Category Archives: Top Stories

Das Clubhaus Offers A Taste of Germany in Sullivan

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Photo by Mike Brothers Das Clubhaus owner Don Frevert welcomes visitors to the Sullivan Country Club with display cases filled with his nutcracker collection and show bills from the Little Theatre. Once inside the dining room, golf course views are featured from every table.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Das Clubhaus owner Don Frevert welcomes visitors to the Sullivan Country Club with display cases filled with his nutcracker collection and show bills from the Little Theatre. Once inside the dining room, golf course views are featured from every table.

•June 15, 2016•

Das Clubhaus offers a taste of Germany in the scenic new dining room at Sullivan Country Club.

From the canopied entry way, into the foyer displaying Don Frevert’s nutcracker collection and photos of his wife Rose’s, grandparents’ restaurant in Germany, the focus is relaxed dining in an inviting atmosphere.

Frevert is approaching the grand opening of Das Clubhaus and pointed out one of his favorite features in the dining room view.

“There is a beautiful view from every seat in the room,” Frevert said, explaining that helped his decision to undertake the project.

“My wife came from Germany when she was 18, bringing her grandmother’s recipes from their family restaurant along,” he continued, noting that German menu features rouladen, schnitzel and bratwurst.

This is all in addition to traditional lunch and dinner menus plus Sunday brunch.

Frevert was faced with extensively remodeling and upgrading the existing country club facility that had been worn from years of use. Read More

Washington Street Plaza For a Place to Relax Downtown

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Photo by Mike Brothers Washington Street Plaza is Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development’s newest project, east of the Little Theatre, offers visitors a place to relax before and after shows or while strolling around the square. Above SCED’s Stepheny McMahon and Laurrie Minor are enjoying the plaza along with The Little Theatre’s Brenda Abbott, John Stephens, Nikki Schlieker and Lori Harbaugh.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Washington Street Plaza is Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development’s newest project, east of the Little Theatre, offers visitors a place to relax before and after shows or while strolling around the square. Above SCED’s Stepheny McMahon and Laurrie Minor are enjoying the plaza along with The Little Theatre’s Brenda Abbott, John Stephens, Nikki Schlieker and Lori Harbaugh.

•June 15, 2016•

Downtown Plaza Offers Washington Square Plaza in Sullivan is giving visitors a place to enjoy the outdoors only a few steps away from downtown shops and activities.

Located at the northeast corner of the square adjacent to The Little Theatre, Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development has been working the past several months on ideas to create a patio area downtown.

“When we began looking into ways to attract traffic downtown 10 years ago, our consultant recommended closing the block to create a walkway and patio for visitors,” SCED Director Stepheny McMahon said, noting the city wasn’t interested in closing the street then.

Washington Square Plaza is an experiment that has utilized already.

John Stephens, Executive Director of The Little Theatre, noted that some 350 kids gathered in the patio area for autograph sessions following the Shrek and Robin Hood shows.

“It is great to have the patio for the autographs,” Stephens said, noting in the past children were overflowing into street traffic in front of the theatre. Read More

Hope Holds for City Wide Clean up, Outside Collector is Sought

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•June 15, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Sullivan City Council took action toward scheduling a citywide clean up day at the June 13 meeting.

Mayor Ann Short explained that it wasn’t because of the cost that the city couldn’t have citywide clean up day after the townwide rummage, it was because both Doty and Advanced Disposal had refused to do the services.

Without the existing collectors on which to rely, the city is seeking outside services and decided to contact PDC/Area Disposal for quotes.

PDC/Area Disposal of Peoria has serviced Arthur’s townwide clean up in the past. After doing some research, it was found that they had charged $1,950 per truckload in Arthur. Read More

New Principal for A-H Grade School

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Photo furnished Arthur kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall says goodbye to her class as she moves into the principal’s office at Atwood-Hammond Grade School next year.

