Category Archives: Features

SES Teacher Takes to YouTube to Introduce Students in Creative Fashion

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So successful, England receives video response

by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan

FirstDay3

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan Elementary School first grader Kya Allen is greeted by her teacher Scott England Monday morning.

Monday marked a big week for area students. In what for some children can be a scary or intimidating first week of school, one local educator has decided to dispel those fears in exchange for some lighthearted and welcoming karaoke via YouTube.

Sullivan Elementary’s Scott England let his first graders know that this year was going to be a fun one by making a video and parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s popular song “Call Me Maybe” all while welcoming his students to his first grade class in style.

England first had the idea last summer when “Call Me Maybe” had become a big hit on the radio, and he began toying with the words. Busy with commitments though, it wasn't until this summer when England joked with his wife about making the video that she told him that he should actually do it. And like any good husband, he listened, writing the song in just one day, recording it himself, and in total, completing the video all in less than a week.  Read More

Afternoon Spent Pampered Like a Princess

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Inaugural princess ball pampers area girls

by Mallory Murphy
Lovington Reporter

Submitted Hair sylist Julie Kinert creates a new look for one princess Saturday at the Lovington Church of God.

Submitted
Hair sylist Julie Kinert creates a new look for one princess Saturday at the Lovington Church of God.

The Lovington Sparrows Unlimited treated 50 young girls from Lovington and Arthur this past Saturday to a royal afternoon with the organization’s first Princess Ball. Area girls ranging from two years of age to those entering the sixth grade were invited to enjoy a day of manicures, pedicures, hair styling, dancing, coloring, cookies, and punch.

The Sparrows Unlimited is a non-for-profit organization whose main mission is to provide Christmas to Lovington families in need. The Sparrows have expanded to help Lovington in other charitable ways including hosting food drives and donating bicycles to the annual Lovington Easter egg hunt. Read More

Taking Action in the Name of Hunger

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Stadler Nominated to National Magazine's Action Heroes to Promote Event

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

Submitted Anna Stadler has always been drawn to a health lifestyle, but it wasn't until being selected to Women's Health magazine's Action Heroes last year did she begin participating in the Run10Feed10, a 10k that seeks to raise money for the FEED foundation.

Submitted
Anna Stadler has always been drawn to a health lifestyle, but it wasn't until being selected to Women's Health magazine's Action Heroes last year did she begin participating in the Run10Feed10, a 10k that seeks to raise money for the FEED foundation.

Longtime Sullivan resident Anna Stadler has always enjoyed being active and helping others. So when she saw an advertisement to be nominated as a Women’s Health Action Hero in the national magazine she knew it something she was being called to do.

“I saw the Call to Action ad in the Women’s Health Magazine and thought it sounded perfect for me!” said Stadler.

Throughout her life, Stadler has enjoyed maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. In high school she was part of the Sullivan Blue Dolphin Swim Team and had already begun racing in triathlons. As she moved on towards college, she continued her goal of a healthy lifestyle and decided to make a career of showing others how to make healthy choices. Read More

Robinson wins Reserve Champion at State 4-H Horse Show

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At 14 years old, Robinson adds one more accolade to young career

by Ariana Cherry
Reporting in Bethany

Photo Submitted Jessica Robinson stands with her horse, “Wendy” during the showmanship competition at the Illinois State Fair Grounds in Springfield.

Photo Submitted
Jessica Robinson stands with her horse, “Wendy” during the showmanship competition at the Illinois State Fair Grounds in Springfield.

Showing horses in 4-H has been a tradition that Debbie Robinson has enjoyed since she was a child. At nine years old, Robinson began showing horses and made friends that have lasted a lifetime.

“I met these people when I was nine years old, became best friends and was even in each other’s weddings. Once you develop a friendship in 4-H, they become family to you."

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Handmade Scented Candle Line Blooms at The Flower Pot

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Customer contest helps forge new candle company name

By Mallory Murphy
Sullivan Reporter

In an attempt to provide the perfect candle option for their customers, The Flower Pot of Sullivan took matters into their own hands, literally, by producing their own line of handmade scented soy candles and waxes.

The shop, known for their floral arrangements and specialty gift items, launched the new line of candles two years ago under the management of store owner Ellen Bernius and the craftsmanship of her Flower Pot staff.

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Harvest Picnic, a Time to Rekindle Old Friendships, Spend Time with Family

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In its 118th year, Windsor picnic to feature several musical acts, food, and more

by Ariana Cherry
Reporting in Windsor

Townsfolk from the Windsor area, gathered for their first-ever annual picnic Aug. 29, 1895. The mayor, judges and the reverend gave a full three-hour program of speeches. Soon after, the Big Four Glee Club took the stage, and the Sullivan KP Band followed. Then there was a 3/8 mile-long bicycle race at the track that awarded its first place winner with $5. Later on, the biggest attraction was the “daring aeronautical wonder” (according to an old issue of the Windsor Gazette), that involved a balloonist parachuting a mile into the air. The first annual picnic ended that day with a ball game and then a fanfare from the Glee Club and KP Band.

More than a hundred years later, the people of Windsor are still coming together to carry on this special annual tradition. This year will mark 118 years of harvest picnics. The picnic begins Thursday, August 15 and ends Saturday evening August 17.

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As Smart as it is Silly, “Spamalot” Sure to Receive Roaring Laughs

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Once in every show

Karla Shook, as the Lady of the Lake, is seen in the foreground wielding the Holy Grail, while King Arthur, played by Robert Anthony Jones, motions towards her in the Little Theatre's final production of the 2013 season, "Spamalot."

Karla Shook, as the Lady of the Lake, is seen in the foreground wielding the Holy Grail, while King Arthur, played by Robert Anthony Jones, motions towards her in the Little Theatre's final production of the 2013 season, "Spamalot."


There comes a song like this
It starts off soft and low
And ends up with a kiss
Oh where is the song
That goes like this?
Where is it? Where? Where?
A sentimental song
That casts a magic spell
They all will hum along —
We’ll overact like hell —
For this is the song that goes like this
Yes it is! Yes it is!
— “The Song That Goes Like This” from “Spamalot”

By Dan Hagen
NP Theatre Critic

It’s the rare musical comedy that can take you from farce to a treatise on political organization with the speed of a galloping coconut. And this is the show that goes like that.

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Local woodworker showcases craft at Arcola’s newest senior living community

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Hochstetler's custom-made work featured in display rooms

by Keith Stewart
Of the News Progress in Sullivan

Will Roger's FolliesFor local woodworker and craftsman Kenny Hochstetler, who owns Yoder's in Sullivan, new opportunities are a lot like  planting seeds.
"I'm like a farmer when he plants his corn; he hopes to get a crop," said Hochstetler. "And I'm not going to get anything if I don't plant seeds."
Why the craftsman is talking about seeds when he's working with wood has to do with Read More

Durbin honored with Illinoisan of the Day

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August 16 to be named John W. Durbin Day by Gov. Quinn

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

“I never realized I did that much.”sz-Durbin
Those humble words belong to Lovington resident John Durbin, who says he was surprised when he received a phone call informing him that he had been named Illinoisan of the Day, an honor created in 2009 by the Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation that seeks to applaud 10 outstanding Illinois residents each year; the decision is largely based on volunteer service.
“It is the key ingredient,” says Doug Kamholz, a member of the foundation.
And Durbin has a whole pantry full of just those ingredients.
When he lived in Sullivan, Durbin performed Read More