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Golden Rocket Launch
Elizabeth Titus Library in Sullivan commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon by hosting a rocket launch. Although hindered by the rain, summer park and recreation program kids enjoyed launching several water bottle rockets which flew over the ball diamond fence at Wyman Park. One engine powered rocket was launched and never found. It presumably landed on the dark side of the moon.
Margaret A. Gibbons
Margaret A. Gibbons, 91, of Bethany, passed away 10:33 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2019, at The Arthur Home.
Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany, is in care of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Margaret was born April 14, 1928 in Macon County, the daughter of Lee and Flossie (Bray) Pratt. She married Bob L. Gibbons on September 11, 1947 in Findlay; he preceded her in death on April 17, 2009. Margaret was a hard worker who helped her husband Bob work on the farm and she was an amazing cook.
Margaret is survived by her children, Linda (Gale) Nelson of Bethany and Gary (Chris) Gibbons of Bethany. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 1 grandson.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at The Arthur Home for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to Margaret.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
•July 17, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Three hundred will be honored during dedication ceremonies at the American Legion Walk of Honor in Sullivan.
On Sunday, July 21 Post 68 is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the public is invited to the American Legion Hall for the dedication of the new Memorial Walk of Honor.
Post Commander Bob Sims emphasized that “Our Walk of Honor is not just for veterans. The memorial bricks can honor anyone, be it a fireman, policeman, classmate, or a special person in our life. One family dedicated their brick to the three Eagle Scouts in the family. We have over 300 bricks that will be dedicated in this first installation.” Read More
Don Newberry
Donald Dale “Pap” Newberry, 89, of Lovington, passed away at 3:04 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Burial was in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Don was born July 17, 1929, in Lovington, a son of Vernon and Clara Esther Beckenbridge Newberry. Read More
Cat City –
Editor,
I would like to address an ongoing, never ending serious problem that we’re having with the cat population in the city of Sullivan.
There are a tremendous number of cats roaming the streets, and i believe the majority of them virtually live on Grant Street. This has been going on for years and is getting worse.
People in the neighborhood feel sorry for them and feed them but don’t actually take care of them as pets. Therefore, they roam everywhere! They aren’t fixed and continue this population explosion.
Standing in my yard last week, I looked down the road and could see five to six cats going up and down the street near my home all at the same time. Read More
•July 17, 2019•
Smyser Christian Church invites children to Roar VBS: Life is wild, God is good.
A summer kids’ event called Roar VBS will be hosted at Smyser Christian Church from July 22 to July 26.
At Roar, kids discover that God is good even when life gets wild! Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Wild Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long.
Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings.
Each day concludes with the Safari Celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 8:10 p.m.
Kids at Roar VBS will join a missions effort to provide clean water for an African village.
Roar is for kids from three years to eighth Grade and will run from 6-8 p.m.
Pictured above is Ms. Montonye’s morning Kindergarten class - 1964-65 at Powers school. Known names are in alphabetical order and not by seating order. Penny Barrett, Dennis Binder, Tammy Bishop, Doug Brown, Jim Brown, Connie Boyer, Tina Buxton, Kathy Colclasure, Steve Crowe, Nancy Dolan, Brad Evans, Julie Ewing, Charles Fredrick, Mark Fredrick, Debra Grant, Debra Gregory, Barbra Hagen, Ricky Haskett, John Holaday, Brenda Hunter, Mark Nelson, Kathy Pierce, Don Smith, Lynn Stone, Carla Turnbow, Randy Wiley, Andrea Willoughby, Karen Woolridge. 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.
•July 17, 2019•
Starting salaries for Moultrie County employees became a stumbling point for county board members attempting to set a salary for an assistant animal control warden.
County board chairman Dave McCabe opened the topic when he moved to approve a $25,000 starting salary for the position. The motion died for lack of a second.
Personnel committee chairman Billy Voyles noted the starting salary for county courthouse employees is set by policy at $19,000 to $21,000. Read More
•July 17, 2019•
Cortney Blackford and Steven Sands, both of Sullivan, will be married at 6 p.m. July 20 in Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan.
An incorrect name for the groom was used in the cutline for the photo in the July 10 edition of the News Progress. The News Progress regrets this error and extends our apologies.
25 Years Ago This Week
Rochelle Boyd of Lovington and Roy Culp and Cheryl Roberts, both of Gays were honored during a reception held at Lake Land College. Boyd has been with the college since August 1972 and is one of eight employees retiring. She was the special projects coordinator in the office of continuing education.
Neil Simon’s production of The Odd Couple is on the stage of The Little Theatre-On the Square though July 17. Oscar Madison is played by theatre fave Jack Milo and Felix Unger is played by Michael Haws.
A heated debate arose at the Sullivan School Board meeting when architects presented their total bid for the new elementary school. The board is working with a budget of $5 million and the projected cost is $5.118 million.
Sullivan Living Center employees of the month are Toni Hollingsworth, Gretchen Johnson and Joy Scott. Read More