Hot Fun

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Hot Fun
Sullivan’s Fourth of July celebration was blessed with summer heat and a sprinkling of rain June 30 through July 4. Conner Family Amusements of Beardstown introduced the 55 ft tall Ferris Wheel to Sullivan along with the Rock -O-Plane. Crowds enjoyed the carnival throughout the week with the American Legion Honor Guard leading the Fourth of July parade through town followed by activities at Wyman Park and the grand finale fireworks show from Central Illinois Fireworks Co. at dark. More on Page 7 of the News Progress.

‘Damn Yankees” is a Home Run at The Little Theatre!

News Progress Posted on by

•July 11, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Summertime and America’s thoughts turn fondly to baseball. And there is no finer baseball musical than the sizzling production of “Damn Yankees” currently at The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan. Based on the old Faustian legend of a man selling his soul to the Devil, “Damn Yankees” opened in 1955 and made overnight stars of choreographer Bob Fosse and his future wife Gwen Verdon. It swept all the major Tony awards in 1956 and ran for nearly 2,000 performances.
It was revived in 1994, and this production is based on that 1994 shorter version.
It’s Washington in the 1950s, and Joe Boyd (Dick Borders) is sick and tired of his beloved Washington Senators getting beaten by those “damn Yankees”. If only the Senators had a young, strong, long ball hitter, they could tromp those Yankees.
Presto! The Devil appears in the guise of Mr. Applegate (Drew Stark) and offers Joe the chance to become “Joe Hardy”, the young, 22-year-old slugger the Senators need. The catch is Joe must give up his beloved wife Meg (Ann Borders). Joe accepts but the real estate agent in him makes him insist on an escape clause.
The Senators’ last game is Sept. 25, and if he plays in it, he must remain Joe Hardy forever. If not, he has until 9 the night before to walk away and resume his former life. Read More

Hot Fun at Wyman Park on the Fourth of July

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Melon Eater
With seeds, juice and rinds flying Wren Winburg of Belleville concentrated on his watermelon slice as he competed in the 5 to 7 age group during the Fourth of July watermelon eating contest held at Wyman Park.

•July 11, 2018•

Following the 4th of July parade crowds moved to Wyman Park where the turtle races drew 61 entrants from every pond and creek in the area.

After several heats in the blistering sun, the masters of the turtle circle prevailed. In the finals: Elijah Peters, Ayden Peters, Rhett Colbertson, Olivia Matheson, Kaiden McKinny, Hunter Hackett, Gavin Helnuth, Madison Highland.

The Grand Champion turtle racer was Daisy Richardson of Sullivan.

The Watermelon Eating contest moved to the shade with volunteers from the American Legion, Post 68 Auxiliary and Sons of Legion cutting, preparing, serving and counting eaten rinds to determine the winners.

Ages 0-4: First place - Paisley Cole, Sullivan; second place- Alex VanArsdale, Decatur; third place- Hunter Farris- Sullivan. Read More

Sullivan Talent Brings Community into Little Theatre Musicals

News Progress Posted on by

Pictured left to right are Garrett Griffin, Maddie Keller and Marty Harbaugh.

•July 11, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Three hometown actors are having their hour upon the stage this summer at the Little Theatre and are enjoying the opportunity to come back and perform before the home audience.
Maddie Keller grew up in Sullivan and began performing at the Little Theatre at a very young age. She came up through their Future Stars Program and was in show choir during high school. She is a theatre minor at the University of Illinois and may be seen in the upcoming “Annie”.
Marty Harbaugh worked for the state of Illinois for many years before finally settling in Sullivan. He has always loved the theatre and as his wife Lori is business manager at the Little Theatre, he “decided to try and see if he was any good at acting.” Marty and Lori actually had a blind date to see “Into the Woods” at the Little Theatre, and the rest is history. He has since become a beloved fixture. He plays the Washington Senators’ owner in “Damn Yankees” currently playing. Read More

Jackpot Winner

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Jackpot Winner
Sullivan Economic Development and Chamber Executive Director Laurrie Minor presents Darrian Sparrow with the annual Fourth of July raffle grand prize of $4891.00. The winning ticket number was 14242.

