Area COVID-19 Dashboard for December 25, 2021

The number of active Covid-19 cases in Champaign County continues to rise. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District now reports 2,846 positive cases, an increase of 236 over the previous day's total. Of that number, 1,179 of those battling the infection live within The Sentinel's area of coverage.

The 5-day moving average for new positive cases is up by 26 from 115 per day to 141, the highest this month.

Active Champaign County Cases:

2,846

Net change in the county: 236

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Current local cases 12/25/21

Number in parenthesis indicates change over previous report on 12/24/21

Ogden • 31 (2)
Royal • 3 (1)
St. Joseph • 105 (21)
Urbana • 894 (145)
Sidney • 30 (2)
Philo • 19 (3)
Tolono • 74 (13)
Sadorus • 11 (2)
Pesotum • 12 (0)

Total Active Local Cases:

1,179

Net change in local cases: 95

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Total Local Confirmed Cases: 13,507

New cases: 189

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

Photo-of-the-Day: December 25, 2021

Rockets football fans cheer team to another home win

Unity football fans along the fence in the west end zone cheer for their team during the Rockets' home playoff game against Williamsville on November 13, 2021, at Hicks Field. The Unity football team remained undefeated after booting the Bullets out of the postseason with a dominating 28-7 victory. A week later and back on their home turf, the team advanced to the Class 3A championship game to face Byron after crushing Marshall's playoff bid as well.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Heart-healthy tips for making your 2022 New Year’s resolutions

American Heart Association — Making New Year’s resolutions is a time-honored tradition and sometimes those resolutions are easier to make than to keep. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, has tips and resources to help you set goals you can keep all year long.

"The new year is a time many people commit to making a new, healthy start – we want to eat better, exercise more, lose weight, quit smoking – the list goes on. However, for many of us, the stress of trying to live up to those lofty goals can be too much," said American Heart Association volunteer cardiologist John A. Osborne, M.D, Ph.D., director of State of the Heart Cardiology in Grapevine, Texas. "The most important thing is to set realistic expectations and start with small changes that you can amp up over time. And if you get off track, don’t be discouraged or give up. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes time, so be kind to yourself and realize that making a new, healthy start doesn’t always need to coincide with Jan. 1."

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start small: Set yourself up for success by gradually adding in a healthy habit. Look for opportunities to make a healthy swap during at least one meal each day for a week or try to walk for five minutes instead of scrolling through social media as a break between meetings or tasks.
• Think lean when it comes to protein: Plant proteins like nuts and legumes, fish or seafood, low fat or non-fat dairy and lean cuts of meat are the best bet when picking protein. Research shows that replacing red and processed meat with other protein sources is associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease. 
• Keep moving: Balance food and calorie intake with physical activity to maintain a healthy weight. Take a walk after a meal or play fetch with your pet.  
• Reduce stress: Chronic stress can keep you from feeling your best, so incorporate scientifically proven stress relief activities each day like meditation, physical activity or spending time with your pet.
• Make a plan: Take a few minutes each week to write out a list of meal ideas and grocery needs and you’ll be less likely to make impulse purchases. The American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark has a list of certified heart-healthy foods if you need inspiration.

Five inexpensive hobbies you can start today

Photo: Sarah Pflug/Burst

(StatePoint Media) -- With the weather turning colder and having to stay indoors more over the next three months, starting a new hobby might be just the thing to make the winter months pass by faster. Have you ever been reluctant to try a new hobby because you were worried you would spend a lot of money on gear, supplies and other start-up costs only to lose interest later?

Here are five great ways to explore hobbies more affordably without dipping into your wallet:

1. Language exchange: Rather than purchase pricey software or attend in-person classes, consider finding a language exchange partner. Take turns conversing in each other’s native tongue and pick up important communication skills -- and maybe a friend -- along the way.

2. Built-in music lessons: Music lessons and instruments can be expensive. However, you don’t need a full-sized grand piano or multiple sessions with a private teacher to master the instrument. Today, digital keyboards can offer a high-quality piano sound at a price that’s within reach, along with features specifically designed for building the skills of novices. For example, Casio keyboards are affordable and some models are outfitted with Casio’s Step-up Lesson System, which can help you learn built-in songs at your own pace. Additionally, the LCD display teaches both music notation and correct hand positioning, while an innovative scoring system allows you to track your progress. By connecting to the free Chordana Play iOS/Android app, you can learn to play your favorite songs from downloaded MIDI files, taking your music further.

