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Sullivan Community Garden Grows More Than Vegetables

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Photo furnished.
In addition to help from school staff and the community students got to see how the community garden grew. Student gardeners from left: Addy and Asher Hendry, Zaden Hissong, Aubrey and Alex Fultz, and Nora Becker.

•August 15, 2018•

By Turnip Sprout
for the News Progress

Starting a garden on school property began as a way to show city kids where vegetables come from, but it ended up yielding more than produce.
Sullivan Elementary School fourth grade teacher Nichole Hendry had wanted a garden at school for some time, and this year possibility became reality.
“At the end of winter we planted some seeds and placed them in the windows of the classroom,” Hendry recalled how the project sprouted.
When her students saw the plants developed, they pushed her toward finding a way to plant a garden.
“From the start the students wanted to raise vegetables to donate to the Food Pantry,” she continued, noting approval to replace one of two prairie garden plots with the vegetable garden opened the door.
With a lot of help from students, school staff, teachers and volunteers from the community the garden started developing. Read More

Free Dental Care For Children Under 5

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•August 15, 2018•

Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation will provide a free day of dental care for Illinois children age five and younger Saturday, Sept. 8 in Mattoon.
The event is part of Foundation’s Dentist By 1 program which aims to educate caregivers about the benefits of taking children to the dentist by age one, as well as train dentists and oral health professionals to help expand access to care. Read More

Mennonite Relief Sale Returns to the Otto Center

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•August 15, 2018•

The 57th Annual Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale will be held August 24 and 25 at the Otto Center, ½ mile south of Arthur.
The activities will begin Friday at 4:30 p.m. with a pulled BBQ pork dinner and the auction starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday a pancake and sausage breakfast runs from 6-10 a.m., with the auction beginning at 9 a.m. The silent auction is from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The children’s activities begin Saturday at 8 a.m. and feature a train ride around the grounds. The children’s auction will begin at 10 a.m. A featured activity for the children will be a petting zoo. Read More

Obituaries 8-15-2018: Angie Ward

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Angie Ward

Angie Ward, 83, of Sullivan, passed away at 4:10 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2018 in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, August 15, 2018) in First Christian Church in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan was in charge of arrangements.
Angie was born October 16, 1934, in Mt. Moriah, Mo., the daughter of Charles and Wanda (Dimsmore) Adams. She married William Dale Ward June 5, 1955 in Bethany, Mo., and he preceded her in death May 21, 2016. She was a retired schoolteacher and worked for the American Cancer Society. Angie was a member of First Christian Church in Sullivan and sang in the choir for 58 years. She enjoyed playing many types of card games. Read More

Four Courtyard Centenarians are Staying Young at Heart

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
From left to right: Genny Sutton, Annabelle Griffin, Dean Bennett and Nadene Cochran celebrate their 100th birthdays at Courtyard Estates

•August 15, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

100 years ago as WW1 was coming to a close, four babies made their debut into the world.
They now range in age from 100 to 102 and were recently treated to a special birthday party at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan where they all reside.
Genny Sutton is a Sullivan icon and was born Dec. 16, 1917. She has spent her entire life volunteering and contributing to the betterment of Sullivan.
She founded and coached a women’s softball team, bowled in leagues and played in a kitchen band. Sutton has helped make pillows and quilts for kindergarten kids and is an Outstanding Sullivan Alumni.
Last year Genny received the Governor’s Outstanding Senior Service Award and is still a fierce competitor in card games.
Genny had two children and now has three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
“The Good Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family,” she said. “I attribute my long life to not smoking or drinking and clean living.” Read More

1908 Springfield Race Riot Led to the Creation of the NAACP

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•August 15, 2018•

Editor’s Note: This article is a compilation of multiple stories written by former (Springfield) State Journal-Register reporter Pete Sherman for the special section “Outrage: The events and aftermath of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot” that appeared in the June 1, 2008, edition of The SJ-R to mark the 100th anniversary of the riots.

By The (Springfield)
State Journal-Register
IPA Bicentennial Series

One of the pre-eminent civil rights organizations was born from one of the worst moments in Springfield’s history.
In August 1908, a white mob, thwarted in an attempt to lynch two black inmates in the Sangamon County Jail, went on a rampage. They destroyed dozens of black-owned businesses and homes in Springfield. Two black men were lynched and five white men died during the riot, with dozens more injured. Other deaths connected to the riots happened in the days prior to and after it ended.
Appalled that such an event took place in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown, civil rights activists in New York began meetings that led to the formation of the NAACP.
For numerous reasons, noticeable tension along racial lines existed among the 50,000 people who lived in Springfield in 1908. That tension boiled over in August, having simmered for at least a month after the first of two high-profile accusations were made against black men.
New to town
On or near June 1, 1908, 17-year-old black teenager Joe James jumped off a freight train passing through Springfield. Police ordered him to leave but James stuck around, and was eventually arrested for loitering. Read More

Jesse White Awards More Than $4.7 Million in Adult Literacy Grants

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•August 15, 2018•

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded over $4.7 million in Adult Literacy Grants to develop and enhance students’ reading, math, writing and English language skills.
“An estimated 2.1 million Illinois residents need adult literacy and/or English language instruction,” said White. “I am pleased to provide 76 local literacy providers with funding that will allow adult students to achieve their utmost potential in the upcoming year. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that all Illinoisans have access to quality literacy programs.”
Nearly 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs around the state. More than 6,200 volunteer tutors will provide instruction and guidance for students. Adult literacy projects help Illinois adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginner level improve their reading, writing, math or use of English as a new language. Read More

Dine With Doc At Mason Point

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•August 15, 2018•

The Dine with a Doc®-Sullivan is scheduled for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. September 4 in the Max J. Knight Community Building banquet hall at Mason Point. This month L. Kaye DeSelms Dent J.D.-Doctor of Jurisprudence Frisse and Brewster Law Office Effingham is welcomed.
DeSelms is a mother of two boys who understands the importance, as well as the complexities, of today’s families. She considers herself lucky to practice in an area of law that allows her to help families plan for the future and gain peace of mind.

C.E.F.S. Recognizes Achievements at Meeting

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•August 15, 2018•

The C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation Board of Directors held their 53rd annual board meeting in Effingham August 2 with nearly 200 people in attendance.
C.E.F.S. showcased their annual accomplishments in helping people and changing lives and in achieving their mission of providing opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
During the annual meeting, the agency recognized and thanked board members for volunteering their time to guide and direct the agency.
The agency also recognized the 2018 Family of Distinction, the Tawdros Family of Effingham, for their achievements towards economic stability which exemplified the agency’s efforts in helping people and changing lives. In addition, sixteen individuals were recognized who had made a tremendous level of personal growth towards achieving self- sufficiency. Read More

Relay For Life Defies Rain

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•August 15, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

A sudden rain squall overturned tents and sent people scurrying for cover just as the Relay for Life was set to begin Friday evening at 5 p.m.
The event was delayed an hour before the skies cleared, but the cooler temperatures prevailed for the resilient participants.
This year’s goal is $50,000 and by Relay time nearly $26,000 had been raised. An additional $17,000 raised since the Relay has put MCRL within reach.
“If we reach our goal by August 31, we will receive national recognition,” staff coordinator Tony Holly announced, noting few attain that.
Donations to the American Cancer Society are welcome and still being received for the Moultrie County Relay for Life.
Adam McReynolds, Moultrie Country Relay Coordinator, opened the ceremonies and the Boy Scouts presented the flag. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the high school Sullivan Singers sang the national anthem. Read More