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Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Earl Devore was a life long resident of Lovington. His wrapping of his home on Buck and Broadway was an annual event. When done, it looked like a home wrapped in Saran wrap. The home is long gone now. This photo appeared in the November 1977 issue of the Lovington Reporter. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Being Accommodative and Reserving Judgment

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•November 17, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Marion Blais saw a story in the Nov. 9 Business section that included the passage “ ... not necessarily being more accommodative, continuing to favor candidates with several years of experience ...”
“I could not find ‘accommodative’ in M-W,” Marion wrote. “Is this a case of unilateral linguistic expansion? What happened to that good ol’ workhorse ‘accommodating’?”
My timeworn Webster’s New World Dictionary (published in 1994) includes “accommodative” as an adjectival form of “accommodate,” meaning “willing to fit in with someone’s wishes or needs.”
That’s essentially the definition of “accommodating.” Read More

Remember When? 11-17-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan High School graduate Zak Horn won a national championship for Sullivan’s FFA Chapter. The 18-year-old Horn, the son of Chester and Marjorie Horn, was one of four national finalists with his FFA-supervised agricultural experience (SAE) in turfgrass management. The honor was announced at the National FFA Convention. Read More

Structure Fire

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Photo by R.R. Best
Structure Fire
Sullivan Fire Department received a call for a structure fire north east of Sullivan at 6:36 pm on Sunday, November 14. Bethany and Arthur Fire Departments were called in for mutual aid. The structure was a complete loss. There were no injuries.

Second Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans Held

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Photo furnished
Twenty four veterans and their boat drivers participated in the Second Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans on Lake Shelbyville on Saturday, November 13.

•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Second Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans was held Saturday, November 13, on Lake Shelbyville. This year the number of veterans participating was 24; last year, which was the first year for the event, 12 veterans went out on the water.
The day started with a color presentation by Sullivan American Legion and VFW, a word of prayer and the playing of “Taps.” Then, the veterans and their boat drivers went out on Lake Shelbyville for a day of fishing. Read More

High School Student Council Organizes Veterans Day Ceremony

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Jennifer Hobbs and Dakota Freeze carry the flags in at the beginning of the Veterans Day Ceremony. They both also spoke during the ceremony about their experiences in the military.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Lilly Graham and Clayton Schmohe sang during the Veterans Day program held at the high school last week.

•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The program began with the presentation of the flags by Dakota Freese and Jennifer Hobbs. The playing of the military branch songs was held, and those veterans in attendance were encouraged to stand during their branch’s song.
Dakota Freese, who is serving in the Illinois National Guard, was one of the guest speakers for the program. After high school, he wanted to join the infantry and become a ranger, but he told of his interest in being a welder or mechanic.
Jennifer Hobbs, a former Sullivan Elementary teacher who is the author of Calmed: Growth After Trauma, joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17 and at 19, was mobilized to Iraq.
She said that after being in a combat zone, going home was a difficult adjustment. While serving overseas, her husband was hit by a roadside bomb. “Whatever the struggles that come into your life, it is you; you who decide how you handle that. You can give up, don’t give up, or you can look that it as an opportunity to grow.”
Members of the student council read selections with the ending line of “On Veterans Day remember.” Students Lily Graham and Clayton Schmohe sang “America.” Students and staff members who have family currently serving or who have served were encouraged to stand.
The program closed with the playing of “Taps” and a moment of silence.

County Board Approves Retaining Services for Administration and Reporting of ARPA Funds

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•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The County Board approved retaining the services of Bellwether for administration and reporting of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. They are asking for $10,000 per payment of ARPA funds. ARPA ad hoc committee chair, Stephanie Helmuth, said that the county has received their first payment of the funds which was $1.4 million. In total the county will receive $2.8 million. She said they hope to be able to disperse the funds beginning in February.
The ad hoc committee recommended that the Moultrie County Board focus the first wave of funds on mental health needs and economic recovery of non-profits in Moultrie County that serve the people of the county. Read More

Charleston Elks Annual National Hoop Shoot

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•November 17, 2021•

On December 4, the Charleston Elks #623 will host their annual National Hoop Shoot. The national contest, in its 50th year, is a free throw competition for ages 8-13 years old. Three divisions each for girls and boys will shoot 25 free throws for the best score. Winners will advance to District in Champaign and possibly on to state, Iowa Regionals and the Chicago National Finals in April. Competing age groups are 8-9, 10-11,12-13, girls and boys each. Ages will be based on how old they are on April 1,2022. The Hoop Shoot will be held at Mattoon Middle School at 1200 S. 9th Street in Mattoon. The Charleston Elks area includes Oakland, Mattoon, Ashmore, Kansas, Casey, Greenup, Toledo, Sullivan, Windsor, Gays, Arcola, Tuscola, Newman and Hume. The event is free and any expenses past the local shoot will be covered by The Elks National Foundation. Registration will begin at 9 am with competition starting at 9:45 am. In 2019, over 250,000 girls and boys participated in the National Hoop Shoot. For more information contact Rod Franklin at 345-9668.

Mobile Food Pantry

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•November 17, 2021•

University of Illinois Extension, in cooperating partnership with Decatur Catholic Charities and Windsor School District, will have a mobile food pantry on Wednesday, December 8 from 4-5 pm at Windsor Grade School cafeteria. Line up not allowed before 3:30 pm. A mobile food pantry delivers a 2 week supply of food per family in rural communities. Any individual or family that does not have a steady food supply qualifies to receive food. No financial information is required. This distribution is open to all, not only residents of Windsor. Sign up by Monday, November 29 by calling 217-774-9546 during business hours from 8 am to Noon and 1 pm to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring with you on the day of distribution. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification.

C.E.F.S. Services Offered

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•November 17, 2021•

Did you know the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program provides services to the entire family? These services include parent involvement in the Head Start program’s planning and monitoring, offering family literacy activities and a lending library for children and adults, and providing social service referrals and support. We also assist with dental and health needs and transportation to appointments. We enroll all year round, if interested, please call/text 217-663-7822.