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One Book One Sullivan Book Choice

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•November 15, 2023•

Members of One Book One Sullivan read diligently all summer long, reading a book from the Rebecca Caudill book list each week. The group’s goal is to choose a book that would be enjoyable to readers of all ages in Sullivan and the surrounding communities. The students will announce their 2023-2024 community-wide book title on Tuesday, November 21st at 2:05 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. The students hope that the community will share the joy of books as much as they do. The following is a list of the top 4 selections:

City Spies by James Ponti

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Masterminds by Gordon Korman

Turtle Boy by Evan M. Wolkenstein

Which title would you choose?

LPC Football All Conference Teams

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•November 15, 2023•

The Lincoln Prairie Conference has announce the football all-conference teams. First team-offensive lineman were Jacob Tighe, ALAH (unanimous) and Lucas Floyd, Sullivan-Okaw Valley. Cooper Christensen of Sullivan-Okaw Valley was named to first team-quarterback. Aian Fryman of Sullivan-Okaw Valley was named to first team-running back. Aiden Ballinger of Sullivan-Okaw Valley was named to first team-wide receiver. Nathan Tighe of ALAH was named to first team-defensive lineman. Maddix Stirrett of ALAH and Demarkus Moore of Sullivan-Okaw Valley were named to first team-linebacker. Aiden Ballinger of Sullivan-Okaw Valley was named to first team-defensive back. Kaden Herschberger of ALAH was named to first team place kicker. Brody Louden of ALAH and Mason Booker of Sullivan-Okaw Valley were unanimously named to second team-offensive lineman. Mackenly Bowles of ALAH was also named. Jayce Parson of ALAH was named second team-quarterback. Landon Waldrop of ALAH was named to second team-running back. Seth Forlines of Sullivan-Okaw Valley was named to second team-wide receiver. Elijah Duzan-Beller of Sullivan-Okaw Valley and Jeffery Arwine of ALAH were named to second team-defensive lineman. Hayden Moody of Sullivan-Okaw Valley was named to second team-defensive back. Honorable mention was made to Wyatt Poyner, Sullivan-Okaw Valley-Offensive Lineman, Landon Waldrop, ALAH-Punter, Jacob Tighe, ALAH-Defensive Lineman, Easton Frederick, ALAH-Linebacker, Mason Booker, Sullivan-Okaw Valley-Linebacker and Seth Forlines, Sullivan-Okaw Valley-Defensive Back.

LPC All Conference Volleyball

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•November 15, 2023•

Summer Melton, sophomore at ALAH, was named to first team. Jules Crockett, junior at Okaw Valley, and Tessa Seeley, senior at Sullivan, were named to second team. Karaline Vanausdoll, sophomore at ALAH, and Kiley Dyer, senior at Sullivan, were honorable mentions.

Sparrows Unlimited Seeking Donations

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•November 15, 2023•

Sparrows Unlimited is seeking donations for their Annual Christmas for the Kids Auction which will be held on Saturday, December 2 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington. Donations are currently being accepted at Jerry’s East End or by calling Barry Morgan at 433-6123 or Pam Anklam at 201-0662. All proceeds generated from the auction benefit local Lovington families.

Pears and Chocolate, an Unexpected Pairing

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•November 8, 2023•

Opportunities to entertain or visit with family and friends abound during the holiday season. Dessert is always a big hit during festive occasions, and the following recipe for “Pear and Chocolate Frangipane Tart” melds many popular flavors. Frangipane is an almond-flavored cream. In this recipe from “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small) by Maxine Clark, it is paired with decadent chocolate and sweet pears.

Pear and Chocolate 

Frangipane Tart Read More

Ambucs Halloween Parade 2023

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photos by Crystal Reed

Ambucs Halloween Parade

The Sullivan Ambucs held their annual Halloween parade on the evening of Tuesday, October 31 on the square in Sullivan. Halloween parade winners were Shrek and Fiona-Rob and Michelle Young, Rainbow and Friends-Adah Ray-Allen, Lindsay Ray and John Paul Livergo, Spongebob and Friends- Maci Roggers, Wren Wall and Hannah Taylor, Skeleton Unicorn Inflatable-Charllttee Martin, The Loki Family-Zane, Kinsley, Beretta and Sam Black, The Chicken (Hey Hey from Moana)-Lydia Hayse, Lighted Elf-Hope Conner, Greek Goddess and God-Miriam and Simon Parri, Pirate-Koda Polley and Ghost Face from Scream-Trey Grimm.

Safe Trick or Treat On the Square 2023

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photos by Crystal Reed Safe Trick or Treat On the Square The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development sponsored the safe trick or treat held on Tuesday, October 31 in Sullivan. The event gave children the opportunity to show off their costumes and collect candy at various downtown businesses. More photos on page 9.

SBD Opens Short Course Season with Third Place Finish

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•November 8, 2023•

by Jaime Perrott

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins opened their short course season with the OKtober Swimfest meet in Lockport, IL. SBD brought home a combined total of 350 points giving them an overall third place finish out of the eight teams competing The team was excited to be back in the pool, and we saw multiple heat wins and time drops from our swimmers.

The following were High Point Winners:

10 & Under boys

1st place Tyler Blickensderfer

2nd place Mack Pogue 

Open Girls 

1st place Emily Crosier

2nd place Cadence Schmohe 

Open Boys 

1st place Isaac Chambers

Iacobazzi Competes in State XC Finals; Strong Future Ahead

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•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The IHSA Class 1A Cross Country State Finals were held last Saturday in Detweiller Park in Peoria. While much of the fanfare around the community was directed at the SOV Redskins football squad, the Sullivan Redskins Cross Country team was sending one of their own to compete against 256 other runners. Read More

Redskins Dealt Playoff Loss; End Season on a Positive Note with Bright Future

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photo by Greg Floyd
Kyle Corkill (2) takes the shuttle pass from Cooper Christensen (7) as Aian Fryman seeks out a defender to block. Corkill would have one touchdown reception and a kick-off return for a touchdown in the game.

•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Saturday morning started early for the SOV Redskins. They gathered as a team before eight o’clock for a team breakfast. A little after eight they were boarding buses. By a quarter after eight they were making their way out of town with streets lined with fans cheering them on. Fire trucks extended their ladders to wave giant SOV Redskins flags.

After about a two hour bus ride, the team disembarked at Richland County high school in Olney, Illinois for a team walk through on the Tigers’ field. They had a light lunch before boarding again and making the final leg of their journey to Mt. Carmel, where they came face-to-face with one of the most intimidating stadiums in Illinois high school football: Riverview Stadium. Or as it is more commonly known, The Snake Pit. Read More