www.bestdroneography.com
Birdseye View
The Findlay Walleye Festival enjoyed perfect weather July 26-27. This R.R. Best drone photograph shows the giant American flag displayed during the Saturday parade while the OVHS band played. The festival featured walleye meals and breakfasts, kiddie tractor pulls, garden tractor pulls, a car show and music from Identity Crisis, Battle Creek, Big Spike Hammer, Sounds of Swing, Billy Coalt and the Blues Deacons, The North Enders and the Feudin’ Hillbillies.
High school roof project discussed
•July 31, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
In the July meeting, ALAH Community School District new superintendent, Shannon Cheek and retiring superintendent Kenny Schwengel, attended the July school board meeting.
“I want to start off my report by saying thank you to the many people involved in welcoming us to the school district and the four communities,” Superintendent Cheek opened his report. He went on to thank Haley McGrath, his administrative aide, as well as Kelly Creek, Ken Munds, the board of education, all the administrative staff, the custodial staff and the community.
“You have made my family feel right at home from the very beginning,” he added.
In a separate interview Cheek explained what interested him in the ALAH district.
“My interest in the superintendent position here centered around the communities’ support for education and dedication to the students,” he began.
“It’s that level of dedication that I wanted to be a part of and lead.” Read More
Photo furnished
Sullivan High School students traveled to Italy and Greece for 10 days with Marsha Kirby, social studies teacher at SHS. They visited the famous sites of the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Acropolis. Next summer Kirby is planning a trip to Paris, Normandy and London and in 2021 a trip to Costa Rica. Spots are available for both trips.
•July 25, 2019•
The Sullivan City Council will have a special meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at the First United Methodist Church.
Purpose of the meeting is to discuss and take action, if any, on the manner of distribution of the assets of the Winifred Titus-Sentel Trust, including farm real estate and Titus Manor property.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Blue Dolphin swimmers, coaches, supporters and community leaders gathered at the Sullivan Civic Center to distribute thousands of cans of food to the local food pantry.
•July 24, 2019•
By Trout Flipper
for the News Progress
It takes teamwork to win and Sullivan Blue Dolphins coach Jason Drury extends that philosophy from competing in the pool to helping the community.
That is what led to the collection of a record breaking 3,612 cans of food for their annual donation to the Moultrie County Food Pantry and other area food banks.
Swimmers, coaches, parents and civic leaders were invited to distribute the food from the Sullivan Civic Center on July 12.
For more than a decade the Sullivan Blue Dolphins have been holding an annual food drive for the local food bank.
Head coach Drury believes in the team giving back to the community who supports them and also teaches the swimmers more then just swimming. Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Post 68 Commander Bob Sims and Melanie Byers unveil the memorial boulder marking the Walk of Honor. More pictures here.
SES Principal
Heather Ethell
•July 24, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
Heather Ethell, new principal at Sullivan Elementary School, grew up in the Chicago suburb of Mt. Prospect. Her mother was a librarian, and her favorite school subjects were science and math. She also remembers loving to play all sorts of card games.
Ethell entered the University of Illinois planning to be a pediatrician but decided a career in teaching seemed more practical.
Looking back, she recalls, “All went well until the student teaching segment. It was a horrible experience. There was little supervision, and I didn’t connect with either the students or the teachers.”
She returned home that summer and told her mother that teaching was not going to be her career. “Mother reminded me that they had invested a lot in my education, and that I should make use of it. Mom encouraged me to apply at her school for a paraprofessional position.”
This experience was a revelation. Read More
•July 24, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
If you have seen and loved a production of “Les Mis” you will stand up and cheer for “Newsies” playing at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan through July 28.
“Newsies” is the inspiring story of the historic strike by news hawkers against the most powerful publishers of the time.
Act One opens on a stunning set of the gritty, grimy underbelly of New York where many of the newsboys live.
In the background is a beautiful scrim of old, enlarged newsprint, and the proscenium arch is a crumbling brick wall. Scenic designer Alexander Capeneka has created magic from lumber and pipe fittings.
The newsboys’ leader, Jack Kelly in the musical, is rousing his crew for their day’s work.
Jack, played by Bradley Cashman, has a dream beyond his present lot. He gazes into the horizon and passionately sings of “Santa Fe” where there is space and things and clean and green. He longs to go there. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Titus Manor closed last year, and its fate is included in Sullivan City Council’s action toward the Winnifred Titus estate.
•July 24, 2019•
By Mike Brothers
When any government gets a large sum of money, it’s soon gone, was attorney Paul Stone’s concern if the city of Sullivan gets a $10-12 million lump sum inheritance from the Winnifred Titus Estate.
Stone and 120 people attended the Sullivan City Council meeting at Building 1225 Monday to air opinions on what the city should do.
Stone supported the city’s earlier decision to request the Titus Estate trustee to sign Titus Manor and 923 acres of farmland directly over to the city.
Zak Horn stated that Winnifred Titus provided clear direction in her will for a public sale of the property and the proceeds to be given to the city for civic improvements.
“The city should respect her wishes, accept the cash and make civic improvements,” Horn emphasized.
Kathy Hawbaker, past Titus Manor administrator and president of the Titus Sentel trustee board operating the Manor, reminded the audience Winnifred was ambitious and proud of where she lived and wanted that home for those ladies.
Titus Manor at Wyman Park’s residential care for ladies closed when residency dropped last year and the estate’s execution was left to the trust controlled by Busey Bank. Read More
Photo furnished
Golden Rocket Launch
Elizabeth Titus Library in Sullivan commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon by hosting a rocket launch. Although hindered by the rain, summer park and recreation program kids enjoyed launching several water bottle rockets which flew over the ball diamond fence at Wyman Park. One engine powered rocket was launched and never found. It presumably landed on the dark side of the moon.