•October 22, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Words, whether written or verbally communicated, have the power to influence thoughts, behaviors, and change. Almost ninety percent of individuals with substance use disorder and thirty-five percent with a serious mental illness do not get treatment. A large percentage do not seek help because of shame. What exactly is a stigma? A stigma is a mark of shame or disgrace.
Read MorePhotos by R.R. Best
On Saturday, October 18th, neither wind nor rain could deter Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church from holding their ‘Trunk or Treat’ event. With the weather uncooperative, the event was moved indoors where the festivities went on, and enjoyed by all.
Photo by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, October 7th, the Mid-Illinois Senior Services hosted their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc.’ Their guest speaker was Taylor Cook, APRN, with Sarah Bush Lincoln. Taylor works at the SBL Sullivan Clinic and presented on how to prepare for a visit with your healthcare provider. Tips included bringing a list of current medications, how to address health issues at home, as well as writing down any questions you may have for your provider before your appointment. Taylor, who holds a multitude of advanced nursing and care certifications, is a local to the area and has a passion for providing the best possible care for her patients.
Photo by DM Williamee
On Wednesday, October 8th, Sullivan 8th-grade Middle Schoolers were treated to a docent-guided tour of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. It was impressed upon them that stories come to life through objects, pictures, and experiences. Moreover, the importance of museums was stressed in that they protect history and culture, so that knowledge is not lost, as well as connect communities and inspire the future, among the innumerable other benefits of museums. The experience was as interactive as it was guided, with questions and answers and thought challenges throughout the tour.
The 2025 Okaw Valley Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 18th, in the OVHS gym from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with coordination prior to the dance at 6:45 p.m.
The 2025 Homecoming Court: Front - Freshman Attendant Jonnie Hart, Junior Attendant Sophia Tice, Queen Candidates Kate Stauder, Aubree McBride, Ava Harshman, and Reese Bruns, and Sophomore Attendant Ellie Fitzgerald. Back - Freshman Attendant Jonathan Cazel, Junior Attendant Kwame Calhoun, King Candidates Braden Montgomery, Brady McQuilling, Wyatt Hildebrandt, Tucker Montgomery, and Sophomore Attendant Cole Holthaus.
•October 15, 2025•
by DM Williamee
The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation recently began awarding adult learner scholarships, and Clifton Ulbricht of Bethany was the first recipient of this scholarship. We spoke with him recently about the scholarship and the impact it has made on both his personal and academic life.
When asked how he became aware of the scholarship, Clifton advised that he found out about it through the Richland Community College Foundation office. It was a new scholarship, available to Moultrie County residents, and it had just been implemented this year for the Fall semester. He went online and applied, as well as followed through with letters of recommendation and the other typical pre-scholarship award steps. HICF asked him to share who he was, and his goals and ambitions were in the essay portion. Next, he spoke with the foundation and found out shortly thereafter that he was accepted into the scholarship program. Clifton shared that HICF’s scholarship application was one of the most streamlined, efficient, and simplest scholarships he has applied for. The scholarship award amount was $1,500.00, and it can be reapplied for on a semester-by-semester basis. Being awarded this scholarship has immensely helped him and his family. Having a family it helped balance the cost of going into a graduate program in Higher Education and Community College, which he is currently pursuing while also working in his chosen field.
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•October 15, 2025•
Submitted
On Tuesday, October 1st, twenty-five Moultrie County retired teachers met at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola. Devon Flesor Story, the owner, welcomed the MCRTA with a history of her business and a tour of her kitchen. Story herself was a former teacher at EIU in Charleston.
Story’s grandfather, Gus Flesor, immigrated from Greece and began the American Dream working on the railroad. Through his efforts, Flesor brought over several family members and their favorite family recipes. By 1901, Gus and his brother Nick opened an iconic Greek confectionery and restaurant in Tuscola. Eventually, though, a family feud broke out and created business competitors. Customers had to sneak around the two brothers to do business with both.
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•October 15, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Friday, October 10th, in Arthur, the Amish Heritage Society hosted its annual ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest’ show. Among the many events: sorghum pressing, corn picking, shredding and shucking, threshing oats with horsepower, quarters in a haystack, field operations, and the noon whistle and ‘candy cannon’. Those in attendance were also able to partake of a petting zoo, buggy rides, a life-size Candyland game, balloon animals, horseshoeing, as well as blacksmithing demonstrations, and the children were especially fond of making their own rope. Demonstrated as well in the food tent was the making of apple butter from scratch (kettle to canned), grinding corn for cornmeal, and a bevy of delicious baked/prepared foods, including multiple fresh-made, kettle-cooked popcorn varieties to sample and for purchase. There was even a John Deere motorized ice cream maker, churning out delicious chocolate ice cream to pleased partakers. The weather was seasonably cool and enjoyable. The event elicited smiles, laughter, questions, and a sense of awe. Many came from non-local areas such as Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee specifically for the event.
Photos by DM Williamee
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On Thursday, September 25th, Cheryl Coddington, Manager of Sullivan’s Fast Stop, presented Sullivan High School Principal Mr. Allen with seventy-seven $10.00 gift cards and complimentary drink coupons to be awarded to students who successfully pass their Illinois driver’s license tests. This gift is intended to reward and recognize the diligence and perseverance of these students. This is Fast Stop’s first year rewarding new drivers.
•October 8, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Saturday, October 4th Bethany Fire held an Open house at the Fire Station, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., open to all. Just over an hour and a half into the event, duty called and a fire call came in, with firefighters at the station dispatched to respond. Scheduled for the open house were the following events: free hot dog lunch, bounce house, firehouse tour, truck and ambulance tour, ‘Smoke House’ tour, obstacle course, gear photobooth, fire extinguisher demonstration, and a turnout gear race. Before the call came in, many of the activities were in full swing and greatly enjoyed by those in attendance. Hot dogs all around for everyone, a fun and impressive timed obstacle course for the children in attendance that they could not get enough of, with many making multiple passes through.
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