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Local Family Grows Atlantic Giant Pumpkins

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Tyson, Cash, Harper and Stephanie Naylor with one of their Atlantic giant pumpkins that they have grown since 2008. This type of pumpkin can tip the scales at over 1,000 lbs depending on the plant.

•November 1, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Tis the season for pumpkins, pumpkin pie and all things pumpkin spice. However, one local family grows pumpkins not to eat but for fun. Tyson, Steph, Cash and Harper Naylor of Sullivan are a family that grows Atlantic giant pumpkins. These are no ordinary squash.

Tyson said each plant is about 30x30 feet and is around 900 square feet total. They grow two plants which grow one pumpkin per plant. At its peak, this type of pumpkin can grow 30-50+ pounds a day. Read More

Personal Assistant Training

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•November 1, 2023•

Soyland Access to Independent Living, SAIL, will hold a Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant on Wednesday, November beginning at 1 pm at the Shelbyville SAIL office, 1604 West Main Street Suite 100 in Shelbyville. Personal Assistants are employed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation Program. A reservation is needed to attend the Personal Assistant Training. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to reserve your seat, contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888 or 800-358-8080 or email edobson@decatursail.com.

Lovington Coal Mine Artifacts Search

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•November 1, 2023•

Two local area historians are seeking to borrow or accept donations of artifacts, pictures, stories, paperwork, tools, and other memorabilia of the Lovington Coal Mine for free future community presentations. Help us preserve these memories for this and future generations. To discuss donating or loaning, email Dale Jones in Lovington at jones101@one-eleven.net or Ralph Kirk in Sullivan at ralphk0202@gmail.com. You will be contacted. Donors will receive public credit when donations are used.

Third Annual Military Show

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•November 1, 2023•

The Findlay American Legion 409 will be hosting their Third Annual Military Show on November 10 from 10 am to 6 pm, November 11 from 10 am to 6 pm and November 12 from Noon to 5 pm. On display will be uniforms, equipment, maps and other military items from the Civil War to present day. Almost all items are authentic from the time periods they represent. There are displays for both good and bad guys. For further information or to schedule a group viewing call 217-273-5922.

Hamfest

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•November 1, 2023•

Moultrie Amateur Radio will hold Hamfest on Saturday, November 4 from 7 to 11 am at the Sullivan American Legion. A fox hunt will be held immediately at 11 am. Admission is $5, table rental is $10. Items for sale will include outdoor tools, electronics and ham radio gear. For more information contact Ralph Zancha at 217-254-7574.

Quarter Auction

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•November 1, 2023•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold their November Quarter Auction on Wednesday, November 8 , 2 0 2 3 . The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. The charity of the month is the Tribe 12 U Softball Team. This is the second year for the existence of this organization. Players on the team range from 10 -12 years old and are from Shelbyville, Mt. Zion and Sullivan. Tribe 12 U is a semi travel softball team based out of Sullivan. The Tribe coaches for this team focus on teaching fundamentals of softball and life with a goal for the girls on the team to learn confidence, competition, self worth, teamwork, discipline and so much more. Your support at this event will allow us the opportunity to buy some team tools to help our girls learn and grow. At the November Quarter Madness, vendors could include: direct sales such as Avon, Plunder Jewelry, Scentsy, JBloom Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, pawTree, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One PLUS different craft vendors, hair bows, laser engraved designs and more. Come shop the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to attend. The Tribe 12 U Softball Team will also hold a Silent Auction and Bake Sale during the event. Food will be available for purchase in the parking lot with Highway Heartburn Food Truck. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information visit “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.

SOV JFL Heavyweights and Lightweight Win Division Conference Championship

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Members of the SOV JFL Heavyweights are: 00 Karson Ragsdale, 1 Aceon Fryman, 3 Alex Ingram, 5 Caysen Dyer, 6 Madyx Schwass, 7 Nixon Dundee, 11 Koda Plumb, 12 Ethan Smith, 13 Kaiden McKinney, 14 Kolton Kirby, 17 Liam Crouch, 20 Ethan Sims, 22 Rowdy Fayhee, 23 Ty Szabo, 40 Heath Tidwell, 43 Ronin Woods, 70 Cooper Husketh, 72 Asher Henry, 99 Kaeson McCoy.

