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Moultrie County Child Care Efforts Continue

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The first round of Moultrie County Childcare grant funding is being distributed to current eligible providers in Moultrie County. Rita Florey (right) presents a check to Linda Featherling, a childcare provider in Sullivan (left).

•May 24, 2023•
Submitted by Rita Florey

A community group spearheaded by the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development organization to explore new ways to support and grow child care options in Moultrie County, Illinois, is continuing efforts forward to support child care in the local community.
The group formally kicked off its initial efforts in January of this year, contracting with Business of Child Care, which helps communities nationwide identify child care needs and develop plans to address them. Through those efforts, Moultrie County Kids set a goal of creating 100 new child care spaces, as well as supporting and retaining 205 existing spaces already in the county. Read More

Windsor High School Graduating Class of 2023

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Photo submitted by Lesley Baker
Windsor High School Graduating Class of 2023
Windsor High School held their graduation for the Class of 2023 on Sunday, May 21. This year’s valedictorian was Kiersten Wheeler and salutatorian was Dylan Curry. During the ceremony the Myrtle Jones Scholarship and Sharon Keck Scholarship were presented. Myrtle Jones Scholarship Recipients were Karlie Bean, Kaylynn Carey, Ella Gilbert, Cameron Hughes, Graham Kasey, Madison Pfeiffer, Jessica Rauch, Rhett Rincker, Donta Virgil and Kiersten Wheeler. The Sharon Keck scholarship was presented to Gracie Brownlee.
Front Row (left to right):  Donta Virgil, Kaylynn Carey, Caleb Dison, Nate Ashe, Reese Bennett. Middle Row (left to right):  Abby Carey, Jennifer Armer, Andrew Mason, Daylen Kircher, Gracie Brownlee, Kiersten Wheeler. Back Row (left to right):  Dylan Curry, Rhett Rincker, Joe Dispennett, Alex Kidwell, Robbie McDaniel.

Sullivan High School Sends Off Class of 2023

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Co-valedictorians of the Sullivan Class of 2023 were Paul Bates (left) and Cassidy Short (right). They spoke on how the class can live their lives for others.

•May 24, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The 78 members of Sullivan High School Class of 2023 were sent off into the world Sunday, May 21, with a ceremony on the football field. After the staff, administration, teachers and graduates had entered, the high school band played the “Star Spangled Banner” as the flag was raised.
The senior class president Sydni Waidelich gave a welcome address in which she focused on opportunities. Waidelich was adopted from Guatamala at nine months old and moved to Sullivan in January, 2021.
“The past four years have been filled with opportunities that we have all been blessed to have,” Waidelich said. She thanked many people at the school for giving the class various opportunities. Waidelich recognized her class and said they have become such a huge part of her life. Read More

Hagerman Earns Bronze Tablet Honors

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•May 24, 2023•

Shelby Hagerman, a 2019 graduate of Okaw Valley High School, has received the highest undergraduate academic honors available at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Known as “Bronze Tablet” honors, this recognition is given to the top 3% of graduating students. The names of each recipient are inscribed on a bronze tablet that is permanently displayed in the university’s main library, a tradition began in 1925. Shelby graduated May 13th from the U of I’s College of Media with a degree in Media and Cinema Studies, completion of the James Scholar program, and a perfect 4.0 grade point average for all four years. She is the daughter of David and Teresa Hagerman of Sullivan.

Cunnings Named to President’s List

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•May 24, 2023•

Jeremy Cunnings of Mattoon has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Winter 2023 President’s List. The winter terms run from January to May. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Mudd Named to Dean’s List

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•May 24, 2023•

Christopher Mudd of Mattoon has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Winter 2023 Dean’s List. The winter terms run from January to May. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Summer Reading Kickoff

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•May 24, 2023•

The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library will host their summer reading kickoff on Friday, May 30 from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be inflatables, sno cones and a craft. That is also the first day of registration for summer reading and prizes will be given if you register at the kickoff party.

Memorial Weekend Cruise In

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•May 24, 2023•

The Sullivan Street Machine Association will host the Memorial Weekend Cruise In on Saturday, May 27 at 3 pm on the square in Sullivan. There will be a 50/50 drawing and dash plaques. There is no entry fee. This is a fun event, no prizes will be awarded. For more information visit www.facebook.com/sullivansma.

Decatur Audubon Society Meeting

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•May 17, 2023•
The Decatur Audubon Society invites members and other interested persons to its May meeting on Saturday, May 20, at 8:00 am. The general meeting will be preceded by a BYOB (Bring Your Own Breakfast) at the pavilion at the Illinois Raptor Center (IRC) on 4695 West Hill Road (Directions from Decatur: Go west on US Hwy 36 past the Decatur Conference Center to the stop sign; go south 1 mile to Cantrell Street; go west 1 mile to Joyn’t Road; go south for 1 mile to Hill Road; continue south 1/4 mile to the IRC pavilion.) Following breakfast, newly elected officers will be installed. After brief announcements, including June, July & August confirmed meetings, Jacques Nuzzo, IRC Program Manager and Travis Wilcoxsen, Millikin Biology Professor & IRC board member, will lead a short tour to the new bird-banding facility funded by the Decatur Audubon Society (DAS) in 2022.

Third Annual Thomas Houser Memorial Golf Outing

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The Houser family recently presented two $1,000 scholarships to Alaina Moore & Jalexis Barrett at Sullivan High School. Money for the scholarships in raised through the Thomas Houser Memorial Golf Outing. The third annual outing will be held on June 3 at Sullivan Country Club. Pictured are Ked Houser, Keeley Houser, Alaina Moore, Jalexis Barrett, Elizabeth Houser, Kyler Houser.

•May 17, 2023•
The Third Annual Thomas House Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, June 3 at Sullivan Country Club. Registration is at 10 am with a shotgun start at 11 am. The outing is a 4 person scramble.
The cost is $100 per person and there are four people on each team. The cost includes being able to golf, lunch and supper. If you cannot attend but would still like to support the event it is $100 for sponsorships and that will get you a sign with your business name on it. Read More