•October 21, 2020•
On Tuesday, October 13 the AFSCME Retiree Sub-Chapter #87 held a Zoom conference meeting for current members, new members and retired seniors.
President, David Spinner called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Spinner thanked Louis Goseland for hosting the event. Goseland is affiliated with the (IARA) Illinois Alliance For Retired Americans. The statewide IARA currently has 250,000 members. The goal of the IARA is to build a strong organization in Illinois of seniors with a viable structure, ample resources and clear objectives compatible with that of the labor movement and community-based groups at local, state and national levels. He stressed the importance of voting yes for the Fair Tax issue on the November 3 ballot. The Fair Tax will bring in an estimated $3.5 billion per year. He said now is the time more than ever to get tax relief. Read More
Remember When? 10-21-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
Moultrie County’s 740 businesses generated more than $891,000 in sales tax revenue for city and county governments during fiscal year 1995. According to the annual report from Illinois Dept of Revenue, the county’s businesses also paid $3.1 million in the state’s 5 percent sales tax. Sullivan (with 274 businesses) and Arthur with 228 businesses were the county’s most prosperous communities, generating municipal sales tax receipts for the year of $398,138 and $257,114 respectively ($90,069 of that from the portion of Arthur in Moultrie County). Read More
Revenge of the Readers
•October 21, 2020•
by Jim Baumann
Some days, this column writes itself.
That might sound like hyperbole or self-deprecation, but for the purposes of today’s column it’s true.
What follows is a collection of brief letters I’ve received that require no response from me.
What qualifies these letters to run without comment is that these readers already have turned their snark dials up to ELEVEN. The last two are from staffers.
I’ve merely edited out some specifics to protect the guilty.
Enjoy.
Read More
Menu 10-21-2020
Senior Peace Meal
For info: 1-800-543-1770
Oct. 26 - Pork Chop in Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Seasoned Baby Carrots, Dinner Roll, Whole Grain Fruit Bar
Oct. 27 - Baked Ham, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Midori Vegetables, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Blushing Pears
Oct. 28 - Chili with Beans, Mixed Lettuce Salad w/Dressing Pkt., Crackers, Waldorf Salad
Oct. 29 - Sweet and Sour Chicken w/Vegetables, Over Brown Rice, Fruited Gelatin, Dinner Roll, Warm Fruit Crisp
Oct. 30 - Liver and Onions, Potatoes Au Gratin, Mixed Vegetables, Texas Toast, Pineapple Pistachio Dessert
Letter to the Editor 10-14-2020
Dear Editor,
Our beloved country is filled with hate and division. Not against the common enemies of democracy which dwell outside our borders, the autocratic and totalitarian regimes headed by dictators around the world sworn to our destruction, but hate against each other, our fellow citizens. One need look no further than a momentary glance at the social media which dominates our culture today. The voices of disrespect and violence completely cover even the smallest voice for respect and unity among our people. The chasm has grown so wide among us, one must wonder if any bridge of reason or love can span the divide? It is stunning that our country should come to this point of division. Read More
True cleverness is timeless, so this is on newsprint
•October 14, 2020•
True cleverness is timeless.
Take this from William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” written 419 years ago: “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
Does that not ooze contemporary sarcasm? That old saw remains in heavy circulation.
So I was not surprised while researching the origin of a pass-along email full of goodies that it has been shared and reshared in various forms on the internet at least as far back as 2001.
Even though I found a version of it in the Daily Parker blog, posted when the World Trade Center towers were still standing, the content was credited as a submission from “M.B.” Read More
Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. to Host Drive-thru Senior Expo
•October 14, 2020•
The Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. will host a drive-thru senior expo on Friday, Oct 23 at the Moultrie County Senior Center, 113 E. Jefferson Street in Sullivan starting at Noon. The drive-thru will be down the alley between Washington and Madison Street (between the Senior Center and Thrifty Boutique building). Read More
Is It Time For A Digital Detox?
•October 14, 2020•
Submitted by Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Family Life Intern Sabrina Roley from the Champaign Extension office wrote this great article that I wanted to share with you. She asks: have you ever thought about how the online world affects us and why we should take a digital detox? Social media has become the number one activity on the internet. People are becoming more addicted to social media causing mental and physical issues. Taking a break from social media can help improve anybody’s life.
A digital detox is a period when an individual becomes disconnected from social or online media. This can include reducing the amount of time spent on social media or disconnecting completely.
• The younger generations are more likely to become addicted to social media because they have more knowledge and are more familiar with smartphones. Read More
Part 2 of Sullivan’s Founding History…
•October 14, 2020•
Governor Duncan and Nelson
by Janet Roney
In March, the city of Sullivan passed a significant milestone, its 175th anniversary. Local and national events crowded out any notice of it, which this series of articles may rectify.
It took two years and two votes of its citizens after Moultrie County was created in 1843 before the location of the county seat was chosen by a majority of voters. Factions had developed supporting either East Nelson, the oldest and largest village in the county, or Asa’s Point, an uninhabited, beautiful spot at the junction of two trails south of Eagle Pond. The histories of the county say Nelson lost to Asa’s Point, now Sullivan, because it was not in the center of the county, but Nelson had other issues. Read More
Retired Teachers Association Meets
•October 14, 2020•
The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association met at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at the Christian Church in Lovington, Illinois.
President Sue Yarnell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jane McKown, Membership chair, introduced new members, Connie Dotson, Karen Moon, and Vicki Newberry. Our guests were then introduced by Judy Uphoff. These guests included Tracy Garmon who teaches at Monticello High School, Sage Hale, principal of Arthur grade school, and Jenny Moore, a teacher in the Mt. Zion school district. These ladies discussed their experiences with teaching both remotely and in the classroom since Covid-19.
President Yarnell opened the business meeting. The August 2020, minutes were approved. The treasurer’s report was given by Jim Luedke and filed for audit. Read More