Knitting from Love Wins Jean First Place at State Fair

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Photo Submitted Sullivan resident Donna Jean is seen here with her first place ribbon she earned at the state fair for her knitted baby sweater, hat, and blanket.

Photo Submitted
Sullivan resident Donna Jean is seen here with her first place ribbon she earned at the state fair for her knitted baby sweater, hat, and blanket.

Second year in a row Jean takes first place

by Ariana Cherry
Sullivan/Arthur Reporter

Knitting has become a labor of love that started nearly 50 years ago for Donna Jean.

Crocheting and knitting were hobbies passed down in Jean’s family, and while her own grandmother used to crochet, Jean didn’t learn the tricks of the trade from her.

“My grandma crocheted so fast that there was no way that I could learn from watching her!” she joked.

But Jean took an interest in knitting as a young adult and taught herself every stitch and pattern.

“I sewed a lot and enjoyed doing handiwork, so knitting was just another challenge for me to conquer,” she said. Read More

Tabor Park Harboring Secret Story

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FairyRegular walker discovers a “chapter one”

by Ariana Cherry
Sullivan/Arthur Reporter

Deep within the untouched timber of Tabor Park, is a mystery that only a few people have had the chance to discover. People often frequent the park to find peace and gather their thoughts or put in some daily exercise. Often, many don’t really see the magic that is hidden within the forest of Tabor Park and its flowing creek. It takes a very special person who can truly see and appreciate the gift that has been left for others to witness.

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Taste of the Prairie Gives Lift to Area Businesses

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Big turnout makes set up, tear down worthwhile

by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Photo by Keith Stewart Local artist Benjamin Cohan puts the finishing touches on a scene outside of the Green Mill Village Best Western in Arcola Saturday during the Taste of the Prairie event.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Local artist Benjamin Cohan puts the finishing touches on a scene outside of the Green Mill Village Best Western in Arcola Saturday during the Taste of the Prairie event.

From 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, area artisans, painters, and entrepreneurs gathered in Arcola for the inaugural Taste of the Prareie Business Expo at Arcola’s Green Mill Village.

Of the 46 vendors at the expo, eight were from Moultrie County, including The Flower Pot/Hamilton Street Candle Co, Art by M. Benjamin Cohan of Sullivan, The Kitchen of Doris Yoder, KettleCorn, Lemon Shake Ups by the Walker Family of Lovington, The Pumpkin Patch/The Homestead Bakery of Arthur, Richard Herschberger’s Gallery, Sherry E. Harris’ Watercolors and Swarm Tree Honey Farm.

“Unlike many expos, we had many businesses who were participating in their first expos ever,” said Cassie Yoder, who handles the marketing of Green Mill Village. “We found a lot of participants wanting to break into the storefront who showed off talent from products to food and were allowed to showcase things they had for other areas as well. We had some hidden gems from the area all in one room, and that’s not just something that happens every day.”  Read More

Small Town Roots Not Preventing Dancing Dreams

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Ryherd breaks out to earn dance scholarship

By Emily Scott
Bethany Reporter
Submitted Eleven-year-old Chloe Ryherd recently earned a scholarship to attend a fall dance scholarship this November. Ryherd was one of just seven chosen out of 650 for the scholarship.

Submitted
Eleven-year-old Chloe Ryherd recently earned a scholarship to attend a fall dance scholarship this November. Ryherd was one of just seven chosen out of 650 for the scholarship.

Coming from a small town as a girl who loves to dance, Chloe Ryherd never thought she would be instructed by Broadway choreographers.

Then again, the 11-year-old from Bethany, never dreamed that she would be one of seven people out of 650 chosen by these same choreographers to have the opportunity again.

But this summer, that's exactly what happened when Ryherd attended the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters summer workshop in Oak Brook at the end of July. There she was taught by several choreographers from all over the country and even from Broadway.

One of 650 dancers who attended the workshop, Ryherd was among those split up into seven different age groups. One dancer was selected out of every group to receive a merit scholarship which would allow them to attend the association's fall workshop in November for free. Read More

SES Teacher Takes to YouTube to Introduce Students in Creative Fashion

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So successful, England receives video response

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan
FirstDay3

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan Elementary School first grader Kya Allen is greeted by her teacher Scott England Monday morning.

