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Festival of Trees Shares “Mistletoe Magic”

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•November 14, 2018•

Designers are gearing up to transform the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at Sarah Bush Lincoln into a shimmering winter wonderland for the annual Festival of Trees, now in its 20th year.
The public is invited to share in this magical event, themed “Mistletoe Magic,” from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, November 16, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 17. Sponsors are Consolidated Communications (Principle Media Sponsor); Dale & Marilyn Hoots (Title Sponsor), BSA LifeStructures, Co-Bank & Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, Dr. Lori & Bobbo Cudone, First Mid Bank & Trust, and Leslie Hill (Gala Sponsors); WMCI, The Party, The Axe and Victory (Memory Star Tree Title Sponsors); Adams Funeral Chapel, Adams Memorials, Anderson Electric, and Doug and Tracey McCord (Festival Sponsors).
“Festival of Trees is one of the favorite holiday events in this area and truly helps to get our community into the spirit of the season,” Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation Special Events Coordinator Kim Lockart said. “We’re excited about many new additions to this year’s Festival.” Net proceeds from Festival of Trees support the cardiology expansion project that includes a new Heart Center and 21 new private patient rooms. Read More

Masonic Lodge Presents Community Builders Award Makes Community Donations

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Laurrie Minor received Community Builders Award.

•November 14, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Laurrie Minor, Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, was honored with the Community Builders Award by Sullivan George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge #764.
She received a plaque in recognition of her work with the Chamber at the Past Masters dinner and awards ceremony held Friday, Nov. 9 at the Masonic Lodge.
Worshipful Master, Ron Chenoweth, welcomed the members and guests and offered an opening prayer.
“Our golf outing and other fundraisers were very successful this year.” He reported “We provide three scholarships to high school students in Windsor, Sullivan and Okaw Valley each year. Excess funds are then given to community organizations.” Read More

Understanding Illinois: A Chance for Responsible Government Ahead

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•November 14, 2018•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

As a result of the election Tuesday, Democrats are totally—I mean totally—in charge of Illinois government. Governor-elect J. B. Pritzker won a resounding victory and his party achieved more than 3/5ths majorities in both the House and Senate. And the Illinois Supreme Court continues to have a Democratic majority, as has been the case continuously since 1962.
This offers an unusual opportunity in Illinois for voters to place credit or blame, with some clarity, over the coming four years with one political party.
For most of the past half century, Illinois government has been divided, with Republicans often holding the governorship and Dems one or both chambers of the legislature. Even when Democrats controlled both the executive and legislative branches under Blagojevich and Quinn (2002-2014), these governors were often at odds with their legislative leaders.
In contrast, under parliamentary governments (think Canada and the United Kingdom), government is unified. Those nations do not have separate executives and legislatures; the chief executive (prime minister) is selected from within the party that controls the legislative branch (parliament).
So, it is easier for voters to assess blame or credit in parliamentary systems, as it will be in Illinois over the coming term of governor-elect Pritzker. Read More

Elks Host Hoop Shoot

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•November 14, 2018•

The Charleston Elks # 623 will be host the annual National Hoop Shoot including shooters from Sullivan and Windsor-Gays on Saturday, Dec. 1.
The National contest in its 47th year is a free throw competition for age groups 8-13 years of age.
Three divisions each for girls and boys,will shoot 25 free throws for best score. Winners will advance to District in January in Robinson and possibly onto State, Iowa Regionals & the Chicago National Finals in April.
Competing age groups are 8-9,10-11,12-13, girls and boys each. Ages will be based on how old contestants are on April 1, 2019. The Hoop Shoot will be held at Mattoon Middle School at 1200 S. 9th Street in Mattoon.
The Charleston Elks area includes Oakland, Mattoon, Ashmore, Kansas, Casey, Greenup,Toledo, Sullivan, Windsor-Gays, Arcola, Tuscola, Newman and Hume. The event is free, and any expenses past local shoot will be covered by the Elks National Foundation.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with competition starting at 9:45 am. Last year more than 232,000 girls and boys participated in the National Hoop Shoot . For further information contact Rod Franklin at 217-345-9668.

