Obituaries 6-3-2015: Susan Olszewski
Susan Olszewski Funeral services for Susan Kay Olszewski, 68, of Mattoon were held at 10 a.m. Friday in Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon. Burial was in a Bethany cemetery. … Read More
LTE: 6.3.15
Re. to: Cherry Picking Scripture I appreciated the letter to editor the other day concerning the remarks on “homosexuality.” However, I was disappointed in that there was no mention of some specifics relative to “some local churches” in his critical remarks. He used a “blanket” approach to speak ill of “some local churches” and their accentuation of immoral behavior, but these same “local churches” seemed to have failed to accomplish other, more positive things in the community. Again, we are not told wherein some specific church (or churches) has failed. He remarked, “Instead of focusing on lending a helping hand … Read More
Obituaries 6-3-2015: John Osman
John Osman John E. Osman, 67, of Macon died Thursday May 28, 2015 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. … Read More
“Mary Poppins” Starts Off Family Friendly Theatre Season
Will run through June 14 •June 3, 2015• By Dan Hagen NP Theatre Critic One night in Australia in 1909, with rain swelling a nearby creek, 10-year-old Helen Goff’s widowed mother told the girl to take care of her two younger siblings. Mother was going to drown herself, she explained. And then she walked out into the storm. Terrified, Helen gathered the children on the rug in front of the fire and made up a story about a magical flying horse — a perfect symbol of escape — to distract them. Unsuccessful in her suicide attempt, Helen’s mother returned later, … Read More
Mulligan Resigns as Sullivan Show Choir Director
Search is now on to fill skilled position June 3, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com At their monthly meeting in May, the Sullivan school board accepted the resignation of middle and high school show choir director Connie Mulligan, who also served as the elementary school teacher. Mulligan had been with the district for five years, and in her letter of resignation to the board, she said, “While I have enjoyed my five years at Sullivan, the position that I originally accepted has changed drastically.” Mulligan’s resignation is to occur at the end of the 14-15 school year and leaves the … Read More
Obituaries 6-3-2015: Jack Warren
Jack Warren Jack W. Warren, 62, of Illiopolis passed away at 8:40 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2015, in his residence. Services will be at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur is handling the arrangements. … Read More
Called to Reading, One Word at a Time
School reads more than 67 million words during contest June 3, 2015 by Florence Hallford & Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com As Amazon’s great text stats have calculated, the average length of a book is around 64,000 words. But for Lovington seventh grader Joshua Zander, that’s hardly a big deal. And he would know. Zander recently won a reading contest at the grade school after totaling 5,148,507 words read throughout the school year. That came to 75 books, but even that was an easy feat after learning what the prize was. “Once Josh found out the “Call of Duty” was involved, it … Read More
Inaugural Runners on a Mission 5K Winners Announced
June 3, 2015 The Smyser Christian Church women’s ministry hosted their inaugural “Runners on a Mission 5K” with this year’s mission and focus being the Sullivan and Windsor backpack programs, which both received $400. The top four runners from the 5k were Cheryl Jestis, 27:59 (female master’s winner); Steve Lawhorn, 27:42 (men’s master winner); Lacey Lawhorn, 27:42 (female overall winner); and Raymond Miller, 20:04 (male overall winner). … Read More
Spencer Family Recognized by C.E.F.S.
June 3, 2015 As part of National Community Action Month, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently honored a local family for their personal achievements demonstrating the fact that community action helps people and changes lives. The Serena Spencer family of Sullivan was recognized at the May C.E.F.S. Board of Directors meeting as the 2015 Family of Distinction for exemplifying the spirit of hope and success that C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation offers to all families in its mission to provide opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. The Spencer family was nominated for the award by the … Read More
Yeakley Makes it to Finals in Two Events Saturday
Finishes 11th, 12th in shot put and discus June 3, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond high school’s boys’ track and field team sent three athletes to the IHSA state track meet this past week, with two individuals participating in Saturday’s finals. Leading the pack was junior Colton Yeakley who made his second consecutive trip to state following last year’s seventh place medal in the discus. But despite coming into the meet tied for second after his sectional throw of 165 feet, 10 inches, the ALAH junior just barely qualified out of the preliminary on Thursday, throwing just 146-3. Things … Read More