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Remembering Who We Are…………….77

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Sweet Dreams in old inns


•September 24, 2025•

by Janet Roney

We once had lunch in an ancient 1814 inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Inside, the light from the roaring fireplace reflected off the two-foot-wide, worn wooden plank floorboards that had acquired a beautiful golden patina from two centuries of use. We were in awe of the beauty of the place.

 Sadly, what we think is magically beautiful now was not so wonderful to those early travelers who first used it. They certainly did not fall in love with the floorboards in the place, because they probably were still full of splinters; they couldn’t be seen in the dim firelight, and travelers knew that if they were not the first to arrive, they would probably be sleeping on that floor. Beds were scarce.

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October Peace Meal

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•September 24, 2025•

Peace Meal helps boost the nutritional health of older adults by providing healthy pre-cooked meals, conducting nutrition assessments and education, and sharing food safety instructions.

Sept. 29th: Biscuits and gravy, roasted potatoes, hot sliced apples, and fruit juice.

Sept. 30th: Chicken fajitas-tortilla, onions and bell peppers, Mexican green beans, pears, Mexican rice.

Oct.1st: Beef and noodles, carrots and peas, golden buttered hominy, and bean salad.

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ALAH School Board holds a public hearing, discuss intent to sell bonds

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•September 24, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

A public hearing was held to discuss the board’s intent to sell up to $22,000,000 in School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds. These bonds are designated for the high school replacement project and are linked to a health life safety study conducted by BLDD, which was submitted to the state. The information provided by BLDD to the state determined the necessary repairs and their associated costs. After deliberation, the school board agreed to grant the district a fifteen-year repayment period for the bonds. Many believed this timeframe would offer the district financial flexibility, especially given ongoing state funding issues. The next board meeting will include a formal submission of the bonds, detailing the fifteen-year term, along with a resolution setting the tax levy and interest rate.

Other conversations from school board members included reaching out to former alumni and alumni groups who may have an interest in owning remaining pieces of the high school for memorabilia, which could be donated or sold for fundraising purposes. 

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Obituaries 9-24-2025: Audrey England

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Audrey Lee England, 94, of Allenville, passed away 8:33 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Funeral services were held Sunday, September 21, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, with Pastor Bob Vail and Pastor Al Rennert officiating. Burial took place in French Cemetery, Allenville. Memorials may be made to the Allenville Christian Church.

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Obituaries 9-24-2025: Phil Armstrong

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Phil Armstrong, 74, of Sullivan, passed away at 4:10 a.m. Thursday, September 18, 2025 in his residence.

In accordance with Phil’s wishes there will be no visitation. Graveside services at Greenhill Cemetery will be at a later date. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Autism Speaks, P. O. Box 37148 Boone, IA 50037 (www.autismspeaks.org). Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

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A Look Back…9-24-2025

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2015

Saturday night had Sullivan Police investigating a few incidents- a hold-up, a vehicle entry, and one home burglary. Sullivan Police Chief John Love had reported that all of the incidents were under investigation, although some of the stolen property had been recovered.

Retired St. Joseph-Ogden High School superintendent Jim Acklin announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 102nd Illinois House district to replace Adam Brown. 

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Illinois ‘Safe Routes to School’: Sullivan community survey input needed

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•September 24, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Residents of Sullivan have recently received a link to an online survey requesting input for the Illinois ‘Safe Routes to School’ project. The online survey is a brief, 2-minute survey with selection-style answers; it does not gather personal information, and it provides critical input from residents for the ‘Safe Routes to School’ project. A new round of emails will be sent out soon, and each response matters.

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Sullivan High School Honors English: Letters to the Editor

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•September 24, 2025•

Photo courtesy of Cami Badman Front Row (L-R): Caleigh Dyer, Mya Dyer, Emerson Risley, Jennifer Lofland. Second Row (L-R): Adalyn Cruitt, Julia Moody, Cadence Schmohe, Ellie Lehman. Back Row (L-R): Claire Kursell, Austin Kelly, Brady Stollard, Grant Martin, Gavin Wade. Not Pictured: Synthea Doss and Kaylee Smith.

‘Letters to the Editor,’ written by Cami Badman‘s Honors English III students at Sullivan High School, explored controversial subjects with inquisitive minds and logic as well as emotion-based arguments. Badman opened the school year by challenging these 15 students to present well-rounded arguments for student-selected controversial subjects in the format of a ‘Letter to the Editor’. 

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Sullivan H.S. Homecoming Parade: Rio

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•September 24, 2025•

On Friday, September 26th at 4:00 p.m., come out to watch the Sullivan Homecoming parade and show your local support. Line-up begins at 3:00 p.m. and will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. This year’s theme is Rio. Questions or comments should be directed to SHS Principal Daniel Allen at allend@sullivan.k12.il.us, or call (217) 728-8311.