Enjoying the holidays, the Sentinel's guide to help you enjoy a mentally stress-free holiday

December 18, 2023  .::. 
Some really cool hosting hacks for your holiday party

Family Features - Entertaining friends and loved ones during the holidays offers an opportunity to slow down from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and make lasting memories. The key is getting ahead of hosting duties so you can be present with family and friends.

Make this season's holiday hosting effortless and enjoyable with these tips:

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October 29, 2024  .::. 
Stress-free Thanksgiving tips for those short on time this holiday season

StatePoint - While gathering for Thanksgiving is intended to be a joyous occasion, everyone who has hosted the feast knows it can also come with a lot of stress, and expenses.

The good news is that whether you’re a Gen Z-er hosting your first Friendsgiving on a budget or you’re a busy family preparing for guests, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.

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November 17, 2024  .::. 
Holidays are no time to talk turkey, avoiding stress and tension around the table

The holidays are fast approaching. Families across the country will soon gather to break bread, exchange gifts and partake in each other’s company.

But the holiday season can also be a time that heightens unwanted stress.

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December 18, 2022  .::. 
5 ways to celebrate with the holidays and keep your family pet safe

NAPSI - Most pet parents agree: their animals are part of what makes the holiday season so magical. While it’s an excellent opportunity to integrate furry family members into all the special holiday traditions and make memories together, there are a few things you should keep in mind to keep your pet safe ...

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November 20, 2023  .::. 
Holiday celebrations are filled with triggers and temptations for those in recovery

CHAMPAIGN - It’s that time of the year when gift-giving, family gatherings, and cheers for the new year bring people together. Though it is perfectly normal to enjoy celebrations that are common around this time of year, the holidays can also be challenging for those in or new to recovery.

The holiday season is usually packed with social events, but this can cause people in recovery to feel lonely or anxious about the possibility of relapsing. For those who may have those concerns, it’s important they know that they are not alone - millions of Americans who are in recovery are also spending their holidays sober.

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November 10, 2024  .::. 
Don't get snowed by holiday scams

BRANDPOINT MEDIA - Scams are unfortunately a fact of life these days. If it's not identity or data theft, it's credit breaches and scam phone calls. Many of us are getting scam texts, too. As the holidays roll in, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) wants you to know we are on the job, working to protect you and your mail and packages.

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December 24, 2022   .::. 
Taking care of yourself during the holidays, steps you can take

StatePoint Media - With seasonal stressors like end-of-year work deadlines, gift shopping and hosting potentially weighing on you, plus all those extra sweets and indulgent foods to nibble on, the holiday season may be the happiest time of year, but it’s not always the healthiest. Here’s how to take better care of yourself to feel your best this holiday season.

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December 14, 2022  .::. 
Grab a smaller plate this holiday season to help keep those cheerful pounds off

SAVOY - December and January bring bountiful holiday meals.

While it’s tempting to chow down, experts are cautioning about how overindulgence can make you feel mentally and physically crummy in the moment, plus open the door to long-term unhealthy eating habits.

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What da funk? A stinky body can be a sign of a health issue

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

DANVILLE - Death, taxes and body odor.

They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.

B.O. basics

Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.

“Specifically in the armpits and genital area, there are glands called apocrine glands. They are high in protein and fat,” Dr. Garcia explains. “Bacteria that live with us will break those substances, and that’s what could cause odors.”

Your urine can even smell foul, Dr. Garcia adds.

Warning signs

Dr. Garcia says if you notice a change in your body odor, especially if a smell comes on suddenly or if the stench gets worse, it’s worth investigating. He says it may just be a product of what you eat and drink. Dehydration, supplements, or eating spicy, garlicy or onion-rich food can lead to body odor.

Image: Mohamed Hassan/Pixabay

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But, body odor changes could also be a sign of infection, metabolic issues, liver disease, kidney disease or gum disease. And in women (mostly adults), odor changes in the urine or genital area could even be a sign of cervical cancer. Putrid-smelling urine or a fish-like smell from the genital area are signs women should watch for, Dr. Garcia says.

“Fruity or sweet odors,” should also be looked into, Dr. Garcia adds. “It might be an indication of serious conditions like diabetes or metabolic disease.”

If your body odor comes with serious symptoms, like bleeding or a fever, call 9-1-1 and get to the emergency department. But for most other cases, a visit to your primary care provider or an urgent care is a good first step.

