Category Archives: News Section

New Business Helps Homeowners In Case of Disaster

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Owners of All American Storm Team, Selina and Jay Clark, with their truck that lists some of the services they offer.

•July 14, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A new local business that is veteran owned has a goal to help homeowners in their time of need. Jay and Selina Clark, both Army veterans, have founded All American Storm Team. Their business makes sure insurance policy holders are protected should a disaster happen such as a tornado, flood, wildfire, house fire or hurricane or even something as simple as a roof leak.
They both used to work in the insurance industry and one day decided that they needed to do some other kind of work. They both have insurance and construction backgrounds. “All we wanted to do is help people,” Selina said. “It doesn’t matter which arena.” Read More

MCH&G Society Asks City For Monetary Assistance

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•July 14, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

David Bowers, a trustee of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society, spoke to the council concerning a proposal from Metro Communications to purchase the society’s building. The organization believes they have found a location to meet their needs. They are applying for a loan through the USDA; however, they also want some assistance from the city of Sullivan. “We understand that the council members may be unaware of our situation until now,” he said, “but we feel we have undertaken our move as a benefit for the city of Sullivan and its citizens in order to provide Zac Horn and Metro Communications the opportunity to have space adjacent to the business headquarters in order for them to grow in Sullivan.”
Bowers continued to say they are asking for assistance in the way of a $100,000 revolving loan and a grant of $100,000 from the city. They also plan to have a capital campaign and multiple events to take place at their new location if they can secure the funds to purchase it. “Our museum space will be more than doubled,” Bowers explained, “so we will have many displays that have often been rotated or not yet been seen.” Read More

Sullivan First Summer Music Festival To Be Held July 24

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•July 14, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

If you are looking for some live music, food trucks, vendors and fun activities for the kids, Sullivan First United Methodist Church has an event for you. They will host the Sullivan First Summer Music Festival on Saturday, July 24, from 3-8 p.m. outdoors under the recently constructed pavilion at the church which is located across from the Sullivan Firehouse.
There will be live music, food trucks, vendors, free fun activities for the kids, and three musical groups will perform including Jeff Mayberry, Collage of Faith and Mackville. Mayberry’s earliest and probably most influential memories of music come from the Baptist hymnal.
His first performance singing before an audience was at the Sullivan Southern Baptist Church. Mayberry sang acapella with his older sister. She became a great piano player, and they used to sing sacred and secular music together. His mother was an Elvis fan, and he remembers listening to those albums growing up. Read More

Mo. Co. VFW Post 6410 Receives Donation

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Mo. Co. VFW Post 6410 Receives Donation
On Saturday, June 26, Commander Marty Poling of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 8, Champaign and Vermillion Counties, presented a donation to the Moultrie County VFW Post 6410 Quartermaster Jeff Nichols, in the amount of $2819.37. The DAV Chapter 8 has recently announced the retirement of their chapter and designated VFW Post 6410 as the final recipient of the chapter’s funds. The donation will enable VFW Post 6410 to continue their mission to provide assistance and emergency funds for veterans in Moultrie County and the surrounding area. If you are or know of a veteran in need of assistance, please contact the Moultrie County VFW Post 6410 at 217-728-7988.

Little Theatre Is Alive Again With The Sounds of Music

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Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Left to right: Heather Beck, John Stephens and Bonner Church, along with Emily Bacino Althaus, headlined the Little Theatre July 2 concert.

•July 7, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

John Stephens, Executive Producer of the Little Theatre, peeked out at the June 4 free concert crowd and couldn’t hold back the tears. “We are performers,” he said, “and the audience is everything to us. For nearly two years we have come to a darkened theater and struggled to survive Covid-19. It was so emotional to see the large crowd waiting for our first post-pandemic performance and the chance to finally perform again.”
Continuing, John said, “The theatre has lost over a million dollars in revenues, and we have had to release valued staff during these 16 months. Our incredibly generous donors, sponsors and foundation grants have helped us survive so these three free concerts are our thank-you to an amazing community for their abiding support of this treasured theatre. With the grants we could bring our family of talented performers and not just put anyone on the stage.”
The July 2 crowd doubled the previous month’s size with the street fronting the theatre a sea of lawn chairs that flowed up and over the courthouse lawn. An estimated 400-500 people turned out to see perennial favorites, Heather Beck, Bonner Church and Emily Bacino Althaus sing their hearts out in a two-hour program of some 25 hit songs. Read More

Faux Stained Glass

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Faux Stained Glass
Hannah Taylor paints her faux stained glass project at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library last Thursday. In July, the library will be offering adult art classes on Thursday evenings. Contact the library for more information or to sign up.

Sullivan Couple Creates Free Little Library in Memory of Son

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Pictured is Nathan’s Little Neighborhood Library which was established by Roger and Michelle Campbell in his memory. The Free Little Library is located at 1450 E. Jackson in Sullivan.

•July 7, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A Sullivan couple has recently placed a structure in their yard which they hope draws young and old to either take or bring books and encourage a love of reading. Roger and Michelle Campbell have built and stocked a Free Little Library in their yard in Sullivan. The concept of the library is that people may either bring or take books from it at no charge.
The library holds approximately 30 books now depending on how large the books are, and there are a variety of books from which to choose including titles for children, youth and adults. There are also books from a variety of genres, and the more people participate, the more variety there will be. The Moultrie County Habitat ReStore has offered to donate books to help keep the free library stocked. Read More

Sullivan VFW Swears In New Officers

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan VFW Swears In New Officers
The Sullivan VFW Post 68 held a ceremony to swear in new officers on June 15. Pictured are the new officers: Bill Hagen, Commander; George Read, Senior Vice Commander; Roger Davis, Junior Vice Commander; Jeff Nichols, Quartermaster; Kent Spencer, 2nd year trustee; Serena Briscoe, Service Officer; and Lawrence Gregory, Judge Advocate. Not pictured are Shelly Feller, 3rd year trustee and Harry Woolen, 1st year trustee and adjutant.