Photo by Crystal Reed
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Summer Reading
Natalie Stinson folds a paper as part of making a recycled magazine bowl last Thursday afternoon at the library. The library is currently holding activities on Thursdays for the young adult age group. Activities for K-4 will be held in August.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor Summer Reading
The Windsor Storm Memorial Public Library held a summer reading program last Tuesday morning. Kim McQueen read a story and then children decorated cupcakes provided by Bailey Leasher, a cake decorator. Pictured above is Mia Lovett with her decorated cupcake.
Photo by Crystal Reed.
First Friday Concert
The Little Theatre On The Square held its the first concert in their First Friday Concert Series last Friday in front of the theatre. The concert was Lexie Dorsett Sharp featuring Jordan Cyphert and John Stephens. The next concert will be held on Friday, July 2 at 7:30 pm and will be Heather J. Beck featuring Colleen Johnson and Amanda Bonner Church. Pictured above: Jordan Cyphert, John Stevens and Lexie Dorsett Sharp.
Photo by Crystal Reed.
Kids Bags Tournament
The Kids Bags Tournament at the St. Jude Dash and Bash this past Saturday attracted several competitors. From left to right: Kaley Herschberger, Caysen Dringenberg, Rhett Lehman and Kaden Herschberger.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Duck Derby
St. Jude Dash and Bash Duck Derby was held on Saturday afternoon at Wyman Lake.
Photo by Crystal Reed
5k Run/Walk
The 5k run/walk was held bright and early at Wyman Park on Saturday morning for the St Jude Dash and Bash. The top two finishers were Ailey Mitchell, age 19, and Antonio Chavez, age 22. In addition to the 5k run/walk there was also a 1 mile run/walk and a tot trot. Pictured above are runners on the course at Wyman Park.
•June 9, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Village of Bethany has plans to make upgrades to their water plant, water tower and water lines. According to Village President Jonathan Book the project is estimated at $3.6 million.
Book said that the project is being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture rural development program that will be part grant and part loan. The village is currently awaiting their award letter to find out how much will be grant and how much will be loan. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Pomp and Circumstance
Arthur-Lovingtown-Atwood-Hammond High School held commencement for the Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 29. The graduating class of 2021 was 71 members. Pictured above are graduates marching into the ceremony.
•June 9, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School held commencement for the 71 members of the class of 2021, Saturday, May 29, on the football field. The motto for the class of 2021 is this quote by Vince Lombardi, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
Senior Class President Jack Martin said that perfection is not the word to describe the last 15 months. “We are leaving this high school after an entire year of being fully masked and fully distanced, but we must be fully confident moving forward,” he said.
Layton Hall, salutatorian, addressed those in attendance. He said that sports is one of the areas in which the class succeeded. Hall noted that the school band played at Millikin University last year, and the senior class won grand champion at the Effingham marching competition both their freshman and junior years.
He noted that their class was also active in agriculture. Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Members of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 march towards Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan prior to the Memorial Day service. This year’s speaker was Becky Lawson.
•June 2, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Memorial Day services were held in Bethany and Sullivan Monday morning. The Sullivan American Legion conducted ceremonies at Greenhill Cemetery and Moultrie County Cemetery; Bethany American Legion led ceremonies at Marrowbone Township Cemetery.
Sullivan American Legion and Boy Scout Troop 39 marched from the square to Greenhill Cemetery prior to Pastor Bob Vail leading in prayer and comments by Becky Lawson. Read More
Photo by Ariana Cherry
Newly hired Arthur Grade School Principal Andrew Peralta was introduced during the recent ALAH school board meeting.
•June 2, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
Before the school board began their meeting Wednesday, two ALAH High School students, Wyatt Shonkwiler and Michaela Powell, shared a landscaping project for the high school greenhouse complete with slides showcasing their ideas and examples. Their hope is that this project will motivate students to use work skills outside of school and encourage them to learn working in smaller groups as well as make the greenhouse more pleasing to the public eye.
Working in the greenhouse will help high school students get the service hours they need as well. Some of the landscaping ideas include purchasing a new trellis, stepping stones, containers and plant pots. The students are looking for an estimate of anywhere from $961-$1,000 in donations, with most of the purchases being made at Home Depot.
“I think it’s really amazing how you’ve taken ownership, initiative and pride in your school. It’s really well done. I am proud of both of you,” said Superintendent Shannon Cheek. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library held their summer reading kickoff party on Friday, May 28. There were 2 inflatables, snowcones and kids could sign up for the summer reading program while they were there. This year’s theme is “Reading Colors Your World.” For more information on summer reading visit the circulation desk at the library. Pictured is Grace and Jack Grooms enjoying the obstacle course inflatable.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Siobhan and Austin Hunter of Sullivan recently found a box of family photos and memorabilia in a barn and returned them to Wayne Carter of Decatur. The Hunters were able to find Carter through a Facebook post that featured some of the photos and newspaper clippings in the box.
•June 2, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Siobhan and Austin Hunter of Sullivan were cleaning out her grandfather’s barn and found a cardboard box with a protective fabric cover sitting in the loft area. Siobhan said they opened the box and didn’t recognize any of the photos or newspaper clippings.
A few of the items inside included a picture of a soldier and a document tube that held a purple heart certificate for Wayne Loeb. The couple went to the Sullivan VFW and Moultrie County Historical Society to see whether anyone had information that could help them discover whether there were any relatives still around to whom they could return the box of photos, newspaper clippings and other family memorabilia.
The document tube had a Sullivan address on it so they tried to see if they could find a lead that way. The Hunters made the decision to make a post on Facebook to see if someone recognized the name Wayne Loeb or any of the photos in the box. “Through Facebook and continued efforts, we found the person to give the box back to,” Austin said.
That person happened to be Wayne Carter of Decatur. Carter said that when he saw the post, he initially thought that he had been hacked. Some of the items in the box are from the mid to late 30’s. Read More