•January 5, 2022•
New updates to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Vax Verify immunization portal now includes use of the SMART™ Health Card. The SMART™ Health Card allows users to download a QR code, which individuals can use to easily confirm a their COVID-19 vaccination status at businesses, events, and other locations. Vax Verify is an online system that allows Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. Vax Verify can be accessed at https://idphportal.illinois.gov. Read More
VFW 6410 Announces Essay Contest Winners
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Second place winner of the Voice of Democracy essay contest Alexis Bartimus.
•January 5, 2022•
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Paul Bates, first place winner in the Voice of Democracy essay contest (left) and Avram Bates, first place winner in the Patriots Pen essay contest (right) with local author Jennifer Hobbs (center).
Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts an essay contest for middle schoolers and high schoolers. The Patriots Pen contest for 6th-8th graders offers the opportunity to win up to $5000 in scholarships. This year’s VFW Post 6410’s first place winner is Avram Bates, a 7th grader from Sullivan Middle School.
The Voice of Democracy essay contest for 9th to 12th graders can win up to $30,000 in scholarships this year’s VFW Post 6410 second place winner is Alexis Bartimus, an 11th grader from Okaw Valley High School. The first place winner is Paul Bates, an 11th grader from Sullivan High School.
Avram and Paul’s essays will now go on to compete at the district level. Winners will be announced in January.
Lake Land College Nursing Program Donates to Local Programs
•January 5, 2022•
The Lake Land College Nursing program put together an assortment of items to donate to the Crisis Nursery of Effingham County and One Stop Community Christmas. Some of the items included diapers, wipes, snacks, clothes and art supplies.
“Our students and faculty are thrilled to help provide items that can assist these programs and the individuals who benefit from them,” Lake Land College Division Chair of Allied Health/Nursing Instructor Erin Swingler said. “Programs like these are a great value to the community, and we are very proud to offer our support to them.”
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital also partnered with Lake Land College to donate the items. Read More
Remember When? 1-5-2021
25 Years Ago This Week
The lame duck Republican state legislature, in a last minute move, reshuffled the judicial deck and moved Moultrie County courts into a new district. The Appellate Court for Moultrie County was seated in Mount Vernon rather than Springfield.
Five potential buyers were interested in purchasing the Eagle Creek Resort on Lake Shelbyville.
Dora Township, outside Dalton City, was the fastest growing area in Moultrie County in recent years. Also jobs had grown in Moultrie County at a rate more than three times faster than the rate of growth in Illinois or the nation. Read More
Houser Agency donates to Moultrie County Dive Team
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Houser Agency donates to Moultrie County Dive Team
On Wednesday, December 22 the Houser Agency made a donation to the Moultrie County Dive team through Operation Helping Heroes. The dive team plans to use the funds to purchase new sonar equipment. From left to right: Joash Tiarks, Roger Farley, Amanda Farley, Elizabeth Houser and Kyler Houser.
It Just Ain’t My Day
•December 29, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Today’s column will take you less time to dispatch than the Christmas ham and probably cause twice the dyspepsia. It has me.
If we’re anything alike, you feel like you’re having contractions after a hefty meal to celebrate the birth of Jesus. For those of you who don’t celebrate him, please hang in there with my line of thinking.
I’ve been feeling contractions ever since I wrote about why “amn’t” ain’t a contraction for “am not.”
Here is a heapin’ helpin’ of the bellyful I got from this column.
H’aint
“There are a couple of obvious fixes to the contraction dilemmas you raised: A confusing ‘there’s’ can be easily clarified with ‘they be,’ as in, ‘They be 30 taquitos in the freezer,’” chimed in reader Jamie Smith. “And I’m sure you know that the solution to ‘amn’t’ is ‘h’aint’ (as distinguished from the ghostly ‘haint,’ both of southern Appalachian origin). Gotter start gittin’ y’all ’customed to the di’lect!” Read More
Activity Member of the Month for November
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Activity Member of the Month for November
Caprice Smith was recently named Sullivan High School’s Activity Member of the Month for November. She was nominated by her NHS sponsors, Mrs. Badman and Mrs. Stinebring. Per Mrs. Badman, “Caprice serves as the NHS President, and she has done a great job with all of her duties so far this year. She helps both advisors keep things organized, and she is always willing to help in whatever capacity needed. Caprice has helped to spearhead NHS beginning trash pickup days to improve the community and school grounds.” Caprice received a certificate and $20 in Sullivan “Chamber Bucks” that can be used at local businesses.
Author Event at Cathrine’s
Photo by Crystal Reed
Author Event at Cathrine’s
Anitra Rowe Schulte read her book ‘Dancing With Daddy’ at a meet and greet event at Cathrine’s on Thursday, December 23. She was born and raised in Bethany.
French bike giveaway
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French bike giveaway
Winners of the annual French Bike give away at Sullivan Elementary School is Destin Cook, 3rd grade, and Aubrey Jean, 2nd grade. Pictured from left is Destin, Joc, his daughters McKenzie Frye, Destynee French and Aubrey. Congratulations to the winners.
Remember When? 12-29-2021
25 Years Ago This Week
The Sullivan girls’ basketball team finished 3-2 in the Mattoon Holiday tournament for a fifth place finish. The Lady Redskins swept the Decatur teams (Eisenhower and MacArthur) to finish up the tournament with two straight wins.
The Sullivan boys’ basketball team finished sixth place in a field of 14 teams at the Charleston Holiday Tournament. After winning their first game against Mattoon, the Redskins lost to Paris. For the fifth place finish they defeated Charleston before losing to Edwardsville. Read More