Dining with Dee to host delicious lunch menu at Pour Brothers
CHAMPAIGN - Chef Dee is offering a special catered lunch menu on January 22 at the spacious Pour Brothers Craft Taproom in Champaign. The meal will be served starting at noon and reservations for the event are required.
A graduate of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, DeAngelo Newsom, known as Chef Dee, will serve two-day brined chicken served with a charmula sauce along with herbed rice pilaf, and winter vegetable kale salad. Diners will also enjoy a homemade herb and olive focaccia.
"We are holding the event on January 22 as part of our monthly events," explained Stephanie Astorina-Newsom, DeAngelo's wife and partner. "We are wanting to spread the awareness of Chef Dee's cooking and our business, as well as showcase other small businesses in town by having a door prize raffle that consists of items donated by small, locally owned businesses."
The couple hosted a "Dining with Dee" in December and catered multiple private dinners, weddings, and birthday celebrations. The also served meals for Christmas events both in the client's home or at an event center. Astorina-Newsom says what sets their business apart from other caterers is that they are a husband and wife team.
"We do everything from start to finish together," she said. "We communicate with the clients the throughout the entire process, do whatever we can to provide the desired vision of the host, and often become friends with those who have hired us and continue to hire us."
She emphasized the meals they create are from "fresh ingredients, never frozen, and almost everything is made from scratch."
For example, the salad to be served next Sunday includes roasted beets, sweet-pickled radishes, olives, and crispy onions served with a housemade red-onion vinaigrette.
"Chef and I both have a passion for cooking and catering to those around us. Chef often says, 'the best part of catering for people is to see them eat his food'."
Chef Dee and Stef take personal satisfaction in making their clientele's culinary experience extraordinary, introducing flavors and textures never sampled before to their guests. Chef Dee has assisted preparing meals with the legendary Guy Fieri, American celebrity chef Emeril John Lagassé III, and has cooked for recording star Drake.
"Most of the food we prepare is often food that our clients have never tried before. It's an amazing accomplishment and feeling to widen someone's taste palate," she added.
Reservations cost per person is $25. Drinks are not included. For more information or to make a reservation email Chefdeemealprep@gmail.com, visit Dining with Dee's Facebook page, or call (217) 493-0198. Reservations are required by January 20.
Recipe | A healthy choice: Orange Shrimp Quinoa Bowls
Family Features - From salads and snacks to breakfast, lunch and dinner, rounding out a full menu of healthy meals shouldn't be a chore. In fact, you can still enjoy your favorite flavors and tickle your taste buds with nutritious recipes that capitalize on powerful ingredients you actually want to eat.
A fruit-forward breakfast is a nutritious way to start your morning, and a fresh twist on pasta salad can make lunches or your evening side an enjoyable way to stay on track. Bowls filled with grains, veggies and a favorite protein are all the rage, and this seafood-fueled version is no exception when you're craving a combination of your personal favorites.
What you'll need:
1 cup quinoa
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon white miso
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
1/4 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cucumber, sliced into half moons
5 green onions, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
How to put it altogether:
Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Set aside.
In medium bowl, whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil, lime juice and miso until combined. Pour 1/4 of liquid into separate bowl. Set aside.
Add shrimp to remaining mixture and marinate 15 minutes.
Heat large skillet over medium heat with butter. Add shrimp, salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes on each side until pink. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
In two serving bowls, divide quinoa, bell pepper, cucumber, onions, avocado and shrimp. Sprinkle sesame seeds and cilantro over both bowls.
Drizzle with reserved dressing.
* * * * *
Photo provided
No matter if you're searching for a healthy family dinner, a quick lunch at home or an easy idea to meal prep for the week ahead, these Orange Shrimp Quinoa Bowls are perfect for seafood lovers who also enjoy a hint of spice. Fresh, healthy and full of deliciously prepared shrimp, these bowls are also loaded with mushrooms, peppers and cucumbers.
The homemade sauce is light with a sweet yet spicy vibe. Resting over a cup of steamy quinoa for a filling base of healthy grains, it's a quick and easy recipe you can customize with favorite toppings like sesame seeds and cilantro.
Orange Shrimp Quinoa Bowls
Serves 2What you'll need:
Find more wholesome, health-forward recipes at Culinary.net.
Photo of the Day | January 17, 2023
Pinned him to win it
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Jordan Hartman sticks Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley's Jeremy Smolek in their 220-pound match on November 27, 2012. Except for the three forfeits, every match between the two schools ended in a pin. Hartman, who also played football, was a two-sport athlete for the Spartans. He took the SJO senior just 40 seconds to produce the win in his weight class.Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Out to a fast start, Rockets blast PBL with 21-0 first quarter run
Andrew Thomas drives to the basket on a fastbreak during the first quarter. Thomas finished with 11 points in Unity's 36-point advantage over Paxton-Buckley-Loda in their Illini Prairie Conference game on Friday. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
by Daniel L. Chamness
Special to the Sentinel
Tolono - Tolono Unity's offense surged ahead and never looked back in their conference opener against the visiting Paxton Buckley Loda Panthers.
And, there was absolutely no reason to look back in the 58-22 victory. The Rocket offense did their best imitation of a Ferrari from the starting line, had a 10-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
While the Rocket offense was busy rambling out to a insurmountable lead, the Rocket defense was holding the Panthers at bay and feeding the offense as they capitalized on bad pass turnovers and their defensive rebounding.
Andrew Thomas scored the first Unity points draining a 10-foot jumper at 7:34. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound junior guard was also involved in the next bucket as well when he grabbed a defensive board to start the next offensive drive. The drive ended when senior Will Cowan drained a three pointer, hitting from the left wing, at the 6:47 mark. Henry Thomas drove to the bucket, but realized the defense was collapsing on him, as three Panthers closed in on him before hitting Cowan with a pass as he hit a wide open shot.
That was followed by a Henry Thomas layup, and a Cowan layup as he stole the ball and dashed down the court. He would then hit another three pointer, this one from the left corner at 4:48. With 3:12 drained off the clock, the Rockets boasted a 12-0 lead.
Before the quarter ended, both Henry Thomas and Cowan had struck from beyond the arc again, as Thomas nailed one from the right wing, while Cowan stuck from the left corner. The Thomas brothers and Cowan had the Rockets leading 21-0 after the first eight minutes at the Rocket Center.
In the opening minute of the second stanza, Andrew Thomas scored three more points hitting a free throw and then a layup at the 7:00 mark.
"We did a number of things well tonight, but our defense really stood out," said Matt Reed, Unity's head coach. "We pressured well. We made shots early and the passes were very good. They shared the ball incredibly well. We tried to stay focused the entire game, no matter how much we were leading by."
Kayden Snelling put the Panthers on the board with 6:23 to play in the first half. He would score the first six Panther points as he would score again at 2:56 and again at 1:19. While the Panthers had it the board in the second quarter, the Unity Rockets had expanded their lead to 29 points, 35-6, by halftime.
Unity pressed hard early in the first quarter, then backed off for the remaining 24 minutes.
The clock ran steady in the fourth quarter. Cowan, who was in double figures before the sun set on the first quarter, finished with a team-high 16 points. He hit a total of four treys and a pair of two-pointers. He was joined in double figures by Andrew Thomas, who finished with 11 points. He hit three regulation shots and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
In all, a dozen Rocket players lit up the scoreboard on Friday. Nate Bleecher finished with six points, while Dalton O'Neill and Henry Thomas each had five points. Unity's scoring effort was rounded out by Austin Langendorf and Dane Eisenmenger, who each had three points. Colten Langendorf, Eric Meibach, Taylor Warfel and Jay Saunders each had two points, while Isaac Ruggieri added one.
Unity moves to 10-7 overall and 1-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference.
"We started off hitting our shots from the beginning of the game," said Henry Thomas. "Hitting like that felt pretty good. Not to mention, it gave us so much confidence for the rest of the game."
Snelling led Panthers with 10 points.
