Ho Ho Dough giveaway postponed

[DEC. 18, 2000]  The annual Ho Ho Dough holiday cash giveaway scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday was postponed due to the extreme weather conditions.  With the National Weather Service confirming life-threatening wind chill factors of nearly 20 degrees below zero, officials with the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Lincoln determined to postpone the event to Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m.  Bobbi Abbott, executive director of the chamber, and Wendy Bell, Main Street Lincoln program manager, both felt it would be irresponsible to bring people out in the extreme conditions.  They noted the wide range of ages attending include babies and the elderly, whom the weather would be particularly hard on. 

As it was, both Abbott, Bell and their families stood in the cold and personally turned away the die-hards who didn't get the word on Media One, at the Lincoln Area Music Society concert or via the grapevine.  Lincoln City Police assisted with the effort.  No one was more disappointed than the officials that the money wouldn't be given away that evening and most were joyous that they wouldn't be standing in the sub-zero temperatures to claim the prize. 

The forecast for Wednesday is the warmest all week, with highs expected in the 20s and only light snow late in the evening.  The time has been pushed back to 6 p.m. to give as many people as possible the chance to get downtown after work.  Officials note that it will be dark at that time and everyone should bring a flashlight to read their ticket numbers. Also, people are encouraged to dress warmly. 

New Illinois Heritage Tourism Program includes Logan County Route 66 project

[DEC. 18, 2000]  Gov. George H. Ryan has announced the selection of four new Illinois heritage tourism projects, including the first-ever project aimed at promoting African-American heritage within the state and further development of Route 66 as a viable tourism destination in Illinois. 

Illinois' heritage tourism program has been a national model since the first seven projects were designated in 1998. With the naming of these four new projects, Illinois has a total of 11 heritage areas that are being targeted for development.

"Illinoisans can take pride in our state's history and heritage, and the Heritage Tourism Program provides Illinois with new opportunities to share our past with visitors," Gov. Ryan said. "I'm particularly pleased that the development of the first African-American heritage area in Illinois is moving forward. Retracing the Underground Railroad has tremendous potential to bring new economic development to minority communities while ensuring that the history of African-Americans in Illinois will be remembered by future generations."

The Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' (DCCA) Bureau of Tourism developed the Heritage Tourism Program to boost cultural/historical tourism throughout Illinois. Selected projects qualify for six years of administrative support, grants to provide technical assistance and priority funding from the Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program.

"Research shows that heritage travelers spend more per trip, take longer trips, visit more attractions and stay overnight more often than the typical leisure traveler. The Heritage Tourism Program enhances our ability to capitalize on the economic impact these travelers have on the communities they visit," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough.

"Many of our heritage projects take in rural areas that have great potential for tourism but need help in creating a well-rounded visitor experience. The heritage program nurtures these projects, with a goal of helping them to become self-sustaining new attractions for visitors," added Cathy Ritter, DCCA's deputy director, Bureau of Tourism.

The original seven heritage projects are "Looking for Lincoln," "Trace of the Ages: The Mississippi River," "I&M Canal: The Waters that Built America," "A Tapestry of Time: The Illinois River," "Ohio River Route: Where Illinois Began," "Crossroads Region" (in southeastern Illinois), and "Immigrants and Ingenuity" (in northwestern Illinois).

The four newest Heritage Tourism projects are Freedom Trails, Illinois Route 66, and two projects recently designated as National Scenic Byways: the National Road and the Lincoln Highway.

A further description of each new project follows:

Counties included: Adams, Pike, Morgan, Scott, Greene, Macoupin, Jersey. Madison, Fayette, St. Clair, Clinton, Washington, Randolph, Perry, Jackson and Alexander

In Illinois, there seem to be roughly six major definable routes of the Underground Railroad, with five of these routes converging into Chicago. Phase I of this proposal begins from the south and east, with Phases II and III picking up the remaining counties that will take the trail into Chicago and beyond. This phase encompasses 16 counties, with the intent to partner with public, private and governmental entities to amass funding to create exhibits, publications and conduct research. Many benefits are expected in the areas of community, economic and tourism development as well as renewed pride in African-American communities. This project proposes to link the trails in a systematic order, along with African-American experiences stemming from the lifestyles, places and characters relevant to the areas.