Monday marked a big week for area students. In what for some children can be a scary or intimidating first week of school, one local educator has decided to dispel those fears in exchange for some lighthearted and welcoming karaoke via YouTube.

Sullivan Elementary’s Scott England let his first graders know that this year was going to be a fun one by making a video and parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s popular song “Call Me Maybe” all while welcoming his students to his first grade class in style.

England first had the idea last summer when “Call Me Maybe” had become a big hit on the radio, and he began toying with the words. Busy with commitments though, it wasn't until this summer when England joked with his wife about making the video that she told him that he should actually do it. And like any good husband, he listened, writing the song in just one day, recording it himself, and in total, completing the video all in less than a week.  Read More

Afternoon Spent Pampered Like a Princess

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Inaugural princess ball pampers area girls

by Mallory Murphy
Lovington Reporter
Submitted Hair sylist Julie Kinert creates a new look for one princess Saturday at the Lovington Church of God.

Submitted
Hair sylist Julie Kinert creates a new look for one princess Saturday at the Lovington Church of God.

The Lovington Sparrows Unlimited treated 50 young girls from Lovington and Arthur this past Saturday to a royal afternoon with the organization’s first Princess Ball. Area girls ranging from two years of age to those entering the sixth grade were invited to enjoy a day of manicures, pedicures, hair styling, dancing, coloring, cookies, and punch.

The Sparrows Unlimited is a non-for-profit organization whose main mission is to provide Christmas to Lovington families in need. The Sparrows have expanded to help Lovington in other charitable ways including hosting food drives and donating bicycles to the annual Lovington Easter egg hunt. Read More

Taking Action in the Name of Hunger

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Stadler Nominated to National Magazine's Action Heroes to Promote Event

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter
Submitted Anna Stadler has always been drawn to a health lifestyle, but it wasn't until being selected to Women's Health magazine's Action Heroes last year did she begin participating in the Run10Feed10, a 10k that seeks to raise money for the FEED foundation.

Submitted
Anna Stadler has always been drawn to a health lifestyle, but it wasn't until being selected to Women's Health magazine's Action Heroes last year did she begin participating in the Run10Feed10, a 10k that seeks to raise money for the FEED foundation.

Longtime Sullivan resident Anna Stadler has always enjoyed being active and helping others. So when she saw an advertisement to be nominated as a Women’s Health Action Hero in the national magazine she knew it something she was being called to do.

“I saw the Call to Action ad in the Women’s Health Magazine and thought it sounded perfect for me!” said Stadler.

Throughout her life, Stadler has enjoyed maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. In high school she was part of the Sullivan Blue Dolphin Swim Team and had already begun racing in triathlons. As she moved on towards college, she continued her goal of a healthy lifestyle and decided to make a career of showing others how to make healthy choices. Read More

Robinson wins Reserve Champion at State 4-H Horse Show

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At 14 years old, Robinson adds one more accolade to young career

by Ariana Cherry
Reporting in Bethany
Photo Submitted Jessica Robinson stands with her horse, “Wendy” during the showmanship competition at the Illinois State Fair Grounds in Springfield.

Photo Submitted
Jessica Robinson stands with her horse, “Wendy” during the showmanship competition at the Illinois State Fair Grounds in Springfield.

Showing horses in 4-H has been a tradition that Debbie Robinson has enjoyed since she was a child. At nine years old, Robinson began showing horses and made friends that have lasted a lifetime.

“I met these people when I was nine years old, became best friends and was even in each other’s weddings. Once you develop a friendship in 4-H, they become family to you."

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Handmade Scented Candle Line Blooms at The Flower Pot

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Customer contest helps forge new candle company name

By Mallory Murphy
Sullivan Reporter

In an attempt to provide the perfect candle option for their customers, The Flower Pot of Sullivan took matters into their own hands, literally, by producing their own line of handmade scented soy candles and waxes.

The shop, known for their floral arrangements and specialty gift items, launched the new line of candles two years ago under the management of store owner Ellen Bernius and the craftsmanship of her Flower Pot staff.

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