•October 26, 2016•

The January 8, 1917 edition of the Decatur Herald ran an article entitled: “Frank Chance Recalls His Debut in Sullivan”.  Frank Chance was player-manager of the Chicago Cubs on the only two World Series championship teams in 1907 and 1908.

The short of it is that in 1895 at either 17 or 18 years of age, Chance was observed playing in Fresno, Calif. by someone who enticed him to come to Sullivan, Illinois to play for the semi-pro team based there at the time.

Two different accounts indicate his salary to have been $25/month or $40/month (plus board).

There were two sources, one of which had him playing both in 1896 and 1897 in Sullivan while the other indicated he returned to play in Fresno in 1897 where he impressed a former Cub player who contacted Cubs management that they needed to sign him, which they did. He began his career with the Cubs in 1898.

Thanks to Brett Robinson Bethany baseball great for this story.

•October 26, 2016•

SAIL, Soyland Access to Independent Living, will host a free workshop about Scams, Fraud and ID Theft 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, November 2 at First United Methodist Church located at 216 W. Jefferson Street in Sullivan. The speaker is Lanae Clarke, Public Affairs Manager with the State of Illinois Comptroller’s Office.

The workshop is free; reservations are not required. For more information call Betty Watkins, Rural Outreach Coordinator at 774-4322.

•October 19, 2016•

Okaw Valley Community Unit School District invites all veterans and their family members to a Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany Thursday, November 10.

A breakfast will be provided to all who attend beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria and a short assembly will follow at 9:15 a.m. The assembly will feature the Okaw Valley School District band and chorus students. The keynote speaker will be Casey Woods, Illinois Air National Guard.

The students and staff at Okaw Valley appreciate all Veterans for their acts of courage and devotion to the ideals that have served to guide our nation.

Those able to attend should call 665-3232 for a reservation.

•October 12, 2016•

In the October 5, 2016 edition of the News Progress an error was made in the page 4 story “Sunshine Savings…” In the photo with Mike Fowler Kim Harris was incorrectly identified as Kim Miller. Our apologies for the mistake.

•October 12, 2016•

The First Christian Church of Lovington will have their Harvest Dinner and Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 5.

Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF) are offering the following to raise money for the project within the church.

Cinnamon roll and coffee served from 8-10 a.m.; bazaar shops including candy shop, Christmas shop, baked goods shop and crafts shop are open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

Silent auction is from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with final bids up to 6 p.m.

Harvest dinner (turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salads, rolls and dessert) served from 5-7 p.m.

Opportunities to donate to after school programs for kids, vacation Bible school, general expenses and community causes will also be available.