•September 19, 2018•
SAIL, Soyland Access to Independent Living, will host a workshop introducing the A B C ‘s of Medicare on Wednesday, September 26th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson, Sullivan.
The presenter is Mervet Adams. The workshop is free; reservations are not required. For more information call Betty Watkins, SAIL Rural Outreach Coordinator, at 774-4322.
•September 12, 2018•
Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 60 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. This chain is being formed all across our nation and Canada. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death.
Come, stand, hold a sign, and pray with other caring Christians in Sullivan on “National Life Chain Sunday”. This is not for one church or one denomination but for all Christians to participate. Read More
•September 12, 2018•
The 2018 Outdoor Sports Festival will take place at Rotary Park and Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur September 8 and 9. This event is one of nine state sports competitions. It is the final competition for those participating in softball and golf. Young athletes will have the opportunity to participate in both softball skills and golf skills. Over 650 athletes and 20 Unified partners compete over this weekend and bring the joy of sport to Decatur.
Special Olympics Illinois needs help as a volunteer for the Outdoor Sports Festival in Decatur. Volunteers are still needed at both the golf and softball venues on Saturday and Sunday and you may register online at www.soill.org. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
There are new faces in the classroom in Bethany and Lovington school districts. Amy Blank comes to Bethany as a new kindergarten teacher and high school volleyball coach, and Lynn Westfall is the junior-senior high art/language arts teacher. Lovington welcomes Maralee Lyons as their new art teacher. Tim Spade will teach industrial arts and photography. Lovington alumni Vicki Newberry takes over as fourth grade teacher. Suzy Crawford of Sullivan will be the teacher for the district’s first early childhood and Project HELP program. Darlene Barlow will be her assistant. Bill Gibson joins the staff as the new business/social studies teacher at the high school.
Sullivan resident Bill Stubblefield has been in the auto selling business for 41 years but claims he never sold a car. Echoing his late father Ray,”I never sold one. But I helped a lot of people pick them out.” During his years in business he saw cars range in price from $3,000 to $25,000. A highlight, he said, was being involved with people. Stubblefield, his wife Marilyn and daughters Kris and Jill are invited, along with friends, to a retirement party held at the American Legion. Read More
•September 12, 2018•
Cynthia Titus, RN, was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Sarah Bush Lincoln on August 30.
Titus was nominated by a coworker for always going above and beyond to provide exceptional care to her patients. Her nominator wrote:
“Cynthia has clearly established herself as an invaluable member of the Sarah Bush Lincoln team. While I could mention multiple occasions of her going above and beyond, these two examples really stick out:
Cynthia voluntarily stayed late and missed her grandchild’s t-ball game to assist a patient with discharge plans. She worked long and hard to ensure that the patient had access to her discharge medications (including obtaining approval for her anticoagulation) and that all home health arrangements were confirmed.
On another occasion, Cynthia didn’t hesitate to help an uninsured patient obtain much needed medication. She contacted the drug manufacturer and was able to successfully arrange for that patient to receive Linezolid (which is extremely expensive) at very little cost. Her efforts resulted in a vulnerable patient receiving necessary medical care that would have otherwise been impossible. Read More
•September 12, 2018•
The Sullivan Church of God, Sullivan American Legion and the American Red Cross will host an Honor Blood Drive for River Helmuth, daughter of Tony and Stephanie Helmuth of Sullivan. The drive will be at the Sullivan Legion Saturday September 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stephanie recently described the last two years of their lives since the birth of their daughter River. “Over the last two years our family has been reminded of the importance of blood donation time and time again. At the age of two and one-half months our daughter River was put on life support. Her body was breaking down, and she was fighting hard. However, it was not until she received blood products and her first transfusion that she began to stabilize. She received four units of blood over three days. Then on April 25, 2016 at four months old she was in heart failure and was taken to the operating room for an open chest surgery to help stabilize her again. During this surgery blood product was again used and she was then given two more units over the next three days to help her little body fight. At 17 months she underwent her first full open heart surgery. During her heart repair several units of fresh whole blood were used while she was on a heart lung bypass machine to sustain her while they operated.
