Memorial Day activities throughout Logan County
[ Lincoln - Mt. Pulaski - Atlanta ]

Lincoln:  
The Lincoln Memorial Day Celebration in remembrance of those who lost their lives in
defense of the country will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, on the Logan County Courthouse lawn.

  • The Rev. Galdi McCantz of Allen Chapel AME Church will offer the invocation and
    benediction. 

  • Mrs. Katherine Rutledge, department of Illinois senior vice president of
    veteran organizations for AMVETS, will speak.

  • Wayne Schrader, veteran of Korea and member of AMVETS and American Legion
    Post 263, will introduce the commanders and presidents of veteran organizations in Lincoln.

A ham and beans luncheon will follow at 11:15 a.m. at the American Legion on Fifth Street Road.


Mount Pulaski:
Memorial Day observances at Mount Pulaski will be Monday morning, May 29.

Mount Pulaski Cemetery
Ceremonies at the Mount Pulaski Cemetery begin at 10 a.m. Monday.

  • Posting of colors by Mount Pulaski American Legion Post #447 and Mount Pulaski Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #777

  • Invocation and benediction by Pastor Pat Shaw of St. John’s Lutheran Church

  • Laying of wreaths by local organizations

  • Laying of flowers by local children and youth groups

  • Music by Mount Pulaski High School Band under the direction of Kara Kletz

  • Presentation of Memorial Day essay winners

  • Salute to Korean War veterans on their 50th anniversary

  • Memorial Day address by Dr. Bill Williams of Millikin University

  • Salute to fallen comrades by VFW Post #777 and American Legion Post #447

In case of rain, the Monday ceremonies will be at the Mount Pulaski American Legion Post Home.

 (Flags will be placed on veterans’ graves Saturday at 9 a.m.)

Steenbergen Cemetery
Ceremonies at Steenbergen Cemetery begin at 11:15 a.m. Monday.

  • Music by Mount Pulaski High School Band, under the direction of Kara Kletz

  • Invocation and benediction by Pastor Pat Shaw of St. John’s Lutheran Church

  • Posting of colors by Mount Pulaski Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #777 and Mount Pulaski American Legion Post #447

  • Salute to Korean War veterans on their 50th anniversary

  • Memorial Day address by Dr. Bill Williams of Millikin University

  • Music by Diane Ingalsbe

  • Salute to fallen comrades by VFW Post #777 and American Legion Post #447

The Avenue of Flags at Steenbergen Cemetery will be displayed May 27, 28 and 29. The flags honor veterans buried at Steenbergen Cemetery who served in wars from the American Revolution through Vietnam.


Atlanta:
Atlanta’s Memorial Day observance will be Monday, May 29.

Schedule of events:

  • 7-9 a.m. – United Methodist Men’s breakfast at the Atlanta Firehouse

  • 9 a.m. – Boy Scout cake bake auction at the Atlanta Firehouse

  • 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Fred Mills, artist, on hand to sign Atlanta Christmas ornaments at the Atlanta Library

  • 9:45 a.m. – Atlanta Community Band concert at the Atlanta Library

  • 10 a.m.-2 pm. – Free pony rides for kids, at the corner of Race and Arch streets

  • 10:30-11 a.m. – Veteran’s memorial ceremony at the Atlanta Library

  • 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Tethered hot air balloon rides, behind the Atlanta Library (weather permitting)

  • 11:15 a.m. – Children’s memorial march to Atlanta Cemetery; firetruck rides, followed by children’s games at the Atlanta Library

  • 11-11:45 a.m. – Flying Feet Cloggers, on Race Street in front of Atlanta Library

  • 11:30 a.m. – VFW Auxiliary #1756 luncheon at the Atlanta Firehouse

  • 1-3 p.m. – Kyle Kieszling and group, folk music, will perform throughout the afternoon

  • 1 p.m. – Parade of antique tractors and motorcycles; reviewing stand on Race Street in front of Atlanta Library

  • 1:30 p.m. – Variety show at the Atlanta Library (following the parade)

  • 3 p.m. – Raffle drawings at the Atlanta Library

Prizes:
Memorial Day attendance prizes of $20 will be given away each hour, with a 50/50 drawing and other raffle drawings at 3 p.m. The schedule for drawings is as follows:

  • 9 a.m. – Firehouse

  • 10 a.m. – Library lawn, during the band’s performance

  • 11 a.m. – Library lawn, upon completion of the veteran’s ceremony

  • Noon – Library lawn

  • 1 p.m. – Library lawn, before the tractor parade

  • 2 p.m. – Library lawn, during the variety show

  • 3 p.m. – Library lawn: attendance prize, 50/50 drawing and other raffle drawings

People must be present to win regular hourly attendance drawings. People do not need to be present to win the 50/50 drawing.

