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Moultrie Co. Retired Teachers Association Meet

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Photo furnished
Moultrie County Retired Teachers
Association 2021 Scholarship Recipient
Carlie Towle, is the high school scholarship recipient for 2021 of the Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship. She plans to attend college to major in Elementary Education this fall. Pictured is Carlie Towle (left) with Karen Edwards.

•June 30, 2021•
The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association met June 2, at the First Christian Church in Sullivan. President Jane McKown opened the meeting by welcoming members both in person and via Zoom, as well as guests. She asked the members a few humorous questions about the time they spent at home during the Pandemic. She also read selections from the book, Apples of Gold, and the book of Psalms. She then led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Karen Edwards introduced Carlie Towle, the high school scholarship recipient for 2021, who spoke to the members about her plans to attend college and to major in Elementary Education this fall.

LaVonne Chaney spoke to members about several current topics of interest. The IRTA is now in partnership with the Illinois Principals Association. The Area 5 Conference will be held virtually. The recent state budget fully funds the pension fund. Primary elections are being moved, and Moultrie County may be affected by recent redistricti Read More

Obituaries 6-30-2021: Renee Blickensderfer

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Renee Blickensderfer

Elizabeth “Reneé” Blickensderfer, of Dalton City, passed away June 28, 2021, at the age of 60, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Reneé was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. Reneé loved spending time with her family, shopping and tending to her beautiful flowers. Read More

Complaints About Drinking Water Addressed

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•June 30, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Commissioner Chuck Woodworth addressed complaints that the city of Sullivan has received about drinking water during Monday’s City Council meeting. “First thing I want to let everyone know is that the water is bacteriologically safe to drink. It has been tested for bacteria and passed each time, and we will continue to monitor for bacteria,” he said. “Your safety is our number one goal. The chlorine feed has been turned up to ensure it is safe.” Woodworth went on to say that first thing Tuesday morning another round of samples will be collected and sent to the lab to test for bacteria. Each month, several samples are collected and submitted to EPA for analysis for detection of chloroform or bacteria to confirm the water is safe. This is a monthly requirement of the IEPA. Read More

You Say Potato, I Say Appalachian

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•June 30, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

My recent column on my summer vacation to the South touched off a few conversations.
“As a former teacher I look forward to your column every Sunday,” wrote Christine Bohlmann. “I enjoyed today’s column referencing the correct pronunciation of ‘Appalachian.’ My question is in regard to the pronunciation of Pierre, South Dakota. I’ve always pronounced it like my French relatives do; however I’ve noticed Tom Skilling’s pronunciation of the capital city is ‘PEER.’ Did I lead my former fourth-grade students astray?” Read More

ALAH District Adopts Mystery Science and Open SciEd Curriculum for K-8

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by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

At the opening of the June 17th ALAH school board meeting, parent Stephanie Madis requested that masks be made optional for the children in school. “ISBE is giving a recommendation, and it isn’t a law,” she stated. She also showed a photo published in a local newspaper where it pictured children in a library sitting around each other unmasked. The board thanked her for her statements.
“We received two donations this month. One was from Masonic Lodge ($3,000) and the other MasterBrand ($1,200) which totaled $4200. We are very grateful for that,” reported Superintendent Shannon Cheek. Read More

Bethany Fire Protection District Presented With Plaque

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany Fire Protection District Presented With Plaque
Last Monday afternoon, June 21, Richie McCabe Jr. presented a plaque to members of the Bethany Fire Protection District. McCabe Jr. said that it took 3 to 4 days to construct the plaque as well as paint and stencil it. He presented the plaque as a thank you to the members of the department for being there for two of his family members when they needed the department’s assistance. “It’s a thankless job so when we get recognized it feels good,” Bethany Fire Chief Mike Jennings said “Realistically people call us on their worst day so when they come back and thank us it means it made a difference.” From left to right: James Burns, Willy Kastning, Richie McCabe Jr., Fire Chief Mike Jennings and Jim McMahan.

