even online via social media or eBay where she regularly sells many of her prints. In early May, her art began to appear at another place - The Vault Art Gallery in Tuscola. Read More