Photo by Mike Brothers
Decoration Team
It took 25 Sullivan Pre School students just a little while to add their personal Christmas decorations to the tree in the Moultrie County courthouse rotunda recently. The young Santa helpers also received a visit from Santa Claus and got a chance to tell him their Christmas Eve wishes.
•December 5, 2018•
By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300
The Sullivan Middle School Building is over 100 years old. Its ability to serve students to this day is a testament to the care and maintenance it has been given over the years.
One area of the building that was showing many signs of wear and tear was the space located above the gym. Some may remember it as the study hall room while others remember it as the library.
Through the generosity of a grant through the Sullivan Community Education Foundation, this space was able to undergo a major remodel. Not only was the space freshened up with new paint, new blinds, and new rugs, but versatile student seating was installed along with white boards to enhance student collaboration. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
The Sullivan Community Christmas Tree was placed on the Moultrie County courthouse lawn Dec. 4. Those attending were above from left: Rob Young, Breanna Barrix; from Buxton’s Garden Farm: Abby and Caynan Sherwood and Steve Buxton; SCED Executive Director Laurrie Minor and Josie Orris.
•December 5, 2018•
Sullivan High School student Breanna Barrix thought a community Christmas tree lighting would be a nice touch for the season but didn’t know how to get it done.
At 9:14 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 Buxton’s Garden Farm delivered the community Christmas tree to the southeast corner of the courthouse.
“When she called me, I almost fell over,” Breanna’s cousin Rob Young said of any teenager caring about the community, so he got on board immediately.
“I have been watching Christmas specials, and community tree lightings bring people together in the spirit of the season,” Barrix explained.
Young began to make the Christmas tree a reality by going to Buxton’s Garden Farm. Buxton’s donated a tree to the cause, which is where Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development came in.
“We have wanted to have a Christmas tree on the square for the past several years, and when Breanna came up with the idea, we knew the time was right,” SCED Executive Director Laurrie Minor said, noting they appreciate permission to place the tree on the courthouse lawn.
The official Christmas tree lighting ceremony is 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 14 during Sullivan’s Old Fashioned Christmas Downtown Celebration. Bruder Tank made the tree stand; with The Thrift Boutique and Habitat ReStore donating lights for the community tree. SCED Director Minor encouraged the community to contribute decorations. Read More
Photo furnished
SES Gold Slips
Gold Slip winners at Sullivan Elementary School for the month of November (from left to right): Kolton Kirby saw a pre-K student struggling to turn the water on at the restroom. Rather than doing it for him, Kolton taught him how to do it himself for the next time, then praised the student.
Porter Addison noticed a friend was sad. He asked if he could sit by that friend to cheer him up.
Luke Schultz saw a classmate crying because she dropped her lunch on the floor. He helped her pick it up to make her feel better.
Madyx Schwass is very helpful to others at the end of the school day. We all work to clean up our room to make vacuuming easier for Mr. Lappin, but Madyx does more than his fair share! He stacks most of the chairs in the room, picks up paper and trash, and helps classmates get organized. In addition, Madyx brings in the lunch cart from the hall and puts all of the chairs on the table in the hall so Mr. Lappin’s job is easier.
Cali Szabo is always so pleasant and polite. She was an easy choice to be a buddy and helper for our new student!. Cali has helped unpack supplies, set up a binder, label a journal, create a card of logins and passwords, explain classroom, lunchroom, and school procedures, and more. She has befriended our new classmate and made her feel welcome. They have had lunch and played together.
Torreon Phillips stands quietly in the lunch line every single day while students around him are talking when they are not supposed to.
•December 5, 2018•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday, December 5) at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current water control plan for Lake Shelbyville, water control operations, and dam safety.
Engineering staff from the USACE St. Louis District office will present information about water control operations and procedures, and dam safety.
The Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center is located east of the Lake Shelbyville Main Dam at 1989 State Hwy. 16 in Shelbyville. For additional information, call our project office at (217)774-3951 X 2 or email lakeshelbyville@usace.army.mil.
Photo furnished
SHS All-State Musicians
Sullivan High School students Christian Hopper (euphonium, concert band) and Jonathan Mathias (trumpet, jazz)have been selected for the Illinois All-State music ensembles. Both students will get to spend several days in January in Peoria at the Illinois Music Educators Conference playing in ensembles with students from all over the state and working with some of the top music educators in the nation. This is a huge honor and a symbol of high musical achievement for both individuals. Mathias will perform on at 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 25 as part of the jazz night concert, and Hopper will perform the afternoon of Saturday, January 26.
•December 5, 2018•
The Champaign News Gazette announced its 2018 All-Area boys’ cross-country teams last week.
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond had two runners earn honors, and Sullivan had one.
For the Knights, sophomore Layton Hall was named to the all-area second team, and senior Austin Romine earned all-area honorable mention honors.
For Sullivan, sophomore Chase McClure earned all-area honorable mention honors.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Seats New Office Holders
At 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 recently elected Moultrie County officials were sworn into office in the main courtroom of the courthouse in Sullivan. Back row from left Moultrie County Board members: Arlene Aschermann, Tyler Graven, Bill Voyles, Todd Maxedon, Dave McCabe; President Lincoln (June 3, 1860) and Resident Moultrie County Circuit Judge Jeremy Richey, who administered the oath to new officers; front from left; Sheriff Chris Sims, Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth, Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth, County Clerk Georgia England and State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver.
•December 5, 2018•
The Findlay American Legion Auxiliary hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 4 at the Findlay American Legion Post Home.
This was their annual Christmas drive so there were plenty of Christmas treats to sample. Christmas giving begins with donating blood and giving someone the Gift of Life.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Darush Tees Off at JALC
Sullivan High School golfer Addison Darush signed a National Letter of Intent to play on the John A. Logan College (Carterville) Volunteer golf team at the SHS gymnasium Monday, Dec. 3. Front row sitting: Larry Wagner (grandpa); Aimee Darush (mom); Addison Darush; Dave Brandt (dad); Kaye Wagner (grandma); Presley Wagner (cousin, not pictured). Back row: Shane Dyel, JALC Golf Coach and Andy Wagner, SHS Golf Coach.