Special attractions:

During the day there will be a bake sale and games by the Rock Solid youth group of the Full Gospel Church in Lincoln; pork chop and rib eye sandwiches by Rob Polen; walleye and catfish sandwiches by Linda’s Fish Wagon; and a cake walk, sponsored by the Junior Girl Scouts of Atlanta, Troop #256.

In case of inclement weather, all activities will be inside the Atlanta Firehouse, except for the tractor parade, children’s games, firetruck rides, children’s march to the cemetery and pony rides, which will be canceled.  For additional information, phone 217-648-5077.

Scully Park improvement project completed

Scully Park has undergone a $25,000 improvement project and will be rededicated Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m. Main Street Lincoln invites the public to attend.

The highly visible project includes the restoration of the centerpiece of the park, the fountain. A dancing plume of water will spray about 15 feet in the air, and the pool area is now surrounded by a three-foot wrought-ironfence. Contemporary lights on the fountain plaza have been replaced with single-globe fixtures that are compatible with the historically accurate lights already in the park. Patriotic banners will fly for the summer from the taller five-globed fixtures. Eight heavy-duty picnic tables will be available for family fun, and cleanup is easy with four new trash receptacles, the same style used throughout downtown. The elaborate gateway to downtown on the north side of the park was designed by and contracted to Don Bode of Lincoln. P & W Pools, also of Lincoln, was contracted for the fountain work.

 

 

Rain paused in time Saturday morning for Main Street officials and members of the Scully family to cut the  ribbon at a rededication ceremony at Scully
Park.  The ribbon was violet in honor of the late Violet Scully who originally donated the park.  
The park has taken on a new charm after major
revitalization. Most of the work was done by volunteers.  Stop and relax amidst new plantings and the splashing of an 8' water fountain.

Jennifer Boeke and Judy Donath volunteered to oversee the many flowers that have been planted in the beds and at the entrance. Main Street Lincoln volunteers have contributed more than 200 hours to the project.
    Power from a pole that obstructed the gateway has been moved underground, and all electrical work has been safely contained in a concrete blockhouse with a steel lid. The 110 wiring is inside the blockhouse, with only 12 volts run to the pool for the lighting.

Funds for the project came from the Logan County Board, the Logan County Parks and Trails Foundation, and a grant from a private foundation.

Violet Scully donated the funds for the original fountain and maintained the flower beds in then-named Washington Park. The county board renamed the park in her honor upon her death in 1976.

Both of her sons, Michael and Peter, will be present to cut the violet ribbon at the dedication on Saturday. Eight other family members also plan to attend. Representatives of the Logan County Board, the city of Lincoln and Main Street Lincoln will make remarks. A short reception will follow.

Since the forecast calls for rain, people should bring their umbrellas, and if necessary, events will move inside to the conference room on the second floor of the Union Planter's Bank.

 

[Wendy Bell, program manager, Main Street Lincoln]

 


Lincoln Public Library keeps its history alive

Although much has changed since the Lincoln Public Library was completed in 1902, if some of its earliest patrons could step into the main building, they would probably feel quite at home. At least at first glance, they would not see much difference between the way the building looks today and the way it looked almost a hundred years ago.
    The patron of 1902 would walk into the vestibule and see the original fleur-de-lis pattern of green, ivory and brick mosaic tile. Inside, he or she would see the same semi-circular wooden main desk with the same metal stacks behind it. Over the desk is the original mural that credits Andrew Carnegie and Judge Stephen Foley with providing the impressive new building to the city of Lincoln.

On either side of the desk, reading areas with sturdy oak tables holding lamps with green glass shades would look much like they did 98 years ago. The wall fixtures would look familiar, too, but the early patron might expect to see gas lights instead of electric ones. Although all but one of the lamps and wall lights are new, they were made to replicate the original fixtures.

The early 20th century patron would also see the same stained-glass ceiling dome with the same circular woodwork patterns, which are repeated in the ceilings of the two wings on either side of the entrance. The oak wainscot and woodwork would look as it did when the building was new, thanks to recent restoration and cleaning. The early patron would see the same oak tables and chairs in both the east and west wings and in the Scully room, along with some new Mission-style chairs with leather cushions.



[The black-and-white photo shows a 
view of the Lincoln Public Library, taken
from the west wing, as it looked 
sometime between 1913 and 1917.  
The color picture shows how it looks today.]



[The black-and-white photo of the 
Lincoln Public Library was taken 
sometime between 1913 and 1917.
The well-preserved and maintained 
building looks much the same today.]

Except for its landscaping and surroundings, the front of the building would also look much the same. The brick building was designed in the "grand" or neoclassical-classical architectural style, popular for public buildings at the turn of the last century, and set a half story above grade in "temple" style, to make it visually significant and easily identifiable. It has a portico with four classical columns and steps the width of the portico. The central double door of oak and glass is still original.

