Photo by RR Best
Spring Equinox
Last Thursday may have marked the official start to spring according to our calendars, but temperatures, so far, would suggest otherwise. Nonetheless, the cold temps didn’t stop our publisher and chief photographer Robert Best from grabbing this Vernal (spring) Equinox sunrise, which coincidentally enough lines up with Jackson Avenue in Sullivan.
Photo by RR Best
An Eyesore No More
What was the former Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce Building at 112 S. Hamilton was demolished last week. The building had sat empty for several years after serving as the home of several businesses and organizations including Habitat for Humanity. Dustin Lane of Sullivan bought the lot approximately six months ago with the intention of demolishing the building. Now with it gone, Lane says he is looking for businesses or individuals interested in moving to that location. Once serious interest has been expressed, Lane says he plans to install a new building. In the meantime, Lane has agreed to allow the Sullivan Fire Department to store building materials on the lot while they undergo an addition to their fire house, which is expected to be completed mid to late summer.
Photo by Keith Stewart
Betsy England
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England (right) stands dressed in patriotic wear as Betsy Ross at Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan during Tuesday’s elections. To her right (left), stands election judge Sharon White, who made the dress in a week using 10 yards of material.
Photo by Keith Stewart
Check
Donation
Sullivan girls’ basketball coach Sheri McCain was presented with a $360 check by Roger Bragg of E.K. Petroleum at last Thursday’s awards banquet. During the season, the company pledged $3 for every three pointer the team made. McCain was also recently named the IBCA Coach of the Year for the region and will be presented with her award in April.
Submitted
Visiting Booth
Students from Sullivan High School visited Booth Library on the campus of Eastern Illinois University recently.
The students who were conducting research for argumentative papers on social issues took a tour of the library and were given a demonstration on finding resources both on the bookshelves and through the library’s online database.
Pictured, front row from left to right: Noah Workman, Walker Byers, and Travis Hanson. Second row: Adam Davis, Macy Cornwell, and Hailey Moyer. Third row: Liz Inman and Alex Love. Fourth row: Baylee Cohan, Tori Floyd, and Kathy Albin. Fifth row: Christina Brown, Gaby Uphoff, and Rachel Stutzman. Back row: Patrick Hogan, Jesse Parra, and Alex Davison
Submitted by Don Rousser
Arctic Blast
Swim Meet
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins traveled to Terre Haute, Ind. Feb. 14-16 to compete in the Arctic Blast Meet hosted by the Terre Haute Torpedoes at Terre Haute South High School. High point winners included: 6 and Under–1st place Mason Booker, 2nd place Jonathan Iacobazzi. 7-8 year old division–1st place Ethan Schmohe, 2nd place Madalyn Booker. 9-10 year old division–1st place Gabrielle Spain, 2nd place Noah Spain. 11-12 division–1st place Natalie Drury. 13-14 division–1st place McKenna Kull, 2nd place Dylan Sanders; Open Division–1st place Brynna Sentel, 2nd place Michaela Donnel, 1st place Grant King, 2nd place Bryce King.
The next stop is Regionals February 28 – March 2 for swimmers who qualified and then on to State Age Group March 13-16.
Submitted by Nichole Hendry
Moultrie County Spelling Bee Winner
The 2014 Moultrie County Spelling Bee was February 12 at the Little Theatre on the Square. Six students from Lovington and six students from Sullivan advanced from their school district spelling bees to participate in the county competition.
The Moultrie County Spelling Bee champion is Dylan Sanders (pictured right). The alternate is Spencer Johnson (pictured left).
Judges for the county spelling bee were Karen Smith-Cox of Lovington, Eudora Drollinger and Jonathan Harwood, both of Sullivan. Nicole Garrett, a Sullivan Middle School teacher, served as the pronouncer.
The regional spelling bee is scheduled for Saturday March 22, at Eisenhower High School in Decatur.
Photo by RR Best
Lines Down
An employee with Coles-Moultrie is seen in the middle of Route 32 between Sullivan and Lovington Monday afternoon after several power lines were downed due to ice.
Submitted by Britney Cowan
Section 16 Proficiency Awards
The following members of Windsor’s FFA competed in proficiency awards February 10:
Autumn Bennett - 4th place Beef Production Entrepreneurship; Katie Cline - 4th place Goat Production; Sarah Hostetter - 3rd place Agriculture Sales Placement; Spencer Blackburn - 2nd place Turf Grass Management; Tristan Warner - 1st place Diversified Crops Placement; Allie Bridges - 1st place Nursery Operations; Sydney Boehm - 1st place Equine Science Entrepreneurship; Hayden Cole - 1st place Agriculture Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Placement.
Warner, Bridges, and Boehm will compete at the district competition March 12 at Sullivan.
Pictured left to right are Allie Bridges, Tristan Warner, Autumn Bennett, Mitchell Haddock, Sarah Hostetter, Spencer Blackburn, Sydney Boehm, Hayden Cole, Katie Cline
Submitted by Don Rousser
Dolphins “Sprint to the End”
Bradley Bourbonnais Swim Club hosted “Sprint to the End” at Bradley Bourbonnais High School Jan. 26. Eighteen Blue Dolphin swimmers competed, and the following were high point winners: Emily Oligschlaeger first 8 and under division; Gabrielle Spain first 9-10 girls; Natalie Drury second place 11-12 girls; McKenna Kull first place 13-14 girls; Anna Wooters, third place 13-14 girls; Brynna Sentel first place 15 and over girls.
Pictured from left to right are head coach Jason Drury, Brynna Sentel, Anna Wooters, McKenna Kull and Natalie Drury. Not pictured are Emily Oligschlaeger and Gabrielle Spain.