[JUNE 13, 2001]  The Lincoln City Council has begun what promises to be an ongoing series of debates on sewer charge increases, which will be needed to pay for the $10 million loan for the upgrade of the city’s sewer plant.

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[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 13, 2001]  Ann Liesman, whose stable is located just off old Route 121 north of Lincoln, is offering riding classes through the Lincoln Park District the week of June 18 to 22.

[click here for Part 1]

At Lebanon, Ill., she recently judged an open horse show, meaning that the horses were of varied breeds. She saw many nice horses and enjoyed herself. Still she described it as a grueling experience, judging 22 classes of seven to 18 horses each in five hours, moving all the time, with only one soda and no break. The ring had not been wet down, so she worked in clouds of dust.

Donna Laroux, who worked as ringmaster, reporting the results to the announcer, asked Liesman how she picked the five winners in each class so quickly. Liesman said she knows what she’s looking for and therefore can eliminate some of the horses easily. Her biggest problem, she said, occurred when a horse she had picked for a winner made a major mistake, like misbehaving or taking the wrong canter lead, and she had to look again at other horses that she had passed over.

The number of private lessons Liesman gives varies per week. For the hour-long lessons she prefers students who are at least 7 years old. Some students ride their own horses; for others Liesman provides the mount. What she teaches depends on what the individual wants to learn. For example, she must be more exacting with a student who wants to show compared to one who wants to trail ride or pleasure ride. Although the Park District course will be Western, she also works with English style. Western riders sit a trot, for example, while English riders post a trot, sitting for one beat of the two-beat diagonal gait and holding themselves above the saddle for the next beat.

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Nancy Sprague has been taking lessons from Liesman for about six months, trying to unlearn some bad habits. Early in the training Liesman took away the bridle, forcing Sprague to ride with just a halter and lead rope until she gained a lighter hand. Now she works on turning the horse while maintaining speed. Liesman instructs her to use her arms like levers, one pulling back to turn and the other moving forward to give the horse some room.

The majority of the lesson is devoted to cuing the horse to change gaits. To cue a walk, Liesman explains, the rider moves his or her hand forward and squeezes with both legs. Squeezing a little harder and firmer with both legs signals a trot. The canter in English style or lope in Western, each a controlled gallop, is more difficult to cue. The rider must shift weight, cock the horse’s head slightly, squeeze with the outside leg and raise both knees. Temporarily Sprague uses a riding crop to tap the horse’s shoulder to start the canter.

Sprague sees positive results from Liesman’s instruction. "She saved my bacon more than once, because I could hear her voice in the back of my head when I was about to get in trouble," she said. That voice no doubt said something like what it is saying now:

"Shift your weight to cue him. You do not lean forward, ever."

"Keep your hands quiet and still."

"Beautiful! By George, I think she’s got it!"

[Lynn Spellman]

[JUNE 12, 2001]  ^"Squeeze with your knees."

"Sit down, sit back, give him a cue."

"Talk to your horse."

These are some of the directions that Ann Liesman calls out from the center of the indoor ring as she guides a student rider through her private lesson. Liesman, whose stable is located just off old Route 121 north of Lincoln, is offering riding classes through the Lincoln Park District the week of June 18 to 22.

[Annette Bates holds Hambone to clear the way for another rider.]

Of the 16 slots in the program, at least 15 are taken. Anyone who has completed first grade on up can take the series of five one-hour classes, offered at 9 and 10:30 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. to four students at a time. Cost of the classes is $75 for Lincoln residents and $80 for others. Students must wear a helmet and shoes with heels.

New students will learn to walk and trot. More advanced work is possible depending on the individual, Liesman said. She plans to use games such as Simon Says, obstacle courses and timed events to practice skills such as turning and guiding. She stresses that students absolutely must pay attention and follow directions. Otherwise, the young riders will endanger themselves.

Danny and Hawk, two of the horses to be used for the classes, belong to Liesman, while Beau and Mirage are owned by Laurie Muck and by Greg and Donna Laroux, respectively. Hawk, a recent purchase, is 12 years old; all the others are over 20. Liesman said that although it is not unusual for a horse to live past 30, most horses are no longer ridden regularly after they reach 25 to 28. However, if they are not arthritic or crippled, they can be used occasionally, especially with light riders.

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[Ann Liesman calls out lessons and encouragement from the center of the indoor ring.]

Although private students learn to clean and tack up their horse before riding and untack and brush afterwards, time does not permit these activities at the group classes. Annette Bates, who boards her Morgan, Hamlet (called Hambone), at the stable, stressed the importance of saddling one’s own horse. "It’s a time for the rider to get comfortable with the horse, to sense if something is wrong," she said.

