Photo by Crystal Reed
State Rep Brad Halbrook Holds Town Hall
State Rep Brad Halbrook held a town hall discussion to update local residents on the important issues debated and passed in Springfield during the spring session. The town hall was the first of several that he will be holding this month. During the discussion he noted that the budget passed by Governor J.B. Pritzker recently is one of the largest budgets in history at $50.6 billion and will include borrowing over $700 million. Other talking points included the sunset of tax holidays, equal pay act and ethics reform.

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).

Photo by Crystal Reed
MCHGS Grand Opening
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society held a grand opening at their museum on Thursday, May 4. The exhibit is called "The Auschwitz Experience In The Art Of Prisoners." The society partnered with the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation to bring the special exhibit to Moultrie County. The exhibition features artwork by 12 survivors who documented their experiences in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. The 24 panel exhibit consists of 60 pieces that depict the experiences the survivors had during the Holocaust. The exhibit has never before been exhibited outside of Europe and is on loan from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Oswecim, Poland. Pictured (from left to right): Rebecca Lawson, Natalee Hunter, Museum Director Pam Wood and Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation Co-Director Robert Lehmann. During the grand opening, student Natalee Hunter shared her two film projects, each of which documented Holocaust survivors and their stories. Lehmann spoke about the Auschwitz Concentration Camp showing historical and more recent photos of the structures inside the camp.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Luncheon
The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development held a luncheon at the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society Center on Thursday, April 13. Guest speaker for the event was Darby Poe of Moultrie County Counseling Center. After the luncheon, attendees could tour the museum and library at the center.

Photo courtesy of Dan Chamness and Moto Johnson
Beckmier Competes at Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships
Logan Beckmier of ALAH finished second in the 3200m and sixth in the 1600 m at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships.