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Validating the Importance Of a Moment and a Memory

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Photo by Ariana Cherry
Valedictorian and ALAH Class president Macy Hollingsworth addresses graduating classmates during commencement exercises held May 25 in the Arthur gymnasium.

•May 30, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
of The News Progress

The gym was filed with high energy and excitement as the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond class of 2018 walked down the aisle to graduation – the last chapter of their lives as school students which they had been anticipating for so many years.

Summer had set in early, and waves of commencement programs fluttered back and forth as family, friends and school faculty fanned themselves to stay cool. It was time to send another class of students out into the world. Sitting there, it was easy to reminisce of my own personal high school graduation so many years ago as well as, thinking into the future, when my own daughter will be graduating high school the following year.

These students have created so many memories in the last 14 years…and now, they were about to create one more. Read More

Summer Reading Kicks Off At Elizabeth Titus Library

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•May 30, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

School is out, summer is here and the kids are home for the next couple of months.

Before the summer “boredom” kicks in make sure they pick up a book and join in the reading fun at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan.

The summer reading kick off is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, June 1. There will be no cost to the public-everything is free!

The kids will have plenty of fun with kid carnival type games, two inflatables, a life-sized Candyland game, a book walk, crafts, cotton candy and snow cones. During the reading kick-off, the public is invited to join in all the activities and sign up their children for the summer reading program. This will be a wonderful way to make reading fun and build up excitement for the kids. Read More

OV Baseball Rolls to Sectional Championship in Extra Innings

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Photo by Jason Brown
High fives all around from OV catcher Garrett Fritz following Sectional Championship win.

•May 30, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Okaw Valley baseball team finished a roller coaster of a week by winning the Class 1A Danville Sectional in extra innings Saturday and losing a heartbreaker in the super-sectional, Monday, May 28.

Super-Sectional

At the super-sectional game against Ottawa Marquette in Bloomington’s Jack Horenberger Field on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan, the Timberwolves were two outs away from advancing to the Final Four for the second time.

“We didn’t make it to state, but we belonged at state,” said OV coach Andrew Hagerman. “You have to earn it, and we didn’t quite earn it. I have coached for 12 years, and I can say that about two teams.”

In heat that reached mid-nineties and following a nearly 90-minute lightning delay, OV let its one-run lead slip away and lost 10-9 on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Timberwolves scored first by taking advantage of a Crusaders’ error for a run, then Camden Coleman singled in a run with two outs to take a 2-0 first inning lead. Read More

Quilts, Spinning Wool & More

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•May 30, 2018•

Organizers of the Sheep to Wool to Quilt Event, Saturday, June 2, at the new site of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Chesterville are pleased with the progress in restoring the Schrock House with final painting, front yard floral plantings, and parking lot construction nearly completed.

Troye Kauffman, chairman of the event, announced that an 1890 era suit worn by Daniel Schrock, the builder of the Schrock House, will be on display. In addition, the 1840’s era Campbell family quilt made entirely by hand from locally produced fabric will also be on display.

Brian Karrick, former director of Historic Farming Operations at Lincoln Log Cabin State Park, will be on hand shearing sheep as well as demonstrating more modern technology used in shearing sheep.

The actual spinning wheel brought to Illinois by Mose Yoder in 1865 will be on display. Other spinning wheels and looms will be on display with demonstrations and “hands on” opportunity to learn this ancient craft. Quilting demonstrations will also be offered throughout the day.

A petting zoo with baby lambs, goats, calves, a pony, ducks, chickens and a peacock will be available for children to enjoy. Pony rides will be offered.

The kitchen of Doris Yoder will have homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee starting at 9 a.m. Homemade chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans and pies will be available for lunch.

“This kick-off event for the 2018 season will be delightfully educational, visually rich, and a gustatory pleasure for all who attend,” proclaims Wilmer Otto, chairman of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center Board of Directors.

There is no admission to this event; however, donations will be greatly appreciated. The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is located just off Rt. 57, nine miles west of Arcola, through Chesterville on State Road 133; from Arthur, three miles east on State Road 133.

Farmers Market Kick Off and Strawberry Shortcake in Strasburg

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•May 30, 2018•

The Strasburg Community Action Network (SCAN) is sponsoring the Strasburg Farmers Market Kick Off and Strawberry Shortcake Night 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31 in the Strasburg Community Center. Get tips from a Master Gardener who will talk about gardening and flower planting at 5 p.m.

Visit the Farmers Market vendors and stay to eat strawberry shortcake with fresh picked locally grown strawberries, porkburgers and hot dogs while supplies last.   Read More

SEA Track Meet Gives Back

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Photo collage furnished
SEA Track Meet Gives Back
The annual track meet for Sullivan Elementary School students sponsored by Sullivan Education Association was held May 17.
The first SEA track meet was held during the 1985-1986 school year. The SEA president at the time was Carolyn Boblitt (grade school teacher) who helped create this event as a way to give back to the students. 
The entire SEA came together to make this year’s competition happen, working all the events and cheering on the kids. A photo collage of the meet: Top left: Will Miller, Kent Lehman, Liam Crouch, Liam Cole, Charlie Conlin and Teagan Born; Top Right: Kiely Grooms, Mackenzie Cole and Tenley Campbell: Middle left: Landon Jesse, Colten Wilson, Kaylee Smith, Navaeh Wilson, Kharli Kelly, Shaolin Hunter and Khyli Kelly; Third row of the middle pic: Joshua Cremeens, Katilyn Kirby, Jade McKee, Mason Booker, Devon Richardson and Emerson Risley; fourth row of middle pic: Brighton White, Caleigh Dyer, Linnea Graham and Amya Dyer; Bottom left: Collin Shain; Middle bottom: Colten Wilson and Rikki Ray; Bottom right: Drew Campbell and Rowdy Fayhee.

Okaw Valley Softball Players Recognized

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•May 30, 2018•

The Okaw Valley softball team handed out season awards and recognized All-Little Okaw Valley Northwest players this past week.

Five Timberwolves earned LOVC Northwest All-Conference honors.

Grace Harlin and Natalie Jeffers were unanimous selections for first team infielders.

Infielder Bella Benning earned second team honors, and pitcher Grace Bunfill also was named to the second team. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is the Rice Sawmill which was located six miles southwest of Sullivan. The photo is dated April 4, 1958. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Obituaries 5-30-2018: Paul Kearney

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Paul Kearney

Paul Dean Kearney, 80, of Decatur, formerly of Lovington, passed away at 9:04 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.

Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, May 30) in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington assisted with the arrangements.  Read More

WSS Hatchets Earn Historic Final Four Honor with Trip to State Tournament

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Photo furnished
WSS Hatchets team heads to state after winning IHSA Super-sectionals in Springfield.

•May 30, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg softball team’s No. 7 IHSA Class 1A ranking this season was not good enough.

After winning its regional, WSS shutout Central A&M last Tuesday and Cumberland Saturday to win the Effingham Sectional title.

But the Hatchets were not finished.

WSS avenged last season’s super-sectional loss to Calhoun with a come-from-behind win to knock off the Warriors 7-2.

The Springfield super-sectional win gave the Hatchets their first trip to the Final Four tournament at state in Windsor or Stewardson-Strasburg’s softball history.

WSS is scheduled to play Argenta-Oreana at 12:30 p.m. at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Friday. Read More