Herb guild finds thyme to get together

The last Tuesday of each month, a group of women gather in the Jefferson Street Christian Church to indulge their senses, greet friends, further their education and share their passion. The source of all their interest is herbs.

Since 1994, the Logan County Herb Guild has been meeting and sharing their love of the same multi-purpose plants their ancestors relied on hundreds of years ago. They each have a favorite herb – whether it’s bee balm or basil, sage or thyme, rosemary, tansy, parsley or maybe mint. They discuss new plants they’ve discovered are considered herbs, like dianthus and hawthorn. They pass pots of freshly picked herbs around the room, taking in the heady scents and discussing their names and uses. They indulge their taste buds with new recipes using herbs, like rosemary lemonade, pesto pizza and lavender cookies.

Karen Lowery, a lifelong gardener, founded the guild in 1994. She placed an ad in the local newspaper, inviting anyone interested in forming such a group to attend a meeting. To her surprise, about 30 women showed up. The informal group has been meeting ever since, first at each other’s homes and now at the church.

“We’ve had a lot of neat programs over the years. It’s been fun, that’s the main thing. If you can make a club fun, with little work, that’s the key,” she said.

Lowery, who is also a member of the newly formed Mount Pulaski Herb Guild, said the local interest in herb gardening is really increasing.

“I think there’s a real interest in gardening. Interest is always picking up. We have a lot of members that just come about every third meeting. I think once people get hooked in herb gardening, they find out how relaxing it is and how they feel when they use them instead of salt or sugar. It’s good for the mind and body both,” she said.

At a recent guild meeting, Lowery, dressed in period costume as a pioneer woman, gave a rousing talk about the history of herbs and what plants our ancestors brought from their homelands and how they used them. Even though she has been gardening all her life, her enthusiasm and interest in herb gardening is refreshing and contagious.

Lowery said the guild is not only an educational experience but something all ages can enjoy.

“We have members in their 20s and 90s, a wide span of ages, and when we have our meetings, there’s no generation gap. That’s the neat thing about plants and herbs, it bridges all generations,” Lowery said.

“I like the historical aspect of herbs. Our forefathers were pretty savvy about plants. We got away from our roots, but we’re starting to get back to it. Like coneflowers, which people use and grow now, the Native Americans used – good benefits,” she added.

Lowery, who confesses to planting “tons of things,” has about 60 different varieties of herbs, including an abundance of the sweet-smelling though very invasive lemon balm, but has a special affection for bee balm, or monarda, and English thyme. Her herbs are contained in six 10-by-3-foot plots, a large 100-square-foot garden, along the house, in the pasture and just about any place there is a bare patch of dirt around her rural Beason home. Wildflowers are tossed into the gardens to give an added boost of color to the herbs.

The herb guild, which now has 22 official members, meets the last Tuesday of each month at the Jefferson Street Christian Church. Dues are $12 a year, which cover the cost of a monthly newsletter. The public is invited and usually an average of 30 people attend the meetings.

Guest speakers often give programs on topics such as cooking with herbs, making herbal vinegars, crafts, dried flower arranging and beneficial bugs for the garden. The group also travels to Clark’s Greenhouse in rural San Jose for their May meeting, which includes a plant swap and tour of the business. Some years the group holds a summer garden walk and tour of several members’ gardens. The guild also sponsors a couple of trophies at the Logan County Fair, has given the Herb Companion magazine to the local library and demonstrates uses for herbs at the annual Railsplitter Festival.

“We try to get out a little bit in the community,” she said.

Lowery, who said her grandmother sparked her interest in gardening when she was a small child, holds a zoology degree and teaches biology and four environmental science classes at Bloomington High School. In between teaching and chauffeuring her 13-year-old son to sports events and practices, she tends to her wildflowers, herbs, perennials and a few vegetables at her rural home and also gives lectures and programs at local nurseries and other events.

“I use herbs for culinary purposes and also use a few medicinal. I’ve always had an interest in herbs. It started with my interest in cooking. I also love the way they smell,” she said. She favors thyme, which can be used as a ground cover, for its tiny flowering habit and scent, and  basil. Her other favorites include chives, parsley and cilantro.  “I also used them for ornamental uses. Even now, I have a small bouquet of purple chive flowers on my dining room table,” she said.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting other people who share my interests in herbs and gardening. We’ve all learned together. We talk about how at our first plant exchange, we didn’t have much stuff and how different it is now, how much more we all have to exchange and how much we’ve learned. It’s fun to see how we’ve grown together,” she said.

The herb guild will sponsor its first annual plant sale, which is their yearly fund-raiser, from 8 a.m. to noon, May 20, at Cooper’s home, at 140 Campus View Drive. More information about the guild or its programs may be obtained by calling her at 732-9788.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

Lincoln College commencement May 13th
Four honorary degree recipients announced

The 133rd annual Lincoln College spring commencement will be Saturday, May 13, at 2 p.m. in Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium.

