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'Pick-N-Pay' art, 5K at Mount Pulaski Street Festival, David Alexander, Route 66 Musical Picnic, electronics and glass recycling, summer band concerts, handbell patriotic program, Mount Pulaski junk drop-off days, Mount Pulaski swimming pool, St. Jude Lincoln to Peoria Run, cat adoption, Health Concerns class, Relay For Life, writing club, 5K and downtown events June 8, Hartem Alumni Banquet, Route 66 weekend June 7-9

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[June 07, 2013]  Logan County Arts hosts 'Pick-N-Pay' fundraiser

Logan County Arts will host a special "Pick-N-Pay" event Saturday, June 8, during the Cruise into Main Street 5K Run and Health Expo. The fundraiser will begin at 11 a.m. at the Lincoln Art Institute, 112 S. McLean, next to the post office.

The concept is simple. Members have donated drawings and paintings, and there will be a donation jar. You walk in, choose a piece you like, put your donation in the jar, and the art is yours. No questions asked. Suggested minimum donation is only $5.

This is a great opportunity to purchase original pieces done by local artists, so be sure to stop by and see what’s available. The Art Institute, on the square, will be open 'til the music stops playing.

All proceeds go to Logan County Arts, an organization of local artists who are working toward raising awareness of the arts in Logan County through shows and fundraisers such as this.

For additional information about the Saturday fundraiser, contact Toby Prange at 217-651-8355.


Runners will be 'Glowin' for Michael' at Mount Pulaski Street Festival

MOUNT PULASKI -- The Mount Pulaski Street Festival this year is scheduled for Friday, June 28, on the courthouse square.

Among the many attractions of the evening, a new event is being added: a 5K run and walk with proceeds to benefit 7-year-old Michael Stauffer.

Michael is the son of David and Cynthia Stauffer of Mount Pulaski. He has a brother, Thomas, and a sister, Alyssa. He is a student at Zion Lutheran School in Mount Pulaski.

Late last year he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma and has been undergoing treatment ever since. The proceeds of the race will go to assist the family with their financial concerns.

The race will begin at 8 p.m. in front of the Mount Pulaski Courthouse, on the town square. Along the route there will be luminaries and live street guides to assist with the twists and turns of the route. The race will be self-timed.

Registrants have a choice of price levels for the race. The $25 registration will include a "glow shirt" and glow gear so runners will stand out during the race. If runners aren't interested in the glow gear, they can pay the basic registration fee of $15.

Registration packets can be picked up at the Farmers Bank between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the race.

In addition to the 5K, the street fair will offer a wide variety of entertainment options, and the Mount Pulaski Courthouse will be open for tours. The Hair Cut Actual Band will perform live on stage, and Audra's Studio of Dance will have cloggers performing. There will also be an Abe Lincoln impersonator.

The "Balloon Lady" will be on hand, face painting by Chauntea Mason and plenty of children's games with prizes.

Hilltop Caterers will serve brats, hot dogs and soda for a donation, and the American Legion will have a beer station.

For those who need a cool spot to rest a spell, the air-conditioned VFW, the historical museum and the courthouse will all be open and cool.

Anyone who would like to preregister for the race can do so by visiting the Mount Pulaski website at http://www.mtpulaskiil.com/. Questions about the event can be directed to Angie Cyrulik at 217-962-1055.

All proceeds from the race will go to assist the Stauffer family. Proceeds from other street fair activities will go to the Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation for the upkeep of the historical courthouse.


Alexander named juried artist by Illinois Artisans

Lincoln native David Alexander, a stained-glass artist, has been accepted as a juried artist by the Illinois Artisans. This designation allows selected Illinois artists to display their work at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago and at the Southern Illinois Art and Artisan Center at Rend Lake.

A portion of Alexander's collection continues to be on display in the office of Coldwell Banker Cornerstone in the Regions Bank building, where David and his wife, Sonnie, own and manage the real estate business. The public is invited to come to the office to see the collection. A collection of some of the glass is hanging in windows at the real estate office and in the bank lobby.

Each of Alexander's creations starts with his original drawing, and each is therefore unique. With fine art as the goal, he takes glass to extreme limits of size and production difficulty. The result is compositions in glass not previously seen.

Alexander has a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois, with minors in art and math.


Come to Latham Park Friday for the Route 66 Musical Picnic

This year the Route 66 Garage Sale weekend will feature a new Friday afternoon and evening event in Latham Park, the Route 66 Musical Picnic.

