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Arthur Fireworks Goes Off June 29

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•June 12, 2019•

This Independence Day in Arthur sets the stage with an awe-inspiring pyrotechnic spectacle as the Arthur Rotary Club ignites the night with a barrage of color and sound. The 2019 Arthur Fireworks Celebration will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29 with live bands, skydivers, powered parachutes, food vendors and kids’ activities. There will also be t-shirts for sale with the proceeds going to the men and women veterans of the Armed Forces.
An authentic Midwest experience featuring more pomp and salutes than one can imagine with thousands of shells, the Rural Patriot Rider, the not- to-be-missed Niagara Falls and the Great Wall of Fire. This display is one to be not only seen but felt and remembered.
The heavily attended and widely acclaimed display is presented to you by the Arthur Rotary Club, village of Arthur, Arthur Park District, CBM Plastics Inc., Tri-County Welding and the many generous businesses and individuals in the Arthur area. Bring out the blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy top-notch, free entertainment for the entire family.
For further information contact Christy Miller, Public Relations and Media, 217-246-2860, Arthur Welcome Center, 217-543-2242; Tim Singer, 2019 Arthur Fireworks Chairman, 217-254-5255.

Art Sparked in the Parks

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Art Sparked in the Parks
by Wyman Tabor
for the News Progress
Art In Tabor Park is an ongoing outreach program of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Spark initiative.
It was held in conjunction with Music in the Park June 7 which began at 6:30 next door in Wyman Park
Molly (Reeder) Foust was the featured artist this month creating a pottery piece with her pottery wheel before the audience who also enjoyed background music from the community band.

Okaw Valley Recognizes Academic Achievement

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Okaw Valley High School recognized the class of 2019 for their academic achievements and awarded several scholarships. Bella Benning and Kailynn Bobbett received their medals for earning the title of co-valedictorian as did Madison Vogel for earning the title of salutatorian. Bella Benning, Elizabeth Herbord, Kailynn Bobbett, Madison Vogel, Shelby Hagerman, and Sadie Zimmerman were honored as Illinois State Scholars.
Receiving Grade Point Average Honor Cords (3.5 and above) were Bella Benning, Kailynn Bobbett, Madison Vogel, Sadie Zimmerman, Shelby Hagerman, Molly Phillips, Sophie Zimmerman, Anna Wooters, Sidney Zimmerman, Kailey George, Kierston Kennedy, Elizabeth Herbord, Case Crawford, Angela Robinson, Talon Russell, Sam Hagerman, Shelby Harding, Gavon Hargrove, Jessica Ellis, Brayden Primmer, Parker Perrine, Amber Hastings, and Danielle Hill. Community Service Honor Cords (top 10% of class in Community Service Hours) were earned by Sophie Zimmerman, Elizabeth Herbord, Shelby Hagerman, and Bella Benning. American Red Cross Honor Cords were earned by Bella Benning, Shelby Hagerman and Anna Wooters.
The following are scholarships that were awarded at the program. Lake Land College presented Presidential Scholarships to Kailynn Bobbett, Connor Powers, Sadie Zimmerman, and Elizabeth Herbord. Lake Land College also presented the Jason Ray Endowment to Beau Atchison, the TRW Endowment to Danielle Hill, Leona Stanford Vollintine Scholarship Fund to Molly Phillips, and Mildred M. Starwalt Memorial Endowment to Sophie Zimmerman. Read More

Post 68 Gets Ready for 4th

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•June 12, 2019•

Fund-raising efforts are underway for the American Legion Post 68 4th of July Celebration.
Fund-raising chairman Mike Keown said this year’s celebration includes the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.
Central States Fireworks of Athens, Ill. returns for the fourth year presenting the fireworks display at Wyman Park.
The Conner Family Amusements of Beardstown will provide carnival entertainment for the third year.
The 4th of July celebration has traditionally been funded by contributions from Sullivan merchants and community.
The fireworks contract is $17,000 with the city committing $7500 plus an additional $2500 from the Electric Dept. scrap program.
Justin “Bubba” Farris and his crew coordinate the parade with Terry Warren catering lunch.
It is a communitywide effort that includes Legion members, Auxiliary and Sons of American Legion leading the way with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts helping throughout the week. Appreciation goes to the Vineyard Church volunteers for parade cleanup.

