News Progress

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Open again is Bethany Cafe, John Vander Burgh is one of ten new owners.

•July 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

All over America in small towns such as Bethany there is usually a diner or café where townsfolk, especially seniors, gather to exchange news of the day, gossip, have a meal or engage in what my Southern Grandma called “jist visitin”.
This “jist visitin” in the local diner has bound small communities together for centuries.
When the Bethany Café closed last November followed by the closing of the only grocery store in town, John Vander Burgh and others saw a vital part of their community slipping away. He reasoned that it could be saved if a group of like-minded individuals would all contribute a small amount to the purchase of the café.
He approached 10 people who have, anonymously, invested in the acquisition of the Café. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
To your health-(from left) Mr and Mrs Ryan Whitten, Kurt Van Deursen, John Durbin and Bob Waelde.

•July 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

It all began when John Durbin and his wife Sue bought their farm in Lovington some years ago. There were Concord grapes on the property and John, not one to let anything go to waste, decided the grapes needed to be made into wine.
“Sue gave me the book, “The Art of Making Wine” by Stanley F. Anderson and said this is all you need to learn the process,” Durbin began. “The book tells you how to do it, includes recipes and information on how to get out of trouble if the process has gone awry.”
Since then, John has mentored several other aspiring winemakers – Ryan Whitten, Kurt Van Deursen and Bob Waelde. On a recent balmy summer evening we all gathered at Durbin’s house where they shared their vinification experiences as well as samples of their very fine wines.
As to the process, wine is usually made from grapes, but you can use anything that has liquid such as fruits and plants. Home brewing is completely legal, but individuals are limited to 100 gallons per year. It is, however, illegal to sell any home brew. You must either consume it or give it away. Read More

Dan Guillory’s Tenth Book

•July 10, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Before there were tall buildings, before there were cities and before the hustle and bustle of life took over our everyday world, there was.... the prairie.
Author Dan Guillory has published his 10th book, “The Prairie: Then and Now,” which also includes artwork by his wife, Leslie Guillory. His book was released by Mayhaven Publishing, an award-winning small press located in Mahomet. The company has published several books on the history of Illinois as well as those about former president, Abraham Lincoln. Mayhaven Publishing has nearly 150 works in print to its name. Read More