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“Mistletoe Magic” is SBL Winter Wonderland Event

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•October 17, 2018•

The holiday season is just around the corner and plans are well underway for the 20th annual Festival of Trees at Sarah Bush Lincoln.
Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and home décor will adorn the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at Sarah Bush Lincoln from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, November 16, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 17. The public is invited to share in this winter wonderland event, themed “Misletoe Magic.”
Net proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees will support Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation’s initiative, “Life . . . Nothing Beats It,” a capital campaign to raise funds for the cardiology expansion project that includes a new Heart Center and 21 new private patient rooms that recently opened. Read More

ALAH Volleyball Knocks off Heyworth

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Photo furnished

•October 17, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond volleyball team competed in the St. Thomas More Tourney Saturday and bookended the tournament with two close matches.
During the tournament, ALAH defeated New Berlin and Heyworth but lost to Cerro Gordo, St. Thomas More and Mt. Pulaski.
Before the tournament last Tuesday, ALAH lost to Blue Ridge and after the ALAH knocked off Arthur Okaw Christian Monday night.
There is one more game to be played in the tournament. ALAH’s current record is 19-10.
In the first match of the tournament, the Knights knocked off Heyworth 25-21, 25-23.
Taylor Powell corralled 12 kills and seven digs, and Emma Harris followed with six kills and a clock. Read More

Auditions Open for Christmas Show

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•October 17, 2018•

The Charleston Alley Theatre in conjunction with The Mattoon Area Arts Council along with Black Op’s Productions is holding open auditions for the show “Ornaments: 6 Christmas Stories in One Act”.
This is the second year the theatre is putting on an original script by Sullivan’s Matthew Gerard Burns. He wrote last year’s Tinker, Tailor Elf, Spy. Read More

It’s Flu Shot Time: New Flu Vaccine-Nasal Spray Option Available

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•October 17, 2018•

As soon as the influenza (flu) vaccine is available in your community, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends everyone six months and older be vaccinated. The nasal spray flu vaccine is once again a recommended option for influenza vaccination. During the past two flu seasons, the nasal spray was not recommended due to concern about its effectiveness.
“It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “The flu season typically starts around October so we recommend you make plans to get vaccinated now, before flu season begins.” Read More

County Board Appoints Ethics Commission Members

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•October 17, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The County Board met on October 11 with all but Bill Voyles and Kevin MeReynolds present.
Chairman Dave McCabe advised the board of a letter from hired legal assistance regarding a possible breach of computer files. The matter is still under investigation, but they believe no files were compromised. The board will be advised as the investigation continues.
A motion was approved to appoint Sam Scott and Tim Henderson to the Ethics Commission of Moultrie County effective immediately. Hollie Atchison has withdrawn, and a replacement will be voted on at next meeting. Read More

Sullivan Volleyball Plays Broncos Senior Night

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Photo by R.R. Best
Senior Zoe Ray bumps the ball against St. Teresa.

•October 17, 2018•

The Sullivan volleyball team could not pick up its first win of the season with losses to St. Teresa Thursday and Cerro Gordo on Senior Night Monday.
Thursday, Oct. 11, the Redskins lost a Central Illinois Conference match against St. Teresa in straight sets, 25-8, 25-6.
In a non-conference game Monday night, Cerro Gordo played spoiler to Sullivan’s Senior Night by defeating the Redskins 25-14, 25-22.
Sullivan honored four seniors including Zoe Ray, Esther Miller, Ally Elzy and Jessica Voyles.
For results from the Windsor-Stewardson/Strasburg, see the WSS article.
This loss puts Sullivan’s record at 0-29 and 0-6 in conference play.
Sullivan is scheduled as the No. 11 seed in the Pana Regional next week.
The Redskins are set to play No. 8 seeded Vandalia at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22.

Three Win Week for Okaw Valley Volleyball Team

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•October 17, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley finished the week 2-0 in Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest division action with wins over LSA and Sangamon Valley and defeated Meridian Monday night in Moweaqua.
Thursday, Oct. 11, OV defeated LSA in straight sets, 25-18, 25-11.
Kate Jeffers recorded nine kills, one ace, four blocks and two digs.
Paige Coleman added six kills and seven digs.
Madison Voegel contributed three kills and an ace, and Bella Benning added nine digs. Read More

SES Gold Slip Students

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SES Gold Slip Students
Each month, Sullivan Elementary School recognizes students who go above and beyond expectations by awarding them “Gold Slips.” Pictured are the students (from left to right) who were awarded Gold Slips for the months of August and September: Kayla Kenney always makes a point to find students with no one to play with and then plays with them.
Levi Risley and Gracelynn Dovell are always very respectful and set a great example for others.
Lorelei Parker respectfully accepted a student’s apology after being disrespected by them. She even wrote them a letter to accept their apology and gave them suggestions on how to treat one another.
Weslee Allen was walking with a friend and his little sister after school when the friend realized he forgot his take-home folder in the classroom. Wes volunteered to run back to the classroom and get it so his friend didn’t have to leave his sister.
Daisy Richardson volunteered to help a student who was struggling to keep his binder organized. She gave up her entire recess to work with him to get everything in order and even took time to teach him helpful tips for staying on task and organized.
Lily Betts has picked up trash (with latex gloves on) all week from the playground. She has done this on her recess time without being asked.

Herschbergers Bring Backyard Bluegrass Festival Home

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Herschberger family. Left to right front - Emily, Eric, Ashley, wife Amanda, and Jeremy; Back row Lori, Darin, Ed and Robert.

•October 17, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

On the balmy, fall evening of September 14 Ed Herschberger and his family of seven musically gifted children realized a long-held dream of having the first Backyard Bluegrass Festival at their farm.
To their amazement, nearly 700 people came by motor coach, hauling campers with lawn chairs for a weekend of bluegrass music—Moultrie County style.
Unfortunately, this premier event flew under the radar for many of us. We missed the chance to sit on the Herschberger’s grassy lawn and hear Kyle and Melissa Trippett, the Petersens, John Cowan with Darin and Brooke Aldridge for an evening of very fine bluegrass music. John played with The Doobie Brothers band.
But, take heart. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 13, 2019 when the second festival will take place. Read More

Mt. Zion Church Holds Bazaar

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•October 17, 2018•

The Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church is having a Bazaar and Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the church in Mt. Zion.
The Bazaar opens at 8:00 a.m. lasting until 7:00 p.m. or until supplies last.
A soup supper will be served from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will include: chili, beef vegetable, vegetarian vegetable and potato soups; relish, cheese and crackers, corn bread, desserts, and drinks are all included.
There will be a string band playing at 5:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m.