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Broomcorn Festival dates announced

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•August 21, 2024•

The Broomcorn festival, named after the common crop introduced to the united states in the early 1700s, is a deep and traditionally connected festival celebrating the harvest and all the good that comes with it. Arguably Illinois most widely appreciated and accepted festival across the state even the nation. The Broomcorn Festival in Arcola support three full days of endless fun for all ages, shopping, games, competitions and food all within walking distance. Venders consisting of fair food and home made amish delicacies line the streets and fill the sidewalks with hungry guests while parades, tractor pulls and marathons are running through the whole weekend. Starting on Friday, September 6th at 10am, the festival will see the return of past crowd favorites and new live performances from Drake Milligan on Sunday. For more information on the Broomcorn Festival visit the 2024 Broomcorn Festival Facebook event page or visit the Arcola Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, to find more contact options visit arcolachamber.com or call (217)268-4530.

Unlimited Annual Toy runs are announced

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•August 21, 2024•

The Village of  Lovingtons Sparrows Unlimited announced the return of the Annual Toy Run, in which all types of vehicles are welcome and the fee for the event is just a toy, on Saturday, September 28. Sign up for the run is at the Lovington American Legion, the theme this year is 70’s, prizes will be rewarded. Stops on the run will be announce the day of the run. Read More

Mennonite Relief sale

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•August 21, 2024•

The 62nd annual Arthur Mennonite Relief sale will be happening from August 23rd-August 24th at the Otto Center, 2060 CR 1800E in Arthur. The sale is fun for all ages, featuring a petting zoo, train rides and a specialized children’s auction. Food and drink venders will be present, starting off with Friday from five to eight a pulled pork dinner and other food booths and Saturday featuring a pancake and sausage breakfast from six to ten and other food vender throughout the day. There will also be a wide variety of auctions and sales featuring home goods, crafts, baked goods, vintage ware and so much more. Proceeds will go to those in need from around the world as well as local mission work of MCC. For more information on MCC visit their website at www.mcc.org. For more information or to see the full schedule of events visit arthurreliefsale.org.

Lake Shelbyville Tree Stand Permits available

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•August 21, 2024•

Lake Shelbyville‘s Tree Stand Policy for this year will remain the same as it was last season. The policy allows hunters to leave one stand up for the season (“Seasonal Tree Stand”) and/or utilize up to two “Roving” stands that can be left up during archery season for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours - the length of a 3 day weekend. Seasonal tree stands may be placed 2 weeks prior to archery season and must be removed within 2 weeks of archery season ending. Archery season runs from October 1, 2024 - January 19, 2025.   Read More

SOV Football

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•August 21, 2024•

Aug 30 vs Villa Grove

Sept 6 at Arcola

Sept 13 vs Cumberland OV Homecoming

Sept 20 At Argenta-Oreana

Sept 27 vs Cerro Gordo

Oct 4 vs Sangamon Valley Homecoming

Oct 11 at Nokomis

Oct 18 at Tri-County/Oakland

Oct 25 vs ALAH

Fireworks in August

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•August 21, 2024•

Sullivan’s NorthEnd Pub and Grill located at 1158 State Highway 32, is going to be have a firework display on Saturday, August 24th at roughly eight or when it gets dark enough. The Sullivan Marina and Campground and NorthEnd Pub and Grill are teaming up, throwing an ultimate firework frenzy, featuring food, drinks and live music performance from Shawn Dawson starting at six. For more information contact NorthEnd Pub and Grill at nepubandgrill.com, call (217)707-6363 or visit the NorthEnd Pub and Grill Facebook page.

Recent Obituaries: Sharon K. Sibigtroth

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Sharon K. Sibigtroth

Sharon K. Sibigtroth, 74, of Sullivan, passed away at 1:39 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 at St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ, rural Sullivan with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mrs. Sibigtroth was born on July 17, 1950 at Bloomington, Illinois, the daughter of William and Vera (Lee) Lishka. Sharon was a nurse and a member of the Elim Springs Church of Christ and the American Nursing Association. She married Daniel Sibigtroth on September 1, 1973 at LaSalle, Illinois and he preceded her in death on September 7, 2005.
Grams as she was affectionaly called by her grandchildren is survived by her children Andrea Sibigtroth-Harshman and her husband Daniel Harshman of Sullivan and Joseph Sibigtroth and his wife Jennifer of Granville, Illinois; grandchildren Ulrich Harshman, Frederick Harshman and Michelle Cox; great grandson Christopher Kaufman; brothers Bobby Lishka of Parma, Ohio and William (Carol) Lishka of Bloomington; sisters Joyce Helen (Cecil) Harris of Highland, Illinois, Darlina (Dillard) Wright of Antioch, Tennessee and Lorina (Scott) Purdum of Wickliffe, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother William Medley and sisters Mary Margaret Poston, Sherry Duley and Nancy Searl.

Recent Obituaries: Jim ‘Sonny’ Andrews

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Jim ‘Sonny’ Andrews, 86, of Decatur, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 5:25 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2024 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Scott Hall officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Faith Baptist Church Snuggies For The Soul program. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Andrews was born July 8, 1938 in Thomasville, Missouri, the son of Edward Leslie and Mary Louise (Fisher) Andrews. Jim retired from Caterpillar in Decatur after 35 years and was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Decatur. He married Sue Shoemaker on August 28, 1959 in Tuscola, Illinois and she survives.
Also surviving are his children Tanya (George) Bone of Bethany and Mike (Cindy) Andrews of Seneca, South Carolina; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren and a brother Gordon Andrews of West Plains, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and one brother.
Jim loved the Lord, his wife of 65 years, his family, helping others and fishing. He will be missed by all that knew him. But we know we will see him again someday in heaven.

Reverse raffle winners

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•August 14, 2024•

The Sullivan American Legion hosted the 14th annual fall reverse raffle on Saturday, August 3rd. The doors for the raffle opened at five in the afternoon with serving food just an hour later at six. The raffle drawing officially started at seven that night. 

All of the following individuals were the winners: Sharilyn and Leroy Goodbear, George Shelby, Tyler and Rachel Harvey, Gary wirth, Dave Boyer, Kenny and Chelsea Graven, Kurt VanDeursen and Chad and Chandra Gogolin.