Photo by Mikaela Moore
Season opener
The Redskins took the field a bit delayed last Friday due to weather for their first game of the season. Sullivan topped Villa Grove 36-12. See write-up on page 12.
Season opener 2024
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McClure to host district meetings
•September 4, 2024•
by Sharon Barricklow
State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) will host two gatherings for residents of the 54th district on September 12 in Sullivan and Shelbyville.
McClure, of Springfield, will be at the Red Apple Restaurant in Sullivan from 9 am to 10 am and at the Lakeview Family Restaurant in Shelbyville from 5 to 6 pm.
McClure was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018 after serving as a prosecutor in the Sagamon County State’s Attorney’s office. He began to represent Moultrie and Shelby Counties after redistricting following the 2020 census and now represents all or part of Christian, Cumberland, Effingham, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Moultrie, Sangamon and Shelby counties as senator for the 54th District. He also serves as Assistant Republican Leader for the Illinois Senate.
Moultrie-Douglas 4-H launches “Mindful Me” program for K-2 youth
•September 4, 2024•
by Morgan Jones
Moultrie-Douglas 4-H is announcing the launch of the “Mindful Me” program, a research-based health and wellness initiative designed for young children in grades K-2. This program, hosted by Moultrie-Douglas 4-H and the Villa Grove Camargo Township District Library, aims to introduce basic mindfulness concepts to youth through engaging children’s literature and hands-on activities.
“Mindful Me” focuses on helping young participants develop essential life skills, including goal setting, emotional regulation, stress management, time management, and mindful eating. Through these activities, children will build a strong sense of self and well-being, laying a foundation for healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. Read More
Massive Makers Market welcomes back the fall season with homemade goods
•September 4, 2024•
by Megan Russell
The Markets at Building 1225 are well known for being some of the largest gatherings of individual venders in one area within Moultrie County. Holding many markets within a year the building provides space for the venders, food, entertainment and much more for any and all guests. The building constantly has open applications for new and starting venders at each fair, allowing fresh businesses to get in on the market action. The Saturday, August 31st Makers Market was unlike the other providing the same great refreshments, with food trucks with drinks available, playground area for children and of course lines and lines of booths filled to the brim with venders creations. Other local festivals see these venders, but only a few at a festival, looking back at the Two Story Outhouse Festival in Gays where some venders had stated they only attend certain events. “Well being a small business and making your own shop items makes it hard for you to really go places, especially if there is a large booth fee. Read More
Monthly Quarter Madness
•September 4, 2024•
Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold their September Quarter Auction on Wednesday, September 11. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Sullivan Lions Club will be the charity of the month. Since 1941, Sullivan Lions Club, an affiliate of Lions International, has been committed to helping residents with vision and hearing services, hunger, and youth needs. Their club is known for their annual Turkey Party held in November. Funds raised during this event and others are given back in the community in various ways.
At the September Quarter Madness, vendors could include: Allie’s Gift and Garden, Bloom Jewelry, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Plunder Jewelry, Shaklee and Avon plus different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, wreaths, earrings, wind spinners, potholders, signs, garden stakes, décor, soy based candles and melties, pet supplies, freeze dried candies, meat bundles and more. Come shop the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to attend. Boy Scout Troop 39 will have food available for purchase and there will be a bake sale also. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information visit “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.
Laker Visit day
•September 4, 2024•
Lake Land Community College is hosting a Laker Visit Day on Monday, October 14th running only from nine to noon. During this time, future students or those who are just touring can discover all of which the campus has to offer, aimed towards students who are interested in attending the college. The visit will begin with a tour led by a student ambassador, meeting faculty and staff along the way, also allowing future students to look at what the average day of the attending students looked like. Check-in takes place at the lobby of the Luther Student Center, registration can be done online at LakeLandCollege.edu/visit. For other questions about the event or other forms of contact, call (217)234-5253 or email Laker Louie at lakerlouie@lakelandcollege.edu.
Food drive
•September 4, 2024•
Bethany’s United Methodist Church will be hosting a food drive at the church, located on St. John Street next to the First Christian Church, on September 7th from nine in the morning until two that afternoon. Sponsored by the United Methodist women, the community can drop off any goods for their own community, examples of good donations for a food drive would be canned goods, peanut butter, pasta and rice. For more information on the food drive or acceptable items for the drive call the church at (217)665-3353.
Recent Obituaries: Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers
Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers
Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers, 87, of Gays, passed away 10:56 a.m. Monday, September 2, 2024, at his home in Gays.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2024, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in French Cemetery, rural Allenville. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County PAWs: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951
Bob was born on April 2, 1937, in Bethany; the son of William Robert and Margie (Buckley) Childers. He married Barbara N. Nichols on June 5, 1959, in Charleston. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and working on cars. He loved all music, but he especially enjoyed Elvis and Johnny Cash.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Steve Childers of Mattoon; daughter, Sheila (Lyle Schoonover) Childers; brothers, Rick Childers of Allenville and Jeff Baker of Michigan; sister, Linda (Gilbert) Burns of Mt. Morris, MI, and Cherie Polk of Windsor; grandchildren, Michael Childers, Greg Childers, Heidi Childers and Alex Carter; sister-in-law, Betty Crites of Mattoon. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Alan Lynn, sister, Eula and brother, Randy.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
New Laker Connect program
•August 28, 2024•
Lake Land College is introducing Laker Connect, a new program designed to provide personalized assistance to high school dual credit students.
Under the Laker Connect program, a dedicated counselor will help high school students make the most of their dual credit options. The counselor is also available to help students in topics such as career exploration, paying for college, educational planning, transfer guidance, and trade school planning.
To learn more or set up a meeting, contact Niemerg 217-234-5473 or kkeck16009@lakelandcollege.edu.
A Look Back…8-28-2024
2014
Despite a slight uptick from the last two months, Moultrie County’s unemployment rate in July was still lower than any other central Illinois county, marking an ongoing trend throughout the current year.
Early Sunday morning the Civic Center was flooded when one of the two 90 gallon water heaters misfired, causing steam. This in turn caused a solder joint in the 1-1/4 pipe to come loose and flood the floor in the gym and surrounding area. Read More