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Jefferson Street evening service, Joan Horrom, Brian Bishop, Santa downtown, winter vehicle preparedness drawing, ALMH bricks, Christmas at Mount Pulaski Christian, Pride & Progress nominations open, Atlanta 'Rt. 66 Reinterpreted' Art Project, St. John UCC Christmas music

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[December 22, 2012]  Jefferson Street Christian Church hosts a Sunday evening service

Jefferson Street Christian Church will host a Christmas Eve service on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 7 p.m. Dustin Fulton, the church's preaching minister, will present the message, "The End of the World as We Know It."

The service will include carols, communion and a short devotional by Fulton.

Note that in order to allow families time to travel for the holidays, this service is in lieu of the regular Christmas Eve service. This is a family service; no nursery will be provided, but a cry room is available for young families.

All are invited to attend and celebrate how Jesus brought an end to the world as we know it

The church is at 1700 N. Jefferson in Lincoln.


ALMH Auxiliary member Joan Horrom named to Illinois hospital group on volunteering

The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Auxiliary announced that board member Joan Horrom of Lincoln has been elected to the Illinois Hospital Association's Constituency on Volunteers, known as the CoV. She will serve a one-year term representing the ALMH Auxiliary.

The mission of the CoV is to enhance and expand hospital volunteerism through education. The group emphasizes educating the community and volunteer constituents on issues affecting health care. The CoV continues to strengthen the link between health systems, hospitals and the community.

Horrom has been a member of the ALMH Auxiliary for 10 years. She has volunteered at ALMH for 15 years, providing services at the information desk, Pink Shutter, ALMH Gift Shop, Mini Med Days and most recently serving as the pharmacy liaison for the infusion clinic.

The ALMH Auxiliary was organized in 1951. The organization provides volunteer services and conducts fundraising activities to support programs of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. To learn more about the ALMH Auxiliary and volunteer opportunities, contact Lynne Metz at 217-605-5701 or visit www.almh.org.


Brian Bishop named ALMH December Employee of the Month

Brian Bishop of Lincoln has been named the December Employee of the Month at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. He works as a dietary services technician.

"Brian is a very genuine, nice man who is so good to employees and visitors in the department. He is very dependable and you know you can count on him. He is very funny, always happy to tell you a joke and make you laugh or smile. He deserves to be recognized for his kind nature and hard work," said his anonymous nominator.

Bishop was born in Memphis, Tenn., grew up in Arkansas and attended high school in Tennessee. He enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, Sherri, and two daughters, Abby and Alyssa. He loves sports and collects baseball cards.

He has worked at ALMH for four years and likes working there because he feels blessed with a great work "family."

"Our organization cares about its employees, their suggestions, and I get to cook for people! It’s a job to make something good and watch people enjoy it. Most importantly, our focus is truly patient first," said Bishop.

ALMH, at 200 Stahlhut Drive, is a 25-bed critical-access hospital affiliated with Memorial Health System. The hospital employs 315 in a variety of roles. For more information about ALMH, visit www.almh.org.


Santa Claus just keeps coming to historic downtown Lincoln

The clock is ticking and the days are numbered before your Christmas shopping must be complete. With that in mind, Main Street Lincoln invites the public to continue to enjoy historic downtown Lincoln throughout the remaining holiday season. With Christmas fast approaching, downtown businesses are ready for shoppers.

Downtown Lincoln will continue to be alive with the hustle and bustle of shopping and holiday cheer. Shoppers can enjoy the convenience and pride of shopping locally.

Santa will make appearances downtown one more time, on Saturday, Dec. 22. That day he will start off at the Lincoln post office from 10 a.m. to noon, continue at the Lincoln Fire Department from 1 to 3 p.m. and finish up at Kroger's from 4 to 6 p.m.

Parents are encouraged to bring their youngsters and cameras along to see Santa, with photos welcome at all locations. Those keepsake snapshots are prized possessions for years to come.

Main Street Lincoln, a volunteer-driven organization, is pleased to participate in the holiday shopping season, promoting eateries, antique stores, thrift stores, one-of-a-kind shops, nightlife and entertainment, along with plenty of services and businesses. Stroll the festive streets, peruse the wonderful shops and find those Christmas treasures along the way.