Beginning at noon, there will be live music from a variety of bands, and there will be garage sales at the park with merchandise for everyone to look through. The day of music is scheduled to wrap up around 8 p.m.

According to Andrea Dykman of Logan County Outreach, this is the organization's first public endeavor. Dykman said the group started out as friends on Facebook who would get the word out through that medium when someone was in need of some kind of assistance.

This year Dykman, as a representative of the group, has gotten involved in the Route 66 Garage Sale. She said one thing she supports is people doing things to help themselves, and even having a garage sale can be a means of raising cash for the family.

She said she was excited about the number of garage sales this year. Right now there are over 70 people and groups who have signed up to be a part of the event.

Those who are signed up will have their sale listed on a special Route 66 Garage Sale map that is being sponsored, printed by Lincoln Printers.

The event on Friday will be a kickoff of sorts, with music being provided through Audiofeed, a Christian-based organization that provides family-friendly blues, folk and alternative rock music. Bands on the schedule are Mayhew the Traitor, Lauren Peacock, Max Simmons, Ami Moss and Huspad.

With this being the first year for the event, Dykman is hoping that it will turn out well and that the public will enjoy coming to the park Friday afternoon and evening. In addition, she said if anyone would like to bring their wares to Latham Park that day to sell, they may do so without a fee, but they need to contact her ahead of time. Folks may do that by calling 217-735-0294.


Monthly electronics collection

Habitat for Humanity of Logan County will have its monthly electronics recycling collection on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Habitat for Humanity warehouse, 915 Woodlawn Road. The collection is offered free of charge to the public.

Habitat for Humanity of Logan County continues to collect televisions for recycling.

The following items will be accepted:

  • Computer equipment, including laptop and desktop personal computers, hard drives, monitors, keyboards, printers, scanners, cords and cables, CD-ROM, DVD, Zip and tape drives.

  • Entertainment equipment, including TVs, radios, stereo and game systems, game controls, VCR and DVD players, and cameras.

  • Small business equipment, including phones, copiers, typewriters, fax machines and calculators.

  • Small household and countertop appliances will also be accepted, as well as aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel items.

Electronic equipment is not to be left at the site and is not collected outside the hours of the collection.

Information on the electronics recycling program is available through Habitat for Humanity of Logan County by contacting the office at 217-732-6412 or visiting www.hfhlogancounty.


Monthly glass collection

The Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency, in collaboration with the Lincoln Woman's Club and Verallia Saint-Gobain Containers, will have its monthly glass collection on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Use the Main Gate entrance.

Participants are reminded that only container glass will be accepted during the collection. Container glass is any glass that originally held either a food or beverage product. All colors of glass will be accepted.

Participants are asked to thoroughly rinse all containers and remove all plastic or metal lids, sleeves and rings. Labels, either foil or paper, may be left on the containers. Due to the large volume of glass being collected, the recycling program reserves the right to refuse any glass that does not meet the preparation guidelines.

Broken glass is not accepted due to safety issues.

The glass recycling program does not accept light bulbs or fluorescent lights, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, dishware or CorningWare items. Participants are asked to comply with the glass collection guidelines, as a single piece of ceramic material or light bulb can contaminate an entire load of glass.

The collection will be canceled in event of inclement weather or extreme heat. Glass is not to be left at the site prior to the hours of the collection.

Recyclers are encouraged to "like" Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency on Facebook to access to the most current information, updates and cancellation notices. As always, information on the county's recycling programs is available by contacting the office at 217-732-9636 or by visiting www.co.logan.il.us and selecting  "Joint Solid Waste Agency."


Summer band concert and rehearsal schedule

The Lincoln Area Music Society is planning four Sunday evening concerts this summer. The dates are June 16, 23, 30 and July 7. All the concerts will be in the Latham Park bandstand, beginning at 7 p.m.

In conjunction with each concert, the group will have rehearsals in the band room at Lincoln Community High School. The rehearsal dates are on Mondays: June 10, 17, 24 and July 1. Rehearsals will begin at 7 p.m. and should last approximately 90 minutes.

The group is still looking for members to help create a wonderful-sounding band for this summer. Anyone who is interested in playing for these summer events is welcome to contact Larry Maffett at 737-0150 for more information.


Handbell players needed for community concert

Handbell ringers are invited to join a community handbell choir that will perform "We the People," written in honor of the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution in 1991. This will be performed with the summer band and a choir for the patriotic program during the concert in Latham Park on Sunday, June 30, directed by Larry Maffett.