"A building this solidly constructed is rarely seen today, and it has never been ‘modernized,’ so its integrity has been well maintained," said Richard Sumrall, library director. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The early patron would, however, see some differences. The west wing, which was the children’s library in early days, is now filled with adult books. The original wide plank floors are gone, replaced by carpeting and a walkway of mosaic tile that matches the color of the original tile in the vestibule. The library board decided to add tile in the main building when carpeting was removed and they discovered the original vestibule floor, Sumrall said.

The patron of the past might be surprised to learn the library could no longer accommodate all its holdings or serve all its patrons in the original building and purchased the building directly behind it, across the alley, to house a very modern-looking children’s department and the adult popular collection.

Although the library was built in 1902 (and formally dedicated in 1903), the city of Lincoln has actually had a library of sorts since 1874. In that year, a group called the Lincoln Library Association, headed by Colonel Robert B. Latham, was incorporated for the express purpose of "averting and counteracting the evils of intemperance," according to the book "The Carnegie Library in Illinois," by Raymond and Linda LaPuma Bial.

Fourteen Lincoln women sold 144 shares at $10 each. Albert B. Jones was elected librarian for the sum of $150 a year, and the library opened on August 29 in a building on Kickapoo Street. Stockholders paid $2 a year for each share of stock they owned, an income which supported the library in the beginning. Later the school board also appropriated money, thereby entitling high school students to use the facility, according to Bial and Bial.

In April of 1895, the Lincoln Library Association presented all its property, about 3,000 books, to the city of Lincoln, which would provide a room for the library in the soon-to-be built City Hall. In 1897 Miss Isabel Nash, a former librarian, "bequeathed the site of her little home, the sum total of her earthly possessions, to the city of Lincoln for library purposes," the Bials report. Two years later, Mrs. Louise Scully gave the library $2,000 to purchase more books. In 1901 the city council found it necessary to appropriate $2,500 to support the library.

In the same year, no doubt because of the hard work of librarian Ida Webster, Mayor William Jones and Judge Stephen A. Foley, Lincoln became the sixth city in Illinois to receive a grant to build a new library from Andrew Carnegie. The sum was $25,000. Carnegie, a former steel tycoon, contributed more than $41 million to the construction of 1,679 public library buildings in the United States.

With the Carnegie grant and a gift of $5,000 from Judge Foley, the city of Lincoln was able to construct the present library on the site of Miss Nash’s home. For a time, the library provided materials to the public schools in Lincoln. Miss Webster, who had served the library for 55 years, retired in 1950. In 1969 the library joined the Rolling Prairie Library System in Decatur, and in 1974 opened a children’s library and community room in the remodeled basement level. The Library Annex, formerly the Woolworth Building, was purchased in 1993 and opened in 1995.

The patron of 98 years ago would be surprised to learn that the 3,000 books from the early years have grown to a collection of about 45,000; that the cost to support the library has become about $500,000 a year; and that today there are almost 12,000 people who are registered members of the Lincoln Public Library.

[Joan Crabb]       

 


Zonta Club reports on May meeting

The Zonta Club of Lincoln met Tuesday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Club. Officers and new board members were installed and new members initiated. New officers are Linda Ruff, president; Mary Thomas George, vice president; Pat Shay, secretary; and Kay Bauer, treasurer. Marilyn Armbrust, Marilyn Weingarz and Pete Smiley are new board members. New members initiated were Joyce Leesman and Lenore Holmes.

Zonta scholarships winners are Nathan Morrow, Casey Davis, Keenan Leesman and Heather Holmes.

 

 

 

 

Anne Sagins was the top fund-raiser at the recent Relay for Life of the American Cancer Society, and the Zonta team placed third. Team members were Mary Thomas George, Vera Thomas, Janet Dahmm, Janet Klockenga, Anne Sagins, Jan Sielaff, Sharon Awe, Kay Bauer and Mary Bruns. Ann Elliott, daughter of Zonta member Kathy Elliott, recorded a CD, "All is Well," to honor her mother, and donated all proceeds from sales to the American Cancer Society.

The next Zonta meeting, the annual potluck picnic, will be Tuesday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Susan Harmon. Scholarship winners will be special guests. Secret sisters from last year will be revealed, new secret sister names drawn, and there will be a white elephant auction.

 


Three LJHS students attend Governor’s Teen Summit

Lincoln Junior High School students Cara Brewer, Samantha Hudelson and Stephie Humble of Lincoln attended the Governor’s Teen Summit in Springfield early this week. Students from all over the state were chosen to attend and voice their opinions about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Selection was based on essays written by the students explaining their reasons for wanting to participate in the summit.

Based on a second essay she wrote, Samantha Hudelson was also chosen to be a Teen Leader. She led a team of eight in a discussion of tobacco and hard drugs. Samantha says the groups decided that the most effective anti-drug ads were those that used scare tactics showing the dangers of drugs. "It made me think, ‘Wow. I don’t want that to happen to me.’"

