Managing Holiday Stress

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•December 13, 2023• Cheri Burcham Extension Educator University of Illinois Extension I would like to share this article written by Illinois Extension Educator Tessa Hobbs-Curley in the latest Family Files blog. Tessa says: The American Psychological Association has conducted a nationwide survey in its Mind/Body campaign since 2007. The focus is to examine the state of stress nationwide and understand its impact. The study in 2023 indicated that 55% of Americans are stressed during the day. Managing stress can help emotionally, physically, socially, and mentally. Sometimes, the holiday season adds a little extra stress because we might have to pay … Read More

Letter to the Editor 12-13-2023

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Dear Editor, I am writing to shed light on the invaluable work carried out by the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) and to call upon the generosity of our community. For decades, SAMA has been a beacon of hope for those facing adversity in Moultrie County. The scope of their assistance is vast, covering essential needs such as utilities, rent, automotive support, hotel stays, food, fuel, and even Christmas Certificates. It’s heartening to know that, over a 12-month period, SAMA distributes substantial funds to support thousands of individuals within our community. This year, one noteworthy project helped by SAMA was … Read More

So You Think You’re Hard on Yourself?

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•December 13, 2023• I know that all of us have done or said something that continues to embarrass us decades later. I can safely say this, because no one younger than a couple decades old regularly reads this column. Hey, they don’t know what they’re missing. I remember misspelling “cauldron” in a spelling bee. Yes, “cauldron.” This must have been in the 1990s, before I adopted this persona. A “chaldron” — the spelling I offered — in days when coal was the gold standard for clean power, was a measure of it. I was dinged because that spelling had long … Read More

A Look Back…

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2013 Lovington Grade School teacher Debbie Long had her annual Christmas Tea Sunday at her home in Sullivan for her students. That year marked Long’s last teaching year ending her holiday tradition.  Okaw Valley third graders Abby Luckenbill and Lexie Bartimus organized their entire school to collect toys and canned goods for local families. Students brought a toy or canned food item to gain admission to a dance. The school managed to pool around 55 toys and 10 cases of food.  Dr. Quintin Murray took over the chiropractic office formerly Dr. Kellerman’s in Sullivan.  … Read More

City Council Ordinance Amendment Allows Raising Chickens in City Limits

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•December 13, 2023• by Crystal Reed The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, December 11 at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. All commissioners were in attendance with Commissioner Chuck Woodworth attending by phone. The meeting began with two public hearings. One was for a proposed federally funded Community Development Block Grant project for storm sewer system improvements and the other was for the tax levy.  The public hearing on the CDBG grant was in regards to the city applying for a $650,000 community development block grant to help fund storm sewer improvements. The grant is funded by … Read More

Marny’s Miniatures on Display at MC Historical Center

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•December 13, 2023• by Crystal Reed Marny Ennis Elliott of Champaign, formerly of Lovington, has a special exhibit of dollhouse room boxes and their handmade miniature furnishings on display at the Moultrie County Historical Center until March 31, 2024. The exhibit is called “Marny’s Miniatures.” Elliott recalls receiving a metal dollhouse at age six from Santa in 1949. The walls and floors were printed with rugs and pictures and plastic furniture. She donated it to the less fortunate. … Read More

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Launches in Moultrie County

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•December 13, 2023• by Crystal Reed The United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois in partnership with Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library had a kickoff event for the debut of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Moultrie County. Each child who attended the kickoff event of the debut of the program and signed up from the program received “The Little Engine That Could,” to start their collection. Sullivan mayor Mike Mossman was in attendance at the event and read the story “The Gruffalo” to children and their parents. Following the story, children and their parents could do a craft related to the … Read More

Alzheimer’s Support Group

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•December 13, 2023• More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and millions more are affected as caregivers. A licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) led Alzheimer’s support group is now available at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. The group meets the third Thursday of each month in room 561 from 1 to 2 p.m. “Our support group provides a safe and caring place for all to share the challenges they are facing,” said Karla Thornton, LCPC and spiritual care minister at St. Mary’s Hospital. “We hope to impart the compassion and understanding needed to equip each other with the courage … Read More

Election Filings for General Primary

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•December 13, 2023• The 2024 General Primary Election will be held on March 19, 2024. Filing information was obtained from the Moultrie County Clerk’s office. For Circuit Clerk, there was no Democrat filing and Christa S. Helmuth filed as a Republican for the position. For the coroners race Keith A. Epperson filed as a Democrat and Lynn Reed filed as a Republican. For State’s Attorney there was no filing for the Democrats and Tracy Weaver filed as a Republican. For county board, there were no Democrat filings, there were three republican candidates that filed and they were Ralph Zancha, Arlon … Read More

Rhodes Graduates

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•December 13, 2023• Keegan Rhodes, from Mattoon, graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in Spring 2023. Rhodes received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Honors. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above are listed as having graduated with “High Honors.” Undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA between 3.20 and 3.69 are listed as having graduated with “Honors.” … Read More