Fire Contained

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Fire Contained
Findlay Fire Chief Ed Voltenburg was returning home from a mutual aid call to Shelbyville at 4:20 a.m. Saturday, July 7 when he noticed a burning garage west of the Findlay Marina. He called out Findlay firefighters just getting home from the earlier call, and they responded quickly and were able to get the garage owned by Nancy Beam cooled down until help arrived from the Sullivan, Windsor and Bethany fire departments.

Art for Children

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Art for Children
An art camp for children going into first grade through sixth grade was held at the Sullivan Masonic Lodge June 24-28. There were 39 students from Sullivan, Bethany, Lovington, Arthur, and even two from Texas. Camp ran Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with young artists painting pottery, making collages, doing T-shirt designs, painting and hiding rocks, as well as creating a canvas painting. Eight high school and middle school volunteers helped make the camp possible. Molly Reeder-Foust, a local artist and high school art teacher in Decatur, conducted the class.

United Way Moultrie County Strengthens the Community

News Progress Posted on by

•July 4, 2018•

For the first time in recent years United Way was able to fund requests for the eight Moultrie County agencies that applied.
United Way Director of Community Impact James Keith pointed out fund-raising efforts increased by 30% allowing all eight agency requests to be granted. Keith emphasized agencies involved such as Moultrie County Counseling Center, Moultrie Beacon and DOVE also work together to make the most effective use of those funds possible.
“One positive impact on the community is the Peace Meal program which uses great local partners to reach out,” Keith said of the kind of agency programs supported by United Way.
He emphasized that one reason United Way is effective is that all the money donated in Moultrie County is decided by a local five person board, assuring what is donated here stays here and used the best way possible.
“We have to give a great deal of credit to our friends at Agri-Fab and Hydro-Gear,” Stan Parks, director of Resource Development for United Way began.
“The employees participating in the United Way campaign have been extremely generous,” Parks said of fund-raising at the industries, as well as other businesses in Moultrie County.
“Even those who aren’t making much money donate because a lot of times they have a relative or know someone receiving help from one of the agencies United Way supports,” Parks continued. Read More

Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Offers Something for Everyone

News Progress Posted on by

•July 4, 2018•

The 2018 Moultrie-Douglas County Fair is July 8-14 at the Moultrie-Douglas Co. Fairgrounds in Arthur.
Headliner for this year’s fair is Tyler Farr, country singer from Nashville, Tenn.
Hear Farr sing his ballads at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 14, on the Main Stage. Opening for Farr is local band Wreckless Whiskey at 7 p.m.
Visit the website for ordering Tyler Farr and rodeo tickets and making online entries. Cutoff date for ordering tickets and pre-registration will be midnight Friday, July 6.
The 4-H Project Auction at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, allows the youth to show others their hard work throughout each year and also gives them the opportunity to purchase many of the animals, baked goods, crafts and more.
The queen contests will be held on Monday and Tuesday night. The baby pageant is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Read More

Sullivan Schools Alumni Return to Teach and Coach

News Progress Posted on by

•July 4, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan schools welcome back a couple of alumni as teachers, following a special District 300 board meeting Friday, June 29.
With Ann Wheeler replacing the absent president Jeff White, attending members unanimously approved Craig Black as high school head basketball coach and physical education teacher and SHS alumnus Jacob Haegen as full-time elementary school teacher.
Black, a 2007 SHS graduate, replaces Chester Reeder who accepted the Teutopolis head coaching job. Black has coached at Oakwood High School for the past four years with the team named 2018 Vermilion County Tournament Champions.
Haegen, who lives in Sullivan with his wife, son and daughter, has taught kindergarten for 16 years at Stewardson-Strasburg Elementary School. Haegen replaces Cheryl Kramer who submitted her notice of retirement as elementary school teacher. Read More