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A Look Back…7-23-2025

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2015

Windsor’s yard of the month winner was Noel and Gloria Helton. Making good use of perennials and annuals in their flower beds made this a favorite drive by spot of many in Windsor, and the new log siding on their home has been a long awaited goal. The WHAT group, Windsor’s Happenings Around Town, is a mapping group that was working on beautification of Windsor. 

Children who participated in the park recreation lemonade stand raised $1,000 and donated it to the Sanders’ family following the tragic passing of Sullivan first grade teacher Christina Sanders.

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Bluey visits ETML, and young fans are not disappointed

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•July 23, 2025•

by DM Williamee

This past Saturday, July 19th, Bluey paid a visit to his fans at Sullivan’s Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. In addition to hugs and playing games with Bluey, stations were set up that attendees enjoyed, such as an arts and crafts station, a coloring station, face painting, balloon games, and a playtime library checkout desk, which allowed for a popular game of pretend. 

Parents and grandparents alike attended with their children and found that the timing could not have been better, with rain curtailing many outdoor activities as summer winds down, and many are preparing for the school year to begin. 

One parent stated, “The programs here at the library are great; we almost never miss a week, and on a day like this with the rain, humidity, and heat- it just worked out perfectly!” 

City Council hears “Economic Development Report”

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•July 23, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan business outlook is very good, and hopes are high for additional restaurants, the City Council heard at their July 14 meeting. Sullivan Economic Development Director Laurrie Minor gave the council an updated report including new housing starts, business development, and economic development goals. “Right now our biggest goal is attracting more restaurants,” she said.

Minor brought along Lake Shelbyville Operations Manager Jon Summers, who praised the city’s initiatives for development. “I sit on a lot of boards and go to a lot of meetings,” Summers said. “Sometimes there is barely an agenda, but in Sullivan it’s several pages long and real work gets done.”

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Sullivan’s ‘Guns and Hoses’ softball fundraiser knocked it “outta the park”

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•July 23, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Photos by DM Williamee and R.R. Best

Braving predicted thunderstorms and high temperatures as well as humidity, this past Sunday the first responders of Moultrie County came together to play a “Guns vs. Hoses” softball game in Wyman Park. This game was held to raise money for school supplies and other needs for students in the Sullivan, Bethany, and Lovington school districts. In addition to the game, there were bounce houses and pre-game events for the kids (and kids at heart), and food and beverages for the fans. The planned finale, a fireworks show scheduled for 9:00 p.m. by DC Wholesale and Pyrotechnics, had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. 

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Local annual charity golf outing

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•July 23, 2025•

The 16th Annual George A. Sentel #764 golf outing will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at Timberlake Golf Course, just outside of Sullivan. This is a 4-person best ball scramble. Proceeds from this event go to the George A. Sentel #764 Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to graduating seniors from Sullivan and Okaw Valley schools, as well as other local charities. Prizes will be awarded for the first-place team, longest drive, longest putt, and closest to the pin. 

Entry fee of $60.00 per golfer (or $240.00 per team) covers greens fee, cart, and a meal. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available as follows: cart sponsor-$25.00, and hole sponsor-$75.00. 

Registration and sponsorship forms can be mailed to the George A. Sentel Lodge, PO Box 402, Sullivan, IL, 61951. For more information, contact Sean Vogel at (217) 273-5774 or sevplumber@gmail.com.

Personal assistant training

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•July 23, 2025•

Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) will hold a Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant. The training will be held in Sullivan on Tuesday, August 12, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 West Water Street. Personal Assistants are employed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation program. Those who complete the training will have their names added to both the SAIL referral list and the INCIL statewide registry as potential employees for people with disabilities to hire.   For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or becoming a Personal Assistant contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888, 800-358-8080 or edobson@decatursail.com.

Findlay Fire Dept. kids obstacle course

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•July 23, 2025•

On Friday, July 25th, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., the Findlay Fire Department will have a “Kids Firefighter Challenge” obstacle course set up south of the fire station intersection in Findlay. The community is invited to attend this fun event.

SHS hosts U of I coach for VB camp

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•July 16, 2025•

Submitted

Photo submitted 1st row L to R: Hannah Taylor, Rhesa Isaacs, Emme Jiannoni, Mya Dyer, Miracle Wilson, Reagan McKinney, Maddy Anderson, Cali Szabo, Savanna Dendy, and Adi Cruitt. 2nd Row: Addie Patterson, Emma Drake, Tenley Campbell, Kharli Kelly, Nevaeh Dovell, Ei-ley Poe, Mae Dawkins, Avery Renfro, Kiley Grooms, Aeralyn Thrasher, and Elin Watkins. Back row L to R: Grad Asst Coach Will Padgett, U of I MB Ashlyn Philpot, U of I MB Kayla Burbage, Kaylee Smith, Maddy Walters, Kenzie Mercer, Paityn Strauf, Gabby Rubush, Grace Crothers, Lyla Wright, Kate Bushue, Piper Conlin, Lillian Hood, Karson Robinson, Asst Coach Eli Sharping, and Coach Chris Tamas.

The Sullivan High School volleyball program hosted University of Illinois head coach Chris Tamas and members of the Fighting Illini women’s volleyball team for an exciting one-day camp that was open to freshman through senior athletes on Wednesday, July 9th.

Tamas, now in his eighth season as head coach since being hired in February 2017, has transformed Illinois into a force in the Big Ten and on the national stage. Under his leadership, the Illini have compiled a 149–94 overall record (.613) and secured five NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a memorable 2018 Final Four run. Before his tenure at Illinois, he served as an assistant coach at Nebraska under Hall of Famer John Cook (2015–2017), as well as at Cal Poly, Minnesota, and UCRiverside.

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Connect with the natural world, join Prairie’s Edge Master Naturalists

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•July 16, 2025•

From urban parks to the Shawnee Forest, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteers serve as environmental stewards in their communities. 

Protect and support Illinois’ natural areas and resources by signing up for Master Naturalist training starting August 12. Illinois Extension is now accepting applications for the fall volunteer training at Douglas-Hart Nature Center. 

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Habitat for Humanity holds ground-breaking ceremony

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•July 16, 2025•

Photo by DM Williamee

by DM Williamee

Despite a breakout drizzle, Gary Smith led other volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in a groundbreaking ceremony and on Sunday, July 13th. With a foundation laid and ready for building, those who gathered prayed, read scripture, a litany, and a benediction. The building caravan, consisting of 10 couples, has arrived and is eager to get started. Four local SHS students have participated to date, getting the floor joists installed.

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.