•November 8, 2023•
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Lake Land College as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation. This is the sixth time Lake Land College has received this recognition. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds. Read More
•November 8, 2023•
The Partners of HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital are once again sponsoring the annual Christmas Extravaganza. The craft sale will take place in the St. Mary’s Hospital Assisi Room on Thursday, November 16, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Extravaganza will feature homemade bakery items, handcrafted Christmas items from the Partner’s crafters, and gently used items in Santa’s Closet. Read More
•November 8, 2023•
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter is proud to launch National Caregiver Month, a special initiative to recognize and celebrate the remarkable caregivers who provide unwavering support to individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia in the state of Illinois. This annual event, celebrated throughout November, aims to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of caregivers, emphasizing their critical role in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Caregivers are the unsung heroes in the fight against Alzheimer’s, and their dedication and compassion make a profound impact on the quality of life for individuals living with this challenging disease. The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter believes in the power of acknowledging and celebrating these exceptional individuals who selflessly care for their loved ones or work tirelessly in professional capacities to support those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Read More
•November 8, 2023•
I’d like to tell you that reading this column will make you feel better, and that might not just be wishful thinking.
It might, however, offer the equivalent of patting you on the hand and assuring you that everything will be all right.
Hey, I’ll take it.
My book publisher passed along a story written by the Daily Mail’s Deputy Science Editor, Xantha Leatham, that explores the physical manifestations of encountering poor grammar.
In her story, she cites researchers at the University of Birmingham (England) who brought in 41 British English-speaking adults (that’s Britons who speak English rather than people who speak British English) who listened to 40 speech samples, half of which contained grammatical problems. Read More
2013
Area schools, American Legions and the Sullivan VFW recognized veterans with their own unique programs. Francis Drummond Jr. spoke to Danielle Braiding’s fifth grade class about his service in the Navy about the USS Monrovia.
Cathrine’s Custom Framing and Gallery had its ribbon cutting.
The third annual Insect Day for first graders at Sullivan Elementary was held. After a week long reading series on insect, four first grade teachers in Sullivan arranged for an activity filled day full of learning, exploring, and researching the crawly critters. Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
Veterans that participated in the 2023 Anglers Tribute to Veterans pose for a group photo at the Sullivan VFW on Saturday, November 4. It was the fourth year for the event.
•November 8, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The fourth annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans was held on Lake Shelbyville on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4. The event takes Veterans on an all day fishing trips on Lake Shelbyville with dinner and drinks at the Sullivan VFW later in the day. This year 21 Veterans were taken out to fish on Saturday. Read More
•November 8, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
A house blessing was held Sunday, November 5, at the newest home built by Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity on Hope Lane in Sullivan. The new homeowners are Rebecca Comstock, Kylee, Clark and Owen. The ceremony began with a prayer from Pastor Doug Fultz of Solid Rock Chapel.
Fultz noted that God had blessed the home with a deserving and thankful family and that God blessed the home from the concept through completion with caring and faithful workers who gave their time and talents. “Today we recognize this home is more than a house,” he said. “It’s more than the materials that it’s made from. It’s more like a quilt that has been assembled with great love and prayer woven throughout.”
photo by Crystal Reed
In attendance for the ground breaking of the new Sullivan High School were (in no order): Sullivan Mayor Mike Mossman, Moultrie County Board Chairman Bill Voyles and Vice Chairman Marsha Kirby, Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Laurrie Minor, Friends of Sullivan Athletics and Academics Representative Amanda Glazebrook, Judy England, Clayton Quick and Evan Sudkamp with Grunloh Construction, Architect Ben Dockter with Graham and Hyde Architects, Board of Education members Jeff White, Josh Green and Zak Horn, Sullivan High School Principal Dan Allen, Director of Buildings and Grounds Kevin Landrus and Sullivan School District Superintendent Ted Walk.
