A drop in the aquifer that provides Sullivan with water and an increase in electrical rates were on the discussion table at Sullivan City Council at their December 8th meeting. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth, who oversees the city’s Water Department, said that drought conditions in East Central Illinois had depleted the aquifer the city wells use to provide water to Sullivan residents. “Our (water) recharge area is one of the largest in the state,” said Woodworth, who showed a map showing the aquifer running from north of Champaign to essentially southern Illinois. “It’s been in a drought condition, and that affects us.”
HICF Philanthropic Advisor for Moultrie County, Grant Wade, presents a check to Pam Anklam and representatives of Sparrows Unlimited, Inc.
Lovington residents saw a familiar story of kindness continue the weekend before Thanksgiving as Sparrows Unlimited delivered 173 fruit boxes to seniors throughout the community. The effort came on the same day the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation presented the organization with a one-thousand-dollar grant to support its ongoing work.
The gift was part of a larger celebration within the Foundation. As the Foundation surpassed 5,000 followers on social media, $5,000 in grants were awarded across Macon, Moultrie, and Piatt counties. Sparrows Unlimited was selected as the Moultrie County recipient in recognition of its long-standing commitment to meeting needs within the Lovington area.
Photo by DM Williamee Sullivan’s One Book, One Sullivan group at Tuesday’s announcement at Sullivan Middle School. Front row, L-R: Mrs. Rebecca Powell, Noah Davis, Ezekiel Walk, Edith Gibbons, and Mrs. Rikki Ray. Center, L-R: Bentley Meadows, Gideon Walk, Hazel Crothers, Nora Becker, Ava Warren, Libby Wall, Scarlett Perrott, and Aubrey Fultz. Back row, L-R: Violet Cohan, Mitchell Wesselman, Emma Drake, Sarah Windhorst, Michaela Blickensderfer, and Charlotte Martin.
by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, November 25th, in the Sullivan Middle Gymnasium, the air was crackling with excited energy as students and other attendees awaited the announcement of the book selected by the students of One Book, One Sullivan as this year’s community read. One by one, student members stepped up and took the mic, sharing information about the book, the author, why this book was significant, and chosen by the group as this year’s read.
Front row L-R: Millie Hendry, Erin Woolridge, Sadie Meadows, River Polley, Claire Kursell, and Becky Lawson. Back row: Tina Bolsen, Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary President; Ruth Keown, and Mike Keown.
The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 presented awards for its 2025 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest at their Veterans Day Dinner on November 7th. Club Vice President Ruth Keown, Sgt. at Arms and contest coordinator Becky Lawson, and Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Board Member Mike Keown gave out trophies to junior Claire Kursell (1st place 11th/12th grade art and Best in Show); sophomore River Polley (1st place 9th/10th writing); and to three 5th graders who submitted art pieces: Sadie Meadows, first place; Erin Woolridge, second place; and Millie Hendry, third place.
Claire Kursell with her Best in Show and 1st place 11th/12th grade art piece.
Claire Kursell also received a monetary award for her Best in Show piece, and Polley was recognized for his piece, which honored Moultrie County veterans. Auxiliary President Tina Bolsen and Secretary/Treasurer Melanie Byers also assisted with the contest and the dinner.
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Members of the Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle hold a check for $5,000, which was split evenly between two local organizations.
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The evening of November 13th marked the very first gathering of the Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle, where members broke bread at Sweet Vail Cafe before settling in for an evening centered on generosity, collaboration, and community.
One of the most meaningful parts of this giving circle is its member-driven spirit. Any member can nominate a nonprofit serving Moultrie County. After hearing the nominations, members voted for the organization they felt most called to support.
$5,000 was granted, shared by two local organizations. $2,500 was granted to the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association, quietly and faithfully offering emergency assistance, supporting local initiatives, and uniting clergy to care for the community with compassion.
Another $2,500 for the CEFS Outreach Moultrie County Food Pantry, providing groceries, personal care items, and hope to neighbors facing food insecurity.
To learn more about or to join the Impact Giving Circle, go to heartofillinois.org/moultrie-county-impact-giving-circle.
