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Letter to the Editor 12-13-2023

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Dear Editor,

I am writing to shed light on the invaluable work carried out by the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) and to call upon the generosity of our community.

For decades, SAMA has been a beacon of hope for those facing adversity in Moultrie County. The scope of their assistance is vast, covering essential needs such as utilities, rent, automotive support, hotel stays, food, fuel, and even Christmas Certificates. It’s heartening to know that, over a 12-month period, SAMA distributes substantial funds to support thousands of individuals within our community.

This year, one noteworthy project helped by SAMA was the provision of school supply boxes to 124 students in Sullivan. Such initiatives showcase the association’s commitment to addressing various facets of need, ensuring that no one is left behind in their pursuit of a better life. Read More

So You Think You’re Hard on Yourself?

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•December 13, 2023•

I know that all of us have done or said something that continues to embarrass us decades later.

I can safely say this, because no one younger than a couple decades old regularly reads this column. Hey, they don’t know what they’re missing.

I remember misspelling “cauldron” in a spelling bee. Yes, “cauldron.” This must have been in the 1990s, before I adopted this persona.

A “chaldron” — the spelling I offered — in days when coal was the gold standard for clean power, was a measure of it.

I was dinged because that spelling had long gone by the boards even in the 1990s. I must have read the old spelling in a Charles Dickens novel and it lodged in my hippocampus. Read More

A Look Back…

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2013

Lovington Grade School teacher Debbie Long had her annual Christmas Tea Sunday at her home in Sullivan for her students. That year marked Long’s last teaching year ending her holiday tradition. 

Okaw Valley third graders Abby Luckenbill and Lexie Bartimus organized their entire school to collect toys and canned goods for local families. Students brought a toy or canned food item to gain admission to a dance. The school managed to pool around 55 toys and 10 cases of food. 

Dr. Quintin Murray took over the chiropractic office formerly Dr. Kellerman’s in Sullivan.  Read More

City Council Ordinance Amendment Allows Raising Chickens in City Limits

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•December 13, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, December 11 at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. All commissioners were in attendance with Commissioner Chuck Woodworth attending by phone. The meeting began with two public hearings. One was for a proposed federally funded Community Development Block Grant project for storm sewer system improvements and the other was for the tax levy. 

The public hearing on the CDBG grant was in regards to the city applying for a $650,000 community development block grant to help fund storm sewer improvements. The grant is funded by the federal government and administered by the state. The amount of CDBG funds proposed to be used for activities that will benefit low to moderate income persons is $371,540. This was approved later in the meeting under new business.  Read More

Marny’s Miniatures on Display at MC Historical Center

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photo by Crystal Reed
Marny Ennis Elliott and her son Charles hold a few of her framed needlepoint designs. She has a display of her dollhouse room boxes, handmade miniature furnishings and needlepoint on display until March 31, 2024 at the Moultrie County Historical Center.

•December 13, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Marny Ennis Elliott of Champaign, formerly of Lovington, has a special exhibit of dollhouse room boxes and their handmade miniature furnishings on display at the Moultrie County Historical Center until March 31, 2024. The exhibit is called “Marny’s Miniatures.” Elliott recalls receiving a metal dollhouse at age six from Santa in 1949. The walls and floors were printed with rugs and pictures and plastic furniture. She donated it to the less fortunate. Read More

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Launches in Moultrie County

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photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan mayor Mike Mossman reads “The Gruffalo” to children as part of the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Moultrie County at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Wednesday, December 6.

•December 13, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois in partnership with Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library had a kickoff event for the debut of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Moultrie County. Each child who attended the kickoff event of the debut of the program and signed up from the program received “The Little Engine That Could,” to start their collection.

Sullivan mayor Mike Mossman was in attendance at the event and read the story “The Gruffalo” to children and their parents. Following the story, children and their parents could do a craft related to the book and enjoy refreshments. Besides Moultrie County the following counties have access to the program currently: McLean, DeWitt, Macon, Piatt, Champaign, Vermillion, Edgar, Logan, Menard and Sangamon. Shelby County will launch this week on Wednesday. The goal with the state partnership is to have all the counties covered. Read More

Alzheimer’s Support Group

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•December 13, 2023•

More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and millions more are affected as caregivers. A licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) led Alzheimer’s support group is now available at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. The group meets the third Thursday of each month in room 561 from 1 to 2 p.m.

“Our support group provides a safe and caring place for all to share the challenges they are facing,” said Karla Thornton, LCPC and spiritual care minister at St. Mary’s Hospital. “We hope to impart the compassion and understanding needed to equip each other with the courage to take one moment at a time, knowing we are not alone.”

St. Mary’s Hospital’s Alzheimer’s support group is designed to provide emotional, educational, social and spiritual support for caregivers or those affected by Alzheimer’s through regularly scheduled meetings. These meetings include expert speakers, specialized topics, shared discussions and refreshments.

Karla Thornton is certified by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and holds multiple certifications in the field.

For more information or to sign up for the monthly support group, please contact Karla Thornton at 217-464-2045 or email Karla.Thornton@hshs.org.

For more information about HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, visit stmarysdecatur.com.

Election Filings for General Primary

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•December 13, 2023•

The 2024 General Primary Election will be held on March 19, 2024. Filing information was obtained from the Moultrie County Clerk’s office. For Circuit Clerk, there was no Democrat filing and Christa S. Helmuth filed as a Republican for the position. For the coroners race Keith A. Epperson filed as a Democrat and Lynn Reed filed as a Republican. For State’s Attorney there was no filing for the Democrats and Tracy Weaver filed as a Republican. For county board, there were no Democrat filings, there were three republican candidates that filed and they were Ralph Zancha, Arlon Long and Tyler William Graven. For precinct committee persons there was a Democrat filing for Dora by Steven C Smith. For East Nelson there was a Democrat filing by Karen S. Edwards. For Jonathan Creek there was Democrat filing by Timothy D. Singer. For Lovington 1 Gary P. Smith filed as a Democrat and Tracy Bettinger as a Republican. For Lovington 2 Nicholas A. Minnis filed as a Republican. For Lowe, Paul Kuhns filed as a Republican. For Marrowbone 1, Scott Buxton filed as a Republican. Marrowbone 2, had no filings. For the Sullivan 1 precinct, Aaron Wilhelm filed as a Republican. For Sullivan 2, Michael E. McDaniel filed as a Republican. For Sullivan 3, David Reed filed as a Republican. Sullivan 4 had no filings. For Sullivan 5, Travis Phelps filed as a Republican. For Sullivan 6, Lynn Reed filed as a Republican. For Sullivan 7, Rebekah Brimmage filed as a Democrat and Bradley G. Graven filed as a Republican. Whitley had no filings.

Rhodes Graduates

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•December 13, 2023•

Keegan Rhodes, from Mattoon, graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in Spring 2023. Rhodes received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Honors. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above are listed as having graduated with “High Honors.” Undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA between 3.20 and 3.69 are listed as having graduated with “Honors.”

Breakfast with Santa

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•December 13, 2023•

The Lovington Park Board will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 16 from 9 to 11 am at the First Church of God community center. Come enjoy breakfast and visit with Santa. Santa will have a special gift for every child.