Rehearsals for this special number will be at St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St. in Lincoln, at 6:30 p.m. on three Monday nights, June 10, 17 and 24, and prior to the performance on June 30.

Ringers are asked to contact Tonita Reifsteck, 217-855-1645, or Kathleen Brumbaugh, 732-9325, so music will be available. Questions concerning this may be directed to Mrs. Reifsteck.


Mount Pulaski sponsors junk drop-off this weekend

MOUNT PULASKI -- The city of Mount Pulaski will sponsor junk drop-off days this weekend. This will be a drive-thru service only, with no curb pickups.

Items may be dropped off at 404 S. Spring Street on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 7-9.

The city asks that all items be placed inside the trash bins that will be on hand. If the containers are full, please do not leave items on the ground beside them.

The following items may not be left at the drop-off site: yard waste, freezers, refrigerators, washes and dryers, clothing, batteries, paint, paint cans, chemicals, drywall, remodeling debris, tires, riding lawn mowers, fluorescent lights, computer monitors, hard drives, printers, electronic devices, TVs.

For more information on recyclable items and disposal locations, see information provided by the Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency:
http://www.co.logan.il.us/jswa/
recycling_information.pdf
.


Mount Pulaski pool offers summer fun

MOUNT PULASKI -- The Mount Pulaski pool offers a perfect place to lounge by the water or take a swim. You can't resist the cool water, open from one o'clock in the afternoon until 8 in the evening Monday through Friday. On Saturdays the pool is open from 1 to 8 p.m. unless there is a pool party.

Pool parties are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays or, if need be, on Sundays as well. Otherwise, on Sundays the pool opens at 1 p.m. and closes at 6.

Also, adults can stop by for lap swimming from noon to 1 p.m. every day of the week.

The Mount Pulaski pool offers family, couple and individual season passes. The kiddie pool will not be open this year due to state regulations.

The pool is located off Route 121 on Belmont Street, across from the Mount Pulaski Firehouse.

For more information, contact managers Brian Erlenbush and Ryan Deibert at 217-792-5248.

Weather permitting, see you at the pool!

[By CADY LOWERY]


St. Jude Lincoln to Peoria Run to host fundraiser Saturday

The St. Jude Lincoln to Peoria Run is planning a day of good, wholesome fun at Logan Lanes on Saturday, June 8.

From noon to 5 p.m., bowlers can enjoy a game for only 99 cents. There will be a bags tournament beginning at 1:30 p.m., with registration starting at 12:30. There will also be a Scotch doubles tournament at 7 p.m., with registration starting at 6:30. Both the bags tournament and the Scotch doubles will have cash awards for the winners.

For those who may not be familiar with Scotch double bowling, the team consists of two members: one male, one female. During the course of the game, members are told to do "different things" as part of their game. It is a fun and unusual way to bowl.

In addition, event T-shirts will be on sale and there will be a 50-50 drawing.

From 8 p.m. to midnight, the band The Shake will provide live entertainment.

There will be a cover charge for the entertainment and registration fees for the bags and Scotch doubles tournament, the proceeds of which will go to St. Jude's.

The Lincoln to Peoria Run is scheduled for Aug. 3. The run will begin at 5:30 a.m. at the Logan County Safety Complex, the police station for the city of Lincoln. The run will be conducted relay style and will end at the Peoria Civic Center at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Currently 30 runners are signed up to participate on the Lincoln team, but more are needed. There is still time to sign up if you would like to participate. The sign-up deadline will be June 20.

Each runner will be asked to raise $750, all of which goes directly to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Lincoln team pledged $30,000 to St. Jude last year and would love to top that this year.

The work that St. Jude does is important in the fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. No family is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

Anyone interested in joining the Lincoln-to-Peoria team can contact Jennifer Bergman at st.judelincoln@yahoo.com or find the team on Facebook at St. Jude Lincoln.


Humane Society of Logan County offering 'cat special' during June

During the month of June, the Humane Society of Logan County is offering discounts on the adoption of adult cats.

Cats between 2 and 6 years old can be adopted for only $25 plus rabies and microchip registration fees.

Senior cats, those age 7 and older, may be adopted for only $10 plus rabies and microchip registration.

All the cats have been spayed or neutered, are up-to-date on their shots, and they are microchipped.

All they need now is a forever home with a loving family.

Stop in this month at 1801 E. Lincoln Parkway and visit some of these adoptable animals. Shelter hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 217-737-4042, visit the website at http://www.hslclincoln.org/ or follow the links in Lincoln Daily News.


