Photo by R.R. Best. Eager Easter Egg Hunters Cold damp weather did not deter these faithful seekers of the treasures contained in the sea of Easter Eggs Sunday, April 1. Mother Nature had the last laugh on April Fool’s Day, but the volunteers of the Sullivan Fire Protection District sponsored event prevailed as some 14,000 treasure-filled eggs awaited hundreds of diligent hunters at 3 p.m. in the field east of the Sullivan High School football field.
Photo by R.R. Best
Bagpipers Visit Mason Point
Members of the St. Andrew’s Society of Central Illinois (SASCI), a group dedicated to the highland dance and bagpiping traditions, performed at Mason Point in Sullivan Friday, March 16 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Jody Ogilvy demonstrated the traditional highland dance with Toby Campbell, Mary Kay Cunningham and Griffin Kaufmann piping to drummer Colton Mills’ beat. Above Cunningham and Kaufmann play while Glenn Ryherd, wearing the green bowler, listens.
OVHS photo
OVHS Band Plays at Festival
The Okaw Valley Band traveled to the LOVC Band Festival on Thursday afternoon. The festival was held at Sangamon Valley High School. Students practiced all afternoon and put on a concert at 7:00. Okaw Valley Sophomore Addison Webner and Junior Elizabeth Herbord were also members of the featured LOVC jazz band that also performed. OVHS Band from left: Row one - Connor Powers, Issac Dickens, Clayton Bone, Ethan Suarez, Luke Vander Burgh, Eric Boomer, Hayden Carlson. Row two - Julia Hilderbrandt, TJ Williams, Madison Ray, Baylie Suarez, Shelby Harding, Alyssa Nihisar, Hannah Durbin, Elizabeth Herbord. Row three - Haven Caulfield, Alesia Smegal, Caleb Hildebrandt, Addison Webner, Shelby Hagerman, Madison Vogel, Hutson Dickens, Ethan Macklin, Tyson Brown, Bella Benning, Kyra Jackson.
Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Egg Prep
Sullivan fifth grade Girl Scouts worked on their Bronze medal while helping volunteers at Courtyard Estates prepare 14,000 plastic eggs for the April Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Sullivan Fire Protection District. Above from left: Annabelle Griffin, Phyllis Sheridan, Addison Brush and Zoe Conlin. The Sullivan Fire Dept. Easter Egg Hunt begins at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 1 at Wyman Park.
Photo furnished
Jump Rope for Heart
SES just finished raising funds for “Jump Rope for Heart.” Coach Don Typer has been coordinating the school’s efforts to help the American Heart Association for the last 16 years. This year the students of Sullivan Elementary were able to raise more than $16,750.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Early Voting
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England noted early voting has been brisk but not overwhelming. Voters are eligible for early voting in the General Primary election at the Moultrie County Clerk’s office through March 19. Voting hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Special Saturday, March 17 hours are 9 a.m.- noon.
Photo furnished OV Visits SIU-E Thirteen juniors and seniors from Okaw Valley visited SIU-E March 1. Students toured the campus and learned more about what SIU-E has to offer. Sarah McDowell, OVHS science instructor, Misi Jones,PE, and SIU-E alumni accompanied the students on the trip.
Photo by R.R. Best
Four Injured in Coles Station Crash
A two-vehicle collision on Highway 121 at Coles Station 11:00 p.m. March 3 sent four people to area hospitals. Aydin Garcia, 18, of Mattoon was northbound on Hwy. 121 and Adrienne Powell, 29, of Mattoon was westbound on 1000N. Powell struck Garcia’s vehicle at the intersection. Emergency medical service crews took Garcia and his passenger, Makayla N. Watkins, 19, and Powell and Powell’s passenger, Lori R. Flinspach, 56, to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana for treatment of injuries. Powell’s other passenger, Kerri J. Roley, 48, was taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. The investigation of the crash is pending. Coles County deputies were assisted at the scene by personnel from Mattoon, Sullivan and Wabash fire departments, Dunn’s and Windsor ambulance, Mattoon Police Department, and Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept.
Photo furnished
Sullivan Gold Slip Winners
Gold Slip winners at Sullivan Elementary School for the month of February (pictured from left to right): October Artrip and Avery Casteel were picking up trash from the bleachers before school. Mikaeylah Cunningham immediately went up to a new student, introduced herself and asked to be friends. Cannin Hall saw a teacher ask for a responsible student to help one of her students get back to his classroom. He eagerly volunteered and was very kind to the boy, placing his hand on his back and guiding him gently while speaking reassuringly to him. DaCorey Austin saw a kindergarten student trip and fall while leaving the cafeteria. He stepped out of line, helped her up and made sure she was okay.
Photo furnished
Sullivan Visitor
State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) hosted Rudy Huber (right), from Sullivan, as his guest for the day at the Capitol Feb. 27. Huber sat alongside Rose on the Senate floor during session and met other lawmakers and staff.