Category Archives: Features

Lovington Alumni Awards

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Submitted by Alma Fair Outstanding Graduate Hall of Fame David Bowers, son of Francis Bowers of the class of 1943, accepted the award presented posthumously to his father honoring his success as a business man and his years of service to the Lovington community and school district.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Outstanding Graduate Hall of Fame
David Bowers, son of Francis Bowers of the class of 1943, accepted the award presented posthumously to his father honoring his success as a business man and his years of service to the Lovington community and school district.

Submitted by Alma Fair Outstanding Athletic Hall of Fame An award was presented to Nicole Davis Trower for her achievements both as an outstanding athlete at Lovington High School and in college and as an all-state high school softball coach.  Presenting the award is Tracy Garmon, class of 1982.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Outstanding Athletic Hall of Fame
An award was presented to Nicole Davis Trower for her achievements both as an outstanding athlete at Lovington High School and in college and as an all-state high school softball coach.  Presenting the award is Tracy Garmon, class of 1982.

Submitted by Alma Fair Honorary Alumnus This award was presented to Alma Beachy Fair for her contributions to Lovington schools, the Lovington community, and especially to the alumni association in the 43 years she has lived in Lovington. Presenting the award is Judi Pound, class of 1959.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Honorary Alumnus
This award was presented to Alma Beachy Fair for her contributions to Lovington schools, the Lovington community, and especially to the alumni association in the 43 years she has lived in Lovington. Presenting the award is Judi Pound, class of 1959.

Submitted by Alma Fair Who’s Who Among Lovington Graduates An award was presented to John Timm, class of 1905, for his success as a lawyer in Chicago and for his philanthropy to the Lovington School District and many organizations in the communities of Arthur and Lovington.  Presenting the award is Aaron Fleming, class of 2012 and receiving posthumously for John Timm is State Bank of Arthur vice president Scott Seegmiller.

Submitted by Alma Fair
Who’s Who Among Lovington Graduates
An award was presented to John Timm, class of 1905, for his success as a lawyer in Chicago and for his philanthropy to the Lovington School District and many organizations in the communities of Arthur and Lovington.  Presenting the award is Aaron Fleming, class of 2012 and receiving posthumously for John Timm is State Bank of Arthur vice president Scott Seegmiller.

Appreciation Through Check Donation

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Photo Submitted Sullivan school board chairman Steve Poland receives a $3,250 check from SHS class of 58 president Gary Fish at the annual alumni banquet. Since then, more money has been raised, exceeding a total of $4,000.

Photo Submitted
Sullivan school board chairman Steve Poland receives a $3,250 check from SHS class of 58 president Gary Fish at the annual alumni banquet. Since then, more money has been raised, exceeding a total of $4,000.

$3,250 donation to SCEF presented at alumni dinner

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

For the Sullivan High School students who walked across the graduation stage in 1958, the passing of time has done nothing to lessen the gratitude they feel for the school and teachers that gave them so much 55 years ago.

“I recall that our teachers always had time to help with educational issues. They were dedicated to their student’s educational success,” class member Gary Fish recalled.

Of the 72 students who made up the class of ‘58, 13 attended the University of Illinois, while many others went on to attend other prestigious schools across the country, and nearly all give much credit for this success to Sullivan High School and the dedication of the teachers they encountered.  Read More

First Baptist Collects Pajamas and Stuffed Animals for Area Children

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Submitted Moultrie County DOVE Director Mary Hughes stands with members of First Baptist Church in Sullivan along with a portion of the pajamas and stuffed animals collected for area children that are housed in DOVE shelters.

Submitted
Moultrie County DOVE Director Mary Hughes stands with members of First Baptist Church in Sullivan along with a portion of the pajamas and stuffed animals collected for area children that are housed in DOVE shelters.

Collection to Serve Kids in DOVE shelters

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan

Jackie Godfrey’s passion for helping others shone recently when she and other members of the First Baptist Church in Sullivan collected pajamas and stuffed animals for children in DOVE shelters. DOVE is an affiliation of religious organizations and volunteers that offer social services to those in need. Through well-organized programs and services, DOVE aids those dealing with societal problems and needs.

Godfrey says she first got the idea to spearhead the pajama and stuffed animal collection from watching Oprah.  Read More

First Christian Church Calls on Wade to Lead

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Family pastor elevated to senior pastor

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Grant Wade

Grant Wade

Grant Wade, who for the past three years has been the family pastor at First Christian Church in Sullivan, has been called on to become senior pastor. Pastor Rebecca Ingram resigned after serving seven years to pursue other interests.

