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Brown steps down at State Bank; Aughenbaugh chosen as new president

[NOV. 26, 2001]  Terry J. Brown, president and chief executive officer of State Bank of Lincoln, will retire the first of January. Chosen to be the new chief executive is Steve Aughenbaugh, currently department head for commercial and installment loans.

A Dec. 14 open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at the bank’s main building, 508 Broadway, will honor Brown and his years of service. It will be "Terry’s afternoon" at State Bank, Aughenbaugh affirmed.

 

Brown said his most significant achievement is the growth the bank has experienced during his 17-year tenure. When he was appointed president and CEO in November 1984, the bank had total assets of $61.6 million, total deposits of $52.4 million and total loans of $27.7 million. These have increased to assets of $168 million, deposits of $140 million and loans outstanding of $106 million. During the same period, total equity capital, or net worth, of the bank has more than quadrupled, from $5 million to $22 million.

Aughenbaugh said of Brown’s success, "The big benchmark is in the numbers, the growth and the performance of this bank since Terry has been at the helm." Though Brown gives credit to many others, Aughenbaugh added, "He has been the president all those years during that growth."

 

Brown noted that the bank is nearing its centennial. Founded in 1904, it has "never, ever missed" paying an annual dividend, he said, even during the Depression.

Brown plans to continue to live in Lincoln and stay active in the community, including continuing on the board of State Bank. His community activities include being a member and former board member of the Elks, past board member of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, former chairman of the board of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, board member of Memorial Medical Center in Springfield and past board member of St. Clara’s Manor.

 

While maintaining their home in Lincoln, he and his wife, Kay, have also bought a condominium in St. Petersburg, Fla., where they plan to spend the cold weather months. Brown said he also expects to travel and to work on his golf game.

The Browns are members of Holy Family Church. They are the parents of Julie Brown of Washington, D.C., and Troy Brown of Lincoln.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at Millikin University and, like his successor, studied at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Before coming to Lincoln he was senior vice president of Corn Belt Bank in Bloomington.

 

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Aughenbaugh has been at State Bank of Lincoln slightly longer than Brown. He was named agricultural loan officer in October 1984. In 1990 he became the bank’s farm manager and in 1999 was promoted to department head for commercial and installment loans. Since joining the bank, he has helped the bank become an important agricultural lender in central Illinois.

"We consider agriculture the main industry in our community," Brown said, "The ag business is very, very important to us because that’s where the growth has been. Steve has a really good background in agriculture."

Aughenbaugh said he intends to "continue to see that State Bank of Lincoln remains as the top financial institution in Logan County, providing banking services to our communities." Emphasizing his intention to retain hometown commitment, he said local ownership plays a big part in the strength of the bank.

 

Noting that his entire career to this point has been in lending, Aughenbaugh acknowledged that his duties will change to include other aspects of the banking business. As president he will oversee the deposit side and day-to-day operations as well.

Aughenbaugh grew up on a farm near Kenney and graduated from Warrensburg-Latham High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Illinois State University. Before coming to Lincoln he worked for Pittsfield Production Credit Association, an agricultural lending institution. In 1997 he graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

He is currently treasurer of Logan County Fair Association board of directors and a member of St. Clara’s Manor board of directors, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, Lincoln Elks Lodge, Lincoln Masonic Lodge 210, Valley of Springfield Scottish Rite, Ansar Shrine of Springfield, Logan County Shrine Club and American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He is a past treasurer of Logan County 4-H Foundation and former director of Alpha Gamma Rho Beta Delta Chapter Alumni Board.

Aughenbaugh and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Laura, 11, and Evan, 8, both students at West Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary School.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

 


Lincoln sweets lovers can expect boxed chocolates by Valentine’s Day

[NOV. 24, 2001]  Construction has begun on a Russell Stover Candies store on Lincoln’s west side, and the company expects to open it around Feb. 1. The site is at 901 Heitmann Drive, along Route 10 between GB Oil Travel Plaza and Holiday Inn Express.


