•February 1, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

My friend and News Progress colleague Joe Pound has every so kindly advised me that my source of the city website for the origins of the name “Sullivan” was incorrect.

Indeed, further research shows that in documents from the Sullivan County Commissioners in 1845, they met and agreed on a site for the new town and selected the name “Sullivan” after General John Sullivan of Revolutionary War fame.

So, let me now praise famous men. John Sullivan was born Feb. 17, 1740 in New Hampshire and was a continental general in the Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Continental Congress, Governor of New Hampshire and a U.S. federal judge. He studied and practiced law often to the annoyance of his neighbors for his numerous frivolous suits and foreclosures. Read More

Photos by Ellen Ferrera
Through the doors of the Ward Museum at Mason Point are treasures from a lifetime of collecting frozen in time.

•February 1, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Up the steps of the main Mason Point building, through the front door and about 100 yards ahead you will arrive at the entrance to the magical world of the Abraham L. and Cora Ward Museum - frozen in time since it opened in 1948. Inside are some 25,000 items, many valuable and rare with mysterious origins as intriguing as the story of the museum itself.

When ill health forced Mr. Ward into retirement in his early forties, he and Cora set out on train trips all over North America, Mexico, Canada and Cuba.

It was their custom to purchase a train ticket as far as they could travel to a good sized city by daylight. They would spend the night in a hotel and the following day engage in their passion of collecting anything and everything of interest.

His passion was sea shells and hers was glass tumblers and goblets, but their interests were wide-ranging. When they tired of one city, they would buy another ticket as far as daylight would take them. Read More

Six Express Interest in the Sixth

•January 25, 2017•

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman has selected the judicial screening committee for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the Office of Judge of the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit created by the resignation of Chief Judge Daniel Flannell on January 12, 2017.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment. Read More

•January 18, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

There is something almost ethereal about Thursday mornings when I bring in the paper, grab my pot full of tea, snuggle into the couch and settle down for a good read.

At my age, it is news of a deceased classmate or friend, an 80th birthday party, what poor soul got caught speeding on Route 121, and good stories that either bring tears or make the heart go pitty-pat.

What interests former residents who live thousands of miles away and keeps them subscribing year after year? I caught up with two sisters who grew up in Bethany and have subscribed to the News Progress for many years.

Audrey Oathout Gasdorf was a classmate who went to college, married and for many years has lived in Michigan.  Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Jean Dulik is always on the move.

•January 18, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The little English garden outside with miniature gnomes, birdhouses, whirligigs and such is the first hint an artist of sorts lives here.

Jean Dulik welcomes you in with her lovely, lilting English accent. Attention immediately focuses on the many beautiful artificial flower arrangements in equally beautiful containers throughout her home.

“Oh, it’s nothing, you just get some flowers and stick them in,” she said modestly. “I just love anything “crafty” to keep me busy.”

Jean married a G.I. and came to America at age 20, moving around to various military bases, arriving in Sullivan to be near a son in Mt. Zion and a daughter in Lovington.

That’s a long way from where she grew up in Faringdon, England - the oldest village in England. A brother, sister, aunt and uncle still live there.

Her sister lives in the village of Bampton, famous as the place where “Downton Abbey” was filmed. “The town you see on TV is completely fake - just sets that they take down after filming.” Jean misses the show and all the gossip her sister provided on the movie stars. Read More