Agri-Fab and Hydro Gear Mentor Students

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Agri-Fab and Hydro Gear Mentor Students
Students from Okaw Valley High School working at Agri-Fab and Hydro Gear spent time learning about manufacturing recently. Okaw Valley has five students working for Agri-Fab and Hydro-Gear this summer in a student learner program that gives students knowledge in the manufacturing field. Students participating are Jared Bunfill, Austin Hll, Anthony Jones, James Burns, and Cameron Nickerson. Chris Crowley, Agri-Fab’s Continuous Improvement Manager, led the group through a lean simulation based on a fictitious company that produces paper airplanes. The simulation introduced the students to learn manufacturing and continuous improvement of any and all processes. Students learn why it’s important to reduce inventory and other wastes while always trying to improve processes and create more value for the customers.

MCRT Learn of Teacher Shortage

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MCRT Learn of Teacher Shortage
Kyle Thompson, Regional Office of Education Assistant Superintendent, was speaker at a June 7 meeting of Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association.
Thompson spoke on school funding and the shortage of teachers in Illinois.
He is pictured with president Linda McCabe.

New Awnings

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
New Awnings
The Mid-Illinois Senior Services and its subsidiary Thrifty Boutique are both sporting new awnings to help spruce up the square. A bright navy blue one with white trim replaces the tattered and torn awning at the Boutique. The Senior Center rocks its first ever awning in a classy brown stripe.

New Home for Habitat

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Photo by Mike Brothers
New Home for
Habitat
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity presented Paige and Chance Schoonover with the keys to 604 Hope Lane on Friday, June 9. Above Habitat Family Support Cheryl Thomas, Paige and Chance and Director of the Care A Vanners for Habitat Bob Gillespie. Gillespie thanked all subcontractors and volunteers for building the home in 29 days, 23 hours and 40 minutes, just under the 30 day build schedule. Approximately 50 volunteers, family, friends and Moultrie County Habitat board members were on hand for the dedication with Deacon John O’Brien blessing the home.

Metro Communications Honored with BESI Award

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File photo
Zak Horn of Metro Communications in Sullivan on the job.

•June 7, 2017•

Sullivan business leader Zak Horn received the Business Ethics and Social Involvement (BESI) award from the East Central Illinois Development Corporation recently.

Horn, who founded Metro Communications of Sullivan in 2000, was recognized for enlightened business practices while displaying social leadership.

Over the past 17 years Metro Communications extended fiber optics in 32 central Illinois counties, constructing 2000 route miles of fiber since 2011.

With a staff of 50 central Illinois professionals Metro provides wholesale carrier, enterprise and consumer services in underserved rural communities. Read More

SES Visits Nature Center

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SES Visits Nature Center
First graders from Sullivan Elementary School took a trip to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont. Presenters from the nature center taught them all about birds and insects while discussing this year’s theme, “things with wings”. Students participated in a nature hike where they found plenty of “things with wings” native to Illinois natural habitats. Students also played hands-on games where they guessed the animal or insect based on certain characteristics. Finally, they got to explore and play inside Ballard’s wonderful Discovery Education Center.

Sullivan Farmers Market

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Sullivan Farmers Market
Those looking for fresh garden produce and a variety of speciality crafted items may find them on the square in Sullivan this summer. Every Friday through September 5 local growers and crafters display their goods from 3 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. This year the market is accepting EBT cards. It is being sponsored by the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Sullivan Area ARTS.

Fields-Wright Medical Center was a Shared Vision

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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

Fun in the Sun

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Fun in the Sun
Kids from Lovington gathered at Tom Conn Park every day from 11:00 to 2:00 for the village Recreation Summer fun program. Children spent the week enjoying a variety of activities to help kick off the summer in a big way.

Joe Phillips Field Named for Softball Hall of Fame Pitcher

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ASA Hall of Famer Joe Phillips

•June 7, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Hall of Fame pitcher Joe Phillips of Sullivan spent his career sweating on the south softball diamond at Wyman Park.

At 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 9 the city of Sullivan is honoring those years of sweat and devotion to the game by naming Joe Phillips Field after the fast pitch softball star who was inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame in 1995.

The Sullivan Chiefs fast pitch softball team was inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame in 2015.

Phillip’s son Terry will be at the dedication ceremony June 9 and recalled growing up on softball fields all over the prairie.

“When we weren’t traveling from town to town with the Sullivan chiefs, Dad was either coaching an up and coming softball team or umpiring girls’ softball games,” Terry recalled.  Read More