Mount Pulaski Courthouse Spring Gala Fundraiser
Raising Funds for Project 2

[February 28, 2018] 

MOUNT PULASKI

On Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 447, 103 E. Scroggin Ave. Mount Pulaski, the Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation is hosting a Spring Gala Fundraiser to raise funds for “Project 2” of the courthouse renovations. Tickets are available for purchase in Mount Pulaski at Johnsons True Value Hardware, Salt Creek Attic, Farmers Bank and Illinois National Bank. Also, tickets may be reserved and picked up at the door. Please email mountpulaski [e-mail]  for more information. Only 200 tickets are available.

Included in the ticket price is entrance to the Spring Gala, delicious appetizers, a gourmet dinner with tea and water, a photo booth and live music. This event is business casual attire featuring numerous silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle, a Primo Grill Master’s Kit raffle and cash bar.

Live music will be provided by Sojourn Rocs from Mattoon. From 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., they will take guests on a musical journey of rock and country music ranging from the ‘60’s to today. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to dance; this band is known for filling dance floors! For more information, please go to their website at www.sojournrocs.com.

The Primo Grill Master Kit Raffle features a Primo Kamado All-in-one-grill with Primo 100% natural lump charcoal. Farm Fresh Local Meat and a Thirty-One cooler bag are also included. Total raffle package is worth $1200. There are only 300 tickets being sold at $10 per ticket. The winner will be drawn at the Spring Gala; need not be present to win.

Tickets are available for purchase in Mount Pulaski at Johnsons True Value Hardware, Salt Creek Attic, Farmers Bank and Illinois National Bank. Thank you to the raffle sponsors: MB Heating & Cooling, Chad and Janette Cooper, and Over the Moon Farm.

The photo booth will feature fun props to make your time at the gala memorable. Photos will be emailed to you so do not have to worry about losing your party favor. Stephanie Mazanowski, owner and operator of Mazpix, will capture your memories from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Stephanie lives and works in Bloomington and has been in the photography business for eight years. Mazpix is a mobile photography service capturing precious memories and moments through quality photographs. Stephanie Mazanowski is originally from Mount Pulaski and is the granddaughter of the late Harry Hahn.

Harry was a well-known Abraham Lincoln interpreter with many similarities to Lincoln. For more information about Mazpix, please visit www.mazpix.com.

The Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation started the Abe’s Million Dollar Campaign, in January 2015, to raise funds to restore the Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site. The structural integrity of the Courthouse had been in critical condition which led the Courthouse Foundation to start Project 1.

The first project started in the spring of 2016 with the cost of $173,000. The Courthouse roof and structural repairs were done, including the replacement of the standing seam metal roof, evaluation of the roof truss system, and the stabilization of the trusses to prevent further damage to them.

Project 2 is in its preliminary stages with the State of Illinois agencies (IDNR and CDB) such as regulation, lots of paperwork and the approval process. The bid process will approximately take place in the spring. Construction should take around two months and there is no anticipation of needing to close the Courthouse during that time.

Project 2 will consist of fixing the East outside wall of the Courthouse. This wall has the most damage of all four walls. A non-breathable paint was applied to the bricks many years ago and has caused extensive moisture problems with the inside plaster walls and damage to the bricks themselves. The wall will be stripped of all paint and the damaged bricks will be taken out and replaced. The wall will then be left alone for two years to see if this will fix the problem. This project is approximately $150,000.

The Courthouse Foundation has a goal of raising at least $75,000, if not more for this project. As with Project 1, the State of Illinois is providing no financial help for this project. The Courthouse Foundation was founded in 2011 by a group of volunteers and has made it their mission to not let the Courthouse fall into disrepair!

[Renee Martin]