Photo furnished
Arthur kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall says goodbye to her class as she moves into the principal’s office at Atwood-Hammond Grade School next year.

•June 8, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The principal of Atwood-Hammond Grade School Lindsay Blickenstaff resigned in April.

This left an open position within the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond school district finding a replacement who wouldn’t be too far away. Arthur Grade School kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall was interested in the vacancy.

“I have had my administration degree since 2007. I have been looking to move forward in administration the last couple of years. My heart is and always will be in this school district. When the opportunity came up for me to stay in the district that I am raising my family in, I knew I wanted to move forward,” Nall commented.

Nall had been teaching kindergarten in Arthur for the past four years. Before that, she taught early childhood special education for six years in Sandoval, Illinois as well as preschool in Arthur for six years. She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and the Arthur High School class of 1995.

Transitioning from kindergarten teacher to principal is quite a change, but Nall is up for the challenge and has become established with communication and building relationships within the school system. Read More

How to Succeed Opens at Theatre

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•June 9, 2016•

The Little Theatre production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starts Wednesday, June 15 and runs through June 26.
Shows at the Sullivan theatre are 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays.
The production is based on the award winning 1960s Broadway musical hit about a man who climbs the corporate ladder to success with little skill and a lot of smooze.

Shrek the Musical Showing Now At Little Theatre

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•June 8, 2016•

By Brynna Sentel
For the News Progress

Kick off your Summer with Shrek the Musical.

Shrek the Musical is showing in Sullivan’s The Little Theatre on the Square through Sunday, June 12.

This delightful spin off of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film is a must see for the whole family.

Shrek the Musical follows a rare duo of a humorous donkey and an angry ogre. This long and difficult journey to ultimately save their swamp will leave the audience thinking, “What the Shrek Just Happened?”.  Read More

Wilborn Creek Road Reopens

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Photo by Mike Brothers Progress is underway on straightening Wilborn Creek Road as part of the county’s road rehabilitation project. Above Moultrie County employees check measurements at the straightening site. The project is expected completion by August.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Progress is underway on straightening Wilborn Creek Road as part of the county’s road rehabilitation project. Above Moultrie County employees check measurements at the straightening site. The project is expected completion by August.

Project Makes Progress

•June 8, 2016•

County Highway engineer Jeff Birch reported Wilborn Creek road is reopened following culvert replacements as part of the overall $1.8 million improvement project.

Birch told members of the Moultrie County Road and Bridge Committee last week that preparations to recycle should take up to four days in early July.

Target date for project completion, which includes a new transition curve on the road south of CR1150N, is August 15.

The Moultrie County Highway Department  road rehabilitation project to improve the roadway smoothness and safety on (Wilborn Creek Road, CR 625E) began on May 2. Read More

A Respectful Thank You to The Fallen

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Photo by Mike Brothers Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

•June 1, 2016•

Thanks to those who gave their lives fighting for America.

It was the expression of Taps as Memorial Day Services ended at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan on Sunday morning.

American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard, Auxiliary and Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to the cemetery with Sullivan Police Dept. escort.

Sullivan High School band, directed by Brock Feece opened the 8 a.m. ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner.

Rita Florey, founder of the present day Sullivan’s Memorial Celebration emphasized those who stepped forward to serve, didn’t do it for glory, but for a greater cause.

A cause and freedom we can enjoy because of the price they paid.

“Those who selflessly served exemplify patriotism at its core,” Florey said of the fallen. “This is the highest form of citizenship that deserves our respect and gratitude.”

She told the crowd gathered in the morning sun about a prisoner of war in North Vietnam in 1967.

Mike was a 17 year old from Selma, Alabama who had enlisted in the Navy and was captured.  Read More

DMH Honors Founder Sue Hagaman in Bethany

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Photo by Mike Brothers DMH CEO and President Tim Stone places a wreath on Sue Hagaman’s grave.

