Category Archives: News Briefs

Remember When? 11-14-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week

More than 1,500 members of foster and adoptive families were greeted by an ostrich-riding cowboy at the Festival of Lights at the Inn at Eagle Creek. Arthur, Arcola, and Mattoon have joined with Sullivan, Findlay and Shelbyville to form a circle of lighted communities around Lake Shelbyville.
Even some of the dogs got into the spirit of Halloween. A photo was taken by R.R. Best of Wiggles sporting his rabbit ears. Wiggles is owned by Teri Stone of Sullivan.
Amanda Taylor, Sarah Dean and Brandon Stone have the lead roles as Aunt Eller, Laurey and Curly in the Sullivan Middle School’s presentation of Oklahoma. Blake Lane will play Ike Skidmore, Kyle Wickline is Fred, Greg Seelhoefer is Slim and Derek Elder is Will Parker. Jud Fry will be played by Luke Standerfer, and Ado Annie Carnes will be played by Laine Lewis. Heath Siebert is Ali Hakim, Norah Hallford is Gertie Cummings, Brooke Smith is Ellen, Mandy Kracht is Kate, Sara Holt is Vivian and Scarlett Martin is Armina. Other male roles are Curtis Cornwell as Aggie, Shannon Miller as Andrew Carnes, Jason Fowler as Cord Elam, Phil Jesse is Jess, Ryan Collins as Chalmers, Keath Murray as Mike, Willson Turner is Joe and Jake Pope is Sam. Many other students will be singing in the chorus. Read More

Pre-Schoolers Share Halloween With Seniors

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Preschoolers gather with Senior Center witches.

•November 7, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, Oh, My! exclaimed 26 children from Sullivan Pre-School as they paraded their Halloween costumes for the delighted seniors at the Senior Center in Sullivan on Oct. 31.
Led by Meghan Dean, half of the children were dressed in yellow Minion helmets and yellow t-shirts. The other half sported white t-shirts they had decorated for Halloween.
Following their costume parade the children received treat bags from the Senior Center staff who were costumed all in black as good, glam witches.
The seniors then took their turn at celebrating by listening to the duo of Chuck and Roger who presented an hour’s program of country/western music. Read More

OV FFA Land Use Skills Displayed

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•November 7, 2018•

On Tuesday, the Okaw Valley FFA Soil Judging Team competed at the Shelby County Land Use Competition. Okaw Valley won in convincing style earning the top six places. First - Elizabeth Herbord; second Case Crawford; third Sadie Zimmerman; fourth Cole Nichols; fifth Karlie Stauder; sixth Kylie Stauder.
The team will compete on Tuesday when OV hosts the FFA Section Land Use Competition.

Preparedness is Key to Surviving Illinois Winters

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•November 7, 2018•

The official start of winter is still nearly two months away but much of the state has already experienced its first frost and, in some areas, its first snowfall. This sets the stage for a potentially long winter so the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is recommending people start taking steps to ensure they’re prepared to stay safe and warm throughout the winter months.
Driving on snow or ice-covered roads can be extremely hazardous. Before starting a trip when the weather is bad, be sure to check road conditions on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Winter Road Conditions Map at www.gettingaroundillinois.com.
Drivers should be sure to stock their vehicles with an emergency supply kit, in the event they are stranded on the roadside and need to wait for assistance. The emergency supply kit should include: Read More

Sullivan Alumnus Inspires Students to Study Abroad

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Photo by Señora King
Kyle Cody shares Japan experience.

Shares Japan Experience

By Seth Mayberry
for the News Progress

On October 12 Sullivan alumnus Kyle Cody shared with the Spanish Club his experiences studying abroad in Japan.
Members gained a better understanding about the benefits of studying abroad through Cody’s presentation.
Cody spent 2014 to 2015 studying in Kyoto, Japan. While in Kyoto, Cody learned a lot about Japan including its transportation, food, social relationships, economy, languages, holidays, and sports.
“Kyoto is busy in the urban center. However, the surrounding forested mountains and suburbs are quiet and peaceful,” Cody reflected.
Cody majored in Japanese studies and was required to study abroad for at least a semester in order to receive his degree.
“Japanese culture and history fascinated me,” Cody added.
For Cody, the most difficult thing to adjust to in Japan was the lack of certain foods. Read More

Menu 11-7-2018

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Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, Nov. 12 - Chicken pot pie w/vegetables, brussels sprouts, whole grain biscuit, sliced pears
Tuesday, Nov. 13 - Mostaccoli w/meat sauce, winter mix vegetables, tossed salad w/dressing pkt.., dinner roll, mandarin oranges
Wednesday, Nov. 14 - Tangy pork chop /vegetables over brown rice, green beans, rye, warm cinnamon apple slices
Thursday, Nov. 15 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, seasoned venetian vegetables, whole grain wheat, seasonal dessert
Friday, November 16 - Vegetable beef soup, creamy coleslaw, peanut butter, crackers, raisins

Secretary State Mobile Coming to Library

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•November 7, 2018•

Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Sullivan Library, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card. White’s mobile unit will be available 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan. Read More

Lake Shelbyville to Host Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Exhibit

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•November 7, 2018•

The Museum on Main Street exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution and Illinois Humanities will be on display at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center from December 15, 2018 - January 26, 2019.
Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60 to 17 percent, according to experts with The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street Exhibit. However, Americans still rely on rural communities for the food and other resources that power the nation. The Crossroads exhibit takes a look at the characteristics of rural America. It explores how rural communities change and how rural Americans are changing for the future. The exhibit covers many themes, including: Rural Identity, Rural Land, Rural Communities, Persistence in Rural Communities, and Managing Change in Rural Communities. Read More

Remember When? 11-7-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week

Between 300 and 400 costumed youngsters and adults braved the snow and cold weather to participate in the annual Kiwanis Halloween Parade Saturday. The parade was led by Sullivan Junior High band and each category was led by a Kiwanis member. The winners in each category were as follows: Hobos and Gypsies- Karen Hagen, Marci Beals and Evyn Flannell; Cowboys and Indians- McKenzie and Leslie Lewis, Trevor Warner, Darby Seabaugh and Shera Byers; Family group- Ron, Eileen, Lindsey and Kyle Sporrer, Lori,Tyler and Marty Sims and Carrie Copeland, Amy, Andrew and Parker Sims, and Katie and Mark McKown. Animals and Agriculture- Alex and Amy Robinson and Jacob Fleener, Jessica Ray, Ben Wheeler and Tyson Warner. Comics, TV and Monsters- Stephan Siere, Hennifer Starr, Morgan Woolsey and Beth Minnis. Storybook and Witches- Mark Bratton, Jacob and Chelsea Warren, Eric Miller, Drew and Morgan Miller. Clowns and Devils- Hank Tabor, Zachary Seabaugh, Natalie Craig, and Andrew Fryman. Unclassified 1-8: Nicole Fergusen, George Spencer, Megan Calhoun and Wyatt Jenkins. Unclassified 9-16: Adam Crowe, Beth Sanner, Derek Pikop and Katie Singer and Jamie Dunphy. Adults: Gordon and Sondra Wood and Chris VandenBrink and Kirk McNamer. Read More

Newman Night at EIU

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•November 7, 2018•

Every year the Newman Catholic Center community gathers to celebrate its past, present and future at its annual Newman Night Celebration. This year the event will take place Saturday, November 10.
As part of the event, a social hour, silent auction, dinner and dancing with a live DJ will be held following Newman Catholic Center’s 4:30 p.m. mass in the Eastern Illinois University Union Grand Ballroom.