•July 29, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Swampwater subdivision residents learned what it may take to fix the 50 year old drainage problem during the July 27, Sullivan City Council Meeting.
Initially platted as Eastview subdivision it earned the Swampwater nickname after years of flooding. Moultrie County News cartoonist Bill Campbell won a National Newspaper Association award in 1978 for the cartoon depicting Swampwater with homes on stilts “Adequate for the Drainage”.
With the Elizabeth Titus Library meeting room filled Tyler Walker of DIGS Associates of Moweaqua laid out two options to divert the water from farmland into the neighborhood.
Both options proposed included construction of a berm behind the subdivision to help block corn field debris that has haunted the residents following rains in the post harvest season. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Gifted Gardeners
Community gardeners brought out the tools following a heavy rain at the garden north of Mason Point. These neighbors have been planting, weeding and are now starting to harvest fruits of their labors. Taking a break from their community gardening tasks are standing from left: Judith and Weldon Brow, Gene Bryant and Robin Terschner; seated Jean Dulik and Ellen Ferrera.

•July 29, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

In 2004 when the first duplexes were being built at Mason Point Jack Harris and Max Pennington tilled up the soil for the first community garden.
At the same time new residents, Weldon and Judith Brown, began planting their first garden. In 2014 Robin Terschner began a second garden near the main building as a diversion for his mother and brother who were Mason Point residents. Four years ago, Jean Dulik and yours truly put down roots, so to speak, in sub-plots and a truly community endeavor was created and continues to date.
“The garden has been a blessing during this time of isolation,” Dulik explained. “We all gather at the garden to socialize, share growing tips and help each other with the crops. It has brought us closer together as friends and a community.”
Weldon has a gas tiller and has helped to till the rows. Jean often waters the neighboring gardens and contributed a large sunflower sculpture painted in red, white and blue. Robin is always around with stakes, tomato cages and helpful advice. My contribution was a bale of straw to share as mulch. Read More