Logan County Board decides
on liability insurance bid

[JULY 14, 2000]  The Logan County Board accepted a bid of $67,474 for one year of liability insurance from the L.L. Hubbard Co. The insurance plan provides complete coverage beginning July 16. The next lowest bid came from Perry Grieme Insurance, Lincoln, and was $43,000 higher. The board voted 8-5 for Hubbard’s bid.

[JULY 13, 2000]  According to a press release from Main Street Lincoln, Lincoln's downtown is changing its character and improving. The organization conducted Lincoln’s second Intercept Survey, which, after analysis, shows an even higher approval rating for downtown than a similar survey five years ago. The survey results also reflect the transition of downtown Lincoln from a place to shop for "everyday items" to a place where gifts, specialty items and meals are purchased.

The two-page survey was completed at back-to-back Main Street events: the Prom Grand March on May 6 and the Taste of Lincoln on May 7. A similar survey was conducted at the 1995 Grand March and is being used as a basis for comparison.

This year’s survey results revealed the following: 

• A large increase in people who gave downtown’s attractiveness/cleanliness a “good” rating (the highest possible). This reflects appreciation for recent downtown improvements such as building renovations, historic street lighting, restoration of Scully Park and addition of decorative banners and Christmas decorations.

• An increase in “good” ratings for “friendliness of salespeople.” Shopping for gifts and specialty items downtown jumped dramatically, capturing that business from out-of-town.
  
   
  

• Eating out downtown increased significantly, with business drawn from elsewhere in Lincoln and out of town. 

• Viewing movies downtown increased considerably, reflecting the success of the addition of screens and first-run movies at GKC Theaters.

• Abe’s, Guzzardo’s and Kathleen’s Hallmark are the downtown businesses that come to mind for most people.

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• “Clothing” and “shoes” were identified as the most desired businesses downtown, although the closing of Schick’s and previous closings of Brass Button and JC Penney would indicate that the profitability of a downtown clothing store is an issue.

• A bakery and another casual dining establishment were also identified by many people as businesses they would like to see downtown.

• Parking is not considered as serious a problem as it used to be. More people rated parking “good” or “fair” this year, rather than “poor” as they did five years ago. This reflects the diligence of more downtown employees in parking off the square, freeing up parking spaces for customers.

• “Helping downtown businesses attract more customers” and “recruiting new businesses” to downtown were identified as the most important Main Street projects.

• The Holiday Giveaway and the Festival of Trees are the most attended Main Street events in addition to the Grand March and Taste of Lincoln.

Main Street Lincoln will be using information from the survey to help prepare next year’s work plan. The Economic Restructuring Committee, the Design Committee, the Organization Committee and the Promotion Committee will each be using information from the survey as they select projects for the work plan.

Results of local 4-H shows announced

[JULY 13, 2000]  Summer is for sewing, cooking, showing horses and more for local 4-H'ers. On July 11, the annual 4-H Home and Family Show, and Food, Nutrition, and Health Show, both took place at the University of Illinois Logan County Extension Office at the Logan County Fairgrounds. The events were coordinated by Joann Benz, youth developing educator, and Patty Huffer.

Approximately 60 participants, aged 8 to 18 years, were judged in several events. Abrigail Sasse, who made a red dress and hair tie for the sewing competition, told her mother, "The summer is not the same without sewing." In addition to sewing, Sasse also competes in horses, rabbits, and cooking throughout the year. Amanda Davison, who has been sewing for six years, competed with a blue dress and purse. She and other fellow competitors agree that their favorite parts of competing are meeting new people and seeing friends.

[Trisha Youngquist]

The 4-H’ers who were chosen to go on to the State Fair are as follows:

Chris Ackerman, Lincoln; Dairy Foods

Emily Bakken, Lincoln; Microwaving and International Foods

John Brooks, Lincoln; You Learn to Bake

Susan Cochran, Mount Pulaski; International Foods

Amanda Davison, Beason; International Foods and Fruits and Vegetables

Kimber Davison, New Holland; You Learn to Bake

Samantha Davison, New Holland, Breads and Cereals

Leanna Gleason, Elkhart; Let’s Start Cooking

Roxanne Horath, Atlanta; Quick Meals

Holly Ingram, Lincoln; Breads and Cereals

Michelle Johnson, Latham; Quick Meals

Abrigail Sasse, Beason; Breads and Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables, and Food Preservation

Kim Turner, Atlanta; Breads and Cereals

Krista Ubbenga, Hartsburg; Food Preservation

Foods – State Fair Alternates

Betsy Bakken, Lincoln; Fruits and Vegetables

Jackie Bakken, Lincoln; Breads and Cereals and Fruits and Vegetables

Elizabeth Brooks, Lincoln; International Foods

Tabetha Chelsedine, Latham; Quick Meals

Angela Cunningham, Elkhart; Breads and Cereals

Annie Davison, New Holland, Fruits and Vegetables

Mary Healy, Middletown; Food Preservation

Adrienne Hildebrandt, Lincoln; You Learn to Bake

Jessica Lindgren, Atlanta; International Foods

Allicent Pech, Lincoln; You Learn to Bake

Jennifer Schahl, Lincoln; Tricks for Treats II

The following 4-H’ers were chosen as "Top Foods" individuals. These 4-H’ers will compete for an overall county award which will be presented at the 4-H Achievement Night in November.

