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 The best place to start is to recall all the good
that came to the community. The feel good stories that made us proud
of our people, our places, and our sense of community were abundant
in 2019, and now is a good time to look back, remember and be happy
for who we are and what we have accomplished in this year that is
soon departed.
#1 – Myron and Sharon Fehr
Canada couple makes a pilgrimage of
thanksgiving in the Easter season
Trip to Logan County offers
thank you for lives saved
In April of 2018 Myron and Sharon Fehr from Morden, Manitoba, Canada
were traveling the ‘blue highways’ on their way home to Canada from
a dream vacation to the Corvette Museum in Kentucky. The couple
enjoyed taking the small roads and visiting the small communities.
They made a habit of doing so any time they traveled.
On this trip those blue highways brought them through Logan County
via Illinois Route 121 from Macon County, through Mount Pulaski and
into Lincoln. The couple planned on staying the night in Lincoln,
but that never happened. Just a short distance from town, they were
involved in a head on collision that altered all their plans for the
next several weeks.
The Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District, first responders with
Logan County Paramedics and others rushed to the scene. While Sharon
was barely injured, her husband Myron was trapped inside the
couple’s pick-up truck with life threatening internal injuries.
The rescuers worked feverishly to free the man and did so. He was
taken to a hospital in Springfield where doctors found numerous
internal injuries. Sharon was advised to call in the family as it
was highly unlikely that Myron was going to survive. But the doctors
were dedicated to doing all that they could, surgeries were
performed, internal repairs made and the long process of healing
began.
A year later in 2019, the Fehrs returned to Logan County. While
Myron was well enough to travel, he still had additional surgeries
ahead of him, and he noted that he was not fully the person he was
before the accident. Regardless, the couple was grateful and
celebrating the heart that was still beating and the life that the
two would be able to share, thanks in no small part to the
dedication of the Logan County first responders.
LDN met up with the Fehrs at the LRFPD station and spent a lot of
time with the couple. They told their story and shared many pictures
from the accident.
And they shared the story of the hillside grass carving just outside
of Mount Pulaski, how it felt like a personal message to them after
the accident. "God loves you" mowed in a heart design was
particularly comforting to Sharon, and seeing it again was an
important part of the couples return trip in 2019.
Now for the rest of the story
“The Fehrs were a very sweet couple,” says Nila Smith with LDN. “I
felt a real connection with the two and Sharon and I texted one
another throughout their return trip to Canada. She gave reports
where they were and how they were doing and I was delighted when she
told me they had arrived safely back home.”
While the Fehrs were traveling back to Canada, LDN was on a search.
Sharon had expressed that she would like to know who did the grass
carving and let that person know how much it had meant to her.
LDN posted a picture Sharon had taken of the hillside on its
facebook page and asked for anyone in the community who might know
the artist to share the picture and link to the story with that
person.
That post reached 22,862 people! There were 305 reactions, 187
shares and 42 comments made on the picture and story.
“We found the artist – Joshua Poffenbarger, and what was also
amazing about this was that Josh’s sister, a nurse at Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, was on her way home from work,
arrived at the scene of the accident and also helped as much as she
could to save Myron,” says Smith.
Joshua posted the following comment on facebook:
“Thank you for sharing, very touching story.
Thankful the couple is doing well! My oldest sister Jill was on
scene, helped where she could. She was on her way home from working
at the hospital in Lincoln.
“I'm Not the owner of the hill just the artist. God Bless everyone
and thank you for all the love and support.”
By the time that Myron and Sharon were back home in Canada, LDN was
able to share this post with them and let them know that the artist
had been found.
#2 – Balloons over Route 66
Logan County is host to numerous celebratory events every year.
Festivals and the Logan County Fair are the heart and soul of
community get-togethers. One super large, long-standing special
event fell off when the former Chamber of Commerce ceased in
November 2017. There was not the administrative structure to
continue the Balloon Festival and all its city-wide activities.
Going back to school time in August 2018 felt flat without it. The
balloons and balloonists were missed.
In 2019, the hot air balloons returned to Lincoln. Lincoln Daily
News devoted their entire top stories section of the paper to the
activity on August 26th.
Fourth Friday Downtown draws largest crowd
Downtown Friday brings in the crowds -
slideshow
Third Friday Downtown - fun and games for all - slideshow
Food, Fun and family pets - slideshow
Friday night and Saturday morning Balloons Over 66 hindered by high
winds
Balloons Over 66 - Friday evening flights - Pilots and volunteers
get ready to go - slideshow
Balloons Over 66 - Friday evening flights - guests enjoy the
inflation - slideshow
Balloons Over 66 - Friday evening flights - Activity on Eighth
Street - slideshow
Balloons Over 66 - Friday evening flights - Balloons take to the sky
- slideshow
Pilots review Friday evening at Oasis Breakfast
Saturday evening flights a great prelude to
night glow
Balloons Over 66 - Balloons take to the sky on
Saturday evening - slideshow
Saturday night glow laid-back and happy for all
Balloons Over 66 - Saturday night glow a delight for all - slideshow
The activity in 2019 was completely different from what the
community had seen in the past, but it was very well received by
everyone LDN spoke with. And, there is much anticipation that the
Balloons over 66 will return in 2020 and for years to come.
It was a great activity with so many happy faces all around Lincoln.
* Note Balloons over 66 must be termed activity for liability
purposes and cannot be considered a festival or even an event.
“It was so much fun to see people back in town having a really good
time,” says Smith of LDN, who covered the majority of the balloon
activities that weekend.
