News Progress

A Toe Tapping Good Time!

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Did someone hold you close as you slow danced to “Stand By Me” or did you rock out to “Young Blood”? Remember “Charlie Brown” and ‘Love Potion #9”?

Smokey Joe’s Cafe plays June 5 through June 16 at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan. Show times are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

If you loved these songs ( and even if you didn’t), this is the musical for you. I guarantee that you will be tapping your toes, clapping and singing to all these old favorites. Don’t miss this stunning revue as presented by a talented cast who just has a romp and sings their hearts out. Read More

Photo furnished
Habitat for Humanity House Blessing participants from third build team: Kneeling (L to R) Bob Gillespie, Stevensville, Mich.; Chance Schoonover (homeowner); Skip Shane, Bella Vista, Ark.; and Joe Spanier, Mendota.
Standing (L to R) Chuck Ostrander, Battle Creek, Mich.; Jeff Gillespie, (Bob’s brother), Clay City, Ind.; Lowell McGregor, Lovington; Paige Schoonover, homeowner; Sandi Przybysz and Mike Pzybysz, Fenton, Mich.; Diane Spanier, Mendota and Toni Shane, Bella Vista, Ark.

•June 28, 2017•

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity handed the keys to 604 Hope Lane to Paige and Chance Schoonover June 9.

With a great deal of help from the community and Habitat Care-A-Vanners the build was completed in a record time of 30 days with 20 minutes to spare, according to Habitat build coordinator Bob Gillespie.

Before a crowd of 50 people who gathered for the Key ceremony, Gillespie explained that three different Care-A-Van teams joined local volunteers and subcontractors to accomplish the build in a month. Previous builds were completed in six weeks.

During the Key ceremony Moultrie County Habitat President Gary Smith thanked everyone for their role in the build and turned the ceremony to Cheryl Thomas, Family Support, who presented Schoonover with the customary Bible from HFH.

Habitat board member Gene Mueller then presented Paige and Chance with the keys to their new home.

Deacon John O’Brien of St. Columcille and Pastor Gene Godfrey of First Baptist Church were also in attendance with O’Brien conducting the Blessing of the House. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Geoffrey Auten is pictured here with a wooden American flag he created.

•May 31, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Those acquainted with Geoffrey Auten know what a hidden talent Sullivan has in this quiet, unassuming artist who never saw a piece of wood he didn’t like.

Growing up he worked for many years with his father in a lumber yard where he probably developed his love of wood.

When Auten began duck hunting, he was fascinated by the wooden decoys. “Decoys,” he explained, “are a kind of folk art - each decoy is unique to the artist with no two ever being the same. You usually can’t buy them online.”

Supposedly, former Illinois governor James Thompson, a noted antique collector, paid Read More

Photo furnished
Pictured are Mike and Nancy Craig.

•May 10, 2017•

Mike Craig has a heart for helping others, but what he loves most is connecting people with life-changing mission opportunities.

After leading kids on mission trips throughout the United States for years as former youth leaders at the Methodist Church in Sullivan, Craig and his wife Nancy decided to expand internationally. However, the couple was determined do more than organize short-term mission trips that often provide band-aid solutions to poverty stricken areas. “We really wanted to establish an ongoing relationship in an area of great need so we could make a greater impact,” he said.

After extensive research, the couple decided to adopt the impoverished village of La Ceibita, located in a remote area in Honduras, and they gathered a core group of volunteers to form “Hearts and Hands for Honduras.” The group partners with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UNVIM), which helps facilitate the work in the village. Read More

Photo by Ellen Fererra
Kiki’s Boutique owner Nikki Jacobazzi is pictured.

•April 19, 2017•

By Ellen Fererra

The exquisite Venetian chandelier catches your eye as you enter the very stylish new Kiki’s Boutique and the owner, Nikki Jacobazzi says, “ Yes, I had to have it, and it was the first item installed - everything was built around it. We had to wrap it in plastic for over a month while we remodeled.”

And what a charming space it is with racks of really beautiful and colorful blouses, dresses, jeans, t-shirts, shoes and must-have jewelry. So much temptation in such a small space but all artfully arranged. The sizes here run from small to 3x, and I was surprised to find almost all of the gorgeous blouses priced at $26 as they look much more expensive.

“We wanted a place to shop in Sullivan with high fashion and reasonable prices as so many shops like Penney’s and Kohl’s are closing.  Plus, you don’t have to drive to shop - we are right here,” she said.

Jacobazzi, who has the gamin looks of an Audrey Hepburn, grew up in Sullivan, went off to the big city and returned about five years ago. That’s when she began going to vendor fairs and selling online where she has shipped her line all over the U.S. and to a growing market in Europe.  Read More