All three local students who attended are members of Helping Youth in a Positive Environment (HYPE), and are graduating from LJHS today (Thursday).

In the wake of the first Illinois death attributed to a new fad drug, PMA, the teenagers gathered at the summit to tell officials what messages will work to keep their age group from smoking, drinking or using drugs. The consensus among the nearly 100 seventh through 10th graders attending the two-day summit, organized by Governor Ryan, was that anti-drug messages aimed at their age group need to show more of the short- and long-term consequences "after the good time," give more facts and "shocking statistics," and point out that "most people don’t do it."

Illinois First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan opened the meeting with a challenge for the group. "What you choose is your choice," she told the young audience. "You are bombarded with messages that tell you what to do, what to wear, what to drink and where to go," she said, adding, "We are here to ask what kinds of messages don’t help you and what can we, as adults, do to help you make the best decisions for you."

The teens got right to work Sunday afternoon coming up with their "rules" for the state to use when advertising or otherwise communicating with teenagers about cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs.

On their list was to not only tell teens to say "no," but to show them realistic situations they can relate to and how to handle them. They also said that more needs to be done to target parents to get them to understand the importance of talking to their children about how to handle situations and to be better role models when it comes to smoking, drinking and drugs.

After developing their advertising "rules," the summit participants actually created their own no-use message ads.

One group developed a print ad picturing a parent lying in a hospital bed, child by her side, with the copy reading, "When you smoke, you aren’t the only one who suffers."

A television commercial another group wrote was of a beauty pageant contestant who smiles to reveal yellow teeth. The host, wearing a gas mask, asks about her new perfume. In answer to a question about what she does in her spare time, the contestant remarks, "I’ve managed to isolate myself from my family and friends, plus I spend most of my paycheck to support my addiction."

In addition to offering their suggestions to the state about what kinds of messages teens need to hear about drugs, they participated in a freewheeling town hall meeting. Moderator Merri Dee, director of community relations at WGN-TV, Chicago, engaged the group in a discussion that ranged from what they think is the right age to begin talking to children about drugs to how they feel when they see adults around them smoking, drinking or using drugs.

Teenage Research Unlimited, a Northbrook-based research company specializing in the teen market, designed the summit program to elicit specific information that will be used by the state to design a social marketing campaign aimed at reducing teen drug use through prevention.

The Governor’s Teen Summit was organized as part of the state’s Futures for Kids program, the statewide resource for programs and policies related to the health, safety and education of infants, children and teens. Students were selected through applications sent to InTouch offices around the state.

[LDN ed.]

 


High school volleyball meeting scheduled

There will be an informational meeting Wednesday, May 31, for ninth to 12th graders interested in playing high school volleyball. After the meeting at 6 p.m., the girls will scrimmage until 8 p.m. The parents and players will have a chance to meet the coaches and ask questions. For more information, call Charissa Howe, head coach, at the high school. Leave a message on her voice mail at 732-4131, extension 345.


June blood drives scheduled

Faith Lutheran Church, 2320 N. Kickapoo in Lincoln, will host an American Red Cross blood drive Thursday, June 1, from 12 to 6 p.m.

Two blood drives in June will be at the Lincoln Sports Complex. The drive Wednesday, June 7, will be from 12 to 6 p.m. Another will be Wednesday, June 21, from 12 to 5 p.m.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Emden will host a blood drive Friday, June 16, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Donors have the opportunity every 56 days to touch someone’s life by giving blood – the gift of life. If you wish to make an appointment for any of these drives, you may call 800-728-3543, extension 1441.

During May, the following persons reached goals in their blood donations: Richard W. Reiners and Georgia Zeisneiss, five gallons each; L. Anders and Diane Campbell, two gallons each; and Curtis Sutterfield, Julie Albers and Patty Huffer, one gallon each.

 


United Way announces golf outing

The fourth annual golf outing for United Way of Logan County will be Friday, June 2, at Lincoln Elk’s Country Club. Tee-off time for the four-person best ball scramble is 12:30 p.m. Only soft spikes are allowed. Fees are $75 per golfer, $300 per team and $50 to sponsor a tee. The entry fee includes beverages, dinner and prizes. For an entry form or further information, people can contact the United Way office at 735-4499 or Ron Hall at 735-4072. The deadline to enter is May 31.

 

 


Diabetes and congestive heart failure support groups offered

Anyone interested in joining a diabetes or congestive heart failure support group is invited to attend an organizational meeting for the two groups on Monday, June 5, in Conference Room A at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Family members are encouraged to attend.

Both support groups will establish regular meeting schedules during the initial meeting. The support groups will discuss various topics including medicine information, lifestyle changes and other topics decided on by group members. For more information about either support group, please call Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital at 217-732-2161, extension 199.