Dr. James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize author and Princeton University history professor, will be the commencement speaker and one of four honorary degree recipients.

McPherson (Ph.D., Johns Hopkins, 1963) has taught at Princeton since 1962. His specialty is the American Civil War. He is the author of a dozen books, the best known “Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (1988),” which won the Pulitzer Prize in history for 1989. He is currently working on a book about the battle of Antietam. McPherson lives in New Jersey along with his wife, Patricia.

Other commencement guests receiving honorary degrees will be Caterpillar CEO Glen A. Barton, The GSI Group Chairman Howard G. Buffett and Lincoln College trustee emeritus H. Safford Peacock.

Barton has worked for Caterpillar for almost 40 years and has held numerous marketing and general management positions. He became Caterpillar’s CEO in February 1999. Barton is originally from Alton, Mo., and graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 1961. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in civil engineering.

Buffett founded the GSI Group in Assumption. The GSI Group is a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, including production of silos and livestock feeders. Buffett is also an avid wildlife photographer and owns a photographic company called Bioimages. Some of his works can be found on cards that are sold in museums nationwide.

Peacock has served over 30 years as a Lincoln College Board of Trustees member. In 1984, Peacock was invited by Caspar Weinberger to participate in the joint civilian orientation conference sponsored by the United States Defense Department. This conference was a high-level national tour of key installations of all branches of the service. Peacock started his career at Myers Industries, Inc. (MII) in Lincoln. He retired in 1977 as director of MII. Peacock is originally from Monmouth and holds a bachelor of science degree in business and engineering administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Approximately 207 students will receive associate of arts degrees at the Lincoln College commencement ceremony.

Annual bird count logs beautiful birds

 “Is that a beautiful bird, or what?”  The beautiful bird, an indigo bunting, continued catching insects in the grass, giving the 18 bird-watchers a chance to focus their binoculars and see its feathers glimmering iridescent blue in the sun.

The small, brown bird feeding nearby was not so cooperative.  He flew away before anyone could get a positive identification. 

“I think it was a Savannah sparrow, but I can’t be sure,” leader Steve Coogan said.  “We’ll have to log it as a ‘question-mark’ sparrow.”

The birders who met in Kickapoo Creek Park at 7 a.m. Saturday were able to positively identify another 31 species, along with brief sightings of a “question-mark” thrush and a couple of  “question-mark” warblers.  Coogan, an ardent naturalist who lives in Latham, added the 32 species to the five other migrating warblers he had seen earlier at Skunk Hollow.  These birds, and the ones he would see later that day, would be reported to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Heritage, as part of the annual spring bird count.

The bird count helps state naturalists keep track of the species moving through on migration as well as those birds coming back to this area to nest.

This year both the number of participants and the number of species identified were lower than usual.  “We usually see about 50 species and have about 35 people present,” Coogan said.

Coogan thought the decrease in the number of species was because of the early warm weather.   Many migrating birds are insectivores, and if flowers and trees bloom early, insects and the birds who eat them arrive – and move on – early, too.  In addition, Coogan said, trees have already leafed out, making birds harder to spot.

With this in mind, Coogan set next year’s official bird count day as the last Saturday in April.  The day was not a disappointment to the birders, though, who ranged in age from 9-year-old Benjamin Conrady to senior citizens.

A handsome gray catbird sat on a low limb and serenaded the group with a series of tweets, whistles and warbles, ending with a raucous screech that some people think sounds like a cat.  The bird is a mimic, like its cousin the mockingbird, which is now occasionally seen in the Lincoln area.    

A phoebe was seen building a nest, mostly of mud, on a rafter under a shelter.  Canada geese protested the birders’ approach to the creek where the geese were swimming, perhaps looking for a nest site. 

Something small and twittery caught the attention of a sharp-eyed birder, and half a dozen others thought it was worth wading through poison ivy to see the black-throated green warbler he’d spotted.  The warbler sat in a small tree preening its feathers, providing an excellent view of a bird that would not be back until the fall migration.

“I’ve never seen a warbler so cooperative,” Coogan said.  “This is a gift.”

In the open area of the park, meadowlarks sang and an eastern kingbird sat on a small tree, ignoring the birders and occasionally diving down into the grass or swooping through the air to catch an insect.

“That bird is one of the tyrant flycatchers,” Coogan said.  “They can be mean birds.  I’ve seen them mob hawks.”

Donna Hellman, wife of park ranger Don Hellman, said she knew all about those mean birds.  “Last year we had a pair nesting at the edge of our property.  When I mowed I had to wear a hard hat because they would dive-bomb me.”

The birder everyone agreed had the sharpest eyes, Mark Tebrugge, spotted a medium-sized, bright yellow bird in the top of a sycamore.  Everyone agreed it was an oriole, but the question was what kind?  Field guides came out of pockets and backpacks. The bird was yellow, not orange, so it ought to be a female.  But it was singing, which made it more likely to be a male.  Then the bird turned, displayed its black bib, and the puzzle was solved.  It was an immature male orchard oriole, which will turn russet red next year.

