Steam Threshing Days set for August 2 and 3

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•July 31, 2024•

Steam Threshing Days will be held on Friday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 3 from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. three miles east of Arthur, Illinois.

The purpose of this event is to show attendees how crops were grown and harvested during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Amish continue using many of these methods in their farming operations today. This show continues to expand each year and the 2024 show promises to be the best and biggest show yet. Read More

Appreciation shown

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Photo by R.R.Best
Appreciation shown
Members of the Allenville Christian Church stopped by the Sullivan firehouse last Friday with lunch to show appreciation to the firemen and police for all their hard work.

Arthur Produce Auction serves area

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•July 24, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

On any given Tuesday or Friday morning, a covered shed area south of Arthur is teeming with life. Farmers, both Amish and English, gather together drinking coffee while children run around among large boxes of produce, flower arrangements and other goods. Business owners, some with restaurants, some with grocery stores and some with farmer’s markets, mill about, looking at tomatoes, evaluating zucchini, and getting their bidding cards ready. University of Illinois Extension workers, in their blue shirts with orange “I” logos make lists of available  items. The Arthur Produce Auction is open to anyone, and you never know who is going to show up. 

“There are chain grocery stores and people who own their own farm markets, plus people who are just looking for a good deal on fresh produce,” said Extension worker Penny Hood.  Read More

ALAH School Board discusses gym addition removal, Cross Country Pilot Program, and financial updates

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•July 24, 2024•

by Ariana R Cherry

At the most recent school board meeting of the ALAH District, Superintendent Shannon Cheek shared and discussed the results of the latest survey that was distributed to the communities within our district.

“The survey showed a lot of good support and messages although the results didn’t support the idea of a new gym,” Cheek said. In a separate interview, Cheek mentioned that the addition of a new gym would be removed from the district’s building plan. “We evaluated that information and feel that it’s important for the public to be heard and listened to,” he stated.  “We want to make sure the communities understand that we are listening to their desires,” Cheek concluded. Once the results have been properly formatted, the results from the survey will be able to be viewed on the school district’s website. Read More

Sullivan improvement projects confirmed

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•July 24, 2024•

The second Sullivan City council meeting of the month happened on Thursday July 18 at 6pm. Commissioner Sherwood was one of the first to speak for the night, touching on the phenomenal job the new construction company did on the new park courts and splash pad stating “I can’t recommend them enough”. Sherwood also had very little to report on vandalism and graffiti within the park mentioning the vandalism within the park has been way less this year than in previous years. Continuing on with Sullivan’s improvements, Commissioner Shook reported that they secured a grant to fix the roads downtown, running from Water Street to Madison then down to the highway. The grant is to both make the roads look nice but also fix some flaws which makes the roads more difficult to drive on. This road work is expected to start as soon as clearance has been given. Read More

Vander Burgh’s  hold appreciation event

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Photo by Megan Russell. Pictured John Vander Burgh (owner of Vander Burgh Financial Services), his wife Heidi, and their two grandkids, ages 2 and 4 months.

•July 24, 2024•

On Sunday, Bethany had a sweet surprise planned out for any and all. The Green Creamery, a mobile ice cream parlor which supports loving the earth and making the best quality ice cream around, visited and gave out free ice cream as a Vander Burgh Financial Services, LLC customer appreciation event. The crowds were bustling with many groups of families and friends coming and going throughout the two hour event.  Read More

Complimentary ice cream social

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•July 17, 2024•

Vander Burgh Financial Services, LLC and Lifewise Wealth Advisors with The Green Creamery will be hosting a free ice cream social on Sunday, July 21, from 5-7pm, at Vander Burgh Financial Services office, 59 Cardinal Dr., Bethany to thank our customers for allowing us to provide accounting services in our local community. Read More

Abandoned house makeover

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•July 17, 2024•

The village of Lovington in the most recent council meeting on Monday, July 8th, was a shorter meeting than usually only lasting 45 minutes. April Daily stood in as president for Dennis Garmon who could not be present. There was a motion filed for the further development of the abandoned land in either clean-up work or demolishing. Read More

Toy Bar’s All Wheels run

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Photo by R.R. Best
Toy Bar’s All Wheels run
Saturday, July 13th was the annual all wheels run starting at the Toy Bar. All proceeds went to Sullivan Ambucs Chapter and funds that were raised at The Castle in Mattoon went to St. Jude Runners. Last year the run was themed after the 70’s Hippie era. Supporting warm playful colors, music and all donations going to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital with the wonderful motto “Peace Out Cancer”. This year also supported a fun theme and line-up of visits for the run attendees to explore. This year’s theme was ‘American Cowboy’ in honor of Toby Keith, a popular American country music singer, songwriter and producer, whom unfortunately passed away early this year from stomach cancer. The run started at the Toy Bar, made its way over into Coles county and visited The Castle in Mattoon. Next heading over to The Bolt in Humbolt, continuing over to Shae’s in Arcola. The last two stops headed over to It’ll Do in Arthur then circling back to the Toy Bar. Sullivan Ambucs had food for purchase after the run had returned. The Toy Bar is known for their big events, namely Jeep/All Wheel runs and sporting events such as Super Bowl parties and even celebrating March Madness. The Toy Bar and the never ending amount of support from locals and visitors alike is enough to keep the energy around the events going every year.

House Blessing 2024

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Photo furnished
House Blessing
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity held a house blessing Sunday, June 30 in Sullivan to welcome the family of Jamie Minor to their new home. The Moultrie County Habitat board, family and friends were led in the blessing by Pastor Vanessa Patient.