 

ALMH accepts applications for summer teen volunteers

Applications are currently being accepted for this summer’s teen volunteer program at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

Teen volunteers work throughout the hospital, performing a variety of duties in many different departments. To be eligible for the program, teens must be an eighth grade graduate and must complete an application form that includes personal references. All teen volunteers must also complete the training session scheduled on Friday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the hospital.

Applications are available at ALMH from Barbara Dahm, director of volunteer and special services. Applications should be filled out and returned in person to the volunteer office as soon as possible. A brief interview will be conducted at that time. For more information, call 217-732-2161, ext. 184.

 

Fore-ALMH Golf Outing scheduled

The sixth annual Fore-ALMH Golf Outing will be Friday, June 23, at the Elk’s Country Club golf course.

The outing is a four-person scramble with a morning and afternoon shotgun start. The $75 entry fee includes greens fees, cart, lunch and great prizes. Proceeds for the event benefit the Care-A-Van non-emergency transportation system of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital (ALMH).

Special guests at this year’s outing include Denver Johnson, ISU football coach; Sandra Dehner-Wheeler, State Farm Rail Classic LPGA director; Jenny Yopp, ISU women’s basketball coach; and Lynn Baber, ISU assistant women’s basketball coach.

For registration and sponsorship information, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation at 217-732-2161, extension 405.

 


Lincoln Rotary Club honored for its community service
    At its annual District Conference in Champaign this past weekend, Rotary International gave awards to area clubs. One of the winners was the Lincoln Rotary Club, recognized for its service to the community.

As one of its projects, the Lincoln club took a chartered bus-load of 20 economically disadvantaged District 27 students to a Cubs game in Chicago. Local club member Gene Frioli was one of the adults who accompanied the children on last summer’s bus trip. "For a lot of these kids it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Frioli. "And what better way to spend a summer day than to watch a ball game at historic Wrigley Field around some adults."

This year’s Rotary bus trip is scheduled for Friday, July 21. The day’s activities will also include a trip to Sears Tower.

A second major project this year focuses on literacy and aims to help kindergarteners and their families. The Lincoln Rotary Club will be providing the book "Kindergarten Kids" to all incoming kindergarten students in District 27, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Chester-East Lincoln, Zion Lutheran and Carroll Catholic schools. Youngsters and their parents can read the book together in the weeks before school begins to better prepare the children for kindergarten activities. A companion book, "When You Go to Kindergarten," will be provided for all the kindergarten teachers in the participating schools.

Other community service projects for the Lincoln Rotary Club include cleaning up the stretch of Lincoln Parkway from Union to Fifth Street, and providing several scholarships to students from the community.

 

 


Students participate in Job Fair 2000

Graduating high school seniors and other students participated in Job Fair 2000 at Lincoln College on May 23. The steering committee partnered with a variety of businesses, agencies and institutions for the event, initiated through Lincoln/Logan Promise. The program was "Marketable Skills Through Effective Education."

The students attended sessions on planning, applying for, getting and keeping jobs. The sessions included job resources, application blank completion, resume and cover letter writing, job acceptance, budgetary considerations and interpersonal skills for staying on the job. A formal luncheon featured appropriate etiquette for dining with an employer. During the luncheon, a style show of appropriate attire for the interview and for work included cost-effective wardrobes obtained at local businesses. After a presentation on what to do and what not to do when being interviewed, a variety of business people conducted mock interviews to give students experience.

Forty individuals from 25 organizations participated in the event, and 20 students were involved in the activities. The steering committee and a group of high school students called S.O.A.R. (Setting Our Actions Responsibly) initiated the event. The goal was a project that resulted from a national organization, America’s Promise, the Alliance for Youth, which incorporates students and the community in activities that inspire success for students. Financial supporters included Health Families Task Force, Heartland Education-to-Careers Regional Partnership, Heartland Tech Prep and Lincoln Kiwanis.

 


Central Illinois Bank opens Lincoln facility

Officials for Central Illinois Bank announce the opening of their newest facility located at 428 Keokuk, in Lincoln, Illinois.

Bank staff includes Wally Reese, senior vice president business development; Kay Bauer, retail banking officer; Cindy Anderson, teller supervisor; and teller staff. Reese, well known in the Lincoln community, was president of Magna Bank prior to joining Central Illinois Bank.

The new facility is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the drive-up lanes Monday through Friday. The phone number is (217) 735-5494.

Central Illinois Bank is a full service bank offering a wide array of commercial and personal financial services. Julie Dreesen, president of Central Illinois Bank, said the company views Lincoln as an excellent market, one that fits well into Central Illinois Bank’s business banking approach. “Our growth in Central Illinois is largely attributed to our commitment to commercial business development. We believe that with Wally Reese’s leadership and quality staff, we can achieve the growth and success we have realized in similar communities”.

