RR by Best photo
First Day
Sienna Casteel grabs her bag and races to class to join Sullivan elementary school students on the first day. Sullivan went a full day on Aug 18. Elementary schedule is 8am to 3:05pm, Middle school is 8:14am to 3:15pm and High School is 8:14am to 3:15 daily.
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Begin “Building” for the School Year
Six local FFA members have taken on the responsibility of leading 13 FFA chapters in the planning and organizing of their Section FFA career development events, leadership conferences, and community service projects for the upcoming school year. These Section 16 FFA officers include President Brodie Scribner, of the Sullivan FFA, Vice President Jack Curtin, Taylorville FFA, Reporter Alyssa Garner, representing the Maroa Forsyth FFA, Secretary Mary Kate Curtin, of the Taylorville FFA, Treasurer Lauren Burgener, of the Central A & M FFA, and Sentinel Kristy Burford, representing Okaw Valley FFA. These officers have selected “Building a Future…one brick at a time” as their theme for the upcoming year. They will start the year by welcoming three of the major state FFA officers into the local section for a week of chapter visits and a leadership training workshop during the week of September 14 -18. Section 16 FFA has more than 600 FFA members representing the FFA chapters of Blue Ridge, Central A & M, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Edinburg, Heartland Technical Academy, Maroa Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Okaw Valley, Sangamon Valley, Sullivan, Taylorville, and Windsor.
Tall Pepper
Arletta Dolan of Gays planted a Patio Pepper in an old iron kettle outside her back door in May and thought nothing of it until it started growing about three inches a week. Now that back door is hidden by the six foot tall plant nestled among the petunias, and Arletta is reaping the benefits. Above grandchildren Gareth, 8 1/2, and Anyssa, 7, Coffer of Sullivan examine the abundance of peppers, determining they are not quite ripe enough for consumption.
Photo by RR Best
Teeing-Off
Sullivan Joey Davison tees off during Monday’s golf season opener at Angus Links in Windsor. Davison finished 46th overall with a 99. Other Sullivan scores include Caden Ellis’ 83 (tied for 13th), Eric Keller’s 88 (tied for 25th), Adam White’s 100 (tied for 47th), Tom Schibur’s 101 (tied for 49th), and Kaleb Shumard’s 107 (61st). As a team, the Redskins finished with a score of 370, more than 65 strokes better than this time last year. As a result, Sullivan finished ninth out of the 12-team invite, which was hosted by Effingham St. Anthony, who would win with a team score of 328. Neoga’s lone golfer Luke Baker finished atop individually with a 71.
Photo by RR Best
Sweet Reward
Cookies for Guard-Ladies from Sullivan took generosity to the next level Saturday. As some 700 National Guard from all over the state gathered in Sullivan for all day training, Teresa Metzger, Jennifer Voegel, Rhonda West, Amanda Titus Bennett, Tara Rice, Shirley Rogers and Becky Lawson made hundreds of cookies.
Photo by Mike Brothers
First Day at Okaw Valley
Carter McConkey of Bethany is looking forward to his first day at school at Okaw Valley Elementary School. Carter joins his 4th grade class along with the 170 students attending the k-4 school.
Queen Pageant Participants - The Macon County Queen Pageant was expanded in 2015 to include contestants from outside the county. Pictured with Macon County Queen 2014 Sophie Schwalbach from Decatur/Sullivan are (from left): Ashton Doty of Bethany, Queen Schwalbach, Brittany Rader of Lovington, second runner up 2015 Macon County Queen Pageant, and Carli Plank of Arthur. The pageant was held at the Decatur Civic Center at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 9. Kristen Batte of Paxton was crowned Macon County Queen for 2015. Retiring Queen Sophie is attending Richland Community College focusing on performing arts. (News Progress photo- Mike Brothers)
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Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Horse Show Results
The Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Horse Show was held Saturday, July 25. From top to bottom are the local award recipients. Benjamin Bushue of the Moultrie County Longhorns earned Grand Champion in Jr. Horse Showmanship, Trail Class-Jr., Pattern-Jr. Horsemanship, Jr. Flags, and Jr. Poles. Reserve Grand Champion in Pleasure-Jr. Horse and Jr. Barrels. Blair Monroe of the Sunnyside Flea Flickers earned Grand Champion in Halter-Pony Mare and Sr Horse Showmanship. Reserve Grand Champion in Pleasure-Jr. Horse, Pleasure Sr. Horsemanship, Trail Class-Sr., Pattern Riding-Sr, Sr. Barrels, and Sr. Flags. Chloe Tiarks of the Sunnyside Flea Flickers earned Grand Champion in Pleasure-Jr. Horse, Pleasure Jr. Horsemanship, Pattern Riding-Jr., and Jr. Barrels. Reserve Grand Champion in Trail Class-Jr., Jr. Flags and Jr. Poles. Brett Bushue of the Moultrie County Longhorns earned Reserve Grand Champion in Halter-Horse Mare, Halter-Gelding, and Pleasure Jr. Horsemanship. Amy Monroe of the Sunnyside Flea Flickers earned Grand Champion in Halter-Pony Gelding, Halter-Gelding, Pony Showmanship, Pleasure-Pony, Pleasure-Sr. Horse, Pleasure-Horse Showmanship, Pleasure Sr. Horsemanship, Trail Class-Sr., Pattern Riding-Pony, Pattern Riding-Sr., Sr. Barrels, Sr. Flags, and Sr. Poles. Reserve Grand Champion in Sr. Horse Showmanship and Sr. Poles.
Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan Man Found Dead Friday
Ryan J. Benton, 41, of Sullivan was found dead late Friday afternoon. According to Sullivan Police Chief John Love, his department was called to do a welfare check, and upon visiting Benton’s residence at 504 N. Van Buren, found the 41-year-old dead. Benton was pronounced deceased by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed at 4:02 p.m. Friday. Sullivan police and Reed’s office are still conducting an investigation into Benton’s death but say that no foul play is suspected. Love declined to provide comment on a preliminary cause of death and instead said that they are awaiting both autopsy and toxicology reports. Pictured are both Sullivan police and officials from the coroner’s office preparing to enter Benton’s apartment.
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WHAT’S Yard of July
Windsor’s yard of the month winner is Noel and Gloria Helton. Making good use of perennials and annuals in their flower beds makes this a favorite drive by spot of many in Windsor, and the new log siding on their home has been a long awaited goal. The WHAT group, Windsor’s Happenings Around Town, is a mapping group that is working on beautification of Windsor. The group encourages all residents to beautify their homes and yards. Nominations may be made by stopping by city hall or calling 273-5488.