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A Look Back…10-22-2025

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2015

Mid Illinois Senior Services and Peace Meal hosted a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, November 16th. Veterans and their spouses ate for free. 

Aging heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and spongy rooftops were discussed at the Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board meeting on October 13th. Maintenance director Kevin Landrus explained the elementary, middle, and high schools had places where water had pooled, damaging roofs. He also pointed out that air conditioning systems were gaining age and becoming costly to maintain, noting two units in the high school gym were not working at all.

The 2015 Artoberfest winners include Judge’s Choice Winners: first place 2D-Chelsea Winter for “Through the Looking Glass” and first place 3D-Melvin Hawkins for “Untitled”. People’s choice winners are first place, Alex Menke for “Shattered Beauty”; second place, place-Holly lamb for “Alveus”, and third place, Caroline Heath for “Sun Goddess.”

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Making Halloween treats safer for our kids

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Here are a few simple tricks to help your children enjoy their Halloween treats


•October 22, 2025•

by Angela Hogan

Halloween is an exciting time for kids. They look forward to wearing their costumes. They also anticipate the delicious Halloween treats they’ll collect during their trick-or-treat activities. However, as parents, it’s crucial to ensure our children remain safe during this holiday. In this article, we’ll share some “tricks” to help you prioritize their safety.

Halloween Should Be Fun and Safe

For many, Halloween is a fun way to welcome the fall season. Unfortunately, the costumes, activities, and even the treats present some unique hazards. Help keep your kids safe by discussing the following tips before they begin their adventure.

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MCHGS guest speaker: Alice Durbin

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•October 22, 2025•

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society monthly meeting was held October 16th at the History Center in Sullivan.

The featured speaker was Alice Durbin, a Moultrie County native. Alice was a dental hygienist and was instrumental in bringing modern dental practices to Kosovo, an Eastern European country. She told those attendance that she got involved in war-torn Kosovo in 2001 when she visited the area for the first time to set up a dental clinic.

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Bethany High School Alumni Banquet 

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•October 22, 2025•

Photo Submitted Officers: Libby Larkin Booker, Diane Foster Waggoner, Nancy Sowers Mueller, Rita Kesterson Seelow

The 94th annual Bethany High School Alumni Banquet was held on October 11th at the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium, with nearly 90 in attendance. Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, welcomed the alumni and friends to the banquet, and Bart Spencer, Class of 1980, gave the opening prayer. Terry Muzzy, Class of 1966, gave a Military Recognition and talked about the Wall of Honor with pictures of Bethany School graduates who served in the military. 

Photo Submitted Dave Overlot, speaker.

The graduating classes of 1975 were honored for 50 years, and the graduating class of 2000 for 25 years. Alumni who passed away since the last banquet were recognized, and all alumni in attendance were invited to stand for the Roll Call of Classes. The featured speaker, Dave Overlot, Class of 1977, shared his memories of attending Bethany Schools and brought back fond memories for those attending. Door prizes were awarded to Harold Keown, Class of 1946, for being the oldest graduate, 80 years ago, and to Norma Tipsword Farris, Class of 1949, for serving the longest administrative term, with 24 years as high school secretary. 

Photo Submitted Honored Class of 1975 for 50 years - Greg Allsop, Linda Webner Casteel, Stan Stables

The 50/50 drawing was won by Joyce Shipman Jenkins, Class of 1954, and a drawing for a whole hog, donated by Corrington Farms, was won by Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980. The meal was catered by Rhodes Catering from Effingham and desserts by Sweet Vail in Sullivan. The Okaw Valley FFA students and their sponsor, Wes Wise and his wife Megan, assisted with serving and other duties. Officers for the next year will continue with Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, as President; Rita Kesterson Seelow, Class of 1983, as Vice President; Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980, as Secretary; and Nancy Sowers Mueller, Class of 1974, as Treasurer. The evening wrapped up with alumni visiting and taking pictures. The 2026 reunion date will be set for late September or early October. All alumni and friends are invited to attend. 
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OVSD Veterans Day event 

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•October 22, 2025•

Okaw Valley Community Unit School District invites all Veterans and their family members to a Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany on Tuesday, November 11th. A breakfast will be provided to all who attend, beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria, and a short assembly will follow at 9:15 a.m. The assembly will feature the Okaw Valley School District band and chorus students, and a keynote speaker. 