Wade and his wife Erin along with their two children Gavin & Emery (plus another boy due in January) have found Sullivan a very friendly community. Erin is a high school math teacher at Sullivan High School. Read More

Purple Bricked Theme to Focus on Former LHS Students

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First year with no football game, Lovington Homecoming continues

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

This year’s Lovington homecoming theme, ‘There’s No Place Like Home: Follow the Purple Brick Road’ carries with it the hopes of Lovington Alumni to continue the tradition of homecoming, even without a high school.

A banquet to be held at Yoder’s Kitchen on October 19 will feature bricks from the old high school and honor former students.  Read More

Brown Shoe Company History Gets Complete Treatment

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Last month’s historical meeting helps some get acquainted with long lost shoe company

Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

In October of 1929 the Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis, Missouri signed an agreement with the city of Sullivan, to build a shoe factory. The facility was to cost $300,000 and the city of Sullivan was to provide $125,000 of that amount, secure the site which was 321 South Hamilton Street, and pay all property taxes for 10 years. Brown Shoe was to have an employee base of approximately 400 and came to have a great relationship with the city of Sullivan for 45 years.

These were the opening remarks by former Brown Shoe employee Gerald Watkins at the Moultrie County Historical Society meeting Thursday September 19. Read More

Kathy Best Named Editor of The Seattle Times

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Photo by Erika Schultz, The Seattle Times Kathy Best, (above), is a 1975 SHS graduate and was recently promoted to Editor at the Seattle Times, the first woman ever in the paper’s history.

Photo by Erika Schultz, The Seattle Times
Kathy Best, (above), is a 1975 SHS graduate and was recently promoted to Editor at the
Seattle Times, the first woman ever in the paper’s history.

Once an NP staffer herself, Best becomes first female to lead the Times

By The Seattle Times Staff

Kathy Best, whose family has published newspapers in Sullivan for 50 years, has been named editor of The Seattle Times, Seattle Times Publisher Frank Blethen announced last week.

Best, who most recently has been one of The Times’ two managing editors, replaces David Boardman, who resigned after 30 years at The Times in August to become dean of Temple University’s School of Media and Communication in Philadelphia.

Best, daughter of Bob and Marion Best, is the first woman to lead The Seattle Times. She is the sister of Robert R. Best, the current publisher of the News-Progress.  Read More

Jackson’s New Showrooms and Renovations Ready for Duty

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Photo by Keith Stewart The Jackson Family of Dealerships recently completed renovations to the Sullivan location, including the addition of a new showroom. Pictured from left to right are owner Mark Jackson, Jeff Parkison, Zack Bryan, and Drew Danalewich.

Photo by Keith Stewart
The Jackson Family of Dealerships recently completed renovations to the Sullivan location, including the addition of a new showroom. Pictured from left to right are owner Mark Jackson, Jeff Parkison, Zack Bryan, and Drew Danalewich.

After nearly two years, dealership’s new look and features complete

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Jackson Family of Dealerships of Sullivan offering Chrysler and General Motors brands of cars has completed a new facility on the west side of Sullivan.

After purchasing the former HPR dealership in 2010, the Jackson Family of Dealerships moved from 107 E Jackson Street in Sullivan to 1320 W Jackson Street.

Then approximately two years ago, the dealership decided a face-lift, among other things, was in order. Read More

C.E.F.S. Recognizes Locals at Annual Meeting

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C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently showcased their 48th year of accomplishments demonstrating the fact that community action helps people and changes lives. During the 2013 annual meeting, two locals were recognized who had overcome obstacles in obtaining or maintaining self-sufficiency. According to C.E.F.S. Chief Executive Officer Paul White, “This past year our programs and services truly made a real difference in the lives of residents of the community.” Read More

Bethany Hears New Howl with Music Studio

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New record studio grand opening during block party

Photo by Keith Stewart Local band Slant Six is seen here, with members Stan Smart (left), Mike Harmison (center), and Julie Maloney (right). After first organizing in 2008 and then dissolving, the band reformed in 2011 and will perform live during the block party in Bethany October 12.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Local band Slant Six is seen here, with members Stan Smart (left), Mike Harmison (center), and Julie Maloney (right). After first organizing in 2008 and then dissolving, the band reformed in 2011 and will perform live during the block party in Bethany October 12.

by Emily Scott
Bethany Reporter

Mike Harmison of Sullivan has loved music ever since he learned to play the guitar at the age of five years old. In his teenage years he went on to play both the guitar and drums.

“That’s how I identify myself,” he said. “I’m a musician.”

Harmison has been recording local bands on his own since 1979 with his own recording equipment. While he admits the recording processes he once used were not the most high-tech, he enjoyed helping bands record and considers the time recording on his own successful. “Everyone ended up with a tape by the end,” he said.  Read More