One new component added to the Lincoln Welcome Garden and another on the way!

 

[July 27, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

At noon on Thursday, Rick and Leslie Hoefle delivered a new mural to the Lincoln Welcome Garden. The mural which was hung on the back side of the large Welcome sign was then installed by Rick with help from daughter Lauren Sutton, Richard Smith, and Lincoln Alderman Ron Fleshman.

Leslie Hoefle explained that the idea for a bright colorful mural was presented to her good friend Robin Agee who with the help of local artist Jodi Phillips took the idea and turned it into something really attractive.

The mural features lots of big details, but even more fun are the small details that one sees as they spend time viewing the mural. Visitors can easily see the balloons floating in the air and the old time storefronts and other buildings. But closer inspections will reveal pumpkins, corn, pigs, cows, sheep, dogs and cats, and many other wonder little details.

In addition, the ladies tried an experiment that only time will tell how well it worked out. There is at least one item added to the painting that is invisible during the day, but will hopefully show up after dark. Leslie said that it was a neat idea and a “try it and see” moment, when the gals decided to hide a glow in the dark item. So, hopefully readers will be intrigued and make a point of going out some evening to see if they can see what we’re talking about.

The welcome garden is a collaborative effort between many, many Lincoln and Logan County businesses, the city of Lincoln, and the Logan County Tourism Bureau. The idea behind the garden was to bring to the downtown area a fun and quirky attraction that will put a smile on the faces of Route 66 travelers.

Route 66 experience hub to be moved soon

To that end, the Tourism Board on Thursday evening approved a bid by Matthews Construction to move the Route 66 Experience hub from Postville Park on Fifth Street in Lincoln to the new Welcome Garden. The experience hub tells some of the stories of Route 66 in Lincoln and Logan County and also lights up and plays music. The lights and music were never used in Postville due to lack of electricity, but Matthews’ bid included doing the wiring so that the experience hub will be fully functional and, again, a great attraction for the Welcome Garden.

[Nila Smith]