Special to the Sentinel
Since it works for humans, now telehealth services for pets is growing, too
Photo:Andrew S/Unsplash
by Kim Salerno
TripsWithPets
TripsWithPets
Wake Forest - Telehealth isn't just for people anymore. Virtual health consultations are now available for pets, and it's a promising prospect.
Pets are a treasured part of life, and have grown in both numbers and in status in recent years. Pet ownership has increased by 20 percent since 1988. As of 2022, there are 393.3 million pets in the United States. Nearly seven out of 10 American households have at least one pet, and 95 percent of pet owners think of their pets as part of the family.
We wanted to create a solution that allows veterinarians to support that bond in the best way possible, while achieving the best possible outcomes for pets.
Higher pet ownership and an increase in regard for pet comfort and care have naturally increased the demand for veterinary care. This has led to challenges for pet parents when it comes to accessing quality, convenient care and timely health advice. Telehealth offers a promising solution for the gaps in the current veterinary industry.
Dr. "Scott" Swetnam strongly believes in the benefits of telehealth for pets. A veterinarian with decades of experience treating patients and leading veterinary teams, Dr. Scott created Pet Vet Hotline, a membership based service that provides pet parents affordable, unlimited, convenient and immediate access to experienced licensed veterinarians 24/7 via video or chat.
"We love animals and the human animal bond," he notes. "We wanted to create a solution that allows veterinarians to support that bond in the best way possible, while achieving the best possible outcomes for pets."
Telehealth can help meet these goals in several different ways.
Provides access to care, anytime
Through virtual care, vets can provide pet parents with general health consultations, behavioral advice, nutritional information, education on administering basic care, and advice about whether and when medical attention is required – all at their own convenience, in the comfort of their own home. The service helps to bridge the "gaps" of veterinary care – those times when a new symptom has appeared or an incident has occurred, and a caregiver doesn't know what the next steps should be.
A pet parent's ability to access this kind of professional advice whenever necessary, at a time that's convenient for them, in a place their pet feels comfortable and safe, is an obvious benefit of virtual veterinary care. Additionally, the ability to seek the advice of veterinarians beyond a pet parent's local pool of resources allows for easier access to more expertise, with no extra time or effort.
Saves both time and money
When health issues come up, even minor ones, pet parents commonly bring their pets in for a vet visit just to be on the safe side. Having a licensed, professional veterinarian "on call" to listen to concerns, answer basic health questions,suggest some initial at-home treatments, and help determine the seriousness of any given illness or injury could change everything in terms of time and money spent on vet visits.
"It becomes a question of whether to take action or pause and monitor for changes," says Dr. Scott. "Let's say your dog is having digestive issues at 11 p.m. You could take him to the emergency vet and pay a hefty fee just to be seen. Or you could pay $12.95 per month for Pet Vet Hotline for unlimited access and speak to a licensed veterinarian immediately who can tell you, ‘He's okay, just watch for these specific symptoms.' This really has the potential to save pets a lot of undue stress and parents lots of money and time."
Allows for treatment on-the-go
Managing pet illnesses or injuries during travel is distressing. You're far from home, far from a familiar, trusted veterinarian, and not sure whether to head back home or continue your trip. Knowing the support of a licensed vet is right at your fingertips, no matter where you roam can give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip. .
Educates and empowers caregivers
When it comes to human colds, stomach bugs, and minor injuries, we all know what to do and which medicines and home remedies will make us feel better. But when it comes to our pets, we're often at a loss. Our dogs and cats can't tell us exactly where they hurt or detail their specific symptoms. We have to rely on what we see, and we're not always sure what we're looking at, or what we should be looking for in terms of changes in behavior or appearance. Human remedies for injuries and illness don't always work well for pets – and can even be dangerous for them.
Through telehealth, veterinarians can educate pet parents about first aid; help them make sense of behavioral changes, which commonly correspond with a pet's overall health; and perhaps most significantly, teach them how to assess their pets so they can make educated decisions about their care and treatment They can also separate truth from fiction when it comes to outdated or anecdotal remedies pet parents may find along the way as they search for answers to their pet health questions.
Learning how to assess your own pet and provide him with basic treatment and care, while knowing that help is readily available whenever you should need it, wherever you happen to be, can ease your anxiety, improve your confidence, and empower you as a pet parent.
Support vets and their staff
A sharp uptick in demand for veterinary services has, in some cases, put an increased strain on veterinary staff. Veterinarians often find themselves in the position of having less time to manage a continuously growing number of patients. Pet parents, for their part, often find themselves dealing with longer wait times, both for care, and for answers to their basic health and wellness questions. Telehealth can help reduce the strain on veterinary offices by fielding general behavioral, health, and nutrition questions, separating urgent health issues from those that are non-urgent, and performing pre-in-clinic visit assessments. This frees up time and resources for veterinary offices, allowing them to run more efficiently, and enabling veterinarians to take more time with patients, and focus on pets with the most serious health issues.
In the end, telehealth can go a long way toward bridging the gap between pet patients, pet parents, and veterinarians.
"As a veterinarian, you're doing the best you can but you can only do so much," says Dr. Scott. "Virtual veterinary services provide easy access to veterinarians, give pet parents the education they need to make the right decisions for their pets, and support veterinarians so they can do the best possible job. I really believe this is a solution for the future."
Kim Salerno is Founder and Chief Executive Officer for TripsWithPets. TripsWithPets is a leader in the pet travel industry – providing online reservations at pet-friendly hotels across the United States and Canada.
Expected growth is creating opportunities in senior home healthcare industry
StatePoint Media - Medical professionals, patients and their families are increasingly seeing the value of home care, and the industry is expected to grow. In fact, home health and personal care aide job openings are projected to grow 33% from 2020 to 2030, with experts predicting an estimated 8.2 million job openings in home-based care by 2028. Industry experts say that workers from all backgrounds, not just nursing, will be needed now and in the future.
"If you enjoy working with people and helping others when they need it most, a job as a home care or hospice nurse, home health aide, personal companion or caregiver could be a good fit for you," says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of industry leader, Interim HealthCare Inc. "Likewise, if you're currently a medical professional seeking more flexibility and to be reminded of why you entered the field in the first place, home healthcare can offer greater job satisfaction and a much-needed change of pace."
To help potential job candidates understand this growing industry, Interim HealthCare is sharing some quick insights:
Why In-Home Care?
Home care describes personal care and support services provided to an individual in their home. Often referred to as senior care, it provides help with the activities of daily living as well as companionship to those who need support to maintain their independence at home. Home healthcare on the other hand, entails medical-based care to help patients recover from an illness or injury, or to provide in-home medical oversight and ongoing care for complex, chronic medical conditions. Many families and patients can testify to the various ways home care can be a game-changer, and a growing number of physicians and medical professionals are recommending home health services to patients of all ages because it delivers cost-effective, high-quality care in the setting where patients most often want to be -- home. Among these services are in-home nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, hospice care and bereavement services.
What Employers Want
Those in the know at Interim HealthCare say that being compassionate, trustworthy, dependable and having the ability to work independently can help you thrive in the field of home care. "Made for This," Interim's current recruitment campaign, highlights the company's need for registered nurses, licensed practical and vocational nurses, along with certified nursing assistants, home care aides, home physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Veterans, with their track record of serving and protecting others, are encouraged to apply for a home care job, along with anybody who thrives in a job that offers variety, challenge and new faces and places.
What to Look for in Employers
Seeking a career in the field of home care? Be sure you work for a home healthcare organization with a positive work culture that has your best interests in mind. That includes offering good work-life balance, flexible schedules, rewarding assignments and competitive pay. The employer should also prioritize your continuing education and professional development by offering advanced learning opportunities and room for growth, along with additional perks like tuition discounts, to make it all possible.
For a home healthcare career guidebook, visit info.interimhealthcare.com/jobs-in-home-healthcare.
