Author Archives:

Thoughts on Reading Rick Atkinson’s The Fate of the Day, Volume II of his Trilogy: The War for America

News Progress Posted on by


•June 25, 2025•

John Sullivan

by R. Eden Martin

Rick Atkinson is one of America’s most highly acclaimed historians. Known for both his scholarly rigor and his narrative skill, in the field of military history, he surely has no contemporary equal. He is perhaps best known for his widely-praised liberation trilogy — his three books which tell the story of the Allied invasions and campaigns in Europe during World War II: North Africa, Italy, and Normandy. 

Atkinson is now well into his next trilogy, which tells the story of America’s battles for independence from Great Britain, as well as the related political and military struggles in Europe involving France and Spain. The first of these volumes, published in 2019, The British Are Coming, received high praise for weaving the large picture of events and strategy with the day-to-day lives of soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict. The second volume, entitled The Fate of the Day, was published two months ago and has already received equally enthusiastic praise from reviewers. The New York Times called it “great history … compulsively readable … There is no better writer of narrative history than the Pulitzer Prize-winning Atkinson.” This new volume covers the middle of the war, 1777–1780, from Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston. 

Read More

A Look Back…6-25-2025

News Progress Posted on by

2015

The Sullivan Bakery returned! Two hours after opening its doors, they were sold out. The bakery was owned and operated by the Risley family - JoBeth Risley, her daughter Danielle Risley LaBarbera, husband Jerry Risley, and daughter Drew Zbinden.

Sullivan High School baseball team held their awards banquet, recognizing the following individuals: Nick Frerichs-offensive award and first team all-Central Illinois Conference; Matt Sparrow-Redskin award and second team all-CIC; Drew Harris- most improved; Zach Hrvol- pitching award and second team all-CIC; Dylan Hart- offensive award and first team all-CIC; and Jacob Piper- defensive award and all-CIC honorable mention; Levi Nadler-Redskin award and all-CIC honorable mention.

Read More

Sullivan High School construction update

News Progress Posted on by


•June 25, 2025•

Photo by DM Williamee Overhead image of the new gymnasium (with contractor in red on floor level for scale), which will have built-in retractable bleachers as well as a walking track on the upper deck.

by DM Williamee

Progress is continuing on the new Sullivan High School building. As this two-year construction project wraps up, the following projects are in process, per Dr. Walk:

The new flooring material is in despite a few delivery delays. Flooring for the second-floor classrooms is nearing completion. Once finished, work will begin on the cabinetry for the science lab classrooms.

The exterior windows are almost completely installed. There is still an unfinished window space on the second floor of the gymnasium, which is being used to deliver materials to the interior of the building.

The classroom portion of the new building is anticipated to wrap up by the end of July, with classrooms ready for use at the start of the school year. This is the most critical step, as it allows the 6th-grade students and staff to move back into the Sullivan Middle School Building, relocate the four teachers from the media center to classrooms, and eliminate the sharing of classrooms by a number of high school teachers.

Read More

Heartland Mini-Hoofs

News Progress Posted on by

Local Seniors enjoy equestrian visitors


•June 25, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Photo by Tawnya Marshall Carolyn Doss, 87, enjoys her visit with 14-year-old Jasper. A former farm girl, she said, “It takes me down memory lane, makes me happy” about her time with Jasper. Her brother was a great horseman, and she cared for his horses while he was serving his country in Vietnam.

On Tuesday, June 17th, Andra and Bill Ebert of Taylorville, who own “Heartland Mini-Hoofs,” brought their American Miniature horses to the Mid-Illinois Senior Services in Sullivan. Accompanying them were 14-year-old Jasper and 4-year-old Ollie. Andra advised the group they visit day cares, nursing homes, children’s hospitals, homes for the blind, and have an anti-bullying program that they take to schools, free of charge. Jasper has had well over 1,300 visits under his reins and is one of the top service horses in the country. 

Read More

Native Mike Keown selected as 4th of July Parade Grand Master

News Progress Posted on by


•June 25, 2025•

American Legion Post 68 has selected Sullivan Native and United States Military Veteran Mike Keown as this year’s 4th of July Parade Grand Master. Mr. Keown has been a member of the American Legion for 56 years, becoming a member in 1971 and becoming active in 1978, and began moving through the Chain of Command in 1980-1981, serving as Commander. Mr. Keown has served on the Honor Guard since 1978 and is active in funeral military rights for veterans. Mr. Keown has also headed the Fireworks fundraiser since 2014, began managing the American Legion’s scholarships in 2007, was elected to the board in 2013 and has served since that time, continuously, as a board member, and is also very active in multiple local community activities as well as his duties with the American Legion. Mr. Keown considers his most important work to be that of the rights of Military Veterans.

