2020 Year in Review

December: Christmas re-imagined in a pandemic, vaccinations begin

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[January 18, 2021]   In December our community along with the rest of the state was wrestling with the restrictions that had been placed upon us by the coronavirus. With state health officials and the governor encouraging people to stay at home, shop online, avoid crowds, and make plans NOT to spend Christmas with family, it was a difficult time indeed.

Many of the activities typically held in December were either cancelled or reformatted to fit within the restrictions that had been placed upon us. For the most part the attempts to ‘work around covid’ worked out pretty well.

One of the biggest and best work arounds locally was a backward parade hosted the first Thursday evening in December in Lincoln. The Logan County Tourism Bureau Board of Directors had exhausted many ideas of how to host the annual Christmas parade in Lincoln and had come up empty. Then at the last minute a new idea emerged and the board, anxious to give something to the community responded positively. In a matter of days, Tourism staff Morgan Gleason and Cindy Smith organized a backward parade.

The concept was to keep the public in their vehicles and at a safe distance from one another. Put the floats in parking spaces along Kickapoo Street so that vehicles could drive past the floats.

Lincoln Christmas Cruise brings happiness to children and adults on Thursday night

Unique backward parade well received by the community - slideshow


On the night of the parade in Lincoln Santa Claus received a special recognition. Everyone knows that there are several Santa look-a-likes who visit with children and collect Christmas wishes. Those stand-ins then pass the messages along to the real thing.



On the evening of the parade, the real Santa Claus was recognized in Lincoln.


Many children will tell you that Santa has "helpers" worldwide who dress up and represent him at Christmas time. Whispering wishes in those helpers' ears is just as magical as the real thing because they report back to the real Santa at the end of every day.

In and around Lincoln, however, when children speak with the local Santa, most of the time, they are talking to the REAL SANTA CLAUS. When not at the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus live in Lincoln incognito as Terry and Wendy Bell.

On Thursday, December 3rd, just before the Lincoln Christmas Cruise representatives from the community recognized the couple as the REAL SANTA and Mrs. Claus.

Downtown Lincoln members Lisa Drew and Kathie Williams, Acting Mayor Tracy Welch, Logan County Tourism Director Morgan Gleason and Roger Matson presented Santa with a special recognition trophy. Matson was the one who, 13 years ago first recognized Santa and asked him to officially light a tree in Lincoln.

Read more in today's edition of Lincoln Daily News.

Photo by Cindy Smith, Logan County Tourism Bureau


Lincoln's "Real Santa" recognized by community leaders

Santa through the years - Album


In Mount Pulaski the Hilltopper Club also came up with a nice way to enjoy Christmas from the comfort of family vehicles. A Christmas light contest was announced. On opening nights maps could be obtained of the many homes and businesses that were participating. Viewers had the opportunity to vote for favorites in multiple categories.

Mount Pulaski Christmas Light Contest

Take the tour in numeric order starting on North Marion Street - slideshow

Sticking with the map start at the Attic...Salt Creek Attic that is. - slideshow

A jaunt to the country is refreshing and exciting. Then head back to town to finish the tour - slideshow


Back in Lincoln, the Downtown Business Group came up with a new way for children to visit with Santa Claus. On a pleasant Monday evening when the temperatures were not too cold, but yet cool enough to enjoy hot chocolate, families lined the sidewalk on Broadway Street. There, children could have a visit with Santa through a window at Sorrento’s Pizzeria. After talking with Santa they were invited to enjoy a warm cup of cocoa from the Traveling Top Hat. Coffee and other warm beverages were also offered courtesy of Top Hat Creamery and several other downtown business owners.


These three darlings were among the many, many children who came downtown in Lincoln on Monday evening to visit with "Santa in the window." Santa was set up inside Sorrento's Pizzeria with a speaker system so that he could hear and be heard by the children outside on the other side of the glass.

After visiting with Santa, kids received free caps from "Grandma Santa" along with free hot chocolate and single scoops of ice cream delivered by Top Hat Creamery.

Top Hat provided all the hot chocolate, and many downtown businesses partnered to sponsor the ice cream cups.

Photo by Nila Smith



Area children enjoy a nice visit with Santa in the Window

Unique visits with Santa bring community together for a fun evening - slideshow

Hot chocolate, cold ice cream, winter caps and Santa. Who could ask for more? - slideshow


Closer to Christmas, Zion Lutheran Church offered motorists an opportunity to view a live nativity on the lawn of the Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln. The real reason for the season filled our hearts as we watched the re-enactment of the Christ Child in a manger.