Central Illinois Bank has 18 locations throughout Central Illinois. The bank reported assets of $769 million as of March 31. Central Illinois Bank is a subsidiary of CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. Total assets for the corporation as of March 31 were $2 billion.

An Open House Week is scheduled for May 22 – 26 during regular banking hours. Stop in and meet the staff, register for door prizes and refreshments.

For more information, contact Julie Dreesen at (309) 699-3405 or Wanita Thompson at (309) 862-0222.

 


A helping hand at Crisis Pregnancy Center

In a small office tucked inside the Arcade Building at 513 Pulaski St., frightened young women often find a shoulder to lean on and a helping hand.

Providing these women a place to turn to when faced with an unplanned pregnancy is a group of local volunteers who give their time and emotional support at the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

"There is nothing like one-on-one contact and hugging somebody that's terrified, calming them down and helping them out," said Jennifer Boeke, who has been volunteering since January. Boeke said she believes in the center because "I believe in the sanctity of life and have had a lot of friends who have had abortions and I've seen the damage it did to their lives."

This center, one of the 11 offices under the network of the Ministry of Living Alternatives, strives to help pregnant women understand and work through alternatives, enabling them to make informed decisions about pregnancy.  The Rev. Gregory A. Roe of the World Harvest Church in Springfield, directs the non-profit corporation.  He states that it "provides education and information to the general public about Christian alternatives to abortion."

 Most women who seek help at the center are single, around 20 years old and from the lower-income bracket. But "we also occasionally see married women with children, who can't afford another pregnancy," Boeke adds.

 

 

Volunteer Jennifer Boeke displays some of the many baby items donated by local churches.

The center, a confidential, free resource for women, relies on volunteers, monetary contributions and donations to keep operating. Women of all ages and backgrounds are provided with counseling services, necessary supplies such as clothing, and medical referrals. Volunteers also provide guidance to women who find out they aren't pregnant.

"When we do get a negative pregnancy test, it's an opportunity to talk to the women. I like to direct them to their goals and how their choices in life will affect their goals. Having sex without the balance of marriage, you see more broken hearts. We always think of the damage of AIDS and such, but there is also damage to women's minds and bodies. The choices they make now will set what the rest of their life will be," she said. Boeke explains to young women about the 21 different sexually transmitted diseases, which affect more women than men. For example, although HIV, which causes AIDS, is often in the news, another virus called HPV, which nobody knows about, is a major cause of cervical cancer and is easily transmitted.

"You want to say to them -- 'You're playing with fire, with your future, with your heart and body. Empower yourself, don't just be reactionary. Think of how you want your life to be,'" she said.

If a client does find out she is pregnant, Boeke said she offers information about the necessary things like insurance.   Most importantly she offers friendship to the young woman. "One of the goals of the center is to help women. We evangelize because we're a Christian organization.  If they're pregnant we try to help them find the means and give them names of who to contact to help with prenatal care and other costs," she said

Boeke, just one of about 15 local volunteers, spends four hours a week at the center. An average shift for volunteers is two or three hours. Duties include not just providing educational information about pregnancy, sexual health and alternatives to abortion, but volunteers are also needed for tasks like answering phones. There are four trained counselors available.

Linda Nelson, executive director, said volunteers undergo training before they can assist clients and must be a well-grounded, secure, friendly and passionate person. Volunteers, who are preferably women, should not be judgmental and should be Christians, she said.

Volunteers are always needed.  Since many volunteers are students from Lincoln Christian College, volunteer numbers often sharply decrease during the summer. Even though the center tries to remain open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, sometimes here are no volunteers to man the office.

The center relies on monetary contributions from churches and individuals.  They  also provide a clothing and furniture service to help pregnant women defray some of the costs of maternity and baby clothes. Anyone can donate items and cribs, and car seats are in great demand.

Betty Isham, a volunteer since 1995, also donates about three to four hours a week when possible to the center.  "I think it's really worthwhile. Sometimes listening is all you have to do. It makes you feel good when you know you've saved a life,"  she said. Isham, who is also a counselor, said most of the girls she sees just need someone to love and support them. "We try to reassure them that the Lord loves them," she said.

Major school events like dances and the prom create an increase in the number of women seeking advice. "Especially if they're younger women living at home, they are scared. Some will just be shaking because their whole life is going to change if they are pregnant. Most girls I talk to aren't in favor of abortion but are more scared of adoption because they see it as going through the whole nine-month process and then giving up the baby," Boeke said.

Boeke, who with her husband runs a wholesale art business, has two adult children of her own, but is happy to donate some of her time each week to young women who need a friendly face and someone to talk to.

"We just want to be there and let them know someone cares," she said.


