Author: Zainab Susi

About Chris, 1.  How long have you lived in Mahomet, what has your experience been like and why   did you move here?  My husband, daughter and I moved here in 1984.  We moved here because Mahomet is mid way between Urbana- where I worked and Clinton- where my husband Russ worked.  We’ve really enjoyed… Read more

By Zainab SusiOriginal story written on Easter 2013. Two days ago when I went to my twelve years old daughter’s room to say goodnight to her, she asked me, Mom “I need to ask you something “Can I be with Dad and his wife next weekend”? Her question surprised me. Because she was just with… Read more

About Dustin  I am a 33 year-old father of 3, and currently married to my high school sweetheart. I spent 3 years in the US Army with one deployment to Afghanistan. I graduated from EIU with my Bachelors in 2019 and am currently the Program Director for the Mahomet Area Youth Club.  How long have… Read more

By Zainab Susi What has been happening to the Asian American community is absolutely horrible and so shameful. I don’t understand why anyone would purposefully hurt innocent people. History has shown time and time again hatred will never solve any problems or issues. Compassion, kindness, and empathy will. The recent attack in Georgia should not… Read more

Go Fighting Illini!!!  Congratulations to the Illinois Men’s Basketball team and to coach Brad Underwood on making it to the NCAA tournament! I was never a big fan of sports until 4 years ago, but now I have more orange and blue clothing than any other colors in my closet!  I was at Lucas Oil… Read more

About Jennifer: I grew up in New Lenox, Illinois.  I graduated from the Kennedy-King College/UIC Dental Hygiene program in 1999, and am a Registered Dental Hygienist.  I met my husband, Nezar Kassem, at UIC when we were both in our last year of school.  In 2002, we moved from Naperville, IL to Mahomet, and opened… Read more

By Zainab Susi Happy Lunar New Year and welcome to the Year of the Ox!!!  Last year was extremely difficult dealing with the pandemic along with many other sad and devastating events. Now Asian-Americans are getting attacked. How sad and shameful, especially around the special celebration of Lunar New Year. I can’t fathom what’s wrong… Read more

About Tricia Kassem  I’m originally from Lorain, Ohio. I got my BA in Psychology and Sociology from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio in 1994. Specialist in School Psychology from Western Illinois University in 1997.  I’ve been married for almost 26 years. Amin, my husband is the Chief Information Officer at Parkland College and we… Read more

About Rebecca Richardson  Rebecca grew up in Paris, IL and attended the University of Illinois where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and went on to complete her Masters Degree in Education and Organizational Leadership. She taught public school briefly, but found her niche in continuing education and training of adult… Read more

By Zainab Susi One month ago, near the end of 2020, many of us were excited and looking forward to the beginnings the New Year would bring. We were hopeful that things would change for the better.  Today is February 8 2021. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 2.32M COVID-19 related deaths… Read more