Health Dept. Reacts to Mosquito Dangers

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•June 12, 2019•
Moultrie County Public Health and Safety committee received a periodic report on health department activities.
Moultrie County Health Dept. Executive Director Angie Hogan reported spring rains had created issues with standing water and some septic systems.
The department was responsible for certifying county and township personnel for larvacide application to help abate mosquitos. She noted that two birds from the county are being tested for the West Nile virus. Read More

Summer Readers (2)

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Photos furnished
Summer Readers
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library summer reading kickoff was Friday, May 31. Librarian Laura Davison said some 200 children and adults enjoyed the morning filled with activities, treats and a wonderful introduction to summer reading in Sullivan.

Summer Readers

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Photos furnished
Summer Readers
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library summer reading kickoff was Friday, May 31. Librarian Laura Davison said some 200 children and adults enjoyed the morning filled with activities, treats and a wonderful introduction to summer reading in Sullivan.

Courageous Kids at SES

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Photo furnished
Courageous Kids at SES
Asher Hendry of Sullivan makes his way across the slackline that was set up at Sullivan Elementary School May 28. More than 400 elementary school students participated in the opportunity to try walking across a slackline. The slackline was set up by Courageous Kids Climbing, who traveled from Idaho to conduct the event. Courageous Kids Climbing provides free opportunities for
children between the ages of three months and 103-years with special needs, physical or developmental, to experience the various forms of rock climbing at events held throughout the western United States. They also conduct slacklining events at elementary schools during their travels. The event was coordinated by Sullivan Elementary School fourth grade teacher Nichole Hendry, who also provided accommodations for the representative from Courageous Kids Climbing.

Recent Obituaries: Judith Anne Wilson

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Judith Anne Wilson

CHARLESTON, IL – Judith Anne Wilson, age 78 of Hutton Township, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019. Visitation was held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The Funeral Service was held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Burial followed in Hurricane Cemetery, south of Charleston. Donations may be made to Judy’s family to be disbursed at their discretion. Gifts may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

 

Judy was born on September 13, 1940 in Arcola, Illinois, the daughter of the late Lloyd and Dorothy “Dottie” (Seaman) Huddlestun. She married August Wilson on July 25, 1969 and they would have soon celebrated 50 years of marriage. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Kevin Wilson and his friend Tricia Albert of Ashmore, Illinois and Cris Lane and her husband Troy of Windsor, Illinois; two granddaughters, Stephanie (Tyler) Poland of Mattoon, Illinois and Rachel (Jaime) Cavazos of Sullivan, Illinois; two great-grandsons, Warren Poland and Alex Cavazos; her sister-in-law, Pam Huddlestun of rural Charleston; several nieces and nephews; and lastly her canine best friend, Jenny. Judy was preceded by her brother, Lynne Huddlestun on April 26 of this year.

 

Judy’s complete obituary is available online at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com

Winnifred Titus’ Home Future Presents Challenge for Sullivan

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Photo submitted
Pictured is Winnifred Titus Sentel.

•June 5, 2019•
By Eden Martin
for the News Progress

Almost six decades ago a grand, old lady of Sullivan, Winnifred Titus Sentel, died, December 29, 1960, leaving her home to be used as a home for aged women. In recent years the home has been known as Titus Manor at Wyman Park.
Winnifred’s grandparents were George Washington (G.W.) Titus (1814-1864) and Elizabeth Bennett Titus (born 1820; died April 4, 1912 ). They moved to Moultrie County from Indiana in 1857. In the 1860 census G.W. was reported to have been born in New York and was listed as a farmer having real estate valued at $24,000. Unfortunately, G.W. died at the early age of 50 on September 28, 1864.
After G.W. died, his widow, Elizabeth Titus, lived in the Perryman building — a brick structure at the west end of the south side of the square. Mrs. Titus — the grandmother of Winnifred — was reportedly the first person in Sullivan to own a piano.
G.W. and Elizabeth had one son — Joseph B. Titus, a lawyer, landowner and important civic figure in Sullivan. Joseph B. (b.1838; died Sept 1919) — was known as “J.B.” He graduated from Miami University at Oxford and from the Cincinnati Law College in 1860. He then practiced law in Cincinnati for two years before moving to Sullivan.
After G..W. died in 1864, his widow Elizabeth was listed in the Moultrie County atlas as the owner of the Titus Opera House, built in 1871. Also, as shown in the 1875 atlas, the “E. Titus Addition” to Sullivan consisted of about 28 city blocks of residential property north of Jackson Street and west of Hamilton. The Tituses had acquired that Sullivan land when it was pastureland. It included the property where the first “North Side” school was built in 1874 as well as the later Powers school. Read More