John Ellis

John Ellis sitting on a bench in the park

John Ellis sitting at a table in the park“My one goal was that she would be surprised. She knew it was coming eventually but I wanted to surprise her and I did that. We went out and got dinner, went for a drink, walked out on the terrace, and got the manager to open the door because it was cold. It was light flurries that night. It was a great setting. I got married two months ago. We moved to Decatur about two weeks before we were married on February 2nd. It was a lot of change. New job. New wife. We dated for about six years before we decided to come back to the area. I’ve been fortunate to live in some cool cities like Dallas, St. Louis, and Chicago but one thing that Decatur has is a sense of small-town community yet you’re still in somewhat of a larger city. I get kind of frustrated with people who are from here and they have a negative connotation about Decatur, which I think is absurd. There is something special about being able to be in a network of people who will really have your back.” (1/2)

 

“I aspire to be like my dad. I’m one of five and he’s one of nine. He’s always worked incredibly hard to make sure all of us kids had everything we needed to be successful. If I can be anything like him, I’d be happy. I always knew I’d be in sales because I love working with people. My first job was mowing lawns back in grade school. You’re never going to get a job unless you ask. I had to go around asking all my neighbors if they would allow me to be their lawn service for the summer.” (2/2)

Volunteer Opportunities for Christmas

  • Salvation Army Bell Ringing – through December 24

Various Decatur locations. Ring a bell for Salvation Army donations to the famous red buckets, only two hours are required, must be age 16 or older, all proceeds collected remain in Macon County for the homeless shelter, food pantry, social services, clothing, utility and rent assistance, senior and youth programs, two-hour shifts from 10am-8pm, www.ringbells.org or 217-428-4672.

920 North Union Street in Decatur, Illinois, 62521.

Meals are prepared and served each day by volunteer groups.

Volunteer for clean up on December 29

825 North Water Street – Decatur, Illinois 62523

We provide special Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Food baskets. Plan a day to come and Volunteer.

Contact Abby with Faith in Action at 217-428-0013 to become a volunteer

Faith in Action is a program that serves homebound individuals age 55 and older.

 

(Photo provided by The Good Samaritan Inn)

Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities

The Good Samaritan Inn

The meal is served from 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m. Daily

920 North Union Street in Decatur, Illinois, 62521.

Meals are prepared and served each day by volunteer groups.

 

 

The Salvation Army

Nov. 7th – Dec. 24th

Bell Ringing

To volunteer call Kathy at 217-428-4673, ext. 105

 

 

Northeast Community Fund

825 North Water Street – Decatur, Illinois 62523

We provide special Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Food baskets. Plan a day to come and Volunteer.

 

 

Faith in Action

Contact Abby with Faith in Action at 217-428-0013 to become a volunteer

Faith in Action is a program that serves homebound individuals age 55 and older.

 

 

Coats for Kids

May be dropped of through Nov. 30th

Collecting coats, gently used and new, to get into the hands of families in need.

Drop off sites listed.

 

 

Toys for Tots

November 23- Decatur lighted Christmas Parade.

Downtown Decatur Toys for Tots will be collecting toys.

 

Decatur Ranks Best Places in Nation for Physicians & Surgeons

Analysts from GoodCall.com ranked the top metro areas in the country for physicians and surgeons to live and work. The Decatur area took the number 22 spot on the list, outranking other Illinois cities like Peoria that ranked 51. The report highlights areas of the country where physicians and surgeons are earning the most, as well as where they can find affordable housing, a comfortable lifestyle and solid working conditions.

To rank the top metropolitan areas, GoodCall looked at:

Average median salaries for physicians and surgeons (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Job Availability (Indeed.com)
Local amenities and housing affordability (U.S. Census Bureau)
The number of hospitals per capita (National Practitioner Database)

The number of malpractice payouts per capita (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)

Decatur ranked third for salary behind St. Joseph, MO and Laredo, TX, and scored highly on housing affordability and job availability. Physicians and surgeons in the area are earning an average median salary of $263,230, 41% more than the national average of $187,200.

