“Bo” Wood Recreation Area boat ramp closed

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•May 22, 2024•

The Bo Wood Recreation Area Boat Ramp will be closed May 22 - May 24. The closure will not allow access to Bo Wood Boat Ramp area. These closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Whitley Creek Ramp can be used as the alternative ramp for this area.  

These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the public while contractor finalizes work.     

The Corps of Engineers recognizes the impact of parking lot and ramp closures on the general public and apologizes for any inconveniences it may cause. For additional information, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951.

Remembering Who We Are……….10

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Leaving a Path 

•May 22, 2024•

by Janet Roney

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago…an ugly rock created a big stir when it was put on display in the window of Horn’s Insurance Agency in downtown Sullivan. It was a big brown oblong shaped thing with grooves and ridges covering one flat side. Folks doing their Saturday night shopping on the square crowded around the window to get a good look at it. I was among them.  

It was a mammoth tooth. It rolled out of a load of gravel from Welsh’s gravel pit when it was dumped onto Ed Dunphy’s feed store’s parking lot. When they searched for more pieces of the mammoth, the spot from where it likely came was too disturbed.      

Welsh’s Gravel Pit was in the middle of a big circular ox-bow in the Kaskaskia called Old Bend or Brushy Bend. The ox-bow was about three and a half miles around and only 70 steps between its beginning and end. Gravel was under the entire area because it was where the river cut through the Cerro Gordo Moraine.  Nelson Ford there was the best ford between Cooks Mills and Shelbyville.    Read More

A Look Back…5-22-2024

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2014

Sullivan’s square gained more than 50 new faces this week as The Little Theatre brought in its cast and crew for their 57th summer season of shows. A total of 112 actors, designers, directors, technicians, and staff members from all over the United States will come to town during the 10 weeks of shows.

Natalie Elliott first opened her antique store, Church House Treasures, last May after reading about the property being for sale in a local publication. Elliott, a St. Joseph native, had never previously been to Bethany, let alone known where it was. Located in the former Presbyterian Church in Bethany, the store featured hundreds of items from clothes to jewelry, to holiday decorations and dish ware and anticipated more offerings throughout its first year of business. Read More

Sixth Annual Redskin Achievement Award

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Photo furnished
Pictured (l to r) are Joleigh Tipsword, SHS Class of ’68 President, Bill Standerfer and Benjamin Butler.

•May 15, 2024•

The SHS Class of 1968 presented the Sixth Annual Redskin Achievement Award during the Decision Day program at the Sullivan High School on May 9. The 2024 recipients of the Redskin Achievement Award are Joleigh Tipsword, daughter of Cherise Tipsword and Benjamin Butler, son of Kelly House and Brian Butler. Each recipient received a certified check in the amount of $300 to help with any extracurricular activities of the student’s choosing.  Read More

Kids Fishing Tournament

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•May 15, 2024•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville and Friends of Lake Shelbyville is hosting a free fishing tournament for children 12 and under on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Opossum Pond. The pond is located near the entrance to the Opossum Creek Recreation Area. Participants must pre-register by calling (217) 774-3951 ext. 2, or email lakeshelbyville@usace.army.mil. Information needed: name of participant, age of participant on event day, name of parent/guardian, and phone number for parent/guardian.  Read More

Windsor 2024 Prom Royalty

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Photo furnished
Windsor 2024 Prom Royalty
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School hosted its prom on Saturday, May 3rd at Front Street Event Center in Gays. A coronation was held in which, Aubree Brown was crowned the 2024 Prom Queen and Billy Evetts was crowned the 2024 Prom King.
Front Row (L to R): Crown bearer Lainee Rogers, 2024 Prom Queen Aubree Brown, 2024 Prom King Billy Evetts, and Crown bearer Casen Brownlee. Back Row (L to R): Queen Candidates Kloey McDaniel, Lillian Cole, and Claire Sims, 2023 Prom Queen Kierstin Wheeler, 2023 Homecoming King Brody Hendrickson, King Candidates Silas Hortenstine and Clayton Carey.

Early report of West Nile Virus in East Central Illinois

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IDPH reports the first bird in Illinois to test positive in 2024 for the West Nile virus.

•May 15, 2024•

By Angela Hogan

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported the first 2024 West Nile virus (WNV) positive bird specimen in Illinois was collected in Douglas County. The report of this first positive test among the bird population in Illinois follows a relatively mild winter and spring. People who see a sick or dead crow, blue jay, robin, or other perching bird should contact their local health department to determine if the bird specimen is eligible for testing.

What is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a Culex mosquito, commonly called a house mosquito, that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. The mosquito then transmits the virus by biting another host, such as a bird, horse, or human.  Read More

MCHGS Meeting

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•May 15, 2024•

The Thursday, May 16th meeting of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will present “My Memeories of Growing up in Bruce, Illinois” by Bruce resident, Jimmy Stevens. He has many good stories he wishes to share, and hopes other Bruce natives will join him and participate in this special program.

The topic continues the series of entertaining programs about the small, but special country towns in Moultrie County. Previous programs about Lovington, Bethany, Arthur and Allenville have been very well received.

The public is invited to attend this meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the History Center at 1303 S. Hamilton in Sullivan.

Remembering Who We Are……………9

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…And Remembering How to Go

•May 15, 2024•

by Janet Roney

“Grandma, did you know that numbers can go on forever and ever and never end?” asked our precocious 6 year old granddaughter in her chirpy little voice coming from the back seat of the car.  

“Yes,” I said.  “That’s called infinity.”

“And that’s just like God, isn’t it, Grandma?” asked our equally precocious 5 year old grandson. “He goes on for ever and ever, too…Right, Grandma?”  Read More