Last Saturday afternoon, November the 8th at Hydro-Gear in Sullivan, the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office and Deputies, Dispatch, Sullivan Police Department, Sullivan Fire Protection District, Bethany Police Department, Bethany Fire Department, Lovington Police Department, local EMA CECOM, and Bethany EMS and Sullivan High School students as role-players, met in a training scenario of law enforcement, fire and EMS to coordinate a more unified response in an active shooter situation.
The Sullivan Lions Club recently donated a bench at Wyman Park. The bench can be enjoyed for years to come in various spots around the park, based on the season. Since 1941, Sullivan Lions Club, an affiliate of Lions International, has been committed to helping local residents with vision and hearing services, hunger, and youth needs. If you are interested in learning more about our organization, contact Brent Mansfield at (217) 248-6180.
Members in the photo include: Brent Mansfield, Jess Barker, Dick Martin, Dave Walker, Lynn Elder, Don Evans, Steve Mayberry, Connor Klingele, Ginger Voegel, Bill VanKeuren, and Richard Murphy.
Photo by DM Williamee
IMEC check presentation to Kevin Conlin.
Greatness comes from humble beginnings; it comes from grunt work.” (Ryan Holiday). Proof of that adage is Sullivan’s Mid-State Tank Company, which recently received a grant for $50,000 from the Made in Illinois Grant Program, administered by IMEC with funding from the Department of Economic Opportunity. The check presentation/award ceremony, tour of the facilities, and award speeches were held on Wednesday, October 22nd, at Mid-State Tank’s facilities. A jovial yet humble Kevin Conlin accepted the grant and, in his address to those present, made clearly apparent his appreciation for the grant, his entire team, and the support of the Sullivan community.
The 94th annual Bethany High School Alumni Banquet was held on October 11th at the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium, with nearly 90 in attendance. Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, welcomed the alumni and friends to the banquet, and Bart Spencer, Class of 1980, gave the opening prayer. Terry Muzzy, Class of 1966, gave a Military Recognition and talked about the Wall of Honor with pictures of Bethany School graduates who served in the military.
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Dave Overlot, speaker.
The graduating classes of 1975 were honored for 50 years, and the graduating class of 2000 for 25 years. Alumni who passed away since the last banquet were recognized, and all alumni in attendance were invited to stand for the Roll Call of Classes. The featured speaker, Dave Overlot, Class of 1977, shared his memories of attending Bethany Schools and brought back fond memories for those attending. Door prizes were awarded to Harold Keown, Class of 1946, for being the oldest graduate, 80 years ago, and to Norma Tipsword Farris, Class of 1949, for serving the longest administrative term, with 24 years as high school secretary.
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Honored Class of 1975 for 50 years - Greg Allsop, Linda Webner Casteel, Stan Stables
The 50/50 drawing was won by Joyce Shipman Jenkins, Class of 1954, and a drawing for a whole hog, donated by Corrington Farms, was won by Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980. The meal was catered by Rhodes Catering from Effingham and desserts by Sweet Vail in Sullivan. The Okaw Valley FFA students and their sponsor, Wes Wise and his wife Megan, assisted with serving and other duties. Officers for the next year will continue with Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, as President; Rita Kesterson Seelow, Class of 1983, as Vice President; Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980, as Secretary; and Nancy Sowers Mueller, Class of 1974, as Treasurer. The evening wrapped up with alumni visiting and taking pictures. The 2026 reunion date will be set for late September or early October. All alumni and friends are invited to attend. [/s2If]
On Tuesday, October 1st, twenty-five Moultrie County retired teachers met at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola. Devon Flesor Story, the owner, welcomed the MCRTA with a history of her business and a tour of her kitchen. Story herself was a former teacher at EIU in Charleston.
Story’s grandfather, Gus Flesor, immigrated from Greece and began the American Dream working on the railroad. Through his efforts, Flesor brought over several family members and their favorite family recipes. By 1901, Gus and his brother Nick opened an iconic Greek confectionery and restaurant in Tuscola. Eventually, though, a family feud broke out and created business competitors. Customers had to sneak around the two brothers to do business with both.