The students and staff at Okaw Valley thank all Veterans for their acts of courage and devotion to the ideals that have served to guide our nation. We would be honored if you could join us to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who have admirably served our country. If you will be able to attend, please call (217) 665-3232 for a reservation. 

Bethany Trick or Treat times

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•October 22, 2025•

On Saturday, October 25th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., BASO will be sponsoring the Main Street Trick or Treat event in Bethany. The Town wide Trick or Treat will be held on Friday, October 31st, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Narcan training at ETML

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•October 22, 2025•

On Monday, October 27th, at noon at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 W Water Street in Sullivan, Moultrie County ROSC will be providing Narcan training at no cost. Narcan, also known as Nalaxone, is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. ROSC will be teaching those in attendance how to administer the medication and answer questions. Contact (217) 549-7427, or skylark@hourhouserecovery.org with questions. This event is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Recent Obituaries: Peggy Harmon

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Peggy Dorothea Harmon, 75, of Arthur died Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana surrounded by her family. Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 am on Saturday at the Arthur United Methodist Church with Pastor Jill Bunker officiating. Visitation will be 5-7p.m. Friday at the church and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will follow at the Arthur Cemetery. Shrader Funeral Home, Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthur United Methodist Church, Backpack Program and Arthur EMT Association.

Peggy was born on August 4, 1950, in Decatur, the daughter of Glen and Muriel (Casteel) Harmon.

Peggy graduated from Arthur High School in 1968 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University and master’s from Illinois State University. 

Peggy dedicated 37 years of her life to teaching at Greeley and Centennial Elementary Schools in Streator, Illinois. A passionate reader herself, she found great joy in teaching her students to read and fostering a lifelong love of learning in the classroom. During her years in Streator, Peggy also pursued a variety of artistic hobbies and was actively involved in the American Red Cross, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), and the Streator United Methodist Church.

Peggy was a cherished sister, aunt and great-aunt who brought joy and magic to every family gathering. She never missed a big or small moment and had a special tradition of encouraging the nieces and nephews to create a piece of artwork annually as they grew up – a treasured memory for all.  

Peggy was also a proud member of the Casteel “Cousins Crew” and shared a lifetime of adventures and traditions with her 19 first cousins – from making apple butter as a child, to annual family reunions and traveling the world together.  

After retirement Peggy returned home to Arthur. She embraced her retirement years with many adventures – traveling on cruises, bus tours and attending quilting retreats in Oblong with friends. She lovingly made quilts for her great-niece and nephews and spent many autumns working at The Great Pumpkin Patch in the Bridle Shop. 

A devoted member of the Arthur United Methodist Church, Peggy gave generously of her time by helping with Wednesday youth group and community dinners, participating in Bible studies, visiting nursing home residents and lending a hand to those in need. 

Survivors include her sister, Joyce (Steve) Jurgens of Arthur; nephew and nieces, Andrew (Crystal) Jurgens of Janesville, Wisconsin, Laura (Michael) Griffin of Madison, Wisconsin, Mary (Jordan) Knepp of Sycamore, Illinois; great niece and nephews Samuel and Matthew Jurgens, Grace and Grant Griffin, and Leo Knepp and several cousins.

She will be remembered as a loving sister, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, teacher and friend – someone whose warmth, kindness and joyful giving spirit touched countless lives. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.hilligossshraderfh.com 

Keep pets safe this Halloween 

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•October 15, 2025•

Halloween is an annual celebration that many children and adults look forward to each year. From the mysterious and the macabre to the goofy and gregarious, Halloween speaks to people in many different ways. And with the opportunity to accumulate several pounds of sugary treasure after a few hours of trick-or-treating, is it any wonder celebrants love Halloween? While Halloween hijinks may be ideal fun for plenty of ghosts and ghouls, companion animals may not be so enthusiastic come October 31. In fact, Halloween can be a source of stress and even dangerous for many pets. Here are some things pet parents should keep in mind before Halloween.

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