News Progress

Parties on the prairie #3

•February 25, 2026•

by Janet Roney

In the mid-1820s, when white settlers first began arriving in Moultrie, they found most of the county covered with swampy tall grass prairie, which was too wet to farm and almost impossible to travel across except on a few trails. However, the southern part of the county was different. It was covered with a much drier prairie because from Whitley Creek south, the elevation of the land gradually rises towards the Shelbyville Moraine that runs along the south boundary with Shelby County. 

Along the south side of the moraine in Shelby County, there were several groves of trees with freshwater springs feeding little creeks flowing south. The largest was Cochran’s Grove (located a mile or two southeast of the present Shelby County town of Windsor), where Samuel Little settled in the fall of 1825. (Please note. Samuel Little was not John Whitley’s son-in-law, as I wrongly stated a couple of weeks ago. Two of Samuel Little’s sisters were married to two of John S. Whitley’s sons, Mills and Sharp Whitley, making Samuel Little their brother-in-law. Sorry for the error.)

•February 25, 2026•

3rd - Story Time from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. We will have Dr. Seuss-themed stories and a craft.

6th - Kids Craft Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.-We will be making a Dr. Seuss-themed craft.

9th and 23rd - Needle Night from 5 to 7:00 p.m.-If you would like to learn to crochet, knit, needlepoint, or even how to sew, we have people who can help teach you. If you already know how and just want to hang out, come join us.

10th - Tyke Time from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.-We will have a color-matching activity.

2016

Bethany City Council members showed renewed interest in renovating the Village’s downtown buildings following a proposal by the four co-owners of Bethany’s newest, The Publisher. The establishment, Bethany’s only operating bar, took the place of the beleaguered Hired Hand Winery and Saloon.

Xenophobic was the word Reagan Crouse spelled correctly to win the Moultrie County Spelling Bee. Crouse edged out fellow Sullivan seventh grader Brett Johnson after his attempt at “guttural.”

On Saturday, February 14th, the Sullivan Show Choirs continued their season at the Naperville North ‘Clash of the Sequins’ in Naperville, Illinois. The Sullivan Singers Jr. brought home a 1st runner-up trophy in their division. Ava Warren was recognized as ‘Best Performer’. The Sullivan Singers won 1st Place in the ‘Best Choreography’ and ‘Best Vocals’ categories, with Avery Casteel winning ‘Best Performer’ in their division. The groups compete again next weekend at the El Paso-Gridley Show Choir Showdown in El Paso, Illinois. Singers Jr. will perform on Friday, February 20th, and the Singers will take the stage on Saturday, February 21st.

•February 11, 2026•

A Benefit Dinner, Silent Auction, a DJ, 50/50 Raffle, and a meat bundle auction will be held on March 28th at 5:00 p.m., at the Sullivan American Legion, located at 8 East Strain Street, for Avery Willoughby. Avery is currently battling metastatic carcinoma. Said Tracy of Avery, “He is the greatest person ever; he is kind, generous, and thoughtful, there isn’t anything he would not do for anyone else.”

The meal options at $10.00 per plate are BBQ Pulled Pork or spaghetti, and will be served with sides. Desserts and drinks are included. To have enough food prepared, it is requested that those attending RSVP by March 20th to Tracy Willoughby at (217) 402-2183 or email tracywilloughby57@gmail.com. Any donations are gratefully appreciated. There will also be T-shirts for sale with two different designs, sold for $20.00 each, as well as the ones sold by Agri-Fab for $25.00. To order T-shirts, contact Tracy at tracywilloughby57@gmail.com.