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SES receives book vending machine

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HICF donates machine, students reap rewards

by DM Williamee

On Tuesday, May 6th, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) unveiled a book vending machine at Sullivan Elementary School at 8:00 am. Each year, the HICF funds the book vending machines. This year, Sullivan is one of the schools fortunate to receive one. On hand from HICG were Kaitlyn Farrar and Chastity Casey. Rev. Grant Wade serves as the Moultrie County advisor for HICF and has worked on this project with Leslie Guyot (school principal) and Leah Fleming (school librarian). 

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Sullivan siblings’ passion for journalism

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Photo by Sonya Best

The “Bests” of writing, photography, and community

by DM Williamee

Siblings Kathy and Bob Best, both Sullivan locals, were recently interviewed by Vanessa Ferguson in NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” segment. Both have worked in multiple journalistic roles throughout their careers; editor, writer, publication owner, and photographer (to name a few), with Kathy having won (with her team, as she strongly emphasizes) the Pulitzer Prize twice (and recently nominated for the third!), in both the small-town and big-city journalism arenas.

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Bethany senior potluck

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•May 14, 2025•

The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be held on Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethany library, located at 216 W Main Street. Fried Chicken will be furnished. All are welcome.

Physicals for Sullivan athletes

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•May 14, 2025•

Sarah Bush Lincoln will provide sports physicals to athletes from Sullivan schools.

Sports physical clinics will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon, and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4th, and on Wednesday, August 6th at the SBL Sullivan Clinic, 7 Hawthorne Lane, Sullivan.

“We’re proud to offer these sports physicals as a way to give back to our local schools and support student-athletes,” SBL Vice President of Practice Management Brooke Zerrusen said. “By donating the fee to the schools’ athletic booster clubs, we’re helping strengthen programs that mean so much to our communities.”

The cost is $20 per physical, with all fees being donated to the Sullivan Sports Boosters. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 217-728-8441. For more information, visit https://www.sarahbush.org/sportsphysicals/.

Memorial Car Show Saturday

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•May 14, 2025•

On May 17th, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the 4 Star Diner, 1100 Route 121 in Mt. Zion, the annual “Rip Roarin’ Extravaganza” Memorial Car Show will be held. All makes, years, and models are welcome to enter. The entry fee is $15.00, and there will be a 50/50 drawing as well as door prizes awarded (must be present to win). 

This event is in memory of Greg Hostetler (12/15/75-5/13/24), with all proceeds going to Moultrie County first responders.

Amish sheep shearing at IAHC

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On Saturday, April 26th, at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center barn in Arthur, sheep were sheared for public viewing. At this event, vendors were on hand with their wares as well as an assortment of animals: from a new litter of puppies, lambs, ponies, and rabbits. Pictured above is a sheep in the early stages of the mechanical shearing process.

Dean qualifies for FCCLA Nationals

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Abagail Dean, a Junior at Sullivan High School and a member of SHS’s FCCLA, has recently qualified for FCCLA Nationals, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, July 5-9. Her Public Policy project “Lowering the Local Voting Age to 16” earned a bronze medal and national qualifying recognition at the Illinois FCCLA State Conference held in Springfield April 9- 11. There were 732 STAR and Proficiency competitors across 45 events this year, with over 75 FCCLA chapters represented. Abagail will be the first SHS FCCLA member to both qualify and attend FCCLA Nationals as a competitor in a STAR Event since 2014. Abagail will attend the leadership conference with her advisors, Jennifer Voegel and Kali Taylor.

Rolling Thunder to place Chair of Honor at Sullivan VFW

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•May 7, 2025•

Chair represents a place being held for all POW/MIA’s

Rolling Thunder Incorporated, Illinois Chapter 3, will be placing a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at the Sullivan VFW Post No. 6410 on Saturday, May 17th at 2:00 p.m. This is Armed Forces Day. The public is invited to attend the unveiling of this chair. 

A Rolling Thunder POW/MIA Chair of Honor is a dedicated, empty seat in a public space, typically a stadium or arena, used to honor and remember U.S. servicemen and women who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action (POW/MIA). These chairs are a symbol of the ongoing effort to bring all American servicemen and women home and a reminder of their sacrifices.  This chair is placed for families to reflect and find closure and know their loved one always has a place waiting for them, and represent the 82,000-plus unaccounted American Service Personnel who never returned home from service to their country.

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Council hears Dash and Bash plans

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•May 7, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

A highlight of the summer season will include a car show, 5k, and live music at St. Jude’s “Dash and Bash” on June 13th and 14th at Wyman and Tabor Parks.

Jeff Stuart told the Sullivan City Council this year’s fundraiser includes a 5K and one-mile fun run/walk, car show, pretzel sale, and live music. “Last year we raised over $25,000, and this year we hope to do better,” Stuart said. 

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