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Sullivan First United Methodist Church welcomes Pastor Bill Wiggs

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•August 12, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

A new chapter has begun at Sullivan First United Methodist Church as Pastor Bill Wiggs settles into the community and begins serving the congregation.

Wiggs officially began his appointment July 1 after serving Marshall First and Dunlap United Methodist churches. While his assignment to Sullivan came through the United Methodist Church’s appointment process, he said he and his family have already found a warm welcome from both the congregation and the community.

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Steam-powered history comes alive at Illinois Amish Heritage Center

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•August 12, 2026•

by Ariana R Cherry

In 1786, Scottish inventor Andrew Meikle developed the first successful mechanical threshing machine, transforming the way farmers separated grain from chaff. More than two centuries later, visitors experienced that history firsthand during Steam Threshing Days, held Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Arthur.

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Did you just Come From Away

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•August 12, 2026•

by R. Lawson

If you missed seeing Come From Away at the Little Theater on the Square last week, you missed not only a powerful story but also an incredible show.

Directed and choreographed by the gifted Clint Hromsco, the show tells the story of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, in the aftermath of 9/11 and touched audiences with its powerful performances.

The opening numbers “Welcome to the Rock” and “38 Planes” started the show strongly. The small cast seamlessly switched between characters well and their skills with changing accents quickly and simple costume changes helped the audience follow along.

The scene which had the airplane pilots communicating with each other and air control was particularly impressive with the rapid lighting changes focusing on the different pilots as they talked. 

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Crowder, Cesar attend Psi Iota Xi National Convention

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•August 12, 2026•

Jennifer Crowder and Kala Cesar attended the Psi Iota Xi National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 26-28. The theme for convention was “Psi Iota Xi Sisters are Different Flowers from the Same Garden”. They celebrated the accomplishments of this charitable organization led by Taffy Day, National President. 

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Sullivan Blue Dolphins celebrate state qualifiers

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•August 12, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins closed the championship season with four swimmers qualifying for Illinois Swimming State Championship meets, marking the end of another successful year for the Sullivan swim club.

Emily Crosier, Emme Kirkley, Jace VanUytven and Mack Pogue each earned the opportunity to compete against many of the state’s top swimmers after qualifying through their performances during the season.

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Windsor Harvest Picnic returns August 13-15 with music, carnival and community traditions

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•August 12, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

The 129th Windsor Harvest Picnic will return Aug. 13-15 in Windsor, bringing three days of live entertainment, food, a carnival, family activities and longtime community traditions.

This year’s theme, “Stars & Stripes & Summer Nights,” highlights the annual celebration, which will feature nightly entertainment, community dinners, a parade, a 5K run and activities for all ages.

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Moultrie-Douglas 4-H General Projects Show results

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•August 12, 2026•

On July 18, the General Projects Show was held at Arthur Christian School, where 120 youth presented 206 project exhibits in what was a fantastic day celebrating the learning, creativity, and accomplishments of Moultrie-Douglas County 4-H members. Thirty exhibitors have committed to represent Moultrie-Douglas 4-H at the Illinois State Fair General Projects Show on Sunday, August 16. The following are our results from the day. 

Agronomy: Champion (State Fair Promotion) Maddox Reedy, Reserve Champion (State Fair Promotion) Huck Kuhns

Aerospace: Champion (State Fair Promotion) Caden Kerner

Animal Science: Champion Brentley Carnahan, Reserve Champion Isabella Spencer

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Area youth invited to Sullivan Blue Dolphins tryouts August 27

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•August 12, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Young swimmers from Sullivan and surrounding communities who are interested in competitive swimming will have an opportunity to join the Sullivan Blue Dolphins during team tryouts on Thursday, Aug. 27.

Tryouts begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Sullivan Civic Center in Sullivan and are open to children ages 5 through 18. While the team is based in Sullivan, athletes from any community who are able to attend practices in Sullivan are welcome to try out.

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Remembering Who We Are……..

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The Arrival of the Pattersons

•August 12, 2026•

by Janey Roney

James Patterson, one of three Revolutionary War veterans buried in Moultrie County, joined his local Carolina Patriot militia when he was 16 years old. His very detailed 1836 pension application showed that he kept re-enlisting until the end of the war. He was a man who took action to rectify wrongs. Even after the war was officially over, James was involved in some continued fighting between the Tories and Patriots near his home in the Carolinas. But when local Tories burned down Patterson’s father’s house in the early 1790s, Patterson, his new wife, Mary Nelson, and his extended family decided to move west to Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.  

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