Key takeaways:

• Some body odor is natural. But if you notice a change, it may be a sign of a bigger problem like an infection, organ issues, diabetes or even cancer.
• If your odor comes with serious symptoms like bleeding, call 9-1-1.  Otherwise, make an appointment with a health care provider.
• Aside from general hygiene, steps to reduce body odor include: have good air flow in your home, change out of damp clothes quickly, eat less spicy food and shave body hair.

Prevention

Good hygiene – like showering, brushing and flossing your teeth and using deodorant – goes a long way to prevent body odor. But Dr. Garcia has some lesser-known tips for parents and others to keep in mind:

• Maintain good air flow in your home. This prevents a warm and moist environment that can lead to smells.
• Have plenty of clothes handy, especially if your child is active.
• “Make sure they change clothes [when needed]. Use a new set of clothes after sweating or exercising,” Dr. Garcia says.
• Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics like nylon and polyester are good for working out.
• Change other habits to see if you notice a change. Eat less spicy food, or switch your deodorant or toothpaste. Also, stress can trigger sweating. So take steps to reduce stress, such as deep breathing, meditation or seeing a mental health professional.
• Consider shaving body hair, particularly your armpits and genital area. Hair can trap sweat and bacteria.

If you take these steps and body odor persists, you may be able to rule out everyday stink as the cause and decide the time is right to see a health care provider.

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Holidays are no time to talk turkey, avoiding stress and tension around the table

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

The holidays are fast approaching. Families across the country will soon gather to break bread, exchange gifts and partake in each other’s company.

Photo provided

Therasa Yehling
Strive Trauma Recovery Center Manager

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But the holiday season can also be a time that heightens unwanted stress.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 90% of people feel some stress during the holiday seasons for several reasons – finances, the death of a loved one and potential family conflict. This year could be especially tough given the tension surrounding the recent presidential election. APA research found the election was a major stress point for 69% of people who responded, which was up from 52% in 2016.

“I think that people are usually stressed about being perfect, trying to do everything,” says Therasa Yehling, manager for the OSF Strive Trauma Recovery Center in Rockford, Illinois, and a licensed social worker. “It could be about money. Are they going to buy everything for everyone? And if you already have issues of mental illness, or having issues with money, it just adds another layer of stress. I think it's hard to deal with around that time.”

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Photo:KrakenImages on Unsplash

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Before coming together this year, Yehling says families should have a plan. Communicate before that get-together and talk about how it might be best to stay away from certain topics. Instead, Yehling says, reinforce the love you have for one another and show compassion and concern for those family members and friends who are gathered around the table that day. It sure beats debating politics with your cantankerous uncle over a slice of pumpkin pie.

“Let's talk about fun things,” says Yehling. “Let's talk about how your kids are doing, how your parents are doing. Really talking about things that bring people together. I think that's important to concentrate on.”

If your family has engaged in heated discussions during past holidays, reevaluate your plan. Maybe this year you decide to only spend a couple of hours at your gathering, instead of all day. And if you know that tensions will be high regardless, Yehling says it’s OK to let your feelings known and to work with family members to make other arrangements this year.

“It's not fair to put people at a place that you know they can't rise to,” she says. “I need to accept that. I can't change them, but I certainly can change me. I can change how I react. And you don’t have to go. Go later. We can eat turkey any other time. We can do things differently.”

Surround yourself with people who love and support you.

Many people will be grieving this holiday season. It could be the loss of a loved one or pet, a job, health issues or even the outcome of the election. “When it comes to losing your husband or somebody you know, give them grace, give them that space,” Yehling says. “Let them have a tear or two, and they'll be alright. Let them be.”

And limit your time on social media. Yehling says the best way to avoid overreacting to information you read is to think carefully about responding to posts that cause you angst. Turn off your notifications and reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling through Facebook or X, for example.

Yehling offers other tips to help people get through the upcoming holidays. Don’t over schedule yourself, limit your travel, keep a regular routine, including healthy eating and exercise. Other reminders are managing gift giving, don’t overindulge when it comes to food and alcohol and take time for yourself. Remember to take a needed break from the holiday madness by reading a book, listening to your favorite music, going for a long walk or just curling up for an afternoon nap.

Most importantly, surround yourself with people who love and support you.

