Illinois art contest invites students to let their imaginations run wild

Wonder, curiosity, and questions are a part of growing up … and they’re the heart of the annual student art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Illinois students have until Jan. 5 to submit entries on the theme of “I wonder …” The contest asks children from kindergarten through high school to interpret the theme however they want in two-dimensional art, such as a drawing, painting or collage.

Focus on Faith

Focus on Faith – Because he lives

The title of this article is also the title of one of my all-time favorite hymns. “Because He Lives” was written by Bill Gaither in 1971. According to Bill Gaither, the song was written after a period of time when he had had a kind of dry spell and hadn’t written any songs for a while. 

Trivia Too

Trivia Too – The Classic Cowboy of the west

It was several summers ago when Christine and I were visiting her Aunt Dorothy in Arizona. We were invited to the home of her millionaire friend, Beverly, for dinner. I remember the huge living room was two steps higher than the rest of the house, but the thing that impressed me the most was that Beverly was a collector of John Wayne memorabilia. In addition to a large portrait mounted on the wall was one of his rifles, a vest, and other valuable items. Not only was Beverly a huge fan, but John Wayne was extremely popular and a favorite of many other people in the 1960s and 1970s.

Bits and pieces

Bits & Pieces – Nothing worse than a scared dog

It’s always easy to tell the seasons are changing. Although many like the fall season, they don’t like the next season....winter.

Summer’s okay and I love spring. But as a youngster who had fire red hair, summer was not my friend. Sunburn after sunburn after sunburn. And it was always a blistered (usually second degree burns), painful experience.

Calendar Fall

Community  Calendar

The Planning Commission will meet at 1:00 p.m.,Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Beardstown City Hall. - Virginia area veterans, spouses and surviving spouses are invited to a Veteran’s breakfast at 8:30 a.m.,

Looking Back – America’s special holiday

Though it is still officially autumn, the arrival of November for me has always meant the start of winter. Thus, November has little to offer with this exception – Thanksgiving. 

Popular Pilgrim mythology notwithstanding, our first true thanksgiving most likely took place in the year 1676 at Charlestown, Mass. The community’s governing council unanimously voted to declare June 29th as a day of thanksgiving to God.

Molly Sorrell, Director of Marketing, Development & Community Relations at Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital accepts two Pinnacle Awards.

Culbertson Memorial Hospital receives Pinnacle Awards

The Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) honored marketing, public relations, and communications professionals from across the state at its 2023 Fall Conference and Pinnacle Awards held at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena October 26 – 27, 2023.

Marketing Dirctor Casey French, left, and President & CEO Sam Gill, right, receive a 2023 Smart Rural Community Showcase Award.

CASSCOMM receives Showcase Award 

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield today announced the winners of the 2023 Smart Rural Community Showcase Awards. 

The Showcase Awards are presented to rural broadband providers who not only provide high-quality, reliable connectivity, but who also have led the way on collaborative and innovative projects to advance the communities they serve.

Diana Huerta tries to pull away from a pack of runners during Regional Cross Country action.

BHS Girls XC sectional bound

The Beardstown High School Cross Country Teams had a busy week as they finished off their regular season with two meets and ran in regional competition.  

    On October 16, they traveled to Emiquon to run in the Havana meet.  Diana Huerta and Rosalba Quintana each ran a new personal best and brought home a medal with Diana placing 4th and Rosalba placing 10th.  Ashley Gil also ran a season best to finish 13th, Emma Ford-Dewitt finished 15th and Emely Martinez ran a new personal best for the season.