 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] |
