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T-Town Takes Tough Win Over Sullivan Team

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Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan’s Esther Miller kept the ball going as she scored 25 points in each of her last two games.

•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girls’ basketball team lost its first game of the season to Teutopolis Monday night.
After a tight first quarter, the Wooden Shoes outscored the Redskins 15-5 in the second quarter for a 27-16 halftime score.
Sullivan battled back in the third quarter, outscoring Teutopolis 14-7 to cut the lead to 34-30.
“We played a tremendous second half defensively,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “Anytime you can hold a T-town team to single digits is a good day. I know the scoreboard has us losing; however, our girls played their hearts out tonight.”
In the fourth quarter, Teutopolis held on for the 48-42 lead.
“In my mind, one single stat was the deciding factor in the outcome of the game, and that was free throws,” McCain said. “We lost by six, and we were 12 for 21 from the line. I am still very proud of this team. This time last year we lost to T-town 59-29.” Read More

SBL Health Screenings

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•November 28, 2018•

SBL Lincolnland Home Care and Lincolnland Hospice will conduct a free blood pressure clinic from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, December 20 at the Senior Center in Sullivan.
For more information, call Lincolnland Home Care at 1-800-879-3212.
SBL Lincolnland Home Care, Lincolnland Hospice and Lincolnland Home Medical will sponsor bingo from 9 – 10 a.m. following the blood pressure clinic.
If the schools are closed due to adverse weather, the senior center will also be closed.

Tough Week for Timberwolves Basketball

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•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team could not find a win in its first four games of the St. Anthony Holiday Tournament this past week.
The Timberwolves dropped games against Tolono Unity, Mattoon, Robinson and Breese Central.
Saturday against Tolono, OV took a 19-16 lead into halftime, but the Rockets exploded for a 21-9 run in the third quarter to take control of the game.
Tolono held on in the fourth for the final 52-41 score.
Individual stats were not available.
Friday, OV lost to Mattoon 66-27. Read More

Hydro-Gear Employees Collect Big for Food Pantry

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Hydro-Gear employees pitched in donating 7084 food items plus $6,696.38 in matched funds to the Moultrie County Food Pantry as the result of a companywide two-week fund raising effort. Helping unload seven pallets of food onto the food pantry shelves Monday were Hydro-Gear volunteers (from left) Chad Woollen, Larry Conlin, Larry Rose, Andy White, Krystal Rose, Trudy Patterson, Jim Buck, Troy Yokley and Christopher Zerrusen. Accepting the giant check on behalf of the food pantry was Moultrie Outreach Director Mariah White-Landrus who expressed her appreciation of Hydro-Gear’s employees’ generosity. Donations filled the food pantry shelves at a time when the need is greatest.

•November 28, 2018•

A volunteer team of Hydro-Gear employees filled the Moultrie County Food Pantry in Sullivan Monday, Nov. 26, unloading seven pallets of food items.
Hydro-Gear in Sullivan recently hosted a food drive to support the local food pantry.
“What started as a hope to change a few families’ Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays ended with a response that no one would have seen coming,” said Krystal Rose of Hydro-Gear.
The Moultrie County Food Pantry provides meals to more than 400 families in the county.
“We really appreciated the effort of the employees of Hydro-Gear to help the Food Pantry help those who need it most,” CEFS Moultrie County Outreach Coordinator Mariah White-Landrus said.
The Hydro-Gear family rallied together and hosted an internal competition, leaving one big winner…the patrons of the Moultrie County Food Pantry.
“I have helped in food pantry drives in the past that didn’t get nearly this response,” Hydro-Gear volunteer Chad Woollen of Shelbyville said. “To collect 7000 food items is an amazing effort by Hydro-Gear employees over just two weeks.” Read More

Millikin University Ushers in Season with 60th Vespers

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•November 28, 2018•

Millikin University will present its 60th annual Vespers concert on Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Performances will be held at Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Millikin University’s campus.
For more than 50 years Vespers (which means “evening prayer”) has signaled the beginning of the holiday season with a sumptuous evening of carols, choirs and candlelight. More than 300 musicians join together for this joyous musical feast presented annually on Millikin’s campus. Read More