On Friday evening there was a steady line of vehicles parading through the parking lot at Zion Lutheran School to witness the real reason for the season. The Zion Lutheran Church hosted a living nativity on the lawn of the school.

The nativity was complete with angels, wise men, shepherds, sheep, a cow, poultry, and of course, the small donkey that would have carried Mary to the manger. A wooden structure protected Joseph, Mary and the Christ Child.

Photo Nila Smith


Zion Lutheran Church - Live Nativity reminds us of the reason for the season - slideshow

Also a bit closer to Christmas the Lincoln Park District made arrangements for Santa Claus to come to Lincoln one last time. A drive through visit was arranged utilizing Memorial Park.


With Christmas Eve just a few days away, Santa may have made his last visit to Lincoln this past Saturday. Children from around the area had the opportunity to speak to Santa from their cars in a drive-thru visit hosted by the Lincoln Park District.

The drive-thru was held at Memorial Park in Lincoln. A merry little elf greeted drivers and young passengers at the entrance. Vehicles then proceeded to a candy land with a tiny elf smiling and waving as they passed by.

Santa was seated in his holiday-themed throne with a jolly face mask. He called out to children and noted their last minute Christmas wishes.

Two more elves were on hand to give out little treat bags that held a hot cocoa mix and a full-sized candy cane as the vehicles exited.

Photo by Nila Smith


Santa receives visitors at Memorial Park drive-thru - Album

Another annual activity in Lincoln is the two big Christmas Cookie Sales. While these sales are typically a shop and fill your own container event, this year the sales had to be conducted differently.

When it comes to cookies, where there is a will there is a way!

Recognizing that this was not your typical year and that many were not getting out and about, Lincoln Daily News strove to fill our daily editions with all things Christmassy. From heartwarming stories and greetings in the annual Home for the Holidays online magazine to special feature stories, slideshows and other photos, LDN hoped to bring Christmas joy and Christmas spirit to our community during a tough year.

2020 Home for the Holidays magazine – Making this holiday season the best ever

Much of what LDN offered revolved around taking in and appreciating what was in plain sight – holiday decorations.


This home on Palmer Avenue, just a few feet from Woodlawn Road in Lincoln, is getting plenty of attention this year for its amazing Christmas lights. Some may remember the home was chosen last year as the December Home of the Month for the same reason. This year homeowner Danny Poulus has upped his game with at least twice as many lights as before. One of the nicest things about this display is that it is located directly across the street from O'Reilly's Auto Parts. It is not uncommon to drive by and see cars parked at O'Reilly's pointed toward the house. And with good reason. With so much to see, a "drive-by" simply won't do.

Photo by Nila Smith



There is a rumor of war in the city of Lincoln. A Christmas light war between two brothers done in fun and nothing to worry about, only joy.

In a recent edition of Lincoln Daily News, a photo was published of a home on Palmer Avenue owned by Danny Poulos. The house and lawn are decorated to the hilt for Christmas.

A little bird sent LDN a message and said that Danny has a brother George, who lives on North McLean across from the Dugan Center. George also enjoys decorating for Christmas. It was noted in the message that perhaps there was a bit of a brother battle to see who could outdo who.

We won't pass judgment on which is best because we think both are absolutely wonderful.

Photos by Nila Smith & Karen Hargis



Henry, the owl at Kickapoo Creek Park in Lincoln is all bundled up for winter. It is probably a good thing that his clothing designers got out there soon after Christmas to get Henry dressed in warm flannel. The current weather reports indicate that 2021 is going to come in very chilly.

Photo by Karen Hargis


A daytime look at the trees on Broadway Street - slideshow

Some of our favorite details from the trees on Broadway - slideshow

Kickapoo Street trees a wonder to behold - slideshow

Attention getters within the Kickapoo Street trees - slideshow

A stroll down McLean Street. What a wonderful sight. - slideshow

McLean Street offers an invitation to slow down and take it all in - slideshow

Trees on Pulaski Street are beautiful and memorable - slideshow

Taking a closer look at what makes the trees on Pulaski Street so special - slideshow

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Around the community, it seems that perhaps a few more families did outdoor decorating this year than in the past. Driving around Lincoln after dark is an enjoyable activity that can be done safely.

Some light displays have an obvious theme and others are just put out to be pretty and remind us all that there is beauty in the season, but all are adorable and well worth seeking out.