“What we noticed right away was how happy the pilots were to be back
in Lincoln. The atmosphere was very relaxed, and they enjoyed the
one-on-one connection with the public. At the pilot breakfast at the
Oasis many shared how excited they were for the weekend and the new
plan for the balloon launches and glows.”
The glow was held at the Apex in city's center – an empty lot the
size of a city block on Eighth Street. Not all the balloons could
fit in the block, but those that were able to come in gave a
wonderful show for the community.
While there had been concern about the traffic around the block, it
all turned out really well. The residents around the Apex were
cordial and visitors were respectful of their private property.
Even at the end of the night, when so many were getting in cars and
preparing to go home, there was a lot of courtesy involved as cars
took turns at intersections and everyone was careful and considerate
of those on foot. It went so well, many were truly surprised.
There is a fine line that politicians walk sometimes. While they
hold office, they are still citizens and part of the community. The
balloons were brought back to Lincoln by Seth Goodman. While Seth is
the mayor of the city, he is also a pilot with a deep passion for
ballooning. He solicited the help of many people, but did not
request financial help from the city or the Logan County Tourism
Bureau. The city permitted the use of the Apex and assisted in many
ways, as did the LCTB, but the entire weekend was put on at no cost
to the city, tourism, or the visitors who came to see the balloons.
The activity began with a Fourth Friday covered by LDN’s Angela
Reiners and Reggie Owsiany. Balloons were scheduled to lift off that
evening with the hopes of at least a few flying over the heart of
the city. Wind made it difficult for the balloons that evening, but
a few did get off the ground.
There were launches on Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday
evening, and the glow on Saturday night.
[to top of second column] |
 #3 – Hometown Heroes
In March, the Lincoln Rotary unveiled its Hometown Heroes project.
The project was created to honor our men and women past and present
serving in the military. The Rotary sold banners that featured
soldier name, branch of service and time served in the military
along with a photo. Those banners were placed around the Logan
County Courthouse Square and are to be there year round except for
times when they are temporarily removed for special occasions.
Community celebrates new Hometown Hero banners in downtown Lincoln
Community turns out to celebrate new banners - slideshow
Thirty-eight heroes celebrated in downtown Lincoln - slideshow
#4 – Dale Lessen
Dale Lessen was a local farmer with a heart for helping others. He
did so even after his departure by becoming an organ donor. In
November, Gift of Hope placed two billboards in Lincoln that not
only encourages everyone to consider organ donation but also
memorializes Lessen with a dedication “In memory of Dale W. Lessen.”
Members of Lessen’s family along with several good friends were on
hand for the official unveiling of the billboard located next to
Carpet House in Lincoln. The second billboard was located on
Woodlawn Road as well, just across the road from Casey’s.
New billboard memorializes local farmer Dale Lessen
Raises awareness for organ donation
#5 – No Shave November
In December, members of the Logan County Sheriff’s office presented
a check to the V Foundation for Cancer Research in honor of the late
Greg Feldman. Feldman battled cancer and in July of 2018 passed
away. His wife Teena is a member of the support staff in the
Sheriff’s office. In honor of Greg and as a show of love and respect
for Teena, the Sherriff’s Department hosted a “No shave November”
fundraiser for the V Foundation. The group gathered in December to
present the check to Feldman. To celebrate Greg and bring him into
the event, the group posed for a photo outside Logan County
Courthouse with a Winter Wonderland tree decorated by Teena in
memory of Greg.
Officers ‘No Shave November’ supports cancer research in memory of
Greg Feldman
More feel good stories from 2019
# 6 - Mount Pulaski opens 1912 time capsule
Mount Pulaski opens 1912 time capsule
Among the treasures found, a New York Herald newspaper dated April
15, 1865, which featured the news of President Abraham Lincoln's
Assassination
Time Capsule Contents - Part 1 - Album
Time Capsule Contents - Part 2 - Album
#7 - The "One and Only Cornland" celebrates
Zip Code Day
The "One and Only Cornland" celebrates Zip Code Day
# 8 - Tourism Open House enjoys a large
turnout
Tourism Open House enjoys a large turnout
# 9 - Downtown Lincoln kicks off Christmas
season with Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting
Downtown Lincoln kicks off Christmas season with Winter Wonderland
Tree Lighting
A daylight view of the trees on the courthouse lawn - slideshow
Friday evening lighting ceremony - slideshow
Visitors enjoy the trees - slideshow
# 10 - Shoppers and retailers reap the
benefits of Small Business Saturday in Lincoln
Shoppers and retailers reap the benefits of Small Business Saturday
in Lincoln
Quilt & Craft Show - Debbie's Downtown Floral - slideshow
Small Town Creations - Guest House Coffee & Pastries - Copper Penny
- slideshow
Zion Lutheran School Bell Choir - slideshow
Pink Shutter - Sir Renna Tea - Abe's Carmelcorn Shoppe - Slideshow
Shop One Stop - slideshow
A visit with Santa at the LCTB Depot - slideshow
Mary Todd Hallmark - LCHS Madrigal Singers - Gingerbread at the
Depot - slideshow
#11 - Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
returns to central Illinois
Oscar Mayer Wienermobile returns to central Illinois, this time
Mount Pulaski's Cady Lowery is behind the wheel
#12 - Farm Bureau expresses appreciation
for federal employees working without pay
Farm Bureau expresses appreciation for
federal employees working without pay
With 2019 nearing its end, we hope that these 12 pieces will help us
remember that Logan County is a great place to live and that good
things happen in this community every day.
These 12 stories are only a slice of all that went well in 2019, and
we hope these stories and all the others that have been covered by
LDN in the last 12 months will help to inspire an even better and
brighter 2020.
[N SMITH/LDN ARCHIVES] |