3. Pick-up games: While organized sports leagues are an opportunity to make friends and get some exercise, you may not have the time to commit to weekly games or the inclination to spend money on team equipment and uniforms. Whether you call up your best pals to play in the backyard, or try your luck at the local court or field, all the benefits of team sports (e.g. fresh air and camaraderie) can be experienced participating in a casual pick-up game.

4. Wellness: To participate in online yoga classes, all you need is a mat and comfy clothes. Online classes can deliver high-quality instruction for free on a schedule that works for you. The important thing is to find a teacher whose cues you understand and who practices a style that aligns with your needs and goals. Safety tip: if you are unsure how a certain pose or flow is performed, watch the video first before attempting it on your own.

5. Return-on-investment crafting: Crafting can be expensive, particularly if you work with high-quality materials. The good news is that once you master a particular skill, be it knitting, sewing or mosaics, there are opportunities to sell your work at craft fairs and on sites like Etsy. And of course, crafts can make amazing gifts for friends and family.

While hobbies can enrich the mind, body and soul, they don’t need to cost a fortune. With a little creativity, you can learn new skills and try different activities without breaking the bank.

Illinois rental assistance program covers up to 18 months for qualified applicants

by Lily Bohlke, Illinois News Connection

Illinois residents struggling to pay rent or facing eviction can find out if the state has funds or services to help.

Teri Ross, executive director of Illinois Legal Aid Online, said programs and amounts available vary depending on the city or county. She explained the state's program through the Illinois Housing Development Authority reopened this month and will stay open until January 9, and more people are eligible than may think.

"If you're worried that you might be above the income level, I'd make sure you check it first," Ross advised. "It's $75,000 annual income a year for a family of four. That's well above the poverty level to qualify."

Ross added there are two major differences with the current round of state rental assistance. It will cover up to 18 months of rent, whereas past rounds covered 15 months, and the documentation requirements are more flexible. If there are certain documents you cannot access, she said you can sign a statement to attest what you're saying about your eligibility is true.

In addition to state rental assistance, Ross noted the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program may help people who already have an active eviction case in court. She said some counties also have mediation services available to help landlords and tenants negotiate a path forward.

"The other service that you can get is something called Eviction Help Illinois," Ross noted. "That provides actual legal assistance, advice and representation from lawyers available to people, and landlords as well, who find themselves in these precarious situations."

According to recent Census Bureau surveys, more than 80,000 Illinois residents are at risk of eviction or foreclosure on their homes, and more than 220,000 have been unable to pay their energy bills.

Photo-of-the-Day: December 24, 2021

Wright at home

St. Joseph-Ogden's Marty Wright (right) and Jesse Schlueter hug after Wright scored the third run in the top of the 8th inning for his team during their Class 2A state semifinal game against Chicago Christian on June 2. Wright's head-first slide into home gave SJO a 5-2 advantage and advanced the program to the title game against Teutopolis at Dozier Stadium on Saturday.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Photo-of-the-Day: December 23, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden's Nolan Grindley dives after a loose ball during the Spartans' home basketball game against Teutopolis back in March of this year. The Wooden Shoes won the non-conference contest, 69-48.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

National Popcorn Day coming in January

In a recent survey of 2,000, 51% of those responding said popcorn is the number one item needed for a perfect movie night at home.

A popular snack here in the US, Americans consume around 14 billion quarts of popcorn a year. It even has its own day, January 19. National Popcorn Day became a national holiday around 2014 and has been celebrated ever since. By the way, popcorn is also the official snack of Illinois.

On a diet? Popcorn is the perfect go-to, low-calorie snack. An batch of air-popped popcorn has just 31 calories per cup. Popping in oil bumps the calorie count a bit to 55, but compared to most snack food items, it is still much better for your waistline.

Popcorn and movies go hand in hand. Here is more about what researchers learned from their survey:

Area COVID-19 Dashboard for December 23, 2021

Since The Sentinel's last update on December 21, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reports three deaths attributed to Covid-19. This month, there have been nine deaths with victims ranging between 50 to 100 years old.

