By Marshal Cook
for The News Progress

Becky Lawson came to Sullivan High School as an English teacher 32 years ago, this Friday, Dec. 13 she is Grand Marshal of the Sullivan Night Christmas parade.
Entries should gather at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in the high school parking lot prepared to light up the night over Sullivan. The parade kicks off at 6:00 p.m.
Parade director Jeri Davis noted the perfect candidate for the nighttime Christmas Parade Grand Marshal had to be Lawson whose devotion to community, veterans and her students has been an inspiration for more than three decades.
Lawson’s students and former students stay in touch with their favorite English teacher by following her on social media and reaching out from all over the country.
So devoted were her past students they took to FaceBook and overwhelmingly voted her Teacher of the Year in 2016. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
John and Anna Ruscin started seeing each other when John started helping with Turkey Bingo.

And the Beginning of Life with Anna

•November 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

John Ruscin has probably never undertaken any assignment for the short haul. He was a teacher/coach at Sullivan Elementary School for 37 years, then an IGA employee for 19 years and on November 8 he announced that he would be retiring after 68 years of volunteer service to the Lion Club’s Turkey Bingo.
“I came to Sullivan as a geography teacher and coach in 1951,” John recalled. ”Then Principal, Russell Ashbrook, actively recruited every male teacher to membership in the Lion’s Club. I have been there ever since.”
“I’ve been told that the turkeys were tossed off the roof of the Court House and the participants had to chase down their turkey,” He said it was an early story of how Thanksgiving Turkeys were distributed. Turkeys can fly can’t they?
“This practice was discontinued due to complaints about cruelty to the turkeys,” he continued.
Turkey Bingo was first held at Shasteen Motors, then moved to the Armory and finally to the American Legion Hall, John said, emphasizing more than 300 people have participated in the annual fundraiser each of the past two years.
The Lion’s Club helps those with vision issues and supports community programs including school scholarships. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen crew is working day and night getting special gifts ready for the pre Thanksgiving Flesor’s Candy Sale in Sullivan to benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry.

•November 13, 2019•
By Cara Melapple
for the News Progress

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen hand dipped Chocolate Fund Raiser returns to Cathrine’s Gallery in Sullivan for the eighth year Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
“This year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is tight,” Devon Flesor said, explaining Christmas orders can be placed during the fundraising event for the Moultrie County Food Pantry in Sullivan.
The Tuscola candy kitchen is celebrating its 15th anniversary, offering more of their hand made gifts for Moultrie County visitors. Everyone at the candy kitchen is putting in a special effort for the 15th anniversary of sisters Devon and Anne reopening the candy kitchen started by their grandfather Gus in 1901. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Dedicating the Cotton Wood Pavilion were: Back from left: Lion Dave Reed, Lion Roger Tice, Lion Jesse Barker, Mayor Richard Glazebrook, for First Community Bank Reid Molzen; front Lion President Verna Tice, Cotton’s son Steve Wood, Lion Coach John Ruscin, Lion Lynn Elder, and David Daily of Moultrie County Redi Mix.

•October 30, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

It took a couple of years and a bit of fund-raising, but the Cotton Wood Pavilion on the square in Sullivan was recently dedicated.
What began with discussions to put a shelter on the lot at the south corner of Jefferson and Main streets grew to include a commemoration of longtime community advocate, abstractor and Lions Club member Ivan D. “Cotton” Wood.
Lions president Verna Tice explained that Cotton’s 50 years as a member gave the club members inspiration to participate in the pavilion project.
“Lions are known for helping people with sight and hearing issues,” Verna said, noting the Lions contribution to the pavilion is a nice way to honor his memory.
Verna’s husband Roger was a Lions Club member while Cotton was active.
“When I worked at the bank, I would drop by the abstract office, and Cotton would tell me the history of real estate ownership,” Tice recalled, noting Cotton recalled just about every land transaction in the county and could give ownership lineage in detail. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Sophie enjoys a ride on her new Amtryke.

Heartfelt Gifts from Sullivan area AMBUCS

•October 16, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

AMBUCS (American Business Club) is probably best known for the over 200 ramps they have built in Sullivan in the past four years to make homes wheelchair accessible.
The members will tell you, however, that their 42- year-old Amtrykes program is one that steals their hearts and one of which they are especially proud. This year they will purchase and assemble eight adaptive trykes for children with special needs.
Any adult or child with special needs may request a tryke from AMBUCS. A physical therapist is then always involved to measure the child/adult for perfect fit, to help decide how the bike will be best propelled ( hand, foot or hand and foot). There are all kinds of further adaptations that can be made including seating options and accessories.
Formerly made in China the custom built bikes are now made in the U.S. and shipped to the local chapters where members assemble the bikes.
Trykes cost from $800-$1200 each, depending on adaptations, and are fully funded by AMBUCS through golf outings, donations, raffles and other fundraising activities. This year the Sullivan chapter raised enough to provide eight such bikes. Read More