•November 27, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
For the Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team to be successful this season, the Timberwolves will have to take advantage of its energy and game plans to over its lack of height.
OV returns five letter winners and quite a bit of experience.
“We don’t have much height, but we make up for that with effort and execution,” said coach Brooks Inman. “We will have to be fundamentally sound on defense and on the glass.” Read More
•November 27, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team won its season opener at home last Monday.
The Knights dismantled Meridian 52-18 with help from a defense that held the Hawks to six points or less in each quarter. Read More
•November 27, 2019•
The Lovington First Church of God will be presenting their annual live nativity event, “O Come Let Us Adore Him” on Saturday, December 7th ,2019 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm at the Family Life Center located at 305 West State Street in Lovington, IL.
Everyone is invited to come share the nativity experience featuring character portrayals, angels, and a stable full of live animals. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served and kids can make a Christmas keepsake stocking to take home.
New this year will be a closing candlelight service at 7:00 p.m. which will feature the sharing of the nativity message and Christmas carols. This event is presented as a free gift from the Lovington Church of God.
Theresa Davis
Theresa Ann Davis, 62, of Lovington, passed away at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at Eastview Terrace, Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Theresa was born September 20, 1957, in Decatur; the daughter of Joe and Joan (Wood) Davis. She loved music, singing and playing her guitar. She sold AVON for many years.
Theresa is survived by her sons, Matthew Leach of Plattsburgh, NY, and Tyler (Miranda) Davis of Goldsboro, NC; daughter, Shanna (Ben) Berg of Peru, IL; brothers, Gary Davis of Mt. Zion, and Bob Davis of Sullivan; sister, Brenda Griffin of Royse City, TX. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents and 2 grandsons.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Mildred Smith
Mildred (Millie) Durchholz Smith, 98, a longtime resident of Lovington and Hammond, IL, and Mt. Dora, FL, died Friday, October 4, 2019, at Mason Point Nursing Home in Sullivan, IL.
Born January 18, 1921, in Latham, IL, she lived on a farm until graduating from Latham High School at the age of 16. Her dream was to become a nurse, but because she could not start nurses training until the age of 18, she went to Millikin University for two years. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
John and Anna Ruscin started seeing each other when John started helping with Turkey Bingo.
And the Beginning of Life with Anna
•November 20, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
John Ruscin has probably never undertaken any assignment for the short haul. He was a teacher/coach at Sullivan Elementary School for 37 years, then an IGA employee for 19 years and on November 8 he announced that he would be retiring after 68 years of volunteer service to the Lion Club’s Turkey Bingo.
“I came to Sullivan as a geography teacher and coach in 1951,” John recalled. ”Then Principal, Russell Ashbrook, actively recruited every male teacher to membership in the Lion’s Club. I have been there ever since.”
“I’ve been told that the turkeys were tossed off the roof of the Court House and the participants had to chase down their turkey,” He said it was an early story of how Thanksgiving Turkeys were distributed. Turkeys can fly can’t they?
“This practice was discontinued due to complaints about cruelty to the turkeys,” he continued.
Turkey Bingo was first held at Shasteen Motors, then moved to the Armory and finally to the American Legion Hall, John said, emphasizing more than 300 people have participated in the annual fundraiser each of the past two years.
The Lion’s Club helps those with vision issues and supports community programs including school scholarships. Read More
•November 20, 2019•
A free estate planning seminar will be offered from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the First United methodist Church on Jefferson St. Sullivan.
Sponsored by BRE LAW (Bolin Robinson & Ellis LLP) of Sulivan with Steven K. Wood, Steven W. Mayberry, Jon D.Robinson and Shane M. Mendenhall presenting.
Those interested in attending should call (217) 728-7369 or email kalexander@bredlaw.com, no later than noon December 10.
•November 20, 2019•
Shelby Christian Church is holding a Christmas Vendor and Craft Fair in Shelbyville from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Over 25 vendors will be at the Hickory Street Church along with a Silent Auction with many items, a bake sale with a lot of goodies.
Rork’s Pork Barbecue will start serving lunch at 11 a.m.
The proceeds from entry fees, bake sale, & silent auction will go to Shelby Christian Church Mission Trip.
Photo by Jason Brown
Timberwolves player Kate Jeffers eyes the rim during the state tournament two years ago. Jeffers looks to take that experience into a successful senior year.
•November 20, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team returned only one senior: Kate Jeffers.
At the same time, OV returned other Timberwolves who earned quality varsity playing time last season.
“We return a lot of varsity minutes, both in the back court and front court, more than last year in that respect,” said OV head coach Brad Ackers. “The girls know what is in front of them and what to expect this year, that will pay off when we face adversity this season too.”
Ackers will have to count on several young players to contribute for OV to have a successful season.
“Some young girls will see varsity reps, and we will get them as ready as we can,” Acker said. “I also think we are a bit deeper this year than we have been in the past. I could see up to ten girls in the varsity rotation here next week, and that is something we haven’t had since our first year here.” Read More
Jenna R. Protz
Jenna R. Protz, 14, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2019 in an auto accident, near Hillsboro.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 23, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia with Chaplains Scottie Wilson and Lee Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 22, 2019, at First United Methodist Church, Vandalia and from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday prior to the service at the church. Read More