Category Archives: News Section

New Blessing Box Established in Sullivan to Help With Food Insecurity

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•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

Auction Held at Sullivan Middle School

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Doug Shook bid on and won a multi-layered map during the auction at Sullivan Middle School. Items up for bid included clocks, maps, electronics, furniture, doors and many other items.

•June 7, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

An auction was held at Sullivan Middle School on Saturday, June 3 with a wide variety of items up for grabs. From doors to wall clocks, smart boards, desk chairs and even lockers that were auctioned off in sets. Huber Auction conducted the auction and proceeds from the auction benefit the Sullivan Athletic Boosters.
Rudy and Linda Huber conducted the walking auction which started on the third floor of the school and ended at the bus garage. The Sullivan Athletic Boosters had a concession tent set up outside the school with food items to keep bidders from going hungry while attending the event. Read More

American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Winners

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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.

American Legion Poppy Sales

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Photo by Crystal Reed
American Legion Poppy Sales
Members of the American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary had poppy sales on Friday, May 16 at various locations in Sullivan. Pictured above is Lennon Robinson (left) accepting a poppy from Mary Sims (right).

Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Summer Reading Kickoff Party

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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.

Sullivan Country Club Celebrate 100 Years

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Country Club Celebrate 100 Years
The Sullivan Country Club held a 100 Year Anniversary party on Saturday, May 27. During the day there was a 9 hole golf scramble, food and drinks, a 50/50 drawing and live music. Musical entertainment started with a dj and then by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos. Steve Jenne, Nancy Schaljo and Dan Flannell spoke briefly about some of the history and their experiences being members of the Sullivan Country Club. Pictured above are Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos.

The Memorial Weekend Cruise In

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Photos by Crystal Reed
The Memorial Weekend Cruise In
The Sullivan Street Machine Association held their Memorial Weekend Cruise In on Saturday, May 27 on the square in Sullivan. The event had no entry free as no prizes were awarded. A dj service provided the soundtrack for the evening.

ALAH Holds Graduation Ceremony

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Superintendent Shannon Cheek addresses the Class of 2023 and those attending the ALAH Class of 2023 commencement ceremony.

by Crystal Reed

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem, and Class President Brady Moore welcomed everyone to the ceremony.
Salutatorian Charley Condill came to the podium to deliver her speech to the class. She noted the members of their class are better today than they were walking in as freshmen.
Condill said the first two weeks of the shutdown had the excitement of a Christmas vacation. She noted that they as a class struggled mentally and emotionally. “We faced isolation at a time of our lives when we needed socialization the most,” she said.
Condill added that they used their competitive spirits to be better than the day before. The class earned $1.5 million in scholarship money, a new school record. “Our class went above and beyond because of our competitiveness and willingness to work,” she said. Read More

Wheeler Receives Sheriff’s Association Scholarship

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•May 24, 2023•
By Sharon Barricklow
Correspondent

Shelby County Sheriff Brian McReynolds announced this week that a Windsor High School Senior is the 2023 Shelby County Illinois Sheriff’s Association scholarship winner.
Kiersten Wheeler, daughter of Chris and Kelly Wheeler, is the valedictorian of Windsor High School. She is planning on attending Illinois State University in the fall, to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. She also served as senior class president.
McReynolds said choosing scholarship winners is one of the most difficult parts of his job. This year’s applicants were asked to write an essay about their opinions on the Illinois revocation of cash bail.
“There’s a lot to look at in the application,” he said. “Their grades, what they’ve done in school and their future plans all are considered.”

ALAH Americanism Essay Winners

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Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH 9th and 10th grade Americanism Essay Winners
Left to right: Alek Stutzman, Class II (9th & 10th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 3rd Place; Brayden Leech, Class II (9th & 10th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 2nd Place; Christa Davis, Class II (9th & 10th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 1st Place

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH 11th and 12th grade Americanism Essay Winners
Left to right: Lillian Daily, Class III (11th & 12th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 3rd Place; Lucy Wilber, Class III (11th & 12th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 2nd Place; Noah Shoemaker, Class III (11th & 12th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 1st Place.

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Poster Winners
Left to right: Cambree Brown, 12th grade Poppy Poster winner, 3rd Place; Charley Condill, 12th grade Poppy Poster winner, 1st Place; Alisha Frederick, 12th grade Poppy Poster winner, 2nd Place.

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH 9th Grade and 10th Grade Poppy Poster Winners
Left to right: Blanca Briseno, 9th grade Poppy Poster winner, 1st Place; Mackenzie Condill, 10th grade Poppy Poster winner, 1st Place; Emmalee Nall, 10 grade Poppy Poster winner, 2nd Place.