photos by Crystal Reed
Flag Day Ceremony Held at Sullivan American Legion
The Sullivan American Legion Post 68 and Boy Scout Troop 39 conducted a flag retirement ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 which was Flag Day. There was a short ceremony and then worn out flags were respectfully retired.
photo submitted by Jim Wandmacher, AMBUCS secretary
A memorial plaque for Jim Bales was put up at the Inaugural “Big Jim” Fishing Derby at the Woods Lake handicap accessible fishing pier. The plaque was mounted by his son Scott and grandson Brock.
•June 21, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
This past Saturday at Wood Lake in Sullivan was a day not only for fishing and fun for local children but also a time to remember AmBuCs member Jim Bales. The inaugural Big Jim’s Memorial Fishing Derby was held at the ADA/wheelchair access fishing pier at Wood Lake. Bales was a lifetime Sullivan resident who taught in the Sullivan School District and was a member of Sullivan AmBuCs. Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
Children gather around Scovill Zoo volunteer John Arnold to pet a corn snake at Marrowbone Public Library during their first summer reading program of the summer. Volunteers Arnold and Sandy Bray brought several animals with them for children to see including a corn snake, kookaburra, turtle, guinea pig and tarantula.
photo by Crystal Reed
Andrews Family Magic Show
Andrew Anderson of Andrews Family Magic reads the mind of a child in the audience during a magic show at the Sullivan St. Jude Dash and Bash held on Saturday, June 10.
photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show for St. Jude
This vehicle was one of several that was on display during the St. Jude Dash and Bash Car Show. The Dash and Bash included inflatables for children, pedal pulls, raffles, pretzel and lemon shakeup sales, a duck derby and much more.
photo by R.R. Best
St. Jude Dash and Bash Duck Derby
St. Jude Dash and Bash co-chair Phil Ozier uses a hose to spray rubber duckies towards the finish line during the duck derby at Wyman Park on Saturday, June 10.
photo by Crystal Reed
Free Inflatables at St. Jude Dash and Bash
This year the inflatables at the St. Jude Dash and Bash were sponsored by Hydro Gear so children were able to play for free that afternoon. There were bounce houses, inflatable games, slides and more for children to enjoy.
photos by Crystal Reed and submitted
Lovington Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Lovington celebrated their Sesquicentennial on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 with a variety of activities. Friday night the Lovington Alumni banquet was held and the band Identity Crisis played uptown. Saturday’s festivities started with the Fireman’s pancake and sausage breakfast at the Lovington Firehouse followed by a display at the Lovington Library on the history of Lovington provided by the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. There was also a parade and bags tournament. In the evening at Tom Conn Park there was music, vendors and extreme sports/bounce houses. The Lovington Community Club also had a fish fry and at dusk fireworks lit up the sky above Lovington. The event was sponsored by the Village of Lovington and Lovington Community Club.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Thomas Houser Third Annual Memorial Golf Outing
The Thomas Houser Third Annual Memorial Golf Outing was held on Saturday, June 3 at the Sullivan Country Club. There were 17 teams at the outing. All proceeds will be used for the Tommy Houser Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund.
•June 7, 2023•
In honor of May’s Teacher Appreciation Month, SONIC Drive-In’s SONIC Foundation donated $1.5 million to match all public contributions made to requests on DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers.
As part of SONIC’s ongoing Limeades for Learning initiative, the $1.5 million donation matched 50 percent of each donation made to all teacher requests. SONIC helped fully fund nearly 15,300 projects from teachers and schools across the country.
The following are among the exceptional teachers who received funding: Read More
•June 7, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
A new blessing box has been placed in the city of Sullivan to help provide short-term food assistance to those experiencing food insecurity. The new blessing box is located in front of Sullivan First United Methodist Church across from Sullivan Fire Department. According to Cheryl Thomas, coordinator of the blessing box, anyone may place items in the blessing box.
However, at this time, items which won’t get hot in the summer heat are suggested. Examples of items that are good to donate at this point in time include dry mixes, rice, noodles, cereal, cornbread mix, Kool Aid, oatmeal and dried pasta. There will also be weekly drops of fresh produce throughout the summer. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Winners
On Wednesday, May 24, the seventh and eighth grade winners of the Americanism Essay Contest locally sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary units of Arthur, Lovington and Atwood were awarded. The three winners were all from Lovington Grade School. First place was Joshua Taylor, second place was Maxton Boddy and third place was Jaidyn Edwards.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Summer Reading Kickoff Party
On Friday, May 26, the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan had a kickoff party for summer reading. Those wanting to participate could start reading for prizes on Tuesday, May 30. Those who read all 10 weeks will be able to pick a book for the library shelf wand their name will be written inside the front cover. Pictured are Ellie and Fionn Lynch enjoying activities at the kickoff party. Activities included inflatables, sno cones and cotton candy and a craft.