“Having practiced internal medicine for 30 years in Decatur, I can validate Decatur ranking in the top 25 cities for best places in the United States for physicians and surgeons,” said David Baumberger, M.D., Vice President Quality Systems &

Medical Affairs, Decatur Memorial Hospital. “For me, the ranking is what my family and I have come to know and love about Decatur.”

“Physicians and surgeons put in countless hours working to promote the health of the communities they live in, from diagnosing and treating sick patients to teaching citizens about disease prevention. That’s why we wanted to find communities that give back to physicians and surgeons, too, providing them with a great quality of life and work,” says Paul Southerland, Lead Analyst for GoodCall.

“Being ranked in the top 25 cities for best places in the US for physicians and surgeons is confirmation that Decatur is an excellent city for doctors to have a good quality of life and a great place to raise a family,” said Timothy D. Stone Jr., Executive Vice President & Administrator, Decatur Memorial Hospital.

A total of 218 metropolitan areas were analyzed for this report.

The full report and methodology can be found here.

City Limitless Photo Contest

See Decatur & Macon County in a new light. Share a photo of undiscovered beauty in Macon County this month and you can win! A winner will be chosen weekly over the month of August. (4 winners in total)

So how does it work? 

  • Post a photo on Facebook with #Decaturcitylimitless

It’s that easy!

Show the beauty of Decatur and you could win a $25 gift certificate to Doherty’s Pub & Pins or Crawford’s Pizza & Pub!

 

Indoor Activities

If this summer has been promising for one thing, it’s a rather inconsistent forecast. Between rain and heat, sometimes it’s difficult to be outside.Whenever rain or excessive heat comes, it is still possible to have some fun. The Decatur area offers an abundance of indoor activities for all ages. For the whole family there are everyday options such as the Children’s Museum and bowling. Furthermore, the various athletic clubs make it possible to take outdoor activities—such as soccer and tennis—indoors. Beyond everyday options, there are possibilities such as live music and theater as well as art exhibits. Don’t let the weather prevent you from having fun!

Open Daily:

Here are some indoor events through the month of August.

  • July 31st – Dinosaurs Before Dark 7pm
    Performances will be held at the Decatur Civic Center Theater. Tickets are $7 for reserved seating. Purchase over the phone at 422-5911, online at decatur-parks.org or at the theatre one hour before show time.
  • August 1st – Dinosaurs Before Dark 2pm
  • August 1st – Legally Blonde 7pm
    Performances will be held at the Decatur Civic Center Theater. Tickets are $7 for reserved seating. Purchase over the phone at 422-5911, online at decatur-parks.org or at the theatre one hour before show time.
  • August 2nd – Legally Blonde 2pm
  • August 2nd – The Power & Popularity of Civil War Music 2 pm
    Music historian and author Dr. Christian McWhirter speaks about the impact of Civil War music on popular culture, Rock Springs Nature Center.
  • August 6th – 3rd Annual Decatur Celebration Kickoff Concert Featuring: Home Free & LOCASH 7 pm
    The 3rd Annual Decatur Celebration Kick Off Concert features Country A Cappella Band and Champions of NBC’s The Sing-Off, Home Free, and Country Rock Band LOCASH, on Thursday, August 6 at the Decatur Civic Center Arena. Tickets are $20 general admission.
  • August 7th – Ashley Riley at Lock Stock & Barrel 9pm-1am
  • August 14th – First Friday Gallery Walk 5-7:30pm
    First Friday Gallery Walk; 3 Downtown Art Galleries: Madden Arts Center’s Anne Lloyd Gallery and Blue Connection Gallery, 125 N. Water St., and Gallery 510, 160 E. Main St. Visit each for a variety of art experiences, artist talks, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages.
  • August 14th – Gallery 510 5-7:30pm
    First Friday opening reception featuring Shirley Buescher’s watercolor paintings, artist talk 6:30pm.
  • August 14th – Madden Arts Center 5-7:30pm
    First Friday opening reception of Doug Goessman’s mixed media works
  • August 14th – Men of Essence at Lock Stock & Barrel 9pm-1am
  • August 15th – Misconduct at Lock Stock & Barrel 9pm-1am
  • August 15th – Prairieland Punishers 5 & 7pm
    BACKLASH VS. ILLINOIS VALLEY VIXENS; ALL-STARS VS. DARK RIVER; Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at Giggles on Merchant or by contacting the team through their website at punishersderby.com, or $15 at the door, $5 for kids.
  • August 21st – Women, Wine, & Wellness 5-9pm
    Each year over 70 different local businesses gather to offer product samples, shopping, free wine tasting, health screening, and more!
  • August 28th – Third Shift at Lock Stock & Barrel 9pm-1am
  • August 29th Bonedogz at Lock Stock & Barrel 9pm-1am

Things to do this Weekend

The summer is flying by! Come out to these summer events before it’s too late.