As demand for medical and personal care in the home grows, consider a career in this thriving field, whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or embarking on a career change.
To help potential job candidates understand this growing industry, Interim HealthCare is sharing some quick insights:
Why In-Home Care?
Home care describes personal care and support services provided to an individual in their home. Often referred to as senior care, it provides help with the activities of daily living as well as companionship to those who need support to maintain their independence at home. Home healthcare on the other hand, entails medical-based care to help patients recover from an illness or injury, or to provide in-home medical oversight and ongoing care for complex, chronic medical conditions. Many families and patients can testify to the various ways home care can be a game-changer, and a growing number of physicians and medical professionals are recommending home health services to patients of all ages because it delivers cost-effective, high-quality care in the setting where patients most often want to be -- home. Among these services are in-home nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, hospice care and bereavement services.
What Employers Want
Those in the know at Interim HealthCare say that being compassionate, trustworthy, dependable and having the ability to work independently can help you thrive in the field of home care. "Made for This," Interim's current recruitment campaign, highlights the company's need for registered nurses, licensed practical and vocational nurses, along with certified nursing assistants, home care aides, home physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Veterans, with their track record of serving and protecting others, are encouraged to apply for a home care job, along with anybody who thrives in a job that offers variety, challenge and new faces and places.
What to Look for in Employers
Seeking a career in the field of home care? Be sure you work for a home healthcare organization with a positive work culture that has your best interests in mind. That includes offering good work-life balance, flexible schedules, rewarding assignments and competitive pay. The employer should also prioritize your continuing education and professional development by offering advanced learning opportunities and room for growth, along with additional perks like tuition discounts, to make it all possible.
For a home healthcare career guidebook, visit info.interimhealthcare.com/jobs-in-home-healthcare.
As demand for medical and personal care in the home grows, consider a career in this thriving field, whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or embarking on a career change.
Guest Commentary | It is worth it to buy a house
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
A retired minister and his wife had never owned a house. They had spent all their married lives living in housing provided by churches. At age 65, they bought a house and financed it for 15 years. They had been frugal and had saved a good down payment. They paid for the house by age 80. The value of the house increased over the years and at age 83 they sold the house and received a very nice check. The money from the sale was enough to help them fund their next ten years in a nice assisted living apartment. While taking on a mortgage at 65 appeared crazy to some it afforded them financial security further down the road.
Many years ago, I bought a modest new house that cost $151,000. I barely scraped together the nearly $30,000 down payment. The house was financed for 15 years. I began the laborious journey of writing a monthly check to the bank. After about eight years, I needed money to pay medical bills and was able to borrow $30,000 against my equity. It was nice that I had the equity because at that time I really needed the cash. Looking back, I would never do that again because it made the actual cost of my house increase to $181,000. For a couple of years, I had two payments to make to the bank. A couple of years later my wife passed. If I had needed to borrow $10,000 against my house, I could have done so to pay for funeral expenses. Fortunately, we had both taken out small insurance policies that covered that cost. Eventually I refinanced and consolidated the mortgages. By the grace of God I still paid for the house in 15 years.
I don’t like monthly payments or paying rent. For most of us, at some point in our lives there will be a monthly payment of some kind. I’ve lived in apartments on several occasions and even houses furnished to me by congregations I served. I didn’t care for either one. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it again but my preference is to live in a place that is actually mine for as long as possible.
Renting a house or an apartment works for many at different stages of life. Buying a house is tough because it is a major financial commitment. You normally have to come up with 20% of the price to pay down as well as have the income to make the payments. That’s not always easy.
New houses in a nearby neighborhood are presently selling for $400,000. Most of them are modest three to four-bedroom houses. Having enough money to make the down payment and monthly payments is a lot for any person or family.
However, rent is expensive. Depending on where you live you may be paying $800 to $3,000 a month for a small apartment. You don’t have maintenance or property taxes but you’ll also never see that money again. A friend of mine sold her house at age 70 and moved into an apartment complex for people over age 55. She pays rent but she says the landlord treats her well and is timely with upkeep. A landlord who is very untimely with upkeep is very frustrating.
There are pros and cons to owning and renting. Choosing depends on your situation and personal preferences. A landlord can raise your rent and have rules pertaining to pets, painting, and more. However, it may be just exactly what you need. Typically, you don’t want to sink your money into property if you are going to move in three or four years. You might come out ahead if you buy a fixer upper and have the time and money to improve the property. You don’t want to make a bad buy. Buying property that you can’t resell is a bad idea, unless you love it and plan to live there a long time.
Keep in mind that a big chunk of most American’s wealth is in the house they own. If you pay for it and maintain it you can normally sell it to someone and recoup a lot of your money. You might even make a nice profit.
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A retired minister and his wife had never owned a house. They had spent all their married lives living in housing provided by churches. At age 65, they bought a house and financed it for 15 years. They had been frugal and had saved a good down payment. They paid for the house by age 80. The value of the house increased over the years and at age 83 they sold the house and received a very nice check. The money from the sale was enough to help them fund their next ten years in a nice assisted living apartment. While taking on a mortgage at 65 appeared crazy to some it afforded them financial security further down the road.
Many years ago, I bought a modest new house that cost $151,000. I barely scraped together the nearly $30,000 down payment. The house was financed for 15 years. I began the laborious journey of writing a monthly check to the bank. After about eight years, I needed money to pay medical bills and was able to borrow $30,000 against my equity. It was nice that I had the equity because at that time I really needed the cash. Looking back, I would never do that again because it made the actual cost of my house increase to $181,000. For a couple of years, I had two payments to make to the bank. A couple of years later my wife passed. If I had needed to borrow $10,000 against my house, I could have done so to pay for funeral expenses. Fortunately, we had both taken out small insurance policies that covered that cost. Eventually I refinanced and consolidated the mortgages. By the grace of God I still paid for the house in 15 years.
I don’t like monthly payments or paying rent. For most of us, at some point in our lives there will be a monthly payment of some kind. I’ve lived in apartments on several occasions and even houses furnished to me by congregations I served. I didn’t care for either one. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it again but my preference is to live in a place that is actually mine for as long as possible.
Renting a house or an apartment works for many at different stages of life. Buying a house is tough because it is a major financial commitment. You normally have to come up with 20% of the price to pay down as well as have the income to make the payments. That’s not always easy.
New houses in a nearby neighborhood are presently selling for $400,000. Most of them are modest three to four-bedroom houses. Having enough money to make the down payment and monthly payments is a lot for any person or family.
However, rent is expensive. Depending on where you live you may be paying $800 to $3,000 a month for a small apartment. You don’t have maintenance or property taxes but you’ll also never see that money again. A friend of mine sold her house at age 70 and moved into an apartment complex for people over age 55. She pays rent but she says the landlord treats her well and is timely with upkeep. A landlord who is very untimely with upkeep is very frustrating.
There are pros and cons to owning and renting. Choosing depends on your situation and personal preferences. A landlord can raise your rent and have rules pertaining to pets, painting, and more. However, it may be just exactly what you need. Typically, you don’t want to sink your money into property if you are going to move in three or four years. You might come out ahead if you buy a fixer upper and have the time and money to improve the property. You don’t want to make a bad buy. Buying property that you can’t resell is a bad idea, unless you love it and plan to live there a long time.
Keep in mind that a big chunk of most American’s wealth is in the house they own. If you pay for it and maintain it you can normally sell it to someone and recoup a lot of your money. You might even make a nice profit.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.
This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
SJO boys host Prairie Central for a basketball battle royale on Tuesday
St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence tries to dribble past Normal University High School's Mason Funk during the 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic Small School championship game on December 30. Pence and the Spartans went on to capture the title for the first time in school history via a 58-49 win over the Pioneers. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
ST. JOSEPH - Tomorrow, the state-ranked SJO basketball squad will host 16-1 Prairie Central, who is in a two-way tie for first with Pontiac in the Illini Prairie Conference, for a battle with major conference implications. After dropping their third loss this season to the Pontiac Indians on Friday by way of a 14-point deficit, the Spartans (14-3) quickly turned around and defeated Maroa-Forsyth on the road by an even wider margin, 76-54. The Hawks, whose one loss was to Morton a week ago, are ranked second in the latest Associated Press Class 2A poll. Meanwhile, the Spartans are ranked sixth in Class 2A and look to move up the ladder from 8th place with a win over visiting Prairie Central. Pence and the Spartans have not lost a contest on their home floor this season.
