Tuesday, December 20, 2011
 
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Residents honored by city council

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[December 20, 2011]  Monday evening before getting down to the business of the city, the aldermen of the five wards of the city of Lincoln took time to recognize residents in their ward whom they feel go above and beyond to support their friends, neighbors, community and the city of Lincoln. 

Mayor Keith Snyder opened by saying this is one of the more fun things the council gets to do each year. 

The first person to be recognized was David Lanterman by Ward 1 Alderwomen Melody Anderson and Stacy Bacon. 

While most would consider Lanterman to be a young man, he has already built quite a resume as businessman and community leader in the city of Lincoln. 

Anderson recapped Lanterman's career. He is currently the co-owner of Beans & Such with his mother, Mary Lanterman, and is the owner of the Lincoln Theater 4. Prior to these two ventures, he was also a co-owner with his sister of the Corner Cakery in Lincoln. 

He has served as a board member of Main Street Lincoln and in that organization was instrumental in promoting business in the downtown area. 

Lanterman was moved to purchase the Lincoln Theater this year when he saw the downward spiral of the theater and also became frustrated with having to leave town to enjoy a movie at a theater. 

Lanterman, along with his investors, immediately began working on restoring the theater to its former self. With several projects completed and more to come, "David has turned it around, to become a pleasurable movie experience again," Anderson said. 

Alderman David Wilmert spoke about the selection he and Alderwoman Kathy Horn had made for their honoree. He explained they had chosen a couple to receive the honor, but Bill and Kathy Vinyard were unable to be there, as they were attending a grandchild's Christmas program. 

Wilmert said it was fitting to give the honor to the couple, as probably neither one of them would have accepted it without recognition of the other. 

The Vinyards will be given the award of the 2011 city of Lincoln Christmas ornament at a later date, and Wilmert said he would speak about the couple in greater detail then.

Alderman David Armbrust spoke for himself and Alderwoman Joni Tibbs, saying they had chosen Ward 3 resident George Henrichsmeyer as their honoree. 

Henrichsmeyer began his life of service in 1927 as a Boy Scout. He continued his Scouting endeavors for 45 years, when he finally retired from the organization after having served many years as a Scout leader. 

He has also been active in the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival. 

Armbrust said there has also been a Henrichsmeyer manning the soup kettle at the Lincoln Christian Church Harvest of Talents since the inception of the event, beginning with George's father, Omer. Later George took over the kettles, and in recent years he has been joined by his son Greg. 

Henrichsmeyer is also dedicated to the Together for Lincoln program each year and oftentimes works on projects beyond the one-day event to ensure they are done well. 

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Alderman Tom O'Donohue spoke on behalf of himself and Alderman Buzz Busby, who was absent for the evening, saying the person they had chosen was one who was dedicated to the city of Lincoln. He said this person was extremely selfless with his time, and often does not get the recognition he deserves. He named Mayor Keith Snyder as the Ward 4 honoree for this year. 

Alderwoman Marty Neitzel, on behalf of herself and Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, who was absent for the evening, said their selection of a Ward 5 honoree was Ron Keller. 

Keller is a professor at the Lincoln College and the director of the Lincoln Heritage Museum on the college campus. 

Neitzel reviewed Keller's educational background as a graduate of Olney Central College and Eastern Illinois University. She acknowledged the work he has done on various books about Abraham Lincoln and Logan County. He is also the editor of the Lincoln Newsletter, a publication of the Lincoln Heritage Museum.

He has been recognized by presidents and state governors throughout his career and was awarded the 2011 Alumnus Award at his alma mater Olney Central. 

Snyder said he, too, had a couple of awards to hand out. He said this year he wanted to honor two families who have gone above and beyond to help keep their community beautiful. He said he was especially pleased to give the award to families who had taken on projects together. 

The first recipients were Gene, Sherry and Taylor Mehan, who live in the 500 block of South Elm Street. Snyder said the family has adopted Melrose Park in their community and this year worked to keep the flower gardens flourishing by tending to the flowers and hauling water to the plants as needed. The family was also involved in helping with the planting at Postville Park and Allison Park. 

They assisted with the community movie night at Melrose Park and helped with the cleanup and spruce-up of a downtown parking lot. 

The second family to be recognized by Snyder was Eric, Rachel, Benjamin and Adam Grunder, of the 200 block of Delavan Street. Snyder said the family had adopted the gardens at Veterans Park, again tending to the flower beds and carrying water to the plants. They assisted in planting at Postville, Veterans and Sycamore parks. They helped with the community night at Allison Park and volunteered with the "Our Town" celebration this summer. 

All the recipients were given a 2011 city of Lincoln official Christmas ornament, which this year featured the Lincoln Theater. 

[By NILA SMITH]

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