The county public health department also reports an increase of active cases over the past two days to 2,497. On December 21, there were 2,087 active cases.

Within The Sentinel's area of coverage, the county reports 304 residents have tested positive for the virus since Tuesday.

Active Champaign County Cases:

2,497

Net change in the county: 410

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Current local cases 12/21/21

Number in parenthesis indicates change over previous report on 12/21/21

Ogden • 34 (3)
Royal • 2 (1)
St. Joseph • 94 (28)
Urbana • 761 (249)
Sidney • 34 (4)
Philo • 18 (5)
Tolono • 66 (11)
Sadorus • 10 (1)
Pesotum • 13 (2)

Total Active Local Cases:

1,032

Net change in local cases: 187

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Total Local Confirmed Cases: 13,214

New cases: 304

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

Spend less money, entertain more this holiday season

Nicole De Khors/Burst

(StatePoint) -- There is nothing like gathering with family and friends sharing the ups and downs of the past year and plans for the upcoming one.

The holiday season brings an abundance of feelings that may include joy, comfort, gratitude, and unfortunately, stress. Don’t let the task of entertaining friends and family break the bank or your back.

Instead, create memorable gatherings with loved ones while saving time and money in the process using these hosting tips from the experts at Dollar General:

Delicate Décor
Creating the right ambiance in your space is key to holiday decorating success. Begin by decluttering the areas of your home where you plan to entertain. Fill the extra spaces with seasonal decorations. Remember, elaborate, expensive items aren’t always needed to make a home look amazing. Decorations like small figurines, bowls filled with holiday candy or simple wreaths and garlands can do the trick of transforming your home into a winter wonderland!

Fruitful Food
With more guests comes more food, but it doesn’t have to mean spending more money. Shopping at discount retailers for essentials such as milk, eggs, bread and cheese can help stretch your budget. You can also make the switch to private brand items and save even more when buying foods for overnight guests, such as granola bars, cereal and snacks. Consider purchasing these household basics from a local Dollar General store, which also provides digital coupons to help you save even more.

Supplies Stock-Up
Of course, to entertain, you will need supplies. Stocking up on cleaning essentials, everyday cooking ingredients and entertaining basics early in the season is a great way to have everything needed before the party begins. Consider adding items such as trash bags, cutlery, paper products, other decorations and even small gifts.

By using smart shopping strategies, you can entertain during the holidays with ease instead of stress.

Photo-of-the-Day: December 22, 2021

Focusing on the finish line less than 15 yards ahead of her, St. Joseph-Ogden's Emmy Houston is passed by Gibault Catholic's Brooke Biffar at the 2017 IHSA Cross Country State Final. Finishing her race at 18:38, Houston was the fourth SJO harrier to cross the finish line to help the team to a second place finish her freshman year. The Unity Rockets' girls team edged out SJO with a two-point advantage to take home the championship trophy. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Slow start sinks Rockets at T-town

Despite draining two more treys than the Wooden Shoes, the 9-7 advantage did not keep the Unity's boys basketball team from absorbing their first loss of the season on the road on December 4.

Coming off a 61-53 win over Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin in their season opener at home on November 30, the Rockets' got off to a slow start against Teutopolis, scoring just seven first-quarter points to their opponent's 14.

By the end of the half, Unity trailed by 14 and was in the same position by the end of the third quarter at 48-34.

Blake Kimball scored seven of his 12 points for the night in the final quarter. The senior also went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

Tristan Price, who matched Kimball's performance from the line with two third-quarter shots from the line, finished the night with 8 points. Austin Langendorf was the team's second-leading scorer with 11 points.

The Wooden Shoes were paced by 16-point outputs from juniors Brendan Niebrugge and Caleb Siemer. Kayden Althoff converted on all six attempts from the free-throw line for Teutopolis.

Box Score

Final: Teutopolis 59 - Unity 51

Unity --
Kimball 10-2-12, Cowan 6-0-6, Thomas 7-0-7, Warfel 3-0-3, Price 6-2-8, Langendorf 9-2-11, Maxwell 2-0-2.

Teutopolis --
B. Niebrugge 15-1-16, M. Niebrugge 7-2-9, K. Althoff 3-6-9, M. Althoff 2-0-2, J. Niebrugge 6-1-7, Siemer 12-4-16.

