•December 10, 2025•
Solid Rock Chapel, located at 1213 E. Jackson Street in Sullivan, will be providing a free Christmas Dinner to all who are interested on December 25th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. This meal is available to be eaten at the church or for pickup/delivery between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. for residents of Sullivan. The meal is ham, green beans, scalloped potatoes, a roll with cinnamon butter, and a dessert. RSVP’s are requested by calling (217) 259-6736 by December 19th.
•December 10, 2025•
The Village of Bethany is continuing their tradition of the Christmas Light Contest. For those who would like to participate, visit the Village Hall at 201 W Main St, Bethany, or call the Village Hall at (217) 665-3351 to get your name on the list
From the time you sign up until December 25th, make sure your Christmas light display is on from dusk until 9:00 p.m. The judges will come by at some point in that time frame to judge all the displays and will choose the winners
This year’s prizes are: 1st Place: $100 Utility Credit; 2nd Place: $50 Utility Credit; 3rd Place: $50 Utility Credit; and (4) Honorable Mentions $25 Utility Credit.
•December 10, 2025•
The Sullivan News Progress offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday the 25th, Wednesday the 31st, and January 1st for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Due dates for submission for the weekly December 24th edition are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 19th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 21st by 5:00 p.m. The weekly edition of the News Progress will be delivered on Tuesday, December 23rd. Submission due dates for the New Year’s holiday are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 26th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 28th by 5:00 p.m. The News Progress will be delivered Tuesday, December 30th.
•December 3, 2025•
On December 14th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Santa Claus will be at the Lovington American Legion Post #429, 1985 State Highway 32, Lovington. Each child will receive a gift from Santa, with cookies and drinks provided by the Lovington Women’s Auxiliary.
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan First United Methodist Church, 216 W Jefferson St, Sullivan, invites the public to attend Pastor Mike Fender’s Retirement celebration on December 14th. Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m. with a celebration at 11:00 a.m. in Friendship Hall.
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain Street, Sullivan, is hosting a Holiday Shopping Event on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be home-crafted items, direct sales, Christmas greenery, baked goods, boutique items, and more. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Those interested in having a booth at the Holiday Shopping Event can contact Tina Bolsen at (217) 620-8185. Highway Heartburn will be in the parking lot serving smashburgers.
•December 3, 2025•
The News Progress will be printing Letters to Santa in our December 17th issue. If your child would like to write a letter to Santa, it can be e-mailed to santa@newsprogress.com. It must be received by noon on Wednesday, December 10th.
•November 26, 2025•
The W.H.A.T. civic group invites everyone to celebrate the season at Windsor Wonderland, happening Saturday, December 6th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This much-anticipated holiday tradition is packed with festive activities and free fun for all ages.
The evening begins with the Golf Cart and ATV Lighted Parade, a vibrant spectacle of illuminated vehicles spreading holiday cheer. Parade participants will line up at the Windsor High School parking lot at 4:30 p.m., with the parade kicking off at 4:45 p.m. The procession will culminate at the Community Christmas Tree, where the tree lighting ceremony will officially launch the evening’s festivities at 5:00 p.m.
Santa Claus will make his grand arrival as part of the parade and will be available for visits at the Windsor Library until 6:30 p.m. Families can take photos and share their holiday wishes with Santa. Adding to the magic of the evening, Windsor CUSD will serve a free chili and hot dog dinner, ensuring everyone stays warm and well-fed. Guests can also enjoy a variety of activities, including: live reindeer for an up-close holiday experience, cookie decorating for all ages, a mini cake walk with tasty treats to win, and a cozy hot cocoa bar to warm your hands and hearts.
These activities, planned by community groups, churches, and local businesses, are completely free of charge. For more information about the parade, please contact Josh Hartman at (217) 259-1340. Don’t miss this evening of festive fun and community spirit. Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer to Windsor Wonderland and make lasting memories.
•November 26, 2025•
On Saturday, December 13th, Mo-Do 4-H will be holding a “Greenery and Glitter” event at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E Illinois Street in Arthur, at 10:30 a.m., running until noon. All are invited to attend, whether 4-H or not. This event is for children aged Pre-K to 18.
Activities include making a holiday greenery centerpiece (floriculture project related). Also available are the following make-and-take stations: clay snowman, pine cone decorating, nature craft, numerous ornament painting options, chemistry fun with bath bomb making, and a choose-your-own 4-H-themed ornament to take home.
There will also be a snack station with Christmas cookies and Grinch hot chocolate. Feel free to wear comfy holiday gear. This event is made possible thanks to Dr. Christina Edmonds Berhend, Darla Chouinard, the Moultrie-Douglas Emerging Leaders 4-H Club, and financial support from the Moultrie-Douglas Foundation.
Pre-registration is required by December 1st at: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/moultrie-douglas-4-h-holiday-party
•November 26, 2025•
On December 5th, Sullivan’s “Christmas Traditions” event downtown begins at 4:00 p.m. Santa will be in his house near the pavilion on the square, and the Sullivan Hometown Holiday Lighted Parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. The parade route has been shortened this year and will begin at the SCED office parking lot, 112 N. Main St., across from McDonald’s. Those wishing to sign up go to: https://forms.gle/DqsykuA74QzZ8LFFA.