Photo by R.R. Best
Jeepin’ for Jesse
Volunteers for Operation Secret Santa were ready to roll in the annual Jeepin’ for Jesse fund-raising event. Sign up was 11 a.m. July 14 at the Toy Bar in Sullivan. Operation Secret Santa kicked off at noon followed by silent and live actions with DJ tunes providing music at The Toy Bar to close the evening. Operation Secret Santa has grown to not only help those in need at Christmas but serves those in need around Moultrie County throughout the year.
•July 18, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
In a regular meeting on July 12 the Bethany Village Board voted unanimously to raise the rates 4% each for water, sewer, electric and gas services.
The board also approved a minimum wage ordinance and an ordinance adding 50 cents to utility bills for recycling.
In other business, Police Chief Chris Nichols reported that a $13,000 grant had been received toward the purchase of a new Ford SUV police car. The village, however, will have to pay for equipping the car with items such as a computer and video camera. Read More
Photo furnished
Local magician V-Roy in action.
•July 18, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Virgil Roy Hampton, V-Roy, was born in Lake City in 1906, but his family soon moved to a 42-acre farm in Bethany.
He became enchanted with magic at an early age and was earning such a good living from legerdemain that he quit high school just before graduating. He felt the diploma would not help him in his career.
By the end of that career he was considered the new Harry Houdini, but he actually patterned his act after Ed Reno whom he considered the best.
At just 20 years old, he hit the road in 1926 with the John Robinson Circus doing magic as a side show. He also played cornet in the circus band, and this sparked his interest in show business. A fine musician, he also played with the Bethany Concert Band and the Alfonzo Carnival Band.
In 1928 he made a parachute jump at the Moody airport in Dalton City. Such stunts were rare in those days, and it attracted a large crowd. He continued doing air stunts such as walking on the wings.
During the war he toured with the USO and also with bond rallies for the war. He was famous throughout Canada and central Illinois, and in the 1950s he did a 14-month tour of Europe. In 1943 V-Roy did over 200 shows in Illinois high schools. He did a lot of fairs in the U.S. and Canada, and his one regret was that he never played the Illinois State Fair. Read More
File photo
Lake Shelbyville Operations Manager Jon Summers
•July 18, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
The third time was a charm for Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development with the Moultrie County Board agreeing to reimburse $18,809.26 in expenses at the July 12 meeting.
In this third attempt to get reimbursed for money already budgeted by the county board Chamber executive director Laurrie Minor, Lake Shelbyville operations manager Jon Summers and Matt Condill of the Great Pumpkin Patch explained efforts by the Chamber to improve tourism in all of Moultrie County.
Summers began by explaining the partnership at the Chicago Camping and RV with the Chamber had benefitted the lake and the county by reaching 25,000 potential visitors during the four day event.
He explained the Corp has invested $3.2 million in recreation areas including updates at Sullivan beach and Wilborn Creek.
“The more we can partner with Sullivan Chamber and places like the Great Pumpkin Patch the greater our chances to improve tourism for the whole area,” Summers explained.
He indicated partnerships with Okaw Valley schools and the Fish Habitat Alliance are examples of ways the lake has successfully extended its involvement in the communities that surround it. Read More
•July 18, 2018•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
A comment pertaining to an erosion problem at Sullivan Tabor Park opened the last meeting of the Sullivan City Council. By showing some photographic evidence, it was brought to the attention of the council that about 39 trees are possibly being affected by erosion in the park. Concerned council members noted that they would be looking into the situation.
The East Central Illinois Development Corporation gave a presentation about tax credit housing that could create new housing development for families with lower income.
Tax credit housing is also ideal for transitional housing for those trying to getting started at new jobs. The corporation has been around since 1984 and has shelped with housing issues in 11 different counties within the area: (Christian, Shelby, Effingham , Jasper, Cumberland, Crawford, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Clark and Crawford). Read More
Photo furnished
Dance Station at Disney
Dance Station dancers from Sullivan performed on stage at Epcot and in a parade at Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida last week. Pictured are: Mileigh Brown, Judith Beery, Katie Smith, Olivia Wilkinson, Hannah Snow, Elizabeth Rutan, Ruby Schorey, Rose Wade, and Lindsey Ozier. The dancers rounded the circle in front of Cinderella’s castle during the parade with director Angie Neal walking alongside.
Photo furnished
Mauck Promoted to Sergeant
John Mauck of Sullivan was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Sergeant Mauck has been stationed at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, since January 2016, where he is attached to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, First Marine Aircraft Wing. Sergeant Mauck enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2015 and is a 2013 graduate of Sullivan High School. He is the son of Dr. Greg and Kim Mauck and a grandson of Roger and Verna Tice and the late Sgt. James and Kathleen Mauck, all of Sullivan.
•July 11, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
The Sullivan Community District #300 school board learned that transportation reimbursements were improving along with student numbers.
Supt. Ted Walk reported operating funds were in the black in the tentative 2018-19 budget approved by the board.
The superintendent noted an increased enrollment trend could improve the state funding amount for the coming school year.
Anticipating future expenses he pointed out $150,000 was budgeted for capital improvements which could help with large expenses like track surfacing which is expected in five years.
Board member Zak Horn asked if the bond and interest income from bonds sold to the school for construction was included.
Supt. Walk noting that income was not yet included in the budget which was conservation on revenue while reflecting $250,000 in additional expenses. State aid formula figures have yet to be finalized to determine the amount of state funds expected for the coming year, the supt. added. Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Hot Fun
Sullivan’s Fourth of July celebration was blessed with summer heat and a sprinkling of rain June 30 through July 4. Conner Family Amusements of Beardstown introduced the 55 ft tall Ferris Wheel to Sullivan along with the Rock -O-Plane. Crowds enjoyed the carnival throughout the week with the American Legion Honor Guard leading the Fourth of July parade through town followed by activities at Wyman Park and the grand finale fireworks show from Central Illinois Fireworks Co. at dark. More on Page 7 of the News Progress.
•July 11, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Summertime and America’s thoughts turn fondly to baseball. And there is no finer baseball musical than the sizzling production of “Damn Yankees” currently at The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan. Based on the old Faustian legend of a man selling his soul to the Devil, “Damn Yankees” opened in 1955 and made overnight stars of choreographer Bob Fosse and his future wife Gwen Verdon. It swept all the major Tony awards in 1956 and ran for nearly 2,000 performances.
It was revived in 1994, and this production is based on that 1994 shorter version.
It’s Washington in the 1950s, and Joe Boyd (Dick Borders) is sick and tired of his beloved Washington Senators getting beaten by those “damn Yankees”. If only the Senators had a young, strong, long ball hitter, they could tromp those Yankees.
Presto! The Devil appears in the guise of Mr. Applegate (Drew Stark) and offers Joe the chance to become “Joe Hardy”, the young, 22-year-old slugger the Senators need. The catch is Joe must give up his beloved wife Meg (Ann Borders). Joe accepts but the real estate agent in him makes him insist on an escape clause.
The Senators’ last game is Sept. 25, and if he plays in it, he must remain Joe Hardy forever. If not, he has until 9 the night before to walk away and resume his former life. Read More