Understanding Illinois: How to Win the War for Economic Dominance

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•November 28, 2018•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

In a recent column, I mused about how we are in a virtual war with China for economic dominance. I observed that because of century-old humiliations wreaked on that proud “middle kingdom” (center of the earth) by the U.S. and European nations, China would use any forthcoming dominance to exact revenge. I promised to provide policy proposals to combat the Chinese quest.
(The column strayed from my usual Illinois-focused writing, yet at age 77, I find myself speculating frequently about the really big issues. I’ll return to Prairie State observations next week.)
Individuals and nations are driven by our DNA to play “king of the hill,” in our incessant drive for “fitness.” You will recall from the childhood game that this requires not only climbing toward the pinnacle of the leaf pile or snow mound, but also pulling others above you off their perches. Read More

ALAH Girls Hold On to Beat Oakwood

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•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team split a pair of nonconference games this past week.
The Knights defeated Oakwood in a close game Monday night but lost to Salt Fork last Tuesday.
Against Oakwood Monday, the Knights jumped out to an early lead then held on for the one point win.
ALAH took a 16-11 first-quarter lead then extended the lead by six at half, 29-18.
The Comets cut the lead to three points after the third quarter and outscored the Knights 20-13 in the fourth quarter.
The Knights were able to hold off the Comets for the final 56-55 score. Read More

OVHS Cheer Squad

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Photo furnished
OVHS Cheer Squad
Okaw Valley High School Cheerleading Squad. Front row from left: Seniors Riley Kesterson, Sadie Zimmerman, Kailey George, Angela Robinson, Isabella Benning. Back row from left: Julia Hildebrandt, Shaukana Tipsword, Marissa Bell, Chloe Harris, Shelby Woodall, Kalie Reed, Haven Caulfield

Growing up on Christian Forty Surprise Birthday

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•November 28, 2018•

By Evelyn Burtcheard

In August of the year I turned six, Mom and Dad told me I was getting a special surprise.
My birthday was the 4th of September, and by all of the excitement I just knew the surprise would be a pony. I could hardly contain myself dreaming of my own horse. It didn’t even have to be beautiful, just head, tail and four legs, and I would be so happy.
The big day arrived, but it was August 28, well almost the 4 of September, and I didn’t really mind getting my pony early. Donny and I were told to stay seated on the front porch. This was strange, shouldn’t we be at the barn? Read More

Senior Living Holiday Auction

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•November 28, 2018•

Carriage Crossing Senior Living located at the Green Mill Village development in Arcola is hosting its annual Holiday Walk, a family-friendly holiday festival, expected to bring sparkle and shine Saturday, December 8 from 8 a.m. to noon and Sunday, December 9 from 1-3 p.m.
Carriage Crossing Senior Living will be transformed with enchanting and brilliant displays of decorated trees, wreaths, and holiday décor. All of the items on display will be auctioned off by silent auction and each item has a non-profit organization to which the proceeds will be donated.
Saturday, December 8, 8 a.m.-noon
-Browse and bid on holiday items in the silent auction
-Breakfast with Santa
-Storytime with Mrs. Claus
-Kids’ crafts and cookie decorating at Santa’s Workshop
-Breakfast with Santa and Storytime with Mrs. Claus ($5 per person)
Sunday, December 9, 1–3 p.m.
-Browse and bid on the holiday items in the silent auction
-Holiday Gospel Concert by State of Grace
-Free Pie and Coffee Reception
Public admission to the Festival of Trees is free. “This event is to give back to the communities and what better way than to let businesses and groups donate trees and pick an organization that is near and dear to their hearts and give the proceeds of their tree to that group,” said Cassie Yoder, Green Mill Village marketing director “It doesn’t matter whether it is Girl or Boy Scouts, a church group, or non-profit, there are so many people trying to do good in the surrounding communities but don’t have the ability to raise funds to make a difference, and this Festival of Trees and Santa’s Workshop can help these groups accomplish those goals.”
If your organization would like to donate a tree to raise funds for an organization, contact 217-268-3516 today to reserve a spot. Carriage Crossing Senior Living is located at 909 Green Mill Road, Arcola, at the I-57 exit for Arcola.