Author Archives:

Storied HS Football Rivalry Continues This Year

News Progress Posted on by

•August 1, 2018•

By David Porter
Of the Arcola Record-Herald and the Tuscola Review

At the end of 2016-17 school year, there were only four schools in Illinois that had won more than 700 football games in their team’s history. And two of them are small-school rivals just 8 miles apart.
Tuscola, population 4,391, and Arcola, population 2,864, have been battling it out on the gridiron since the 1890s. At times, including present day, their conferences have kept them apart, but the “Cola Wars” are set to resume Aug. 31, 2018, during the Illinois’ Bicentennial.
They narrowly missed facing off in 2017, as both teams climbed the brackets in the state Class 1A playoffs. Arcola, which has four championship titles, was eliminated in the first round while Tuscola was runner-up in the Final.
The Arcola Purple Riders have title bragging rights with four championships — the most recent was 2015. They also won the state title in 1978, 1985 and 1988. The Tuscola Warriors won in 2006 and 2009. Read More

Habitat ReStore Gets a Restart in Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
ReStore in Sullivan is Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity’s home building fund raiser and one unique department store located north of the tracks on Hamilton Street. A portion of the friendly volunteer staff from left: Pauline Rowles, Mary Ann Hargis, Dee Ann Daily, Cheryl Thomas and ReStore Manager Tara Reed. Back row: David Conklin and Mike Daily.

•August 1, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Tara Reed has a vision and since taking over as manager of the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Sullivan, it’s a vision teamed with elbow grease.
“I love cleaning and organizing,” Reed said, noting her goal is to give ReStore customers a warm, friendly, local department store experience.
Since May, Reed and the band of devoted Habitat for Humanity volunteers have been sorting through rooms filled with donated inventory. Grouping items by kind, cleaning and keeping the best items, the group is reorganizing the store into easy to shop departments.
“We want everything to be worthy of putting in your home,” she said, noting the displays when entering the Hamilton Street store are constantly changing.
Displays such as a dining room table, set with china near the entryway allows Reed to feature different items from furniture to glassware.
Store window displays are constantly changing, and seasonal items will be featured as well. Read More

Blue Dolphins Compete At Regional Championship

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Kim Drury
Johnathan Iacobazzi celebrates win with his parents Sam and Nikki Iacobazzi.

•August 1, 2018•

By J.D. Graham
for the Blue Dolphins

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins finished out the summer season with championship meets.
For the 14th year in a row the Dolphins have continued to compete at the higher levels. Eleven swimmers competed in the Regional Championship meet in Peoria July 20-22.
Swimmers representing SBD are Natalie Drury, Anna Wooters, McKenna Kull, Brodie Goss, Calista Clark, Gabrielle Spain, Mackenzie Erixon, Ethan Schmohe, Emily Crosier, Johnathan Iacobazzi and Isaac Chambers.
Johnathan Iacobazzi went on the represent the Dolphins at the 10 and under age group championship meet in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Iacobazzi competed for the first time at a state level meet in the 100 backstroke and 50 backstroke. There were more than 200 swimmers entered in the meet for the weekend in 10 and under, 11-12 and 13-14 age divisions.
The Dolphins are now gearing up for the 2018-2019 season with tryouts set for Saturday, August 25.[/s2If]

Lovington Public Library August News

News Progress Posted on by

•August 1, 2018•

Teens ages 12 to 19 may come in to hang out, make art or help out at the library Tuesday, August 7 and 28. Activities and snacks available. Service hours available for high school volunteers.
Adult Book Club meets 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 9 for an open choice month. Pick any book.
Friday, August 10 is the last day to write down books on books logs to count for Summer Reading. All prizes must be picked up by Thursday, August 23.
Guests of all ages are invited to join in for a Superhero Tea Party Friday, August 10. Fun snacks, heroic games, crafts and prizes are available. Costumes are not required but are appreciated. (Villains welcome too.) Preregistration by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8 is required to attend.
The library will offer preparation and tests on our computers for those studying for SAT exams 10:30-12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 11 and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, August 13. No registration required. Read More

