Author Archives:

Evelyn Burtcheard-Sullivan Author

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•October 31, 2018•

Editors Note: Evelyn Burtcheard wrote to clarifiy some points concerning the article about her in the Oct. 24, 2018 edition of the News Progress.
I had three younger brothers. The two youngest were six and eight years old when Mom passed away. My dad promised my mother while she was in the hospital (and had been told she was not going to live) that he would keep all four of us children together.
I was not there. My promise was to my mother (on one of the few visits home from the hospital) that I would take care of the two little ones as she had cared for me. Read More

Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Plans 40th Anniversary Celebration

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•October 31, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Then Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library will celebrate its 40th anniversary November 5-9.
Its history dates way back to 1898, when on August 1, the Sullivan City Council took action to establish a city library. Early residents remember a time when they would go check out their library books in the back of the Barber Book Store on the south side of the square.
Some years before 1915, the library moved to the two-story brick building on the south side of the square. The library was on the first floor while the telephone company operated from the second floor.
After 1915, the library moved to a city owned library building on East Harrison Street where it stayed for many years.
In 1978, the library made its final rest stop on West Water Street where it was named the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. This new building was made possible through a donation from the estate of George and Leona Titus who directed the library be built in memory of his great-grandmother Elizabeth Titus. Read More

Helping Veterans And Active Duty Military Members

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•October 31, 2018•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager

Every year on Veterans Day, we honor the people who risk their lives to protect our freedom. Social Security honors veterans and active duty members of the military every day by giving them the respect they deserve. Social Security’s disability program is an important part of our obligation to wounded warriors and their families.
For military members who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource they can turn to. If you know any wounded veterans, please let them know about Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
The Wounded Warriors website answers many commonly asked questions, and shares other useful information about disability benefits, including how veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. Read More

Parlor Games Opens at OVHS Thursday

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Drama Club On Stage - Canaan Christensen, Gavon Hargrove, Shelby Hagerman, Kaylee Taylor (front), Mikhalya Ward and Isaac Dickens (back) rehearse a scene from OV’s Parlor Games.

•October 31, 2018•

The Okaw Valley Drama Club will present the play “Parlor Games” by James C. Wall at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 1-Saturday, November 3 in the OVHS gym.
Practical joker Mort McNulty hosts his own wake so that he can hear what people will say about him after he’s dead, before he’s dead. Mort’s wife, Tricia, gets unwillingly drawn into the action and apologetically tries to convince everyone that Mort is playing another joke.
We meet a variety of wake-goers—some there on purpose, some not—who eventually, with the right amount of suggestion and imagination, convince themselves that Mort is dead and Tricia is in denial.
The mistaken identities, chases, and jokes within jokes within jokes culminate in Tricia turning Mort’s wake into a surprise party as she tries to teach her husband a lesson about practical jokes. Read More

DOVE Ceremony Honors Victims Of Domestic Violence

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•October 31, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church was darkened save for a single light shining on the pulpit which was covered with a quilted, large white dove.
On a table in front were flowers and two memorial candles. This was the setting for the 18th annual Dove Candle Lighting Ceremony.
Mary Hughes, Moultrie County director of Dove, welcomed the audience and spoke of the many levels of domestic violence which include stalking, economic and financial abuse, physical and sexual abuse as well as psychological abuse. Read More

Remember When? 10-31-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week

Lovington celebrates Homecoming ‘93. In the parade, kids flocked to the remote-controlled police safety vehicle. The Arthur-Lovington Knights were defeated by Cerro Gordo 41-6. The celebration ended with the coronation of Homecoming King and Queen Dustin Ozier and Shannon Phillips.
Twelve-year-old Christina Marshall’s essay on why she wanted a quarter horse was selected from thousands across the country to win her a free horse during the Solid Gold Futurity Horse Giveaway Contest held at the Illinois State fairgrounds. Marshall is now the owner of a male quarter horse which was recently delivered to her home. Read More

OVHS Band Competes at Pinckneyville

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OVHS Band Competes at Pinckneyville
The OVHS band traveled to Pinckneyville Saturday for the annual field show competition and also marched in the parade. The band came away with a second place finish for their field show performance in Class 1A. Pictured are OV seniors who performed in their last marching performance.

Knight Runner Hall Advances to State

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•October 31, 2018•

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond cross country team competed in the Decatur St. Teresa Class 1A Sectional meet at the Hickory Point Golf Course Saturday.
Although the team did not advance to the state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Knight runner Layton Hall did. Read More

Swim Team Competes at Olympia

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•October 31, 2018•

The swim team participated in the Olympia swim meet this past week.
Senior Anna Wooters had six first place finishes and one second place finish.
Natalie Drury placed first in one event and second in four events.
Wooters brought home second place in the open division while Drury brought home a fifth place finish. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is State St. in Lovington taken around 1909. 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.