•April 13, 2022•
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced the recipients of the 2022 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $2.5 million was awarded to 104 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.
Bethany Fire Protection District is a recipient of a $19,000 grant. “All communities deserve safety, and this program helps ensure our smaller and rural fire districts aren’t left behind when it comes to the tools they need to do their jobs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m proud to be able to provide more than 100 districts with new lifesaving equipment. It’s another way we can demonstrate our gratitude for all that they do to help their neighbors live safely.” Read More
On Punctuation and Perspective
•April 13, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Many of you are kind enough to share with me multiple forwarded collections of embarrassing headlines from other newspapers, unfortunate misspellings or captions, punctuation puns and dirty limericks.
Even I’ve shared a few. And I’ve gone so far as to debunk some headlines that were doctored to look bad when they were perfectly fine.
Today, I rooted around for my own truffles. I found something on Facebook that for the briefest of moments made me believe the social media leviathan might be redeemable: a group called “The English Teacher’s Daughter.”
Check it out. It’s a bit like a grown-up version of this column.
There I found a well-worn bit that proves the power of punctuation as well as our inherent biases. Read More
Remember When? 4-13-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
D. Joann Grove took her place at the center of the Bethany Village Board table replacing Bethany Village President Don Gibbons, who did not seek re-election. Punch Martin joined Grove at the table as a new village trustee. Incumbents Terry Muzzy, Norm Yoder and Village Clerk Shirley Underwood were also re-elected.
The Sullivan City Council adopted a new policy on overdue utility bills. The bill policy said that “all customers must pay their current month’s utility charges within the 20 days allowed. Any delinquent balance which has accumulated must also be paid.” Then it said they would also allow the customer until September to pay that delinquent balance in four equal installments. Read More
Fourth Annual Putting Around the Country
Photo furnished
Fourth Annual Putting Around the
Country
The fourth annual Putting around the Country was held on Saturday, March 26. Money raised was donated to The Moultrie County Beacon. Pictured is Phil Ozier encouraging support for a fellow putter at the East End in Lovington.
Flying flags for heroes
Photo furnished
Flying flags for heroes
On Sunday, February 27, a ceremony was held at the monument at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. It was the laying of a wreath to honor our fallen heroes. Participating were the American Legion Honor Guard, the Sons of the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary. The name of the program is Flying Flags for Heroes. The purpose of the program is to lay a million flags at veteran’s graves this year. Please keep a veteran family member or friend in your thoughts and prayers.
Menu 4-6-2022
Senior Peace Meal
For more information, call 1-800-543-1770
April 11 - Vegetable Beef Soup, Pickled Beets, Peaches, Crackers, Pudding
April 12 - Sweet & Sour Chicken , Oriental Vegetables, Cornbread, Pineapple, Whole Grain Rice
April 13 - Mostaccioli w/Meat Sauce, Italian Green Beans w/Onion, Corn, Romaine Salad w/Dressing Pkt.
April 14 - Ham Loaf, Frosted Sweet Potatoes, Seasoned Peas, Fruit Cocktail, Whole Grain Roll
April 15 - Closed for Good Friday
April 18 - Sausage Gravy, Hash Rounds, Warm Fruit Compote, Orange Juice, Biscuit
April 19 - Chicken Patty, Baked Beans, Corn, Apricots, Bun
April 20 - Taco Salad w/Lettuce/Spinach, Beans, Tomatoes, and Salsa, Pears, Taco Chips, Pudding
April 21 - Roast Pork Loin w/Gravy, Breaded Tomatoes, Creamed Peas & Potatoes, Pineapple, Whole Grain Rice
April 22 - Pepper Steak, Romaine Salad w/dressing, Stir Fry Veggie Blend, Warm Chunky Applesauce, Whole Grain Roll
Sullivan Chamber Hosts Member Luncheon
Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Chamber Hosts Member Luncheon
The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development hosted a member luncheon at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 on Tuesday, March 29. This was the first luncheon they have had since 2020 due to the pandemic. Pictured is guest speaker Cassie Yoder, owner of Cass Concepts who spoke on social media.
SMS National English Honor Society Induction
•April 6, 2022•
Sullivan Middle School’s National English Honor Society had their induction on Tuesday, March 29, in the SHS Commons. 27 middle school students were inducted to participate in this pilot program.
Tara Bates, the SMS NEHS Chapter Adviser explained that Sullivan is one of only 3 schools in the U.S. to have the honor of piloting this program (the other 2 being in New York and New Jersey). Sullivan was provided this opportunity in part because of the success and dedication of the SHS Chapter. Read More
Spring into Gardening Raises $3,200 for Master Gardener programs
•April 6, 2022•
By Jenny Lee
Master Gardener/Master Naturalist Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension
The recent 12th annual Spring into Gardening event raised $3,200 for workshops and other community learning opportunities offered by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners.
Nearly 70 participants attended the event that the Master Gardeners of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby counties held on March 5 at Broadway Christian Church, 1205 S. Ninth St., in Mattoon. Read More
Understand the Science Behind Being Healthy
•April 6, 2022•
Understanding the science of chronic disease can guide individuals to a healthier life. University of Illinois Extension, in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, will present a series of free, online health workshops.
The series will be held each Wednesday ending May 4. The workshops begin at noon and lasts 60 minutes. Register at go.illinois.edu/HealthScience. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, contact Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu.
The workshops include: Read More