•October 8, 2025•
The Okaw Valley High School Student Council will be hosting the upcoming Homecoming Parade on October 17th at 1:00 pm. All local and surrounding businesses and social club entries are welcome to participate. No registration is required. Parade lineup is at 12:15 at the high school in Bethany, and the theme is “Hollywood Movie Premiere”.
•October 8, 2025•
SAIL (Soyland Access to Independent Living) is having a ‘Health Screening and Testing Fair’ on Friday, October 10th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Shelby County Senior Center located at 325 E. North 9th Street in Shelbyville. This event is open to the public.
The fair will provide various types of testing such as balance testing, eye pressure testing, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure testing, etc. Different screenings are available for depression screening, indicators of substance abuse screening, Narcan screening, and sleep apnea screening. The fair also offers flu shots and Pneumonia shots. The Shelby County Health Department can bill Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance for the shots. Health screening and testing are free unless a cost is listed. For information call Betty Watkins, SAIL Rural Outreach Coordinator, at (217) 774-4322.
•October 8, 2025•
The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be held on Wednesday, October 15th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethany library, located at 216 W Main Street. Soup and sandwiches will be provided. All are welcome.
•October 1, 2025•
Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its October Quarter Auction on Wednesday, October 8th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. The Sullivan Lions Club will be the charity of the month. Since 1941, the Sullivan Lions Club, an affiliate of Lions International, has been committed to helping residents with vision and hearing services, hunger, and youth needs. Their club is known for its annual ‘Turkey Party’ held in November (this year on Friday, November 14th). Funds raised during this event and others are given back in the community in various ways.
At the October Quarter Madness, vendors could include: jBloom Jewelry, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, 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 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 and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. 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 the Lions Club. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information visit “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page. Contact Ginger Voegel with any questions.
•October 1, 2025•
The Bethany Fire & Ambulance Protection District invites the public to their “Open House’ on Saturday, October 4th, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 530 E Main St, Bethany. Bring the family and enjoy fun games and activities for all ages, live demonstrations from their team, and a chance to meet your local firefighters and EMTs, as well as tours of their trucks and equipment. This is a family-friendly event, and they would love to see our community come out for an afternoon of learning and fun.
•October 1, 2025•
The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in the Lovington First Christian Church Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, October 15th, from noon to 5:30 p.m. Pre-register online by going to RedCrossBlood.org and look for First Christian Church to schedule your donation time. Walk-ins are welcome. Contact Darlene Barlow at 217-855-9397 with any questions. Identification or a Donor Card is required.
•September 24, 2025•
On Friday, September 26th at 4:00 p.m., come out to watch the Sullivan Homecoming parade and show your local support. Line-up begins at 3:00 p.m. and will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. This year’s theme is Rio. Questions or comments should be directed to SHS Principal Daniel Allen at allend@sullivan.k12.il.us, or call (217) 728-8311.
•September 24, 2025•
On Saturday, September 27th, from 6:00 until 10:00 a.m., the Sullivan Fire Protection District will be holding its 13th Annual ‘Pancake and Sausage’ breakfast at the Sullivan Firehouse, 115 West Harrison Street in Sullivan. This is an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast, with meal donations as follows: adults, $7.00, children 6-12, $4.00, and those 5 and under eat free. There will also be five-pound boxes of sausage on sale for $30.00 each. Call (217) 728-8714 with any questions.
•September 24, 2025•
Dove Domestic Violence Program invites you to join them for their annual Candlelight Services. It is a time of reflection, hope, and community. These meaningful gatherings give an opportunity to come together in remembrance, honor, and support of those impacted by domestic violence. All are welcome to join this special service. Your presence helps shine a light of compassion and strength for all who attend. This event is to light the night and honor those who have suffered and died due to domestic violence, and celebrate with the survivors and those who advocate for safe homes for all.
•September 24, 2025•
It’s that time of year again - we are asking for readers to submit their favorite recipe for our annual “Family Favorites” cookbook publication. Whether it’s an old family favorite passed down through generations, a recipe you created yourself when being creative, or something new that you love, we are interested in what tickles your palate and brings you joy to put on the table.
The “Family Favorites” cookbook will be published in November.
Please submit your recipes to rtipsword@newsprogress.com