Kathlene Hartman
Kathlene Hartman, 80, of Decatur passed away Friday, October 20, 2023, at Mt. Zion Health and Rehab in Mt. Zion. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Read More
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Take Risks
•October 25, 2023•
by Columnist
Sarah Hudson Pierce
If we are to achieve our dreams, sometimes we must risk everything to reach those goals or sit forever in our own backyard!
Once upon a time there was a man named Robert Manry, former copy editor of the Cleveland, Ohio, Plain Dealer newspaper.
He set sail alone in 1965 in a homemade 13 1/2 foot boat named Tinkerbelle, which was then the world’s tiniest sailboat to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Manry sailed from Falmouth Massachusetts to Falmouth England, a voyager of 2600 miles in 78 days.
He was capsized, chased by sharks, and he hallucinated. He had to stop in the middle of the ocean to repair the rudder of his tiny boat. When asked why he undertook this tremendous life-threatening fate, he replied, “there comes a time when one must decide whether to risk everything to achieve our goals or sit forever in his own backyard! Read More
You’re a Sight for Sore Eyes, Unlike the Eyesore on that Site
•October 25, 2023•
“What a sight!” I exclaimed as I gazed across the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
A higher-up in the Chicago Bears organization might have stood on the site of the former Arlington Park racetrack and exclaimed, “What a site! I’ve never seen anything like this.”
We’d both be right.
Of course we would, because “sight” and “site” are homophones, so you’d hear no difference. But for the purposes of a written word column, we simply have different perspectives on what we’re looking at. Read More
A Look Back…
2013
Sullivan’s former fire chief, Jeff Waite, was nominated for the Fire Chief Emeritus Award by the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association. He received the award that month at the annual IFCA in Peoria, just one of five out of 1,200 fire departments statewide.
The soon to be retired sheriff Jeff Thomas received recognition at the George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge’s annual Past Masters Awards Banquet. He was presented with the Community Builder Award, which was given to an individual who had distinguished themselves through service to the community. Read More
Superintendent Cheek Creates a Communication Plan to Increase Communication Within the Community
•October 25, 2023•
by Ariana R Cherry
A group of very energetic and bright first graders helped open up the recent ALAH School Board meeting held at Atwood-Hammond Grade School. They led the Pledge of Allegiance before the meeting began. Some of their parents were also in attendance, and they all received a room full of applause after it was finished. The snacks that Principal Formen provided for them afterwards were definitely earned by the first graders.
During the meeting, Superintendent Shannon Cheek touched on his goals of trying to communicate better with everyone in the surrounding communities of the school district. He wants to open doors to communication as he would like to take a chance at possibly trying to submit another referendum to help with upgrades in the schools since the last one failed to pass. Cheek feels that with better communication, perhaps it would allow everyone to be more informed of why these upgrades are important for our school district.
Cheek has started a podcast with the help of the students in the high school broadcasting class. He plans to record the first episode October 19. The name of the Podcast is called the “ToKnight Show.” The broadcasting class helped design the logo and come up with the show’s name, add the music, brainstorm topics and will assist with the recording. Cheek hopes the podcast will help engage both the students and the community so everyone is aware of what is happening within the school district. Read More
City Council Approves Agreement for Wyman Park Splash Pad and Sports Courts
•October 25, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan City Council approved an agreement with Building Systems of Illinois, Inc. for the Wyman Park Splash Pad and Sports Courts project during Monday’s meeting. The contract sum that includes all items and services necessary for the execution and completion of the work subject to additions and deductions is $479,407.00.
The council also discussed the animal ordinance in regards to chickens. The board packet provided several ordinances from local communities. Commissioner Doug Shook said he doesn’t like the idea of licensing people.
He continued on to say that was on the bubble about the decision. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said that she noted that she would push for keeping the cleanliness of the chicken’s enclosure as well as not having licensing. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth noted that he liked the ordinance indicating hens but no roosters being allowed. Commissioner Mike Kirk agreed with 6 hens and no roosters but also said if there is one complaint that the resident should not be able to have them anymore. Woodworth said that he was approached by citizens that if they don’t do something to allow chickens the city needs to do something about the ones that are in the city already. This will be brought back to the board at the next meeting. Read More
98-year-old Sullivan Resident Set to Retire
photo by Crystal Reed
Paul “Short” Craig, 98, of Sullivan is planning to retire on his 99th birthday after working for almost 46 years at Atchison Electric.
•October 25, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
Paul “Short” Craig of Sullivan is 98 years old, and he finally plans to retire from Atchison Electric on his birthday which is November 25. He was born in Shelby County, and his family moved to Sullivan when he was four years old. Growing up during the Great Depression, he remembers he and his eight siblings having doing without because their father didn’t make much money.
Craig remembers attending Julian School for eight years and noted he is the last person alive who attended the school. He only attended high school for two years due to the war and is the only one left of the class of 1944. He was unable to join the service because he was unable to pass the physical. Read More
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library
•October 25, 2023•
Happenings for November:
Story times: Every Wednesday, November 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 10:00am
A Taste of Love with Maya-Camille Broussard - November 8th at 7pm
We are hosting a virtual program with Netflix’s star from Bake Squad. She will be sharing her love of pies from her own kitchen just in time for Thanksgiving. More information will be posted on our Facebook page including information on how to register or you can call the library at 728-7221.
Homeschool class: Nov. 9 at 2:30
Library will be closed to observe Veterans Day on Nov. 10. Open on Nov. 11
DMV Nov. 16 from 10:00-2:00
Library will be closed November 23 & 24
Every Monday at 9:00 AM we will be hosting a Memory Café. This is a social gathering for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Get helpful information and support from others who also have loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer.
Beef Stew Dinner
•October 25, 2023•
Hammond United Methodist Church will hold a homemade beef stew dinner on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11am to 1:30 pm in the church fellowship hall. This fundraiser “all-you-can-eat” dinner includes stew, roll or cornbread, jello salad, dessert and drink. The cost is $10 per person with family rates. Take out will be available. The church is located at 3rd & D Streets and is handicap accessible.
Veterans Luncheon
•October 25, 2023•
Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. will host a Veterans Luncheon on Thursday, November 9th. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Veterans eat FREE, everyone else pays $5.00/meal. Food prepared by Griffin’s BBQ Crew Catering Service of Sullivan. Menu is chicken & noodles w/rolls, cookie bars, coffee, tea, lemonade. Those interested in attending must call the Senior Center to register before Friday, November 3 at 217-728-8521 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.