•November 14, 2018•

Designers are gearing up to transform the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at Sarah Bush Lincoln into a shimmering winter wonderland for the annual Festival of Trees, now in its 20th year.
The public is invited to share in this magical event, themed “Mistletoe Magic,” from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, November 16, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 17. Sponsors are Consolidated Communications (Principle Media Sponsor); Dale & Marilyn Hoots (Title Sponsor), BSA LifeStructures, Co-Bank & Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, Dr. Lori & Bobbo Cudone, First Mid Bank & Trust, and Leslie Hill (Gala Sponsors); WMCI, The Party, The Axe and Victory (Memory Star Tree Title Sponsors); Adams Funeral Chapel, Adams Memorials, Anderson Electric, and Doug and Tracey McCord (Festival Sponsors).
“Festival of Trees is one of the favorite holiday events in this area and truly helps to get our community into the spirit of the season,” Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation Special Events Coordinator Kim Lockart said. “We’re excited about many new additions to this year’s Festival.” Net proceeds from Festival of Trees support the cardiology expansion project that includes a new Heart Center and 21 new private patient rooms. Read More

•November 14, 2018•

By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

Each year the Sullivan School District meets with members of various local organizations to conduct a safety review for the school system.
Items covered during this time can vary widely but typically include updates on our safety improvements, a review of our safety drill programs, and information on our emergency plans. Read More

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

•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.

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