Photo furnished
Secret Santa Sunday
Volunteers for Secret Santa met at the Moultrie County Beacon for a final wrap party. In a few hours packages were wrapped and packed away ready for delivery to more than 180 Secret Santa families who are awaiting the gifts it takes a year of fundraising to earn.
Photo furnished
OV Honor Band
Eleven Okaw Valley High School Band Students participated in the EIU Honor Band Saturday, Dec. 9. They were front - Baylee Suarez, Haven Caulfield, Connor Powers, Elizabeth Herbord; back - Shelby Harding, Kyra Jackson, Caleb Hildebrandt, Ethan Macklin, Justin Oathout, Madeline Ray, TJ Williams
Okaw Valley had students placed in all three bands. Kyra Jackson, Connor Powers, and Elizabeth Herbord placed first chair. Ethan Macklin placed in the wind symphony.
To be a part of the EIU Honor Band students must apply online, and then the teacher must submit an evaluation. Fourteen OVHS students were chosen, and 11 were able to attend.
Photo furnished
Santa Visits Lovington
Santa Claus visited at the Lovington American Legion Sunday, Dec. 10, handing out treats and listening to children’s requests for favorite gifts. It was sponsored by the Ladies’ Auxiliary.
Photo by Darian Hays
Sparrows Wrap
Lovington based volunteers for Sparrows gathered at the East End Tavern in downtown Lovington Saturday morning to wrap gifts for delivery to 144 families. Above East End owner and Sparrow volunteer Annette Wood prepares a gift for wrapping.
Photo by R.R. Best
Great Day for a Parade
The weather was kind to the Hometown Holidays Parade in Sullivan Saturday, Dec. 2. A large crowd including these two present attired parade participants enjoyed the event. The annual parade kicked off from the high school parking lot and included representatives of various community organizations as well as personal enthusiasts. Petersen Healthcare hosted the parade with Jeri Davis organizing entries.
Photo by R.R. Best
Bethany Tree Lighting
Bethany Mayor Bill Ashley Jr. exclaimed, “Let there be light” and threw the switch lighting the village Christmas Tree. Lighting the tree was the finale of the BASO sponsored Bethany Country Christmas held from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 3 at the Bethany Depot. A dedication by the Bethany Ministerial Alliance and carols with the Bethany Community Choir wrapped up festivities which featured a visit from Santa along with hot cocoa and cookies for the crowd.
Photo by R.R. Best
Ugly Sweaters
Larry Edwards expressed his enthusiasm for having the Ugliest Sweater at the Fire and Police Christmas dinner Dec. 3. Kelly Faulkner was the Ugly Sweater Contest emcee, Rob Young (right) was second place.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sweet Gift for Food Pantry
Flesor’s Candies partnership with Cathrine’s Gallery for the Moultrie County Food Pantry raised needed holiday funds Nov. 18 while giving Sullivan customers great gifts from Flesor’s candy kitchen. Above Devon Flesor offers Cindy Clore (left) some sweet gift giving choices for stockings. Clore had heard of the annual event and traveled from Rosiclare, Ill. for some Flesor’s chocolates and a chance to donate to the local food pantry.
Photo furnished
Fire Safety
Fireman Kaleb Randol with the Sullivan Fire Dept. visited the CEFS Head Start program recently to talk about fire safety.
Photo furnished
WHS Homecoming Royals
Windsor High School will host a homecoming dance 8-11 p.m. December 9. The theme will be “To the Moon and Back,” and the coronation will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. This year’s royalty are pictured (left to right) freshmen attendants Adilyn McCray and Sam Boyer, sophomore attendants Hannah Morlen and Brandon Milligan, junior attendants Maranda Tarvin and Emil Hartman, queen and king candidates Morgan Lesko, Dalton Armes, Mikayla Haddock, Gage Sattler, Kasey Bean, and Brad Farmer.