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“Singin’ In The Tabernacle” to be Held

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•September 2, 2015•

“Singin’ In the Tabernacle” will be held 10 a.m-3:30 p.m. Sept 19 in Cowden Free Methodist Church Camp, located off Rt. 128 between Cowden and Beecher City. The day long concert will feature three of gospel music’s best, The Lesters of St. Louis Mo., The Chosen Ones of Manchester, Ill. and One Voice of Marion. Tickets should be purchased in advance for lunch.

The Lesters, formed in the early 1900s by Harvey and Opal Lester, have endured through five generations and are marking 88 years in gospel music. Read More

Collecting Funds for COLA

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•September 2, 2015•

Volunteers for COLA (Churches of Lovington Area) will be posted in the middle of uptown Lovington from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

Hosted by Sparrows Unlimited and the American Legion family, the monetary donations go toward assisting those in the Lovington community who are in need. Read More

Creating Safety Plans

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•August 26, 2015•

by Althea Pendergast
Executive Director HOPE of East Central Ill.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe, whether you are in an abusive relationship, planning to leave, or have left that relationship.

If you are currently living with your abuser, think of safe places in your home to escape to if an argument occurs. Avoid rooms with no exits or rooms where weapons might be available. Stay out of the bathroom and kitchen areas, if possible. If an argument occurs, try to move to those safer areas of your home. Try to avoid rooms that your children are in, as your partner may hurt them as well. Teach your children how to get help. Develop a code word to use with your children, alerting them that they need to call for help or leave the house. Instruct your children not to get involved in the violence and teach them to call 911. Plan your emergency exits and share those emergency exit plans with your children. If you are being physically assaulted, curl into a ball to protect your head and your face. Memorize your safety plan and ask your local domestic violence program to assist and your children in developing your safety plan.
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Rep Shimkus Holds Office Hours Sept. 2 in Sullivan

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•August 26, 2015•

Congressman John Shimkus (R-Illinois) will hold open office hours from 11am - 12:30 Wednesday, Sept 2 in the Sullivan City Building, 2 West Harrison.

To schedule an appointment call his Effingham office at (217) 347-7947. Those who cannot attend may contact by mail: 101 North Fourth Street, Suite 303, Effingham, IL 62401.

From Summer Camp to Macy’s Parade

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•August 26, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

 

Photo by Mike Brothers Ben Berner is getting ready for Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. He will be joined by mother Samantha in New York City while father Mike watches from Sullivan.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Ben Berner is getting ready for Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. He will be joined by mother Samantha in New York City while father Mike watches from Sullivan.

Summer camp changed Ben Berner’s life and Sullivan High School’s history at the same time.

The B-flat clarinet player from the Sullivan High School band will march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with the Great American Honor Band.

Ben attended summer band camp at Eastern Illinois University where Camp Director Barry Houser encouraged him to apply for the Honor Band.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” Berner said of his acceptance. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to go as the first kid from Sullivan.”

Clarinets are in the Berner family with Ben’s mother Samantha playing in high school. She plans to attend while dad Mike will hold down the fort in Sullivan with the rest of the family watching the parade on television.

“This is cool! “ Samantha said, noting this was the 10th annual Honor Band performance at the Thanksgiving Day parade. She will fly out later in the week to join Ben and take a place on the main stage to watch the parade.

“Ben will be a busy guy,” said Sullivan band director Brock Freece, “He will have to prepare for the Thanksgiving parade in addition to performing in all our competitions and games this season.”

Freece attended the Eastern band camp as a youth. He has been a resource to help find ways to help with expenses for Ben’s trip as he will have to take care of transportation costs. Read More

Sparrows Unlimited Helps Families Throughout the Year

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Photo by Mike Brothers Lovington area Vacation Bible School students worked together this summer raising more than $600 which they donated to Sparrows Ltd. Children from all churches gathered at First Baptist Church for the cooperative VBS. Above are some of those VBS participants: (kneeling from left) Cannon and Daylon Doggett, (standing) Krystina Myers, Peyton Newberry and Makayla Hays.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Lovington area Vacation Bible School students worked together this summer raising more than $600 which they donated to Sparrows Ltd. Children from all churches gathered at First Baptist Church for the cooperative VBS. Above are some of those VBS participants: (kneeling from left) Cannon and Daylon Doggett, (standing) Krystina Myers, Peyton Newberry and Makayla Hays.

