Summer recreation program sees largest number of participants this year

•July 22, 2015•

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Since June 1, chances are if you’ve gone by Wyman Park during the morning or afternoon, you’ve witnessed a large circus of children playing a variety of games from flag football to kickball, soccer, Frisbee, table tennis, and even interacting on the park’s many slides and swings.
But what may appear to be just a large rag-tag group of children running about is actually the long-standing summer park recreation group, which for decades has kept Sullivan youth busy playing and having fun outside.
“I think it’s a good thing for kids in the community to have some structured event to go,” said Sullivan mayor Ann Short. “It keeps them out of trouble.”

Photo submitted by Melissa Haegen
Children enjoy the waterworks provided by the Sullivan Fire Department last Wednesday as part of the popular park recreation program at Wyman.

For more than 50 years, the summer rec program has been open to Sullivan’s youth. Paid volunteers run it on a daily basis for eight weeks, typically beginning the first Monday of summer break. The program is funded through property tax revenue, a small portion of which is set aside in a recreation fund to help pay not only for the volunteer staff, but also supplies. For the last four years, the program has been manned by husband and wife Jake and Melissa Haegen.
“I came out here when I was a kid,” said Jake. “My dad said he came out here when he was a kid, too, so it’s been going on for at least 50 years.”
“For the kids I think it gives them something that keeps them occupied, and they’re not getting into trouble,” said Melissa. “They’re being active. They’re not sitting in front of video games all summer long. We’re encouraging them to participate in sports that they may not have thought they were good at. It builds their confidence, their social skills. It’s just a positive thing for them to be out here. It’s a little less structured than the school environment so they enjoy that.”
One key element in the program’s success more recently is the implementation of the summer food service program, an initiative that is funded by the USDA and aims to provide meals to low-income students. Read More

Submitted
Pictured, from left to right, are members of Asa Creek, a popular local band: Dave Morgan, Scott Phillips, Keith Wood, Tim Gotts and Jan Courtright (original members), Jeff Trower and Jason Gotts, who are now performing with Asa Creek. The band reunited in full last month to celebrate the 60th birthdays of Courtright, Wood, and Gotts.

December 3, 2014

Birthday bash for members brings full ensemble

by Joash Tiarks
Reporting in Sullivan

With a 60th birthday celebration for three of its original members as an excuse, one of Moultrie County’s diamonds in the rough resurfaced Saturday, November 22 at the Sullivan American Legion to reunite old friends and relive some good times.

What started as “the worst garage band in history”, according to guitar player Keith Wood, has developed into something like an extended family over the years, with some players phasing out and others joining in. But one thing has remained constant through all the changes: a deep love of music and a deep joy in playing it together. Originally comprised of Keith Wood on guitar, Tim Gotts as lead singer, Jan Courtright on drums, Scott Phillips on guitar/harmonica, and Dave Morgan on bass, the band has been joined by Jeff Tower on bass, Diane Conner on keyboard and vocal, as well as others. Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Zane Dudley tries to keep his focus during the push-up hold.

November 12, 2014

World-record lesson a hit with sixth graders

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

What was destined to become tomorrow’s trash was in fact yesterday’s school lesson for Megan Holt’s sixth grade language arts students.

The Sullivan Middle School teacher recently had her students complete one of the last segments of a multi-project lesson involving the organization and tracking of world record breaking attempts.

Well, Sullivan Middle School record attempts that is. Such feats as how long to hula hoop, how many stairs climbed, and how far one could throw a medicine ball. Read More

Photo by Barry Featheringill
Barry and Karen Golden look at the contents of the time capsule that was opened last Saturday afternoon.

November 5, 2014

Veterans memorial rededicated, time capsule opened and new one planned

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

On November 11, 1989 the Sullivan Veterans Memorial was dedicated to all those who have served the country starting with the Revolutionary War. Along with the dedication a time capsule was placed to be opened in 25 years. Doris Cazel’s first grade class collected items to be included in the capsule.

“Al Golden, who envisioned the veteran memorial, came to me about doing a time capsule,” explained Cazel. “He came to the class and told the children about it.” Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Dora Dean Hudson (center) was surprised last Thursday with a visit by (from left to right) fellow Bethany high school alumni, including alumni association secretary Sandra McReynolds, class of ‘57; vice-president John McLaughlin, class of ‘62; Linda Korte, class of ‘64; and president Jim McLaughlin, class of ‘63.

September 17, 2014

Hudson, class of ‘29 receives surprise visit
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

As the Bethany High School Alumni Association glanced down their list of graduates recently, one in particular stood out.
Dora Dean Hudson, class of 1929.
“One of the things we’re trying to do with the alumni association is to get all the records of everybody that graduated from high school, which we were able to get,” said John McLaughlin, vice-president of the alumni association. “We noticed that she was still on the list, the 1929 graduating list, as still alive. That started the look. Of course, when we heard the name Dora Dean, my brother and I knew who that was. We couldn’t believe it. So we made some calls and got hold of her grandson in Decatur and got permission to come down and have this get-together.”
John and his brother Jim, who was also in attendance and is the alumni association president, grew up across from Hudson up until 1949 when they moved to their family farm. Read More