For more information on events, the Main Street Lincoln organization can be reached at 217-732-2929 or manager@mainstreetlincoln.com. Also, information and business specials are available online at https://www.facebook.com/
MainStreetLincoln
.


IEMA, Grainger offer winter storm preparedness sweepstakes

Participants can enter to win vehicle preparedness kits

SPRINGFIELD -- Despite an unseasonably warm start to December, winter's cold, snow and ice are just around the corner. To help people get ready for winter weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Grainger are teaming up to offer an online winter storm preparedness sweepstakes. Five winners will receive vehicle preparedness kits donated by Grainger.

Grainger is North America's leading broad-line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products.

The sweepstakes is available on the Ready Illinois website, www.ready.illinois.gov. Participants must read information about winter weather preparedness and successfully complete a five-question quiz before registering for the prize drawing. The sweepstakes runs through Dec. 31. Winners will be announced in January.

"Now's the perfect time to get ready for winter weather, particularly for traveling in snow, ice and bitterly cold temperatures," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "This sweepstakes is a fun way for people to learn about winter preparedness, and five lucky people will win a preparedness kit for their car."

The vehicle preparedness kits donated by Grainger for the sweepstakes provide water, nonperishable food, flashlight, light stick, AM radio, batteries, rescue blanket, first-aid items and whistle.

"Cold weather can take its toll on individuals," said Jeff Metherd, emergency preparedness brand manager for Grainger. "Personal preparedness is important during inclement weather and year-round, and we are excited to work with the state to help promote its importance."

A winter storm preparedness guide developed by IEMA and the National Weather Service is also available on the Ready Illinois website or by calling 217-785-9925.


Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation offers bricks in lieu of coal this Christmas

Just in time for the holidays, the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation has announced that it is selling its last commemorative bricks from the old Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

The bricks cost $20 each, and proceeds benefit ALHF. Each numbered brick has a plaque and comes with a certificate. Five hundred bricks to be offered for sale were set aside during the demolition of the old hospital, and only a few remain.

A limited number of bricks are available in the administration offices at ALMH, 200 Stahlhut Drive, as well as in the ALMH Gift Shop in the hospital lobby and at the Pink Shutter, 114 N. McLean. The hospital hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the Pink Shutter is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is a community-based critical-access hospital serving the people of Logan and eastern Mason County. The Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation was formed in 1986 to support the mission of ALMH. Contributions are welcome at any time. To learn more about foundation programs, visit www.almh.org or contact Marty Ahrends at 217-605-5006.


Christmas service at Mount Pulaski Christian Church

MOUNT PULASKI -- The Christmas Eve service at Mount Pulaski Christian Church will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, in the sanctuary.


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Chamber recognizes excellence in our community

The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce invites the public to help spotlight excellence in Logan County by making nominations for the chamber's Pride & Progress Awards. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 7 to celebrate the achievements of chamber members in the continued development and improvement of Logan County..

The Pride & Progress Awards are designed to recognize outstanding achievement and promote positive awareness. The awards celebrate and acknowledge excellence, innovation, initiative, community involvement and are a thank-you to those who go the extra mile to make Logan County a great place to live, work and play.

Awards will be presented during the chamber annual dinner on Jan. 26 at the American Legion. All nominations are due by Jan. 7.

Awards are being given for:

  • Business of the Year, given to a business that contributes to the community, shows innovation and actively participates in events and projects within the community.

  • New Business of the Year, given to a business that has opened in the last 12 months and brings something new to the community, complementing and contributing to the growth of Logan County.

  • Mike Abbott Volunteer of the Year, given to a person who is involved, committed and goes the extra mile, is dedicated and selfless for the betterment of the community.

  • Beautification Award, given to a business that enhances, improves and transforms their corner of the community into a more attractive place.

  • Excellence in Service, given to a business that demonstrates a commitment to the community, its customers and its employees, giving 100 percent always.

To be eligible to receive one of the above awards, businesses or individuals must be members of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce in good standing.

You can nominate yourself or another chamber business for any of the Pride & Progress Awards. Visit www.lincolnillinois.com for a link to make your online nominations and a complete chamber membership listing. The community is invited and encouraged to make nominations for these awards.

