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Remembering Who We Are………

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Revolutionary Connections
•June 10, 2026•

by Janet Roney

Although no American settlers were living in Moultrie County until 1826, fifty years after our country’s independence, we have several connections to the Revolutionary War. During this year of our country’s 250th anniversary, it is fitting that we review some of those ties.

Last week, I told you about the most obvious connection to the war, our county’s namesake. Col. William Moultrie defended the fort on Sullivan’s Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, from British capture in 1776, thereby becoming a hero of folks from the South who made up most of our earliest settlers. The 1881 history said that Sullivan, our county seat, was named after the island Moultrie defended, another connection to 1776. But I. J. Martin, who wrote ‘Notes on the History of Moultrie County and Sullivan, Illinois’, had a different story. He said that Sullivan’s namesake was a northern Revolutionary War general named John Sullivan. As the 1881 history says, “Hereby hangs a tale.”

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A Look Back…6-10-2026

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2016

County Highway Engineer Jeff Birch reported Wilborn Creek Road was reopened following culvert replacements as part of the overall $1.8 million improvement project. Birch told members of the Moultrie County Road and Bridge Committee that preparations to recycle should take up to four days in early July.

The Illinois Department of Health confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus reported in Illinois for 2016. An adolescent in West Central Illinois became severely ill in late May. “We typically don’t start to see human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois until the end of July or beginning of August,” shared Illinois Department of Public Health’s Nirav Shah.

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MCHGS: tune in for local history

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•June 10, 2026•

Are you curious about the radio stations that shaped Moultrie County? Then consider “tuning in” at the Moultrie County History Center on Thursday, June 18th at 7:00 p.m. for an engaging look at the history of radio broadcasting in Sullivan and Moultrie County with radio veterans Larry Oathout and Scot England. Larry and Scot will spotlight the creation of Sullivan radio station WFWA in 1974 and trace its journey through multiple owners and name changes over the years. The History Center is located at 1303 South Hamilton in Sullivan. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (217) 728-4085 or email mocohgs@gmail.com.

CHI Color Run: A burst of color and support

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•June 10, 2026•

Photo submitted

On Saturday, May 30th, in Arthur, C.H.I hosted its annual color fun run to raise funds to support mental health service providers in the surrounding counties. This year’s run had a fantastic turnout: 146 pre-registrations, 43 day-of registrations, and over 40 volunteers participated. Over $6,000 was raised by participants, and C.H.I. will match that amount, bringing the total to over $12,000 to be donated to Douglas County Public Health (school-based clinic) and Moultrie Counseling Center. 

Prizes from donors were also awarded, including Milwaukee & Echo power tools, RTIC & Igloo coolers, gift cards, and apparel from local businesses, travel chairs, birdhouses, and tactical gear.

Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 Poppy Poster Contest

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•June 10, 2026•

Photo provided
Photo Left to right: Sullivan American Legion member Mike Keown, Sullivan Auxiliary Vice President Ruth Keown, Jacie Jean, Vanessa Wright, Jooniper Bly, Noah Hooten, Garrison Cohan, Briggs Sanner, Leland Walters, Kate VanDeursen, and Becky Lawson, one of the contest coordinators.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 Poppy Poster Contest is designed to help students understand the connection of the poppy to Memorial Day, those men and women who died while serving in the military, and supporting veterans. All Sullivan Elementary School fourth graders submitted posters this year. “We had a lot of beautiful posters to choose from,” noted Auxiliary vice president Ruth Keown.

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JCC Church VBS

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•June 10, 2026•

A summer children’s event called “Rainforest Falls” will be hosted at Jonathan Creek Christian Church, 1425 Jonathan Creek Rd, Sullivan, June 13th and 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. At Rainforest Falls, kids explore the nature of God, discovering who God is and how much he loves them.

Children participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies, and test sciencey-fun experiments they will never forget. Children will also learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called ‘God Sightings’.

Each day concludes with a ‘Canopy Closing’ that gets everyone involved in living what they have learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join daily for this special time.

Kids at the Rainforest Falls will join a mission effort to provide families in Central America with fruit trees that feed children and provide income to parents. Rainforest Falls is for children 3 years of age through 5th grade. For more information, call (217) 728-4369.

ROSC Grubfest

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•June 10, 2026•

Moultrie County ROSC Council and The Hour House will host The Recovery Grub Fest on June 20th from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Wyman Park, 1026 N. Worth Street in Sullivan. This will be a free, family-friendly event with activities, delicious food, vendors, and live music for the whole family to enjoy. Please come and join us for a super fun-filled day for the whole family. 

We would be delighted to see our community members, along with anyone who wants to have good, family-friendly, sober fun. The event will also have resource tables showcasing surrounding social service providers, as well as vendors from the area, live bands, and create your own tie-dye. Recovery is possible.

Hour House provides compassionate, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support for individuals, families, and the community. For over 50 years, it has offered a continuum of care including treatment services for adults and adolescents, recovery housing for men, women, and women with children, and community programs focused on education, prevention, and outreach. Contact joshf@hourhouserecovery.org for any information regarding the event. Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Dove/youth dove hunting lottery begins

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•June 3, 2026•

The Illinois first dove hunting lottery is June 1st through June 30th and is statewide. Dove permits are free for the first five days of the lottery. View information about the first dove and youth dove hunting lotteries online at https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove/onlinepermitapplication.html. Don’t forget to report your federal dove band online at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/Bander_portal/login/reportband.php if you harvest a banded bird. Your cooperation on reporting band numbers gives biologists a wealth of information useful in managing the resources to provide hunters with maximum recreational opportunities while protecting dove populations.

MISS: June events

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•June 3, 2026•

The Mid-Illinois Senior Center is located at 113 E. Jefferson Street in Sullivan. The Peace Meal Senior Nutrition program lunch is served weekdays (except holidays) at 11:30 a.m. Call (217) 728-8521 for more information on the events below or the Peace Meal.

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June ‘Peace Meal’ menu for MISS

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•June 3, 2026•

4th: Mushroom-crusted chicken, hash brown casserole, California blend veggies, and berry fluff.

5th: Loaded taco Salad, stewed tomatoes, roasted corn and black beans, side salad, and whole grain chips.

8th: Pork tenderloin and bun, baked beans, corn, and cinnamon applesauce.

9th: Orange chicken meatballs, Midori veggies, cauliflower, poppyseed slaw, and brown rice.

10th: Goulash, basil carrots, broccoli, peaches, and bread.

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