“It’s about who is around you and how you interact,” Yehling adds. “What do you want to do? How do you want this to go? Oh, I want to have fun. Then have fun. Put that effort, put that focus into it.”

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State Volleyball |Calhoun sweeps Cissna Park to reach state volleyball championship match

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kate Zipprich along with teammates Joy Hurley and Stella Gress celebrates Calhoun's semifinal victory over Cissna Park. The Warriors advance to Saturday's 1A title match in their program's first appearance in the volleyball state tournament.

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NORMAL — The Calhoun Warriors wasted no time securing their spot in the Class 1A state volleyball championship, dispatching the Cissna Park Timberwolves in just 47 minutes during the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals at CEFCU Arena on Friday. The Warriors swept the semifinal match 25-16, 25-23, advancing to face Stockton for the state title.

Calhoun (38-2) controlled the match from the first whistle, seizing an early 5-0 lead in the opening set before Cissna Park (35-4) could get on the board with a kill from Sophie Duis. Powered by a balanced offensive attack and sharp defensive execution, the Warriors extended their lead to 17-7 after a powerful strike by Kate Zipprich. The Timberwolves struggled to recover, as Calhoun maintained their grip to close the set 25-16.

"It's been a remarkable season," Cissna Park head coach Josh Landon said after the game. "The grit and determination these girls have had all season long speaks for itself in terms of the deficits we have been able to overcome all year. I really felt like we put ourselves in a good situation despite losing that first set."

Regrouping for the second set, Cissna Park showed the resilience over and over again that Landon highlighted.

The Timberwolves traded points with Calhoun in a tightly contested battle featuring six ties in the first 14 points. Midway through the set, Cissna Park surged to a four-point lead, but the Warriors responded. With setter Lacy Pohlman orchestrating a crucial five-point run, Calhoun regained momentum, turning a 17-14 deficit into a 19-17 lead. From there, the Warriors maintained their composure to secure the two-set sweep.

"The handful of teams we played at the end of the season were outside dominate," Landon said. "They (Calhoun) possessed a middle attack we hadn't seen in several weeks. I'm not going to say that's the reason we weren't able to be successful today. We talked about defending that but you can talk all you want about defending a certain aspect of their game, but then it is a matter of executing it.

"We did that at times, and at times, we did not."

Zipprich paced Calhoun with 9 kills, while Joy Hurley added 8 and Abby Johnes contributed 6. Pohlman registered 24 assists, and Josie Hoagland led the defensive charge with 9 digs. Annie Wilson added 7 digs in a strong supporting effort.

For Cissna Park (35-4), Addison Lucht led all scorers with 12 kills and 6 digs. Duis and Josie Neukomm each contributed 6 kills, while Mady Marcott and Ella Schluter combined for 24 assists. Defensively, Kendyl Neukomm tallied 9 digs to anchor the Timberwolves’ back row.

Lucht, a junior who leads the team in kills with 351 heading into the state semifinal, said the loss, while disappointing, shouldn't ruin the team's championship weekend.

"There are hundreds of teams that wish they were in our shoes right now. I think we should take a step back and realize what a successful season we've had," she explained. The goal now being to come out with "a fresh mind and win the third place trophy."

Calhoun will meet Stockton, another first-time finalist, in the championship match on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

"This is what we have been working for. It's kind of a dream come true," Zipprich said beaming ear-to-ear. "All these girls are like my best friends. To be here with them, it can't get much better than this."

Hurley is confident in her team outlok against the Lady Blackhawks. Her conviction is backed by 240 kills, 43 aces and 196 digs in addition to the stats she racked up against the Timberwolves.

"We will get out there and do what we know how to do," she said confidently. "We set a goal at the beginning of the season and we are going to make it happen."

Meanwhile, Cissna Park looks to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish when they face Hartsburg-Emden in the third-place match at 9 a.m.

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KEYWORDS: IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals, Calhoun Warriors, Cissna Park Timberwolves

Bulldogs firepower too much for DePaul, Mahomet-Seymour advances to Class 3A title match

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - Adaline Eisenmann keeps the ball in play during first set action against DePaul Prep at the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals on Friday. She recorded 22 digs to help the Bulldogs win their semifinal match in straight sets, 25-18, 25-22. Saturday, around 5:30 PM, Eisenmann and the team will face Limestone for the Class 3A title. Below: Addy Reigart goes above the net for a block in the second set.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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KEYWORDS: Mahomet-Seymour Athletics, IHSA State Volleyball, Volleyball State Championships

State Volleyball |Lady Blackhawks head to the championship match at state volleyball

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Katelyn Winters celebrates with her team center court after the Lady Blackhawks punched their ticket into the Class 1A state title game at the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals on Friday morning. Stockton will face Calhoun in the championship contest starting at 9 AM at CEFCU Arena.

