CLOSE UP    Zooming in on
the people, places and things that make this community interesting.

sponsored by CHRIS COYNE, agent - State Farm Insurance

Class of '88, Haircut Actual, pistol class, Safe Ride, blood drives, Trinity donation for senior meals, Latham United Methodist sale

Send a link to a friend

[August 02, 2013]  Class of 1988 reunion

The Lincoln Community High School Class of 1988 will have its 25th anniversary reunion Saturday, Aug. 24, at American Legion Post 263.

A social hour will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m., a trivia event and music. There is an open invitation to the classes of 1987 and 1989 to join the group at 9 p.m.

The evening will include a 50-50 drawing.

The cost is $30 per person plus $15 for an optional class photo to be taken between 5 and 6 p.m.

Make checks payable to Class of 1988 and send as soon as possible to Robin Cook, 2429 Rosswood Lane, Arnold, MO 63010.

For more information, contact robincook31@yahoo.com.


Haircut Actual, Mount Pulaski band of teenage rockers

MOUNT PULASKI -- With so much music in our world today, it's hard to really pinpoint your favorite band or singer. Maybe you still low-key jam to Rush in your car on the way to work or school. Maybe you can't wait to blast Hank Williams Jr. when no one is watching. Or maybe, just maybe, you want to channel your inner crazy rocker-self and scream hits from the likes of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd at the top of your lungs. Whatever you fancy, Haircut Actual will probably play a few of your favorites.

Haircut Actual is a local band based out of Mount Pulaski and is made up of very talented musicians who know how to put on a show and draw in a crowd. After all, it's not every day you hear Beatles songs being played by teenagers.

The band consists of Garrett Johnston, 16, from Elkhart on drums; Andrew Moody, 16, of Cornland as lead guitarist and vocalist; Brady Walsh, 16, from Mount Pulaski, bassist and rhythm guitar; Brandon Smith, 14, of Riverton, bassist and guitar; and Caleb Coppinger, 18, from Mount Pulaski, rhythm guitar and lead vocals.

Haircut Actual formed almost two years ago with the help of the Mount Pulaski High School Band instructor, David Helm. Walsh, Moody and Johnston went to Helm in their eighth-grade year with the idea of starting a band. However, the band was missing a few key pieces, such as a lead singer and another guitar player. The band officially formed in October of 2011 but would remain nameless until early 2012.

Now, how in the world does one come up with the name Haircut Actual? Heck, you've probably already turned to the nearest person beside you and said, "Haircut Actual, what does that even mean?" It seems a bit bizarre, but you will remember it.

The birth of the name came from none other than the self-proclaimed leader and bassist, Brady Walsh. Walsh was a part of the 2012 MPHS drama department's "Seussical the Musical," as was lead singer Caleb Coppinger. Coppinger played the defiant role of Horton, the elephant, in the production. But before taking the stage, Coppinger had to get a haircut to allow for his elephant ears to fit.

Walsh was already on a roll of giving every cast member a colorful, military code nickname, and Coppinger would be no different. His new haircut even made things easier in more ways than one. Coppinger was "Haircut Actual." Thus out of impulse and a joke, Haircut Actual was born.

Early gigs were rough, and all things considered, not always easy. Even though each member is basically as talented as they come, lead singer Coppinger says, "Learning anything from scratch is really hard, especially because we're teenage kids."

The band doesn't give themselves enough credit, though. Each member is extremely gifted, and critics who would know say that together they sound awesome.

Things are starting to get busy for the guys. On Friday night, they play the grandstand at the Logan County Fair, after the talent show. Then the band is playing at the Illinois State Fair on Aug 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Apex Stage. Upcoming gigs for the band also include the Black Sheep in Springfield on Aug. 22, the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival, and the Mount Pulaski Fall Festival.

The band plays a variety of hits and even a few originals. "We play pretty much anything from like the '50s until now," Coppinger says.

"Basically, say you don't like country, wait one or two songs and we'll be back into the '70s hard rock," adds Johnston.

Haircut Actual plays whatever because they can make whatever sound good.

Smith is the only band member who does not attend Mount Pulaski High School. Moody met Smith at a church that they both attend in Riverton. Smith is the youngest of the bunch and will be just a freshman at Riverton High School.

Walsh, Moody and Johnston will all be juniors at Mount P. Coppinger is a 2013 graduate of MPHS and will attend Lincoln College in the fall.

They say that "as long as no one plans to go far away for college, we will continue playing as long as we can."

Haircut Actual recently placed second in the "Battle of the Bands" at the Black Sheep in Springfield. Which is a pretty big deal.

