News Progress

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

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 17, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Three hundred will be honored during dedication ceremonies at the American Legion Walk of Honor in Sullivan.
On Sunday, July 21 Post 68 is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the public is invited to the American Legion Hall for the dedication of the new Memorial Walk of Honor.
Post Commander Bob Sims emphasized that “Our Walk of Honor is not just for veterans. The memorial bricks can honor anyone, be it a fireman, policeman, classmate, or a special person in our life. One family dedicated their brick to the three Eagle Scouts in the family. We have over 300 bricks that will be dedicated in this first installation.” Read More

•July 17, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The first week in June, like lemmings to the sea, Sullivan’s children ages 5-12 migrate from their classrooms into sunny Wyman Park to participate in an eight-week recreation program that has endured for over 60 years.
Recreation Director, Jake Haegen, recounts, “My father was in the program when he was young, and I have been involved for over 20 years. My wife and Co-Director, Melissa, joined the staff nine years ago. Both she and her father grew up in the recreation program so it has been in existence for some time.”
A cooperative effort between the Park District and the Civic Center, the program serves, on an average, 100 children a day with a top of 155. The program is entirely free except for a $1 fee for swimming on Fridays. Through a state-sponsored program the children are provided a free lunch each day at the high school.
“We are so fortunate to be able to take advantage of this meal service. Many of the children would not have food during the summer without this program which also provides breakfast for those not having a breakfast at home,” Jake points out.
The recreation activities run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from June through July. A typical week’s activities might include the following with lunch at noon: Read More