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Counties included: Cook, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Livingston, McLean, Logan, Sangamon, Macoupin, Montgomery, Madison and St. Clair

This project will encompass a 12-county area stretching from Chicago in the north all the way to Madison and St. Clair counties in the south. It will be designed to further develop Route 66 as a viable tourism destination in Illinois by linking many of the communities along the route through infrastructure improvement and enhancement, development of maps and guides, audio tours, special events and exhibits, establishment of an Illinois Route 66 brand identity, and implementation of a cooperative strategic marketing program. As product development continues over time, the program will be expanded to include more communities within the state, and by cultivating partnerships across state borders, Route 66 has the potential to become a national heritage tourism destination and also has great international appeal.

Counties included: Cook, Will, Kendall, Kane, DeKalb, Ogle, Lee and Whiteside

The Lincoln Highway, as the nation's first transcontinental paved roadway, connected rural farming communities with industrialized cities as it crossed through 13 states. Referred to throughout history as the "Main Street of America," the original purpose for building the Lincoln Highway was to connect the communities, families and businesses located along its length by means of a paved surface. The 179-mile segment of the Lincoln Highway in Illinois is a journey from east to west, taking visitors from the industrialized southern suburbs of Chicago through a rural suburban region toward Joliet. The Lincoln Highway, which was designated a National Scenic Byway in June 2000, possesses the historic and cultural intrinsic qualities to be recognized as a true tourism destination.

Counties included: Clark, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Bond, Madison and St. Clair

The National Road of Illinois, which was designated a National Scenic Byway in June 2000, runs 165 miles from the Indiana border near the Wabash River to the grounds of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis. The association has completed a corridor management plan and will be identifying ways to provide interpretation at various sites along the road. They will also be promoting the assets of the National Road through history found in scenic and natural areas, historic architecture, folk life resources, commercial and industrial heritage, and recreational activities.

[DCCA news release]

Lincoln/Logan County tourism director excited about new tourism program

[DEC. 18, 2000]  There were a number of other choices for the Illinois Bureau of Tourism to choose from when the Route 66 project was selected for the Heritage Tourism Program. Thressia Usherwood, Logan County tourism director and project coordinator, has these things to say:

"I am extremely pleased with the fact that the governor chose our Route 66 project proposal. It makes us eligible for tourism grants we would not otherwise be able to get. It proves Logan County is wealthy in many aspects of heritage tourism. We have Looking for Lincoln and Route 66.

"Atlanta Library curator Lucille Pech can attest to the number of people interested in our area's history. She keeps a record of all the visitors that stop in there. There are people signing in from all over the world.

"The most central portion of Route 66 is from Atlanta to Elkhart. This takes in a lot of Logan County territory. It’s right down our center.

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"Logan County is luck to be in on two heritage tourism projects, Looking for Lincoln and Route 66. The Route 66 is a whole different venture. We are fortune to have enough people from the community who care to do this.

"The Illinois Tourism Bureau has made stops overnight in Lincoln eight out of 12 of their annual trips through central Illinois. They say Lincoln is exemplary small-town USA. Last year there were 450 people came through on that tour.

"Tourism brings a lot of dollars to the area. People stay in the hotels, eat in the restaurants, fill up their cars with gas, look for places to go and things to buy when they’re here."

Postville volunteer opportunities

[DEC. 16, 2000]  With the reopening of Postville Courthouse following its recent restoration, the site would like to start a volunteer interpreter program. The site is seeking 30 to 40 volunteers to staff the courthouse on Tuesday through Saturday afternoons starting March 1. The daily hours a volunteer would serve would be noon to 5 p.m.

Each prospective volunteer interpreter will receive his or her own training manual. The training manual will contain historical background information, daily operating procedures and an outline on giving tours.

Several training sessions are scheduled prior to March 1. Each training session will last 1 to 1½ hours. Daily operating procedures and guidance on giving a tour will be presented. Time for each training session to start is 1 p.m. Dates are Wednesday, Jan. 17; Thursday, Jan. 25; and Thursday, Feb. 15.

