•October 16, 2019•
A benefit will be held for Pam Hortenstine from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Sullivan VFW.
Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2019 and has been through surgery and is undergoing chemo.
The #TeamPam sponsored event is offering a chance for friends to gather for food and music while participating in live and silent auctions, as well as 50/50 drawing.
Out of town or unable to attend? Donation inquiries to iamteampam@gmail.com
•October 16, 2019•
SAIL, Soyland Access to Independent Living, will host a workshop presenting the legal services provided through Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance on Wednesday, October 30th from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
The presentation is at the First United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson, Sullivan. The presenter is John Lafond, Attorney at Law with Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance.
The workshop is free; reservations are not required. For more information call Betty Watkins, SAIL Rural Outreach Coordinator, at 774-4322.
•October 16, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan Volleyball team split two home matches this past week.
The Redskins knocked off Cowden Herrick/Beecher City last Tuesday, but lost to Central A&M Thursday (10th).
Against CHBC, Sullivan won the first set 25-23 but dropped the second set 25-20. Read More
Photo furnished
New Gaming Location
Bethany American Legion Post 507 is now open to the public Monday-Saturday from 4-10 p.m. offering Video Gaming and your favorite adult beverages. Pictured back row American Legion members Terry Muzzy, Paul Snyder and Terry Gaither; front row Jennifer, Suzanne, Beth, and Darla welcome everyone to stop by the Highway 121 location in Bethany.
Pictured above is Lowe’s 5th grade class for 1947-48. Top row: David Hamilton, Robert Bodamer, Ronnie Hengst, Marjorie McCoy, Catherine Brown, Miss Booker. Row 2: Richard Carnes, Myrna Slover, Sharon Smith, Wanda Basham, Marilyn England, Eugene Shain. Row 3: Dick Smith, Marsha Moore, Jane Getz, Bobby Clark, Roger Bullock, Margaret Klein. Row 4: Nancy Montonye, Donald Dennis, Marvene Welch, Julie Albers, Joe Schrodt, Sharon Miller. Row 5: Joel Munch, Roger Roley, Peggy Barnes, Julian Kirk, Patsy Atteberry, Doris Hays. 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.
Photo furnished
Ag in the Classroom
With Ag in the Classroom back for a new season, September’s lesson was on apples. Stephanie Naylor visited Sullivan and Okaw Valley Elementary schools. The Kindergarten and First graders tasted three popular types of apples and filled out a worksheet picking their favorite and completing a craft. The second, third and fourth graders learned several apple facts and completed an experiment creating an apple volcano. Naylor will meet with students one time a month to discuss a variety of Agriculture related topics.
•October 16, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Stephanie Naylor has, for several years, been the Moultrie County instructor for the Ag in the Classroom program.
In that capacity she visits every K-3 class in Moultrie County once a month for 20 minutes and, in a year, teaches over 6,000 students about the wonders of agriculture through a variety of interactive programs. But such agricultural experiences were not always available.
Throughout much of our history, agriculture and education have been closely related. Old school books are full of agricultural reference because farming was part of nearly every child’s life prior to 1920.
From 1920-1950 farm populations shrank, agricultural emphasis decreased in books and agricultural education became more of an occupational specialty or a trade school course. Ag classes had virtually disappeared from most curriculums.
In 1981 the U. S. Department of Agriculture invited educators and representatives of agricultural organizations to discuss agricultural literacy and to form a task force to help bring agriculture back into the classroom. That same year the national program – Ag in the Classroom – was established and, as result, each state now addresses agricultural education in ways best suited to its own needs. Read More
•October 16, 2019•
During the village of Lovington board of trustees meeting Sept. 9 Julie Kinert and Tracy Bettinger requested improved handicap parking in the business district.
Following discussion the board agreed to look into the situation to determine a solution, which will be relayed to the business owners.
The village will be able to process water bill payments online. Clerk Alma Fair and billing clerk Susan Gordon met with Court Money, the online processor of payments.
Trustees Gary Clem, Brenda Wood, Pam Anklam, Dennis Garmon, Al Rennert and April Daily directed Gordon to add the link to the village website enabling customers to process payments with credit cards. Read More
Jonathan Creek Bridge was Born
•October 16, 2019•
By Rick Matthews
NP Guest columnist
In 1904 the first building was built on the 264 acres of ground, left in the will of Robert A. Miller, to the Masons in the State of Illinois. An additional donation of 200 acres adjoining to the south was donated to the Grand Lodge by the Swain family, a past relative of the Shuman’s.
The building was built as a home for elderly and children of Masons in the State of Illinois. The children were only there for a few years and they were then housed at a new home built in LaGrange, Illinois.
The property had its own well and the land provided a source for food. The water from the well was pumped into a large tank in the attic to produce flowing water. The tank was too large to remove during the remodel, and it still remains. The Illinois Masonic Home building was later named the Men’s building, of which followed naming it the James E. Hart building, in his remembrance as administrator for many years. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan assistant chief of police John E. Love received an award for his outstanding community service. The award was presented to Love for his “positive support and intervention work in aiding youths and families of the Sullivan community and Moultrie County.”
Mildred Vice was recognized as Moultrie County’s Outstanding Senior Volunteer for 1994 by the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging.
Tim Uphoff of Findlay was recently selected as a charter member of SPI, Senior Photographers International. Tim and Pam Uphoff have owned and operated Uphoff Studios in Findlay for the past eight years.
Pastor Dave and Debra Dolan have announced the engagement go their daughter, Jennifer Louise to Eric Crouse. An April 8 wedding will be held at New Life Tabernacle in Sullivan. Read More
•October 16, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist
You might have been asked recently to sign a petition to put a candidate on the ballot in 2020.
It’s that season and, though a truism, if good people don’t run for office, democracy doesn’t work. You ought to try running. Here’s how.
First, my bona fides: In the 1960s and 70s, I ran for office four times, three times for the state Legislature and once for state office. I came away with a .500 batting average, losing my bid for lte guv by a hair. Not bad, when you consider A. Lincoln also had the same average in his several bids for office.
Later I managed the campaigns for the U.S. Senate (Charles Percy, 1978, successful) and a presidential aspirant (John B. Anderson, 1980, unsuccessful, but interesting). So, I know just enough about running to be dangerous.
A brilliant strategist, Mr. Lincoln said the job of running was simple: Canvass your territory; that is, travel and get to know your district; identify your voters, and get them to the polls.
The game hasn’t changed a whit, though the technology has, obviously. Read More