Alcohol is the No. 1 killer of young people in our country. Something needs to be done to educate our youth about the dangers of alcohol. The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force of the Healthy Communities Partnership has purchased billboard space on Woodlawn Avenue, on the northeastern corner of the fairgrounds, for a billboard with an anti-alcohol message geared toward youth.

HYPE (Helping Youth in a Positive Environment) and Snowball are organizing a sit-in where youth can come and sign an alcohol-free pledge. HYPE and Snowball are giving T-shirts with an anti-alcohol message to the youth that sign the pledge sheet. The public is invited to attend, even for a short time, to see the positive things the youth of Logan County are achieving.

Questions may be directed to Kristi Simpson, prevention specialist, co-chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force at 735-2272.

The Olympia FFA Alumni/Boosters chapter, in conjunction with the FFA chapter, helped cook rib-eye sandwiches at the Minier Corn Daze festival on Aug. 6 in Minier. The alumni group includes parts of McLean, Tazewell, DeWitt, Logan and Woodford counties.

Several members from each chapter helped cook and sell approximately 600 rib-eye sandwiches. Proceeds from this event will benefit the FFA chapter at Olympia.

Also, they welcomed Miss Mindy Busboom, a new agriculture instructor at Olympia for the upcoming school year. She was raised on a grain and livestock farm near Rantoul and recently graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She is looking forward to working with John Rogers, the other agricultural instructor at Olympia.

Everybody who helped with the event had an enjoyable and profitable day.

Orders for reprints are being accepted now

The 1886 "History of Logan County"

The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society is reprinting the 1886 "History of Logan County" with index. Pre-publication orders are now being accepted. Pre-publication cost before Aug. 15 is $40 each. After Aug. 15, the cost will be $45 each. Please include $4 per book for shipping and handling.

Orders with payment may be sent to the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society, 11 Arcade Court, Lincoln, IL 62656. Orders received without payment will not be accepted.

The 1886 History of Logan County is suggested as a great gift for the book lovers on your Christmas list. People are encouraged not to delay in ordering, as only a limited number of books will be available.

Congratulations to Pam Morrow (Dietary Department), who was named the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital August Employee of the Month.

Pam’s nominator says Pam makes working fun ─ "In her positive, upbeat way of saying and doing things makes everyone’s day better." When working with the patients, she is always willing to go the extra mile to make them happy. You can always count on Pam to help get the work done.

Pam has worked at ALMH for 3½ years. She enjoys fishing with her husband and spending quality time with her two children and grandson. She has a passion for growing hot peppers and creating new chili recipes ─ green chili being her most popular!

Pam enjoys listening to all the interesting stories the elderly patients like to share.

Congratulations to Pam.

ALMH welcomes Donna Leonard to the staff as a CNA on Med/Surg. Donna lives in Mount Pulaski with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys reading and flower gardening.

Vicki Kampmeier joins the Med/Surg staff as a nurse tech. Vicki was born and raised in Wood Dale and currently resides in Lincoln with her husband, Gene. She enjoys gardening in her free time.

Congratulations to Marcia Stoll, of Logan Mason Mental Health, whose daughter Elizabeth was crowned Miss Logan County Fair Queen 2000.

Also, congratulations to Gene Fioli, of Logan Mason Rehab, whose daughter Amanda was first runner-up in the Logan County fair queen pageant.

Sharon Gleason is an activity assistant at Bartmann Health Care Center and has been an employee for 1½ years. The team marketing committee selected her for Employee of the Month of July based on her work ethic, attitude, and her patience and rapport with all the residents.

"Sharon is an asset to the facility and a valued employee. She works wonderfully with all the residents. When she was asked to step in and work full time, due to a medical leave of another employee, she did, no questions asked. She does a great job with all her paperwork and does extra assignments when asked. Sharon always gives full-time love and care to all the residents at Bartmann’s. We’re glad she’s a part of the Bartmann Health Care Team," says activity director Lija Frye. "The Employee of the Month program is designed to promote and encourage high standards of care, and Sharon is certainly an example of excellence in caregiving," says administrator June George.

Bartmann’s says, "Congratulations, Sharon, on your well-deserved award and on a job well done!"

Attention parents of junior high and high school students in Logan County:  For the 2000-2001 school year, a parent network and directory is being organized for parents who oppose youth use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. This is being coordinated by Heartland Coalition for Youth and Families in cooperation with the Chester-East Lincoln Community Consolidated School District 61, Hartsburg-Emden District 23, Lincoln Elementary District 27, Lincoln Community High School District 404, Mount Pulaski District 23, New Holland-Middletown District 88, West Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary District 92, Carroll Catholic School, Lincoln Zion Lutheran School and Mount Pulaski Zion Lutheran School.

The basis for the program is research and experience showing that parents who state clear rules against use and who monitor youth activities to ensure rules are followed greatly decrease the odds of alcohol, tobacco or other drug use by their children. The network directory is a help to parents in setting explicit rules and contacting other parents about particular youth events.

Detailed information will be available at school registration in the three participating districts. Questions about the network can be directed to Tonya Payne at the Heartland Coalition office: 217-482-3012.