Sullivan couple finds friendship, laughter through 71 years of marriage

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•October 7, 2026• by Jamie Crosier At the SBL-sponsored Peace Meal (a senior nutrition program which serves balanced meals daily) held at the Mid-Illinois Senior Center in Sullivan, Ralph and Evelyn Kidwell have found that lunch is about more than what is on the plate. For about 15 years, the Sullivan couple has regularly attended the meal program, where they enjoy a nutritious lunch without having to prepare it themselves. Just as important are the people around the table. Staff at Mid-Illinois Senior Services have described the Kidwells as a regular source of laughter at Peace Meal — kind, honest … Read More

Concert in Allenville

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•October 7, 2026• Allenville Christian Church, 201 Allen street Allenville, will host a concert by the Mulkins on October 10 at 6:00 p.m. Delivering toe-tappin’, soul-liftin’ Bluegrass Gospel music, The Mulkins Family from Pawnee, Illinois is spreading hope, joy, and a whole lot of family charm. With banjos, fiddles, and a 45-ft RV full of kids, this energetic crew of twelve (yep—twelve!) travels the country sharing the Good News of Jesus at churches, festivals, and anywhere the Lord opens a door. … Read More

Lovington first-grader takes the stage at Moultrie-Douglas County talent show

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by Jamie Crosier Six-year-old Paisleigh had never performed on a stage before. Her singing experience had taken place at home and in the car, with encouragement from her mom and practice using a microphone at home. On July 28, she took that singing to the talent show at the Moultrie-Douglas County fairgrounds in Arthur and came home a winner. Paisleigh, a first-grader at Lovington Grade School, performed “If You Have To” by Ella Langley. She said she was “excited and a little bit nervous” when it was time to perform. … Read More

Habitat breaks ground on new Sullivan home

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•October 7, 2026• by Jamie Crosier Pictured are Richard Conques, Shelia Anderson and family, Gary Smith and Sandy Sanders. An open building site in Sullivan became the starting point for a new home Aug. 30 as Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity gathered with Sheila Anderson and her family for a groundbreaking ceremony. Board members, local supporters and traveling Habitat volunteers joined the Anderson family to mark the beginning of the project. Anderson and her children are this year’s selected Habitat family. Gerald Wood prepared an account of the groundbreaking for Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity, providing details from the ceremony … Read More

Remembering Who We Are……

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Kilroy Was Here •October 7, 2026• by Janet Roney My family had an Angus herd, but my brothers and I knew nothing about sheep until our neighbor gave us an orphaned lamb to raise one spring when we were kids. That dear little lamb inspired my brothers to get three more grown sheep for 4-H projects. We named the lamb Kilroy after the name in the graffiti phrase, “Kilroy Was Here” scrawled on boxcars and overpasses everywhere during World War II both here and anywhere the GIs served in Europe and Asia. Who was Kilroy? No one seemed to know.  … Read More

MCHGS presents “E.B. Tuttle: Chaplain to the Rebel Soldiers at Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL”

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•October 7, 2026• Did you know that there was a prisoner of war camp in Illinois during the Civil War? One that was said to be the deadliest in the nation? It was called Camp Douglas and was located on the southeast side of Chicago. Reverend E.B. Tuttle was the camp chaplain and wrote about his time there as well as at forts out west during the Indian wars after the Civil War ended. Join the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society on Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m. as Jeannie Barnes, MCHGS President and Tuttle descendant, shares the story … Read More

A Look Back…10-7-2026

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1966 Miss Pamela Jeffers reigned as Little Miss Peanut during the Kiwanis Peanut Day, and as the Queen, she rode in the Kiwanis float with two runners-up during the homecoming parade. Pamela is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jeffers. First and second runners-up were Miss Maria Burtcheard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Burtcheard, and Miss Diane Wood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William D. Wood. Robert H. Pierce, manager of Help Finance Corp., was named competition director for the Sullivan Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Two Sullivan High School youths, Charles White and Ralph Oliver, were awarded … Read More