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Dr. Dan's Health Concerns classes canceled until fall

This summer there will be no Health Concerns classes led by Dr. Dan Freesmeier. The classes have been on the first Monday night of the month at Faith Lutheran Church, but there will be no sessions during June, July and August.

The class will resume in September.


Relay For Life master of ceremonies and honorary chairs announced

Relay For Life has announced that Steve Sauer will be this year's master of ceremonies. Mr. Sauer, recently retired from teaching at LCHS, will help keep all aware of the activities and events from 6 p.m. Friday, June 14, until the closing ceremony at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 15, with balloons released. His is a familiar voice as he has announced basketball games at LCHS for many years and also announces the couples at the grand march for the LCHS prom every spring.

One of the honorary chairs for 2013 is Bill Post, who has been instrumental in getting luminaria distributed and labeled. During the ceremony, he has been the voice honoring all of the over 1,000 names read each year. Also, survivor Robin Ingram along with her caregivers Duane, Holly and John Meteer are honorary chairs for this "Heroes" year.

In other activities related to the Relay For Life, Monday, June 3, will be Bank Night, starting at 5:30 at Illini Bank.

On Friday, June 7, beginning at 6:30 at the Lincoln Center on the Lincoln College campus, participants will "Paint the Town Purple" with purple ribbons.

On Wednesday, June 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the public is encouraged to eat at Culver's for Relay For Life. Ten percent of all sales at Culver's that day will go to fight cancer in Logan County.

More information is posted on the Relay For Life website at www.relayforlife.org/loganil.

For more information, contact Tonita Reifsteck, 855-1645, or Nicole Lee, 828-1100.


Writing club to meet June 11

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Tuesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Lincoln College student center.

Suggested topics: a three-minute fiction piece, 600 words or less; fall chores; or describe the first time you began to appreciate the world around you.

All are welcome.

For more information, call 732-2723.


Main Street invites everyone to the 'Cruise into Main Street 5K & Health Expo'

The Main Street Lincoln organization is inviting everyone to make their way downtown to the courthouse square for a day of good, healthy fun on Saturday, June 8. The event is dubbed as the "Cruise into Main Street 5K and Health Expo," and there will be a lot of interesting and fun activities going on the entire day. So whether you choose to participate in the 5K or not, it may still be worth your time to come check it out.

According to Main Street board member and 5K committee chair Tracy Welch, the day will begin with the 5K, but there will also be other activities, such as vendors for a community health fair, and hours and hours of live entertainment on the square.

Welch said some may think the event got its name from the downtown car cruise-ins, but in fact this event is about an entirely different kind of cruise.

And there will be two big giveaways: a week at the Biggest Loser Resort in Chicago and an ocean cruise.

Anyone age 18 and older who registers to participate in the 5K will be eligible to win the cruise, listed as a $500 value.

Anyone age 14 and older in attendance at the event will be eligible to win a week's stay at the resort. Welch said the week at the resort is a buy-one, get-one-free promotion for a new resort in Chicago. For those who are fans of the television show "Biggest Loser," you will know that there is a Biggest Loser Resort on the West Coast. The company that owns it is expanding to Chicago, and the week's stay is a $2,500 value, or 50 percent off the cost of a stay for two.

When asked how the committee managed to get the resort stay, he said, "You'll be surprised what can happen when you send an email." Welch said he and his wife, Annette, are big fans of "The Biggest Loser" television show. On the show, the contestants participate at the Biggest Loser Resort in California. Welch said he'd learned that another resort was going to open in Chicago, so he sent an email and asked them to donate to the Lincoln event. They responded that they were not able to give away a free trip, but they would give a buy-one, get-one-free.

In addition to the prizes and the run, there will also be vendors on hand to discuss their products and your health. Welch said he is still trying to work out the details right now on who will be there, but he is optimistic that there will be several when the big day arrives.

The downtown portion of the city will be blocked off for the daylong party that will take place during and after the race. Welch said the Railsplitter Auto Club has been invited to come for a special cruise-in, and there will be live music the entire day.

Among those on the stage will be Erin Eskra Vargo and Mike Vargo. Some will remember Erin as part of a sister duo who have performed at events in Lincoln in the past. Welch said both sisters were not available, but Erin said she would come with husband Mike, who is also a professional musician. The Vargos now live in Nashville and are developing their careers in the music profession.