8th grade Honor Roll students named at Unity Junior High
TOLONO - Unity Junior High School announced the 8th grade recipients achieving Honor Roll and High Honor Roll status for their academic performance during the second quarter two weeks ago. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.
High Honor Roll
Dominic Russell Baxley
Grace Michele Bickers
Alex Martin Bromley
Clare Faustina Bryant
Caleb Benjamin Coy
Hudson Lee DeHart
Allison Renee Fenter
Journey Maddison Gabbard
Bailee Mae Gadeken
Colton Ray Harmon
Avery Nicole Kamradt
Kathryn Clara Knoll
Landrey Michelle Mohr
Adam Lucas Reedy
Allyson Lynn Shaw
Isaac Benjamin Siegwald
Evalyn Alexandra Skibbe
Piper Estelle Staley
Grace Lynne Tempel
Leah Marianne Watson
Grace Ann Wherley
Rylan Kade Wolf
Grace Michele Bickers
Alex Martin Bromley
Clare Faustina Bryant
Caleb Benjamin Coy
Hudson Lee DeHart
Allison Renee Fenter
Journey Maddison Gabbard
Bailee Mae Gadeken
Colton Ray Harmon
Avery Nicole Kamradt
Kathryn Clara Knoll
Landrey Michelle Mohr
Adam Lucas Reedy
Allyson Lynn Shaw
Isaac Benjamin Siegwald
Evalyn Alexandra Skibbe
Piper Estelle Staley
Grace Lynne Tempel
Leah Marianne Watson
Grace Ann Wherley
Rylan Kade Wolf
Honor Roll
Andrew David Berkey
Wyatt Leon Blanchard
Paige Nicole Bradley
Matthew James Brady
Brody Ray Butler
Kydie L Cain
Cadence Marie Chandler
Berkley Jane Cloud
Ryan Joseph Cunningham
Braedyn Lucas Dalton
Addison Tyler Davis
Austin Michael Drewes
Danika Ann Eisenmenger
Reese Bella Frye
Ava Nicole Grace
Olivia Ashlyn Hall
Walker Dale Hall
Brandi Harper
Dustin Rose Harris
Broderick Wayne Irwin
Ava Fay Jones
Rush Matthew Little
Cash Cohen McCann
Audrey Claire McDaniel
Aiden Meado
Brooklyn Marie Mumm
Sadie Jane Polonus
Evan Alexander Puckett
Max Warren Rossi
Ethan Daniel Schaefer
Lane Edward Sexton
Madison Amanda Spohn
Jacob Michael Ward
Jonathan Dean Warren
Elizabeth Johnna Wayne
Maggie Jean Weckle
Addison Danielle Wyatt
Kendal Lea Zerrusen
Wyatt Leon Blanchard
Paige Nicole Bradley
Matthew James Brady
Brody Ray Butler
Kydie L Cain
Cadence Marie Chandler
Berkley Jane Cloud
Ryan Joseph Cunningham
Braedyn Lucas Dalton
Addison Tyler Davis
Austin Michael Drewes
Danika Ann Eisenmenger
Reese Bella Frye
Ava Nicole Grace
Olivia Ashlyn Hall
Walker Dale Hall
Brandi Harper
Dustin Rose Harris
Broderick Wayne Irwin
Ava Fay Jones
Rush Matthew Little
Cash Cohen McCann
Audrey Claire McDaniel
Aiden Meado
Brooklyn Marie Mumm
Sadie Jane Polonus
Evan Alexander Puckett
Max Warren Rossi
Ethan Daniel Schaefer
Lane Edward Sexton
Madison Amanda Spohn
Jacob Michael Ward
Jonathan Dean Warren
Elizabeth Johnna Wayne
Maggie Jean Weckle
Addison Danielle Wyatt
Kendal Lea Zerrusen
Unity Jr. High second quarter 7th grade Honor Roll Students
TOLONO - Two weeks ago, Unity Junior High School announced the names of seventh-grade students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll status after the second quarter. Congratulations to the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.
High Honor Roll
Patrick Benjamin Baxley
Beckam Krystopher-Wayde Brown
Jackson Christopher Cheely
Soren Lovell Davis
Andrew Patrick Donovan
Kinzey Nicole Duitsman
Dillon Michael Ellars
Kaylee Grace Estes
Carson David Fairbanks
Reagan Elizabeth Lisle Fisher
Hallie Lynn Handal
Jordan Stephen Harmon
Tessa Lynn Horn
Karleigh Grace Jamison
Lincoln Banner Johnson
Joseph Brooks Kamradt
Tatum Anne Kirby
Bryan Michael Kleiss
Nolan Mark Tempel Meharry
Dalton Robert Moose
Rhianna Olivia Ocasio
Kandace Lachelle Reed
Caleb Arthur Saxon
Carter Charles Schmid
Sophia Grace Seidlitz
Caleb Joshua Siegwald
Lillie Jean Vanderpool
Kole David VanSickle
Gavin James Warren
John William White
Austin James Wiersema
Olivia Ann Williams
Adilynn Michelle Wilson
Olivia Ruth Witheft
Cole Thomas Zorns
Beckam Krystopher-Wayde Brown
Jackson Christopher Cheely
Soren Lovell Davis
Andrew Patrick Donovan
Kinzey Nicole Duitsman
Dillon Michael Ellars
Kaylee Grace Estes
Carson David Fairbanks
Reagan Elizabeth Lisle Fisher
Hallie Lynn Handal
Jordan Stephen Harmon
Tessa Lynn Horn
Karleigh Grace Jamison
Lincoln Banner Johnson
Joseph Brooks Kamradt
Tatum Anne Kirby
Bryan Michael Kleiss
Nolan Mark Tempel Meharry
Dalton Robert Moose
Rhianna Olivia Ocasio
Kandace Lachelle Reed
Caleb Arthur Saxon
Carter Charles Schmid
Sophia Grace Seidlitz
Caleb Joshua Siegwald
Lillie Jean Vanderpool
Kole David VanSickle
Gavin James Warren
John William White
Austin James Wiersema
Olivia Ann Williams
Adilynn Michelle Wilson
Olivia Ruth Witheft
Cole Thomas Zorns
Honor Roll
Joseph William Willard Baird
Cameron Pierre Barnes
Cooper Charles Beckett
Brilynn Creola Cain
Sadie Jo Carpenter
Madison Grace Castor
Skyler Andrew Chilton
Garrisan Martin Cler
Haley Elizabeth Ennis
Cohen Fincham
Zoe Margaret Fish
Shae Lin Fournier
Makayla James Goff
Mackinzee Brooke Gumm
Brady Cullen Harris
Roman James Hastings
McKenzie Kathryn Heiple
Joel Ryan Hoewing
Khison Able Kern
Kane William Knudsen
Jax Hunter Logsdon
Tysen Mac McConaha
Clint Michael McCormick
Payten Renee Niles
Larissa Marie Parr
Clayton Wyatt Pruitt
Mia Lynn Reifsteck
Journee Lynn Ring
Lillian Yvonne Ring
Riley May Schendel
Bradley Scott Smith Jr
Sawyer Allen Franks Weller
Vivian Wheeler
Reece Earl Winfrey
Makaylah Winland
Cameron Pierre Barnes
Cooper Charles Beckett
Brilynn Creola Cain
Sadie Jo Carpenter
Madison Grace Castor
Skyler Andrew Chilton
Garrisan Martin Cler
Haley Elizabeth Ennis
Cohen Fincham
Zoe Margaret Fish
Shae Lin Fournier
Makayla James Goff
Mackinzee Brooke Gumm
Brady Cullen Harris
Roman James Hastings
McKenzie Kathryn Heiple
Joel Ryan Hoewing
Khison Able Kern
Kane William Knudsen
Jax Hunter Logsdon
Tysen Mac McConaha
Clint Michael McCormick
Payten Renee Niles
Larissa Marie Parr
Clayton Wyatt Pruitt
Mia Lynn Reifsteck
Journee Lynn Ring
Lillian Yvonne Ring
Riley May Schendel
Bradley Scott Smith Jr
Sawyer Allen Franks Weller
Vivian Wheeler
Reece Earl Winfrey
Makaylah Winland
Seventy-eight sixth-grade students earn spot on Honor Roll at Unity Jr. High
TOLONO - Two weeks ago, Unity Junior High School announced the names of sixth-grade students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll status for the second quarter. Congratulations to the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.
