Category Archives: News Section

What Is This?

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
What Is This?
Every time motorists drive north on Route 32 to Lovington they pass a monument on the right side of the road, but they may not have noticed it. It is a memorial to Charles R. France who donated some 200 acres to Masonic Charities. The inscription on the plaque reads:
Charles R. France, Apr. 1, 1888 Jan. 17, 1968.
Memorial Farm: By his widow Mrs. Enid R. France. A freemason of the past, who provided for those of the future by dedicating this farm to Masonic Charity.
This plaque erected by the Illinois Masonic Home AD 1980 AL 5980

Chesterville Derby Winner

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Chesterville Derby Winner
Winning the first Belgian Draft Horse race in the world at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center July 21 was Rose. In a two furlong race Rose won by a length, in a world record eight second time. The Cadwell entry is pictured with rider Daniel Yoder claiming the inaugural Chesterville Derby trophy which remains on display at the Amish Interpretive Center located west of Chesterville on Hwy 133. The Belgian Draft horses racing included members of the Moses Yoder house pull team from September 2016.

Summer Fun at Wyman

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Photo by Alex Menke
Summer Fun at Wyman
The Wyman Park Summer Recreation program directed by Jake and Melissa Haegen hosts recreational activities for local children every Monday-Friday for eight weeks in the summer. Activities are held throughout Wyman Park in Sullivan from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30.p.m. Kids make weekly trips to the Sullivan Civic Center pool, games of all kinds, and numerous other forms of recreation. New ventures this year include creating a mosaic on display in front of the Sullivan Civic Center with the help of the Sullivan Area Arts Council.
Melissa Haegen stated the highest number of participants this year was 150 and the least 85. Haegen said numbers have been increasing each year and is correlated with the rising poverty level in the community. The program would not be sustainable without the help of donations from the SAArts, 100 Women Who Care, Sullivan VFW, Sullivan Fire Department, and private donations.

Operation Secret Santa Success

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Operation Secret Santa Success
Jeepin in Memory of Jessi, the annual Secret Santa Fundraiser, hosted the largest crowd ever at The Toy Bar July 15. With some 175 people registered the single day event earned almost $16,000 for the local non-profit organization. The theme was Christmas Vacation with prizes for best outfits. Sparrows Inc. of Lovington participated along with other volunteer groups. Secret Santa helps families at Christmas with gifts for kids and throughout the year with families and individuals in need. Like them on Facebook at Operation Secret Santa. Operation Secret Santa is a not-for-profit organization. Photo by RR Best

Tabor Park’s “Natural Beauty” Discussed At Council Meeting

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•July 19, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The natural beauty of Tabor Park and some of the recent destruction of its “natural state” was the topic of conversation at the last Sullivan City Council meeting.

Bill Burger shared his insight regarding the park. “It’s the best kept secret in Moultrie County,” he stated. “Every city has a Wyman Park (and it is a nice park), but very few cities have a Tabor Park,” he added.

Burger stated that it would be nice to see the park keep its natural prairie grass. He has been disappointed by the constant mowing and the tractor pulls that have been hosted there – as it has taken away some of its natural beauty.  Read More

Belgian Draft Horses Race in First Chesterville Derby

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2017 Chesterville Derby Trophy

•July 19, 2017•

The Belgian Draft Horse Rock Stars of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center’s Yoder house pull team in the fall of 2016 are back by popular demand.

The Chesterville Derby is 4 p.m. Friday, July 21, when eight Belgian draft horses will race two furlongs in the first draft horse race in the United States.

From the Kentucky Derby styled parade of the horses with their jockeys before the crowd, to singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” by Nashville artist Rebecca Moreland the race atmosphere builds to the run for the Chesterville Water Tower trophy. Moreland will also sing “My Old Chesterville Home” with a reference to Cadwell.

“Because of the enormous interest generated last September by the eight-horse hitch of Belgian draft horses towing the two story 1865 Moses Yoder house, we felt it important for those fans to have a second chance to see these beautiful animals at work (or play)”, said Wilmer Otto, chairman of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center. It was an idea sparked by an annual UK race of Clydesdale draft horses. Read More

Summertime County Fair and the Moultrie Racetrack

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•July 19, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

“Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.”

There is nothing in the summertime like a county fair with all the kids and their farm animals, baked goods, lovely quilts, yummy food, and fantastic garden vegetables all vying for a big, blue ribbon.

Sullivan was originally the home of the Moultrie County Fair. The first fair was organized in 1868, and the first fairground was southeast of Sullivan where fairs were held every year until 1872 when it was moved to elegant new grounds ½ mile northwest of Sullivan on Market Street. Read More

Sullivan School Board Selects Middle School Principal

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Principal Nathan Ogle

•July 19, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Among Sullivan Supt. Ted Walk’s duties at his first Community #300 School District board meeting was to fill his old job.

During the regular school board meeting July 10, President Jeff White and members: Tyson Grooms, Zak Horn, Steve Poland, Eric Stollard, Ann Wheeler, and Norm Wood unanimously approved Walk’s recommendation of Nathan Ogle as new Sullivan Middle School principal.

Ogle started education as an English teacher and coach and has spent the past two years as assistant principal in the Sullivan school district. Read More

Majors Participate

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photo furnished
Majors Participate
Okaw Valley Drum Majors Caleb Hildebrandt and Connor Powers participated in the Smith Walbridge Clinic at Eastern Illinois University this past week. OV band camp runs from July 24th-July 28th at OVHS.

Lovington Legion Family

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Photo furnished
Lovington Legion Family
Recently elected officers of the Lovington American Legion Post #429, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of American Legion gathered at the Post. Pictured from left standing: Post Commander George Clark, Senior Vice Curt Clough Jr., Vice/Finance Mike Wainscott, Chaplain Neil Owens, Auxiliary Sgt. at Arms Cindy Helton, Aux. Vice Jennifer Mechling, SAL Commander Dennis Fedie, Aux Sec-Treas, Dina Owens, American Legion Auxiliary President Lind Alumbaugh, SAL Sr. Vice Robert Riley and Legion Adjutant Tom Brown. Seated: Post 429 Historian Charlie Dyer.