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Auto-Mattock for the People

News Progress Posted on by

•September 28, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

I was decluttering recently and happened upon my lab journals from some of the engineering courses I took in college.
I’ve always had it in my mind that I could be an inventor, whether they be things or words. I failed miserably at the former, so I’ve focused on the latter.
In one class, my lab partner, John Wayne (I kid you not), and I worked up a concept for a gizmo that would eject a cassette tape, flip the tape to the B side and play it, then eject it and load another tape from a carousel.
Think of a jukebox, but less sensible.
Sure, it would have been difficult to retrofit it for anything but my Sankyo stereo cassette deck, and it would have been about the size of a Costco shopping cart, but we thought we were onto something.
That was in 1982, just before Sony entered the market with the first commercially produced compact disc player.
That was the death knell for cassettes. And not long after that, I abandoned engineering for the word business.
Fast forward (pun unintended, but I’ll keep it) 40 years. My wife and I were planting a tree last weekend, and my buddy Kevin lent me a pair of shovels and a mattock. Read More

Remember When? 9-28-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan observed Homecoming and announced their attendants and queen candidates. Junior Jodi Pound; sophomore Georgia Rollins; freshman Amanda Martin; seniors Tiffany Bone, Erica Keown, Brooke Coy and Jennifer Sanner.

Phyllis Schultz of Arthur was selected as Moultrie County’s Outstanding Senior Volunteer.
The Arthur-Lovington Knights football team pounded Illiopolis 29-7 in Little Okaw Valley Conference play. Read More

High School History Class has Traditional English Tea

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Lane Richardson pours a cup of tea during the English tea that was held in Mrs. Kirby’s classroom last Monday at Sullivan High School in observance of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

•September 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Marsha Kirby’s AP History class held a traditional English tea and viewed the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in their classroom Monday, September 19. Served was a variety of teas with sugar, honey and milk which could be added as well as three types of Danish, scones, brownie bites and lemon cookies. In preparation for this, the class spent a short amount of time looking up traditional English tea customs and recipes. Read More

Car Accident at Intersection

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Accident at Intersection
On Wednesday, September 21 at 1:30 pm there was a car accident at the intersection of South Hamilton and West Water. Due to a City of Sullivan vehicle being involved the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation. There were no injuries. A ticket was issued to the driver of the car.

City Council Tables Ordinance

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•September 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council tabled an ordinance amendment during Monday’s meeting that would amend a zoning ordinance to establish a general commercial district on the square. Language in that ordinance would not allow apartments of residential living space on the ground floor or at street level. This item drew several people to the meeting to express their concerns.
Cathrine Craig who is in favor of the ordinance amendment spoke at the meeting. “As a business owner downtown, I appreciate the fact of those that have residences downtown but to add residences downtown makes the downtown a neighborhood and not a retail establishment for visitors to visit our community,” she said. A common statement from those commenting was that they were not informed by the council or the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development this was going to be discussed. Read More

Ground Breaking Held in Preparation for Barn Raising

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Ground is broken at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, located between Arthur on Arcola on Route 133, during a ground breaking ceremony held on Friday, September 23. The ground breaking is in preparation for a two day barn raising event to be held in late October.

•September 28, 2022•
On Friday, September 23 a ground breaking was held at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC), at their campus between Arcola and Arthur, in preparation for a two-day public barn raising that is scheduled for Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from 9 am to 5pm. Ground was broken using a horse drawn slip scraper and a plow, which was very common during the era of the original barn usage. Several board members of the IAHC operated the plow as well as descendants of the Herschberger-Miller family. Read More

Blood Drive

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•September 28, 2022•

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Lovington First Christian Church Fellowship Hall on Friday, October 7 from Noon-5:30. Anyone wishing to donate blood may call Darlene Barlow at 217-873-4984 to schedule an appointment time.

Lovington Chili Cookoff Fundraiser

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•September 28, 2022•

There will be a chili cookoff fundraiser on Saturday, October 1 from 1 to 4 pm at the Lovington Park. Try the 11 contestants chili and vote for a People’s Choice award. Chili tasting is $5 a bracelet, inflatables $5 a bracelet, s’more kits $1, hot dogs $1, drinks and hot cocoa $1 and baked goods by donation. There will also be a $250 meat raffle and vendors and music. All proceeds go to the 2023 Lovington fireworks display. For more information contact Brittany Bats at 217-853-4090 or brittbates10@yahoo.com.

Rotary Pumpkin Town

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•September 28, 2022•

The Rotary Club of Sullivan presents Pumpkin Town, a fall fundraiser to support One Book, One Sullivan. Cost is $250 for a custom designed and decorated pumpkin by SHS Art Club. They will be on display October 2022 either at your place of business or at the corner of Jackson and Hamilton. Contact lhuber@lomanray.com or danielle@lomanray.com. Payment can be remitted to Rotary Club of Sullivan c/o Susan Rauch, 401 West Water St., Sullivan, IL 61951.