Village-wide Reading Program Celebrated as Success

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Lovington residents reach 750 book goal

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

It was no trick that the community of Lovington managed to read 750 books last month, but on Saturday, that endeavor was in fact celebrated with a little bit of magic.

Area children gathered Saturday to celebrate reaching their goal of reading 750 books in February with magician Dan from Abra-Kid-Abra.

The children participating in the Community Reading Program kept track of their reading on bookmarks and presented them to library staff to receive a sticker for each book to keep count. Other patrons and adults participated as well and contributed to the final count that led the village to their goal.  Read More

SHS Band Selected to Perform at State Conference

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Photo Submitted by Ryan Krapf Pictured is the Sullivan High School band, which was selected to perform at the Illinois Music Education Conference last month.

Photo Submitted by Ryan Krapf
Pictured is the Sullivan High School band, which was selected to perform at the Illinois Music Education Conference last month.

Shumard earns all-state orchestra honors

by Emily Scott
Reporting in Sullivan

The Sullivan High School band program recently received honors including their first time being selected to perform at the Illinois Music Education Conference on January 23 and having trumpet player Keaton Shumard selected for the All State Orchestra. Read More

2013 Award Winners

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The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development held their annual dinner on January 25 and announced several businesses and individuals for honors. Pictured from top to bottom are: the American Legion Post 68, Auxiliary & Sons of the American Legion for Community Service of the Year; Diane Waggoner, Citizen of the Year., the Flower Pot, Small Business of the Year; Guy Little, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award; Jackson Family of Dealerships, Business of the Year.

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AL Students Earn Honors at State Music Conference

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by Emily Scott
Reporting in Arthur

Three Arthur-Lovington High School chorus students recently made the highest honors in the state for chorus at the Illinois Music Education Conference.

Senior Blake Miller and junior David Rosenbaum were selected for Honors Chorus and senior Tristan Gingerich was selected for All State Chorus. The students were selected after participating at the District 5 festival at Eastern Illinois University. They participated in the district chorus of about 250 students. Out of that chorus they auditioned and were selected to be in the Honors and All State choruses. Read More

Serving Up Smiles and Warm Greetings

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Photo by Keith Stewart
Trudy Fleshner (right) completes a transaction Monday after Coty Drake of Sullivan (left) placed a coffee order.

Sullivan McDonald’s employee chosen for regional award    

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan

If you’ve gone to McDonald’s in Sullivan, especially the drive-thru in the morning, you’ve probably been greeted by Trudy Fleshner. Having worked at the Sullivan location for over 10 years, Fleshner has greeted quite a few faces. And now, it would seem, she’s greeted so many, that now it is her turn for a warm gesture. Read More

Staying Fit as a Family

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Photo by Keith Stewart SHS student volunteer Cadisen Nuzzo helps Avery Florey balance on an exercise ball last Thursday during the third annual Family Fit Night.

Photo by Keith Stewart
SHS student volunteer Cadisen Nuzzo helps Avery Florey balance on an exercise ball last Thursday during the third annual Family Fit Night.

PTO organized event enjoys third year in promoting healthy living

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

The obesity rate in children is an issue that is on the minds of many. In response, Sullivan Elementary School PTO found a way to promote both healthy living and families spending time together with a family event aimed at healthy activities.

“It’s a great opportunity for families to get out and burn off some cabin fever from the weather,” volunteer Jennifer Voegel said.

This was the third year for the Family Fit Night event at the school. A variety of organizations were on hand to teach students and their families about healthy activities they can enjoy.  Read More

Not Your Average Consignment Store

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Photo by Keith Stewart
Jeff Feldkamp is seen on a fourwheeler, one of dozens of items geared towards men and for sale at the newly opened Caveman Consignments located in the former VFW in Sullivan.

New business offers items geared toward men 

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan

Sullivan welcomes its newest business this week, Caveman Consignments, owned and operated by Jeff Feldkamp.

And perhaps as the name hints at, Feldcamp’s consignment store is not your typical breed, but instead is centered towards men and the items or projects that one might find in your prototypical ‘man cave.’  Read More

Rosati’s Officially Up and Running in Sullivan

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New Italian restaurant to offer dishes unique to area

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan

November 11 marked the opening of Sullivan’s newest restaurant, Rosati’s Pizza,  a family-run business whose first store was opened in downtown Chicago and featured “Italian Style Pizza” as well as pastas, sandwiches, and a whole menu full of other items from which to choose.  Read More

Despite Several Snow Days, Students Collect for Souper Bowl

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Photo by Micah Heddins Sullivan fifth grader Brett Johnson organizes canned goods at the Moultrie County food pantry Friday.

Photo by Micah Heddins
Sullivan fifth grader Brett Johnson organizes canned goods at the Moultrie County food pantry Friday.

Final push on last day collects over 800 items for food pantry

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

For most people the Super bowl is a time to dawn your football jersey and root for your favorite team. For the students in Ms. Heddins’ fifth grade class it’s also an opportunity to give back to the community.

After attending Sullivan schools, Micah Heddins returned to the town she grew up in to join the staff of Sullivan elementary school. With her she brought a passion for teaching and giving back to the community. However, it was during her student teaching experience in Palmero that she and her cooperating teacher developed the idea to use the Super Bowl as an opportunity for the children in their class to give back to the community by collecting for the local pantry in what they dubbed the Souper Bowl. Read More

Remembering George

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Former students still recall Casleton’s intrigue as teacher

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

For many people, the late and former area teacher George Casleton is remembered for his dynamic teaching style, but few people are aware of the chance encounter that actually brought him to our community.

George Casleton was born in 1925 in the southern Illinois town of West Frankfort. He, along with his parents and two siblings, remained a part of this town throughout his adolescent years. While growing up, Casleton enjoyed banging on the drums and continued this passion for nine years as a member of the Ted Paschedag Band and Orchestra. After graduating from West Frankfort High School in 1943, Casleton went on to serve his country by joining the armed forces. Casleton was stationed in Italy during World War II and earned a Bronze Star.  Read More