•October 25, 2023•

Members of the SOV JFL Lightweights are 2 Mason Miller, 5 Kayden Randol, 6 Maddox Crist, 7 Colbert Harbin, 8 Axton Fryman, 11 Griffin Woods, 13 Zeke Hardesty, 15 Everett Finn, 16 Jesse Jones, 18 Cooper Pearce, 19 Jackson Williamson, 21 Boddie Collins, 23 Keegan Weaver, 26 Owen Moomaw, 34 Payton Schum, 36 Corbin Jungiewicz, 42 Luke Clevenger, 43 Cade Thompson, 45 David Ryherd, 49 Tyler Blickensderfer, 51 Wyatt Adams, 52 Jaxson Doty, 56 Will Flexser.

On Saturday, October 7, for the first time ever both Heavyweights and Lightweights won together undefeated (7-0) division conference championship against Tuscola. The Lightweight score was 67-13 and the Heavyweight score 24-18 with a triple overtime.

The boys celebrated at the SOV JFL banquet on Sunday, October 22nd at the VFW in Sullivan. To the community, family and friends “We are so proud of both teams and all their hard work and dedication this season. We’ve had an outstanding coaching staff . Thank you for volunteering your time and energy, getting to know each player and making them like family. We would also like to say thank you to everyone who supported all the boys and coaches, helping them this year be successful taking them to the next level. We’re all very proud of each and everyone of you. This one’s for you boys” 

REDSKINS ON 3 

1…2…3… REDSKINS

Knights Hand Redskins First Loss of the Season

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photo by Greg Floyd
Demarkus Moore (0) and Marshall Robison (53) stop ALAH’s Jayce Parsons.

•October 25, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Each team knew going in that one of the undefeated teams would have to walk off the field with their first loss of the season. Both Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond and Sullivan/Okaw Valley had already clinched playoff berths heading into Friday’s regular season finale, but the battle in Arthur was for the undisputed conference champion title and the much sought after undefeated record. In the end, the Knights came out victorious, delivering a stunning defeat to the Redskins with a final score of 42-13.

Trotting out onto the field for the first offensive set was a familiar number as Aian Fryman returned after missing the last two weeks due to an ankle injury. Fryman was tapped for the first handoff of the game, a three yard gain. After losing three yards on the next run, the junior running back picked up only four more yards on that drive. He would finish with just five yards rushing for the game. The Redskins’ first drive ended with a 48 yard touchdown pass from Cooper Christensen to Aiden Ballinger.

ALAH answered on their first possession as well. The Knights’ leading rushers, Jayce Parsons and Landon Waldrop showed the Redskins’ defense right off how difficult they would be to stop all evening. The Knights also effectively managed time, controlling much of the clock all game. The initial drive resulted in a touchdown off a one yard quarterback keeper by Parsons on a third and goal.

It looked as though momentum would shift to ALAH on the following kickoff when SOV mishandled the kick and the Knights recovered. Threatening to score for a second time in just two minutes, a bad snap from the one yard line resulted in a loss of 13 yards. The Knights couldn’t recover on that possession, eventually turning the ball over on downs. It appeared from there the game would continue to be a back and forth. SOV’s next possession was a three and out. ALAH fumbled on the first play of their next possession; SOV recovered. SOV fumbled on the first play of that possession; ALAH recovered. Read More

Eco-Meet Results

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•October 25, 2023•

The 46th Annual Lake Shelbyville Eco-Meet, coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was held at Camp Camfield Ecological Study Area on October 19th.

The Eco-Meet is an environmental competition for school students that are in junior high and high school. Junior Varsity teams are comprised of four students from grades seven and eight. Varsity teams are made up of four high school students from grades nine through twelve. A total of 140 students from 35 schools competed in this year’s event. Read More