Masonic Lodge Banquet Honors Thomas as Community Builder

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Photo by Barry Featheringill Sheriff Jeff Thomas (right) is seen with his Community Builder Award presented to him by Jonathan Book, George A. Sentel Lodge Master.

Photo by Barry Featheringill
Sheriff Jeff Thomas (right) is seen with his Community Builder Award presented to him by Jonathan Book, George A. Sentel Lodge Master.

Secret Santa, Food Bank each receive
contributions

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

For soon-retired sheriff Jeff Thomas, his career of assisting the community and even the nation received a little recognition Wednesday, October 16 at the George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge’s annual Past Master Awards Banquet.

Presented with the Community Builder Award, which is given to an individual who has distinguished himself through service to the community, Sheriff Thomas was this year’s recipient. Read More

New Firearms Training Service Hopes to Educate Community

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by Emily Scott
Reporting in Allenville

A new small arms training service has emerged in the area in hopes of educating and training people of all skill and knowledge levels under the Illinois concealed carry act.

The Okaw Valley ASAT, LLC, Advanced Small Arms Training was recently established as an educational service to the community to provide professional and state-certified firearms training to carry concealed firearms in the state of Illinois. Read More

Good Sense to See “Nunsense”

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Photo by Keith Stewart Reverend Mother Sister Mary Regina, played by Therese Kincade, gets wild after sniffing amyl nitrate, at first, by accident.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Reverend Mother Sister Mary Regina, played by Therese Kincade, gets wild after sniffing amyl nitrate, at first, by accident.

Farcical musical energetic, laugh-out-loud

By Dan Hagen
NP Theatre Critic

What’s black and white and treads all over the country?

That would be the musical “Nunsense,” a 1985 show that, with its sundry sequels and spin-offs, is really more an institution now. It’s even been converted to a drag show — “Nunsense A-Men.”

Dan Goggin’s musical didn’t start as a show, either, but as a line of greeting cards.

Its durability springs from the awe and fear Catholic schoolchildren have for nuns, and its comedy depends — as so much of comedy has from the beginning of time — on the subversion of authority figures. That subversion soothes any ill feelings left over from hands that might once have been smacked by rulers. Read More

Oktoberfest the Unsuspecting Site for a Zombie Wedding

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Photo by Keith Stewart Robert and Kimberly Manion are seen here just after being wed.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Robert and Kimberly Manion are seen here just after being wed.

Chili, 5k, and other events a success

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

Even with brisk weather, this year’s Oktoberfest was still successful in bringing people downtown to enjoy a variety of activities.

For many people, the festivities began around 10 a.m. Saturday with the 5k run. Approximately 51 runners raced just over three miles around the city. With a time of just over 19 minutes, Corey Richardson took the trophy.

As the day moved on, the streets began to fill with people coming out to enjoy the day.

One former Sullivan resident, now residing in Bloomington, brought her family to experience the activities. Read More

Lovington Alumni Awards

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Submitted by Alma Fair Outstanding Graduate Hall of Fame David Bowers, son of Francis Bowers of the class of 1943, accepted the award presented posthumously to his father honoring his success as a business man and his years of service to the Lovington community and school district.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Outstanding Graduate Hall of Fame
David Bowers, son of Francis Bowers of the class of 1943, accepted the award presented posthumously to his father honoring his success as a business man and his years of service to the Lovington community and school district.

Submitted by Alma Fair Outstanding Athletic Hall of Fame An award was presented to Nicole Davis Trower for her achievements both as an outstanding athlete at Lovington High School and in college and as an all-state high school softball coach.  Presenting the award is Tracy Garmon, class of 1982.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Outstanding Athletic Hall of Fame
An award was presented to Nicole Davis Trower for her achievements both as an outstanding athlete at Lovington High School and in college and as an all-state high school softball coach.  Presenting the award is Tracy Garmon, class of 1982.

Submitted by Alma Fair Honorary Alumnus This award was presented to Alma Beachy Fair for her contributions to Lovington schools, the Lovington community, and especially to the alumni association in the 43 years she has lived in Lovington. Presenting the award is Judi Pound, class of 1959.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Honorary Alumnus
This award was presented to Alma Beachy Fair for her contributions to Lovington schools, the Lovington community, and especially to the alumni association in the 43 years she has lived in Lovington. Presenting the award is Judi Pound, class of 1959.

