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Eagle exhibit on display at library

[APRIL 16, 2002]  The Illinois Audubon Society’s traveling exhibit on eagles is now on display at the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St. The display is in the Annex and can be seen during library hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

North America’s bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States, is at last making a comeback after its precipitous decline in the mid-1900s. In the 1800s, bald eagles were widespread throughout Illinois, building nests and raising their young. But by the mid 1900s they were on the endangered species list.

[Photos by Joan Crabb]

Today these magnificent birds, having a 6- to 7-foot wingspan, standing 3 feet long from head to tail, and weighing 8 to 10 pounds, can once again be seen in Illinois.

Because of the widespread use of DDT and other pesticides, eagles and some other raptors (birds that kill and eat other animals) became endangered in the lower 48 states. The chemicals washed into rivers and streams and became concentrated in fish, the eagle’s favorite food. The eagles ate the contaminated fish and began laying eggs with shells so thin they would break before they could hatch. Some birds were also illegally shot and poisoned.

Since the ban on DDT, these birds have begun to increase in numbers and can now be seen in Illinois, especially in winter, along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Along the Illinois River, they can be seen at Starved Rock State Park, Rice Lake and Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. The birds especially like areas below dams that provide open water where they can catch fish. Many of the eagles that winter in Illinois will migrate to the upper Midwest and Canada for nesting in the spring, but several pairs are nesting in Illinois once more.

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Bald eagles can live for 30 years in the wild and often mate for life. They like to return year after year to the same nesting site, a platform of sticks and branches high above ground, usually near water. Both parents feed and care for the young.

These birds do not mature and acquire their adult plumage, the distinctive white head and tail and huge yellow beak, until they are about 4 years old. Until that time, young bald eagles are brownish-black, although they are as big as adult birds.

The golden eagle, the other species found in the lower 48 states, is brown with a golden wash over the back of the head and neck. This bird is rare in the East but is fairly common in the West, where it lives in mountainous areas and hunts for small mammals, snakes, birds and carrion.

[Leslie Starasta reads about bald eagles at the Lincoln Public Library display.]

The Illinois Audubon Society, founded in 1897, is one of the oldest conservation groups in the Midwest. It focuses primarily on state and local issues, working to preserve habitat, promote good conservation practices, and foster an appreciation of wildlife through its education program. It is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society. The traveling exhibits are funded, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Division, which is also supported by the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund.

The Illinois society is a non-profit organization, and contributions are tax deductible. Information can be obtained from its headquarters at Illinois Audubon Society, P.O. Box 2418, Danville, IL 61834-2418, or on the website, www.illinoisaudubon.org.

[Joan Crabb]

‘Treemendous Tree’ Contest

[APRIL 9, 2002]  The Logan County Master Gardeners are springing forward with several activities to promote horticulture in the county. Mark your calendars for April 27, when they will have a plant sale, planned to become an annual event. Perennials and houseplants will be available for purchase at the Extension office located at 980 Postville Drive.

The group will celebrate Arbor Day by sponsoring several activities April 30 through the first of May. Kickoff of the Arbor Day activities will be on April 30. Larry Mayhan, author of "In Search of Big Trees," will be the guest speaker at the Logan County Extension building at 7 p.m. This meeting is open to the public, and you are cordially invited to attend.

The Master Gardeners are also sponsoring a "Treemendous Tree" Contest, searching out the biggest trees of Logan County. All residents and property owners of Logan County are eligible to enter. Entry forms will be available at local banks and businesses throughout the county. Entries will close May 3, with trees being measured the following week and certificates awarded. [See more information on the tree contest.]

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Don’t know where to put those plants you bought at the plant sale? The Master Gardeners will host a garden walk in Lincoln on June 8. Eight beautiful gardens in Lincoln will be featured. Highlights include gardens with water features, antique roses and the Scully estate. The gardens are truly inspiring and will give you many great ideas as well as an enjoyable day about town.

It is the goal of the Master Gardeners to encourage citizens of Logan County to develop a greater appreciation for horticulture in their community. Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Classes will begin this fall. The group encourages all people who are interested in gardening to "grow" along with them.

If you have any questions, please direct them to John Fulton at 732-8289.

[News release]

[APRIL 10, 2002]  ^"Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales." Stephen King. Scribner. 459 pages.

Review by Bobbi Reddix

Stephen King’s latest work, "Everything’s Eventual," is currently on the New York Times bestseller list, and the reason becomes obvious after reading this collection of stories.

Generally when doing a book review, I like to review books by little-known authors in an attempt to introduce readers to some great new or little-known authors of fiction. But in the case of this book, I was compelled to urge the readers of short stories to give it a try.

A lot of us die-hard Stephen King fans have been a bit disappointed with his last few books, but I am pleased to say that he does not disappoint with this latest work.

