Ellen Ferrera photo
Silhouette of John Stephens in front of the new movie screen.

•October 18, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Remember the Grand Theater which once occupied the Little Theatre space?  The glory days of movies in Sullivan will soon return only bigger and better.

“I’m so proud of the community effort that allows us to now use the space for movies during the winter months,” Executive Director John Stephens said of the Little Theatre expansion.

Last week some 12 volunteers, including high school students, struggled to hoist the 14’ tall movie screen into position. The screen has been generously provided by Hydro-Gear. An anonymous donor provided the very expensive projector as was the popcorn machine and concessions.

The Sullivan Education Foundation awarded a generous grant, and a large amount of money has been raised from community contributions.

It has, indeed, been a community effort that enriches us all. Read More

Photo furnished
McTeacher Night
Connor Powers, O.V.H.S. student and McDonald’s employee, and Bonnie Scott, O.V.H.S. Family and Consumer Science teacher, look forward to serving the next customer at the McTeacher night.

•October 4, 2017•

The Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) held a fundraiser Wednesday, September 27 in conjunction with McDonald’s of Sullivan. A McTeacher Night was held which allowed teachers of the Okaw Valley School to work behind the counter in exchange for a donation from McDonald’s to help support the work that S.A.D.D. does. This work involves presenting positive lifestyle messages to the students regarding consumption of alcohol and other drugs, the dangers of smoking, and the importance of safe driving habits. Angie Matlock is the owner of the Sullivan McDonald’s.

Teachers who participated in the McTeacher Night were able to handle the ordering counter, the drive-thru windows and did some preparation in the kitchen. Teachers and students of Okaw Valley school gave out attendance prizes including free ice cream treats, cups, pens, ice scrapers, and key chains. This entire experience was not only a fun time, but it will have ongoing benefits when the donated money is used to further the work of the S.A.D.D. organization. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Pictured is Jessie Cait LLC owner Jessica Ekiss.

•September 20, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Jessica Ekiss opened her boutique, Jessie Cait LLC, in her home at 313 N. Hamilton. The shop fills two small rooms, but the racks are overflowing with the most fanciful and colorful children’ clothing you can imagine.

The sizes run from infants to XXs to plus sizes 3 xl. There are limited women’s items.

“I used to sell LuLaRoe clothing,” Ekiss began, “but I wanted to set my own rules and guidelines on running a shop. I did a lot of research on various labels and vendors to select just the ones I wanted and then obtained a license.”  Read More

•August 9, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

When the Sunday morning sun streams through the stained- glass window on the east side of the First Baptist Church and then shimmers on the Swiss-made chandelier hanging from the ceiling, there is a golden aura that fills the sanctuary. It is even more beautiful when the evening sun illuminates the stained-glass window on the west side of the church.

The three large rose or wheel windows in the church have fascinated me for some time, and I was surprised to discover that these beautiful windows are shared by two churches. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera

•July 26, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Traveling north through Lovington you can’t help noticing the giant, plastic sunflowers outside a vacant store.  Except, it isn’t empty.  Inside is the workshop of Gary Smith who has made quite a business of making whimsical garden decorations.

He won a large, plastic sunflower in a charity raffle, and the more he looked at it the more of a challenge it became. “I figured I could make one myself so I made a pattern and cut them out of white, 55 gal. plastic drums”, explained Smith. He then custom spray paints them and sells them for $55 ($65 with the post), and he will deliver and install them. “I started making them last fall and have sold 85 so far this spring”.

People from Des Plaines, St. Louis, Springfield and all over have interrupted their journeys to stop and purchase his sunflowers. He has shipped them to Arkansas, Texas and Minnesota – all this without a website! One of his sunflowers sits in the community garden at Mason Point where I live. He hasn’t even had time to name his business. Read More