Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Senior Center staff Alicia Moyer(l),Vonnie Lee, Kathi Shackles and Mary Flint preside over a groaning treat table!

•November 9, 2016•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

The Sullivan Senior Center was the place to be Monday afternoon as nearly 50 seniors attended the 12th annual Halloween party. “It’s the most anticipated party of the year. They love the food but really enjoy the games we create for them,” said executive director, Kathi Shackles.

The staff prepared a buffet of holiday treats, but the fun began with the games which included guessing the number of m&m’s in a jar, a word scramble, a stack the cups contest and the ever popular wrap the mummy contest which involved two teams of three racing against time and shredding TP to wrap a fellow senior. Golden witch trophies were awarded for three best costumes.
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Photo by Mike Brothers
American Legion Post 68 had a successful first car show Sunday. That was because of the efforts of the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of American Legion and American Legion volunteers working in cooperation with the Sullivan Street Machine Assn.

•October 26, 2016•

John Upton from Flora had parked his 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS in the barn when gas prices jumped to 83 cents a gallon in 1975.

On Sunday, October 23 Upton and that restored big block Chevy won best of show at the inaugural Sullivan American Legion Post 68 car show.

The Sullivan American Legion with the help of “Sullivan Street Machine Assn.” held their inaugural car-truck-motorcycle show on a warm sunny Sunday on the south lawn and parking lot at the East Strain Street Post.

Registration was 10 a.m.-noon with judging shortly after registration. Awards were announced at 3 p.m. The first 25 entries registered received dash plaques. Top 20 entries received a plaque.   Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Executive Director Laurrie Minor welcomes Sullivan High School interns Jazmyn Jayne and Parker Whitaker. In the recently expanded SHS intern program Jayne and Whitaker are helping organize the annual Octoberfest celebration.

•September 21, 2016•

Laurrie Minor has been appointed Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development.

In her position, Minor will work with the city, county and the community to enhance and grow the area via community development, economic development and chamber of commerce activities.

“With Laurrie’s vast knowledge of local and Moultrie County business relationships and her involvement in the community she has always called home, she is a natural fit for this role,” said Dave McCabe, Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development board president.

As part of the Chamber’s ever expanding role of bridging education with business Minor has enlisted the help of two Sullivan High School interns to learn about the economic development on the city level. Read More

Photo furnished
Scholarship Awards from C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently awarded educational scholarships at their 2016 Annual Board of Directors meeting. Seated front row (l-r): Jennifer Penberthy and Lynette Green both of Sullivan. Pictured second row (l-r): CEFS board members Arlene Aschermann and Vickie Bowers.

•August 31, 2016•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation, Board of Directors recently awarded $8,000 in educational scholarships to nine individuals who are pursuing post-secondary education. The educational scholarships were made available through funding provided by the Community Services Block Grant Program from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Community Services Block Grant Scholarship Program was established in 1985. The CSBG Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to individuals to pursue education and training in occupational skill areas or post-secondary education for the purpose of upgrading employability levels. In the past 31 years of the CSBG scholarship program C.E.F.S. has awarded $350,376 in educational awards and has assisted 499 students.

Scholarship winners were recognized from Moultrie County at the recent annual C.E.F.S. Board of Directors meeting. Lynette Green an Jennifer Penberthy, both of Sullivan, received a certificate of recognition and a monetary award to pursue educational training.

Green would like a career that will provide for her family after the unexpected death of her husband. She decided on a career in nursing and will be enrolled in the nursing program at Lake Land College in Mattoon upon completion of her pre-requisites. Green wants to be an example to her children, both spiritually and academically.
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Photo by Dave Bowers
Pictured left to right are News Progress publisher Robert R. Best, Tracy Siegman, Sonya Best (seated), Arlene Aschermann and Vickie Bowers. The News Progress was one of the businesses recognized for its community service.

•August 10, 2016•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation, Board of Directors held their 51st annual board meeting in Effingham August 4 with more than 200 people in attendance. C.E.F.S. showcased their annual accomplishments in helping people and changing lives.

Jean Finley, board chairperson of the C.E.F.S. Board of Directors stated that, “the agency recognized board members for volunteering their time to guide and direct the agency.” Further, Chairperson Finley, stated that, “the agency recognized the 2016 family of distinction, Tammy Merrell of Louisville, who made a tremendous level of personal growth and achievement towards achieving economic security.” Chairperson Finley stated that, “Tammy Merrell’s successful participation in our agency programs exemplified our efforts in helping people and changing lives.”

C.E.F.S. Chief Executive Officer Paul White stated that, “during the 2016 annual board meeting 23 individuals and families were recognized who had overcome personal obstacles in achieving self-sufficiency.” CEO White also stated that, “the agency recognized 11 individuals, organizations, community partners and businesses that provided an outstanding level of community service to our agency during the past year.” White further stated that, “the agency honored 10 outstanding volunteers for providing excellent volunteerism, civic engagement and community service to the agency.”  Read More