Author Archives:

A sweet MCRTA meeting

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

Submitted

On Tuesday, October 1st, twenty-five Moultrie County retired teachers met at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola. Devon Flesor Story, the owner, welcomed the MCRTA with a history of her business and a tour of her kitchen. Story herself was a former teacher at EIU in Charleston.

Story’s grandfather, Gus Flesor, immigrated from Greece and began the American Dream working on the railroad. Through his efforts, Flesor brought over several family members and their favorite family recipes. By 1901, Gus and his brother Nick opened an iconic Greek confectionery and restaurant in Tuscola. Eventually, though, a family feud broke out and created business competitors. Customers had to sneak around the two brothers to do business with both. 

Read More

‘Holiday Market’ November 1st

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

On November 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the First Christian Church of Sullivan will hold a ‘Holiday Market’ at 1357 CR 1200 East in Sullivan. Coffee hour will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., with a lunch café from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. (carry out available). The market offers a ‘pick a prize’ drawing, barn quilt raffle, jewelry boutique, bountiful bakery, Christmas shoppe, and a crafters and quilters corner. All proceeds to benefit Moultrie County Food Pantry, SES Weekend Food Bag program, Sullivan AMBUBCS, and the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association.

Share your family favorite recipes

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

It’s that time of year again - we are asking for readers to submit their favorite recipe for our annual “Family Favorites” cookbook publication. Whether it’s an old family favorite passed down through generations, a recipe you created yourself when being creative, or something new that you love, we are interested in what tickles your palate and brings you joy to put on the table.

The “Family Favorites” cookbook will be published in November.

Please submit your recipes to rtipsword@newsprogress.com.

Halloween in Findlay

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

On October 31st, there will be two ways to celebrate Halloween in Findlay. A ‘Trunk or Treat’ will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the parking lot south of the Methodist church, hosted by Findlay’s L.A.K.E group. A ‘Halloween Supper’ will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Clarence Bixler Legion Post #409, with costume judging held at 7:00 p.m. Businesses are encouraged to participate.

Fall Festival

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church will be holding a ‘Fall Festival’ on October 18th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 216 West Jefferson, Sullivan. There will be food, trunk or treat, and games. For more information, call (217) 728-4436.

Arthur’s ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest Show’ delights

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Friday, October 10th, in Arthur, the Amish Heritage Society hosted its annual ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest’ show. Among the many events: sorghum pressing, corn picking, shredding and shucking, threshing oats with horsepower, quarters in a haystack, field operations, and the noon whistle and ‘candy cannon’. Those in attendance were also able to partake of a petting zoo, buggy rides, a life-size Candyland game, balloon animals, horseshoeing, as well as blacksmithing demonstrations, and the children were especially fond of making their own rope. Demonstrated as well in the food tent was the making of apple butter from scratch (kettle to canned), grinding corn for cornmeal, and a bevy of delicious baked/prepared foods, including multiple fresh-made, kettle-cooked popcorn varieties to sample and for purchase. There was even a John Deere motorized ice cream maker, churning out delicious chocolate ice cream to pleased partakers. The weather was seasonably cool and enjoyable. The event elicited smiles, laughter, questions, and a sense of awe. Many came from non-local areas such as Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee specifically for the event.

Photos by DM Williamee

Read More

Recent Obituaries: Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower

News Progress Posted on by

Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower, 90, of Lovington, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Eberhardt Village in Arthur, Il. 

Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, IL. As per Barbara’s request there will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to The Eberhardt Village Activity fund, St, Jude or Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Barbara was born on January 13, 1935, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Sarah Frances (Devine) Molzen, spending her youth growing up on the family farm in rural Lovington. She graduated from Arthur High School in 1952 and continued her education at Brown’s Business College in Decatur. Barbara had a diverse career, starting with the Mueller Company and retiring from Masterbrand in Arthur. Her biggest joy was spending time with her family; she would often joke that she spent half her life in school gyms or on football and soccer fields watching her children and grandchildren participate in various sports. She also enjoyed preparing large meals when most of her family would return for the holidays; the food was always plentiful and excellent. Always a sports fan, she watched the Illinois football and basketball teams whenever possible as well as football on Sundays.  During her later years she enjoyed doing crafts which she would proudly display in her apartment. She was a member of the Antioch Christian Church of Decatur.

Surviving are her sons, Jeff (Carolyn) of Lovington, Tim (Sandy) of Baraboo, WI, Phil (Gayla) of Beebe, AR; daughter, Pam Wood of Rock Hill, SC, sister, Phyllis Regalia of Ukiah, CA; brother, Roger Molzen of Sullivan IL.  She is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. 

She was proceeded by her parents, husbands, Robert Trower and Loren Phillips, and son, Mark. 

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the Eberhardt Village staff for their friendship and excellent care during her years there and most importantly their compassion during her final months, allowing her to spend her final days in her apartment with grace and dignity. We would also like to express our appreciation to the hospice nurses from Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice for their kindness and excellent care and Dr. Ellington for years of excellent care.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Redskin football takes down Tri-County

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

Sullivan got back into the win column Friday night, soundly defeating the Tri-County Titans 47-6. In the first quarter, Owen Smith connected with James Feldkamp on a 14-yard pass to start off the scoring, and Aiden Dinger added a 16-yard rushing TD, and the Redskins never looked back. 

Sullivan kept up the onslaught in the second with Smith connecting with Logan Fleener on a 21-yard touchdown and Aceon Fryman for a 13-yard TD, sandwiched around his own rushing score. Smith ran for his second TD of the night in the third quarter on a 51-yard scamper, and in the fourth, Kolten Kirby punched one in from 4 yards out. Sullivan gave up the one scoring play through the air in the third. Dinger led the Redskins with 66 yards on the ground, and Smith balanced the attack out with 61 yards through the air. 

The win improves the Redskins to 5-1 on the season.

Sullivan Fast Stop rewards new drivers

News Progress Posted on by

Photo Submitted

On Thursday, September 25th, Cheryl Coddington, Manager of Sullivan’s Fast Stop, presented Sullivan High School Principal Mr. Allen with seventy-seven $10.00 gift cards and complimentary drink coupons to be awarded to students who successfully pass their Illinois driver’s license tests. This gift is intended to reward and recognize the diligence and perseverance of these students. This is Fast Stop’s first year rewarding new drivers.