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Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 Poppy Poster Contest

News Progress Posted on by


•June 10, 2026•

Photo provided
Photo Left to right: Sullivan American Legion member Mike Keown, Sullivan Auxiliary Vice President Ruth Keown, Jacie Jean, Vanessa Wright, Jooniper Bly, Noah Hooten, Garrison Cohan, Briggs Sanner, Leland Walters, Kate VanDeursen, and Becky Lawson, one of the contest coordinators.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 Poppy Poster Contest is designed to help students understand the connection of the poppy to Memorial Day, those men and women who died while serving in the military, and supporting veterans. All Sullivan Elementary School fourth graders submitted posters this year. “We had a lot of beautiful posters to choose from,” noted Auxiliary vice president Ruth Keown.

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JCC Church VBS

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•June 10, 2026•

A summer children’s event called “Rainforest Falls” will be hosted at Jonathan Creek Christian Church, 1425 Jonathan Creek Rd, Sullivan, June 13th and 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. At Rainforest Falls, kids explore the nature of God, discovering who God is and how much he loves them.

Children participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies, and test sciencey-fun experiments they will never forget. Children will also learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called ‘God Sightings’.

Each day concludes with a ‘Canopy Closing’ that gets everyone involved in living what they have learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join daily for this special time.

Kids at the Rainforest Falls will join a mission effort to provide families in Central America with fruit trees that feed children and provide income to parents. Rainforest Falls is for children 3 years of age through 5th grade. For more information, call (217) 728-4369.

ROSC Grubfest

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•June 10, 2026•

Moultrie County ROSC Council and The Hour House will host The Recovery Grub Fest on June 20th from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Wyman Park, 1026 N. Worth Street in Sullivan. This will be a free, family-friendly event with activities, delicious food, vendors, and live music for the whole family to enjoy. Please come and join us for a super fun-filled day for the whole family. 

We would be delighted to see our community members, along with anyone who wants to have good, family-friendly, sober fun. The event will also have resource tables showcasing surrounding social service providers, as well as vendors from the area, live bands, and create your own tie-dye. Recovery is possible.

Hour House provides compassionate, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support for individuals, families, and the community. For over 50 years, it has offered a continuum of care including treatment services for adults and adolescents, recovery housing for men, women, and women with children, and community programs focused on education, prevention, and outreach. Contact joshf@hourhouserecovery.org for any information regarding the event. Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Dove/youth dove hunting lottery begins

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

The Illinois first dove hunting lottery is June 1st through June 30th and is statewide. Dove permits are free for the first five days of the lottery. View information about the first dove and youth dove hunting lotteries online at https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove/onlinepermitapplication.html. Don’t forget to report your federal dove band online at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/Bander_portal/login/reportband.php if you harvest a banded bird. Your cooperation on reporting band numbers gives biologists a wealth of information useful in managing the resources to provide hunters with maximum recreational opportunities while protecting dove populations.

MISS: June events

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

The Mid-Illinois Senior Center is located at 113 E. Jefferson Street in Sullivan. The Peace Meal Senior Nutrition program lunch is served weekdays (except holidays) at 11:30 a.m. Call (217) 728-8521 for more information on the events below or the Peace Meal.

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June ‘Peace Meal’ menu for MISS

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•June 3, 2026•

4th: Mushroom-crusted chicken, hash brown casserole, California blend veggies, and berry fluff.

5th: Loaded taco Salad, stewed tomatoes, roasted corn and black beans, side salad, and whole grain chips.

8th: Pork tenderloin and bun, baked beans, corn, and cinnamon applesauce.

9th: Orange chicken meatballs, Midori veggies, cauliflower, poppyseed slaw, and brown rice.

10th: Goulash, basil carrots, broccoli, peaches, and bread.

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Dash and Bash for St. Jude’s

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

On Friday, June 12th, and Saturday, June 13th, Sullivan’s 12th annual “Dash and Bash” events will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. With great food, live music, and family-friendly events, this promises to be a fun event for all. Better yet, all proceeds raised will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Last year, $32,338 was donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The calendar of events for this year’s event is as follows:

Friday, June 12th: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Raffle auction; 5:00 p.m.-Softball tournament, and at 6:00 p.m., the Duck Derby will be held at Wyman Lake, with cash prizes for the first three ducks to cross. Need not be present to win.

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Letter to the Editor

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Dear Editor:

In agriculture, we often pride ourselves on resilience. Farmers work through long hours, rising costs, severe weather, uncertain markets, and other circumstances outside their control. But the pressures facing agriculture today are unlike anything we have seen in 40 years.

Across Illinois, farmers are navigating financial uncertainty and the mental strain that comes with an increasingly unpredictable industry. These challenges do not stay in the field or the barn. They follow farmers home, impacting stress levels, family relationships, and mental health.

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Arthur ‘Freedom Celebration’ parade: entries accepted

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Entries are now being accepted for the 2026 Arthur Freedom Celebration Parade, scheduled for Saturday, June 27th, in Arthur. Individuals, organizations, churches, businesses, clubs, and community groups interested in participating in the parade are asked to contact Stephanie Wierman at (217) 620-7460 to request an entry form.

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Iacobazzi state runner up after photo finish

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

by E. Scott England

Johnny Iacobazzi has had an amazing running career at Sullivan High School. The speedy senior has found his way to the podium in both solo events and relays at the state track meet. School records have been toppled. But this year he was chasing the 1600m state title. 

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