Photo by Don Lockwood
Dippin Dot Treats
A liquid nitrogen and like magic Maddie Atchison and Irie Dulin created Dippin’ Dots for eager taste testers at the Sullivan FFA Week open house.

•March 1, 2017•

Last week was National Future Farmers of America FFA, and the Sullivan FFA chapter petting zoo and open house was visited by more than 900 people.

All three Sullivan school attendance centers plus Sullivan preschool and folks from the public were treated to local chapter exhibits as well as Scovill Zoo which contributed more exotic animals to impress those coming to pet an alligator or python for the first time.

During the afternoon visitors were treated to a Dippin Dots treat following a liquid nitrogen demonstration.

It was hatching day for the local chicks as candling the eggs produced fresh hatches for the young students.

Expanding into the outer garage a giant schnauzer, horses, goats, pigs and a variety of animals were provided by FFA Chapter members for petting.  Read More

Name Rooted in 17th Century

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

If you have looked at the city of Sullivan web page you know that Sullivan was named for Sullivan Island and Moultrie County was named for Ft. Moultrie, both in Charleston, S.C.

But the names have a deeper history than you realize.

Fort Moultrie was originally named Fort Sullivan as the first fort built on Sullivan Island. It was an incomplete log fort built of Palmetto wood. When it was attacked by British forces in 1776,  the soft Palmetto wood absorbed the cannonballs, and the British were forced to retreat. Charleston was saved, and the fort was renamed for its commander, Colonel William Moultrie.

After the war, the fort was neglected and by 1791 little remained. A second Fort Moultrie was completed in 1798, but it was also neglected and eventually destroyed by hurricane in 1804. A third and better reinforced fort was built in 1809 and was further modernized in 1885. It was one of 19 forts along the Atlantic coast.  Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
You may not know Peggy Booker, but you know those sweet creations.

•January 11, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for there News Progress

We’ve all been to the local IGA to shop. We enter, turn right and amble toward the deli section and then, in the corner of our eye, there it is. That hulking white case with the slanted shelves filled with THEM.

Some are round and glazed or with sprinkles, some are square or twisted and sugar coated. You salivate at the sight of those that ooze of vanilla pudding that mingles with haunting dark chocolate in every bite, and Lord have mercy!

Some are even drenched in maple glaze and bacon. Yes, it’s the doughnut case. On a full stomach I’m probably safe from their siren call but on an empty one I am doomed.

And who is responsible for these delectable, delicious pastry treats? She is a tiny lady with the merriest blue eyes and someone you should know if you don’t already.

Peggy Booker is in her eighties and arrives at IGA at 1 a.m. every morning Monday through Saturday. Yes, while you are snuggled down dreaming of doughnuts, she is wrangling some 20 dozen donuts into the wonderful creations that make your dreams come true. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Above are winners of the ugly sweater contest. Pictured left to right are Peggy Booker (most creative), Shirley Devore (most flammable), and Pam Mann (overall ugliest).

•December 28, 2016•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Nearly 50 senior citizens filed into the Senior Center Thursday, Dec. 23 for the 14th annual Christmas party.

First stop was the treat table which was laden with delicious, decorated Christmas cookies, fudge, snack mix, cheese balls and crackers, fruit tray and other temptations. No sugar plums, however!

Games were next in order, and a Christmas word scramble was completed in about three minutes. The next game required one person with a pair of dice to try and throw doubles while another person put on heavy oven mitts and tried to open a large package which was actually a lot of packages down to a small gift card. As soon as the person rolls doubles, the person unwrapping stops, the person throwing dice puts on the mitts and another person comes up to roll the dice. Normally this would go through several shifts, but Kathy couldn’t roll doubles to save her life, and Janet ripped through all that wrapping like Grant through Richmond to claim her gift card, and the game was over almost as soon as it started, but everyone had a good laugh watching the antics. Read More

Tyler Mosier at Astoria

•November 30, 2016•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Christmas is coming and never mind about that fat goose. It is time for the annual trek to find unique and original gifts and stocking stuffers - but where?

Enter the Find the Elf contest sponsored by the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development agency.

I visited seven participating stores and was amazed at what beautiful and whimsical gifts may be found right here in Sullivan and at very reasonable prices, thanks to remarkable entrepreneurs.

First stop - Astoria (204 W. Harrison) housed in an old mansion where I once stayed when it was a B&B. A brightly painted red door bids you enter the two-room shop choc-a-block with aromatic soaps, lotions and hand creams.

My favorite find was a soap called May Bailey’s Soap for Loose Women - perfect for the guest bathroom!  Read More