Girl Scout Troop 3641 gives back
Remembering Who We Are… 6
Seeing the Beauty
•April 24, 2024•
by Janet Roney
What do you think is the most beautiful spot in Moultrie County?
I have several favorites. There’s nothing quite like the sight, smell, and sound of a field of freshly tasseled corn on a summer evening in July, especially on the high ground north of Bethany near St. Isadore’s Church. It’s the highest spot in the county and you can see lights from five towns in the county plus Decatur from there. The fresh, clean smell of corn pollen fills the air, and, I swear, you can hear the popping sound of corn growing! For farmers, that sight, smell and sound brings great joy. Read More
Protecting yourself from QR code fraud
•April 24, 2024•
By Ileana Saveley
Social Security District
Manager in Decatur, IL
Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes, are a very popular way to get information. QR codes are scannable barcodes that will direct you to a website. However, scammers can create QR codes to trick people into visiting a fraudulent website or downloading malware that compromises their personal information.
For example, scammers may:
• Cover official QR codes with fake ones on parking meters, menus, or magazines.
• Send QR codes via email or text message pretending to be from delivery companies. Read More
Grammar Moses: To whom it may concern
•April 24, 2024•
I remember as if it were yesterday the last email I received from Ted “Dictionary Man” Utchen in the spring of 2021 shortly before he died. It was all about how people’s brains misfire when they think about whether to use “who” or “whom.”
“Dear Mr. Grammarian: Today I write to you about the problem with ‘who’ and ‘whom.’ (It) is simply that people pay insufficient attention to how they are writing when they write. Or perhaps they flunked fifth-grade English, who knows?” he wrote. “Now, in today’s Daily Herald you can read, ‘The major lenders have undergone an evaluation of … WHO they’ll approve.’ Now the error is that the verb ‘approve’ is taking an object, and it should have read ‘WHOM they’ll approve.’
Reader George Dorner reminded me of this constant struggle more recently. Read More
May programs at Lovington Library
•April 24, 2024•
May 3rd from 10-11 a.m. is Adult B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Craft) time. Stop by the library and grab the supplies list and we will teach you how to make a cutting board picture holder.
May 6th & 20th is Needle Night from 5-7 p.m. If you would like to learn to crochet, knit, needlepoint, or even how to sew we have people that can help teach you. If you already know how and just want to hang out, come join us.
May 7th from 10-10:30 is story time. We will read a story and have a craft for the kids to make.
May 10th from 3:30-4:30 is Kids Craft time. We will be making Mother’s Day Cards. Read More
Understanding the food recall process
•April 24, 2024•
How the food recall process protects U.S. consumers’ safety and well-being.
By Angela Hogan
Maintaining high quality and safety standards for food products distributed throughout the United States is crucial to safeguarding public health.
However, despite rigorous quality control measures, occasionally, a product may pose a risk to consumers. Risks associated with food products may be due to product contamination, mislabeling, or other issues. In such cases, a product recall is necessary to protect consumers. Read More
Master Gardeners announce Annual Plant Sale
•April 24, 2024•
Master Gardeners recently announced the return of their annual spring plant sale at Garden Fest. Visit us at Lytle Park in Mattoon on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9 am-12 pm. Our knowledgeable Master Gardeners will be available throughout the morning to answer your yard and garden questions and give you suggestions for planting, pruning, and landscaping. This year, we’re showcasing a wide variety of vegetable garden plants, including tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Additionally, we will have a limited supply of pollinator-friendly plants and houseplants, gardening gloves, garden décor, books, and gently used gardening items available for purchase. Read More
A Look Back…4-24-2024
2014
The Sullivan City Council effectively postponed plans to repave the square and nearby side streets amid concerns over the project’s bid specs.
The Findlay American Legion Auxiliary, with the help of the Okaw Valley Middle School, hosted an American Red Cross Blood drive a week ago Monday. Students at the Okaw Valley Middle School were encouraged to recruit others to donate blood. Three OVMS students who recruited a donor will receive a Red Cross back pack. They were Kyra Jackson, Devin Park, and Cam Roley. Although the goal was not met, 16 people reported and 12 productive pints were collected. Steve Wildman met a milestone of six gallons. Read More
Opponents say eliminating the tip credit will lead to decreased hours and layoffs for staff
•April 24, 2024•
By Cole Longcor
Capitol News Illinois
An Illinois House committee advanced a measure that would end the state’s subminimum wage for tipped workers amid bipartisan opposition this week, but the bill’s sponsor said she’d seek further compromise before presenting it for a vote.
Current Illinois law allows employers to pay their tipped workers 60 percent of the state’s minimum wage. That amounts to $8.40 hourly, compared to the minimum wage of $14 per hour. If their wages plus tips do not equal minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference. However, advocates say, employers don’t always do that.
House Bill 5345, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, would mandate that tipped workers are paid at least minimum wage, not including tips. She said the bill will eliminate “subminimum wage, not tips.” Read More
Introducing colorful vegetables to children’s meals
•April 24, 2024•
By Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator,
University of Illinois Extension
Here is a great article I would like to share written by Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Saima Hasnin. Saima says: Ever wonder why colorful vegetables are so important? Not only are they bursting with flavor, but they are also the most beneficial ones for keeping our bodies healthy and strong. They are rich in carotenoids and antioxidants, important for preventing different types of cancer. But let’s face it, getting young children to eat vegetables can be challenging. We are here to guide early childcare educators and parents of young children with some tried-and-true tips that are as fun as they are effective. Read More