Bates and Katie Muck will help Liesman get the four horses cleaned and saddled by 9 a.m. for the classes. They may also help spot the horses in the ring, but Liesman will do all the instruction.

She was trained by Charlotte Stubblefield of Atlanta, one of the premier horsewomen in the country at the time. Liesman also worked for Stubblefield for a year and has 50 years of experience as a rider. At age 3 she rode a draft-type horse by herself at Holzwarth’s Neversummer Ranch in Colorado. She said that when the horse would bend its head for a bite to eat, she would often slide down its neck and land on the ground. Then someone would put her back on, and she was ready for another trail.

(To be continued)

[Lynn Spellman]

[click here for Part 2]

[JUNE 11, 2001]  Another Logan County candidate is seeking the appointment as 90th District state representative to succeed John Turner, who resigned after being appointed a 4th District Appellate Court judge. Lois Olson, a lifelong Elkhart resident who has worked for the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions for the last 15 years, has announced that she, too, would like the appointment.

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[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 9, 2001]  Thinking about a train trip this summer? If you want to leave from Lincoln, don’t plan to ride Amtrak’s 9:20 a.m. Texas Eagle to Chicago.

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[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 9, 2001]  Sen. Bob Madigan has been named to a special, temporary Senate committee which is being asked to find solutions to the financial crisis facing the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program.

Madigan, who chairs the Senate Insurance and Pensions Committee, was named chairman of the special panel by Senate President James "Pate" Philip on Wednesday. Retired teachers covered by the program are facing the prospect of significant premium increases because of the plan’s financial problems.

"It will be our task to assess the financial health of the program," said Madigan, R-Lincoln. "Once we get an accurate picture of TRIP’s status, we can begin offering proposals to address the problem. Our goal should be to keep TRIP a viable, stable plan that offers affordable health-care coverage. Hopefully, we will be ready to take specific action during the fall veto session."

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In addition to Madigan as chairman of the Special Senate Committee on the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program, President Philip appointed Sens. Stan Weaver, R-Urbana; Tom Walsh, R-LaGrange Park; and Dave Syverson, R-Rockford to the panel. Four additional senators are to be named to the committee by the Senate minority leader. Other committee members will include representatives of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Association of School Administrators and the director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

The committee is directed to discuss options
for the financial future of TRIP and report its recommendations to the Senate no later than
Nov. 1.

[News release]

[JUNE 8, 2001]  Paul Beaver, chairman of the Video Committee for the Looking for Lincoln project, announced at the meeting on Wednesday, June 6, that he has interviewed three good video companies that have the potential to complete a video by September. Another company from Springfield has also applied for an interview.

Plans are under way to solicit local residents to participate in the video, decide on local sites and also locate pictures that depict Lincoln’s involvement in Logan County. The video is expected to last 15 to 20 minutes. Scenes which will be in the video include Postville Courthouse where Lincoln practiced law, the Stage Coach Inn in Middletown, Edwards Trace on Elkhart Hill, Mount Pulaski Courthouse, the Lincoln Depot and many other locations.

[Pictured with Richard Schachtsiek, Postville Courthouse site manager (center), are Cathy Hawkinson, wife of Dave Hawkinson of Corn Belt Energy Corporation, and Stu Churchill of Menard Electric Cooperative. Hawkinson and Churchill are involved in the volunteer program at the Postville Courthouse in Lincoln.  Photo and caption courtesy of Illinois Country Living magazine.]

Shirley Bartelmay, chairman of the Postville Cluster Committee, reported that Postville Courthouse Site Manager Richard Schachtsiek, Cathy Hawkinson and Stu Churchill are involved in the volunteer program at the Postville Courthouse and were recently featured in the Illinois Country Living Magazine. Schachtsiek, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency’s site manager for both the Postville Courthouse and Mount Pulaski Courthouse, states as following in the article: "Mount Pulaski was the first county seat and was used in the circuit for approximately seven or eight years in the 1840s. In 1853, the county seat was moved to Lincoln because it was the largest and busiest town in Logan County."

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Lincoln College has received a grant of $1 million to use for expansion of the Lincoln College Museum. Ron Keller, museum director, advised the group the new museum will be 6,000 square feet in size. He has already received two new Lincoln items to place in the museum. It is expected that many additional visitors will stop at the museum, which is currently located in the Lincoln College McKinstry Library building about a mile south of Old Route 66 at the Nicholson Road exit.