“It is during these past years that I realized I had not even donated in the last 10 years enough blood to even come close to what River needed in those 12 months. My child was being saved by other people’s generosity and giving. And I know without these blood drives we would have been lost.
“So in honor of River’s survival and strength and as a reminder to the importance of giving blood, we are holding our second annual honor blood drive. River is O+ which is a very much sought after blood. I am challenging all of our friends, family and community who match to give blood on Sept 15. I am asking and pleading with all eligible donors that you come and give blood.
“Maybe it has been 10 years? Maybe you are afraid? Maybe you have never given? Well, this is the time. I will be there, and I will hold your hand if you want. We will have lots of yummy food, some great giveaways, and I am working out a good prize too. And everyone will get a special River thank you if you come try to give blood.
“So mark it on the calendar, set up an appointment so we can have plenty of help on hand, and then show up and give life. I hope to see you all there.”
Blood drive coordinator Jeri Davis of Sullivan also knows the importance of receiving blood. During an illness some 18 years ago, she was given eight units of blood which saved her life. Being a blood drive coordinator is a passion for her and many of the people who come and assist with the drives and donate blood. Over her five years as drive coordinator, she has helped collect nearly 2,000 units of blood. This means the difference between life and death for nearly 6,000 people in need, as every unit collected can benefit more than three patients.
To make an appointment to donate, call Davis at 217-273-9456 or go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment on your own. Donors must have a current ID with a photo on it. Donors are encouraged to use rapid pass at The Red Cross website to decrease their wait time at this drive. Walk-ins are more than welcome, but having an appointment will ensure proper staffing from Red Cross and decrease wait time.
•September 12, 2018•
The Moultrie County Democratic Spaghetti Supper begins at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at Sullivan American Legion Post 68.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. are speakers including former U. S Representative Glenn Poshard, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, candidate for U.S. 15th Congressional District Kevin Gaither, Ramona Sullivan and Chad Beckett, candidates for 6th Circuit Judge.
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, September 17 - Chicken sandwich, scalloped corn, red cabbage w/sour sauce, bun, applesauce
Tuesday, September 18 - Salmon boat, macaroni and cheese w/peas, midair blend veggies, whole grain wheat, pineapple
Wednesday, September 19 - Taco salad w/meat, cheese and beans, lettuce, tomato, sour ream and taco sauce, cantaloupe, taco chips, pudding
Thursday, September 20 - Turkey salad w/grapes on lettuce leaf, creamy potato soup, crackers, gelatin salad w/1/2 cup fruit
Friday, September 21 - Pork chop in gravy, mashed potatoes, breaded tomatoes, whole grain wheat, fruit salad
•September 12, 2018•
A child should not have to suffer through the winter without a warm coat, hat, and mittens to wear. That is the problem that Margie Pondo, Jeri Davis, and Jamie Miller are working to solve in this area.
These women formed a mission in collaboration with Sullivan Church of God two years ago called No Kids Left in the Cold after seeing a need for many of the children in this area. Many children do not have anything warm to wear throughout the winter months and to and from school.
Last year they collected and handed out more than 200 coats and accessories to local children and adults without cost to any child’s parent or guardian. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
News Progress photographer, Lisa Muirheid, captures many area award winning 4-H’ers at the Illinois State Fair. Heidi Crawford of Sullivan had to field numerous questions about her Computer Science II project; pastry was the foods choice of Cassandra Jackson of Lovington. Bread baked by Paige Clark of Bethany earned one of six superior awards. Alyssa Gilmore of Lovington chose a tractor and a baby cradle as the foundations for her flower arrangements in the horticulture competition.
Cheerleaders from three Moultrie County schools attended National Cheerleaders Assn. camp at Lake Land College. Participating students and sponsors were Sarah Claytor, Carly Dodd, Anitra Rowe and Betsy Rowe from Bethany Junior High, Marissa Bolson, Amanda Eckel, Courtney Hoots, Stacie Jannink, Melissa Martin and Allison Rocke of Lovington and from Sullivan Haley Davis, Sarah Dean, Chrissy Fryman, Sara Holt, Mindy Kracht, Shannon Moody, Jennifer Sanner, Jennifer Voegel and Hilary Wheeler. Read More