Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, February 25 - Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, whole grain wheat (1), apricots
Tuesday, February 26 - Shepherd’s pie w/veggies, creamy cole slaw, dinner roll, warm fruit crisp
Wednesday, February 27 - Pork chop sandwich, buttered baby baker potatoes, Mexi corn, bun, fruit juice
Thursday, February 28 - Beefy vegetable & lentil soup, sliced pears, peanut butter cup, crackers, oatmeal raisin cookie
Friday, March 1 - Mushroom crusted chicken breast, potato casserole, venetian blend vegetables, dinner roll, fresh fruit
Category Archives: News Briefs
Senior Services and Courtyard Host 11th Valentine Poetry Contest
•February 20, 2019•
By Cupid Valentine
for the News Progress
The Courtyard’s dining room and lobby were filled to capacity as more than 150 red clad seniors gathered for the 11th annual Valentine Poetry Contest and luncheon on February 8.
This year’s event was so successful that many had to be turned away.
The tables were decorated with red covers, clusters of red balloons and heart dishes filled with candies. Ellen Ferrera provided love-themed piano music prior to the lunch.
Courtyard’s popular and traditional meal of beef tips, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and roll was served. Their famous made-from-scratch strawberry pie was a much- anticipated dessert; although, there were also choices of coconut and chocolate cream pies. Read More
OV Elementary Exceed Goal in Valentines for Heroes
•February 20, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Like many other congressmen Representative John Shimkus participates in the annual program of Valentines for Heroes. Each February in Illinois Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, church youth groups and elementary school children create over 10,000 valentines for military veterans.
OVES set a goal of 500 valentines, but with two days to go they were below their goal.
“I just got goosebumps when I saw these children put their hearts into creating 805 valentines to exceed their goal,” school counselor Paula Coffer said. “The big, red paper thermometer to measure their progress blew through the top, and the students were so excited. The challenge was a good experience for them.”
To reward the students, Mike Hall, Regional Director for Rep. John Shimkus, made a trip to the school to collect the big, red box containing the OVES collection of colorful Valentines. Read More
From a Scare in the Hay Loft to Cantankerous Hogs
•February 20, 2019•
By Evelyn Burtcheard
NP Guest Columnist
One morning Dad sent Donny to the hayloft to throw down a bale of hay. Danny of course followed Donny running as fast as they could go. It wasn’t long before the bale of hay fell to the ground.
I was to put the hay in the hay bunk for the calves to learn to eat and the cows would finish later. Donny stood in the hayloft door surveying his domain. I soon heard the boys talking in low anxious voices. Then Danny began to cry, and Donny started to yell for Dad - Danny had followed Donny up into the loft and was afraid to come down.
I was terrified that the little guy would fall, and I started yelling for him to stay back. Dad came running to the barn from hitching a team and down the hallway to where the ruckus was. He climbed the ladder to the top and helped Danny to get one leg over the edge. Then he and Danny started back down the ladder. Danny felt safe with Dad’s arms on either side as he was given time for each little hand to grip and release coming down. Dad kept telling him to not look down, to look at the top of the barn as they were climbing down. Read More
Remember When? 2-20-2019
25 Years Ago This Week
Tim Uphoff of Findlay delivered his own baby girl, Taylor Alyssa, in their home when his wife went into labor. Uphoff said his wife woke him up, and they began timing the contractions. Her water broke, and Tim called the ambulance. Two minutes later he delivered the baby. The ambulance arrived five minutes later and took the family to St. Mary’s Hospital. Pauline Briney, former mayor of Findlay, says she doesn’t remember the last time a baby was born at home in the village.
A fundraiser was held for J.E. Miller, Republican candidate for State Representative, at the Sullivan Masonic Temple. Among the 50 persons attending the event were State Rep. Duane Noland and Judge Robert J. Steigmann.
A Valentine’s Dinner Show was held February 11 in the Bethany High School gym. The show featured entertainment by The BHS Jazz Choir, Forte and the big band sounds of the Kingsmen. Jazz choir members are Luke Bland, Robert Disney, Angela Duncan, Lindsay Patrick, Brandy Caldwell, Wendy Munch, Jodi Armer, Nicole Gibbons, Leslie Patient, Allison Patrick, Haley Rowe, Steven Shain, Robert Miller, Deacon Patient, Scott Ray and Mike Schwartz. Forte quartet members are Lindsay Patrick, Angie Duncan, Martne McCabe and Jessika Gaither. Read More
Fighting Back Feels Like Being a Cork in the Middle of the Ocean
•February 20, 2019•
Editor’s Note: Bill Zoetvelt retired in Sullivan but several decades ago was put in a position where people of power in a large corporation punished him for doing the right thing. Over the years he has suffered financial and personal loss over the events that led up to his early retirement from Ameritech’s Illinois Bell. The justice system has failed him, but his story holds lessons of life and the consequences of a well meaning act that threatens the balance of power in the corporate world.
Dear Editor,
Using hindsight and getting through unacceptable thoughts, I was working as an outside systems technician with a special truck and tools out of Chicago’s South Suburban Area.
What I did at the age of 49 was to threaten to report habitual alcoholism in the ranks of Ameritech’s Illinois Bell Telephone Co. management. After going through a second strike, some how, some way. Some union officials were promoted to management through cronyism for better benefits but mostly for better pay whose name’s are in my documents.
The Chief Steward whose now a level 1 supervisor will collect two checks when he retires, a strong motive to protect his illegal status. His best friend, a Level 2 supervisor, both being the masterminds in a designed dismissal plan focused on anyone who posed a threat to their criminal activity, where these people worked in tandem with their former official IBEW local 336 brothers, who will and did calculate personal attacks on chosen union dues paying brothers. They literally were the police, judge, jury and executioners in the personal lives of loyal blue collar workers without a care to man-made damage to the employee’s personal life. And it didn’t cost them a dime. Read More
Dove Offers Domestic Violence Education and Volunteer Training
•February 20, 2019•
Training is available for individuals interested in educating themselves on the issues surrounding domestic violence. The training will take place 1-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, April 29 through May 15 at Dove, 302 S. Union, Dean Simcox Conference Room in Decatur. This 44-hour training is approved by ICADV, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The training is being facilitated by two Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals, one of whom is also an Illinois Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional. There is a $200 fee for the training. Read More
Windsor Students of January
Maranda Tarvin
•February 20, 2019•
Maranda Tarvin, daughter of Lori Pease, has been named the High School Student of the Month at Windsor High School. She is a senior and involved in Student Council, NHS, Academic Challenge, Scholastic Bowl, Spanish Club, and Physics Club. After graduation, Tarvin plans to attend Lake Land College.
Kierstin Wheeler, daughter of Chris and Kelly Wheeler, Jr. High Student of the Month, is an 8th grader and participates in F.C.A, plays piano, and is in band.
Kierstin Wheeler
SAAC Third Annual Youth Art Contest
•February 20, 2019•
The Sullivan Area Arts Council is celebrating young artists with the third annual Youth Art Contest. Work will be displayed at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, and awards will be given in age divisions. Read More
Pianist Performs at Methodist Church
•February 14, 2019•
Dave Bratton spent the past 56 years playing piano, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 he will share his musical history at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
Folks from Sullivan Methodist Church listen to Bratton play before and after the 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday, but few know the extent of his musical background.