Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Open again is Bethany Cafe, John Vander Burgh is one of ten new owners.

•July 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

All over America in small towns such as Bethany there is usually a diner or café where townsfolk, especially seniors, gather to exchange news of the day, gossip, have a meal or engage in what my Southern Grandma called “jist visitin”.
This “jist visitin” in the local diner has bound small communities together for centuries.
When the Bethany Café closed last November followed by the closing of the only grocery store in town, John Vander Burgh and others saw a vital part of their community slipping away. He reasoned that it could be saved if a group of like-minded individuals would all contribute a small amount to the purchase of the café.
He approached 10 people who have, anonymously, invested in the acquisition of the Café. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
To your health-(from left) Mr and Mrs Ryan Whitten, Kurt Van Deursen, John Durbin and Bob Waelde.

•July 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

It all began when John Durbin and his wife Sue bought their farm in Lovington some years ago. There were Concord grapes on the property and John, not one to let anything go to waste, decided the grapes needed to be made into wine.
“Sue gave me the book, “The Art of Making Wine” by Stanley F. Anderson and said this is all you need to learn the process,” Durbin began. “The book tells you how to do it, includes recipes and information on how to get out of trouble if the process has gone awry.”
Since then, John has mentored several other aspiring winemakers – Ryan Whitten, Kurt Van Deursen and Bob Waelde. On a recent balmy summer evening we all gathered at Durbin’s house where they shared their vinification experiences as well as samples of their very fine wines.
As to the process, wine is usually made from grapes, but you can use anything that has liquid such as fruits and plants. Home brewing is completely legal, but individuals are limited to 100 gallons per year. It is, however, illegal to sell any home brew. You must either consume it or give it away. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Sullivan High School students Adalee Nichols(l) and Miriah Booker recently attended Girls State at EIU.

•July 3, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Adalee Nichols was elected a National Party Leader and Miriah Booker was elected State Sheriff at the weeklong Girls State convention at Eastern Illinois University.
For Nichols, it was the highest office anyone from Sullivan has achieved at Girls State.
“Each year we select and sponsor two girls who have just completed their junior year in high school to attend,” Melanie Byers of the American Legion Auxiliary said. “We look at their grades, their interest in politics and recommendations from their teachers.”
The American Legion Auxiliary Illini Girls State (ALAIGS) is a program of the American Legion Auxiliary which is the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world.
Illini Girls State was first presented in 1957 and is one of the most respected and coveted experimental learning programs presented in the U.S. The goal is to develop young women as future leaders and is grounded in patriotism and Americanism. Read More

Photo by R. R. Best
Firefighters from Sullivan and Arthur assisted the Lovington Fire District in fighting the fire at the corner of East State and North High in Lovington.

•July 3, 2019•

A 5:00 a.m. fire at the corner of East State and North High streets destroyed an unoccupied home in Lovington Thursday.
Assistant chief Bill Harlin said the two story frame home was totally engulfed when Lovington firefighters arrived at 5:06 a.m.
“I called Sullivan and Arthur for mutual aide,” Harlin said.
Sullivan was there with a water tanker by 5:15 and Arthur at 5:20. Read More

File photo
Cool rides are in store for Sullivan kids when Conner Family Amusements opens the Fourth of July Celebration from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7 (1:00 - 5:00 p.m.).

•June 26, 2019•
A century of Sullivan fireworks is celebrated during the July 3-7 Fourth of July celebration.
American Legion Post 68 continues its 100 year tradition with Central States Fireworks of Athens unloading $17,000 in fireworks into the July 4th sky above Wyman Park in Sullivan on July 4.
That is the finale to a celebration that begins with the arrival of Conner Amusements carnival from Beardstown on July 3.
At high noon July 4th the celebration parade kicks off thanks to coordination by Justin “Bubba” Farris and his crew of Legion, Sons of American Legion and Auxiliary volunteers. Terry Warren will prepare lunch for parade participants (more than 350 were served last year).
At 2 p.m. the watermelon eating contest, sack races and turtle races occur. Read More