Julia Kay Rhodes is another powerful songstress who will grace the downtown stage. From the Chicago area, Rhodes has been on several nationally televised shows, such as "Nashville Spotlight," "Seven on Ridge" with Michael Essany, "Today's Talent Network" and "American Kids Nationals."

Others who are scheduled to entertain are musicians Joe Borbely and Greg Gemberling, and of course in Lincoln, you can't have a party without a little bluegrass. The Blue Grass Pickers who entertained at last year's Railsplitter Festival will be on hand to offer some of their best stylings.

In addition to all this, there will be a special guest in attendance. Joe Briseno will address the audience. Briseno is a 5K runner who recently found himself in Boston during that very tragic event.

Main Street is also encouraging local retailers to have special sales that day and to set up sidewalk sales to draw attendees toward their stores.

Welch also said that of all the things visitors will find on the downtown square, food vendors are the one thing they won't find.

For the runners there will be food at the Oasis Senior Center, but he hopes that everyone who attends will take the time to visit the local restaurants on the downtown square. There are several eateries on the square and just off the square, including Guzzardo's, Hallie's, Mama's Arcade, Sorrento's and Vintage Fare.

Welch also explained that for the serious runners, the committee has made arrangements for "chips" for their shoes. These chips accurately measure the time of the run. Welch said this is important because serious runners are always working to improve their time, and this record helps them see their progress.

The committee is also offering some special incentives for school groups to participate. With the help of wife Annette, Welch said they have sent out special registration forms to the area schools. Kids are encouraged to register for the 5K, and if they do so on the special form for their school, the school will receive $5 for each entry.

And finally, Welch said they are hoping for some serious public participation at the end of the run. As a runner himself, Welch said it is really encouraging to see a crowd of people cheering the runners at the end of the race.

The organization also has plans for several future events, some of them familiar from the past, some new and some restructured.

The Art of Wine this year at the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival is going to be revamped and will be the Art of Wine and Brew. Welch said they will have more details on that later, as well as on a new event in October that is right now being called "Lincoln in Lincoln -- 1858." Trick or Treat with the Mayor is scheduled for Oct. 26 this year.

And there is going to be an annual Christmas parade. Welch said that Main Street director Bill Hoagland is hoping to breathe a little new life into the parade, and we should all look forward to hearing more about that later. Also, there will still be Saturdays with Santa in December.

5K route

The city has agreed to allow for North Kickapoo to be closed to traffic when the runners get there. Welch said he would love to see both sides of the street from Lincoln Avenue to Broadway lined with spectators cheering on their favorite runners, or all the runners in general.

The race will begin near the intersection of Kickapoo and Pulaski streets and head south on Kickapoo. At Frorer Avenue runners will turn left. At Bryant Avenue they will turn right and take the curve onto Comet. From Comet they will proceed to Home Avenue and take a left. Shortly afterward will be their first checkpoint.

Runners will then proceed northward on Home to Wyatt and take another right turn onto Wyatt. They will pass the Odd Fellows home, where the Y and Christian Child Care are located, and run onto South Ladue, where they will turn left. They will take South Ladue all the way to Pekin Street and turn left onto Pekin. They will then proceed onto North Elliott Street, where they will find their second checkpoint. They will then take North Elliott northward to Tremont Street, where they will turn left. They will stay on Tremont to South Sherman and then make another right turn.

When they reach Lincoln Avenue, they will turn left again and proceed to North Kickapoo Street. They will turn left on Kickapoo and proceed southward toward the downtown square. The third checkpoint will be at the southwest corner of Latham Park. From there everyone will run or walk the home stretch to the finish line, just beyond the Kickapoo and Broadway intersection.

This is the first year that the Main Street organization has done a 5K, and Welch said their only real goal here is to raise the traffic level in the downtown area. The purpose of the Main Street organization is to bring shoppers to the city's historic downtown area, to help keep the downtown a living and vital part of the community.

___

Main Street now has a separate website for its Lincoln events. You can access the website to read more about the 5K, as well as other events as they progress. You can visit that website at http://www.mainstreetlincolnevents.com/.

[By NILA SMITH]


Hartsburg-Emden High School Alumni Banquet will be June 8

HARTSBURG-EMDEN -- The 86th annual Hartsburg-Emden High School Alumni Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Lincoln.

Invitations to the banquet will be sent out the first week of May. Anyone who did not receive an invitation but would like to attend the banquet may send a request via email to Ron Spencer at coach_spencer@hotmail.com, or you may reach him on his cellphone at 309-838-0360.