Friday

Family Fun

  • Discover the Dinosaurs 
  • Barclay’s Backyard Theatre

Athletic Events

  • Relay for Life

Summer Concerts

  • Old Smoke Band

For more events on Friday visit Thrive

Saturday

Family Fun

  • Discover the Dinosaurs
  • Caricature Drawing

Athletic Events

  • Yoga is for You

Summer Concerts 

  • West End Boogie Project

For more events on Saturday visit Thrive

Sunday

Family Fun

  • Discover the Dinosaurs
  • Ice Cream Safari

Athletic Events

  • Canoe the Sangamon

Summer Concerts

  • Dave & Friends Blues Band

For more events on Sunday visit Thrive

 

Forbes Names Decatur Second for Thriving Farm Economy

In the past year Macon County has begun to feel a momentum of growth and prosperity. We are wearing our pride on our sleeves as we are again recognized for our growing economy and career opportunities. As a community that found its roots in agriculture, it is only appropriate that Macon County is being nationally recognized for its thriving farm economy.

Forbes names Decatur second place for a thriving agriculture economy. In “The Uncelebrated Places Where America’s Farm Economy Is Thriving,” writer Joel Kotkin stresses the overall importance of America’s agriculture sector, its stance as the country’s oldest economic pillar and that today’s industry goes beyond the fields to include a vital network of factories, laboratories, and distribution.

“For 2013, the USDA estimated that agricultural exports supported about 1.1 million full-time private-sector jobs, which included 793,900 off the farm (in the food processing industry, the trade and transportation sector and in other supporting industries),” according to the Forbes article. The average agribusiness worker in Decatur earns three times the amount of income compared to their counterparts in top ranked Madera, California. Local workers average $85,900 a year.

“It is exciting to see that the agriculture industry is getting the respect it has always deserved,” says Ryan McCrady, President of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County. “Decatur and Macon County are well positioned with support services to help businesses access the globe in an effective, efficient and reliable manner. Our rich history in manufacturing and agriculture fit together seamlessly, so we are pleased but not surprised to receive this prestigious recognition.”

The article also displays notable growth statistics for Decatur’s agribusiness industry:

  • Agribusiness Job Growth, 2004-14: 7.7%
  • Agribusiness Jobs, 2014: 5,768
  • Share Of Total Jobs In Area: 4.4%
  • Average Annual Wages: $85,907
  • Wage Increase, 2004-14: 13.8%

To read the complete article, visit here.

Brush College school to become Food Manufacturing Hub

Brush College school closed in 2013 and over the past few years there has been much talk over what the building should be turned into. That is when Tony Caccomo had an idea to turn the facility into a National Foodworks Service. His reasoning: the location. “This is a major corridor,” Tony Caccomo said. “I can’t tell you anywhere in the country with better assets. It has as strong of diversified industrial activity as anywhere around.” Click here to read the Herald & Review article.

City Limitless Symbol

You may be wondering about the city limitless symbol that is present in some of the new branding materials and video. This symbol was created to be a minimal representation of the iconic transfer house that is highly recognizable and beloved by our community. We wanted to take something from our rich history and present it in a fresh and modern way. We borrowed shapes from the Transfer House’s architecture; two consecutive octagons taken from the stacked roofs, the 8 window arches, and the 16 lines from the vertical window frames. By tipping the windows in we get a shape that is reminiscent of a faceted diamond. This is symbolic of our unbreakable strength and serves as a playful reminder that Decatur is truly a ‘gem’ of a city. Flipping the vantage point and viewing the Transfer House from above speaks to the whole spirit of the campaign. We are challenging our residents to see beyond the town they think the know and look at Decatur from a fresh new angle.