Windsor Students of September
Windsor High School has named junior Charles Farmer, son of Sara Palmore, September Student of the Month. He is in FFA and cheerleading and hopes to become a welder or pipefitter after he graduates.
Seventh grader Adilyn McCray is the September Student of the Month at Windsor Junior High. She is the daughter of Chad and Faith McCray and participates in band, tumbling, soccer, and volleyball. Pictured at right are Charles Farmer and Adilyn McCray.
•October 21, 2015•
By Mike Brothers
Aging heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and spongy rooftops were discussed at the Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board meeting October 13.
Maintenance director Kevin Landrus explained the elementary, middle and high school had places where water had pooled, damaging roofs.
He also pointed out air conditioning systems were gaining age and becoming costly to maintain, noting that two units on the high school gym were not working at all.
Mike Zellers of Graham and Hyde Architects presented a power point showing the condition of the roofs and the HVAC systems that are located there.
Landrus said that the HVAC system replacements would need to be completed before new roofs are installed.
Zellers and HVAC engineer Frank Maris pointed out that the middle school steam heating system is slated for upgrading to hot water heat such as in the other two buildings, with the air conditioning systems for all buildings submitted to the Illinois State School Board for approval under Health Life Safety guidelines. Read More
•October 21, 2015•
The 2015 Artoberfest winners include Judges Choice Winners: first place 2D - Chelsea Witner for “Through the Looking Glass” and first place 3D - Melvin Hawkins for “Untitled”. Read More
Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens
25 Years Ago This Week
Candidates for homecoming queen in Bethany are Allyson Ferguson, Heidi Emel, Stephanie Brewer, Kristen Scott, Mike Bryant, Corey Weddles, Brian Plummer and Clint Cribbett.
The time of 47.26 in the 100-yard freestyle has ranked Seth Dunscomb number one in the nation for boys ages 13 and 14. According to the October issue of Swimming World Magazine, Dunscomb is also fourth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.90.
Joan Laugher, a school bus driver in Sullivan, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the education of special needs students. She was one of eight recipients from 32 districts selected by the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education for the award of merit.
Lovington High School teacher Rosemary Brown will be one of 12 Illinois high school teachers honored during a “Great Teachers” luncheon Oct. 25 at Eastern Illinois University.
Bradley Orris, son of Mike and Connie Orris of Dalton City, enrolled as a sophomore this fall at Eureka College. His intended major is history. Read More
•October 14, 2015•
The Lovington High School Alumni Association will honor a decorated soldier, a paramedic, a well-rounded athlete, and a dedicated teacher at the parade Saturday afternoon, October 17 and at their banquet Saturday night.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chief Instructor Henry C. “Bud” Hubbard (Class of 1964), paramedic Harold White (Class of 1964), athlete Michael Wilson (Class of 1965), and honorary alumnus James Caudle will receive recognition.
The banquet will also feature music from both Lovington and Arthur Grade School choral groups.
From luncheons to banquets, pancakes to pies, and parades to award ceremonies, the Lovington High School Alumni Homecoming offers many chances for old friends to meet and relive memories of their LHS days.
Members of the Class of 1965 will start celebrating Friday, October 16, with a luncheon at the Church of God Family Center in Lovington. Read More
•October 14, 2015•
Businesses in Moultrie County are getting a chance to help veterans by providing discounts and incentives through the Honors Rewards program.
“With everything going on these days the least we can do as a community is honor those who have sacrificed so much,” Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England said of the rewards program.
The Honors Rewards program is for all eligible veterans. England explained veterans may sign up online www.honorrewards.com or in person at the county clerk’s office.
The veteran must have a DD214 on file. England explained that once the proof of discharge is recorded the veteran receives an Honor Rewards card containing essential information, along with the insignia of his or her branch of service. Read More
Photos by RR Best
The Sullivan homecoming parade entertained crowds on a brisk Friday. Spectators were treated to candy thrown from the participants which included Sullivan band member, SOV football player, homecoming court candidates, members of the Sullivan High School class of 1975 celebrating 40 years, and Sullivan teachers dressed for success.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Harold White of Lovington has spent the past 30 years inside an ambulance, but only been a passenger one time.
Lovington Paramedic honored
•October 14, 2015•
By Mike Brothers
Harold White is a 30 year volunteer with the Lovington Ambulance Service, and on Saturday, October 17 his service will be recognized.
From 10 a.m. until noon Saturday everyone is invited to stop by the Lovington Fire Station, have a snack, a drink and thank him for his service.
White has touched a lot of lives over the past three decades, but it wasn’t exactly part of his original plan.
“Guess you can say I backed in to this,” he began. “When I started, my kids were small, and I just wanted to take the course for the knowledge.”
He was still working at Caterpillar in Decatur then but has since retired from manufacturing life.
“I do something I enjoy,” he said. “If you enjoy doing something, it isn’t a job.”
Community needs overshadowed the pursuit of knowledge, and Harold became one of the most devoted EMTs in the area. He still serves double duty in Lovington and for the Decatur Ambulance Service.
By 1997 White started training other EMTs and still teaches courses throughout the area.
He has taught at Richland Community College, Decatur, Arthur, Bethany and he just finished a class in Lovington.
“There are times I’ve had three classes going at one time,” he said, explaining one of the biggest challenges is finding people to staff volunteer operations such as Lovington. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Early Morning Crash
At about 1 a.m. Sunday morning the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. was called to a rear end crash at the bridge construction site over Lake Shelbyville on Route 32, south of Sullivan. The Jeep pictured was driven by Sara Szachnitowski, who was charged with driving under the influence. A passenger in her vehicle was transported to a local hospital by Sullivan Ambulance Service.
Sullivan Art Club
Photo Submitted
Art by Sharon Slaughter
The gallery area at Flourishes Gallery and Studios will host the Sullivan Art Club for the next two and a half months, with the opening of the exhibit 1-4 p.m. Sunday, October 18. A variety of art will include paintings in various mediums and subject matter and constructions using various materials by members of the club. At least three of the club’s members will be represented: Ron Bartanen, Sharon Slaughter and Sherry Harris.
Studio D will also have a variety of art projects introduced at Art Talk Tuesday, including the pieces created with dryer lint to which many contributed.
Flourishes is located at 140 ½ E. Main in downtown Shelbyville.