Category Archives: free news stories

Gerry Wood guest speaker

News Progress Posted on by

•April 16, 2025•

On April 17th at 7:00 p.m., the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will be hosting guest speaker Gerald “Gerry” Wood in Sullivan. “An Evening of Stories & Legacy: The Life of Bo Wood”, in which Gerry Wood will present a captivating look into his grandfather Bo’s extraordinary life - a man whose passion for progress left a permanent mark on Sullivan and beyond.

From convincing government leaders to fund Lake Shelbyville to pulling parking meters off the square the morning after his election, Bo’s story is one of bold leadership, persistence, and community-first action.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (217) 728-4085, email at mocoghs@gmail.com, or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MCHGS.

Easter Sunrise Service

News Progress Posted on by

•April 16, 2025•

On April 20th at 6:00 a.m., Pastor Bob Vail will conduct an Easter sunrise service at Project 61 in the chapel. This SAMA-sponsored service is free for all to attend. Pianist Diane Netherton will accompany Pastor Vail. 

Contact Pastor Vail at (217) 254-3433 for more information. 

Stations of the Cross Walk

News Progress Posted on by

•April 16, 2025•

On Friday, April 18th, at noon, members of the community, weather permitting, are invited to meet at the Bethany Free Methodist Church (Main and St. John’s Street corner) to do the Sta-tions of the Cross. Ministerial Alliance in Bethany is hosting the event. Dress for the weather and to walk; golf carts are encouraged. For more information, contact Lisa at (217) 433-3976.

Wyman Park Easter egg hunt

News Progress Posted on by

•April 16, 2025•

Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church is hosting an Easter egg hunt at Wyman Park for the community on Friday, April 18th at 4:30 p.m. for children aged birth-12 years and for those with special needs of all ages. There will also be an opportunity to have your photo taken with the Easter Bunny, who will be present for the event. The egg hunt begins at 4:30 p.m.

Bethany senior potluck

News Progress Posted on by

•April 9, 2025•

The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be held on Wednesday, April 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethany library, located at 216 W Main Street. Ham will be furnished. All are welcome.

Allenville Christian Church concert

News Progress Posted on by

•April 9, 2025•

On Saturday, April 12th at 6:00 p.m., the Allenville Christian Church will be hosting their monthly Gospel Concert at 201 South Allen Street, Sullivan. This month, the quartet Riven, from St. Louis Missouri, will be performing. Information about Riven can be found at https://rivenmusic.org/home. 

Refreshments will be available and love offerings will be accepted.

Call Pastor Bob Vail with any questions at (217) 254-3433.

SAMA hosting Good Friday event

News Progress Posted on by

•April 9, 2025•

On Friday, April 18th, SAMA will be hosting a community Good Friday event, “The Voices of the Cross”, at the Elm Springs Church of Jesus Christ, 1355 CR 550E, in Sullivan. The service will be held at 6:30 p.m. and is open to all members of the public. “Good Friday is a significant day for Christians that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death on Calvary. People get together on Good Friday to solemnly pray, reflecting on Jesus’s sacrifice.

Mo Co Monthly “Quarter Madness”

News Progress Posted on by

•April 2, 2025•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold the April Quarter Auction on Wednesday, April 9. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Moultrie County Beacon, Inc. is the organization of the month. The Moultrie County Beacon, currently serving 70 clients, has been providing services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Sullivan community since 1968. They have a community day service program, a 24-Hour Residential CILA program, a supported employment program, and home-based services. They are the fifth largest employer in Moultrie County, with approximately 105 staff members. 

Vendors at the event could include direct sales such as Avon, Jordan Essentials, Tastefully Simple, Norwex, Color Street, Pampered Chef, Plunder, Scentsy, JBloom, PLUS different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, wreaths, earrings, wind spinners, potholders, signs, décor, soy based candles and melties, freeze dried candies, and more. 

Come shop the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to at-tend. Food will be available for purchase through the “Highway Heartburn” food truck in the Legion Parking Lot. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion. A Bake Sale benefit-ting the Moultrie County Beacon will also be taking place. For more information, visit the “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page or contact Ginger Voegel.

MISS April luncheon speaker

News Progress Posted on by

•April 2, 2025•

The Mid-Illinois Senior Services Center is hosting a free lunch with Heather Calcara, Outreach Liaison for the Illinois Attorney General’s office, who has previously presented on senior scams, as well as other common scams, including identity theft. This event will be held at the Sullivan Senior Center, 113 East Jefferson Street in Sullivan, on April 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

This monthly event provides attendees with helpful medical  (when presented by a physician) and other valuable information they can use, and an opportunity to ask important questions. The goal of the “Dine With a Doc” program is to help ensure Seniors’ quality of life, promote enhanced living, extend their available financial resources, enjoy fellowship with their peers, and provide them with resources and information to make informed medical decisions. Attendees can also win door prizes.

For more information on Dine with a Doc, visit www.dinewithadoc.com or contact Senior Education Ministries at (217) 917-4970 or email senioreducationminitries@yahoo.com. To reserve a spot for lunch, call the Mid-Illinois Senior Services center at (217) 728-8521.

“Spring Fling” fashion show

News Progress Posted on by

•April 2, 2025•

On Monday, April 14th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., the Mid-Illinois Senior Services (MISS) at 113 East Jefferson Street, Sullivan, in partnership with Thrifty Boutique, will be hosting a Spring Fling fashion show. Spring fashions from Thrifty Boutique will be showcased, and coffee and donuts will be provided to all in attendance. There is no cost to attend, but donations are always welcomed. Attendance is open to anyone - the more, the merrier. 

The Spring Fling Fashion Show is sponsored by MISS and RSVP (Retired Seniors and Volunteer Program). The event is being held to help bring community awareness to The Thrifty Boutique, which raises funds to support MISC and RSVP. Held in the past, the goal moving forward is to make this an annual event. 

Fashion models and other volunteers are from Sullivan High School and RSVP/MISS. From SHS: Zoe Conlin, Kendall Penberthy, Allyssa Prahl, Issac Reider, Joleigh Tipsword, Camdin Waidelich, Ivan Moxley, Maddison Walters, and Miracle Wilson. RSVP/MISS volunteers: Wanda Abbott, Debbie Eaton, Judy Fiest, Ann Sanners, Sandy Cameron, Esther Nelson, Norma Piper, Barb Stinson, Shirley Ford, and Brenda Stone.

To RSVP for this event and reserve your spot, contact Norma Piper, CEFS, at (217)728-7721.