New community volunteers took their seats on the boards of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital  during the hospital’s annual meeting on May 18. Over 110 guests attended the dinner that highlighted the progress and growth of the hospital during the past year.

The joint meeting of the ALMH Board of Directors and the boards of Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation and Lincoln Health Services Inc. served to recognize retiring members and welcome new board members.

Dennis Carroll, M.D., medical staff president, noted several major medical developments and the expanded programs and services at ALMH. The new rehabilitation facility and expanded surgery area opened in March, providing state-of-the art services and technology to patients. The expansion of physician clinic space in the hospital was also completed during the past year, including the renovation of the pain management and laser clinic areas. Two new residents from the Springfield Family Practice Resident Program of SIU School of Medicine joined the staff, and the list of visiting specialists to ALMH continues to grow.

Dr. Carroll and Woody Hester, president and CEO, recognized the commitment and leadership of the late Dr. Jack Means and the late Dr. Edward Ulrich. In November 1999, the ALMH Board of Directors accepted a resolution honoring and recognizing Drs. Means and Ulrich for their service to ALMH and their commitment to health care.

Board of Directors Chairman Robert Albert noted the emphasis on quality of care at ALMH. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations awarded ALMH an overall composite score of 96 out of a possible 100 during its triennial survey.

During the past year, ALMH hosted two delegations of hospital administrators and physicians from the People’s Republic of China, and one delegation from Osaka, Japan.

Robert Albert is the sole member retiring from the Board of Directors, while Tom Kissel is the lone new member. Board of Directors members for the coming year are Mark Graue, chairman; William Marcotte, chairman-elect; William Martinie, secretary; William Hull, treasurer; Dennis Carroll, M.D.; Mary Bruns; Shirley Dittus; Tom Kissel; Martha Sasse; Paul Gilmore; John Blackburn; Kevin Eack; Woody Hester; Dru Hauter, M.D.; and Paul Kasa, M.D.

Lauri Bates, chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, addressed major accomplishments by the foundation over the past year. The annual Fore-ALMH Golf Outing raised $11,500 for the Care-A-Van service, ALMH’s non-emergency transportation system. Community friends donated almost $13,000 to the Light-Up-A-Life program, which supports the Dr. Wayne J. Schall Hospice Fund.

The 1999 ’Tis the Season, co-presented with Main Street Lincoln, was a great success. The Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation received $4,500 from the event. The Dwight F. Zimmerman Healthcare Career Scholarship awarded scholarships totaling $4,500 to five area high school seniors.

Robert Albert joins the foundation board in 2000. The foundation board members for the coming year are Lauri Bates, chairman; Robert Meinershagen, vice chairman; William Hull, secretary; Robert Arneaud, treasurer; Woody Hester, president and CEO; Karen Sanders, executive director; Robert Albert; Marilyn Armbrust; Shirley Bartelmay; Harold Drake; Shirley Edwards; Mark Graue; Dru Hauter, M.D.; Evelyn Madigan, Norma Jean Nauts; Bradley Neal; William Sahs; Gerald Sampen; Martha Sasse; Betty Gail Wagner; and Betty Zimmerman.

Steve Becker, secretary of the Lincoln Health Services Inc. Board of Directors, highlighted growth at the two businesses this board oversees. The Abe Lincoln Pharmacy experienced a seven percent increase in revenues and a five percent increase in its Gold Club memberships. Lincoln Medical Equipment and Supply Co. consolidated its business service with Alternative Care Services, ALMH’s partner in Memorial Health System. Lincoln Medical Equipment and Supply is undergoing a showroom renovation that will include a new product line. Susan Harmon, M.D., joins the Lincoln Health Services Inc. Board of Directors. Board members for the coming year include Clyde Reynolds, chairman; Steve Becker, vice chairman; Woody Hester, president; Pat Przykopanski, secretary; Mark Wade, treasurer; Susan Harmon, M.D.; and Gail Nunnery.

Woody Hester, president and CEO of the hospital, reviewed operating profit margins of hospitals nationwide as related to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Hester also highlighted the healthcare needs of rural residents according to a national leaders assessment survey.

The evening concluded with a presentation of the new ALMH video, "We are ALMH," featuring employees and services of ALMH.

