Category Archives: News Briefs

Step back in time at the Amish Education Event  –  August 23 at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center

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•August 13, 2025•

Experience the warmth, simplicity, and wonder of a one-room schoolhouse during the Amish Education Event on Saturday, August 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

Designed especially for those who cherish the values of yesteryear, this ticketed event invites guests to live, or relive, the authentic rhythms of an Amish school day. Enjoy a thoughtful overview of Amish education, complete with prayer and singing, reading and spelling, Illinois history, mathematics and problem solving, geography, and good old-fashioned storytelling.

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Harvest to Home

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•August 13, 2025•

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will hold their Fall harvest event “Harvest to Home” on October 10 and 11 on their campus. The event features harvest activities from yesteryear.

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Blood drive in memory of Jodi Phelps

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•August 13, 2025•

On September 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Sullivan American Legion Post 68, located at 8 East Strain, Sullivan, will be hosting a blood drive in memory of Jodi Phelps. 

From her daughter: “This Blood Drive is in Honor of my mother, Jodi Phelps. Last year’s blood drive was in my mother’s honor and was a huge success.

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Remembering Who We Are………..71

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The Lincoln Way


•August 13, 2025•

by Janet Roney

What route did Tom Lincoln follow through Moultrie County when he brought his family from southern Indiana to Macon County, Illinois in March of 1830? Back in 1915, the state of Illinois, along with Kentucky and Indiana, began collecting information about their possible route. The affidavits collected at that time are valuable sources of information about early trails, but many don’t agree. 

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Windsor and Martinsville schools begin school year phone free

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•August 13, 2025•

In alignment with a growing national movement and supported by recent research, Windsor and Martinsville School Districts are implementing phone-free policies for the 2025-2026 school year to enhance student focus and well-being. In partnership with the Regional Office of Education #11, both districts have invested in secure phone storage solutions to ensure compliance while prioritizing a distraction-free learning environment.

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Volunteers wanted: be the magic behind the Special Olympics Family Festival

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•August 13, 2025•

Submitted

Ready to change a life - and maybe even your own? The Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) volunteer board is calling on big-hearted individuals to join the fun at the 42nd annual SOFF, happening Saturday, Sept. 20.

This one-of-a-kind event brings together hundreds of Special Olympics Athletes from across East Central Illinois for a high-energy, joy-filled celebration. Picture a day packed with music, dancing, karaoke, a festive parade, hayrides, games, and more - all shared between Athletes and their “Friend-for-a-Day” volunteers. It’s not just a festival. It’s a movement of love, laughter, and lifelong friendships. 

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A Look Back…8-13-2025

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2015

Quick action by two young Sullivan teenagers at a neighbor’s house fire Sunday may have saved the day. The Sullivan Fire Department decided to honor that brave effort. “These boys thought quickly,” fireman Dan Baugher said of their reaction to the fire at Jim and Shelia Smith’s house in Country Club Estates. “They saw a situation that was bad and tried to make it better,” Baugher said, noting that the Department appreciated that effort and gave them honorary firefighter T-shirts. Leyton Burcham, 14, and Patrick Owen, 13, noticed the blaze at their neighbor’s and immediately got a ladder, two hoses, and went to work.

The sixth annual ‘Cruisin the Cornfields’ bicycle tour fundraiser, sponsored by SAArts had 48 riders. “The ride went really well this year,” event coordinator Stepheny McMahon said, noting that the weather was perfect and all the roads were clear and smooth.

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Windsor Harvest Picnic: schedule of events

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•August 6, 2025•

Windsor will be holding its 128th annual Harvest Picnic on August 14th, 15th, and 16th. The inflatables will be provided by 25/8 Extreme, and Bessie Bingo will be sponsored by Windsor FFA. The schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, August 14th: 5:00 p.m.-pulled pork and Italian beef dinner; 5:00 p.m., Methodist church ice cream social; 6:00 p.m., Little Miss harvest picnic; 6:15 p.m., patriotic opening by the Windsor American Legion; and 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Brad Brown.

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