Author Archives:

Understanding Illinois: Revisiting the Founding Era for Lessons Learned

News Progress Posted on by

•February 13, 2019•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

I have been asked by the Kewanee (IL) Library, near my residence in central Illinois, to lead discussions on “Revisiting the Founding Era.” What lessons might there be for us today, and what might we do today to honor those who made our nation possible?
Library director Barbara Love was awarded one of a very few grants from a New York City foundation to explore the topic. Over the coming six weeks, I will sit in the moderator’s chair at sessions in the library, and in classes at the local community college, high school and state prison.
I am a political scientist, yet have always enjoyed history, though I am not expert in the Revolutionary Era. To prepare, I just finished “American Creation,” by Joseph Ellis, author of the best-selling “Founding Brothers.”
The Founders, led by Adams, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison and of course others, were not demigods. They were indeed true radicals, intelligent, imperfect.
Their audacity was breathtaking—a tiny band of disparate colonies of barely 3 million people taking on the world’s mightiest military.
Nor was there consensus in the America colonies. Ellis estimates that only one-third of the colonists supported the Revolutionary cause; one-third, opposed, and one-third sat on the fence. Read More

OVES Students Earn and Learn with Pennies for Patients

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
OVES pitched in pennies to help patients. From left: Teacher Kathy Doty, Principal Heidi Vander Burgh, and Counselor Paula Coffer hold a collection box for Pennies for Patients.

Giving Back but Looking Forward

•February 13, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

OVES Principal, Heidi Vander Burgh has a theme this year of “Giving Back but Looking Forward” for her 157 students.
When the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) contacted her with their program, she saw an opportunity to implement her theme.
The LLS’s program is called Pennies for Patients, and each student is given a little cardboard box to fill with 500 pennies each of four weeks. There are various prizes the students may win depending on how much they raise each week. Read More

Obituaries 2-13-2019: Wilma Alexander

News Progress Posted on by

Wilma Alexander

Wilma Alexander, 83, of Sullivan passed away at 10:38 p.m. Saturday February 2, 2019 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements.
Wilma was born October 2, 1935 in Coles Station, a daughter of William and Edith Welbaum Rowland. Wilma married Frank Alexander in 1957 in El Paso, Texas, and he preceded her in death November 19, 2004. Read More

Obituaries 2-13-2019: Gene Montgomery

News Progress Posted on by

Gene Montgomery

Gene Montgomery, age 84, of Charleston passed away after a courageous battle with cancer Saturday, February 9, 2019 in his home surrounded by his loving family. The funeral service honoring and celebrating his life began at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, February 13) at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston, Ill. with Pastor Ray Finney officiating. Burial followed in Mound Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105. Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Read More

It Isn’t How You Start. It’s How You Finish

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Jason Brown
Avery Still works through traffic.

•February 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

During the IHSA Class 2A girls’ basketball tournament, so far, the Sullivan girls’ team has been a team of two halves.
In the semifinal of the regional, the No. 1 seeded Sullivan team trailed No. 7 seeded Warrensburg-Latham by one at halftime.
In the regional championship game, Sullivan and No. 4 seeded Villa Grove were tied.
In the semifinal of the sectional, the Redskins committed 15 turnovers and trailed Edwards County by five points at halftime.
But Sullivan coach Sheri McCain’s motto all along has been, “It isn’t how you start; it’s how you finish.”
And in the second half of each of these tournament games, Sullivan outscored its opponents by a combined total of 52 points to win all three games and advance to its second-straight sectional championship. Read More

Recent Obituaries: Gene Montgomery

News Progress Posted on by

Gene Montgomery

CHARLESTON, IL – Gene Montgomery, age 84 of Charleston, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL. The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 with Pastor Ray Finney officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Cemetery, Charleston, IL. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105. Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Gene was born on April 30, 1934 in Bone Gap, Illinois to the late Robert W. and Mary (Garrison) Montgomery. He married Sylvia Braden on January 7, 1955 in Charleston, and they just celebrated 64 wonderful years of marriage. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Sylvia Montgomery of Charleston, IL; their children, Vickie (Tom) Austin of Camargo, IL, Jane (Chuck) Bell of Greenup, IL, Teresa (Ken) Montgomery of Charleston, IL, Robert Gene Montgomery, Jr. (Amanda) of Sullivan, IL, and Tim (Kristi) Montgomery of Sullivan, IL; 11 grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; sister, Patsy (Don) Johnson of San Bernardino, CA; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Montgomery of Ocala, FL. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded by two brothers, Ben and Jess Montgomery; and his beloved dog, Bandit.

His love of horses led him to begin his career as a horse trainer and driver, racing in California, New York, Florida, and Maine just to name a few. He transitioned to become one of the sports premier starters and race official for over 40 years. He started races in Chicago, numerous state and county fairs, including the sport’s biggest event The Hambletonian. He was inducted into the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association Hall of Fame in 2013.

Later in life he enjoyed camping, going to festivals, and shopping while riding his scooter, sometimes a little too dangerously. He cherished holidays and attending parties with his wife Sylvia and family. Gene followed U of I athletics, but his greatest joy was attending his grandchildren’s sporting events as their biggest fan

Gene had a courageous fight with cancer and was cared for until the end by his wife Sylvia and his entire family. Gene always had a smile on his face, was a good friend to many, and a great family man, and he will be missed dearly.

Gene’s memorial website is available at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com.

Where’s My Pencil?

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Where’s My Pencil?
Students won’t have to ask that question in Sullivan. Sullivan Middle School teacher Deena Lee holds sign thanking K.C. Summers in Mattoon for the generous donation of 2000 pencils.  “Our entire student body, as well as our teachers, are overwhelmed with this act of kindness,” Lee explained as students gathered for their share.

Obituaries 2-6-2019: Ronnie Greeson

News Progress Posted on by

Ronnie Greeson

Ronnie Golden Greeson, 68, of Toledo, Ill., beloved brother of Suzanne Greeson Cummings, passed away on February 2, 2019 at Eastview Terrace in Sullivan.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 7 at Barkley Funeral Chapel in Toledo. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to service time on Thursday in the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Toledo Cemetery.
Ronnie was born July 7, 1950 in Mattoon to Golden and Mary Todd Greeson. He is survived by a sister Suzanne (Ron) Cummings of Moweaqua. He was preceded in death by his parents. Read More

Sullivan Post 68 Scholarships Available

News Progress Posted on by

•February 6, 2019•

Applications are now available for the 2019 Irrevocable Scholarship Program through the Sullivan American Legion Post 68.
This program offers one $1000 four year annually renewable scholarship with the application deadline Friday, March 29, 2019.
High school seniors who will be graduating from public high schools in Moultrie County and high school seniors who are descendants of members in good standing of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 may request a copy of the application packet from their high school counselor at Okaw Valley and Sullivan high schools.
An eligible student may also contact Sullivan American Legion Post 68 at 217-728-4612 or contact Michael Keown, secretary Irrevocable Scholarship Trust, at 217-855-1949.

Knights Outscored

News Progress Posted on by

•February 6, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond dropped a Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest division game 57-27 against Decatur Lutheran Friday night.
The Lions outscored ALAH in each quarter, extending the lead from four points in the first to 11 at halftime.
Decatur Lutheran put the game away with a 17-7 third-quarter run. Read More