 To the editor:It's a happening place, and of all places, it's in
Lincoln, Ill.!
Hotel receipts are way up! Sales tax revenue also is enjoying a
major resurgence upwardly as 2007 is becoming a very attractive
tourist boom season for Lincoln!
Many factors are written into this as to why all a sudden people
are now considering Lincoln as their place of venture.
You would think that the high gas prices would keep people from
indulging in travel and entertainment this summer, but not so in
Lincoln! Events such as the weekly Lincoln Speedway races have
packed hotels and restaurants as well as gas stations. There also
was the countywide garage sale, which was followed by Lincoln
Heritage Days.
Also note that our main source of tourist attraction has yet to
blossom upon us -- and that being the Logan County Fair, Lincoln Art
& Balloon Festival, and the railsplitting event in September.
Maybe the reason so many people are stopping in Lincoln is for
all the other activities that we take for granted but have a major
impact for our retailers and bring people to Lincoln, which is why
I'm writing this. The happenings I referred to earlier were the ones
my wife and I took in this weekend.
As we parked our car downtown, I was in awe at the large crowd of
people walking around our beautiful downtown -- many taking in the
stores that were open. After all that shopping, to stop and enjoy
the terrific food that I'll guarantee you this can only be found in
Lincoln -- and that being at Guzzardo's, Sorrento's, Hallie's and
now O'Donohue's -- is in itself very appealing to everyone!
And what might you say is the reason for all these people in
downtown Lincoln on a Saturday night?
Well, it's an attraction that we're lucky to have the last
Saturday of each month during the summer, and that is the
Railsplitter Antique Auto Club car show, at which 90-plus cars were
on display this night, which also was raising money for St. Jude's!
This was a terrific evening enjoyed by all, as hundreds of people
crowded the streets of Lincoln enjoying each other's company as well
as a great band in Country Junction.
[to top of second column in this letter]
 |
 This is a great way of not only promoting our lovely community,
but affording an affordable night of family entertainment for all!
This no doubt has added to an already impressive revenue year!
A lot of hard work by many people. Among the few are David and
Vickie Durham, Jim Loeffler Sr., John and Mary Satterfield, Main
Street Lincoln, Verl Prather Jr. and his fellow band members, but
most of all, the stores and restaurants that were open to
accommodate the influx of all these people strolling through our
streets. Thanks to all of you, it truly was a terrific evening!
The next car show is the balloon fest weekend. Come see what you
miss!
Then, if that wasn't enough to satisfy you, how about taking in a
powerful production that the Lincoln Community Theatre put on in
"Cinderella." The people associated with the Lincoln Community
Theatre need not take a back seat to anyone in the state, as this is
a top-notch organization, which, with the help of a very talented,
large group of local actors, put on several top-notch plays each
season. I can't believe it's only $10 for a show that had everyone
in attendance wanting more!
To everyone, thanks for all the hard work. I'm sure that word of
mouth will net packed houses through the Aug. 4 final production, as
this truly was an event not to miss!
My special recognition goes out to Allison Maske (Cinderella),
Victoria Baker (stepmother) and Megan Runyard (one of the
stepsisters) for their outstanding portrayal of their characters
during my viewing of the play. For myself, I feel this is the
greatest quality of an actress or actor -- to project to the viewers
that they may just very well be the people they're playing. Great
job!
So now I must rest as the weekend comes to an end, but I'm sure
there are many people leaving Lincoln this weekend telling others of
the great happenings in Lincoln and what a nice little town with
great stores and restaurants, as well as of all the friendly people
all of us living in this community are lucky to run into each and
every day!
It truly is a happening place, and it's right here in our own
backyard!
Pat O'Neill
(The above is a transcription of a handwritten article.)
[Posted
August 01, 2007]
Click here to send a note to the editor
about this letter. |