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Christmas time is here

Members of the Hot Club of Urbana play a song from Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas at their Christmas show at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana on Saturday, December 18. Piano player Rob Sweedler and his brothers, Jeff on bass and Ben playing violin, along with drummer Will Andresen and Louie Pappas on guitar, flute and saxophone, played their final show of the year with a jazzed up selection of holiday songs. Performing in front of an intimate crowd of about 40 guests, the band performed holiday favorites like Greensleeves, Skating and Christmas Time is Here.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Louie Pappas plays a solo during the second set of the Hot Club Urbana's show during the band's rendition of Christmas is Coming. Listen to the entire live performance recorded by Sean Kutzko for Chambana Jazz here. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Violinist Ben Sweedler and his brother Jeff, on the bass, play God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen during the first set of the Hot Club Urbana's Christmas show at the Rose Bowl. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Guest Commentary: Give the gift of mercy and forgiveness this Christmas

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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This Christmas give somebody the gift of mercy and forgiveness. Be broad with your giving and generous. We all need a lot of both. For such a joyful holiday of cheer, giving and yuletide merriment there is much to be stressed about.

Typically, people have been stressed about all the holiday parties, gatherings and Christmas scheduling. This year there is more stress related to sickness, masks, vaccinations, Omicron, natural disasters, filled hospitals, massive numbers of funerals and inflation. The last couple of Christmases have not been life as usual for most of us.

You may have watched Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. He becomes over the top stressed out when his Christmas lights won’t work and he literally kicks, stomps and curses a blue streak across his yard. It's a funny scene. Mostly because in some way we've all been there a time or two.

Most of us enjoy giving if we can. We enjoy giving to the people we love. Christmas trees, decorating, eating and gatherings are all a part of the season. However, we become frustrated when we lose sight of the big picture. The big picture includes looking around and beyond our Christmas pain.

Millions of people would simply be thrilled to have the problems that some of us have. Many people are in the nursing home and will never go to the mall again. Some have a terminal disease and this may be their last Christmas. Depression will weigh heavy on many who have lost their homes, buried loved ones or experienced financial devastation from medical care or natural disasters. Most of these people would love to have a house to decorate or gifts to buy for a loved one.

Celebrate Christmas this year. Give away some special gifts. Give gifts that money can't buy or time cannot fade. Give love, give forgiveness and give some mercy. Extend these generously to yourself. If you can't give them to yourself it's impossible to give them to others.

The little baby that Christmas celebrates became a man and taught people that we should love God and love others as we love ourselves. Herein is part of the rub. Too often people stop loving themselves. Life becomes imperfect, we fail, get hurt or mad and we kick Santa or the reindeer across the yard. Unfortunately, we don’t stop there. We go into Ebenezer Scrooge bah humbug mode. We don't get our groove back and miss out on some of Christmas' most wonderful characteristics- mercy and forgiveness.

The Christmas story is about a child who came to show us the way. He showed us how to love, forgive and be merciful. Some of the people in your life probably need it more than you know. Give generously and start with yourself.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion 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.

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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.

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Area COVID-19 Dashboard for December 21, 2021

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reports the number of active COVID-19 cases increased by 97 in the past 24 hours. There are currently 2,087 active cases in the county, up from 1,990 on Monday. Locally, 106 new cases were record, bringing the Sentinel area count to 845.

The largest group of individuals currently in isolation are those in the age group ranging from 20 to 30. There are 540 cases within that age group and 332 folks in the 30-40-year-old range under quarantine. There are 311 youths between the ages of 10 and 20 who have tested and are under isolation as well as 240 kids under the age of 10.

According to Carle Hospital, they currently have 128 COVID-19 patients, 28 who are being treated in their intensive care unit. Five other individuals are at other facilities bringing the total count to 33 for Champaign County.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the CUPHD website says there have been 222 deaths attributed to Coronavirus in the county.