Read More

Sullivan 4th of July fun

News Progress Posted on by


•June 25, 2025•

The parade will begin at 12:00 p.m. (begins at SHS). Food and lemonade trucks as well as Xtreme inflatables, including rock wall, zip line, Xtreme air, slide, 3 piece obstacle course, wrecking ball, and a toddler zone, will be in the American Legion parking lot from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wrist bands for the inflatables will be $30.00. Park games: at approximately 2:00 p.m. in Wyman Park, there will be turtle races, a watermelon eating contest, and sack races. The fireworks show begins at dusk.

Mackville to perform in Allenville

News Progress Posted on by


•June 25, 2025•

Mackville will perform at the Allenville Christian Church at 6:00 p.m. on July 12th. There will be a free will offering and refreshments, and fellowship afterwards. Mackville’s music is a true mix of bluegrass and gospel music. They tell stories of song with their unique sound by alternating vocal leads with strong harmonies, along with instrumentals. They play a variety of traditional bluegrass music and gospel hymns. They hope that their music will inspire or encourage faith, as they enjoy helping and encouraging others. 

About the band: Jeff Lee plays mandolin and clawhammer banjo and sings lead/harmony.; Gary Schlabach plays guitar and sings tenor/harmony; Larry Schlabach plays fiddle and sings baritone/lead; Lori Schlabach sings lead/harmony; Mike Waddell plays banjo, mandolin, dobro and sings bass; Terry Schlabach plays upright bass and sings lead/harmony; Pam Waddell, Mike’s wife, takes care of the sound, merchandising, and many behind the scenes tasks; and Amy Lee, Jeff’s wife, takes care of promotions, bookings and website design.

Free music, dancing in Allenville, Findlay

News Progress Posted on by


•June 25, 2025•

Beginning June 27th, every last Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., the Allenville Community Building (just behind the church, 2 blocks from 121 Hwy.) will have free live music and dancing available for the public to come out and enjoy. This alcohol, drug, and smoke-free event is family-friendly. The performers, Rob and the Rebels, take music requests when they can. The above festivities can also be enjoyed on the second Friday of every month at the old church with the red roof (one block north on Main St.) in Findlay.

Recent Obituaries: Morris Luck

News Progress Posted on by

Morris D. Luck, 87, of Bethany, passed away at 3:00 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 23, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Adam McReynolds officiating. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bethany. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Morris was born on May 23, 1938 in Farmer City, Illinois, the son of Cleo M. and Dorthea B. Dolberts Luck. He married Marjorie A. McReynolds on September 11, 1960 in Bethany and she preceded him in death on December 24, 2020.

Survivors include his children Cynthia ‘Cindy’ (Tom) Burch of Westervelt, Illinois, David (Diolil) Luck of Bethany and Daniel ‘Danny’ (Marissa) Luck of Sullivan; grandchildren Wade Burch, Sarah Burch (fiancé Matt Harford), Kinley Luck (fiancé Drew Heffley), Madison (Trevor) Blackburn, Hallie (Bryce) Burks-Chavira, Landyn (Preston) Richardson and Mason Luck; great grandchildren Brenna Howell, Annie Harford, Cora Blackburn, Thea Heffley, Levi Richardson and another great granddaughter to be born in September.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Jeanne Luck, one brother and one sister.

Morris had a love for animals especially Angus cattle. This passion was evident early in his life when he participated in the cattle show at the Illinois State Fair at the age of 8. As an adult, visiting the Illinois State Fair to watch the Angus show was a highlight of his summer. Morris was a University of Illinois graduate where he was a member of the 1959 U of I Livestock Judging team. He was the Moultrie County 4-H summer assistant during his college years. During that time he met the love of his life Marjorie McReynolds. Morris managed several Angus cattle farms during his working career including farms in Brewster, New York, Ontario, Canada, Appleton City, Missouri and Olathe, Kansas In his latter years he found employment with Moorman Feeds, as a truck driver for Agri-Fab and a school bus driver. Morris was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany. In his retirement years, Morris could be seen sitting on his front porch watching his grandkids or visiting with friends and neighbors, sharing a story or laugh. Morris touched many lives and will be missed and remembered by those who knew him.