•August 26, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
Reporting from Lovington

In 1994, a group of people saw a need within their community and wanted to help others who were less fortunate than they.

After holding an auction for the very first time at Jerry’s East End that December, it became an annual tradition.

“I have personally been involved with Sparrows for 15 years, and the generosity of the people, not just in our community, but the surrounding towns, never ceases to amaze me,” said Jessica Mercer, a member of the Sparrows group in Lovington.

Sparrows Unlimited is a non-profit organization that was started to help families in Lovington who were in need during Christmas. Although since then, the organization has evolved in the way it helps others.

“Originally the organization was to benefit families in need at Christmas, which is still our primary focus. Sparrow’s Unlimited has evolved into a vital tool within our community providing Christmas to families in need, and delivering fruit baskets to the elderly,” stated Pam Anklam, another member of the organization.

“We act as a resource and support system for many organizations in Lovington such as Christ’s Pantry, Lovington American Legion Post #429, COLA, Boy Scouts and many school organizations,” she added.

Sparrows Unlimited also provided coats for children. “Last year we bought more than 40 coats for children in the community,” informed Mercer. Along with providing coats, the organization also put together more than 100 fruit baskets for the elderly (anyone over 62) as a thank you for their contributions to the community.  Read More

Sullivan Council Approves New Culvert Policy

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•August 26, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
Reporting in Sullivan

The need for a culvert policy prompted action by the Sullivan City Council at the August 17 session.

After some heavy rains and flooding, it became clear that some culverts and drainage ditches would need to be repaired and installed. During that discussion, the question of who was responsible for payment of the culverts was brought to the table -the homeowner or the city?

Commissioner Ken Johnson presented a new culvert policy that answered that question. In section one of the policy it states: “The cost of purchasing the initial driveway culvert will be the responsibility of the homeowner/taxpayer.”
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Area Golf Teams Get Underway

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•August 26, 2015•

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Both this and last week Sullivan, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond/Arcola, and Okaw Valley golf teams began regular season play.

For the Redskins, as reported in last week’s paper, they began the season in Windsor at the St. Anthony Invite where they finished ninth out of 12 teams, shooting more than 65 strokes better than this time last year.

Sullivan then travelled back to Windsor last Wednesday where they took first out of five teams.
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New Athletic Director Takes Over with Some Help From Friends

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Photo by Mike Brothers New Athletic and Activities Director for Sullivan Schools Ryan Aikman is on the job.

Photo by Mike Brothers
New Athletic and Activities Director for Sullivan Schools Ryan Aikman is on the job.

•August 26, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Ryan Aikman is Sullivan Schools athletic and activities director and is getting into the new job with a little help from some friends.

“One my best resources has been Charlie Brown” Aikman said of former Sullivan athletic director , now A&M principal.

Another advisor is Mt. Zion athletic director Mike Mose. “When your head is spinning like a tornado, seasoned veterans such as Mose and Brown are a big help,” he reflected.

As athletic and activities director Aikman schedules all sports for junior high and high school teams in addition to other extra curricular activities, including show choir.

“Strengthening all activities through good communication,’”Aikman said is his goal. “ I would like to build camaraderie among the coaching staff.”
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Tractor Games and Show Highlight Ag Events at Arthur Cheese Festival Sept. 5-7

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•August 26, 2015•

Tractor Games and Vintage Tractors will highlight agricultural activities at the 43rd Annual Arthur Cheese Festival September 5-7 in downtown Arthur.

A mix of new and old farm and lawn and garden tractors and equipment will be on display at the corner of West Progress and North Walnut Streets throughout the festival.  Read More