•May 24, 2017•
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that all Monday through Friday offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2017, in observance of Memorial Day. In addition, all Tuesday through Saturday Driver Services facilities will be closed on Saturday, May 27th.
All office and facilities will be open for business on Tuesday, May 30th. Read More
•May 24, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln always carried a Hohner harmonica in his pocket? Lincoln couldn’t read music and could barely carry a tune, but he did play a tune or two on the harmonica - one of them being the nonsense song, “Blue Tail Fly”.
Lincoln was a music lover his entire life and especially enjoyed opera, nonsense songs, sentimental ballads, patriotic songs and military band music.
On the eighth circuit in Illinois musical entertainment was often provided by a Danville attorney and his lifelong friend Ward Hill Lamon who sang as the lawyers crossed the prairie or around the fire after dinner. Years later he invited Lamon to accompany him on his preinauguration trip to Washington, and Lamon provided musical diversion on the 14-day journey. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
The First National Bank in Sullivan and Hardware State Bank in Lovington have new presidents. Ray Duncan of Lovington was named president following the First National Bank board of directors and annual stockholders meeting. He will be leaving Hardware State Bank as president but retain ownership. Faye Daily, a 27 year employee, replaces Duncan as president.
Bethany school board approved purchase of new uniforms for the fifth-sixth grade basketball teams for $1380. New mathematics text books for elementary school first-sixth grades were purchased for $4816.
Bryan Johnson of Sullivan received a $500 scholarship from the AAA-Chicago Motor Club for his essay: “If I were governor, what would I do to improve teen driving?”
Sullivan travelers Joe and Joan Pound traveled through the streets of Dehli by rickshaw before leaving India and the Asian continent.
Sullivan IGA was having a Super Summer Sale featuring whole fryers for 43¢ a pound and Texas cantaloupe for 99¢ each. Read More
•May 24, 2017•
Okaw Valley High School recognized over 75 students for their academic achievement and awarded several scholarships May 12.
Lake Land College presented scholarships to Jessica Robinson, Kristy Burford, Makayle Rosanski, Tyus Brooks, Jonathan Gentry, Kyzer Lash, Brendon Lane, and Skyler Birch.
Other scholarships presented include the Toby J. Jump Memorial to Ty Nichols, George A. Sentel Lodge #764 to Kayla Wheeler, Eldon Banning Memorial Scholarship to Tyus Brooks and Connor Cloyd, American Red Cross Scholarship to Brianna Creviston, Illinois Sheriff’s Association Scholarship to Moranda Matheson, Clarence Bixler American Legion Post #409/Findlay Sons of the American Legion/Findlay Ladies’ Auxiliary Scholarship to Tyus Brooks and Brianna Creviston. Read More
•May 24, 2017•
The partners of Wood and Mayberry are pleased to announce their association with the law firm of Bolen, Robinson & Ellis, LLP.
BRE Law is a nationally known firm, but the partners have their roots firmly grounded in central Illinois. It is believed this association will enhance and expand the legal service now offered by Wood and Mayberry. Read More
•May 24, 2017•
A.W.A.K.E., a health awareness support group for people affected with sleep apnea, will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 1, in the Sarah Bush Lincoln Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education.
Area residents with sleeping disorders are encouraged to join A.W.A.K.E., which stands for Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic of Central Illinois. People who suffer from sleep apnea, and family members and friends of those who suffer from sleep apnea, are encouraged to attend the meeting. It is free and open to the public. The support group is sponsored and coordinated by SBL Sleep Disorders Center and Lincolnland Home Medical Equipment. Read More
•May 24, 2017•
The Moultrie County Relay for Life annual Survivor Dinner is Thursday, June 22 at The Vineyard Church in Sullivan.
This year’s theme is “Grease” so those attending may come in their favorite Grease attire. Read More
•May 24, 2017•
Brett Tuttle, a junior at Sullivan High School, was selected to be among 1,000 attendees at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) in June.
More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, and participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. The one- week seminars are designed to help juniors with their college-selection process, while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives, in general. Read More
Photo furnished
Theta Psi Sorority president Rita Seelow is pictured with Bethany fire chief Jim McMahan.
•May 17, 2017•
Bethany Fire Department received check for $1,000 to purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera from Theta Psi Sorority.
President Rita Seelow presented fire chief Jim McMahan with a check to purchase the camera.
“Theta Psi Sorority takes pride in helping the Bethany community in any way we can and feel this is something that will serve the volunteers on the fire department to locate hot spots and mediate damages,” Seelow said of the donation.
The chapter is a group of women who take time out of busy schedules to give back to the community. Fundraisers throughout the year help make these donations. The two biggest ones are Bessie Bingo during the Bethany Celebration and the famous cheese balls.
The sorority also donates to the school band, music and art departments.
Earlier this year the sorority presented a check for the high school Marching Timberwolves color guard uniforms and made a donation to help a family purchase hearing aid(s) for their young daughter. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan High School presents the musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. Among the 65 member cast were John Flannell as J. Pierpont Finch, Jennifer Leslie as Rosemary, Nathan Hutchings, Karol Lane, Beth Martin, John Freese, Ben Stone, Sarah Shasteen, Toby Wiley, Dan Gott, Tony Armstrong, Venessa Vandeventer, Joey Freese, Greg Yoder and Jake Haegen.
Sullivan Festival of Stars featured entertainment from Sullivan Singers, Griz England and the 95Q Band along with a live forecast from the courthouse lawn by WAND TV weatherman Bob Murray.
Kim Wood was crowned Miss Festival of Stars. Merle Lash was first in the bake-off; Nancy Burcham won the Brownie division.The Warriors were the Class A three-on-three basketball champs. Shannon Cloyd, Rob Mowry, Justin Dunscomb and Don Gardner were team members. Read More