Area Fire Chiefs Recognized for Years of Service

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Area Fire Chiefs Recognized for Years of Service
Four area fire chiefs from Moultrie County were recently recognized for years of service as chief officers by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association at their annual conference held in Peoria. Fire Chief Larry Edwards of the Sullivan Fire Protection District, Fire Chief Michael Jennings and Assistant Fire Chief Phil Ozier of the Bethany Fire Protection District were recognized for five years of service. Fire Chief Gary Smith was recognized for 25 years of service as the Lovington Fire Chief.

Sullivan Celebrates Halloween

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•November 2, 2022•
Children celebrated Halloween in Sullivan on Monday, October 31, with safe trick or treat, AMBUCS Halloween Parade and traditional trick or treat later that evening. During safe trick or treat local businesses and organizations gave out candy and glow sticks to all the ghosts, goblins, princesses and other characters that were walking around the downtown area. AMBUCS also held their Halloween parade where children were able to march around the square with the high school band providing music while judges decided the top ten costumes. Winning costumes were worn by Colton Conner, Hope Conner, Gabrial Spencer, Zoey Fagin, Hannah Taylor and Macie Rodgers, Koda Polley, Whittan “Noodles” Hill, Amanda Hill, Adelyn Hill and Liberty Hill, Lyndsay Ray and Adah Ray-Allen, Barbara Siewert and Zach Kenworthy.

Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Members Attend Convention

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Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Members
Attend Convention
Sullivan Dance Studio had 10 Competition Dance team members attend Revel—The Dance Convention Revelation Radiate You Tour in St. Louis, Missouri on October 21, 22 & 23, 2022. Mini Level dancers were Natalia Beals and Fionn Lynch. The mini level dancers all got to perform in the final showcase and even had a fun Dance Party during one of their sessions. Junior level dancers from SDS Competition Team were Gabrielle Carpenter, Avery Florey, Adalee Foster, Lillian Hood, Aleena Ingram, and Miah Voegel. Special shout out to Lillian Hood for being chosen to perform from her level in the final showcase. Zoe Lynch and Sarina Voegel were teen level dancers who attended the convention. Zoe was able to attend bonus classes on Friday night at the convention as well. Revel Dance Convention gave dancers a chance to work diligently with a diverse faculty that included educators and choreographers from all facets of the dance world. Those who attended had a chance to attend ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, jazz funk and tap classes.

Sullivan High School Team IMPACT Accepting Donations of Personal Care Items

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•November 2, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A newly formed student action group at Sullivan High School is helping their peers with acquiring necessary personal care items, clothing and food. Team IMPACT’s mission is to create a safe, inclusive space that provides District #300 students the opportunity to make anonymous requests for personal care items and necessary resources. The group’s aims are to develop youth leadership, provide peer-led support and create sustainable community partnerships.
According to Darby Poe of Moultrie County Counseling, they received a grant from the Regional Office of Education #3 to help fund the effort. Poe and SHS teacher Kali Taylor recently had a conversation at a cross country meet. Taylor indicated that students are lacking basic necessities, and they don’t have any programs in the area that are youth based.
As a teacher, Taylor said, that in the course of a day she sees 75-80% of the student body. “There’s this need of kids that are hungry or lacking supplies.” Poe added that kids often don’t admit they are in need. Read More

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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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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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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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