Glimmer Nights Dance Held at Building 1225

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Glimmer Nights Dance Held at Building 1225
Moultrie County had its first annual dance for adult community members who have special needs. There were approximately 65 participants from the community that participated in this event. Each participant enjoyed being crowned with a crown or tiara and a personal welcome announcement as they entered the event.
The Glimmer Nights Dance was held on October 15 at Building 1225. The night was full of lots of dancing, a photo booth, a craft, and snacks. It was a night enjoyed by all and we are already looking forward to this being an annual event. This event was hosted through the Sullivan Area Ministerial Services giving monetary donations and community volunteers to make this event happen.

SHS Spanish Students Celebrate Day of the Dead

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Award Winners from Day of the Dead Celebration
Pictured are those who won awards for their altars, costumes and modeling during the fashion show. The event was educational and fun for the students.

•November 2, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Photo by Crystal Reed
Portraying
Famous People
Above, Spanish students dressed as famous deceased persons stopped for a photo. Students dressed up as famous artists, actors, sports figures and historical icons as part of The Day of the Dead celebration.

Patricia King who teaches Spanish at Sullivan High School and her students enjoyed a celebration of The Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) last Friday in the high school commons. According to www.history.com, this is a Mexican holiday when families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. The holiday is celebrated each year from October 31-November 2. Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center Holds Barn Raising Event

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Dan Huebener, of Brighton, uses a large mallet to drive a peg into the wood during the Miller-Herschberger barn raising at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Saturday, October 29.

•November 2, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center located between Arthur and Arcola had a big event over the weekend-- a barn raising for the Herschberger-Miller barn which was constructed three miles from Arthur in 1879. The barn was dismantled this past spring by Firmitas, formerly Trillium Dell Timber Works.
Besides removing the barn from its original site, the 143-year-old structure was tagged, labeled and dismantled piece by piece. Last weekend that barn was raised on the IAHC grounds along with other activities including blacksmithing, rope making, petting zoo and buggy rides. Due to OSHA regulations, the barn was raised using some modern equipment. Read More

City Council Approves Issuance of Bonds for Water Treatment Plant

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•October 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved three items on the agenda Monday night relating to the issuance of $1 million in bonds for the water treatment plant facility. The first of those items was an ordinance authorizing the issuance of waterworks and a sewerage system revenue bond. City Treasurer Sarah Golden said previous ordinances for water treatment plant original was $8.5 million, and they went back for $2 million.
The total project price requires the city to put up $1.7 million of its own money. By issuing this additional million the council can reduce the city’s putting forth on non-financed funding and repay the IEPA loan, and it will help make this loan payment. “This interest rate is better than the IEPA loan that we currently owe,” she said. Read More

2022 Showchoir Fall Revue Held

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Photos by Crystal Reed
Showchoir Fall Revue Held
The Sullivan Singers and Singers Junior held their Fall Revue the weekend of Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16. The theme of the show was Press Play On A Good Day. The program featured performances by Singers, Singers Jr. and the groups combined. There was also a section of the program that had solos and duets that included vocal performances or dance performances by a student or two. The groups 2023 Competition Schedule includes Mt. Zion Midwest Invitational, Danville Midwest Classic, Troy Buchanan Show Choir Invitational Naperville North Clash of the Sequins, Sullivan Invitational, John Hersey Chicagoland Showcase and Decatur Premier Choice Invitational or Herscher Swing and Sing. A Show Choir Preview Show is scheduled for January 11 in the SHS gym.

Former Director of Prairie Winds Recognized with Plaque

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook presented a plaque recognizing Virginia Darnell, former director of the Prairie Winds, for her 30 years of dedication to the performing group. Looking on is Virginia’s husband Jim. Darnell retired as director in November 2015. The group recently disbanded.

•October 26, 2022•
Virginia Darnell, who directed the Prairie Winds from Sullivan for 30 years, was surprised last Wednesday at Tanglewood Village in Decatur. Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook presented a plaque to her in recognition of her work with the group that performed for seniors in Moultrie, Douglas and Shelby counties. The Prairie Winds recently disbanded. Read More

Food Pantry Candy Fundraiser Now Accepting Candy Orders

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•October 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen will be accepting Christmas candy orders from Sullivan, Moultrie County, and surrounding county residents this year from now through November 22. Orders will be taken again by mail this year. Order forms have been mailed to past supporters of the fundraiser. Additional order forms are available at Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More, 7 W. Jefferson in Sullivan and at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, 101 West Sale in Tuscola. Read More

ALAH School Dist. Receives Highest Financial Score on Budget Audit

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•October 26, 2022•
by Ariana R. Cherry
NP Writer

The boys’ high school golf team was recognized at the school board meeting Wednesday, October 19. The team has won four consecutive championships in the last two seasons, and they have not lost a conference match. Four of the eight players have played in the all-conference as well.
The new grade school music teacher was introduced. Dr Jose Gobbo, who is a Brazilian native, has been splitting his time between Arthur, Atwood-Hammond and Lovington grade schools. He plays a wide variety of musical instruments such as piano, trombone, trumpet and saxophone. The district is quite excited to have him on board and stated that he has gotten kids excited about and loving music again. Read More

SHS Junior Collecting Items for Kemmerer Village for Eagle Scout Project

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Aston Johnson, a member of Boy Scout Troop 142 and junior at Sullivan High School, is collecting items to support the foster care program at Kemmerer Village for his Eagle Scout project. His project is called “Welcome Home” A Community Shower.

•October 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A Sullivan High School junior is working toward his Eagle Scout rank and has chosen to work with Kemmerer Village to support their foster care program. Aston Johnson has been involved in scouting for almost 10 years and is a member of Boy Scout Troop 142 at Stewardson-Strasburg. To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout a person must have a minimum of 21 merit badges and Johnson has 32.
He has titled his project “Welcome Home” A Community Shower. Johnson has decided to work with Kemmerer Village because, through scouting, he has gained a bonus family and wants to give back to the communities he has had the opportunity of which to be a part. “Every child deserves to have a place to call home and a family to call their own,” he said. “With your help we can provide the resources families need to help them thrive.” Read More

Moultrie Co. Board Awards Final Round of American Rescue Plan Grants

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•October 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board awarded American Rescue Plan (ARPA) grants to eight recipients during their Thursday, October 13, meeting. The total amount awarded in this round was $1,095,525. Board members John Fayhee and Marsha Kirby attended the meeting via phone, and John Vander Burgh was absent.
Grants were awarded to the Life Center in the amount of $41,000 for roof and HVAC upgrades, Moultrie County Dive Team in the amount of $100,000 for mobile command unit and upgrades to rescue boats, Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital in the amount of $15,000 for generator as county’s animal hospital and boarding provider, Village of Arthur for $200,000 for water sewer project, Sullivan Bakery for $89,000 for lost revenue during COVID, County Detention Center for $167,525 for upgrades to electronics and door, Bethany Diner for $60,000 for roof and HVAC updates and Andrew’s Group for $423,000 for consultation, deployment and investment of childcare crisis plan. Read More