Not only does each band member have supportive and influential parents, the parents also help book gigs. For booking information, you can contact Terry Coppinger at 217-871-1928 or Pat Walsh at 217-414-6501. You can also like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, subscribe to them on YouTube and check them out on MySpace.

Haircut Actual is a group of teenage boys with a bright future and an irreplaceable talent to play great music. They have a dream to be somebody big, and they most certainly are on the right track.

[By CADY LOWERY]


Big Oak Hunting Paradise hosts ladies-only Basic Pistol Course on Sunday

Big Oak Hunting Paradise outside of Lincoln and Pistol Prep Academy will host an NRA Basic Pistol Course for ladies only on Aug. 4 and on Aug. 10 for both men and women. The course will be taught by Annette Chapman, a local NRA-certified instructor, and will cover the basics of safe gun handling and shooting.

The course emphasizes the safe and proper handling and use of pistols. Participants will learn about firearm safety, parts and operation, shooting fundamentals, care and cleaning, storage options, selection, and more.

Register at www.pistolprepacademy.com.

For additional details on the course, call Annette at 309-830-7182 or email info@pistolprepacademy.com.

For ongoing hints and tips on safe gun handling as well as updates on Illinois concealed carry as details are finalized, you may also "like" Pistol Prep Academy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pistolprepacademy.


[to top of second column]


Safe Ride service available for Logan County Fair weekend

The Healthy Communities Partnership is encouraging those who celebrate at the beer tent to call for a free ride home during the Logan County Fair this weekend.

On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 and 3, Safe Ride will be available in Lincoln to those who need it.

Safe Ride is a free ride home sponsored by the Healthy Communities Partnership.

"Safe Ride helps to keep our streets safer on nights when children and families are more likely to be celebrating away from home. Our hope is that the community will remember that the service is available and use it when necessary," said Angela Stoltzenburg, Healthy Communities Partnership manager.

Safe Ride will also be available during the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival, Labor Day weekend, the night before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

To receive a free ride home within the city limits on any of these nights, call the cab company, A Green Cab, at 732-8294.

Healthy Communities Partnership is a collaborative organization comprised of dozens of community agencies. It is supported by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation. For more information and updates, individuals should "like" Healthy Communities Partnership on Facebook.


Upcoming Logan County blood drives

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, the Central Illinois Community Blood Center is offering several opportunities to donate blood in Logan County in early August.

  • Monday, Aug 5, noon-6 p.m.
    Lincoln Masonic Center
    2022 N. Kickapoo, Lincoln

  • Friday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m.-noon
    Farmers Bank
    130 S. Washington, Mount Pulaski

  • Saturday, Aug. 10, 8:30 a.m.-noon
    Town and Country Bank
    303 Pulaski, Lincoln

For your convenience, call Alexis toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 5158, to sign up or schedule an appointment online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of lifesaving blood for 14 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. CICBC is a division of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which collects over 180,000 units of blood annually and serves 87 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.


Community Action Senior Nutrition receives donation from Trinity Episcopal Church

Trinity Episcopal Church recently presented a $1,250 donation to Community Action's Apple of My Heart Senior Nutrition program.

The Rev. Mark Evans presented the donation to Jacob Sexton, Community Action's executive director, at the Community Action Partnership corporate office in Lincoln.

The funds will be used to supply meals for seniors in Logan and Mason counties who depend on the nutritious, balanced meals provided by the program. The program provides over 30,000 meals to local seniors each year.

According to the Rev. Evans, members of the church were asked to suggest organizations they would like to include in their outreach. Community Action's Senior Nutrition program and Habitat for Humanity were both selected to be local recipients of Trinity Episcopal's generosity.

The church also provided assistance to a diocese in Peru that they have formed a relationship with over the years, allowing them to spread their outreach globally as well as locally.

If you or your organization would like to donate to the Apple of My Heart Senior Nutrition, or any of Community Action's other programs, call 217-732-2159.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois provides programs and services in Logan, Mason, DeWitt, Piatt, Menard and Fulton counties. For more information, visit www.capcil.org.


Latham United Methodist Church garage sale

LATHAM -- The Latham United Methodist Church will host a huge garage sale Aug. 1-3. The times are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 1-2, and 8-noon Saturday, Aug. 3.

There are more than 50 coats priced to go. Lots of petite sizes are available. Many items are 25 cents and 50 cents. On Saturday, there will be a buck-a-bag sale.

Lunch will be available on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 1 and 2.

The church is at 241 Walnut St. in Latham.


< Top Stories index

Back to top