High Honor Roll
Kenny Wayne Adcock
Lilly Annabelle Bailes
Ethan Earl Bent
Elizabeth Joanne Berkey
Katherine Elaine Berkey
Konnor Lewis Bletscher
Sylvia Lola Cahill
Kale Boden Cowan
Trevor Daniel Coy
Alec Joseph Daly
Levi Amari Flowers
Amelia Marie Good
Hayden Bradley Grussing
Aubrie Paige Gumm
Jordan Elizabeth Hamilton
Alivia Krall
Cora Dee Leonard
Owen Michael Lighty
Scarlet Rosemary McCann
Lane Lucas Meharry
Lilly Madelyn Meharry
Baeden Edward Millsap-Moore
Jacklynn Kay Alexandra Moore
Kelvin Justus Moose
Holden William ONeill
Carolina Maria Pagaduan Popovics
Luc Sandor Marcelo Popovics
Maxwell Douglas Powers
Marina Ray Price
Maya Alexis Rawdin
Bella Rose Robbins
Skylar Grace Savona
Vivian Rosalie Shunk
Dylan Robert Stierwalt
Tucker Douglas Stierwalt
Olivia Jane Styan
Virgil Laurence Summitt
Deklyn James Thomas
Hayley Olivia Thompson
Cassandra Pearl Thweatt
Charles Reider Watson
Henry Joseph White
Ethan Matthew Wishall
Ashton Jace Wolf
Lilly Annabelle Bailes
Ethan Earl Bent
Elizabeth Joanne Berkey
Katherine Elaine Berkey
Konnor Lewis Bletscher
Sylvia Lola Cahill
Kale Boden Cowan
Trevor Daniel Coy
Alec Joseph Daly
Levi Amari Flowers
Amelia Marie Good
Hayden Bradley Grussing
Aubrie Paige Gumm
Jordan Elizabeth Hamilton
Alivia Krall
Cora Dee Leonard
Owen Michael Lighty
Scarlet Rosemary McCann
Lane Lucas Meharry
Lilly Madelyn Meharry
Baeden Edward Millsap-Moore
Jacklynn Kay Alexandra Moore
Kelvin Justus Moose
Holden William ONeill
Carolina Maria Pagaduan Popovics
Luc Sandor Marcelo Popovics
Maxwell Douglas Powers
Marina Ray Price
Maya Alexis Rawdin
Bella Rose Robbins
Skylar Grace Savona
Vivian Rosalie Shunk
Dylan Robert Stierwalt
Tucker Douglas Stierwalt
Olivia Jane Styan
Virgil Laurence Summitt
Deklyn James Thomas
Hayley Olivia Thompson
Cassandra Pearl Thweatt
Charles Reider Watson
Henry Joseph White
Ethan Matthew Wishall
Ashton Jace Wolf
Honor Roll
Kelsey Marie Adcock
Brooklyn Blair Bates
Carter Ryan Bickers
Ella Addyson Bromley
McKenzie Lynn Deakin
Emma Nicole Denney
Sophia Hope Dillman
Evan Matthew Donaldson
Jase Charles Eisenmenger
Kynedy Ashlynn Hoel
Samuel Bentley Hollett
Owen Dean Hottman
Holly Marie Howey
Kaiyanna Renee LeForge
Jauniyah Rosemarie Lisanby
Adeline Marie Marinelli
Russell Patrick McCabe
Addyson Jo McIntosh
Tatum Faith Meharry
Ellery Merkle
Hayden Andrew Moore
Jaxon David Pendleton
Henry Scott Ritchie
Grace Catherine Schriefer
Sophia Isabella Schuckman
Connor Allen Schwartz-Rouse
Austin David Shafer
Hayden Dale Smith
Jasper Lee Souza
Jack Christopher Terven
Jayden Michael Terven
Quentin Stephen Webber
Hallee Ann Weber Patterson
Brandon Williams
Olivia Lynn Wilson
Adam Scott Wolken
Brooklyn Blair Bates
Carter Ryan Bickers
Ella Addyson Bromley
McKenzie Lynn Deakin
Emma Nicole Denney
Sophia Hope Dillman
Evan Matthew Donaldson
Jase Charles Eisenmenger
Kynedy Ashlynn Hoel
Samuel Bentley Hollett
Owen Dean Hottman
Holly Marie Howey
Kaiyanna Renee LeForge
Jauniyah Rosemarie Lisanby
Adeline Marie Marinelli
Russell Patrick McCabe
Addyson Jo McIntosh
Tatum Faith Meharry
Ellery Merkle
Hayden Andrew Moore
Jaxon David Pendleton
Henry Scott Ritchie
Grace Catherine Schriefer
Sophia Isabella Schuckman
Connor Allen Schwartz-Rouse
Austin David Shafer
Hayden Dale Smith
Jasper Lee Souza
Jack Christopher Terven
Jayden Michael Terven
Quentin Stephen Webber
Hallee Ann Weber Patterson
Brandon Williams
Olivia Lynn Wilson
Adam Scott Wolken
Urbana suffers non-conference loss at home, but still has room to grow
URBANA - Going toe-to-toe in the first quarter with St. Teresa (7-7), the Urbana girls' basketball team used three treys - one each from Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta, Jasmine McCullough, and McKenzie Sprague - for a competitive frame and 16-14 lead.
Unfortunately, plagued by too many turnovers and missed shots, the Tigers (2-9) dug a hole too deep to recover in the second quarter on their way to a 60-44 non-conference loss on Saturday. Destiny Baker's field goal and free throw along with another free throw from Mboyo-Meta were overshadowed by St. T's 18 points run before the half.
"As a team, we got off to a great start in the 1st quarter. In the second quarter we just got into too much of a hurry and couldn’t finish our shots," said Urbana head coach Bobby Boykin reflecting on the miscues. "We also missed a few closeouts on (Lucy) Corley from St. Teresa. She is a great scorer for them and we just lost track of her a few too many times." Corley led St. Teresa's offensive effort with 19 points. Two other Bulldogs also finished in double figures. Grace Lees knocked down 15 points, and senior Jaida Taylor contributed another 11. "For the 2nd half, we tried to change things up defensively and St Teresa had answers for it. St Teresa just did a great job executing their game plan," said Boykin, praising the Bulldogs.
St. Teresa used the third quarter to extend their 12-point advantage at the half to 20 by the time the game clock showed less than two minutes to play before the final quarter. Meanwhile, Mboyo-Meta, who finished with a team-high 13 points, converted four of her five free throw attempts and collected another bucket for seven points. McCullough, who closed out the contests with 10 points, hit a three-pointer, and Savannah Bladen made the second of two shots she earned from the line.
Invigorated by McCullough's trey, the Tigers' played an aggressive fourth quarter offensively and defensively, outscoring the visiting team 14-10. The outcome might have been significantly different if Boykin's squad could play with the same intensity and tenaciousness displayed in the final eight minutes on Saturday.
