Five ways to make Valentine’s Day awesome

Photo: Sarah Pflug/Burst

StatePoint -- Valentine’s Day is no longer just for the happy couples. Whether you’re married, dating or content being single, there are ways for everyone to celebrate love of all kinds, including romance in 2022, regardless of relationship status.

1. Custom Cards. SmashUps from American Greetings can help prioritize love and romance any day of the year. There are SmashUps specifically for Valentine’s Day, with romantic messages from celebrities like Michael Bolton and Smokey Robinson. However, these ecards aren’t just for couples on Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of options for love and friendship, like hilarious videos of talking dogs, cats and koalas. The customizable ecards let you send personalized messages to your boo, your bestie and your brother for a variety of holidays and occasions.

2. FaceTime. Couples who are separated by distance might have to settle for a candlelit FaceTime instead of the in-person dinner they had in mind. Luckily, romance in 2022 means technology can keep us connected, even when we’re apart. If you’re celebrating from a distance this Valentine’s Day, consider shipping gifts to your significant other or gal pals and opening them together while you’re on a video call, or make the same recipe and eat it together on FaceTime.

3. Swipe Left. Many modern-day love stories start with a simple swipe to the left on a dating app. If you’re hoping to meet new people but aren’t sure where to begin, consider having some fun with online dating apps like Bumble, Hinge and Tinder. They’re not just for those looking for love. Many have friendship features, like Bumble BFF, which works the same way, but connects you with others looking for friendships too. This can be particularly useful for those who are moving to new cities, seeking roommates, or looking to network with others who are around the same age or share similar interests.

4. Did Someone Say Galentine’s Day? Originally created by fictional character Leslie Knope in the television series “Parks and Recreation,” Galentine’s Day is all about female friendships and the laughter, joy and support they bring to our lives.

Galentine’s Day can be spent as simply or elaborately as you please. Some gals might get together to exchange gifts of candles and fuzzy socks for the occasion, while others might have a glass of wine and gossip over a charcuterie board. For some, the holiday may just be a reason to call your friends and check in on them. Single or taken, Galentine’s Day is a reminder to glorify your girl gang.

5. Self-Care. Being alone on Valentine’s Day can feel a little lonely, but the day doesn’t have to be painful. If you’re spending it on your own, plan a day at the spa, take a group workout class or cook yourself your favorite meal. Self-care is the perfect way to honor the strong and independent person you are.

Romance in 2022 can be dinners for two with flowers and chocolate, but it can also be celebrating the mystery and magic of an ordinary day with a custom ecard, dinner with gal pals, or spending time doing things you enjoy on our own.

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Tell us about your most memorable
Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and The Sentinel would like share your story of your most romantic Valentine's Day ever. Send us your story in 1,500 words or less for consideration in our daily upcoming V-Day vignettes starting February 7. We don't want Cupid's little tushy to blush so keep the stories PG and family friendly.

Send your submission to editor@oursentinel.com by February 4, 2022, for consideration.

Photo-of-the-Day: January 7, 2022

Looking for a win

Unity's Addison Ray looks for a path to the paint in her team's home game against Clinton in November. The Rockets dropped the home game 38-20 to the Maroons. Up next, Unity hosts the Tuscola Warriors tomorrow afternoon at 12:30p, hits the road to Champaign to take on St. Thomas More on Monday, and will back at home on Thursday against Rantoul. See more photos from this game.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Area COVID-19 Dashboard for January 7, 2022

Two additional Covid-19 deaths were reported on the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District website today. The total number of deaths this month blamed on the Coronavirus moves up to seven. Thus far, the county has lost five male and two female residents, all over the age of 50, to the respiratory disease.

Departing from the previous 10-day isolation protocol, the CDC recommends if you test positive for Covid-19 to stay home for five days in isolation. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms have decrease after five days, you can leave isolation but continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days to prevent spreading the virus to others in the community. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever goes away.

"The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses," said Dr. Rochelle Walenskym, Director of the CDC, in a statement released earlier this week. "These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather."

Active Champaign County Cases:

6,669

Net change in the county: +503

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Current local cases 1/7/22

Number in parenthesis indicates new cases since 1/6/22

Ogden • 42 (3)
Royal • 4 (0)
St. Joseph • 210 (23)
Urbana • 2329 (225)
Sidney • 57 (10)
Philo • 67 (6)
Tolono • 170 (10)
Sadorus • 17 (2)
Pesotum • 23 (1)

Total Active Local Cases:

2,919

Net change in local cases: 194

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Total Local Confirmed Cases: 16,637

New cases: +280

The information on this page is compiled from the latest figures provide by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District at the time of publishing. Active cases are the number of confirmed cases reported currently in isolation. Local is defined as cases within the nine communities The Sentinel covers.

Henry and Moore perfect from the line at home game

TOLONO - The Unity girls basketball team return to action in 2022 posting a home win over Paxton-Buckley-Loda, 37-25.

Taylor Henry takes shot in the Rockets' home game against Clinton in November. The senior just missed a double-double on Thursday night scoring 10 points and hauling in eight rebounds against visiting PBL.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

With the score at the intermission 12-11 in favor of the Rockets, both teams struggled to score in the first half. While the Panthers took the floor and continued to struggle, the Unity girls found their stride and outscored their opponent 25- 11.

Katey Moore walked away from the Illini Prairie Conference game with four blocks and nine rebounds for the Rockets. Draining all four of her free-throw attempts against the Panthers, the sophomore finished the night with 10 points.

She shared game-high scoring honors with senior Taylor Henry, who was 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Henry was also credited with 2 steals along with eight boards in her 10-point finish.

Despite finishing with just four points, junior Lauren Miller tallied five steals and five rebounds for the Rockets.

Emily Robidoux and Lorena Arnett finished with five points apiece for Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

Box Score

Final: Unity 37 - Paxton-Buckley-Loda 25

	1	2	3	4	F
Unity	3	9	10	15	0
PBL	3	8	9	5	0

Unity --
Miller 2-2-4, Steinman 2-0-2, Stringer 4-0-8, Reed 3-0-3, Henry 4-6-10, Moore 6-4-10

Paxton-Buckley-Loda --
M. Johnson 2-0-2, T. Johnson 0-3-3, Arnett 3-2-5, Bruns 2-0-2, Frichtl 2-2-4, Rubidoux 5-0-5, Ecker 4-0-4

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Wells has big night in SJO road victory

PONTIAC - Taylor Wells scored 12 of St. Joseph-Ogden's 39 first-half points in the Spartans' 57-23 conference basketball victory at Pontiac. The Mount Mercy University signee started the new year out with a game-high 14 points.

After a quiet first quarter, Truman State University recruit Ella Armstrong sprang into action contributing 12 points during the next three quarters of play for SJO.

Payton Jacob rounded out the Spartans' top three scorers with nine points.

Pontiac's scoring effort was led by Bailey Masching's 14 points.

Box Score

Final: St. Joseph-Ogden 47 - Pontiac 23

	1	2	3	4	F
SJO	19	20	9	9	57
Pontiac	9	8	4	2	23

St. Joseph-Ogden --
Lannert 8-0-8, Frick 0-2-2, Jacob 9-0-9, Wells 12-2-14, Jones 6-0-6, Hamilton 6-0-6, Armstrong 11-1-12

Pontiac --
Daily 2-1-3, Fisher 2-0-2, Masching 4-10-14, Pickett 4-0-4

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