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NORMAL - In a thrilling three-set battle, Stockton rallied from a first-set deficit to defeat the Hartsburg-Emden 2-1 in the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals semifinal at CEFCU Arena.

The Stags, led by Alayna Briggs, took the opening set 25-12. However, the Lady Blackhawks responded with a dominant performance in the second and third sets, winning 25-20 and 25-21, respectively. Briggs tallied 20 kills, 1 ace, and 7 digs.

"We know that wasn't our game. In the second and third set the girls came alive and they were able to get the job done," said Stockton head coach Maddie Pontius said about lopsided loss in the first set. She attributed the drubbing to first-set jitters, something that first-time teams experience on the floor at CEFCU. "This was their first trip. They should be nervous. I'm just glad they were able to bounce back."

Madie Mammoser led Stockton's offense with 17 kills and 11 digs, while Kacy Wright contributed 19 assists, 10 digs, and 6 kills. Taylor Haas added 10 kills, and Katelyn Winters had 6 kills and 8 digs.

Lady Blackhawk senior Mattie Mammoser the first set loss lit a fire.

"I think we just kind of woke up. The first set was like a warm-up set. Then everything started going right," said Mammoser, who led Stockton's offensive effort with 17 kills.

For Hartsburg-Emden, Cambelle Hopkins had 8 kills and 11 digs, while A Briggs added 4 kills and 4 aces. Sadie Williams led the defense with 10 digs, and Celia Cross distributed 35 assists.

This is the first state final appearance for the Lady Blackhawks, who will face Calhoun in Saturday's championship match.

"It is an amazing feeling," said Pontius. "It is the first trip in school history. It is an incredible feeling. These girls have put in so much hardwork and effort. Just their focus to win and determination to win is amazing."

Calhoun defeated Cissna Park in straight sets in the other semifinal. The Stags, who have won one state title and three runner-up trophies, will play for third place.

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KEYWORDS: IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals, Stockton Lady Blackhawks, Hartsburg-Emden Stags, State Championship Match, State Volleyball

Niepagen leads Saints into Class 2A championship match at state volleyball

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - Bloomington Central Catholic outside hitter Kampbell Niepagen yells instructions to a teammate during set two of her team's match against Timothy Christian at the IHSA Volleyball State Finals on Friday. Niepagen led all hitters with 13 kills, 2 aces, and a block in the Saints' 25-21, 25-16 win. BCC advanced to Saturday's title game against the winner of the second semifinal between Breese Central and El Paso-Gridley at around 1:15 PM. Below: Saints' Aubrey Campbell receives a serve from the Trojans. The 5'-8" senior was the target of 12 serves and contributed three digs in the victory.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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KEYWORDS: Illini Prairie Conference, IHSA State Volleyball, State Championship, Central Catholic, BCC Volleyball

Calhoun volleyball team advances to Class 1A championship game

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - Above: Players from the Calhoun volleyball team celebrate their semifinal win over Cissna Park on Friday after their Class 1A state semifinal match at CEFCU Arena. The Warriors advance to the title game on Saturday agains Stockton after defeating the Timberwolves, 25-16, 25-23. Below: Sophomores Gabby Hurley and Lilly Pelletier (left) share their excitement learning their team will play for the state title in 24 hours.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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KEYWORDS: Hardin-Calhoun Volleyball, IHSA State Volleyball, State Championship, Cissna Park Volleyball

Stockton Lady Blackhawks advance to Class 1A volleyball title game

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Stockton's Taylor Hess and Anna Blair celebrate their team's semifinal victory over small school powerhouse Hartsburg-Emden at the IHSA Volleyball State Finals on Friday. The Lady Blackhawks advanced to the title game against the Calhoun Warriors after winning, 12-25, 25-20, 25-21.

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KEYWORDS: Hartsburg-Emden Volleyball, IHSA State Volleyball, State Championship, Stockton Volleyball