Pride & Progress winners from annual dinner this year were:

  • Business of the Year -- Graue Inc.

  • New Business of the Year -- Anytime Fitness.

  • Mike Abbott Volunteer of the Year -- Joe Fitzpatrick.

  • Beautification Award -- Lincoln Theater 4.

  • Excellence in Service Award -- NAPA Auto Parts.

  • Ambassador of the Year, Marcia Cook.

The chamber's annual dinner and the Pride & Progress Awards are part of the chamber's mission to advocate, support and unify local businesses of the prosperity of Logan County.


Atlanta Betterment Fund board introduces 'Rt. 66 Reinterpreted' Art Project

ATLANTA -- In celebration of Route 66 and all it stands for, Atlanta -- located on the Mother Road, midway between Chicago and St. Louis -- announces its first "Rt. 66 Reinterpreted" Art Project.

Modeled on Chicago's "Cows on Parade" exhibit, the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted project presents artists the opportunity to create their own take on one of the 20th century's most iconic and recognizable symbols: the U.S. Route 66 highway shield.

Participating artists will be provided a blank, 2-foot-by-2-foot wooden cutout of the Route 66 sign, painted white, which will then become their personal canvas. The only requirement in creating a reinterpreted shield is to incorporate the text "Illinois U.S. 66" somewhere on the face of the shield, in whatever size, shape or color the artist desires. Everything else about the design, style, background and color of the reinterpreted shield is left to each artist's imagination and creativity.

The project is open to anyone 16 years old and above. Up to 50 entries will be accepted in this year's project, as determined by the date applications are received. All 50 entries will be displayed outside along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta from May 1 to Aug. 31, 2013.

The board of directors of the Atlanta Betterment Fund will select 10 shields out of the 50 entries as finalists. Shields selected as finalists will be judged on originality of design, overall concept and quality of execution.

Voting will then take place May 1-Aug. 31 to select the top five shield designs as winners of the 2012 project. Anyone, anywhere may vote, either in person at selected Route 66 attractions in Atlanta or online via Atlanta's website at www.atlantaillinois.org. The top five vote-getters will be the winners of the year's Rt. 66 Reinterpreted project.

At the conclusion of the project, the five winning shields, along with the names of the artists who created them, will be displayed on a permanent basis in the Atlanta Route 66 Park. Entries selected as one of the top five winning designs will also be showcased at the International Mother Road Festival in Springfield Sept. 27-29, 2013.

Artists wishing to enter the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project must submit a completed application form, along with a $25 entry fee. Completed applications are due on or before Feb. 1. Applications received after Feb. 1 will not be accepted.

Completed Rt. 66 Reinterpreted shields should be carefully packaged and returned to: The Atlanta Betterment Fund, 114 SW Arch St., Atlanta, IL 61723. Shields should be submitted between March 1 and April 5, 2013. Shields received after April 5 will not be accepted.

The Atlanta Betterment Fund sponsors the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project.

All decisions regarding judging are final. Entries selected as finalists will be notified by April 30, 2013. Entries selected as one of the top five winning designs will be notified by Sept. 1, 2013.

Click on the "Route 66 Art Project" logo at www.atlantaillinois.org for more information, including project guidelines and an application form to enter the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project. Or contact:

William Thomas
Atlanta Betterment Fund
114 SW Arch St.
Atlanta, IL 61723

wthomas@teleologic.net

217-648-5077


St. John UCC December schedule of events

St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St.., has scheduled special Christmas music for the December services.

Dec. 23

  • Pre-service music -- Laura Lee, organist

  • 10:30 a.m. -- Worship with Communion

    • Sunday school program and puppet show, directed by Donna Kessinger

    • Bells and Children's Chimes

Dec. 24

  • 10:30 p.m. -- Pre-service music by Handbell Choir, directed by David Helm

  • 11 p.m. -- Worship with Christmas Carols, Communion and candlelight service

    • Anthem: "Were You There on That Christmas Night." Soloist Michael Schneider with Adult Chime Choir.

    • Solo: "Ave Maria," by Franz Schubert. Soloist Michael Schneider.


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