"Playing four quarters has been a struggle for us this season. We just need to be ready to play for 32 minutes," Boykin said. "We have room to continue to grow and we still have some great opportunities to get better."
Urbana's Savannah Blanden wrestles the ball away St. Teresa's Zakyrie Mayes during second half action on Saturday. After a strong first quarter, the Tigers' could not make up a second-quarter deficit to snag another victory at Oscar Adams Gymnasium. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
"As a team, we got off to a great start in the 1st quarter. In the second quarter we just got into too much of a hurry and couldn’t finish our shots," said Urbana head coach Bobby Boykin reflecting on the miscues. "We also missed a few closeouts on (Lucy) Corley from St. Teresa. She is a great scorer for them and we just lost track of her a few too many times." Corley led St. Teresa's offensive effort with 19 points. Two other Bulldogs also finished in double figures. Grace Lees knocked down 15 points, and senior Jaida Taylor contributed another 11. "For the 2nd half, we tried to change things up defensively and St Teresa had answers for it. St Teresa just did a great job executing their game plan," said Boykin, praising the Bulldogs.
Urbana's Mia Schroeder is fouled while going up for a shot by St. Teresa's Grace Lees in the second half. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
An Urbana fan holds up a sign while spectators cheer after Tigers' Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta scores on hard-charging shot to the rim for two of her 13 points at Saturday's home game. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Photo of the Day | January 15, 2023
Urbana drops home stand to St. Teresa
URBANA - Tiger's Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta drives hard at the basket for a shot while being guarded by Bulldogs' Lucy Corley. Mboyo-Meta led the Urbana girls' squad with 13 points in the non-conference home game on Saturday. The senior converted six free throws out of her 13 attempts from the line as UHS's late-game burst was too late and not enough in the 60-44 finish.Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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What is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma? Here's what you should know
by Lee Batsakis
OSF Healthcare
OSF Healthcare
EVERGREEN PARK - This week, Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks announced he has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and that he would be starting chemotherapy treatments. In a social media post, Hendriks said that while hearing the word "cancer" came as a shock, he is "resolved to embrace the fight and overcome this new challenge." The news comes just a few months after actress Jane Fonda revealed her NHL diagnosis in September 2022.
According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, a lymphoma is a cancer that affects lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that travel through the blood and lymphatic system to defend the body against bacteria and viruses. There are three major categories of lymphoma. NHL is the most common, with more than 81,000 people diagnosed with NHL each year in the United States.
Deborah Oyelowo, APRN
OSF HealthCare
"It is a blood cancer, but it affects the lymph nodes. And it is one of the cancers that can metastasize to a lot of body systems and could rapidly progress if it's not caught in time," says Deborah Oyelowo, an OSF HealthCare hematology/oncology advanced practice nurse. As of 2016, the World Health Organization has classified at least 86 different types of NHL. Because we have lymph nodes throughout our entire body – in the neck, armpits, groin, behind the ears, and back of the head, to name a few – lymphomas can ultimately begin anywhere. Swelling of these lymph nodes can occur for a variety of reasons, however, and may not necessarily indicate cancer. "There is a difference between having a common cold and having your lymph nodes inflamed, and having a lymph node that is swollen yet not painful, but it's there," Oyelowo explains. You probably have had swollen lymph nodes in your throat when you have been sick. This swelling is associated with the illness and typically goes away once the illness has run its course. However, if you have a swollen lymph node that seems to have appeared out of the blue, Oyelowo advises people to take note of that and to make an appointment with a primary care provider if it does not go away. Initially, a lymphoma may only present as a swollen lymph node with no other symptoms. The symptoms change, however, as the disease progresses. "Because it affects the lymph nodes – and this is our immune system – we start to see fever, chills, unexplained rash, and weight loss for no reason. These are later signs that start from a lymph node that just grows and comes back, swelling and going down by itself. That is something to pay attention to earlier," advises Oyelowo. Like with many cancers, family history, age, gender, and race are all considered when determining one's risk for NHL. Risk factors such as a weakened immune system and history of autoimmune disease tend to be more strongly associated with NHL. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren disease, celiac disease, and others have increased risk of NHL. When someone has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it means their immune system attacks healthy cells in their body in the same way it would fight germs and infections – essentially putting their immune system in overdrive. The ACS says that this could cause lymphocytes to grow and divide more than normal, increasing the risk of them turning into lymphoma cells. "The presenting symptoms will be much different than in a person who does not have autoimmune issues going on. If we have that kind of patient, the presenting signs and symptoms will be more aggressive. If we have a patient with no previous medical problems, but has a hormonal imbalance or swelling of lymph nodes, we would take a different approach," Oyelowo explains. If you have a family history of lymphoma or have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Oyelowo recommends getting any swollen lymph nodes evaluated by your health care provider. Most importantly, Oyelowo advises individuals to listen to their bodies and to make an appointment with their primary care provider if they are concerned about any abnormal lymph nodes or other symptoms that do not go away on their own. There are successful treatment options available for NHL and other lymphomas, but early detection is key.
OSF HealthCare
"It is a blood cancer, but it affects the lymph nodes. And it is one of the cancers that can metastasize to a lot of body systems and could rapidly progress if it's not caught in time," says Deborah Oyelowo, an OSF HealthCare hematology/oncology advanced practice nurse. As of 2016, the World Health Organization has classified at least 86 different types of NHL. Because we have lymph nodes throughout our entire body – in the neck, armpits, groin, behind the ears, and back of the head, to name a few – lymphomas can ultimately begin anywhere. Swelling of these lymph nodes can occur for a variety of reasons, however, and may not necessarily indicate cancer. "There is a difference between having a common cold and having your lymph nodes inflamed, and having a lymph node that is swollen yet not painful, but it's there," Oyelowo explains. You probably have had swollen lymph nodes in your throat when you have been sick. This swelling is associated with the illness and typically goes away once the illness has run its course. However, if you have a swollen lymph node that seems to have appeared out of the blue, Oyelowo advises people to take note of that and to make an appointment with a primary care provider if it does not go away. Initially, a lymphoma may only present as a swollen lymph node with no other symptoms. The symptoms change, however, as the disease progresses. "Because it affects the lymph nodes – and this is our immune system – we start to see fever, chills, unexplained rash, and weight loss for no reason. These are later signs that start from a lymph node that just grows and comes back, swelling and going down by itself. That is something to pay attention to earlier," advises Oyelowo. Like with many cancers, family history, age, gender, and race are all considered when determining one's risk for NHL. Risk factors such as a weakened immune system and history of autoimmune disease tend to be more strongly associated with NHL. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren disease, celiac disease, and others have increased risk of NHL. When someone has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it means their immune system attacks healthy cells in their body in the same way it would fight germs and infections – essentially putting their immune system in overdrive. The ACS says that this could cause lymphocytes to grow and divide more than normal, increasing the risk of them turning into lymphoma cells. "The presenting symptoms will be much different than in a person who does not have autoimmune issues going on. If we have that kind of patient, the presenting signs and symptoms will be more aggressive. If we have a patient with no previous medical problems, but has a hormonal imbalance or swelling of lymph nodes, we would take a different approach," Oyelowo explains. If you have a family history of lymphoma or have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Oyelowo recommends getting any swollen lymph nodes evaluated by your health care provider. Most importantly, Oyelowo advises individuals to listen to their bodies and to make an appointment with their primary care provider if they are concerned about any abnormal lymph nodes or other symptoms that do not go away on their own. There are successful treatment options available for NHL and other lymphomas, but early detection is key.
Photo of the Day | January 14, 2023
Rockets jinx unlucky Panthers
TOLONO - Members of the Unity student cheering section react to a moment on the court during fourth-quarter action of their basketball team's home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda. Fans from both teams watched the Rockets decimate the visiting Panthers, who mustered just six points in the first half, en route to a 58-22 victory on Friday, January 13. With the Illini Prairie Conference win, Unity boasts a 10-7 record and moves to third place in the league behind Pontiac and Prairie Central.Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Youth orchestra concert at Smith Music Hall
URBANA - The East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra will perform their annual Winter Concert at Smith Memorial Hall in Urbana tomorrow. The Sunday evening concert features classical pieces from both American and Russian composers.