Photo by Mike Brothers
DMH CEO and President Tim Stone places a wreath on Sue Hagaman’s grave.

•June 1, 2016•

Sue Hagaman of Bethany embarked on a 15 year mission in 1901 that developed into Decatur Memorial Hospital of today. On Friday, Mary 27 DMH President and CEO Tim Stone placed a wreath on Mrs. Hagaman’s grave site at Marrowbone Township Cemetery in observation of the hospital’s 100th anniversary.

Julie Moore introduced Stone to the Bethany gathering that included mayor Bill Ashley, Marrowbone township representatives, family, friends former nurses and DMH employees.

Stone told a crowd during the 4:30 p.m. commemoration that Hagaman’s vision of a place where women could safely give birth actually is what gave birth to Decatur’s hospital.

“It started with the dream of a woman who saw a need,” Stone said. “She started having bake sales, which became the seed for capital to build Decatur’s hospital.”  Read More

Okaw Valley Grads Honored

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Photo by RR Best Dylan Park adjusts his cap before Okaw Valley High School graduation ceremonies in Bethany Sunday, May 29. Thirty three graduates received diplomas during the outdoor ceremony. PTO Provides Help with Funding The continued underfunding of schools in Illinois is no secret. Fortunately, the Sullivan PTO has stepped up its efforts to provide opportunities for the students of Sullivan Elementary School.

Photo by RR Best
Dylan Park adjusts his cap before Okaw Valley High School graduation ceremonies in Bethany Sunday, May 29. Thirty three graduates received diplomas during the outdoor ceremony. PTO Provides
Help with Funding
The continued underfunding of schools in Illinois is no secret. Fortunately, the Sullivan PTO has stepped up its efforts to provide opportunities for the students of Sullivan Elementary School.

•June 1, 2016•

Seventy five students were recognized with Okaw Valley High School Awards prior to graduation.

Thirty-three OVHS graduates gathered under sunny skies in Bethany at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29 for commencement.

Okaw Valley High School recognized more than 75 students for their academic achievement and awarded several scholarships May 11. Eastern Illinois University scholarship was presented to senior Devan Nave, Lake Land College presented scholarships to Nicole Miller, Gretchen Macklin, and Adam Bricker.

Other scholarships presented include the Toby J Jump Memorial to Alex Martin, George A Sentel Lodge #764 to Devon Meredith, Jackson Masonic Lodge to Nicole Miller, American Red Cross to Charli Uhlrich, Okaw Valley Education Association to Nicole Miller, Bethany Sons of the American Legion to Race Underwood, Angela Marie Diss Memorial to Nicole Miller, Community Service to Charli Uhlrich, Overlot Memorial to Nicole Miller, Psi Iota Xi winners Charli Uhlrich and Race Underwood, OV Booster to Alex Martin and Charli Uhlrich. Receiving the Eastern Star Scholarship was Madison Fox, and Findlay Fireman’s Association recipients Charli Uhlrich and Robbie Stiner. Other special recognition awards were presented to Alex Martin and Nicole Miller for LOVC Student Athletes as well as Army Scholar Athletes. Brianna Creviston was recognized as a delegate at Youth Day to Springfield and Gretchen Macklin received the DAR award. Gretchen Macklin, Alex Martin, Nicole Miller, Nick Tipsword, and Charli Uhlrich were honored as Illinois State Scholars. Receiving honors as Heartland Students of the Quarter were Jasmine Guzzie, Cole Thompson, Preston Gibbons, and Brianna Clardy. Those students receiving perfect attendance for the entire year were Quinn Brooks, Tyus Brooks, Taylor Coleman, Race Underwood, Shelby Hagerman, Preston Gibbons, and Isabella Benning. Sophie Zimmerman received the volunteer of the year award from the Heartland Mini Hooves.  Gretchen Macklin, Alex Martin, Nicole Miller, Charli Uhlrich, and Race Underwood received recognition from the CBAI.   Read More