Free hunter safety course for youth offered July 28 and 29

A free youth hunter safety course will be at the Lincoln Sportsman's Club on Friday, July 28, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants must attend both sessions to receive credit for the program. To register call the Logan County Sheriff's Department at 732-4159 or the Lincoln Police Department at 732-2151.

Dan Thornburgh, governor of Rotary International District 6490, praised the Lincoln Rotary Club on Wednesday for its local efforts to promote family literacy. Governor Thornburgh has been on a speaking tour of all Rotary clubs in District 6490, which encompasses east central Illinois. Club officers reviewed annual goals and discussed upcoming Rotary programs with the governor during his visit.

Thornburgh is a professor emeritus of journalism from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. He has been active in Rotary affairs since joining the Charleston Rotary Club in 1960

As part of a local literacy campaign, all kindergarteners entering District 27, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Chester-East Lincoln, Carroll Catholic and Zion Lutheran schools are receiving special books this year courtesy of the Lincoln Rotary Club. Reatha Owen, chairwoman of the club’s literacy project, says that the books, "Kindergarten Kids" and "When You Go to Kindergarten," are designed for the family to read together and serve to better prepare the young student for many new kindergarten activities.

In another community project, several Lincoln Rotarians will be taking local youth to a Chicago Cubs baseball game on Friday, July 21. This is the second year for the project, which gives disadvantaged youth a chance to experience big city cultural events. 

(Click here for pictures from the baseball game.)

The Lincoln Railer Basketball Booster Club will host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Logan County Fair on Aug. 5. Boys and girls from third through 12th grade are eligible and must register by July 26. Teams are limited; sign up early. For more information about the one-day event, contact Dave Renfro at 735-4444 or 445-2778.

The Naomi-Ruth Circle of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hartsburg has put together a collection of over 400 favorite recipes. This cookbook, "Homemade With Love," is ready for distribution at a cost of $10 per book plus $2 shipping and handling. The cookbook, which is hardback and spiral bound, was created in celebration of St. John’s 115^th anniversary. Proceeds from cookbook sales will be used to support the church as a whole, programs sponsored by the Naomi-Ruth Circle and youth of the church. Call Joyce Leesman at 217-642-5883 or Kay Proefrock at 642-5884 to reserve your copy.

Main Street Lincoln's annual Concerts in the Park series is set to begin the first Sunday in June and continue through the end of July. The free concerts begin at 7 p.m. in Latham Park, north of the courthouse square in downtown Lincoln. The city of Lincoln, Lincoln Area Music Society and Main Street Lincoln are underwriting the event.

The series has expanded to include nine concerts with a variety of music as well as old favorites. The schedule and sponsors are as follows:

June 4 – IB5 Brass Quintet, sponsored by Logan County Board members – This group with a big brass sound from Normal will delight the audience with a variety of new pop sounds and songs you'll want to sing along to. (Rescheduled to Aug. 6)

June 11 – Heartland Jazz Orchestra, sponsored by Parker-Grieme Insurance – Back by popular demand, this group is led by Doug Tidabeck, who is well-known in the Lincoln community.

June 18, June 25, July 2 and July 9 – Lincoln Area Music Society, sponsored by State Bank of Lincoln and LAMS – The backbone of the concert series is made up of Lincoln area musicians with a new repertoire each week.

July 16 – Paul and Win Grace, sponsored by Lincoln Public Library and Prairie Years – Based near Columbia, Mo., these versatile vocalists and multi-instrumentalists have performed all over the United States and Canada. Toes will tap to the folk and old-time music that has been a part of your life since you were a child. Fiddle, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, autoharp and accordian are all perfect sounds for a summer evening.

July 23 – Steely Pan, sponsored by Mayor Joan Ritter – You'll picture yourself on a tropical island as you enjoy the Caribbean rhythms of this popular and unique group. Bring your own hurrache sandals and shades.

July 30 – Second Baptist Church "Voices of Praise," sponsored by Bob Neal of Edward Jones Investments – This great hometown gospel group will keep you excited all night long. This is their second year to wrap up the concert series.

Aug. 6 – IB5 Brass Quintet, sponsored by Logan County Board members – This group with a big brass sound from Normal will delight the audience with a variety of new pop sounds and songs you'll want to sing along to. (This concert was rescheduled from June 4.)

For more information, contact Wendy Bell, program manager, Main Street Lincoln, at 217-732-2929.