News Progress

Photo by Mike Brothers
Fields-Wright Medical Center grew out of a need for medical services in Sullivan. Now St. Mary’s Hospital group has pulled its services and is hoping to sell the building.

•June 7, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Nearly 50 years after the citizens of Sullivan raised $125,000 for the Brown Shoe Co., they were again challenged to raise $500,000 for a medical center. Again, they embraced the challenge.

Eva Fields Wright Horn had a vision of a hospital for Sullivan so she left provisions and funds in her estate for the creation of a small community hospital. When she died in 1964 trustees were appointed to carry out her wishes. There was no activity until 1973 when the trustees organized a lay group to advise them in the planning. Read More

File photo
Historic steam threshing demonstrated.

•June 7, 2017•

The first Steam Threshing Show will held at the Amish Heritage Center west of Chesterville on Route 133, July 21-22.

The event featuring historic Amish farming practices includes: steam and gas threshing, field demonstrations, wagon and carriage rides, a food tent, demonstrations of various early farm equipment, gas powered ice cream making, and tours of the newly restored 1882 Daniel Schrock house.

The Daniel Schrock house was built in 1882. It has unusual two-story porches typical of Somerset County in Pennsylvania where Schrock immigrated from. Above, the Schrock house is shown arriving at the new Amish Heritage Site on September 20, 2016. The Schrock house is currently under restoration and will be open for tours at the Steam Threshing event on July 21-22. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Shoveling dirt on the first Sullivan Rotary tree planting are Susan Rauch, Joe Keller, Dave Cole, Bill Highland, Dan Fultz and Brad Pullen.

•May 31, 2017•

The Sullivan Rotary Club began an ongoing program to plant trees at the Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Sullivan.

Rotarians traveled to the neighborhood north of Agri Fab following their regular meeting May 23 at TnT Pizzeria and with the help of Hild Landscaping, placed a 15 foot tall tulip tree in the front lawn.

“One of the points of focus for Rotary this coming year is protecting the environment and planting trees,” Rotary president Dave Cole said, noting the effort of the local club aligns with that theme.

He went on to explain that during a recent discussion, it was noted that the Habitat for Humanity houses had very little landscape material such as flowers, shrubs, and trees. Those items may be seen as a luxury for the homeowners there.   Read More

Healthcom Sponsors Event

•May 31, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

For its maiden charity event Healthcom is sponsoring a 5K/walk in Wyman Park in Sullivan Saturday, June 10 to benefit Mid-Illinois Senior Services

“We wanted to help out in the community and coordinate with Senior Fitness Month,” Caleb Titus, Healthcom coordinator for the event, said, “ Healthcom is the largest national provider of medical alert systems for seniors so teaming with the Senior Center was a perfect match for us.”

The race will be held at 9 a.m. June 10 in Wyman Park, but participants should arrive by 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $20 up to day of race, $30 June 10 and everyone over the age of 65 may enter free although the participant t-shirt is $10 to everyone. Read More