[Click here to visit the Russell Stover website]

Barry Eastham, western regional manager for Russell Stover, said original plans called for opening by Christmas, but progress has been slightly delayed. He said it normally takes two months to open a new store. The Lincoln store should definitely be in business by Valentine’s Day, he said.

Lincoln is outside the region Eastham normally manages, but because several eastern stores are currently in progress and none in his territory, he is in charge of the Lincoln location.

The company intends to employ 10 to 15 people locally, with the store manager to be hired first. Eastham said that Russell Stover would hold a job fair for prospective employees. No workers will be brought in from outside the area.

The store will carry the company’s full line of first-quality boxed chocolates as well as intermediates and seconds, both to be sold at discounted prices. Intermediates are overstocks or nearly outdated first-quality candies. Eastham said that seconds, which do not meet quality-control standards for appearance, offer a good value for those primarily interested in taste.

Seasonal items will include candies created and packaged to relate to specific holidays, especially Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

 

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The store will include a candy kitchen, which will feature hand-dipped candies, peanut brittle and cookies with Russell Stover candies baked in. "They’re really unique. Where else can you get a coconut cluster cookie?" asked Eastham. Another special treat is what the company calls a Storm, ice cream with candy mixed in.

Eastham said Lincoln was chosen as a location because it is a "nice town with highway access." Russell Stover Candies does not locate in major malls but prefers stores with direct access to parking. "Easy in, easy out" is convenient for customers, Eastham said.

 

Six new Russell Stover stores are currently in the pipeline. One in Lawrence, Kan., will open in two weeks. The others besides Lincoln are in Manchester, Tenn.; Shawnee, Kan.; and two in Alabama. At least six other stores have already been constructed, remodeled or expanded this year, Eastham said. The company headquarters is in Kansas City.

Roger Webster Construction, Inc., is at work on the Lincoln building.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]


Guide addresses latest round of tax-law changes

[NOV. 23, 2001]  New tax legislation signed by President Bush this year offers investors numerous opportunities to reduce their taxes as they prepare for their financial futures.

A.G. Edwards’ annual tax-planning guide, "Tax Saver," can help you uncover potential tax savings hidden within your investment portfolio. The guide — available at no cost — provides key information about income taxes, education planning, retirement and estate planning, as well as 10 tips to help reduce your tax liability this year.

Anyone interested in obtaining a free copy of "Tax Saver," which offers a complete list of tax-saving strategies available to investors and a calendar of important tax deadlines, should call the Lincoln A.G. Edwards office at (217) 732-3877 or (800) 596-0014 or see the website at www.agedwards.com/fc/tom.kissel.

[A.G. Edwards news release]


Work force, community support credited for success and expansion at Willamette

[NOV. 17, 2001]  Over 50 people gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking for a new warehouse at Willamette Industries, Inc., at the intersection of Lincoln Parkway and Fifth Street Road. Willamette General Manager Joe Nemith thanked dedicated employees for the company’s 8 percent increase since last year in a time when the industry in general is down.

"Willamette has been a member of the community for a long time," Nemith told the group of company employees, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and others. "It’s very easy to do business in Lincoln."

The 70,000-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing space is roughly triangular in shape and is expected to be completed in April, according to Nemith. It is being added on the south side of the existing building, where the railroad spur used to be located. The spur is being relocated to make room for the addition.

Nemith said Willamette has built three expansions since purchasing the plant in 1992. The plant itself has been in continuous operation since 1947. It is one of three Willamette facilities in Illinois, the other two being in Chicago. The company has spent over $50 million improving the three Illinois plants in the last five years, according to Nemith.

"Five competitors have closed their doors in the last two years," Nemith said. He credited dedicated employees and the resultant good customer base for Willamette’s growth in a period of industry decline. "We hope to be here another 53 years," he added.

Though not yet built, the addition has already increased the number of local employees. "This expansion will provide the Lincoln facility the necessary room to add additional converting capacity to the plant in 2002," Nemith said. "In anticipation of this, we have already added six new employees, who are now undergoing training. We expect to add an additional four employees after the new equipment arrives." Willamette employs about 100 people in Lincoln.