Submitted by Alma Fair Who’s Who Among Lovington Graduates An award was presented to John Timm, class of 1905, for his success as a lawyer in Chicago and for his philanthropy to the Lovington School District and many organizations in the communities of Arthur and Lovington.  Presenting the award is Aaron Fleming, class of 2012 and receiving posthumously for John Timm is State Bank of Arthur vice president Scott Seegmiller.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Who’s Who Among Lovington Graduates
An award was presented to John Timm, class of 1905, for his success as a lawyer in Chicago and for his philanthropy to the Lovington School District and many organizations in the communities of Arthur and Lovington.  Presenting the award is Aaron Fleming, class of 2012 and receiving posthumously for John Timm is State Bank of Arthur vice president Scott Seegmiller.

Appreciation Through Check Donation

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Photo Submitted Sullivan school board chairman Steve Poland receives a $3,250 check from SHS class of 58 president Gary Fish at the annual alumni banquet. Since then, more money has been raised, exceeding a total of $4,000.

Photo Submitted
Sullivan school board chairman Steve Poland receives a $3,250 check from SHS class of 58 president Gary Fish at the annual alumni banquet. Since then, more money has been raised, exceeding a total of $4,000.

$3,250 donation to SCEF presented at alumni dinner

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

For the Sullivan High School students who walked across the graduation stage in 1958, the passing of time has done nothing to lessen the gratitude they feel for the school and teachers that gave them so much 55 years ago.

“I recall that our teachers always had time to help with educational issues. They were dedicated to their student’s educational success,” class member Gary Fish recalled.

Of the 72 students who made up the class of ‘58, 13 attended the University of Illinois, while many others went on to attend other prestigious schools across the country, and nearly all give much credit for this success to Sullivan High School and the dedication of the teachers they encountered.  Read More

First Baptist Collects Pajamas and Stuffed Animals for Area Children

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Submitted Moultrie County DOVE Director Mary Hughes stands with members of First Baptist Church in Sullivan along with a portion of the pajamas and stuffed animals collected for area children that are housed in DOVE shelters.

Submitted
Moultrie County DOVE Director Mary Hughes stands with members of First Baptist Church in Sullivan along with a portion of the pajamas and stuffed animals collected for area children that are housed in DOVE shelters.

Collection to Serve Kids in DOVE shelters

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan

Jackie Godfrey’s passion for helping others shone recently when she and other members of the First Baptist Church in Sullivan collected pajamas and stuffed animals for children in DOVE shelters. DOVE is an affiliation of religious organizations and volunteers that offer social services to those in need. Through well-organized programs and services, DOVE aids those dealing with societal problems and needs.

Godfrey says she first got the idea to spearhead the pajama and stuffed animal collection from watching Oprah.  Read More

First Christian Church Calls on Wade to Lead

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Family pastor elevated to senior pastor

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Grant Wade

Grant Wade

Grant Wade, who for the past three years has been the family pastor at First Christian Church in Sullivan, has been called on to become senior pastor. Pastor Rebecca Ingram resigned after serving seven years to pursue other interests.

Wade and his wife Erin along with their two children Gavin & Emery (plus another boy due in January) have found Sullivan a very friendly community. Erin is a high school math teacher at Sullivan High School. Read More

Purple Bricked Theme to Focus on Former LHS Students

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First year with no football game, Lovington Homecoming continues

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

This year’s Lovington homecoming theme, ‘There’s No Place Like Home: Follow the Purple Brick Road’ carries with it the hopes of Lovington Alumni to continue the tradition of homecoming, even without a high school.

A banquet to be held at Yoder’s Kitchen on October 19 will feature bricks from the old high school and honor former students.  Read More

Brown Shoe Company History Gets Complete Treatment

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Last month’s historical meeting helps some get acquainted with long lost shoe company

Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

In October of 1929 the Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis, Missouri signed an agreement with the city of Sullivan, to build a shoe factory. The facility was to cost $300,000 and the city of Sullivan was to provide $125,000 of that amount, secure the site which was 321 South Hamilton Street, and pay all property taxes for 10 years. Brown Shoe was to have an employee base of approximately 400 and came to have a great relationship with the city of Sullivan for 45 years.

These were the opening remarks by former Brown Shoe employee Gerald Watkins at the Moultrie County Historical Society meeting Thursday September 19. Read More