The site manager, Richard Schachtsiek, will solely handle the training and supervision of volunteer interpreters. You may contact him by calling the courthouse at (217) 732-8930. In the beginning, scheduling will be handled by Shirley Bartelmay. You may contact her by calling (217) 735-4977.

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This is an appropriate time to start a volunteer interpretive program. Both the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and our own Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County actively promote the courthouse. Through the Logan County Tourism Bureau the courthouse is also an active participant in the "Looking for Lincoln" program. This program is to encourage visitors to visit not only the main attractions but the smaller ones as well. This will give the courthouse an opportunity to benefit from being promoted with the bigger sites.

The courthouse will also benefit in a few years when the new Lincoln Presidential Library opens. One purpose of the new library is to encourage visitors to leave Springfield and visit the many locations, including Postville Courthouse, they learned about in the library.

The next few years are a time for growth for Postville Courthouse. Expanding operating hours using volunteer interpreters can only do this. If enough volunteers join, each one should only have to give one afternoon per month. Please consider being a Postville Courthouse volunteer interpreter. We would be very glad to have you join us.

Lincoln College dedicates
John R. Gehlbach Academic Building
[DEC. 15, 2000]  A small crowd gathered Thursday afternoon at Lincoln College to honor John R. Gehlbach at the dedication of their newest building, named for him.

Lincoln College President Jack Nutt welcomed everyone, expressing words of appreciation for all that John Gehlbach has done over the many years for Lincoln College. Gehlbach then spoke briefly. He concluded softly with the words "I feel honored."

Gehlbach, a Lincoln attorney and collector of Lincoln memorabilia, is a longtime supporter of Lincoln College and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for over 40 years.

The academic building stands behind University Hall and has nine classrooms and 12 offices totaling 9,870 square feet. It was built by Diversified of Peoria and Morton.

[Jan Youngquist]

[DEC. 15, 2000]  The first working session of the Logan County Board following the November election was Thursday night.

Rod White, board member and chairman of the finance committee, told the other board members that they will, by law, have to address the regulations pertaining to board elections.

"Every 10 years, each board must decide if their members are going to be elected on an at-large or by-district basis," White said.

He also said that it wasn't any secret that he had always supported electing representatives from districts. "I ran on that platform 18 years ago," White said, "and I still feel that way."

Although board members are now elected at large, the county board can change this process and will address that subject at next month's meeting.

White asked Phil Mahler, chairman of the insurance and legislative committee, to put that on their agenda for the January meeting.

According to Mahler, that meeting, as well as the January work session of the entire board, will address the topic, with input from anyone at either meeting. The vote on the subject will be taken at the regularly scheduled January meeting.

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White also said that he had been approached a number of times by concerned citizens who also would like to see representatives elected by districts.

"There is enough interest," White said, "for citizens, through a petition to the Circuit Court, [to] place this question on the April ballot as a referendum."

The outcome of the referendum is advisory and does not bind the board members by public sentiment.

Another alternative is for the board to place the question on the spring ballot in order to get the public' s input.

Doug Dutz, chairman of the committee for law enforcement and the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, told board members the Logan County Paramedics Association has been awarded $75,000 from the Illinois First Grant program. The money will be used to purchase four ECG monitor-defibrillator-pacing units. They will replace the old units that are about 10 years old.

Dutz also told board members that the new ambulance for the LCPA will be delivered in January.

[Fuzz Werth]

[DEC. 15, 2000]  Did you find yourself in the dark last night? According to Linda Nelson of CILCO, a line came down at the corner of Route 66 and Union Street, which tripped all the breakers on that line. In the area between Union and State streets and south from Route 66 to Eighth Street, 1160 customers were without electricity from 7:46 p.m. to 9:36 p.m. There were also some outages reported on the north side of Route 66. Lincoln Police Department said that there was no accident in that area that could have caused the mishap.

[Marty Ahrends]

[DEC. 15, 2000]  Parade of Trees, on display at 120 N. Main in downtown Mason City, continues to be enjoyed by the community, as 16 decorated trees illuminate almost an entire block.  Each night the lights come on at 4 o'clock and go off at bedtime as good neighbors Mike and Lina Biundo pass by to and from their duties as proprietors of Mason City's pasta restaurant.

