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Remember When? 7-31-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Tom Foreman, a former Sullivan High School student, makes it big as an ABC News correspondent. In 1976 he was probably just another sophomore taking classes, learning to drive, and hanging out with his buddies. Now, 18 years later and leaps and bounds away from the halls of SHS, he is an ABC news correspondent who has worked with both Peter Jennings and Ted Koppel. Foreman attended Sullivan schools from his fifth grade year through his sophomore year. During the 10th grade he worked for WFWA, the local radio station, as a DJ and stand up comic.
Joe Shaw grew a 17-pound head of cabbage in his garden.
Lovington 7 and 8-year-old girls’ pinto league team took first place in the Mt. Zion Youth League with an amazing 12-1 record. Team members were Shelly Mott, Mallory Murphy, Chantell Hilton, Erin Deters, Christina Bolsen, Nikki Davis, Whitney Nelson, Monica Parrott, Brittany Clough, Jessica Crum, Melanie Phillips and Tera Newberry. The girls are coached by Gary Davis and Joe Nelson. Read More

Benefit for Mike Mathias

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•July 31, 2019•

A benefit for Mike Mathias is 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday, August 10 at Sullivan VFW.
Mathias is a Sullivan resident who has stage three Melanoma cancer. Melanoma is a skin cancer which he had four years ago. It has progressed and now is in his body.
Mathias is in a tough battle and has been off work for more than four weeks.The bills keep coming, and he has a wonderful family for whom to provide.
Food for a donation will be provided 4-7 p.m. by Papa’s Smoked Meats. There will be a 50/50 drawing.
Several musicians will provide music for the benefit, and any local musician who would like to play or sing has an open invitation.
Performing musicians include Tom Jewell and Royce Binion; The Northenders: Chris Eckel, Mike Harmison and Jan Courtright; Southern Cross: Paul Wright, Ed Webb and Mike Jesse.
Proceeds will go to Mike Mathias and his family.

Aquafest at Dam West Beach

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•July 31, 2019•

Aquafest at Dam West Beach at Lake Shelbyville is no ordinary day at the beach.
The event is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 3. Children and adults of all ages are welcome to attend.
There will be no fee for using the beach and facilities the entire day.
Activities include water safety carnival games, sand sculpture contest, inflatable water slide, and an appearance from Bobber the Water Safety Dog.
All activities will be carnival and circus themed.
For additional information, visit the Facebook page: @LakeShelbyvilleUSACE or call Lake Shelbyville Interpretive Services & Outreach at 217-774-3951, ext. 2.

Miss Sullivan Pageant Return

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•July 31, 2019•

The Miss Sullivan Pageants are coming back.
Anyone interested in being in the Miss (ages 16-21), Jr. Miss (ages 11-14), or Little Miss (ages 4-7) should contact Marsha Kirby at 217-853-6842 or Kelsey Clark at 217-254-5992 for more information or the Facebook page Miss Sullivan Pageants. The pageant will take place in September.

Blue Dolphins Swim at Regionals 2019

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Photo courtesy Jamie Crosier
Blue Dolphins Swim at Regionals
Sullivan Blue Dolphins Swim Team attended the Summer Regional Championship meet in Peoria this past weekend. First through eighth place swimmers made the podium. Pictured left to right are: Alivia Melvin: 1st place 100 fly, 200 IM and 200 Free, 2nd place 50 back and 100 IM, 3rd place 50 free and 100 free, 5th place 50 fly. Gabrielle Spain: 2nd place 100 fly and 1650 free (mile), 4th place 200 back, 5th place 200 IM, 6th place 100 back, 7th place 50 free, 8th place 500 free. Matthew Wesselman 2nd place 500 free, 6th place 200 free, 8th place 100 free. Emerson Risley: 7th place 50 back. Johnathan Iacobazzi: 3rd place 100 breast, 4th place 100 back, 7th place 200IM, 8th place 500 free and 50 back. Ryan Schodlatz represented SBD with a 50 free open division. Mackenzie Erixon: 1st place 200 back, 3rd place 100 back, 5th place 200 free, 6th place 100 free. Ethan Schmohe: 1st place 200 free and 100 free, 2nd place 400IM and 200 IM.

Obituaries 7-31-2019: Larry Shipman

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Larry Shipman

*this obituary was updated after the printed publication

Larry Shipman, 81, of Omaha, Arkansas, formerly of Cerro Gordo and Lovington, went to his heavenly home Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in Harrison, Arkansas.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Graveside services to follow at the Greenhill Cemetery with Pastor Mike Fender officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Read More

Obituaries 7-31-2019: Deiedre French

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Deiedre French

Agnes Deiedre French, 83, of Lovington, passed away at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Mason Point in Sullivan.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 3 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in French Cemetery in Allenville. Read More

Birdseye View

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www.bestdroneography.com
Birdseye View
The Findlay Walleye Festival enjoyed perfect weather July 26-27. This R.R. Best drone photograph shows the giant American flag displayed during the Saturday parade while the OVHS band played. The festival featured walleye meals and breakfasts, kiddie tractor pulls, garden tractor pulls, a car show and music from Identity Crisis, Battle Creek, Big Spike Hammer, Sounds of Swing, Billy Coalt and the Blues Deacons, The North Enders and the Feudin’ Hillbillies.

United Producers offers Free Cattle Evaluation Clinic

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•July 31, 2019•
United Producers Inc. (UPI) in Shelbyville is offering a free cattle evaluation clinic at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 29.
This clinic is the first of its kind to be held at the livestock auction market and is designed for cattle producers of all ages.
The hands-on clinic will feature Jodie Pitcock, USDA Division of Livestock Marketing, as he teaches participants the importance of grading cattle and how grades can impact profitability. Read More

ALAH Schools Begin Class with New District Superintendent

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High school roof project discussed

•July 31, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

In the July meeting, ALAH Community School District new superintendent, Shannon Cheek and retiring superintendent Kenny Schwengel, attended the July school board meeting.
“I want to start off my report by saying thank you to the many people involved in welcoming us to the school district and the four communities,” Superintendent Cheek opened his report. He went on to thank Haley McGrath, his administrative aide, as well as Kelly Creek, Ken Munds, the board of education, all the administrative staff, the custodial staff and the community.
“You have made my family feel right at home from the very beginning,” he added.
In a separate interview Cheek explained what interested him in the ALAH district.
“My interest in the superintendent position here centered around the communities’ support for education and dedication to the students,” he began.
“It’s that level of dedication that I wanted to be a part of and lead.” Read More