Harvest Picnic, a Time to Rekindle Old Friendships, Spend Time with Family

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In its 118th year, Windsor picnic to feature several musical acts, food, and more

by Ariana Cherry
Reporting in Windsor

Townsfolk from the Windsor area, gathered for their first-ever annual picnic Aug. 29, 1895. The mayor, judges and the reverend gave a full three-hour program of speeches. Soon after, the Big Four Glee Club took the stage, and the Sullivan KP Band followed. Then there was a 3/8 mile-long bicycle race at the track that awarded its first place winner with $5. Later on, the biggest attraction was the “daring aeronautical wonder” (according to an old issue of the Windsor Gazette), that involved a balloonist parachuting a mile into the air. The first annual picnic ended that day with a ball game and then a fanfare from the Glee Club and KP Band.

More than a hundred years later, the people of Windsor are still coming together to carry on this special annual tradition. This year will mark 118 years of harvest picnics. The picnic begins Thursday, August 15 and ends Saturday evening August 17.

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As Smart as it is Silly, “Spamalot” Sure to Receive Roaring Laughs

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Once in every show

Karla Shook, as the Lady of the Lake, is seen in the foreground wielding the Holy Grail, while King Arthur, played by Robert Anthony Jones, motions towards her in the Little Theatre's final production of the 2013 season, "Spamalot."

Karla Shook, as the Lady of the Lake, is seen in the foreground wielding the Holy Grail, while King Arthur, played by Robert Anthony Jones, motions towards her in the Little Theatre's final production of the 2013 season, "Spamalot."


There comes a song like this
It starts off soft and low
And ends up with a kiss
Oh where is the song
That goes like this?
Where is it? Where? Where?
A sentimental song
That casts a magic spell
They all will hum along —
We’ll overact like hell —
For this is the song that goes like this
Yes it is! Yes it is!
— “The Song That Goes Like This” from “Spamalot”

By Dan Hagen
NP Theatre Critic

It’s the rare musical comedy that can take you from farce to a treatise on political organization with the speed of a galloping coconut. And this is the show that goes like that.

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Local woodworker showcases craft at Arcola’s newest senior living community

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Hochstetler's custom-made work featured in display rooms

by Keith Stewart
Of the News Progress in Sullivan

Will Roger's FolliesFor local woodworker and craftsman Kenny Hochstetler, who owns Yoder's in Sullivan, new opportunities are a lot like  planting seeds.
"I'm like a farmer when he plants his corn; he hopes to get a crop," said Hochstetler. "And I'm not going to get anything if I don't plant seeds."
Why the craftsman is talking about seeds when he's working with wood has to do with Read More

Durbin honored with Illinoisan of the Day

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August 16 to be named John W. Durbin Day by Gov. Quinn

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

“I never realized I did that much.”sz-Durbin
Those humble words belong to Lovington resident John Durbin, who says he was surprised when he received a phone call informing him that he had been named Illinoisan of the Day, an honor created in 2009 by the Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation that seeks to applaud 10 outstanding Illinois residents each year; the decision is largely based on volunteer service.
“It is the key ingredient,” says Doug Kamholz, a member of the foundation.
And Durbin has a whole pantry full of just those ingredients.
When he lived in Sullivan, Durbin performed Read More

No business like show business: LTOTS unveils summer 2013 schedule

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Photo by Keith Stewart Little Theatre on the Square executive director John Stephens sorts through headshots and resumes for the 2013 season cast. Each year's cast is decided upon in March, while the lineup of shows is decided a full year in advance.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Little Theatre on the Square executive director John Stephens sorts through headshots and resumes for the 2013 season cast. Each year's cast is decided upon in March, while the lineup of shows is decided a full year in advance.

By Mallory Murphy

Sullivan Reporter

Each upcoming season actually starts before the current season begins. In April of this year, as patrons gear up for the 2013 summer season, Stephens and his team will actually be picking the 2014 season line up. They use data from surveys, along with comments collected from patrons to choose which Read More