Chris Ackerman, Lincoln; Dairy Foods

Emily Bakken, Lincoln; Microwaving and International Foods

John Brooks, Lincoln; You Learn to Bake

Susan Cochran, Mount Pulaski; International Foods

Amanda Davison, Beason; International Foods and Fruits and Vegetables

Kimber Davison, New Holland; You Learn to Bake

Samantha Davison, New Holland, Breads and Cereals

Leanna Gleason, Elkhart; Let’s Start Cooking

Roxanne Horath, Atlanta; Quick Meals

Holly Ingram, Lincoln; Breads and Cereals

Michelle Johnson, Latham; Quick Meals

Abrigail Sasse, Beason; Breads and Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables, and Food Preservation

Kim Turner, Atlanta; Breads and Cereals

Krista Ubbenga, Hartsburg; Food Preservation

Ben Beavers

Kelli Brooks

Ben Buse

Elizabeth Fanning

Zack Huffer

Allicent Pech

Katie Turner

Emily Bakken

Jill Patrick

Jennifer Schahl

Laura Schahl

Heather Altig

Carley Bobell

Michelle Boyer

Ben Buse

Emma Cross

Leanna Gleason

Kelly Gosda

Adrienne Hildebrandt

Amy Ramlow

Nichole Benz

Emily Bobell

John Brooks

Kelli Brooks

Kimber Davison

Kelly Cross

Bethany Furman

Adrienne Hildebrandt

Megan Johnson

Allicent Pech

Amy Ramlow

Sarah Schneider

Marjorie White

John Brooks

Chris Ackerman

Amanda Davison

Emily Bakken

Abby Coers

Allicent Pech

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Exploring Outdoor Eating - Blue Award

Emilly Patrick

Holly Askew

Elizabeth Brooks

Tabetha Chelsedine

Abby Coers

Angela Cunningham

Amanda Davison

Roxanne Horath

Michelle Johnson

Ashley Lamb

Abrigail Sasse

Krista Ubbenga

Emily Bakken

Jackie Bakken

Elizabeth Brooks

Susan Cochran

Amanda Davison

Jessica Lindgren

Betsy Bakken

Emily Bakken

Jackie Bakken

Katelyn Beavers

Angela Cunningham

Amanda Davison

Samantha Davison

Andrew Fulton

Ruth Healy

Holly Ingram

Kristen Janssen

Abrigail Sasse

Kim Turner

Krista Ubbenga

Betsy Bakken

Jackie Bakken

Amanda Davison

Annie Davison

Kelly Dowling

Kristen Janssen

Abrigail Sasse

Mary Healy

Kristen Janssen

Abrigail Sasse

Krista Ubbenga

4-H Home and Family Show results

A number of 4-H’ers were chosen as award winners and to go on to the State Fair. These individuals are listed below.

Allicent Pech, Lincoln – Sewing and Textiles I Construction Award

Abrigail Sasse, Hartsburg – Sewing and Textiles II Construction Award

Abby Coers, Chestnut – Sewing and Textiles II Purchased Garment Award

Amanda Davison, Beason – Sewing and Textiles III Construction Award

Amanda Davison, Beason – 4-H Fashion Revue Award

Sarah Schneider, Hartsburg
Adrienne Hildebrandt, Lincoln
Jill Patrick, New Holland

Emily Bakken, Lincoln

Amanda Davison, Beason; Sewing and Textiles III

Bethany Furman, Waynesville; Sewing and Textiles I

Allicent Pech, Lincoln; Sewing and Textiles I

Abrigail Sasse, Beason, Sewing and Textiles II

Sewing and Textiles – State Fair alternates

Jackie Bakken, Lincoln; Sewing and Textiles III

Abby Coers, Chestnut, Sewing and Textiles II

Krista Ubbenga, Hartsburg; Sewing and Textiles III

Marjorie White, Beason; Sewing and Textiles I

Katelyn Beavers, Broadwell

Amanda Davison, Beason

Besty Bakken, Lincoln

Krista Ubbenga, Hartsburg

Kelly Dowling, Lincoln; Beginning

Ashley Lamb, Latham; Beginning

Krista Ubbenga, Hartsburg; Beginning

Heather Altig; Latham, Toys and Activities

Kelly Dowling

Ashley Lamb

Heather Osborn

Abbie Southerlan

Krista Ubbenga

Heather Altig

Holly Askew

Nichole Benz

Bethany Furman

Adrienne Hildebrandt

Allicent Pech

Marjorie White

Leanna Gleason

Abby Coers

Jill Patrick

Abrigail Sasse

Sarah Schneider (2)

Katelyn Beavers

Betsy Bakken

Emily Bakken

Jackie Bakken

Amanda Davison

Krista Ubbenga

Pink Shutter to hang shingle at new location

[JULY 13, 2000]  Sometime in December, the Pink Shutter Thrift Store will close its doors at 129 South Sangamon and reopen at 114 North McLean Street. Employees and administration are excited for “two reasons: location and improved parking,” explained spokesperson Woody Hester. The new location brings the store two blocks closer to the downtown square and offers better parking for shoppers. The store itself is comparable in size to the current location, however, the layout of the building will allow for more efficient use of space.

[Trisha Youngquist]