Sponsored by the Mason City Historical Society, the Parade of Trees has added a lot of holiday spirit to the town.  Eight trees have been purchased and decorated by worthy folks who will donate them on Dec. 17 to homes that would otherwise be without a tree this year.  Those sponsors include Dr. Marion Ring Mason County Chiropratic, Mason City Pharmacy, Mason City Area Nursing Home, Little Cougars, the Dr. Means family, McEntire Appliance/Johnson Lumber-Century Hardware, and Mason City Police-Operation Snowball. Operation Snowball will be in charge of the tree giveaway on Dec. 17.  The local Brownie troop's "Mitten Tree" provides gloves, hats and scarves for those in need. 

Eight additional trees make up a museum exhibit next door.  These trees purchased by the museum are decorated in a theme chosen by their sponsors, which include CLUB giving tribute to its 56 past and present members; Salt Creek Prairie DAR giving tribute to all veterans; Mike's Pizza reminding everyone of his good pizza and pasta; Mason City Historical Society and their year of success; Illini Central School cafeteria staff and "All About Cooking"; the Women's Club "Cookie Cutter Tree"; the city clerk's "Vic Tree" for local Olympian Vic Wunderle; and the Scouts’ tree with patches, mottoes, knots and emblems. 

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Public viewing of the trees took place on Sunday, Dec. 3, after the light parade. Santa was on hand, and Mason City Rotary handed out free cookies.  Other viewings of the trees will be on Sunday afternoons, Dec. 17 and 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop by before Christmas and cast your vote for your favorite tree in the museum. The Civic Center trees can be viewed until they are given away on Dec. 17. 

We have a president-elect!

[DEC. 14, 2000]  At 8 p.m. Central Standard Time, Vice President Al Gore conceded the presidential race to Texas Gov. George W. Bush, more than a month after election day.  Gore delivered a powerful, yet gracious speech relinquishing his pursuit of the highest office in the country. At 9 p.m. Bush made a thoughtful speech of acceptance promising to bring both parties together.  Both candidates emphasized working together as Americans in the best interest of the country. You can read all the details in the many fine articles found in the news from other sources regarding the presidential election by clicking on the link below.

Click here for news from other
sources regarding the presidential election

What is your reaction to the speeches given by Vice President Al Gore and President-elect George W. Bush?  E-mail LDN and let us know.

[DEC. 14, 2000]  Yesterday evening a Lincoln officer had a dangerous encounter with the driver of an ATV.

At 11:20 p.m. last night, the Lincoln Police Department received a complaint about an individual who was driving a four-wheeler and disturbing the peace. Cpl. Kerns, Officer Rawlins and Officer Short found the driver at the corner of Tremont and Sangamon. Kerns asked the driver to turn off the vehicle, but instead the driver started to flee. Kerns lunged for the driver’s overalls but missed and caught hold of the rear grill or bumper. The driver dragged Kerns for about half of a block before Kerns could let go of the vehicle. Kerns is OK.

The police officers followed the tracks which the four-wheeler had made to a residence on the 300 block of North Elm Street. They saw the ATV parked in the garage. When the officers questioned the occupants of the residence, they lied about having and riding the four-wheeler. Three males were arrested for obstruction of justice because of their lying: an 18-year-old Lincolnite, a 22-year-old Lincolnite and an 18-year-old from Kenney. A 23-year-old male from Lincoln was arrested for aggravated battery and reckless conduct and was served 10 citations for running stop signs. All four suspects are still in custody, and the 23-year-old is awaiting a court appearance.

[Jean Ann Carnley]

[OCT. 10, 2000]  The office of the city clerk in Lincoln will be open for filing petitions for nomination for the Feb. 27, 2001, consolidated primary election, with petitions accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates: Dec. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18.

Petitions will be accepted for the following city offices:

• Mayor
• City treasurer
• City clerk
• Alderman, Ward 1
• Alderman, Ward 2
• Alderman, Ward 3
• Alderman, Ward 4

• Alderman, Ward 5

[Juanita Josserand, city clerk]

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