Growing Up In Sullivan: The Popular Horse Races

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•June 22, 2016• By Jerry Ginther NP Columnist When I was in grade school, I was a big fan of Walter Farley, author of The Black Stallion series. I read them all. Anytime a book report was required, one of Mr. Farley’s books was the adventure of choice so I wasn’t at all surprised when I learned recently that he was actually writing to my age group. However, when I was a freshman in high school, my English teacher suggested, after I submitted two of those reports back to back, that my coverage on the topic was sufficient for that … Read More

Growing theme for Smyser Christian VBS

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•June 22, 2016• Smyser Christian Church will host Vacation Bible School 6-8:30 p.m. July 18-22. for children entering kindergarten through eighth grade. The theme is Growing: Inside Out. Kids will learn about loving God and loving others as they explore the emotions of anger, fear, disgust, sadness and joy. … Read More

Cowden Free Methodist Camp Comes to July

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•June 22, 2016• Pastor Gerry Coates is the featured evangelist at the Cowden Free Methodist Camp set for July 8-16. Evening services are 7:30 pm except for Sunday which is 6 pm.  Morning Service is 10:30 am. He first attended camp in 1967, and the son of Herb and Mary Coates was called to the ministry in 1977 during family camp at Cowden. … Read More

Tragedy Inspires Mother to Educate Others About Safe Sleep

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•June 22, 2016• Angie and Ben Goebel still struggle with the loss of their three-month-old daughter Maggie five years ago. The couple never imagined tragedy would strike when the child’s baby sitter laid her down for a nap one morning. “We received a frantic call saying she wasn’t breathing and they had called 911,” Mrs. Goebel said. By the time the family reached the hospital emergency department, their baby girl was gone. “Maggie had rolled over into some soft bedding while napping in a “Pack’N Play” and suffocated,” Goebel explained. “It was a horrible accident.” In the years that have … Read More

Lovington America Legion Member Drive

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•June 22, 2016• The Lovington American Legion will hold its annual Early Bird membership drive Saturday, July 9. The drive is for membership year 2017 for the American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. Doors open at 10 a.m. Free food and draft beers will be available to any member renewing or signing up to join. … Read More

Obituaries: Ralph Arthur

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Ralph Arthur Ralph “Cap” Owen Arthur, age 73, of Allenville passed away at 12:19 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in Carle Foundation Hospital. Funeral services for family and friends were held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon with Pastor Rickey Ferguson officiating. Burial followed in Windsor Cemetery. Ralph was born May 18, 1943 in Chicago, a son of Ralph Aaron and Irene Block Arthur. He married Vera Lavone Nolen July 24, 1976. … Read More

Dog Days of Summer at Lake Shelbyville

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•June 22, 2016• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is inviting area residents and their canine pets to join them for the 22nd annual Lake Shelbyville Dog Days of Summer Dog Show on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Participants can enter their dogs in the following categories: Best Trick, Best Dressed, Smallest Dog, Biggest Dog, and Most Precious Puppy. There will be prizes awarded to the winners of each category. Owners can enter multiple dogs, but only one dog per owner will be allowed in each category. … Read More

Sullivan Siblings Win At Drive Chip Putt Championship

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•June 22, 2016• The first leg of local qualifying for the 2017 Drive, Chip & Putt Championship was held Friday, June 17 at Effingham Country Club. Brett Bushue of Sullivan won first place overall in the 10-11 year old age group; Kate Bushue won first place in the 7-9 year old age group. A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in … Read More