 

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General contractor for the addition is H & H Construction Services, Inc. of Carlinville, which also handled Willamette’s two previous expansions. Jim Hudson, president of H & H, said, "We are very excited to be working again for Willamette Industries. This company has been a strong asset to the Lincoln community."

Nemith stated that the expansion of the Lincoln facility "is due to the faith Willamette has in both the Lincoln work force and the community in which it is located. The dedication of our employees to Lincoln’s success and the community’s support has made this major capital expenditure a very easy decision to make."

Willamette Industries is an integrated forest products company with 105 plants located in the United States, France, Ireland and Mexico. The company owns 1.7 million acres of forestland in the U.S. and manages it sustainably to produce building materials, composite wood panels, fine paper, office paper products, corrugated packaging and grocery bags.

The groundbreaking was ceremonial and took place around a company sign on the east side of the building. In fact, ground has already been broken and leveled for the warehouse.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

 


Proposed industrial park: poll results

[NOV. 15, 2001]  On Tuesday and Wednesday, Lincoln Daily News conducted an e-mail poll. The poll’s intent was to get a general feel from the community for their first responses to the proposed industrial park. Some have said with wisdom that the economy is not conducive at this time. Others feel there is no time that is going to be good. The results are as follows:

Citizens of Lincoln and Logan County:

Are you in favor of the proposed new industrial park?

Yes — 91 percent

No — 9 percent

Comments

No:  The events of September 11 make the timing of a new industrial park a very poor decision. With the current economy, it will only be a matter of time before all segments of government will be running out of money. Not one dollar of taxpayer money should be spent on this project.

******************************

Yes:  If you stop growing and changing you begin to DIE.

******************************

Yes, I think we NEED to get moving and progressing! It is so sad to see our younger generations who go off to college, leave to never return to Logan County as their home county and possibly even leave the state. I know that not all leave the county, but IMHO, a high percentage do. We are in need of jobs in this area, and hopefully jobs that will support families ... not what happens in much of the service industry. These industries are needed, but we need a variety of jobs available.

 

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Yes, it will take some risk, but dreaming and never working toward those dreams is something like hiding our heads in the sand and hoping that we don’t suffocate or get forgotten about, while other communities grow and prosper.

I attended a meeting where Mark Smith gave an excellent presentation: Well thought out, researched, and input from some wise people, at least IMHO. He made a lot of sense.

The question of "Is this the right time to do this?" (meaning build the industrial park) reminds me of something I heard long ago in reference to a young couple — educated and in a good, stable marriage — wanting to put off having children "until we can afford them." The answer from wise older lady was, "My dear, if you wait until you can afford children, you never will have them."

Sometimes we have to just decide what it is that we want, make a feasible plan, set our minds to it, and follow through by working for it! If we can unite on a common goal and agree to work toward it, we CAN do it!!!

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Lincoln is long overdue for this type of thinking!! Building an industrial park makes far more sense than a statue of Abe Lincoln.

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[LDN]


Announcements


The Chamber Report

Chamber calendar of events for November

* All meetings are in the chamber of commerce conference rooms at 303 S. Kickapoo St. unless noted otherwise

•  Thursday, Nov. 1 — Chamber board meeting, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

•  Friday, Nov. 2 — Retailer’s Roundtable, 7:30 a.m. at Eckert’s Fine Dining

•  Saturday, Nov. 3 — Beta Sigma Phi holiday craft fair, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lincoln Park District; Casino Night, 7-10 p.m. at Lincoln College

•  Sunday, Nov. 4 — Zonta turkey dinner, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at LCHS

•  Monday, Nov. 5 — Economic Development Council, 5 p.m.

•  Tuesday, Nov. 6 — Chamber Ag Committee, 7 a.m. at Al’s Main Event

•  Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Membership drive kickoff breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m.

