Dear Editor,
Now that the weather has warmed up, it is a good time to remember that May is Lyme Awareness Month. Lyme is spread by the bite of a tick, which can be as small as the period at the end of this sentence. Recent estimates suggest there will be over 475,000 new cases in the US this year. Read More
•May 17, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Those of you who know me well are aware that I am not a coffee drinker.
The only time I tried it was in 1987, while interviewing then-Roselle Village Manager Glenn Spachman in his office. He offered me some in a 6-ounce Styrofoam cup, and it was so repulsive that I vowed to never try it again. I don’t recall having done a spit take in front of him, but I imagine he enjoyed whatever face I must have made after choking it down.
However, I do have a serious Coke Zero habit.
Occasionally, the paltry 34 milligrams of caffeine a Zero offers isn’t enough. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
A Sullivan native was part of the heroic train crew which managed to rescue a toddler who was in the path of a moving train. Engineer Rod Lindley, a 50 year old Sullivan native who lives in Decatur, was part of the rescue. Conductor Bob Mohr discovered there was a baby on tracks when the child raised her head. Lindley switched on the train’s emergency stop, both men realized the train wouldn’t be able to stop in time. Mohr swung out the cab door and dashed along a ledge to the front of the engine. Hanging on to the front grill of the train he stretched out his foot and managed to kick the child out of the train’s path. Read More
•May 17, 2023•
In 2023, mental health in the workplace continues to be a major focus. Over the past few years, more employers have realized they need to protect employee’s mental health and wellbeing and make these efforts a part of companies’ attraction and retention programs.
The Business Navigator Alliance of Southcentral and Southeastern Illinois is hosting a webinar to better understand the impact of employee wellness on the workplace on Thursday, May 18 at 2 p.m. Read More
•May 17, 2023•
HSHS Hospice Illinois invites community members to join them for a butterfly release ceremony at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital on Wednesday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cancer Center Healing Garden.
Valerie Engelbart, bereavement services supervisor for HSHS Hospice Illinois, shared, “The butterfly represents the transformation of the spirit as our loved ones transition from this life. We look forward to sharing in this special time with the families in our communities.” Read More
Photo by Jeni Yantis
The 2023 Okaw Valley Prom Court
Front: Crown Bearer Sadie Lane, 2023 Queen and King Reagan Reedy and Jace Rickey and Crown Bearer Greyson Burns. Back: Candidates Trey Hall, Karson Park, Evan Waldrop, Grace Moeller, Brett Lybarger and Lexi Bartimus and 2022 King Lathen McLain.
•May 10, 2023•
Holocaust survivor William Gingold will give a presentation at the Moultrie County History Center in Sullivan Thursday, May 18, at 7 p.m. as a part of the Center’s month-long hosting of the “The Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners” art exhibit. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the event is free.
“This year we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. We are honored to present William Gingold, a child survivor of the ghetto, as he shares his family’s experiences both during and after the war,” noted Dr. Brian Kahn, co-director of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation’s Holocaust Education Center, which has loaned the art exhibit to the History Center. Read More
•May 10, 2023•
Sarina Voegel, a sophomore at Sullivan High School and daughter of Nick and Ginger Voegel, was elected to serve as 1 of 5 Illinois FCCLA State Officers for the 2023-2024 school year. Her term began at the conclusion of the 2023 Illinois FCCLA State Conference held April 13-15 in Springfield, Illinois. With this elected office, she will participate in various Illinois FCCLA activities as well as represent Illinois FCCLA at many other events. Read More
•May 10, 2023•
Diabetes is on the rise but can be a very manageable illness. If you or someone you care for has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, why not learn how to more effectively “take charge” and live an active and fulfilling life? Take Charge of Your Diabetes is designed to teach those with diabetes tools and techniques to help them become better health managers! Classes will be offered Wednesday afternoons starting June 7 – July 19 (skip June 14) from 2:00 – 4:30 PM. Classes will be held at the Shelby County Senior Center at 325 East North Ninth, Shelbyville, IL. Prospective participants will need to register by Monday, June 2 by calling Community Care Systems at 217-774-7885 or the University of Illinois Extension office at 217-774-9546. Read More
•May 10, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
My colleague Extension Educator Tessa Hobbs-Curley wrote this great article about being prepared for severe weather. Tessa says: Spring is the time of year that we pay more attention to the weather. Whether we are watching the television, listening to the radio, checking our weather App, or getting alerts from the radio, severe weather can impact our lives. Planning as a family is an excellent way of not getting caught off guard. The National Weather Service gives a few tips on preparing. Read More