A Walk with Mr. Walk: Superintendent-Y Stuff

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•November 14, 2018•

By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

Each year the Sullivan School District meets with members of various local organizations to conduct a safety review for the school system.
Items covered during this time can vary widely but typically include updates on our safety improvements, a review of our safety drill programs, and information on our emergency plans. Read More

Obituaries 11-14-2018: Andrew Helmuth

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Andrew Helmuth

Andrew O. Helmuth, 67, who lived south of the Otto Center in Arthur, died at 8:26 a.m. Monday, November 12, 2018 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 15 at the HCK West Building in Arthur. Visitation will be held after 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) at the HCK West Building in Arthur. Burial will be in Otto Cemetery in Arthur. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan is in care of the arrangements.
Andrew was born October 4, 1951 to Oba and Anna Mae Schrock Helmuth. He married JoAnna Kaufman November 23, 1978 in Arcola. He was a member of the Old Order Amish. Read More

Barack Obama’s Political Career in Illinois Helped Shape His Presidency

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RON JOHNSON/Journal Star Democratic candidate Barack Obama gets a high gloss shine on his shoes from Peoria icon and shoe shiner George Manias who has buffed the shoes of presidents, congressmen and Supreme Court justices alike.
Senate race between Barack Obama and Alan Keyes. Heartland picture story on the race for the US Senate seat from Illinois.

•November 14, 2018•

By Chris Kaergard
Of the Journal Star

A decade ago, he claimed victory in the presidential campaign from Grant Park in Chicago.
He announced his run — and later his running mate — on ground trod by Abraham Lincoln at the Old State Capitol.
And, yes, he also quoted Ronald Reagan on occasion.
Like the first two, Barack Obama wasn’t born here, but chose to live in Illinois and make his reputation within these borders.
While his post-presidency may not — at least for now — feature a Chicago address, his time in Chicago and its politics helped clarify his presidential character to the world, and prepare him for the task.
So, too, did the world under the Capitol dome in Springfield, and his time representing a state that boasts Fortune 500 corporations, industrial laborers, suburban families, downstate farmers and many others.
“I think coming from an industrial, agricultural state with a lot of cultural diversity was such a great learning experience for him,” says Ray LaHood, Obama’s former secretary of transportation. Read More

Swim Team Competes at Centennial Sectional Meet

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Photos by Jason Brown
SOVS Swim team back row from left: Jessica Renfro, Anna Wooters, Ailey Mitchell, Gabrielle Spain, Allison Oligschlaeger, McKenna Kull. Front row from left: Viviana Thurston, Lilly Graham, Natalie Drury, Natalie Turnbaugh.

•November 14, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan/Okaw Valley/Shelbyville girls’ swim team competed in the IHSA Centennial Sectional in Champaign Saturday.
Sullivan scored 170 points and placed fourth out of 23 teams.
Though the team did not advance anyone to the state meet, several individuals had podium finishes.
“Could not be prouder of the season these girls have had,” Sullivan coach Nichole Hendry said. “They worked hard and all of the podium finishes confirms that work paid off.”
The 200 freestyle relay team of Anna Wooters, Gabrielle Spain, Natalie Drury and McKenna Kull missed out on a state trip by .46 of a second. The relay ran a 2:15.5 and finished second.
The same swimmers also formed the 400 freestyle relay team and placed second with a time of 3:39.47.
Spain finished second place in the 200 IM with a time of 2:15.54, and she dropped five seconds of her season-best time of 5:31.26 for fifth place in the 500-yard freestyle. Read More

OV Robinson Improves as Drury Panther

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Photo furnished
Paige Robinson is pictured.

•November 14, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

In February Okaw Valley girls’ basketball standout Paige Robinson led the Timberwolves to an IHSA Class 1A state appearance.
This week Robinson embarked on an all-new experience with the Drury Panthers, a Division II University in Springfield, Missouri.
Though Robinson has been improving her game on the court, the off-court adjustments from a high school athlete to a collegiate athlete has been huge.
“Time management has been a difficult adjustment for sure,” she said. “In high school the typical day was go to school for eight hours, then practice for two hours after. In college, there are workouts in the morning, then class, another workout, class again, try to get study hours in, practice, get shots up on your own, and of course trying to get a healthy sleep schedule in there. It’s definitely been an adjustment, but I’ve started to get the hang of it.”
The Panthers kicked of their season with games Friday and Saturday, and Robinson is getting the hang of collegiate basketball as well.
Drury won its season opener 98-60 over Kentucky Wesleyan in the Pops Duncan Classic in Nashville Friday.
Though she did not start the game, Robinson led all scorers with 24 points in her collegiate debut.
She was 6-of-9 from three-point range, all in the first half, and finished 9-of-14 from the field
She also recorded two assists, two steals and a block.
“Drury has been a really great experience for me so far, and I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it,” said Robinson…I’m excited to see what this season has in store for myself and the team.” Read More