Active Champaign County Cases:

2,087

Net change in the county: 97

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Current local cases 12/21/21

Number in parenthesis indicates change over previous report on 12/20/21

Ogden • 32 (5)
Royal • 2 (0)
St. Joseph • 84 (7)
Urbana • 586 (80)
Sidney • 35 (1)
Philo • 15 (0)
Tolono • 67 (6)
Sadorus • 11 (1)
Pesotum • 13 (6)

Total Active Local Cases:

845

Net change in local cases: 28

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Total Local Confirmed Cases: 12,910

New cases: 106

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

Photo-of-the-Day: December 20, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden's Justyn Frisby uses his legs to settle a high ball around Unity's Peter Manrique during the Spartan's home game on September 26, 2017. After two scoreless halves, SJO fell 3-2 in a shoot-out to end the contest.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

6 tips to keep your pets warm and safe during Illinois winter

Photo: Nathanael Mosqueda/Pexels

(Family Features) -- So far, the weather in central Illinois has been pretty mild this winter, and like their owners, family pets are enjoying their time outside. But as we head toward the typically colder 6-8 week period starting sometime in January through February, it is never too early to start thinking about protecting our four-legged companions when arctic air from the north pushes our way.

Just as people prepare their homes, cars and families for extreme temperatures and weather events of winter, it's important to remember pets' needs this time of year.

As cold weather sets in, Dr. Jennifer Freeman, DVM, resident veterinarian at PetSmart, shares these tips to prepare and ensure your pets are warm and happy throughout winter.

Take Caution When Outdoors
When temperatures reach levels of extreme cold, Freeman recommends limiting outdoor walks and monitoring your pet's behavior for signs of stress or discomfort. Letting your dog outside to use the bathroom or go for a quick walk is OK, but never leave a pet outside for a long period of time, especially during a winter storm.

"Don't let your dog off its leash after snowfall, as snow can mask familiar scents," Freeman said. "This can cause your pet to become disoriented or lost if they get too far away."

Add Extra Layers
Despite efforts to limit time outdoors, your pet needs to go outside for bathroom breaks and exercise. Pets who are small, short-haired, old or have any health issues or illnesses may be more sensitive to cold weather.

Pet sweaters can help keep your pet warm. If your pet is shivering, that's a sign they need extra layers. To help trap body heat and protect paws from extreme cold, consider using booties when venturing outside.

Watch out for Hazardous Chemicals
Many people use snow-melting products like deicers, antifreeze and salt, which can cause skin irritation and be fatal if ingested by your pet. Pet parents should keep an eye on their pets when they're outside and be mindful of hazards. After a walk, it's important to thoroughly rinse your pet's paws and stomach, Freeman said, especially after walking in areas where these products are frequently used.

Keep Skin Protected
Just like humans, many pets get dry skin during the winter. When your pet needs a bath, try using a pet-friendly moisturizing shampoo to help keep skin healthy and hydrated. If your pet's skin seems extra dry, supplements like fish oil can be added to your pets' food to help the skin and coat. It's important to keep an eye on skin health and check with your vet if issues persist as they could be signs of larger problems.

Have an Emergency Plan
"While creating emergency kits in case of a storm or power outage, don't forget about your pet's needs," Freeman said. "A pet's kit should include supplies needed to keep them fed, warm and secure during emergency conditions like blizzards or extreme cold. Items like sweaters, insulated vests, paw booties, pet-safe ice melt and a heated bed or pad can help avoid risks associated with freezing temperatures."

Gather any other care items your pet may require such as medications, puppy pads, waste bags, litter box supplies and calming spray. Freeman also suggests storing a one-week supply of food in a waterproof container along with bottled water and portable bowls as well as a list of feeding routines and behavioral considerations in case others need to care for your pet.

Ensure Identification Information is Current
While winter emergencies may add to the importance, it's crucial your pet wears a tag displaying your phone number year-round. Microchip and register your pet with current contact information and tuck a copy of their vaccination and medical records, veterinary contact information and a current photo in your emergency kit.

Find products to help protect your pet this winter at PetSmart.com.

Area COVID-19 Dashboard for December 19, 2021

For the third consecutive day, there are over 2,000 active COVID-19 cases in Champaign County. Of the 2,029 county residents currently under quarantine, 839 live in The Sentinel area.

What may be even more concerning is that the number of individuals quarantined due to "close contact" with an infected person doubled overnight to 2,208.

11.5% of those placed under quarantine due to contact/exposure to the Coronavirus have later tested positive, according to the most recent Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department figures. If the infectious pattern holds to form, an additional 255 individuals will likely test positive over the next three-day window.

