•December 22, 2021•
By Jerry L. Ginther
NP Guest Writer
Usually we think of “pinch me moments” as pertaining to moments when we receive unexpected good news, and in my case the good news was a job I thought was out of reach for me. I really wanted the job, but knew I had several strikes against ever obtaining it. They were my age, my lack of experience, education and military draft status. Insurmountable obstacles in my young mind. Read More
Pictured above is the Sullivan girl’s softball team who met recently for a reminiscent game and picnic. Picture is from 1967. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan native Kathy Best was named city editor of the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
Eight students were named Illinois State Scholars at Sullivan High School. They were Lace Coil, Casey Davis, Ryan Horath, Christy Kracht, Andrew Preston, Doug Standerfer, Hollie Taylor, Jared White. Read More
•December 22, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
I’m sad to report the passing of an important contributor to this column: a man with whom I corresponded weekly, who challenged me both as a grammar columnist and newspaper editor and who provided tremendous insights with his trademark humor.
Stan Zegel inspired nine Grammar Moses columns over the years, and I included three of them in my book. The last column in the book, in fact, was Stan’s idea, and it ended up being one of my Top 5 for Stan’s brilliance and our personal yin and yang with the alphabet.
Stan, a former newspaper editor himself and, I believe, a competitor when I was covering Winfield as a reporter in 1990 or so, had a most active mind. He would write me so often that I couldn’t keep up with proper responses (a common problem for me as my pen pal base has grown).
I’ll miss Stan, and I know his wife, Lois, has a tough road ahead. I wish her well.
Stan died just a few days ago — 10 days after his last missive to me. It read:
“Dear Grammar, Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Dressing Festive
County Assessment office employees were dressed in festive outfits on Friday, December 17. From left to right: Sarina Van Meter, Alicia Morgason, Jessica Bathe and Lori Barringer.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Carolers at Marathon Gas Station
On Friday, December 17 employees from Moultrie County Baby Talk decided to spread some Christmas cheer by caroling inside the Marathon gas station in Sullivan.
•December 22, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
John Vander Burgh was appointed to the Moultrie County Board during their monthly meeting Thursday, December 9. He fills the vacancy left by Dave McCabe who resigned in November. Vander Burgh and his wife Heidi live in Bethany and their three children have attended Okaw Valley schools. He has a farm, a forensic accounting firm called 20/20 Forensic Accounting and Vander Burgh Financial Services.
Vander Burgh is an MBA, a CPA and a certified fraud examiner. He has worked in public accounting firms, national corporations and banking. In addition to now being a Moultrie County board member he is also the treasurer of the Okaw Valley School Board.
“I feel a civic responsibility to use my God-given abilities to help,” Vander Burgh said. He continued to say that he doesn’t have any preconceived notions about the board position; he just wants to help in a leadership capacity. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, family activities and being involved in church.
Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Volunteers for Santa’s Helpers helped wrap presents for Head Start students. L-R Mike Keown, Ruth Keown, Becky Bragg, Jeri Davis, Matthew Todd, Kathy Camp.
•December 22, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
On a recent chilly December evening six Santa’s Helpers met at the American Legion Hall to wrap presents for Sullivan’s 24 Head Start students and their teachers.
Jeri Davis founded Santa’s Helpers four years ago when a friend in Head Start told her there was no Christmas party for the children. “The children are so very appreciative of everything they receive, and they just love the party,” Davis said. She continued, “It is a full year of fundraising and hard work, but watching Santa come in and seeing the children joyfully opening their presents makes it all so worthwhile.” Read More
Photo furnished
Karen Golden (center) will be retiring from the Sullivan IGA on December 31. Jake Golden (left) will be the new assistant manager at the store. Also pictured is Manager Pat Stinson (right).
•December 22, 2021•
Karen Golden will retire from Sullivan IGA December 31. She began at IGA in March of 1979 when Ellsworth Lehman and Burl Jividen owned the store. She started out as a cashier, ordered health and beauty items and stocked shelves. She was the office manager for 20+ years before being promoted to administrative assistant in 2003. In 2013 she became assistant manager which is the position she currently holds.
Golden’s 42 years of experience, knowledge of the grocery business, and personal customer service have been invaluable over the years and will be missed by the store. She is looking forward to spending time with Barry Golden, her husband, who recently retired from the store, as well as spending time with her 11 grandchildren. Read More
•December 22, 2021•
As required by Section 200/9-15 of the Property Tax Code, Moultrie County Chief County Assessment Officer, Cindy Kidwell, advises that she will be holding her Annual Meeting with the Moultrie County township and multi-township assessors on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. in the Moultrie County Board Room, 2nd Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, Illinois. The purpose of this meeting is to consult with and instruct the assessors in the uniformity of their functions. The meeting is open to the public.