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2025 Year in Review in Photos
Jeff Wyles shares his favorite pix from the second quarter of the
year
[January 07, 2026]
As the person who posts the
majority of the photos and stories to our site, I think I may have a
unique perspective. Some photos stick in my head months after they
were posted. Others fade into the hundreds, or thousands, of
pictures I have seen over the last 3+ years working at LDN. These
are the photos from April through June of 2025 that scratched some
itch inside my head.
April 3rd
These pictures have stuck with me
since the day it happened. Every time I drive by Farm & Home, Eaton
and Arby's I'm reminded of these photos. Not only is it a bit of a
shock to see this kind of damage in your own town, there's also the
opportunity to witness the recovery and repair.
CAPTION READ: On Wednesday morning, workers and shoppers had
quite an experience as high winds raked through the west side of
Lincoln wreaking havoc on the roofs of several businesses, knocking
down power poles, and leaving many in the dark.
There was also some significant damage at the Eaton manufacturing
plant on the north side of the city.
April 11th
I think what CIVC does with the
Veteran Tiny Homes in our community is incredible. To me, this photo
ties that mission together...the flag, hands on hearts, shovels.
This photo says "we appreciate the service" and "we have hope for
the future"
CAPTION READ: On Tuesday evening, April 8th, the Central Illinois
Veterans Commission (CIVC) broke ground on veteran tiny homes
numbers eight and nine in Lincoln.
The homes will be located at 516 Short Tenth Street. Construction
will begin soon with a completion goal of later this summer.
Volunteers are always needed during construction. If you would be
interested in lending a hand contact the CIVC office in Lincoln.
April 26th
It's the smile. I never had the
opportunity to meet Joy, but this photo makes me wish I had.
Fifty-five years of service at IGA and still a smile on her face.
This is the kind of picture that just makes you feel good.
CAPTION READ: Joy Blair, of Lincoln IGA, is retiring after 55
years of service. Over those years she has just about done it all;
from checker to produce to meat wrapper and for the longest time
Deli & Bakery manager. Joy created the deli and bakery departments
from scratch. She worked for Eisner, Jewel and now IGA all in the
same location.
Many of us know Joy or have seen her working hard behind the scenes
to please her customers and friends palates. She will be missed.
April 29th
This photo is of the ribbon cut for
the renovated Logan County Veteran Assistance Commission office.
It's so important that we take care of our veterans and provide them
the resources they need.
CAPTION READ: On Saturday, April 26 the Logan County Veterans
Assistance Commission (VAC) held a ribbon cut to celebrate the grand
opening of their newly renovated location.
Previously the VAC was housed in the Logan County Courthouse. The
new location at 122 N. McLean St. in Lincoln helps to create a more
inviting environment and a place dedicated directly to veterans.
May 1st
I'm not sure why this photo grabs
me, but it does. The community support for the graduating class is
definitely a part of it. Living in a rural area and going to school
at Olympia I never received this kind of support. I guess I'm
jealous! I am also blown away by the Woman's Club and all the work
they do in the community.
CAPTION READ: Personalized graduation signs greeted students in
Saturday's LCHS Senior Parade as the student participants made the
parade’s final turn onto Wyatt Blvd. Students were encouraged to
pick up their sign after the parade and display it in their own
yard. Remaining signs can be picked up at the high school next week.
The signs are part of a traditional fundraiser by the GFWC Lincoln
Woman’s Club. The LCHS signs were placed by members earlier in the
day. Almost every school in Logan County will start displaying the
yard signs in the next couple of weeks!
May 5th
Four teachers. Over 100 years of
combined experience in the classroom. These women are absolute
heroes and deserve to be recognized for it.
CAPTION READ: As the school year comes to a close, District 27
will see the retirement of four teachers with over 100 years of
combined experience in the classroom.
Congratulations to Gretchen Boehme, Kay Ebelherr, Tammy Dietrich and
Sherri Sparrow as they prepare for the next journey in their lives!
[to top of second column] |
May 10th
I really like the colors in this
photo. It's a neat picture of "Lumi the Pie Girl" at Country Aire in
Atlanta. What I really enjoy though, is the pastel yellow and blue
against the sunset. The picture just screams small town charm, and
I'm a sucker for that.
CAPTION READ: On a lovely spring evening LDN reporter Stephanie
Hall enjoyed a nice meal at the Country Aire Restaurant in Atlanta.
When she came out, she couldn’t help but notice the magnificent
sunset off in the west. She also noted that the sunset made for a
dramatic backdrop for Lumi the Pie Girl.
Country Aire Owners Nick and Lumi Bekteshi installed Lumi, a giant
pie lady on the edge of their parking lot last year. And yes, the
pie girl is named after Lumi Bekteshi who is known around Atlanta
for her wonderful desserts.
The next time you go out for a drive, be sure to at least stop at
Country Aire and visit a minute with Lumi the Pie Girl. And, while
you are already there why not check out the good food that waits for
all inside the restaurant?
May 16th
This photo is inspiring. These
young women ran more in one day than I probably have in the last
five years. On top of that, they are learning self-confidence,
positive health habits and growing their own community. GIRL POWER!
CAPTION READ: Washington-Monroe Elementary school girls, their
coaches, and families celebrated the spring season of Girls on the
Run (GOTR) with a practice 5k on April 29 in preparation for the
official GOTR Central Illinois 5k and Celebration in Springfield on
May 17.
GOTR is for girls in the third through fifth grade with a mission to
inspire “individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow
their self-confidence.
May 20th
Every community should have a good
farmer's market. This photo celebrates LMH hosting the market for 10
years.
CAPTION READ: On Saturday, May 17th, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital (ALMH) hosted its first farmer’s market of the season.
Beside being the first one of 2025, this market was notable for one
other key reason: this is the ALMH’s tenth year hosting the market.
May 24th
I remember going to Atlanta Grade
School and seeing the big "A" high up on the wall in the gym. At the
time I had no idea of the history of the school, including that my
grandfather had been a Redwing. Times change and the gym I had P.E.
in no longer exists. This photo is a reminder of what was.
CAPTION READ: The May 2025 Logan County Genealogical and
Historical Society monthly meeting was held at the recently updated
Union Hall’s Atlanta Museum. Participants were able to explore the
museum and ask questions of it's director, Amy Wertheim.
This photo highlights part of the section dedicated to the Atlanta
High School prior to joining the Olympia School District in 1972. Go
Redwings!
June 2nd
There's not much to say about this
one, I just appreciate the sentiment.
CAPTION READ: This Saturday, the Lincoln/Logan County Pridefest
will return to the heart of Lincoln starting at 3 p.m. and running
into the evening.
This marks the fifth year for the celebration. To commemorate the
anniversary a ribbon cut will be held on the stage located at the
intersection of Kickapoo and Pulaski Streets. The public is invited
to attend.
June 10th
These pugs belong to my co-worker
Devyn. I am extremely biased because I love them. There was no way I
could make a top picture list and not include them. Congrats to
Bella on her Pridefest Pet Contest win!
CAPTION READ: The fifth annual Logan County PrideFest was held on
Saturday, June 7th on the square downtown by the Logan County
Courthouse. The festival featured many events, contests and vendors
throughout.
The pet contest was won by LDN's Devyn Fry and her pug Bella. In
this photo we can see Bella being supported by her sister Pickles.
[Jeff Wyles]
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