Active Champaign County Cases:

2,029

Net change in the county: -23

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Current local cases 12/19/21

Number in parenthesis indicates change over previous report on 12/18/21

Ogden • 27 (2)
Royal • 5 (0)
St. Joseph • 84 (8)
Urbana • 555 (51)
Sidney • 40 (5)
Philo • 20 (2)
Tolono • 84 (8)
Sadorus • 12 (1)
Pesotum • 12 (1)

Total Active Local Cases:

839

Net change in local cases: -18

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Total Local Confirmed Cases: 12,743

New cases: 78

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

Guest Commentary:May this Christmas be worth remembering

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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We had difficulties when we were growing up in Martin county, Kentucky but overall, we thought we were doing okay. President Lyndon Johnson came to Inez, Kentucky in 1964 to let us know we weren’t doing very well. He began his campaign in our community and we became the poster child for American poverty. We hadn’t really thought of ourselves as poor until we started hearing about ourselves in the news.

I had numerous friends who didn’t get much for Christmas. Often it was one or two small gifts or nothing at all.

Several classmates at my elementary school in Tomahawk, Kentucky were fortunate if they had a coat to wear in the winter. Ragged looking shoes on a kid’s feet during the winter was a common sight.

Several classmates came to school to wash their faces and hands in the boys’ bathroom. The school lunch was the only decent meal some of the kids ate during the week.

It was a while before President Johnson’s 1964 promises started helping our area. Even with the roll out of government assistance many families subsisted until the coal boom of the seventies which has almost died. Today our county is reinventing itself with agriculture, a service center to aid bitcoin mining, tourism and small businesses.

I don’t remember every Christmas, but I remember one. My dad broke his back falling off a barn when I was a child. He was out of work for several months and in those days, we didn’t have government safety nets to see us through tough financial times. Christmas came as usual and we did put up a tree. Our family gathered on Christmas Eve and we had food, fellowship and laughter. We always raised a garden and my parents stored food so it came in handy during tough times.

I expected nothing for Christmas that year because the heaviness of family financial pressure was obvious even as a child. Surprisingly, my mother handed me a small wrapped box that Christmas Eve and said Merry Christmas. I was shocked because I expected nothing that year. Opening the box, I found a watch that had numbers that glowed in the dark. It may have cost $5 but it was priceless to me. I was thrilled and wore it every night to just look at the glowing numbers.

Dad was recuperating that Christmas. His temporary disability and our financial stress made life gloomy for us that year. Yet, here I am remembering that Christmas as one of the best of all. It was during that Christmas that I remember the presence of family. Mom and dad were alive. We had food to eat. We had a roof over our heads and our family had each other.

This may not be your best Christmas, but maybe, just maybe you can still have Christmas.

The empty chair is painful. Depression is real. Financial or other personal difficulties may have disabled you. Millions have died from Covid-19. Thousands are suffering from horrific tornadoes and loss of life. Hurricanes have pounded us in the East and fires have incinerated our West. In the midst of all this inflation eats away at America’s paychecks like an unchecked malignancy.

The message of Christmas is the story of peasant parents, enduring difficult travel, taxes to be paid and no place to sleep but a barn and a cow’s trough for their newborn baby. Somehow, they found strength in each other and in God who brought them and their baby through a very difficult time. We never forget their story and their plight, it’s truly a Christmas worth remembering.

We are going to remember this Christmas, no doubt. Somehow, someway, with God’s help and each other, may this be a Christmas worth remembering.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion 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.

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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.

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This week at the Rose Bowl Tavern

The Rose Bowl Tavern is the quintessential and longest-running entertainment hotspot in downtown Urbana. Open since 1946 and under new ownership since 2019, the bar now offers live shows across several genres. While you may catch a country or Bluegrass performance a couple of times a week, the Rose Bowl now offers regular jazz shows, jam sessions and a comedy open mike night. Located at 106 N Race Street, there's plenty of free parking after 5pm in the city lot just outside the side entrance on the north side of the building.

Here's this week's live entertainment line-up:

For more information on upcoming shows, special hours and promotions, visit their website at www.rosebowltavern.com and on Facebook at @RoseBowlTavern.