Larry Steffens, chairman of the Lincoln Statue Committee, reported that he has contacted many representatives in the county, covering different areas, such as tourism, city and county government, Chamber of Commerce, motel owners, service stations, retailing, and engineering and structural firms. The committee has estimated that 150 to 250 acres will be needed for an appropriate site for the theme park.

The next Looking for Lincoln meeting will be Wednesday, June 20, at 7 p.m.

[Kathleen McCullough]

[JUNE 8, 2001]  The Logan County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency celebrated the completion of its facility at an evening dedication Wednesday, May 30. The Crisis Management Center was dedicated in the memory of Larry Shroyer. A number of people came forward at the dedication to offer words of reflection and praise about the development of the new ESDA program and facility.

[Click here for more photos from the ESDA dedication]

[click here for Part 1]

Larry Shroyer was posthumously honored for the night

Fulscher struggled, obviously overwhelmed by the memory of this uncommon man, Larry Shroyer. Shroyer had much to do with the development of our disaster agency as it is today and, on a personal note, was a longtime family friend and personal model of community service to Fulscher. The plans, the acquisition of equipment and the building space all had Shroyer’s visionary hand on them. "If not for Larry Shroyer, this entire lower-level floor of the Safety Complex which is used for the disaster agency, including this Crisis Management Center meeting room, would not exist," proclaimed Fulscher.

Shroyer was credited for using his many talents, his foresight and ambition toward helping many community projects, and, above all, he was noted for "getting things done." He solicited federal funds and volunteer help. Some of his accomplishments include gaining $200,000 for the airport, funding and organization for the local blood bank, and he is known honorably for reporting a murder as a witness. The accused was found guilty.

Schroyer developed the first
emergency operations plan

His model decision-making thought, "What’s best for citizens?" has led to practices that are still followed today. Fulscher marveled, "It amazes me that to this day much of the planning that Larry Shroyer did in the ’50s through the ’70s are still what we use today. He knew people, and he put that much thought into his plans that they only need to be changed into modern-day application."

Logan County Board member Doug Dutz, in charge of the Logan County ESDA/Law Enforcement Committee, spoke a few words. He recounted what was once said here, "Things happen, but we don’t have a way to deal with them."

"At one time we had no dive equipment," said Dutz. "Larry Shroyer saw that need and was instrumental in getting equipment."

Those plans continue to be
amplified today

Today Dutz heartily credits Fulscher for his leadership, saying, "Working with Dan, we’ve really gotten a lot done!"

Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis praised Fulscher, saying, "We are really fortunate to have such an honorable and public servant."

Macon County ESDA Coordinator Phil Anello complimented Fulscher for all his assistance, saying, "I have gained about 90 percent of my training working with Logan County ESDA during my four years as Macon County coordinator." Anello first came over to meet with Fulscher and gain some information and training due to the numerous disaster incidents in Logan County.

In the last four years Fulscher has also called on Anello to come help us. Fulscher said, "He has been a great help coming over assisting with a number of Logan County disasters." Anello and Fulscher have it worked out that should either county be affected by a disaster, the other county would have somewhere to go for assistance.

"I’m sure this room is going to be useful. Of course, we all hope this room will never be used, but we all know this is not so," Anello stated. "We can’t keep tornadoes or anything else from striking."

Fulscher said that he relied heavily on the leading of Pat Keane, regional coordinator of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Keane was invaluable in getting Fulscher going in the right direction when he first stepped into the job. Keane assisted Fulscher with developing training for departments and laying out a five-year plan for ESDA. "Pat led me to where grant money could be found and told me how to get it," Fulscher acknowledged. He added, "We were just the soldiers."

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Anello stated that he has been impressed with the project support by local government in Lincoln and Logan County and praised them saying, "They really deserve the credit for their commitment."

Shroyer’s nephew, Darwin Shroyer, was present to receive the honorable acknowledgments of Shroyer’s efforts that continue to benefit all of us in Logan County to this day.

Fulscher took a moment to appreciate the wonderful talents of the people who are manning the office on a day-to-day basis. Diane Ruff was recognized for her diverse abilities, willingness to take care of a multitude of tasks and keeping the office running smoothly. Terry Storer, who started in December, provides a great counterbalance with his "patient, calm, reassuring, dedicated manner."

In closing, Dan Fulscher said, "I’d like, as my goal, to be remembered as Larry Schroyer is remembered. I’d like to share with you 13 characteristics that were attributed to him."