"These talented students have worked long and hard to prepare this wonderful music, and we would all be gratified to see you in the audience," said Kevin Kelly, Music Director
for youth orchestra.
The program includes two popular Russian pieces from Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, as well as works from American composers Aaron Coplan, Irving Fine, Virgil Thomson, and John Philip Sousa.
Admission to the event is free to the public and begins promptly at 7 p.m. Smith Memorial Hall is located on the University of Illinois campus at 805 S. Mathews Avenue.
"These talented students have worked long and hard to prepare this wonderful music, and we would all be gratified to see you in the audience," said Kevin Kelly, Music Director
for youth orchestra.
The program includes two popular Russian pieces from Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, as well as works from American composers Aaron Coplan, Irving Fine, Virgil Thomson, and John Philip Sousa.
Admission to the event is free to the public and begins promptly at 7 p.m. Smith Memorial Hall is located on the University of Illinois campus at 805 S. Mathews Avenue.
Health issues like depression, heart disease & anxiety are linked to toxic workplaces
by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare
OSF Healthcare
The five components of a healthy workplace include: protection from harm, connection and community, work-life harmony, mattering at work and opportunity for growth.
A new year brings about many possible changes – promises to eat better, exercise more, stop smoking, save money, and so on. Another priority for some is to improve their work situation.
If that’s you, there may be no better time than the present, especially after the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a report that links a toxic workplace culture to health issues such as heart disease, depression and anxiety.
"A toxic workplace is basically any work setting where you're dealing with any sort of psychological stress, where you're feeling nervous, you have some fear, anxiety, sadness, depression – things like that," says Victor Mendoza, a behavioral health provider with OSF HealthCare. "If you start noticing those things in your own workplace, that can be something we would call a toxic environment."
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the five components of a healthy workplace include: protection from harm, connection and community, work-life harmony, mattering at work and opportunity for growth.
Mendoza says now is the time for organizations to assess their relationship with employees – to create a sense of connection among workers, show them they are important, and support their professional needs.
"First of all, if they haven't added these five components, they should probably try to because I think that's a good foundation to what a healthy work environment should be like," says Mendoza. "You want to have a workplace where you feel comfortable, you feel heard, you feel like there is upward mobility, and that that people care for you. That you're not just a number to them but that you actually are a human, and they understand and are willing to be empathic to your situation. And if there is a concern, they're open to listen to you."
There are many ways feeling stressed or miserable can manifest in an unhealthy work environment such as increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, increasing the chance of high blood pressure, weakening immune systems, causing headaches and increasing anxiety and stress. Mendoza says physical symptoms can include stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and racing heartbeat.
The report comes during an uncertain time in workplace culture due to the COVID pandemic, when employees are seeking more flexible opportunities including working remotely or a hybrid schedule. Mendoza adds that the pandemic also affected our routines, and when routines are changed it can impact our mental health.
"It's been really tough for a lot of people," says Mendoza. "When all this started with the pandemic, a lot of people were having anxiety about what was going to happen. People feared losing their jobs, and a lot of people did lose their jobs, sadly, and that was very hard for them. They had to switch careers. A lot of them were lucky they were able to keep their jobs, but they had to work from home and that that created some stress as well even though we do have good technology."
There are things, however, you can do to cope with your workplace stress. Mendoza suggests keeping track of the stressors in your job, developing healthy responses such as exercise, getting enough sleep and learning how to relax and take time to recharge by unplugging from work, and making sure to use your vacation days.
Mendoza says it’s easy for some people to feel guilty about work-related issues. The most important take home message is to first take care of yourself, and not let a stressful environment affect your health.
"Sometimes you can only do so much and you have to advocate for yourself, and you have be aware when this happens," he adds. "So set up good boundaries with your workplace, make sure that you're taking some time off work for self-care, whatever that looks like for you, and do something you enjoy. Make sure you do some basic things like exercise, you’re eating well and you're sleeping well. That's a really good foundation to deal with a toxic work environment."
Shooting Stars | Area basketball athletes shined brightly last month
• Clifton Central 46 - Hoopeston Area 41
Preston VanDeVeer and Anthony Zamora finished with nine points each in Hoopeston Area's loss at home to the Comets. Kenddrick Sigerill led the Cornjerkers (2-3) on the boards with a season-high 11 rebounds finished with eight points. Hoopeston Area's Owen Root went 3-for-6 from the field putting eight points in the book.
• St. Joseph-Ogden 66 - Oakwood 31 Ty Pence drained 33 points in SJO's title game against Oakwood at the Toyota of Danville Classic on December 3. The senior D1 recruit scored 15 points in the first quarter to put the host Spartans on cruise control to this year's tournament title. Junior Brody Taflinger led the Comets, who entered the fray with an impressive 8-0 record, with a 13-point effort in the team's first loss of the season.
• Teutopolis 56 - Unity 40 Before boasting a four-game win streak, the Rockets suffered their second consecutive loss at the hands of the Wooden Shoes on December 3. Despite nine players contributing with two or more points, Unity fell 56-40. The Rockets led at the halfway point by five and trailed by one, 38-37, at the end of the third quarter. Jay Saunders, who led the team in the loss with nine points, hit the team's only field goal during a fourth-quarter offensive collapse. Dalton O'Neill sank one of two free throw attempts to round out the scoring in the frame to just three points. O'Neill, Unity's second-leading scorer, finished with seven points. Henry Thomas tallied five points in the third quarter. Joey Niebrugge, a junior, led all scorers with in the contest with 18 points.
• St. Joseph-Ogden 68 - Watseka 28 Junior Logan Smith and senior Ty Pence combined effort produced 48 of SJO's 68 points in the team's romp over the Warriors at the Toyota of Danville Classic. Pence, an 2023 Illinois State basketball recruit, drained 28 points while Smith rained down 20 more. Six other Spartans including Maddux Carter and Brock Trimble contributed to the victory.
• Rochester 56 - Unity 46 Andrew and Henry Thomas sank 11 points apiece in the Rockets' second game of the season. Without home court advantage, Unity (1-1) came out of the locker room cold after the halftime break, scoring just six points to Rochester's 17.
• St. Joseph-Ogden 44 - Danville 14 Addisyn Martinie dropped a game-high 16 point in the Spartans' first game during the month of December that snapped a three-game early season slide. Addison Seggebruch supplied 13 points in the non-conference victory. SJO's improves to 2-4 heading into their next contest against Maroa-Forsyth at home.
• URBANA 39 - Charleston 34 Senior Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta led the Tigers girls' basketball effort with 16 points in the team's first win of the season. Junior Jasmine McCullough also delivered a double-digit finish with 13 points. Urbana (1-3) enjoyed a team effort with six points from McKenzie Sprague and two points apiece from Savannah Blanden and Elizabeth Lange. Trojans' Ally Logsdon all scorers with 19 points, 15 of those delivered in the fourth quarter of the non-conference game on December 1.
Oakwood's Brody Taflinger shakes hands with St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Director Justin Franzen after recieving his recognition plaque for the Toyota of Danville All-Tournament team on December 3. Taflinger's efforts lead the Comets to a runner-up finish after falling to the hosts Spartans 66-31 in the championship game on Saturday. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
• St. Joseph-Ogden 66 - Oakwood 31 Ty Pence drained 33 points in SJO's title game against Oakwood at the Toyota of Danville Classic on December 3. The senior D1 recruit scored 15 points in the first quarter to put the host Spartans on cruise control to this year's tournament title. Junior Brody Taflinger led the Comets, who entered the fray with an impressive 8-0 record, with a 13-point effort in the team's first loss of the season.
