•November 30, 2016•
The Mattoon Arts Council is now accepting entries for its 2017 quilt show with the theme of “Stitches of the Seasons.” Quilts, wall hangings, table runners, pillows and garments are eligible for exhibition.
This is not a juried quilt show, and all ages of quilters are accepted. The MAC wishes to showcase the talents of area artists and quilters alike. Read More
Tyler Mosier at Astoria
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Christmas is coming and never mind about that fat goose. It is time for the annual trek to find unique and original gifts and stocking stuffers - but where?
Enter the Find the Elf contest sponsored by the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development agency.
I visited seven participating stores and was amazed at what beautiful and whimsical gifts may be found right here in Sullivan and at very reasonable prices, thanks to remarkable entrepreneurs.
First stop - Astoria (204 W. Harrison) housed in an old mansion where I once stayed when it was a B&B. A brightly painted red door bids you enter the two-room shop choc-a-block with aromatic soaps, lotions and hand creams.
My favorite find was a soap called May Bailey’s Soap for Loose Women - perfect for the guest bathroom! Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan City Adminstrator Dan L. Flannell assumes new duties after retiring as Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in January.
•November 30, 2016•
By Mike Brothers
When Dan Flannell becomes Sullivan city administrator January 16, 2017 he leaves a 28 year career as Moultrie County Circuit Judge to walk across the street for a new challenge.
On November 21 the Sullivan City Council ended a long search for a city administrator when they chose retiring Judge Flannell to coordinate the city’s day to day operations.
“I knew when I stepped down from the bench, I didn’t want to retire,” Flannell said, noting when he learned of the city’s search for an administrator in the spring it interested him.
Appointed Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit in 2012, following the illness of Judge John Shonkwiller in Piatt County, Flannell found himself enjoying the administrative duties involved in balancing court operations in rural counties such as Moultrie and Douglas as well as two metro centers in Champaign and Decatur.
Thinking the city administrator position might be a unique match for his skills, he applied and was considered along with other professional applicants.
“I know there were several applicants, and I am grateful to the city council for choosing me,” he said.
“I realize it’s a lot different than being a judge, but I intend to start learning as much as possible.” Read More
Gypsy Soul
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Gypsy Soul Revival, next to Thrifty Boutique is just full of beautiful eye candy. Colorful blouses and tees, an entire rack of pastel, plaid, flannel shirts, turquoise handmade jewelry and two comfy chairs in front of a table of goodies for that shopping-weary hubby.
The mother/daughter owners are Sheri Seabaugh and Darby Harden, and they started their store almost four years ago. They had been doing a runway show which was closing down, and they felt like gypsies with nowhere to go, and thus was the inspiration for their store name.
“I make most of the jewelry, and Darby makes a lot of the clothes,”said Sheri, “although some of the clothing comes from California. We are pleased to offer sizes from small to 3X including children’s clothing.” Read More
John Marquis
John G. Marquis, Jr. 81, of Lovington passed away at 1:28 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2016 in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, December 1 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service in the funeral home in Lovington. Burial with military rites by Lovington American Legion Post #429 will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Read More
Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens
25 Years Ago This Week
The Lovington High School junior varsity volleyball team finished the 1991 season at 18-0 to become the first LHS athletic team in at least 20 years to complete a season undefeated. The team members include Michelle Geiling, Tara Traxler, manager, Heather Stoerger, Jamie Coon, Shanon Phillips, Christy Franklin, Kara Bolsen, Jenny Uphoff, statistician Kristy Minor, Lynette Eads, Tracy Mancha, Leslie Mosier, Michelle Smith, Casee Mechling and Alyssa Gilmore.
Lovington junior Brisyn Morrison was chosen to be a member of the All-Meridian Conference volleyball squad during recent voting of conference coaches. Junior Jill Cochran was also a unanimous selection to receive honorable mention honors.
Many area residents visited the grand opening of Coast to Coast Hardware in Sullivan over the weekend. The store, owned by Kurt VanDeursen, was celebrating its recent expansion and remodeling. Read More
•November 30, 2016•
A proposal that would have prohibited school buildings from being used as polling places did not gain sufficient support to change a position held by the Illinois Association of School Boards since 2007.
Representatives from 357 school boards considered resolutions on a variety of public school issues at the Association’s annual Delegate Assembly. The assembly was held Nov. 19 in conjunction with the 2016 Joint Annual Conference in Chicago.
IASB’s existing position statement supports legislation that allows school districts the right to refuse the use of their school buildings as polling places. The resolution that would have changed this position, submitted by Indian Prairie CUSD 204 in Naperville, failed by a vote of 143 for to 173 against. The Association has long held that the safety of students should be considered in the decision to use school buildings as polling places.
A total of 16 resolutions as part of 27 recommendations were heard by delegates. Two were debated and voted on separately. The others were approved as part of a consent agenda, involving topics such as early childhood education, school finance reform, standardized testing, healthier schools, and student readiness. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Archie Has Got a New Vest
Sullivan patrolman Adam Collins and Moultrie County sheriff’s deputy Kaleb Smith, K-9 patrol Archie’s handler, is pictured with Archie in his new bullet and puncture proof vest. Sullivan police dept.’s annual Rushmore law enforcement golf outing generated the extra funds from the 50/50 raffle and hole sponsors to help purchase the new vest. Golf outing coordinator Collins received approval from the sheriff’s K-9 unit for the donation with which police were able to purchase the $1800 vest for $1100.
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Simpler Thymes located across from the IGA is by no means simple but seems like a walk back in time with all the carefully selected antiques, primitives and vintage items artfully displayed by owner Brandi Novak and her staff. While many of the items belong to Novak, she does rent out space to other dealers.
“A lot of the materials in the booths are made by the dealers, said Novak. We have an art teacher from Windsor, and she makes all of the pottery in her booth”.
Most everything here is primitive, vintage antique or repurposed old items such as paintings on barn wood or painted window frames. The unique feature is that Simpler Thymes carries a lot of the larger items such as furniture, chairs, desks and cabinets that most stores of this genre don’t carry. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
One Book One Sullivan
Coordinator Rikki Ray announced this year’s One Book One Sullivan Middle School group is the largest ever with 26 members. This year’s selection of The Paper Cowboy by Kristine Levine was announced to a packed Sullivan Middle School gymnasium November 23. Principal financial supporters of the community project is the Sullivan Rotary Club, and members were in attendance. The OBO group produced a trailer for the introduction to the audience along with individual members giving insight into how the selection was made. The Paper Cowboy is a historical fiction set in the 1950s when communism was feared. Advisers and members of the One Book One Sullivan club are pictured above following the announcement to the school. Community discussions of the book will be announced in the future.