Photo furnished
The Prairie Winds members (seated left to right) Kathy Camp, Debbie Seelhoeffer, Nancy Craig, Jane McKown, Donna Arendell, Lori Harbaugh, Shirley Rogers and Marilyn Rogers; (back row) Vicki Osman, Bob Vail, Denny Hutchings, Don Rogers, Victor Landers, Scot Light, Dave Horsman and Marlene Wirth.

•May 23, 2018•

The Prairie Winds from Sullivan will present a free concert to the public in the Sullivan United Methodist Church Friendship Hall at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3. The Prairie Winds is a not-for-profit group of 19 local singers and keyboardists whose ministry includes performing shows for area nursing homes and senior residences.

“Some Good Ol’ Country Music” is the theme of their present show. A musical trip to the Grand Old Opry (North) features songs from some of the country’s greatest artists, the comic stylings of ‘Linnie Diamond’  and the Potts family, and just some rip roaring fun.

The Prairie Winds are completing their 33rd year of “Sharing God’s Love through Music”.

The public is invited to come and enjoy an entertaining hour of music, dancing and comedy.

Refreshments will be served afterwards.

•May 23, 2018•

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond (ALAH) FFA Alumni has selected six students to receive scholarships.

The chapter, chartered in 2014, has more than 100 members with the purpose “to provide leadership, mentoring, and financial assistance to the agricultural education program at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School.”

The scholarship fund receives donations, fundraising, and proceeds from the variety test plot hosted by Jeff Davis of Hammond. Students fill out an application and are interviewed by alumni prior to selection.  Read More

•May 23, 2018•

Moultrie County real estate taxes were mailed May 23. The first installment is due June 25, 2018 and the second installment is due September 6, 2018.

Homeowners should look their tax bills, including the back of the bill, and make sure all of the information is correct. It is the responsibility of the property owner to report all address changes to the assessor’s office at 728-4951. Assessment and exemption questions should be directed to the Supervisor of Assessments office.   Read More

•May 23, 2018•

State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) reported that Governor Bruce Rauner announced 327 Opportunity Zone Census tract recommendations submitted by the state of Illinois have been approved by the U.S. Treasury Department. These zones cover more than 85 counties throughout the state and aim to support the future of Illinois through economic growth and investment.

“Opportunity Zones have been approved in Douglas, Edgar, Moultire and Shelby counties,” Rep. Halbrook stated. “These areas are in desperate need of jobs, benefiting individuals and communities. This is a great opportunity to bring jobs and investments into east central Illinois.” Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Connie Carlyle will retire from her position as cook at the Bethany Junior-Senior High School.  Carlyle has cooked at the school for 24 years.

Keena Baumgartner, a Sullivan alumni and U of I grad, will appear on College Jeopardy along with 14 other college students from around the country. The taping was in February, but Baumgartner was told not to talk about it until the airing of the show. Rumor has it she made more than one appearance on the show, but she has not been seen driving around in a new convertible.

Bethany High School senior Leah Matheson received one of the top scores in the  FHA  State Proficiency Event Conference in Peoria to qualify for the FHA National Event in July. Matheson competed in the Star Event-Job Interview at the state level and received the top score with an outstanding rating. Trisha McManmie and Brooke Gregory also won awards at the conference. Gregory won first place in the Total Image competition, and McManmie took second place in the Fashion Display competition. Read More