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Sullivan’s annual Dash & Bash becomes another staple of summer fun

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Group photo by Natasha Felter
SSMA car show
Pictured are SSMA club members (in no particular order) Joe Scribner, Eddie Davis, Kenny Davis, Tom Key, Chad Shain, Justin Wilson, Chris Davis, Marissa Davis. Not pictured: Richard Spencer, Kent Spencer, Dave Newby, Phil Banks, Andy Scribner, Dave Miller.

•June 12, 2024•

Since 2017, Sullivan has been actively planning and producing the annual Bash and Bash. The Dash and Bash is a family friendly day long event in Sullivan where fun is in the name. The event started bright and early at seven for the 5k run/walk registration for the race, which started just an hour later at eight. Closer to ten the car show registration opened and just thirty minutes later the Legion had a tent set up outside where food was served, lemonade shakeups were also opening at the same time. By this time it is 11, getting closer to lunch and with more people arriving another guest food option arrived. Pretzels from a pre-order pick-up were now available to be picked up inside the Legion. The afternoon was overall the best part of the whole day. Once it stuck noon, the beer tent was opened and DJ Iceman provided some of the crowds favorite music. The Duck Derby had a great go, there was a bit of a rough start with some wind issues and the ducks not wanting to all leave the designated area on launch. On the Sullivan Dash and Bash facebook page there is a past live video of the duck derby that happened on Saturday. Read More

Fundraising

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Fundraising
The Boy Scouts set up in the IGA parking lot Friday during the Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sale providing rummage goers a great choice for lunch.

New thrift store Second Act opens in Arthur

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Photo courtesy of Timmy Valentine

•June 12, 2024•

by Ariana R Cherry

Thrifting is a great way to save money on gently used items. In today’s economy, second hand shopping is an ideal way to find the clothing brands and products for your home at a fraction of its original price. At least 93% of Americans shop online for second-hand items and in 2023, the U.S. second-hand market generated an estimated amount of $53 billion according to Capital One’s thrifting statistics.

If you are a regular thrifter, you will notice that not all thrift stores are the same. The creative minds behind Second Act are the dynamic trio of Timmy Valentine, John Stevens, and Ty Mosier. These Theatre enthusiasts and artists have poured their hearts and souls into creating a thrift store that is as unique and creative as the plays that the Little Theatre produces.

“We wanted to create an experience, not just a thrift store,” Valentine noted. “We have everything displayed beautifully and theatrically. It’s not like walking into your average store,” he added.  When you walk into Second Act, you might even notice the retro music lightly playing in the background which creates the perfect atmosphere when shopping for second-hand items.   Read More

Arts/Summer Camp Grants announced 

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•June 12, 2024•

Ten Central Illinois organizations have been selected to receive a total of $30,000 in arts/summer camp grant funding. This funding is part of the $1 million Moving Forward grant program established by the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) and Decatur Earthmover Credit Union (DECU). Read More

Windsor Jr. High School 

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•June 12, 2024•

Honor Roll Quarter 4 

Seventh Grade

High Honors: Lila Cranmer, Faith Hendrickson, Mathilda Kasey, Addison Montgomery, 

Arora Rincker, Bryce Rincker 

Honor Roll: Lily Ault, Jackson Hartman, Aspen Spinner, Kleia Voege

Eighth Grade 

High Honors: Peter Mast, Evan Pfeiffer Read More

Another amazing Lovington Junefest in the books

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•June 12, 2024•

The village of Lovington had a very successful Junefest this past June 8th, starting at 4:30 at the Lovington park with a community fish fry as well as few food venders including Kona Ice, We Li Kit Farmstead, Eddie’s Taco Truck, SweetTeaz, Scotty BS, and Highway Heartburn. There were also many artisan booths, some with bake sale items and freeze dried candy while others had hand made crafts like keychains and hand knit towels. The Lovington VBS was there was well handing out candy to anyone and everyone of all ages.  There was no time for messing around this weekend if you were a kid, there was also free entertainment provided for children at Junefest, including bounce houses, obstacle courses, face painting, a rock wall and an extreme air bungee jumping simulator. There was live music produced by the duo Jake & Mikayla. At dusk, fireworks were set off to end the overall great turn out of this Lovington Junefest.

Illinois State Museum seeking Route 66 stories for Mother Road’s 100th anniversary in 2026

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•June 12, 2024•

Museum historians will record oral histories with travelers, businesses, highway builders, and others

The Illinois State Museum is seeking individuals to share their personal experiences with the original Route 66 in Illinois, including travelers, businesses that operated along the route, workers who built the highway, and others.

Route 66 will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Historians from the Illinois State Museum will record and share oral histories of people who can recall their connections to the historic roadway, which operated from 1926 until decommissioning in 1985. Read More

Multi-County 4-H Horse Show 

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•June 12, 2024•

The Coles, Cumberland, and Moultrie-Douglas 4-H programs have announced the return of the highly anticipated Multi-County Horse Show. This year’s event will be hosted by the Coles County 4-H at the Coles County Fairgrounds in Charleston, bringing together talented young equestrians from across the region. Read More

Senior Heifer Calf Champion

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Photo by Next Level Images
Senior Heifer Calf Champion
Dameron C-5 Nellie 2145 won senior heifer calf champion at the 2024 Atlantic National Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show, May 26 in Timonium, Md. Quentin Day, Lovington, owns the winning heifer.