Anniversary classes being honored this year are 1933, 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and the senior Class of 2013.

The winner of the "Wall of Fame" award will be selected and announced at the banquet. This year's award will be represented in the category of "Athletics/Sports."

Please mail nomination letters to Ron Spencer, 8923 Blooming Grove Road, Bloomington, IL 61705.

Due to the rising costs of the banquet, the alumni association will accept donations to help out with the cost of the event and to continue funding the Alumni Scholarship. Donations are payable to the Hartem Alumni Association and may be sent to Greg Phillips, 208 Market St., Emden, IL 62635.

Officers of the alumni association for 2013 are Chris Boerma, president; Ron Spencer, vice president; Loretta Hellman, secretary; Greg Phillips, treasurer; and Kay Mullins and Verna Lessen, corresponding secretaries.


Route 66 will anchor weekend of activities in Logan County

Route 66 will be the centerpiece for a diverse series of activities taking place in Logan County on the weekend of June 7-9, Friday-Sunday.

Events will range from garage sales, auto racing and an electric car show to art exhibits and the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame Banquet.

Festivities will begin with the annual Route 66 Garage Sale, which will take place from 7 a.m. until dusk Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Lincoln.

This year, vendors can rent indoor or outdoor space at the VFW, 915 Fifth St., or flea market space at The Mill, 738 S. Washington St. For reservations at the VFW, or general information about the garage sales, call Andrea Dykman at 217-735-0294. The Logan County Tourism Bureau at 217-732-8687 is taking reservations for spaces at The Mill.

For the first time, Logan County Outreach, a community betterment organization, and Lincoln Printers will host the Route 66 Garage Sale.

Private garage sales will also take place throughout the community. Those planners are urged to use traditional news and social media outlets to advertise their sales.

On Friday night, race fans can watch the POWRi competition at Lincoln Speedway on the Logan County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 3 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

The Mill 2nd Saturday Flea Market on June 8 is the premiere event for a series of flea markets there on the second Saturday of each month through October. The flea market will run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Lincoln Art Institute gallery at 112 S. McLean St. in downtown Lincoln will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Main Street Lincoln will sponsor a PLUS 5K run and health fair in downtown Lincoln on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, an Electric Vehicle Cruise-In will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. along the original Mother Road in historic downtown Atlanta. The free public cruise-in is sponsored by the Atlanta Betterment Fund.

After it was commissioned in 1926, Route 66 was responsible for a huge increase in automobile traffic that led to the need for businesses to serve the traveling public. Among these new businesses were service stations.

Now, Route 66 is poised to help create the next big transportation infrastructure -- charging stations for electric vehicles. Atlanta is interested in helping other Route 66 communities discover how to better serve the traveling public that will be searching for an electric plug-in instead of a gas pump.

The June 8 Electric Vehicle Cruise-in, Illinois' first, will display some cool EV cars and offer a chance to learn more about how the Mother Road is working to give birth to a new travel infrastructure.

All electric and hybrid cars are invited to participate in the cruise-in. The event will also feature vintage music, great food, a 50-50 drawing and hourly drawings.

Atlanta offers two Level 2 Eaton charging stations, available by advance reservation at no fee. There are also 16 Level 1 charging stations available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the cruise-in, or to make reservations to use the Level 2 charger, contact Bill Thomas of the Atlanta Betterment Fund at 217-648-5077 or wthomas@teleologic.net.

Atlanta will also exhibit the results of its first Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project from May 1 through Aug. 13.

Modeled on Chicago's "Cows on Parade" exhibit, the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project presented 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.

Artists were provided a blank 2-by-2-foot wooden cutout of the Route 66 highway shield, painted white, which then became their personal canvas. Each shield was required to incorporate the text "U.S. 66," but otherwise the design was left to each artist's imagination.

The Atlanta Betterment Fund, sponsor of the project, selected 10 shields as finalists. Visitors can vote on their favorites, and those with the most votes will be named winners of the contest. 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 Rt. 66 Park. For more information, contact Bill Thomas at the telephone number or email address above.

The annual Route 66 Association of Illinois Motor Tour will pass through Logan County on Saturday, June 8. Many of the participants will stay overnight Saturday before continuing the tour on Sunday.

The Route 66 Association Hall of Fame Banquet will take place Saturday evening at Lincoln College. Advance reservations are required for the banquet. For more information about either the banquet or the motor tour, visit the Route 66 Association of Illinois at il66assoc.org.


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