•October 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Little Theatre on The Square will host An Evening with John and Julie on Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 30 at 2 p.m. The show was staged by Executive Producer John Stephens and Decatur native Julie McClarey-Smith. McClarey is the undefeated national Ragtime Piano Playing Award winner.
She will play a little bit of everything from Ragtime and the Bumble Boogie to classical music and praise hymn favorites. John will bring some of his past favorite roles back to life and also visit a medley of songs from roles in which he wishes he had been cast as well as some classic pop and country hits. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
Konnor Randol and Landry Still graduated from the Sullivan Fire Department Cadet Program on Wednesday, September 28. The next session of the cadet program will start in January with the application process opening in November or December.

•October 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Fire Department Cadet Program celebrated its first graduates on Wednesday, September 28. Konnor Randol and Landry Still were given helmets with new shields bearing their last names and certificates of graduation. They also signed the back of their cadet shields that will be used on the helmets of future cadets. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Steve Jenne (far left) and Scot England (far right) talk to those who attended the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society presentation on Thursday, September 15. Jenne talked about his book “The Sandwich That Changed My Life!” that he wrote with Scot England.

•September 21, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

On September 22, 1960, then Vice President Richard Nixon came to Sullivan to address a crowd at a Buffalo Barbeque Festival. He took one bite from his barbeque sandwich and then left to greet the crowd. In that instant, 14-year-old Steve Jenne grabbed the sandwich and the plate, raced home on his bicycle, had his mother put the sandwich in a plastic baggie, then into a Musselman Applesauce jar, and then into the freezer. Little did he know the sandwich adventures that would follow in the next 60 years.
On Thursday, September 15, 2022 some 30 people gathered at the Moultrie County Historical Society building to hear Jenne recount his story of the famous sandwich and promote his book with publisher Scot England, “The Sandwich That Changed My Life”. Fourteen of the attendees had been at Wyman Park on that famous day in 1960. Read More

•September 7, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Eric Boomer of Bethany, known at the race track as E21, recently finished his rookie season of street stock car racing with a race at Jacksonville Speedway. His ranking before Friday’s race was fifth place in the Midwest Big Ten Street Stock standings, tenth place in points at Macon Speedway, eighth in points at Lincoln Speedway and 23rd in national points in DIRTcar Series. Before he started racing this year, he spent five-seven years racing go carts at Piatt County Speedway. Read More

Photo furnished
Moultrie County Beacon consumers listen to Vonnie Lee during a recent training class held on on the job etiquette, financial literacy and banking/budgeting.

•August 24, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Beacon recently held job training classes for several of their consumers. Topics for the classes included resumes, on the job etiquette, financial exploitation and banking. Presenting the information were Stan Parks, Brittney Collins and Vonnie Lee.
Job etiquette included resumes, interviews, punctuality, dress for success, do’s and don’ts on the job, conflict on the job, boundaries, two weeks’ notice and sometimes, they are just your co-workers, not your friends. Consumers learned what to put on their resumes including job experience, job skills, volunteer time, references and earning preferences. Job etiquette included information such as no phone usage on the clock, avoiding gossip, keeping in contact with your supervisor, being flexible with hours or job changes and respecting co-workers’ privacy. Read More