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Remembering Who We Are…….82

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Traveling on the Springfield Road (Part 1)


•November 5, 2025•

by Janet Roney

“It was four weeks yesterday since we started. I fear we shall all be sick before we get there, it is so very hot. I shant complain as long as I can stand up. I have dragged one foot after the other so long and hope for the best.”

These were the words of a young Ohio woman, Mary Parkinson, in letters to her sister from a few miles west of Paris, Illinois on the Springfield Road in July of 1837. Her letters, printed in 1909 in the Journal of American History, are the earliest account I have found of travelers on the Springfield Road across Moultrie County.

While still on the National Road in Indiana, they stopped at inns for the night, sometimes sleeping six in a bed or on the floor. “...it does seem we shall never get there...there is too many of us together...” They finally got cloth somewhere along the way and made a tent for all 26 of the group to sleep in outside. “It will be much cheaper to tent out...”

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City approves new public comment rules

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by Sharon Barricklow

Attendees at Sullivan City Council meetings will have new rules to follow for the public comment period after the council passed a new ordinance on October 27. 

The new ordinance will limit individual comments to three  minutes each and the total public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes. The rule came after several of the last city council meetings had public comment periods that lasted more than an hour and involved multiple people speaking at multiple times. Mayor Mike Mossman, who has been frustrated by the lengthy period of public comment, said he hoped the new rule would help the council stay on track in doing city business. 

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A Look Back

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2015

When Jan Courtwright became manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Sullivan, it was a natural fit. An open house was held Saturday, October 31st. “I worked in Arthur and lived in Findlay, so I drove by every day, Jan began. “I began stopping and getting things for my house and just shopping.”

Matt Schoaff is a principal of action. That is one reason every student at Okaw Valley High School toured major businesses and industries in the area on October 30th. Schoaff explained that four busloads of high school students left Bethany, heading to places such as Mid-State tank, Agri-Fab, and Hydro-Gear in Sullivan, to Masterbrand Cabinets in Arthur, and TCCI in Decatur.

The Sullivan City Council met on Monday, October 26th, to cover a few issues that were on hand. Commissioner Bill Hagen discussed the time frame for when golf carts used as transportation should be allowed on the streets.

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Sullivan High School Veterans’ Day event

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•November 5, 2025•

by Nevaeh Wilson

Sullivan High School will host its annual Veterans’ Day celebration on Monday, November 11th, from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. at Sullivan High School, 110 W. Magill Street. The event will begin with a brunch for veterans from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a school assembly in the Middle School Gymnasium that will conclude around 11:15 a.m.

This special event is held each year to honor and thank our local veterans for their service. There is no charge to attend, and all veterans and community members are encouraged to join us. The celebration will follow the Elementary School’s Veterans Day program, continuing our tradition of recognizing those who have served.

Highlights of the assembly include: performances of branch songs by the Middle School Choir and Singers Jr., a reading of the winning Veterans Writing Contest entry, musical performances by the Sullivan Singers and Sullivan Band, a special speech from fellow veteran Daniel Allen, a performance of TAPS, and more.

The entire community is invited to attend and show appreciation for our veterans. For questions about the assembly, please contact Nevaeh Wilson at 2026nwilson@sullivan.k12.il.us. To RSVP for the brunch, please email Jennifer Voegel at voegelj@sullivan.k12.il.us.

Sullivan American Legion Aux. Unit #68: Art and Writing Contest winners

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•November 5, 2025•

The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 recently announced the results of this year’s Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest. 

The Best in Show award went to SHS junior Claire Kursell for her drawing “My Dearest Irene,” which also received first place in art for juniors and seniors.

Kursell noted in her Creator’s Statement that her piece was “inspired by the letters of WWII veteran Natale Bellantoni to Irene Sztucinski,” which she read while researching topics for the contest. She added that she was so interested in their story that she knew she wanted to use their story for her submission. 

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Lions donate bench tin Wyman Park

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•November 5, 2025•

The Sullivan Lions Club recently donated a bench at Wyman Park. The bench can be enjoyed for years to come in various spots around the park, based on the season. Since 1941, Sullivan Lions Club, an affiliate of Lions International, has been committed to helping local residents with vision and hearing services, hunger, and youth needs. If you are interested in learning more about our organization, contact Brent Mansfield at (217) 248-6180.

Members in the photo include: Brent Mansfield, Jess Barker, Dick Martin, Dave Walker, Lynn Elder, Don Evans, Steve Mayberry, Connor Klingele, Ginger Voegel, Bill VanKeuren, and Richard Murphy.

Monthly ‘Quarter Madness’

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•November 5, 2025•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its November Quarter Auction on Wednesday, November 12th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Moultrie County Animal Control is the organization of the month. They provide animal-related services throughout the entire county, including responding to stray, injured, and dangerous animal calls, enforcing animal laws, and reuniting lost pets with their owners. As a municipal pound, its primary focus is on public safety and law enforcement rather than rescue; however, when resources allow, the team also assists with rehoming animals and accepting owner relinquishments to help pets find safe new homes. In addition, Moultrie County Animal Control supports the community by promoting TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) services to help humanely manage and reduce the community cat population.

At the November Quarter Madness, vendors could include: jBloom Jewelry, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Holley’s Hobbies, Allie’s Gift & Garden, Color Street, Pampered Chef, Plunder Jewelry, and Avon plus different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, wreaths, earrings, wind spinners, potholders, signs, garden stakes, décor, soy based candles and melties, freeze dried candies, meat bundles and more. Come shop with the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend. Highway Heartburn will have food for sale in the parking lot. There will also be a Bake Sale to benefit Moultrie County Animal Control. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information, visit the “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.