• Teutopolis 56 - Unity 40 Before boasting a four-game win streak, the Rockets suffered their second consecutive loss at the hands of the Wooden Shoes on December 3. Despite nine players contributing with two or more points, Unity fell 56-40. The Rockets led at the halfway point by five and trailed by one, 38-37, at the end of the third quarter. Jay Saunders, who led the team in the loss with nine points, hit the team's only field goal during a fourth-quarter offensive collapse. Dalton O'Neill sank one of two free throw attempts to round out the scoring in the frame to just three points. O'Neill, Unity's second-leading scorer, finished with seven points. Henry Thomas tallied five points in the third quarter. Joey Niebrugge, a junior, led all scorers with in the contest with 18 points.
• St. Joseph-Ogden 68 - Watseka 28 Junior Logan Smith and senior Ty Pence combined effort produced 48 of SJO's 68 points in the team's romp over the Warriors at the Toyota of Danville Classic. Pence, an 2023 Illinois State basketball recruit, drained 28 points while Smith rained down 20 more. Six other Spartans including Maddux Carter and Brock Trimble contributed to the victory.
• Rochester 56 - Unity 46 Andrew and Henry Thomas sank 11 points apiece in the Rockets' second game of the season. Without home court advantage, Unity (1-1) came out of the locker room cold after the halftime break, scoring just six points to Rochester's 17.
• St. Joseph-Ogden 44 - Danville 14 Addisyn Martinie dropped a game-high 16 point in the Spartans' first game during the month of December that snapped a three-game early season slide. Addison Seggebruch supplied 13 points in the non-conference victory. SJO's improves to 2-4 heading into their next contest against Maroa-Forsyth at home.
• URBANA 39 - Charleston 34 Senior Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta led the Tigers girls' basketball effort with 16 points in the team's first win of the season. Junior Jasmine McCullough also delivered a double-digit finish with 13 points. Urbana (1-3) enjoyed a team effort with six points from McKenzie Sprague and two points apiece from Savannah Blanden and Elizabeth Lange. Trojans' Ally Logsdon all scorers with 19 points, 15 of those delivered in the fourth quarter of the non-conference game on December 1.
Are you stay true to your New Year's food related resolutions?
by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare
OSF Healthcare
We have to make them realistic
ROCKFORD - It's that time of the year again when we turn our backs on past mistakes and pledge to do better. We're talking about News Year's resolutions.
Some people will promise to quit smoking, exercise more frequently or maybe plan to reunite with long lost friends or loved ones. But about this time every year one of the most talked-about resolutions is to improve our diets and perhaps lose weight.
Fill up on fruits and vegetables
Drink more water
Watch your sodium intake
Plan your meals
Keep a food log
And if you don't set goals early in 2023, don't sweat it. There's never a bad time to get started on making healthy lifestyle changes. Proper nutrition isn't a quick fix, Schafer says. It's a habit that we will work to develop for the rest of our lives.
"It's never too late to get started on one," he adds. "If you feel like you missed the New Year resolution time frame, there is always time to improve on yourself, whether it's related to diet and health or anything else in life."
Photo: Unsplash/Brooke Lark
While most people are more than ready to put 2022 in the rearview mirror, what are the best ways to go about making our food-related resolutions attainable now that 2023 is here?
"We have to make them realistic," says Adam Schafer, a clinical dietitian with OSF HealthCare. "A lot of times people say I want to eat healthier or be healthier. There are no specifics to that. We need to make sure resolutions are very specific and that you can measure it rather than throwing something out there that has no real meaning to it."
The keys to sticking with your food resolutions include setting specific goals, measuring those goals, and having a plan to meet those goals. Schafer recommends setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound). The best ways to change behaviors is to focus on small, achievable habits and activities that will help improve your health over time.
When it comes to eating habits, there are going to be good times and bad. No one is perfect. Schafer says the key is to not beat yourself up over a bad eating day here or there. If you do stumble occasionally, reflect on what you did wrong and move on without any regrets.
If one of your resolutions is to lose weight, Schafer recommends thinking about what did or didn't work in the past before setting your weight loss goal. Rather than concentrating on a certain number, think about things like your clothes fitting better, or your ability to do certain activities easier or better. These milestones will help you maintain a more positive mindset and keep you motivated to stay the course.
"Focus more than just on weight," says Schafer. "A lot of times we focus on a certain number when it comes to weight loss, but if you're exercising too you may be putting on muscle. It's not going to reflect well on the scale and you're going to assume you're not doing well and you're going to quit."
Other tips include:
Four signs you need a new roof over your head
Communication-76/Pixabay
SNS - A roof is one of the most important components of any home. It protects the structure and its inhabitants from harsh Illinois weather, debris, and even pests. However, over time, roofs can become damaged due to age or extreme conditions.
Knowing when it’s time to re-roof your house can save you money in the long run, as well as protect your home’s structural integrity. In this article, we will discuss the signs to look out for that indicate when you should consider re-roofing your home. Here are four signs when you need re-roof your home or rental property.
#1 Cracked or Missing Shingles
Shingles are thin strips of material that form the surface of your roof. It looks like overlapping triangular tiles. If you notice that your shingles are cracked, missing, or curling up on the edges, then it’s a sign that they need to be replaced. This can happen due to age or exposure to extreme weather conditions such as hail and wind. Missing shingles can also result from poor installation or poor maintenance.
While this can be an easy fix, you still need to consider hiring experienced roofing contractors like Mighty Dog Roofing to ensure that your shingle replacement is done correctly. If you don’t replace your missing or cracked shingles, then it can lead to more damage and cost more money in the long run.
#2 Sagging Roof
If you notice that your roof is sagging, it could be a sign of a structural issue with your roof decking, which supports the entire roof structure. If this is the case, it’s crucial to have a professional to inspect your roof right away, as sagging can lead to catastrophic damage and costly repairs.
It could also be due to poor ventilation or inadequate insulation, both of which can contribute to premature wear and tear on your roof. In any case, it’s best to have a professional inspect your roof and determine the cause of the sagging so that it can be addressed promptly.
#3 Sunlight Coming Through Your Roof
If you notice that sunlight is coming through your roof, then it’s time to re-roof. This could mean that there are gaps or holes in your roof that need to be patched. These gaps can allow moisture and pests into your home, as well as cause energy loss due to heat escaping from the house.
The good news is that patching these holes or gaps can usually be done relatively quickly and inexpensively. However, if there is extensive damage to the roof, then it may be time to consider re-roofing your home.
#4 Age of Roof
The age of your roof can also be a factor in determining whether or not you should re-roof. Most roofs are designed to last around 20 years, and after that, they can start to deteriorate due to age and weather conditions. If your roof is more than two decades old, it’s probably time to consider re-roofing your home.
Good thing is, modern roofs are made of much more durable materials than those used in the past and can last for up to 50 years with proper maintenance. So, when it’s time to re-roof, you can be sure that your new roof will last a long time.
How to Re-roof Your House
The first step to re-roofing your home is to contact a roofer for an inspection. A professional roofer will be able to assess the condition of your roof and advise you on the best course of action. This could mean anything from repairing small issues to completely replacing the roof.
If it’s determined that you need to re-roof, then the roofer will be able to recommend materials and products that are best suited for your home. It’s important to take their advice, as they have a lot of experience in this field and know what works best. Once you have decided on materials and products, the roofer will be able to provide you with an estimate for the cost of the project.
Common Cost for Re-roofing
The cost of re-roofing your home will largely depend on the size of your roof, the materials you choose, and any additional services like repairing existing damage. Generally speaking, re-roofing projects can range from a few thousand dollars to over $10,000 depending on the size and complexity of the job.
Re-roofing your home is not an easy job and it is very important if there is a need. By keeping an eye out for signs of damage and taking action to address any issues, you can help ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible and protect the value of your home.
If you suspect that your roof may need to be replaced, then don’t hesitate to contact a professional roofer for an inspection and advice. With the right materials, a good plan, and proper maintenance, you’ll be confident knowing that your new roof will protect your home for years to come.
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