•November 8, 2023•
Sullivan School District broke ground for the new high school last Friday afternoon. Superintendent Ted Walk reflected on the past noting that the Sullivan Township High School opened over 100 years ago in 1916. It served students in the Sullivan community for over 105 years. Students served initially included high school students but the building hosted middle and even elementary students during its time. “The community should be incredibly proud of the efforts and decisions made by the staff and leadership of Sullivan Schools over this time to keep this three-story structure, built initially without electricity, operational for such an amazing stretch,” he said. Read More
•November 8, 2023•
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation’s Holiday Festival returns November 10 to 13 with an Online Auction full of items sure to help with your holiday shopping.
This year’s auction features a wide variety of decorated 4-foot trees, home décor, handmade treasures, coupons for fresh greens and more. With this year’s Holiday Festival falling on Veterans Day weekend, there is also a common ‘Americana’ theme in some of the packages.
Among the many wonderful gifts available, including several American flags, one package honors current military members and veterans from all branches. SBL’s Clinical Education/Employee & Organizational Development (EOD) departments created an “All-American Christmas” package to commemorate current military members and veterans, and recognize them for their service.
Lindsey Truex, RN, clinical instructor, said she and her coworkers have friends and family members who have served in the military. In addition, SBL EOD Director Lorenzo Smith is a veteran himself. “We wanted to highlight all military members and veterans for their selflessness and their dedication to our country,” Truex said. The Festival’s Online Auction runs November 10 through the 13, and although it wasn’t planned, Truex said she is thrilled that her team’s theme coincides with Veterans Day, November 11.
The 4-foot Christmas tree is beautifully decorated and features glass-blown ornaments that honor each branch of the military. The entire package includes a wide variety of items that compliment the holiday season well. An advent calendar includes 25 activities and many of the items needed to complete them. The activities include making cookies and making cards for veterans, to name a few. Also included in the package: a cooler with tumblers; hats that light up; a wicker basket full of blankets; various wines; apple cider; candies and much more.
Decorating the Christmas tree and putting together the gift package was fun for the staff. “It’s extremely exciting for us to do this,” Truex said. “There were a lot of smiles, a lot of laughs and a lot of glitter.”
While it’s fun to create a package for the Holiday Festival, the employees also enjoy supporting a great cause. Proceeds from the 2023 SBL Holiday Festival will support SBL Behavioral Health Services by helping provide emergent needs for the uninsured, resources for providers to use in therapy, assistance with the substance abuse crisis in the region, and funding school assemblies to address mental health needs of area youth.
Truex has helped create a Holiday Festival package the past four years, and she is proud to support a worthy cause. “Giving back to the community is a passion of mine,” she said. “I always strive to make a difference for others.”
The Holiday Festival Online Auction opens at 8 am on Friday, November 10, and runs through 8 pm, Monday, November 13. It features approximately 80 items designed by Sarah Bush Lincoln employees, area residents and businesses, including a wide variety of home décor and holiday items, handmade wooden trees, fresh greens from Hager Tree Farm and much more.
To register and participate, visit https://www.sarahbush.org/holidayfestival/. Early registration is encouraged to receive important announcements and updates. For more information, contact the SBL Health Foundation at 217-258-2511.
•November 8, 2023•
6th grade High Honors: Lilly Ayer, Jace Burnett, Jacoby Burnett, Jaleb Burnett, Jianna Burnett.
6th grade Honors: Hunter Carter, Owen Crum, Maranda Pratt.
7th grade High Honors: Macelyn Boddy, Abigail Franklin, Brian Hadley.
7th grade Honors: Jonathan Aldana, Anthony Graham, Griffin Hilton, Zoey Mendoza, Ben Stutzman.
8th grade High Honors: Jansen Burnett
8th grade Honors: Gabriel Devenbaugh, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Teagan Murphy, Zebediah Peck, Lincoln Scroggins, Lyla Sutton, Landon Willoughby.