Recent Obituaries: Lyle Baumgartner

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Lyle Baumgartner

Frederick Lyle Baumgartner, 72, died Tuesday June 29, 2021 at his home near Bruce.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Reed Funeral Home with Seth Myers officiating. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the Highway Church of Christ or the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Lyle was born January 8, 1949 in Decatur, the second son of William Newton and Rella Joy (Frederick) Baumgartner. Lyle married Judith Louise Blaisdell in Charleston on October 16, 1971. She preceded him in death on July 5, 2011. He was also preceded by his parents.
He is survived by a daughter, Keena (Brody) Finney of Newman; a son, Wes (Denise) Baumgartner of Sullivan; a brother, Ken of Sullivan; three granddaughters, Applee Baumgartner, Vivian Baumgartner, and Jessie Baumgartner, all of Sullivan; a grandson, Jack Baumgartner, of Sullivan, a nephew, Wade (Jennifer) Baumgartner of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and a brother-in-law, Hap Blaisdell of Palm Springs, California.
In 1971 Lyle received a Bachelor of Science degree in from the University of Illinois. He had only one job his entire life: operating and eventually co-owning the family business, Ken-O-Kaw Farms. He was a member of the Highway Church of Christ for many years and served first as a deacon and then as an elder.

Menu 6-30-2021

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

July 5 - Closed for Independence Day
July 6 - Spaghetti w/Meaty Sauce, Corn, Seasoned Green Beans, Roll, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
July 7 - Saucy Ham Loaf, Sweet Potatoes, Seasoned Peas, Cornbread, Overnight Fruit Salad
July 8 - BBQ Meatballs, Scalloped Potatoes, Spinach, Texas Toast, Chunky Applesauce
July 9 - Baked Chicken, Vegetable Rice Pilaf, Harvard Beets, Whole Grain Wheat, Tropical Fruit
July 12 - Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Seasoned Greens, Whole Grain Wheat, Fruit or Juice
July 13 - Brat, Baked Corn, Seasoned Steamed Cabbage, Bun , Pears
July 14 - Chicken Salad, Cheesy Broccoli Soup, Summer Salad, Assorted Crackers, Watermelon
July 15 - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Lyonnaise Carrots, Whole Grain Wheat, Pineapple Cheese Salad
July 16 - Steak Burger, Baked Beans, Creamed Peas, Bun, Melon Salad

Recent Obituaries: Duane Beckett

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Duane Beckett

Duane Allen Beckett, 67, of Sullivan, IL passed away on, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in his residence.

A service to celebrate Duane’s life will be held at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Macon County Honor Guard and the US Army Honors Team. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at dawson-wikoff.com.
Duane was born January 19, 1954, in Macon, IL the son of George Charles and Mercedes Beckett. He proudly served in the US Army and was a Vietnam War veteran. He retired as a letter carrier from the US Postal Service having carried in Decatur, Sullivan, Windsor, and Shelbyville, IL. He married Janice (Morlan) Lane on April 17, 2015. Duane enjoyed hunting, fishing, working with tools in his pole barn, operating his Massey-Ferguson tractor, and playing with his grandchildren.
Surviving is his wife Janice of Sullivan; sons: Ricky Allen and Timmy Charlie; step-children: Kimberly Medaris (Tim) of Decatur and Travis Lane (Stacey) of Long Creek; brother: Darrell Beckett (Carolyn) of Beaumont, TX;  sister-in-law: Liz Beckett of Macon; twelve grandchildren: Kiley Lane, Taylor Alexander, Colton Lane, Isabella Medaris, Corbin Lane, Scarlet Medaris, and Lincoln Medaris.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Phil.

Recent Obituaries: Everett Eugene Elzy

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Everett Eugene Elzy

Everett Eugene Elzy was born in Ripley County, Missouri to Delmar O. and Minnie Elzy on March 6th, 1932. He was the third of eight children. The family then moved to Illinois, where Everett grew up in Moultrie County, Illinois. Everett graduated from Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Illinois in 1951. After graduating from High School, he joined the Army and was then discharged in 1954.

On May 22nd, 1955, Everett married Doris Jean Oath out of Sullivan, Illinois. They had three sons Steven, Gary and Daniel.

Everett retired from Quantum Chemical Corporation in Tuscola, Illinois after 37 years of service. Everett was also a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ and served in the local church all his life. Everett and Doris moved to Cañon City, Colorado in 1995 where they served as therapeutic foster parents for over 85 children.

Everett’s hobbies included gardening, fishing, hunting, raising dogs and horses. In 2010 Everett and Doris moved back to Oregon County, Missouri to retire.

Everett is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Ralph and Dean, and his grand-daughter Rebekah. Everett is survived by his wife, Doris, sons, Steven and wife Patti, Gary and grandson, Evan, grand-daughter Bethany, great-grandsons Damian and Malaki, son, Daniel, his wife Kristine, grandson Jacob and his wife Victoria and grandson Samuel.

A memorial service will be 2:00 pm Friday, June 25, 2021, at the Riverton Baptist Church, Riverton MO. Arrangements under the direction of the Clary Funeral Home, Alton, MO.