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Top of their ALAH class 2024

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Top of their ALAH class
ALAH Valedictorian Claire Seal and Salutatorian Kendall Burdick were tops of their Class of 2024. Claire, the daughter of Adrienne and Nathan Seal, plans to attend The University of Illinois on a medical school track. Kendall, the daughter of Ryan and Kathleen Burdick, will be attending Illinois State University majoring in Elementary Education.
While at ALAH, Claire participated in a variety of activities including Knights in Action all four years, Baseball Manager (1 year), Class President (4 years), National Honor Society (3 years), FCCLA (4 years), Basketball (4 years), Golf (4 years), Student Council (4 years), Math and Writing Center Tutor (3 years), Freshman Mentoring (2 years) and was a 1st and 2nd grade Girls’ Basketball Coach (1 years). She was also on the High Honor Roll all four years and was named an Illinois State Scholar.
Kendall participated in many activities including Volleyball (3 years), Cheerleading (4 years), National Honor Society (3 years), Student Council (4 years), Baccalaureate Planning Committee (4 years), Knights In Action (4 years), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (3 years, Freshman Mentoring (2 years, and Math & Writing Center Tutor (2 years). She also had the honor of being named 2022 Miss ALAH and 2023 Homecoming Queen.
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond will hold Graduation on May 24th at 7:00 p.m.
Pictured (l - r) Valedictorian Claire Seal and Salutatorian Kendall Burdick.

Thirteen year emergence

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Photo by Evan Noffke
Thirteen year emergence
The 13-year cicadas are deep into their emergence this year. Periodical cicadas are among the longest-lived insects on the planet, living for 13 or 17 years. They spend most of that time living underground, feeding on tree roots. Once the soil warms enough in the spring to be 64 degrees Fahrenheit at 8 inches deep, they begin to emerge, usually around late May or early June. The nymphs typically emerge from the soil in the evening and climb up trees or other objects and molt, leaving behind the familiar cicada shells or shed exoskeleton.

Windsor class of 2024 leaders

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Silas Hortenstine

Clayton Carey

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Windsor class of 2024 leaders

Silas Hortenstine, son of Ryan and Jana Hortenstine was named Valedictorian of the class of 2024 of Windsor High School. Silas plans to attend Eastern Illinois University majoring in pre-medicine. During high school he was involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, Class Officer, Spanish Club, Scholastic Bowl, Academic Challenge, Basketball, Golf, Yearbook and Band.

Clayton Carey, son of Craig and Brooke Carey was named Salutatorian. Clayton plans to attend Eastern Illinois University majoring in biochemistry. While in school he was involved in Golf, Student Council, National Honor Society, Basketball, Academic Challenge, Band and Yearbook.

Windsor held graduation Sunday, May 19.

Sullivan softball advances past Shelbyville; Falls to St. Anthony

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•May 22, 2024•

Sullivan welcomed Shelbyville last Monday for the IHSA Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals. They made it through three innings before the weather decided to get involved. The rain delay eventually led to a postponement to the following day. On Tuesday, with the field still wet, both teams agreed to meet in Effingham to play at St. Anthony. The winner would then get a short breather before facing the number one seed St. Anthony Bulldogs.

Regional Quarterfinals

It’s been a rough season for the Shelbyville Rams. They were just 3-13 on the year and 1-8 in their conference. That didn’t stop them from coming out against Sullivan with all they had.  Read More

Riane Bear medals at State; Receives Sportsmanship Award

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•May 22, 2024•

by E. Scott England

The IHSA Class 1A Girls State Series was held last week at O’Brien Field on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. Sullivan sent four girls to Charleston for the competition that began on Thursday with state final qualifying. 

Riane Bear started the day with high jump, along with 38 girls from across the state. The starting height was 1.50m, which Bear easily cleared on the first attempt. At the end of the first round, 22 girls moved on to tackle the height of 1.53m. Bear’s first two attempts just missed clearing the bar. The third time was a charm as she easily passed over the bar. Seven more girls were eliminated at this height which set the field of 15 to move on to Saturday. Bear finished fourth in the prelims. Read More

Sullivan boys finish second at Sectionals; Qualified in 10 events for State

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Photo by E. Scott England
Hayden Moody fires off the line in the 800m. The senior would finish fifth but qualify for state based on time.

•May 22, 2024•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan boys’ track team have had an amazing year. Records have been broken, then re-broken as they continue to push each other. It was no surprise then that at the end of the sectional meet last Wednesday that the team qualified in 10 of the 18 events. In each event, the top two finishers get to advance. All other athletes can advance if they meet the state qualifying standard for that event. 

Brett Bushue became one of the first qualifiers as he advanced in both pole vault and high jump. The senior easily advanced to state in high jump as he finished second with a jump of 1.88m. He had narrowly escaped elimination at the 1.85m mark, but cleared it in his third and final attempt. He cleared the 1.88m height in the first jump. Bushue would go on to finish fourth in pole vault, but cleared the qualifying standard of 3.70m to earn his second invite to state. Read More

Bingo

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Bingo
Bingo is held every Thursday at the Sullivan American Legion hosted by the Sullivan Singers Boosters. Doors open at 5 pm. Regular Bingo starts at 6:30 pm. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Mrs. Sentel’s Garden Party

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•May 22, 2024•

“Mrs. Sentel’s Garden Party” will be presented on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by the Moultrie County History Center and Allie’s Gift and Garden, who are neighboring establishments at 1303 and 1309 S. Hamilton Street, Sullivan.

Winifred Titus Sentel’s annual garden party was one of Sullivan’s special social events from the past when she invited all of her lady friends from her numerous clubs to her home to view her extensive Iris and peony gardens in full bloom and hear special music by her students. She inspired one of her former students, Guy S. Little, Jr., to start the Little theater on the Square in Sullivan in 1957.   Read More

Bee-Keeping buzzes in Arthur: A community of enthusiasts

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•May 22, 2024•

In Illinois, there were about 4,800 bee-keepers registered here in Illinois in 2020 according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Of those 4,800, they were managing 32,878 colonies in 6,429 apiaries (collection of beehives). There are also registered bee-keepers and colonies present in all of the 102 counties of Illinois. It is certain that the bee-keepers are keeping the bee-industry buzzing. Read More

“Bo” Wood Recreation Area boat ramp closed

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•May 22, 2024•

The Bo Wood Recreation Area Boat Ramp will be closed May 22 - May 24. The closure will not allow access to Bo Wood Boat Ramp area. These closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Whitley Creek Ramp can be used as the alternative ramp for this area.  

These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the public while contractor finalizes work.     

The Corps of Engineers recognizes the impact of parking lot and ramp closures on the general public and apologizes for any inconveniences it may cause. For additional information, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951.