1. Hard worker
2. Professional
3. Kind
4. Nice
5. Strong
6. Determined
7. Sinner
8. Powerful
9. Leader
10. Fun
11. Never forgotten

12. Friend

But the 13^th is Larry in a nutshell, the way he would like to be remembered:

Paul Beaver recalled with humor the intensity that Shroyer had when he saw a thing that needed to be done. The time was the ’70s, and Beaver was sitting on the Logan County Board with Shroyer. Shroyer recognized that coordinating an ambulance service between city and county would have benefits to all. He arranged to meet with representatives from both sides, knowing that such a concept was likely to meet with great differences of opinion, and he prepared for it.

Present for the meeting were Everett Cherry, Logan County Board member in charge of Civil Defense, and board member Bud Behrends. Joining them from the city were Harold Fulscher and Rene Hoagland. Shroyer presented his plan, it was discussed and voted on in 10 minutes, and it was over! Having prepared to battle for it, it was very strange. "He really didn’t know what else to do when it was done!" Beaver chuckles.

While many may not know whom to credit, one of Shroyer’s most notorious contributions to Lincoln’s legends is the fabled telephone booth that sits atop Lincoln City Hall. Also known as one of Lincoln’s "Seven Wonders," it was Shroyer's practical idea of tornado protection. Joanne Marlin laughs as she recalls when Shroyer recruited her as a volunteer for ESDA. He said to me, "The first thing to learn is to go up on the roof, and if you see bad weather, you get in that phone booth and call me. I’ll sound the siren!"

City Hall has been remodeled around that telephone booth, and the roof, the telephone and his method of person-to-phone booth-to-person communication is still used to this day.

Some things never change, and some things shouldn’t. Mr. Shroyer saw to that.

Thank you, Larry!

[News release]

Larry Shroyer Crisis Management Center dedication completes ESDA plan

[JUNE 7, 2001]  The foresight and steady efforts of many Logan County public servants have brought forth a facility and agency that we can take great pride and assurance in. With the completion of the Crisis Management Center in the lower level of the Logan County Safety Complex, our county has become one of the most disaster-prepared counties in the state. The room has been dedicated in memory of the late Larry Schroyer. It brings to completion a long-worked-at, multi-stage project.

Logan County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Director Dan Fulscher spoke with obvious enthusiasm and appreciation for all those who have had a hand in the development of the agency, equipment and its facility. He spoke of many wonderful people who had vision for the future, assisted in disaster planning, aided in acquiring federal funding, and lots of interagency cooperation between city, county and state.

[New Crisis Management Center room]

Some history

Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, once called the Civil Defense, provides training and coordination between city, county and state emergency agencies. They serve as incident coordinators for police, fire and ambulance/paramedic services in disaster situations. The present-day institution serves to protect and aid Logan County citizens in the event of a manmade or natural disaster.

When Fulscher first took over the work at ESDA as director, Logan County had its share of disasters, but since that time we have become the highest disaster-struck county in the state south of I-80. Since 1993 we have had 13 disaster declarations: five gubernatorial, seven local and one presidential (the snowstorm of Christmas ’97).

Recent ESDA goals and developments

The latest protocol began when Fulscher stepped into the position of director. He first sought the guidance of several experienced authorities and developed a working plan.

Step 1

Train all local government leaders to work together in case of an emergency. The new Lincoln mayor, Beth Davis, will soon undergo her training for city leadership in the event of a disaster.

Step 2

Hazardous material management has become included in all today’s training.

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Step 3

Emergency management training for all individual agencies as well as combined departments is accomplished through regularly scheduled mock disaster exercise days with all the agencies and departments working together.

Step 4

Remodel the lower level of the Safety Complex (CMC) to be ready after the training and planning is completed.

[Dan Fulscher]

Fulscher explains that before beginning his task of meeting the ESDA goals, he chose a model structure: "I learned something; if you look at this as an arrow, the government — state, county and city — officials are the straight body of the shaft; all the crisis-activated supporting agencies such as the police department, fire department, sheriff’s department and so on are the feathers on the arrow; ESDA is the arrowhead. It becomes a workable model."

The entire lower level of the facility now fully supports emergency disaster efforts for Logan County, and in particular it is the newly dedicated room that is of specific value as a central command center, a location for leadership to meet and communicate effectively in an emergency disaster situation.

Fulscher says, "Larry Shroyer brought this diamond to our county, and now we are just shining it up!"

(To be continued)

[News release]

[click here for Part 2]

[JUNE 7, 2001]  Citing "problems that can’t be solved," two homeowners on Campus View Drive are asking the city of Lincoln to provide them with hookups to the city’s sewer system.

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[Joan Crabb]

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