Photo courtesy of Dan Chamness and Moto Johnson
Beckmier Competes at Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships
Logan Beckmier of ALAH finished second in the 3200m and sixth in the 1600 m at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships.
•April 5, 2023•
Senator Steve McClure is a new legislator to Shelby and Moultrie Counties, and his willingness to learn about the region was evident as he went back to school last week. During a break in the state senate, Senator McClure spent a day visiting schools with Regional Superintendent Dr. Kyle Thompson.
Their road trip began with introductions at Shelbyville Bridges, an alternative school led by Thompson’s Regional Office of Education #11. Dr. Zakry Standerfer provided Senator McClure with an overview of safe schools and how the program serves students in grades 6-12 who find success in the alternative education sites. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band played during the grand opening for the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society Museum and Library on Saturday, April 1. The band is out of Bloomington. The music they played is rooted in the small town “cornet band” of the 19th century and included quicksteps, marches, ballads, polkas and overtures. Their re-created uniforms were sewn from natural wool fibers and are authentic in every detail, patterned from specimens worn by Civil War soldiers.
•April 5, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society held the grand opening for the Moultrie County History Center on Saturday, April 1. The opening allowed the public to see the efforts put in by society members and volunteers after renovations of the new location on South Hamilton Street. There are exhibits on the Little Theatre On The Square, the Titus Home, quilts, military history and much more.
Museum Director Pam Wood said that around 300 people attended the open house. “It took over a year to get the building completely renovated,” she said “The library and research area was the first to open and then we finished the museum area.” Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor American Legion Recognizes 50 Year Members
Windsor Garrett-Baldridge American Legion and Auxiliary members celebrated the American Legion’s 104th birthday with a potluck and ceremony at the Legion on Sunday, March 26. Three Legion members received 50 year membership certificates. Auxiliary member, Linda Voris, also shared a brief history of the American Legion. Those presented 50 year membership certificates were Larry Shafer (left) and Linn Voris (right). Presenting the certificates was Post Commander Jack Johnson (center). Not pictured: Joe Hester.
•March 29, 2023•
The American Legion Auxiliary units of Arthur, Lovington and Atwood have announced the 2023 Department of Illinois Americanism Essay Contest that is sponsored locally. This year’s essay subject and title were “Who Are Our Modern Day Patriots?” Essays were judged by a team of local judges one each from Arthur, Lovington and Atwood. The three classes were Class I- 7th and 8th grades, Class II-9th and 10th grades and Class III-11th and 12th grades. Read More
•March 29, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
During the last city council meeting Jan Haegan approached the council about permitting and inspections for the new water plant and whether a demolition permit was obtained for the demolition of the city building. At this week’s meeting, Kristi Hart, Planning and Zoning Director for Moultrie County and the City of Sullivan spoke during public comment. In regards to the city pulling permits for city projects, Hart noted that since the city charges for permit to generate revenue, as well as to regulate what is being built, for the city to pay itself for a permit is not necessary. “However, going forward I would like to see the city pull a no-fee permit to have on file in case there is a question as to whether the city is following its own rules. This should clear up any confusion in the future,” she said.
As far as the water plant project, Hart and Commissioner Woodworth had spoken several times over the past few weeks. She noted that the project was brought before the council and therefore the public several times for different aspects of the project. Hart noted again that pulling a no-fee permit would have been the right thing to do to make sure all the bases were covered. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Desserts with Dove
Desserts with Dove was held at Sullivan First United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 23. The event gave members of the community the opportunity to meet staff members who work in Moultrie County and learn about the organization’s programs and ways to volunteer. Dove, Inc. offers a variety of programs including financial assistance, Homeward Bound, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Domestic Violence Program and others. From left to right are Barbara Blakey, Becky Comstock, Molly Tenuto and Dustin Depperschmidt.
Photo by Crystal Reed
MCHGS member Janet Roney with program presenters Brock Key and Makayla Tinker, both Natural Resource Specialists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville.
•March 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
Members of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society and other attendees heard a presentation on Flora and Fauna 1963 to Present at Lake Shelbyville on the evening of Thursday, March 16. The program was presented by Brock Key and Makayla Tinker, both Natural Resources Specialists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville.
Key began by sharing a brief history of the lake. Lake Shelbyville was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, and then World War II happened. Authorization was granted then from the Flood Control Act of 1958.
Work was started in 1963 and finished in 1970. The total cost at that time was $56 million which in today’s dollars is around $400 million. This included the relocation of utilities, highways, cemeteries, construction of the recreation areas and the Findlay bridge.
Key gave the big five which were five reasons why the lake was built. The main two are navigation on the Mississippi and flood control. The others are recreation, habitat sustainment and improvement and future water supply. Key then showed several photos of Lake Shelbyville prior to or during construction and asked members of the audience whether they knew where the photos were taken.
Tinker then went into combating invasive species. She noted that the problem with invasive species is that they adapt quickly and cause harm to natural plants and wildlife. The first ones she addressed were phragmites and reed canary grass. Read More
•March 22, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry
Superintendent Shannon Cheek spoke with members of the Board of Education about the school parking lots and their condition at the most recent meeting held Wednesday, March 15. What, originally, he thought would be a simple fix at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School will actually be much more of a significant repair after a closer look.
The area near the playground and east lot where most people usually park is estimated to be around $61,000. Cheek also said the staff area parking lot was estimated to be a bit lower at just $10,500. He feels that the parking lots at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School are in need of some major repair and by doing so, could extend their life much longer. The ALAH High School parking lot is also not in the best condition, but Cheek said it could get by another year by just simply filling in some of the cracks and holes. The Arthur Grade School’s parking lot east of the building has been estimated to be at $43,000. The board approved Cheek to collect bids and see what the total costs would be. He informed the board that it may not be a reality that all three parking lots can be repaired. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Trudy (Beauchamp) Feyerisen, a Lovington native, leads an activity at Arthur Public Library recently during Tales and Tunes With Trudy. The program is held on Thursdays at 3:45 pm at the library and incorporates reading, music and movement.
•March 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
Trudy (Beauchamp) Feyereisen, a native of Lovington, has been leading a children’s program at the Arthur Public Library for around 2 months now that incorporates reading, music and movement. Tales With Trudy has a theme every week and the theme incorporates holidays, seasons and other concepts. One recent program focused on friendship.
Feyereisen spent four years as a kindergarten-fifth grade music teacher in northern Illinois. Then she left to go to seminary. After she met her husband she moved to California. Read More