Bartmann Health Care Center hosts Medicare seminar

In recognition of National Nursing Home Week, Bartmann Health Care Center sponsored a complimentary luncheon seminar devoted to learning more about Medicare and PPS reimbursement. The two-hour seminar was Tuesday, May 16, at the Maple Club, with 35 in attendance.

According to Joyce Leesman, marketing/admission coordinator, the seminar was for physicians, hospital personnel and other health care professionals interested in better understanding the Medicare program. She explained, "This seminar helped answer questions such as: What is meant by ‘incident to’ services? What is the 30-day rule? Can a patient who spent the last four nights in the hospital be denied Medicare coverage because there was no three-day qualifying stay? What exactly are RUGS, and how do they impact Medicare coverage? These and other issues formed the core of the discussion."

Nationally recognized Medicare expert Bruce Kenton Stelzer presented the seminar. "Since its writing into law 35 years ago, Medicare has carried with it moral imperative," Stelzer said. "In recent years, meeting the health care needs of America’s rapidly aging population has brought increased focus on the financial aspects of the program, with unfortunate results. Many of those charged with implementation of Medicare benefits have come to view it strictly as a reimbursement mechanism. I believe we need to better understand the nature of our rule as health care advocates, and to that end, welcome the opportunity to discuss our ultimate goal of providing quality care to those who are often least able to represent themselves," Stelzer said.

Stelzer has held a health care administrator’s license in the state of California since 1991. Operating skilled nursing facilities ranging in size from 59 to nearly 200 beds, he has gained extensive experience in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As a California administrator, he has seen the growth of managed care, negotiating contracts, implementing programs, and successfully balancing these diverse and often challenging medical plans. As a member of the board of directors of the Orange County chapter of California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), Stelzer chaired the legislative committee for two years. In this position he coordinated efforts to advance legislation benefiting health care providers and those in their care. Stelzer’s area of expertise lies in Medicare coverage and documentation, managed care, and legislative issues and developments. His extensive knowledge and frank, humorous approach has placed him in demand as a speaker.

A $75 "Dinner for Two" gift basket was raffled at the close of the seminar, with Dr. Caffrey of Hopedale as the recipient.

[LDN ed.]

 

 


LCHS announces graduation activities

The commencement ceremony for Lincoln Community High School will be Saturday, May 27, at 7 p.m. in Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium. Jason Yarcho, class of 2001, and Anna Davision, class of 2001, will play the processional and recessional. Opening remarks will be by Lindsey Jones, followed by introduction of valedictorian and salutatorian by Ms. Joyce Hubbard, principal. Amy Rohrer will present the class gift to LCHS. Ms. Laura Horton will recognize the National Honor Society members. Superintendent Fred Plese will present the Magna Bank Senior of the Year. The LCHS choir will sing "Everybody Rejoice." This will be followed by the thank you from Autumn Feldman. The LCHS Board of Education will award the diplomas to the graduates, and closing remarks will be given by Amanda Frioli.

Everyone planning to attend the graduation will be required to have a ticket for admittance to the gym. Individuals without tickets will be able to view the graduation ceremony on the big-screen TV located in the auditorium. People entering the auditorium are asked to come in through the front entrance on Primm Road.

LCHS will have a professional photographer at the commencement ceremony to assist parents in getting a quality photo of their graduate.

 

 

 

 

 

 


LCHS student body elects officers

Lincoln Community High School recently had elections for student body officers and class officers. Elected student body president was Ben Sloot. Other student government officers selected were Matt Aper, vice president; Misty Horath, secretary; Blinn Bates, treasurer; Brittany Charette, public relations; and Jared Brown, historian.

Elected president of the senior class was Allison Leonard. Other senior class officers included Brad Widmer, vice president; Kyle Pepperell, secretary; Hilary Schweitzer, treasurer; and representatives Ann Elliott, Tommy John Gallagher, Becca Hahn, James Phelan and Kristin Petty.

Junior class officers elected were Tera Buchholz, president; Rachael Slayton, vice president; Sarah Bates, secretary; Jamey Cabit, treasurer; and representatives Jennifer Buffington, Rachel Knight, Heather Otto, Danny Schick and Lesley Skelton.

Sophomore officers elected were Blake Brown, president; Josh Gallagher, vice president; John Peters, secretary; Christina Xamis, treasurer; and representatives Izzy Carmitchel, Cliff Carnahan, Zach Gahr, Adrienne Neal and Lindsey Struebing.

Planning is currently under way for Homecoming 2000 which will be the week of September 18 to 23.

 


Lincoln Writer's Club announces first meeting

The first meeting of the Lincoln Writer's Club will be Tuesday, June 6, at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. All individuals interested in creative writing, please feel free to attend. For more information, contact Rebecca Johnson at 732-2723 or rnrjohnson@abelink.com.