Photo by Karen Hargis

[to top of second column]

Christmas Joy! - Taking in the lights at night - slideshow

Christmas Joy! - Let it Snowman! And, some novel decorating ideas around our community - slideshow

Christmas Joy! - Homes around our community look great even when it isn't dark - slideshow

Christmas Joy - The joy of the Nativity - slideshow


The efforts made by LDN were appreciated by at least one reader. She expressed appreciation first for the community and the gift of the Winter Wonderland trees on the Logan County Courthouse Square. She also thanked LDN for providing so much coverage of the trees, noting that it was an excellent opportunity for those who could not go personally, to see the trees and just how nice they all were.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Trees around the courthouse


Another notable letter to the editor in December came from the owners of Copper Penny in downtown Lincoln. Small Business Saturday is held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. In the November review LDN showed readers how that event had worked out for businesses. The Saturday sales were very important to the downtown businesses and Gary and Theresa Schieffer were grateful for the way it all worked out.

LETTER TO EDITOR
Appreciation to community for Small Business Saturday


In the letter from the Schieffers the Downtown Christmas Express give away was mentioned. It was one of three big prize opportunities that came in December.

The biggest prize during the month was a car awarded to local teacher Eric Grunder. Graue Chevrolet hosted a year-long Amazing Teacher contest. Each month a winner had been selected from nominations made by the public. Then on December 12th the monthly winners gathered at the dealership to see who would by chance-drawing go home in a GM certified pre-owned vehicle.


On Saturday afternoon Graue Chevrolet in Lincoln hosted the Graue Amazing Teacher Contest final stage of who would be the winner of a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Eric Grunder, an instructor in Biology at Lincoln College made the lucky draw.

Each of the eight monthly winners was chose a gift bag that included a car key fob. Gruner was the seventh teacher to try his fob on the award car and it worked much to his delight.

Pictured left to right are David Awe and Chris Graue with Graue Chevrolet, Grunder, and John Radloff also with Graue.

Photo by Nila Smith



Eric Grunder wins car giveaway in Graue Amazing Teacher contest

Six days later a winner was drawn for the Downtown Christmas Express. The winner received a gift basket filled with more than $500 worth of gift cards and merchandise from downtown businesses.


On Friday morning, downtown business owners (from left) Kathie Williams, Lisa Drew and Ethan Hoinacki met at Guest House Pastries and Coffee to name the winner of this year's Lincoln Christmas Express gift basket winner. The name Sheila Sheley was drawn. Sheley received more than $500 in gift cards and merchandise from the 27 participating businesses in the heart of the city.

It was also announced the People's Choice winner of the Logan County Tourism Bureau annual Gingerbread Contest is Atlanta Ag 4-H. The group will receive a lovely trophy from Small Town Creations and bragging rights for the next year.

Photo Nila Smith


Sheila Sheley wins Lincoln Christmas Express Gift Basket

And just before Christmas, December 21st, Lisa Goodman’s name was drawn as the winner of the Pink Pedal Tractor that had been raffled off by the Friends and Family Relay Team. The tractor had been donated to the team by Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta. Because the tractor was to be a gift for a little farmer in the family, LDN held off on the announcement of the winner until the two-year-old learned that the tractor would be going home with him.


On Monday, December 21st, the owners and staff of Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta joined Lisa Ramlow of the Friends and Family Relay Team to draw a winner for a special Christmas gift. CIA donated a pink pedal tractor to raffle off. Proceeds of the raffle were donated to the American Cancer Society via the Logan County Relay for Life.

Pictured left to right behind the counter are Jake Glandon, Michael Schmidt and Steve Schmidt. In front of the counter from the left are CIA staff members Dawn Irwin, Abby Miller, Matt Voelker, and Lisa Ramlow who represented the relay team.

The winner of the tractor was Lisa Goodman of Atlanta.

On Christmas Eve, Goodman with her partner Greg Paul brought their little guy Tipper to the dealership. There Tipper learned that the tractor was for him and that he would be taking it home with him as an early Christmas gift.

Tipper was super excited about his new toy.

Left to right: Friends and Family Relay Team Co-captain Karen Hargis, Matt Voelker representing Central Illinois Ag, and winners Tipper, Goodman and Paul.

Photos by Nila Smith and Abby Miller



Lisa Goodman wins ‘fight cancer’ pink pedal tractor for her favorite little farm boy

Christmas brings out the giving spirit in many of us and there was not a shortage of giving this year as LDN had the pleasure of sharing many of the great things people were doing for each other within Logan County.

