25 Years Ago This Week
The News Progress took home three awards from the 1996 Illinois Press Association newspaper contest. Managing Editor Dan Hagen won second place in Feature Writing for his June 1995 story headlined “Bronze Star Unfaded.” General Manager R.R. Best added to his long list of photography awards with a first honorable mention for a short entitled “Flood peril.” The newspaper won in the Division B, or large weekly category. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall
The Okaw Valley Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall this year was Charlie Bland.
Photo by Crystal Reed
High School Band
Pictured is the Okaw Valley High School Band during the Homecoming Parade.
Photo by Crystal Reed
2019 Royalty
Pictured are 2019 Homecoming Queen and King Madalyne McPheeters and Ethan Bartimus.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Crown Bearers
Homecoming crown bearers were Mara Inman and Ren Ruppert.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Senior Class Float
The Okaw Valley senior class float had a recognizable theme to it during this year’s Homecoming Parade.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley Elementary
Okaw Valley Elementary staff and teachers were part of the Okaw Valley Homecoming parade last Friday.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany Royalty
Miss Bethany Calista Clark waves during the OV Homecoming Parade.
Photo by Crystal Reed
More Bethany Royalty
Young Miss Bethany Bristol Wilderman and another member of Bethany royalty were also in the parade.
•September 22, 2021•
The Sullivan Rotary is currently running a fundraiser called Rotary Pumpkin Town. This fundraiser is open to local businesses.
For businesses there are two options for $100 you can rent a pumpkin and decorate it yourself or for $200 you can get a fully decorated pumpkin by a Sullivan High School Art Student. You are limited to four colors and design ideas are to be e-mailed to the art department. Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Sept. 27 - Pork Chop in Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Lima Beans, Roll, Cranberries
Sept. 28 - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Romaine Lettuce Salad, Seasoned Green Beans, Roll, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Sept. 29 - Saucy Ham Loaf, Sweet Potatoes, Seasoned Peas, Cornbread, Overnight Fruit Salad
Sept. 30 - BBQ Meatballs, Scalloped Potatoes, Spinach, Texas Toast, Chunky Applesauce
Oct.1 - Chef’s Choice
Dear Editor,
All towns, like yours I’m sure, like to know when out-of-towners like me have a very pleasant interaction with local people. It was so nice in fact that it makes me want to visit your area! I hope your readership will enjoy hearing about my experience working with Linda in the County Clerk’s office! Read More
•September 15, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Reader Bill Thomas served me up a softball question for last Sunday’s column before getting to the meat of his email.
At the risk of his hogging my attention, it’s a topic worth exploring in its own column.
Without further ado, the windup aaaand the pitch:
“How did the title ‘actor’ ever get applied to named women acting on stage and movies? Shouldn’t ‘actress’ be the correct term?” he asked.
Gulp.
“I recognize that an actor is defined as one who acts. An actress is defined as a woman who is an actor,” he wrote. “My traditional understanding is that ‘actor’ was used as the male’s title and actress was the female’s title. Do we need to designate a different title for men who act?”
This is a difficult topic. Read More
•September 15, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
I have always encouraged volunteering to the older adults I work with as a way to feel purpose, share wisdom and skills and socialize. So when I saw this article written by Extension Educator Judy Schmidt about how volunteering helps the whole family and why, I wanted to share with you. Judy says: volunteering together can be a great way for families to spend time with each other. Additionally, volunteering as a family has been shown to significantly impact the amount teens volunteers. America’s Promise found that 81% of teens who had one adult family member or role model who volunteered reported volunteering themselves (Child Trends, 2006). Read More
•September 15, 2021•
Lake Land College math and science faculty will host the first Math & Science Open House from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 24. The event allows high school juniors and seniors to learn more and ask questions about Lake Land math and science academic programs such as chemistry, biology, physics, math and engineering. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
The members of the Bethany Village Board signed off on a potential $1.5 million project designed to shore up Bethany’s collapsing streets. Officials signed a letter of intent with the county and state to participate in an infrastructure project to renovate storm sewers and streets in Bethany.
The schedule of improvement for the Sullivan school district included new windows for vocational and science rooms, removal of underground storage tank and elementary locker installation, total $170,000; new lighting, ceiling tile, windows for agriculture, band, art and cafeteria rooms, $200,000 and more. The school board was reviewing planned building improvements. Read More
Photo furnished
OV Homecoming Queen and King Candidates
Queen Candidates: Scout Finley, Mia Harris, Karlie Stauder and Kylie Stauder. King Candidates: Tyson Montgomery, Cale Roley, Lincoln Dickens, and Jakob McQuire. The court was recognized at Tuesday night’s home volleyball game between the JV and Varsity matches in addition to coronation on Saturday, 9/18 at 6:45 PM.
Photo furnished
OV Homecoming Attendants
Freshmen Lydia Webner and Zach Duran, Sophomores Rissa Montgomery and Josh Lehman, Junior: Grace Moeller. Not pictured Junior Trey Hall.