 


Atlanta 4-H club invites youth from town to join

The members of the Atlanta Town and Country 4-H club invite eligible youth from town to join. Jeff Jones, the club reporter, says, "4-H isn’t just for people who live in the country. There are lots of things for a guy or a girl from town to do." Activities include cooking, growing flowers, woodworking, small engines, arts, crafts and herb gardening. For more information, people can call 217-648-2973.

 


War exhibit ends soon at Mason City museum

Only one weekend remains to visit the war exhibit at the new city museum located at 120 N. Main in Mason City. Hours are Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The Mason City Historical Society chose April and May as months to recognize area soldiers and the wars they participated in. American Legion members were guests at a recent reception in the museum. Local people have contributed generously to the exhibit, showing their own or a family member's medals, keepsakes and mementos. Local veterans honored in the exhibit served as recently as Desert Storm and as long ago as the Civil War.

Volunteers scheduled to staff the museum during open hours include  Bev Purvis, May 28, 12-2 p.m.; and Karlene Rosenstein, May 28, 2-4 p.m.

Civil War veterans will receive special recognition during Mason City's Living History Weekend on May 27 and 28 in city parks and at a graveside ceremony at the local cemetery, all sponsored by the Mason City Historical Society.

The upcoming Gordon Burhrig Day on June 17 will give the Mason City Historical Society an opportunity to share the automobile. Their museum exhibit will be changed to reflect everything about cars, especially The Cord, designed by Buehrig, who was born and raised in Mason City.

 


Civil War Living History Weekend planned at Mason City

The Mason City Historical Society will sponsor a Civil War Living History Weekend May 27 and May 28 in the city parks. Military reenactment units accepting the invitation to Mason City to date include the 85th IL Infantry, Forrests' Scouts Cavalry, 1st Texas and 9th Texas Artillery, 1st South Carolina Artillery, Shaw Ritter Nursing Tableau, Brenda Schingel Civilian Child's and Women's Tableau, Drum & Fife Corps, Sharp Shooters, Sally Belle Sutlery and Photography of St. Louis, and the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band.

The weekend will be an opportunity for the public to observe actual Civil War living conditions, as drills, demonstrations and tableaus are offered throughout the parks. There will be flag-raising and retiring ceremonies at dawn and dusk

The military troops and civilians will arrive beginning at noon Friday, May 26th through the early morning on Saturday, May 27. The public is invited as onlookers, but no official events begin until 9 a.m. Saturday with officers’ call.

Mason City Girl Scout troops will host old-fashioned children’s games in the park from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 27.

Old-fashioned food booths featuring steak and rolls, a dill pickle barrel, lemonade, root beer, oatmeal cookies, kettle corn and more will be sponsored throughout the midday Saturday by various clubs and organizations.

The sutlery/merchandise site will set up on Thursday, May 25, and will be open for service Friday through Sunday.

Saturday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m. the public is invited to attend a Civil War band performance at the park pavilion. The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band will play popular music of the Civil War era on period instruments from the late 1800s. The band,

re-created by musicians from Central Illinois, will perform, wearing the original style woolen uniforms worn during the Civil War. The highlight of the band performance will be Civil War dancing by reenactors as well as the public.

Mason City Historical Society continues to offer free dance lessons to the public every Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the local community center to help people prepare for this Civil War event. Two local seamstresses have been on hand at the dance lessons to show ideas about period costumes and take orders for those wishing to attend the ball in authentic dress. Period dress is not required, however.

Tickets for the ball are on sale at Mason City banks and businesses. The fund-raising

ball and band performance will be a family affair with educational and entertainment value. People may attend for listening enjoyment, dancing or both. In case of stormy conditions, the performance will move to indoor facilities.

Sunday morning, May 28, will begin with flag-raising ceremonies, and encampment visits will continue. At noon, the local American Legion will sponsor a ham and bean dinner at their facility. At 1:30, the community will gather at the Soldiers Monument near the newly sculptured Civil War Tree Soldier for a memorial service.

In keeping with a tradition of the late 1800s and early 1900s, the community will then be invited to participate in a processional to the local cemetery with all the units’ color guards led by Jackson Keen Post color guard. The local Mason City Ministerial Association will conduct a graveside tribute to the Civil War veterans at the central Veterans Stone erected just inside the gates. Civil War descendants, their families and friends will then have an opportunity to visit respective grave sites. The Living History Weekend will end with this cemetery ceremony.

The city of Mason City hosts the weekend, reliving one of the most tragic periods in American history. Rob Leinweber, a longtime supporter and promoter of reenactment activities, will coordinate the weekend itinerary. Events other than the band and ball performance are free to the public. Proceeds from the band performance, donations, sales of afghans and other fund-raisers are being used by the Historical Society to meet the expenses of refurbishing the Soldiers Monument and surrounding area.

For more information, contact the local Living History Weekend community coordinator, Mason City Historical Society officer Diane Bergman at 217-482-3236 or 217-482-3149.

 

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