Mountain Bike Weekend at Lake Shelbyville

News Progress Posted on by

•August 1, 2018•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is partnering with the Lake Volunteers Association, Central Illinois Mountain Bike Association, and the General Dacey Trail Mountain Bike Club to host the First DirtWorx MTB Fest on September 14-16.
DirtWorx MTB Fest invites mountain bikers to spend the weekend camping at Coon Creek Campground as they enjoy the trails Lake Shelbyville has to offer, including the General Dacey Trail and Camp Camfield. Weekend activities include Strava Time Trials, free tune-ups, games, food vendors, live music and pocket-sized maps provided for riders to easily navigate self-guided rides throughout the weekend. Read More

Obituaries 8-1-2018: Cathy England

News Progress Posted on by

Cathy England

Catherine “Cathy” Susan King England, 58, of Sullivan passed peacefully at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, July 29 in her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Services will be at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan with visitation 5-8 p.m. today (Wednesday, August 1) and funeral services 11 a.m. Thursday, August 2. Inurnment will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Casual attire is requested. Read More

Hood Ornaments Brought Poetry to the Automobile

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Pat Cribbet is displaying one of Huntsburger’s books on Hood Ornaments.

A Collector who Shared

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

At a recent meeting in a Titus Library conference room in Sullivan I noticed a large collection of car hood ornaments along one wall. The benefactor of this collection was Lynn R. Huntsburger.
Huntsburger was born on the last day in December, 1913 in a little frontier town in North Dakota. His mother was from Lovington, and when she died, he was sent to live with relatives in Kansas and then to others in Cadwell.
He grew up with a love of machinery and cars and in 1946, with a little seed money, he started O.K. Jobbers in his basement to sell auto parts and industrial supplies. In 1974 he bought his first antique car – a 1949 Kaiser, and by 1990 he had 14 antique cars which he loved to restore.
While restoring his cars he began collecting hood ornaments, mascots and other car trim. By 2004 he had more than 2,000 hood ornaments and was known world-wide as a premier collector of hood ornaments. He was interviewed by PBS TV, and his collection had been widely exhibited including at the Burke’s Museum at Millikin University. Read More

Obituaries 8-1-2018: Gretchen Morrison

News Progress Posted on by

Gretchen Morrison

Gretchen Diane Bailey Morrison passed away peacefully in her home in Louisville, Ky. on July 15, 2018.
She was born on May 12, 1944. A native of Lovington, Gretchen graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in education. An avid learner, she went on to earn multiple masters’ degrees as well as her Ph.D. Gretchen possessed many unique talents including needlepointing, knitting, sewing, cooking, decorating, antiquing, and gardening. She loved sharing her creations with others to bring them joy. Having raised her family on a farm, animals were always an integral part of her life. In her later years, in lieu of farm animals she had cats whom she showered with attention. Her beloved feline companions Bensyn and Greysyn have relocated to Springfield, Illinois with family where they will continue to be cherished. Read More

Obituaries 8-1-2018: Linda Grose

News Progress Posted on by

Linda Grose

Linda J. Grose, 78, of Sullivan passed away at 8:45 a.m. Monday July 30, 2018 in her residence.
Celebration of Life services will be noon Friday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Charliam Renner officiaiting. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Friday. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.
Linda was born March 23, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Oliver and Earlene Walker Brindley. She married Michael S. Grose June 17, 1960 in St. Louis, Missouri, and he preceded her in death December 25, 2016. She had been a teacher at El Paso Elementary School and later served as a substitute teacher for El Paso Elementary School, had an in home day care center while raising a family and then became a teacher for Sullivan Preschool and eventually being their director. Read More

Obituaries 8-1-2018: Shelia Lee

News Progress Posted on by

Shelia Lee

Shelia Rene White Lee, 60, of Sullivan passed away at 12:18 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in Saint Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.
A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, August 18 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan.
Shelia was born August 2, 1957 in Decatur, the sixth and youngest child of Benton Robert White and Dorothy Marie Bridges. Shelia lived in the central Illinois area her entire life. She was always there for her family, taking care of her parents for many years. She loved working on family history and enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and doing other crafts in her spare time. Read More