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What’s so Scary about Portmanteaus?

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•March 23, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Did you know that 11% of people in America are terrified of animals, including cats?
So claims the news release I just read promoting a book on phobias.
I haven’t independently verified this as fact, but if you were to visit my home at about 10 every night you’d witness the 15-minute window during which I’m terrified of my own cats, because that’s when they get the rip-roarin’ Zoomies.
But that’s not why I’m writing about this.
The copy writer says the book includes our fears “from agoraphobia to arachnophobia.”
That, my friends, is a false range. Read More

Remember When? 3-23-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

Allenville and East Nelson Township voters would decide whether to be included in the Sullivan Fire Protection District.
Curtis Barker and Jake Hughes, members of the Sullivan FFA chapter, were named as recipients of FFA district awards. Barker was an award winner in small animal care and Hughes was a winner in emerging agricultural technologies. Read More

SHS Student International Finalist in Holocaust Art and Writing Contest

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Photo furnished
Natalee Hunter, Lee Hunter and Becky Lawson at Chapman University after the awards ceremony for the Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by Chapman University and The 1939 Society. These ladies traveled to Los Angeles for an awards ceremony recently. Natalee was an international finalist in the contest for her short film Brushstrokes of Resilience.

•March 23, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Sullivan High School junior Natalee Hunter, her mother Lee Hunter and retired teacher Becky Lawson recently traveled to Los Angeles for an awards ceremony at which Natalee accepted an award for being an international finalist in the Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by Chapman University and The 1939 Society. She was recognized for a three-minute video called Brushstrokes of Resilience, about a Holocaust survivor.
That survivor is Sally Roisman, who, at the age of 12, was taken to the ghetto, then a labor camp and then Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Some of the footage in the video is from the USC Shoah Foundation. With the support of her family and the help of Lawson and some of her classmates, she was able to make the video that she submitted for the contest. Read More

Structure fire in Bethany

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Photo sent in by Cortney Sands
Structure fire in Bethany
The Bethany Fire Department received a call for a structure fire at 5:21 pm on Monday, March 21. According to Bethany Fire Chief Mike Jennings, they arrived on scene in six minutes. A second alarm was activated after six departments were worn down due to short staffing. There were some small injuries sustained during the response and one firefighter sustained a head injury. That firefighter was transported to the hospital and has since been released. Departments who responded to the fire were Bethany, Sullivan, Mt. Zion, Lovington, Findlay, Dora, South Macon, Moweaqua and Arthur. Jennings requests that when members of the public are near a fire scene that they do not drive over fire hoses. The investigation of the fire has been turned over to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Prairie View Baptist Church Celebrates 75 years

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Prairie View Baptist Church pastor Mike Jones (at pulpit) honors Patty Bailey, Duane Gregory and Tom and Sandy Williams during the church service on Sunday, March 20. The service was part of the celebration of the church’s 75th anniversary.

•March 23, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

On Sunday, March 20 Prairie View Baptist Church in Lake City celebrated their 75th anniversary. During their church service they had testimonies by former pastors, former pastor’s wives, church members and those who had grown up in the church. They started as Lake City Bible Church 75 years ago in the little white church on their property.
In 1974, the church built the new building that they are currently using. The name was voted to change to Prairie View Baptist Church. According to Pastor Mike Jones, the church has a thriving ministry to the kids of their community on Wednesday evenings, where they take a bus out and pick them up. Read More

Fish Fry

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•March 23, 2022•

The Lovington American Legion will be having a Fish Fry on Saturday, March 26 starting at 4 p.m. Meal will include 3 filets, fries, beans, slaw, hushpuppies and a dessert for $10.00. The public is invited to this Legion fundraiser.

Blood Drive at SHS

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•March 23, 2022•

The Sullivan High School Student Council will be hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, April 5 from 9:30 am- 2:30 pm in the high school gymnasium. For more information contact Marsha Kirby at kirbym@sullivan.k12.il.us, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Southern Gospel Concert

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•March 23, 2022•

Avenue Trio will be performing southern gospel music on Saturday, March 26 at 6 pm at Allenville Christian Church, 201 Allen St. in Allenville. The group is from Nashville, Tennessee. A free will offering will be collected. Finger food fellowship will follow the performance.

Bethany Celebration Pancake Breakfast

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•March 23, 2022•

A pancake and sausage or biscuits and gravy breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 26 from 7 am to 10 am at the Bethany Firehouse. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for kids and free for ages 3 and under. Dine in, carry out and delivery options. Delivery is available for senior citizens in Bethany. Call or text 217-620-1897 for delivery. Orders will be taken on March 26 only, no preorders. Proceeds from the breakfast will go towards this year’s Bethany Celebration.

Easter Eggstravaganza and Bicycle Raffle

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•March 23, 2022•

Courtyard Estates of Sullivan will be hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza and Bicycle Raffle on Saturday, April 9 from 11 am to 1 pm at 20 Courtyard Blvd in Sullivan. Egg hunt starts promptly at 1 pm. Please bring your own basket/bag. The egg hunt will have 10,000 eggs and there will be bicycle raffles for each age group (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11). There will also be Nolan’s Petting Zoo, Paddi’s Air Filled Fun, fire trucks and emergency vehicle from Sullivan Fire Department, IDOT plows, ARCH Air Ambulance, food truck and a 50/50 drawing.