Edward Jones Diaper Drive Continues to Grow

Integrity Data Awards $10,000 in Community Giving Program Grants

Generosity of the community allows Emblem Club to ‘pay it forward’

United Riders deliver gift baskets to local veterans - Album

Toys for Tots brings in hundreds of gifts for local children


There was no denying that 2020 had been a tough year for the citizens of Logan County just as it had been around the country. There were those seeking financial assistance and food assistance who had not done so in the past.

Just before Christmas the United Way of Logan County rolled out a new resource for those in need.

United Way of Logan County introduces new resources for those in need in the community

Additional help was offered to Logan County businesses in December as new Business Sustainability Grants became available. The Mount Pulaski Economic Development board announced Covid-19 relief grants and the city of Lincoln offered Business Sustainability Grants.

Mount Pulaski EDPB offering COVID-19 Relief funds for January 2021
Applications should be submitted by December 31st

City of Lincoln offering Business Sustainability Grants
Deadline for Application is December 30th

In Atlanta Public Library received a financial shot in the arm in December thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Atlanta National Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.


The Atlanta Public Library District has been gifted cash to continue its work in difficult times.

Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer at Atlanta National Bank Neal Stimpert said, “The Atlanta National Bank is committed to supporting our customers and communities now more than ever. Through our partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago we are providing $5,000 to the Atlanta Public Library District.”

The check was presented to APL Director Brittany Janes (left) by Stimpert (center) with APL Board President Jim Welchel looking on.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s Targeted Impact Fund provides members with grants to support relief efforts for populations hardest-hit by Covid-19 as well as to promote equity and opportunity.


In other good news, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital was recognized for its excellent patient care practices and Heartland Community College had good news to share about its curriculum as well as its students.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Earns Top Marks for Patient Care

New Robotics Operator program begins at Heartland Community College

Heartland student athletes reach new academic heights

In other city of Lincoln news, aldermen debated a property tax increase.

Lincoln aldermen consider a property tax increase for next year

Lincoln Aldermen amend tax levy increase to 1.5 percent


In December there were two retirements announced. One was significant to Illinois politics but the other was much dearer to the hearts of the owners and staff at Lincoln Daily News.

Senator Bill Brady announces retirement effective immediately

LDN’s Roy Logan announces retirement


Logan County also lost another good friend in December. Gene Burwell passed into eternal life, leaving behind a huge legacy that was felt in the hearts of many.

A tribute to Gene Burwell

On the corona front there was a disturbing trend in December. In Logan County in December alone there were 1,115 new positive test results reported and 23 additional covid-related deaths. The year to date positives nearly doubled and area deaths nearly tripled.

In the good news department it was announced that a coronavirus vaccine was being rolled out and that healthcare and frontline workers would be the first to get the inoculations. In Logan County the staff at Christian Village were among the first to have the two-part vaccine.


Christian Village staff member Julie King receives her first dose of the new coronavirus vaccine on Monday. All eleven of the Christian Horizons facilities across the state are slated to receive their first doses this week.

Photo provided by Jennifer Morgan


With the year coming to an end so came the end of the 20th year of publication for Lincoln Daily News. The tenure of the paper, its continued readership and its ability to grow with the community is credited to our readers, our advertisers and our staff. From 750 readers on our launch in 2000 to an average of 16,000+ readers per day in 2020 – let’s just say “We’ve come a long way baby.”

A cause for us to celebrate

Hoping to end the year with some positive thinking, LDN on December 30th re-ran a feature from the Home for the Holiday’s magazine. The “Greetings and warm wishes to you from a few of our most favorite people” carried us into the new year with some positive messages.

As the Lincoln Daily News ‘Year in Review’ draws to a close, we urge you all to return to those greetings same as we will from time to time. Take inspiration from those who offered us their heart felt encouragement and wished upon our community nothing but the best.

Greetings and warm wishes to you from a few of our most favorite people

The year 2020 is now gone, and a new one has begun. We will still have hardships and still struggle to deal with this pandemic that has had such a devastating effect on so many lives. But, perhaps we can see the light at the end of tunnel. Perhaps, as the vaccines are being distributed and our daily “numbers” are decreasing, we can look up and forward.

To start the new year, we’ll quote one of the guests who sent everyone greetings in the holiday magazine. "And don't forget the best is yet to come."


[Nila Smith]

 

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