Photo furnished
Titus Manor Annual Family Color Run engulfs Wyman Park in cloud of color.

Color Fight Ensues Using Leftovers

•October 11, 2017•

The Titus Manor Annual “Family Fun Color Run” was held Saturday September 30. At 9 a.m., all runners were lined up and ready to go at Wyman Park. Some ran a 5K and some a 3K. Those who didn’t want to run, could walk.

“This is a really great time for families to get together and do something fun and healthy,” said Lisa Smothers, office manager. “It was a nice crisp fall day and we had a great turnout.”

After the run, awards and trophies were presented to the individuals with the fastest time in both the 5K and 3K categories. In addition to that, medallions were awarded to those who came in first in their age category.  Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Alumni master of ceremonies Joseph Schrodt presents Jodell Foley Seagrave with Hall of Fame award at the annual banquet held at the V.F.W. Paul Sager was named Who’s Who.

•September 27, 2017•

Sullivan High School Alumni honored Paul Sager and Jodell Foley Seagrave before a crowd of 150 past SHS grads at the V.F.W. Saturday night.

Sager became a member of Alumni Who’s Who. The 1943 SHS graduate enlisted in the Army even though he had a Class C farm deferment.

When he received a 10 day pass following basic training because he volunteered to go oversees, he returned to Sullivan and married Anna Jane.

Rather than a honeymoon, he was shipped to France with the Army’s 30th Division in communications. As the Battle of the Bulge raged, Sager was helping set up a central communication switchboard. While stringing wire to an outpost from a spool hauled behind his Jeep, a German plane spotted him. Read More

•September 6, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Memorials at city-owned parks and cemeteries for loved ones prompted discussion about offering a tree memorial program.

Sullivan City Council was led to the discussion following a request for a memorial for Logan Riley in Wyman Park. They agreed that some type of ordinance should be in place to ensure consistency when it came to special memorials. Often, some memorials put in place require upkeep which some families follow up on, but as time passes, often these memorials fall into the hands of city workers.

During their discussion, the idea for tree donations was proposed. Families could choose from a variety of different trees and have one planted as a memorial for their loved one.  Read More

So Many Projects

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development director Laurrie Minor and assistant Malinda Calhoun Hurt stop by Washington Plaza, one of the featured projects of the chamber’s streetscape efforts, enticing those visiting the Little Theatre on the Square to return.

•August 23, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

As you look around the Streetscapes or take a break at Washington Street’s Plaza, hints of Sullivan Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to make the city better are all around.

The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce has one full-time staff, one part-time staff and a modest annual budget of $140,000. The 183 members of Chamber and Economic Development generously donate their time to serve on the board and committees such as Restoration Enhancement and Events. This is in addition to working at their full-time jobs and donating thousands of dollars in products for community activities.

The Chamber does so much for Sullivan, and a lot of it goes unnoticed. A considerable amount of staff time is also spent pursuing projects that never materialize.

So, what does the Chamber do? The focus is in four main areas: Economic Development, Tourism, Events and Restoration Enhancement; although, there is so much more as will be revealed in a series of articles on the Chamber.

Community Enhancement is an important aspect of the Chamber’s programs. An attractive, vibrant downtown appeals to both tourists and potential businesses/residents.  Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Lovington Homes board members and Garmon Properties personnel at First Community Bank of Moultrie County in Lovington: Elaine Rice; bank president and board treasurer Sally Duncan; Lovington Homes board president Norma Brust; Judy McGregor; village board president and board member Roger Walker; new owners Tracy and Dennis Garmon. Lovington Homes board members not pictured are Bev Morgan, Ron Nettles and Alma Fair.

•August 9, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Since 1969 Lovington Homes has assisted people with housing operating with a volunteer not-for profit board.

All that changed August 1 when Dennis and Tracy Garmon purchased Lovington Homes from the community volunteer group. Garmon Properties has taken over the 50-year-old operation.

A well-timed set of circumstances in the Garmons’ lives and with the Lovington Homes board led to the sale. Read More