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Remembering Who We Are………

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Isaac Waggoner, Moultrie County Patriot


•July 22, 2026•

by Janey Roney

Moultrie County can be proud that we have Revolutionary War veterans buried in our soil, even though our first pioneers did not arrive until five decades after we declared independence from England. Isaac Waggoner, from South Carolina, was one of those Revolutionary War veterans.

Isaac’s service may have been inspired by his own father, Hans, who was an immigrant from either Holland or Germany. Hans had fourteen children by five different wives. He was a man of action who fought Cherokee Indians and built Wagner Fort in 1760 where Isaac was born a year later.   

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Mid-Illinois Senior Services celebrates America’s 250th birthday

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•July 22, 2026•

Photo by Jamie Crosier

by Jamie Crosier

Patriotic decorations, American flags and familiar songs welcomed guests Thursday, July 16, as Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. hosted a celebration honoring America’s 250th birthday.

Mid-Illinois Senior Services serves as the Aging and Disability Resource Center and Coordinated Point of Entry for the East Central Illinois Agency on Aging. The celebration featured guest speaker Becky Lawson, followed by a free lunch of Blackstone-grilled hamburgers, sides and dessert. Entertainment was provided by the American Patriots Band.

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IAHC Steam Threshing Days set 

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•July 22, 2026•

Steam Threshing Days will be held on Friday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 1 from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Illinois Route 133, six miles west of Arcola and three miles east of Arthur.

The purpose of this event is to show attendees how crops were grown and harvested during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Amish continue using many of these methods in their farming operations today. This event continues to expand each year and the 2026 event promises to be the best and biggest show yet.

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Sparrows Unlimited auction brings Christmas spirit to Lovington in July

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•July 22, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Christmas trees, holiday decorations and live music may seem out of place in the middle of summer, but that’s exactly what visitors might find when Sparrows Unlimited hosts its annual Christmas for the Kids Auction on Saturday, July 25, in the grassy lot outside East End Tavern in Lovington. The daylong fundraiser combines entertainment, food, family activities and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting local children and families.

For Pam Anklam, president of Sparrows Unlimited, the event represents much more than a fundraiser.

“The first thing I would want people to know is that Sparrows Unlimited is made up of ordinary, hardworking people who simply want to make a difference in the lives of others,” Anklam said. “We aren’t a large organization with paid staff—we’re volunteers who care deeply about our community and are committed to helping local children and families.”

That volunteer spirit has carried the organization for 32 years.

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A Look Back…7-22-2026

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2016

One hundred fifteen kids, numerous donations, and a little heart let the Summer Park Program flourish in Sullivan. Jake and Melissa Haegen worked hard to improve Sullivan’s Park and Rec program. An over 50-year-old program evolved from 30 to 40 kids to 115, from two supervisors to multiple teenage volunteers who had been through the program, and from a quick lunch break to a provided food program. 

Blair Monroe of Bethany and Ben Bushue of Solomon won ribbons in the Moultrie Douglas Fair 4-H Livestock show.

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