‘Christmas for the Kids’

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‘Christmas for the Kids’

Sparrows Unlimited, of Lovington, held its popular (31st annual now) “Christmas for the Kids” fundraiser last Saturday. Supporters filed in throughout the day to bid on silent auction items, listen to live music by Cash Hale, with Sons of the American Legion providing the ‘pork chop on a stick’ concessions. Many came out for the event and, forgoing the auction portion, donated to the cause with cash donations and enjoyed the socialization, music, and food. Pictured are members representing the Keystone Chapter of the Widows Sons, who presented a check to Sparrows president, Pam Anklam.

Jenkins visits family home on Mason Point grounds: fond memories

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•August 27, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Photos by DM Williamee Walt Jenkins visits his family home, where he was born, for the first time since moving at age 12. Taking everyone back in history, he described how it looked then compared to now, which bedroom was whose, and shared stories of what life was like while the family lived there.

Walter H. “Walt” Jenkins was born October 26th, 1934, in the brick house at what was, at the time, the Illinois Masonic Home. Walt and his older brother Glen were both born in the brick house, with Walt being born in 1934. Walt’s father was Walter Jenkins, and his mother was Effie Niccian.

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Windsor Harvest Picnic draws crowds despite blistering temps

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•August 20, 2025•

DM Williamee

This year’s 128th (a most impressive number) Windsor Harvest Picnic drew crowds to the small community, despite ongoing record-high temperatures. Beginning on August 14th, the 3-day fete included events such as dinners, ice-cream socials, live musical performances from the Kentucky Headhunters and tribute band Fleetwood Gold, auctions, a 5k run, pedal tractor pulls, Bessie Bingo (sponsored by Windsor’s FFA chapter), inflatables (brought by 25/8 Extreme), ‘Little Miss Harvest’ picnic, and of course, a parade.

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Council approves new community app 

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•August 20, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

Residents of Sullivan will have a new way to receive community notifications and report problems, including non-working streetlights and water main breaks, with a new community “app” the council approved Monday night.

City Treasurer Kassie Waggoner brought the proposal to sign a contract with textMyGov.com to provide services to the city for three years for $5,000, with a $2,500 setup cost. Waggoner learned of the program at a meeting of Illinois Municipal League treasurers earlier this year. Considering the problems facing area communities after the recent Lake Mattoon algae bloom, Waggoner said the app, which allows up to 50,000 text messages each year, could allow the city to reach a majority of citizens very quickly in a similar emergency, and also provide an outlet for them to report issues to the city.

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Sullivan City Code re; ‘animals’ being enforced

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•August 20, 2025•

by DM Williamee

The City of Sullivan Animal Code requires that not only dogs, but cats as well, must be kept under the control of the owner and not be let to roam free, unsupervised, or unrestrained. Due to the growing number of feral cats in Sullivan and the growing number of complaints because of them, live traps, which are humane, have been deployed to capture feral cats, which are then released to farmers who are more than happy to rehome them on their property. 

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Powering up local generosity, community leaders launch new giving circle

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Submitted by Natalie Beck, HICF CEO

Three area community leaders, in partnership with the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, announce the launch of the Impact Giving Circle. Linda Carlton-Huber, Susie Inman, and Grant Wade are inviting the community to join them in this new giving circle to fuel lasting change. 

The Impact Giving Circle invites community-minded men and women to pool their donations and decide together how to best invest in programs that support and empower education and social service agencies in Moultrie County and the surrounding area.

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Moultrie County approves grocery tax

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•August 20, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

Aone percent grocery items tax the state has been collecting will be collected next year by Moultrie County after the county board approved the change at the meeting Thursday night.

The Grocery Service Occupation Tax has been collected by Illinois and passed back to local governments. After the state legislature voted to end the tax beginning January 1st, area communities and counties are voting on keeping it in place for themselves. Moultrie County’s tax will only apply to food sellers in the unincorporated areas of the county. 

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Community turns out for Kyle Lehman cookout

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•August 20, 2025•

Photo DM Williamee
Back: Seth Cobb, Gage Simmons, Pat Stinson, Jamie Leham, Front: Rhett Lehman, Kathy Booker, Rachel Walton, Briggs Walton, Kay Lehman, Cindy Guin, Esther McDebitt, and Emmy McDebbitt

On Saturday, August 16th, the Sullivan community enjoyed ribeye sandwiches and tenderized pork chops at the Kyle Lehman Honorary Scholarship Fundraising Cookout, sponsored by and held at Kirby Foods IGA in Sullivan. The scholarship, established in 2023, honors Kyle Lehman’s contribution to the Sullivan community and raises funds for the scholarship’s continuation, with all profits funding scholarships awarded to high school seniors working at Kirby Foods. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded scholarships to eight deserving students.