•  Thursday, Nov. 8 — Government/Education Committee, 7:30 a.m. at Al’s Main Event; Healthcare Committee at noon in ALMH Conference Room A

•  Saturday, Nov. 10 — Lincoln Day at ISU football, 1:30 p.m.

•  Sunday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day parade and program, noon at Logan County Courthouse

•  Tuesday, Nov. 13 — Membership drive celebration reception, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

•  Wednesday, Nov. 14 — Chamber Morning Mixer, with the industrial park proposal as the topic; 7:30 a.m. at the Tropics

 

 

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•  Friday, Nov. 16 — Membership/Mixer Committee meeting, 4 p.m. at the Depot; After-Hours Mixer, 5-7 p.m. at Sugar Creek Orthodontics

•  Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Dec. 2 — Festival of Trees, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays at Logan County Courthouse

•  Saturday, Nov. 24 — Festival of Trees Gala

•  Tuesday, Nov. 27 — Festival of Trees candlelight event at the courthouse, 6-8 p.m.

•  Thursday, Nov. 29 — Technology Committee, 8 a.m.; Executive Committee, noon at Blue Dog Inn; Lincoln Christmas parade, downtown at 7 p.m.; theme: "May Your Days Be Merry and Bright"

•  Thursday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 2 — "Christmas in the Chapel," LCCS


The Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for community progress, bringing business and professional people together to work for the common good of Lincoln and Logan County.

Bobbi Abbott, Executive Director

Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

(217) 735-2385

chamber@lincolnillinois.com
www.lincolnillinois.com


Honors & Awards


Main Street Corner News

Main Street Lincoln calendar for November

Mark your calendar with these Main Street Lincoln "Dates to Remember in November."

•  Thursday, Nov. 1 — 8:30 a.m., Festival of Trees Committee meeting at Farm Bureau; 5 p.m., work plan training at Main Street Lincoln office

•  Friday, Nov. 2 — 7:30 a.m., Retailer’s Roundtable at Eckert’s to discuss holiday promotions

•  Tuesday, Nov. 6, and Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Main Street Lincoln hosts Grant Writing/Grant Seeking Workshop for Illinois Main Street; at Eckert’s, with side trips to other locations

•  Thursday, Nov. 8 — 4 p.m., Main Street Lincoln executive meeting at office

•  Tuesday, Nov. 13 — 7 p.m., Design Committee; meet at Kickapoo Street city garage across from Latham Park; wear grubbies to help test Christmas lighting. We'll be happy for any extras who want to help.

•  Wednesday, Nov. 14 — 8 a.m., Mornings on Main at Integrity Data; 5:30 p.m., Main Street Lincoln board meeting in Union Planters conference room; 7 p.m., Looking for Lincoln Committee meeting in Union Planters conference room

•  Thursday, Nov. 15 — 8:30 a.m., Festival of Trees Committee meeting at Farm Bureau building

 

 

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•  Saturday, Nov. 17 — 8 a.m.-noon, decorate downtown with lights. We can use everyone’s help! Coffee and doughnuts provided.

•  Thursday, Nov. 22 — Happy Thanksgiving!

•  Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Nov. 25 — Retailers’ holiday open houses

•  Friday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Dec. 2 — Festival of Trees

•  Saturday, Nov. 24 — Festival of Trees Gala

•  Monday, Nov. 26 — 5:30 p.m., Economic Restructuring Committee meeting at Lincoln Public Library Pegram Room

•  Tuesday, Nov. 27 — 6-8 p.m., candlelight courthouse tours; volunteers needed

•  Thursday, Nov. 29 — 7 p.m., downtown Christmas parade

Questions? Call the Main Street Lincoln office at 732-2929 or send e-mail to manager@mainstreetlincoln.com.

Main Street Lincoln

303 S. Kickapoo

Lincoln, IL 62656

Phone: (217) 732-2929

Fax: (217) 735-9205

E-mail: manager@mainstreetlincoln.com


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Employers, you can list available jobs by e-mailing ldn@lincolndailynews.com. Each job listing costs $10 the first week, $20 for eight days to three months. There is a limit of 75 words per announcement.


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