"Autopsy Room 4" is a classic horror tale. It doesn’t need guts and gore to make it work. The suspense throughout keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story is classic and predictable, but it’s still a thrill to go along for the ride. In this story we meet Mr. Howard Cottrell, who awakens to find himself confused, in the dark and totally paralyzed. The sounds of the voices surrounding him suggest that the darkness is caused not by some temporary blindness but by the fact that he is currently inhabiting a body bag. As suggested by the title, that body bag is on its way to "Autopsy Room 4."

"Riding the Bullet" is the story of Alan Parker, who is hitchhiking across the country to see his dying mother and winds up taking a very different journey from the one he originally planned.

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"LT’s Theory of Pets" is a delightfully humorous story in which LT uses his theory concerning cats, dogs and their relationship with their owners as an indication of the owners’ relationship to one another. Unfortunately for LT, but fortunately for the reader, the story doesn’t remain humorous for very long.

"The Man in the Black Suit" is one of my favorites in this collection. It evokes memories of tales once used to scare little boys and girls into being good. A young boy goes fishing one day and happens upon the devil…

"The Death of Jack Hamilton" takes us to a day in the life of the infamous Johnnie Dillinger.

"The Little Sisters of Eluria" is an eerie tale that complements King’s "Dark Tower" series. It’s a must read for followers of King’s character Roland from that series.

"Everything’s Eventual" deals with an unpopular youth with a remarkable talent who is offered the chance of a lifetime — to help rid the world of evil. He soon begins to regret his choice.

In this collection of short stories Stephen King masterfully uses a mixture of humor and horror in a way that only he can. The subjects of his stories range from gunslinger to divorcée to salesman to nerdy teenager, but King manages to take each of these characters and put them in situations that quickly change from humorous to horrifying.

[Bobbi Reddix, Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

Lincoln College Theatre Department presents the drama ‘The Hostage’

[APRIL 16, 2002]  Lincoln College Theatre Department will present the drama "The Hostage" on April 18-20 at 8 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. at the Johnston Center for Performing Arts on the college campus. Professor Jerry Dellinger directs the play.

"The Hostage," by poet Brendan Behan, is a play about a Cockney soldier held as a hostage in a Dublin lodging house in exchange for an IRA man who is to be hanged in Belfast. Civic Guards accidentally shoot him in a raid on the house. It is a witty and often profound comment on Anglo-Irish relationships and on the Irish themselves. This is Behan’s best-known and most popular play and a classic of the modern stage. The show is funny, bizarre, unconventional and, at times, extremely touching. The London Sunday Times called the play "a masterpiece … it shouts, sings, thunders and stamps with life."

Show time is at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 for children and senior citizens. To reserve tickets, call (217) 732-3155, Ext. 280, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

[Lincoln College news release]

Next exhibit at Lincoln College

[APRIL 11, 2002]  Lincoln College presents its annual exhibit of student photography from April 11 to 19 in the Layman Gallery of the McKinstry Library on the college campus.

The public is cordially invited to the opening and reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 11.

Regular hours are 3:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. The gallery is closed on Saturday.

For more information, call (217) 732-3155.

[Lincoln College news release]

[Photo by Brooke Huskins]

‘Anything Goes’

[APRIL 10, 2002]  Theatre 7, Decatur’s Community Theatre, will present "Anything Goes," a deliriously witty festival of songs and rollicking humor. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. April 14 and 21 at the Decatur Civic Center Theatre.

The story unfolds on a luxury ship making the Atlantic crossing in 1934. A society girl is caught between her fiancé and her boyfriend, a nightclub queen, a bevy of Times Square sirens and a slightly nervous gangster.

Songs include "I Get A Kick Out of You," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and "You’re the Top."

Music and lyrics are by Cole Porter. The book was written by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse.

Auditions for summer shows

[APRIL 9, 2002]  Lincoln Community Theatre is looking for local talent to sing, dance and act in its summer 2002 productions. Singing and non-singing roles are available.

If auditioning for a role in one of this summer’s musical productions, individuals should have a song prepared. An accompanist will be available. Individuals should also be prepared to learn a few basic dance steps at the audition.

Those auditioning for non-singing roles will be required to do cold readings from the script. Scripts may be viewed at the Lincoln Public Library two weeks prior to each audition. Library scripts may not be removed from the building.

All auditions will be conducted at St. John Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St. in Lincoln.

Production and audition dates are as follows:

•  "Hello, Dolly!"

Performance dates: June 14-22

Auditions:

•  Friday, April 12, 6 p.m.

•  Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.

•  Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m., callbacks only

You will be asked to sing a song, your choice or one from "Hello, Dolly." You will also be taught a simple dance (you do not need to prepare one). The director is looking in the age range of 25 to 60, but all are welcome to audition.

•  "Dearly Departed"

Performance dates: July 12-20

Auditions:

•  Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m.

•  Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.

The director is looking for actors age 20 and above. There will be four to six men, six to eight women, a trio of singers and a part for one teenage girl. There are lots of parts for older mature actors. People auditioning should plan to be there for entire audition session (1½ to two hours).

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[Judy Rader, LCT publicity chairman]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s website is at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html. Pictures from past productions are included.  The LCT mailing address is Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656.  E-mail: lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.

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