 It was a beautiful bird.

[Joan Crabb]

An interview with Ladies Day speaker Dee Brestin

Dee Brestin was the keynote speaker at the annual Ladies Day seminar held on the campus of Lincoln Christian College on Wednesday, April 26. Over 1,300 Christian woman attended from all over the state of Illinois and Indiana, Missouri and Ohio.  These women come to Lincoln hoping to be encouraged by the speakers and also to enjoy the fellowship of so many ladies.

Dee Brestin is a nationally known Christian author and speaker who can be heard at seminars and conferences all over the United States.  Her most recent book, “My Daughter, My Daughter,” encourages women to "pan for gold" in God's Word and pass along the rich heritage of faith to the next generation.

Following is an interview she graciously gave during her busy schedule filled with speaking and book-signing opportunities.

Q: How did you know you were called to this ministry of speaking and writing?

A: "I began writing Bible study guides 26 years ago before many were available." Dee's first interest was in the friendships of women and how they differed from men and their relationships.  Being the mother of five children helped her analyze firsthand how women related to women and how they need each other differently than men need friendships. "These observations led me to explore the different dimensions of friendships of women."

Q: What has prepared you most for this ministry of speaking and writing?

A: "I have learned to be faithful in doing the things for which God opens the door and then watched as He opened more doors for opportunities of service and ministry.  My present project is a collaborative effort with the Christian singer-song writer, Kathy Tricolli.  She has paralleled her life as a single adult with her falling in love with Jesus.  Jesus is her companion and soul mate."  Mrs. Brestin shared how powerful this visual picture has been in her own life, and she will be encouraging others in her next book to "fall in love with Jesus."

Q: Give two specific pieces of advice for young women today.

A: Dee stressed the need to have a right relationship with God in order for other relationships in your life to be healthy and happy.  She firmly believes that "a problem with your vertical relationship will present problems in your horizontal relationships.   Her number two adage, especially when raising children in the teen years, is this:  "Rules are important but relationships are primary."   When talking about her own family, which includes two adopted daughters, she lovingly reminded us to say less and give an affectionate hug, back rub or tousle the hair, especially when words would not be kind or encouraging.   She suggests that when our children are making what seem to be poor choices, always remember a silent hug or touch rather than speak harsh words.

Q: How do you manage a busy household, a writing career and a speaking schedule?

A: Without hesitating Dee replied, "Give every day to the Lord and ask Him what He wants you to do."  She learned early in her ministry not to plan ahead of God. "Thankfully, I have a wonderful, supportive and understanding husband," to whom Dee gave much credit.  "He is home with our two high school-aged daughters while I travel, " grinned Mrs. Brestin.  A full-time assistant plans her travel schedule and now also helps edit and proof her books and Bible Study guides.  Together with a large circle of supportive friends and family, Dee Brestin has made a valuable contribution to the Christian community through her seminars and books.

  [Jeaneen Ray]

DARE fund-raiser scheduled Sunday, May 14

A DARE fundraiser will be Sunday, May 14, at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Community High School.

The Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams and Lincoln Railer alumni will compete in an exhibition basketball game.

Autograph items will be given away at halftime.

Kids are invited to come and meet Darren the lion.

Tickets are $8, and all proceeds will benefit the Lincoln Police DARE program.

An ice cream social at St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St. in Lincoln, will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 12. Tickets are $5 each and will be available at the door. Children under 5 eat free. Tickets cover sandwich, chips, cake, ice cream and drink.

American Red Cross classes offered in May

Upcoming American Red Cross classes will be offered at the Logan County office at 125 S. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln.

A Community First Aid and Safety class will be Wednesday, May 17, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Thursday, May 18, from 5 to 10 p.m. The class will cover adult CPR, child and infant CPR and first aid.

A Challenge class will be Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. People who have previously been certified in the above classes may demonstrate their skills and be recertified.

Preregistration is required. For further information, call 732-2134 between noon and 4 p.m. any weekday.

Choirs hit the road; Bible Bowl teams hit the Book
The junior high and senior high choirs of Lincoln Christian Church are hitting the road this summer to spread the Word of God through music. 

The senior high choir, known as the Good News choir, is directed by Tim Searby and will leave Friday, June 9, and return Sunday, June 18. They will perform at seven churches throughout Illinois, Florida and Georgia. Upon their return to Lincoln, the choir will perform at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Christian Church. HeartSong, the junior high choir directed by Karen Gerdts, will tour June 1 through 4, performing at several churches in Illinois and Southeast Missouri.

This marks the 27^th year that the youth choirs have gone on tours around the United States. Tracy Thomas, youth minister at Lincoln Christian Church, says the purpose of the choir tours is “to bring the message of the gospel to people in a unique format, and show that young people are committed to the gospel.”

Bible Bowl participants will also be on the road this summer. The teams will be traveling to the national Bible Bowl Tournament, which will take place during the North American Christian Convention July 10 though 14 in Louisville, Ky.

The teams have been studying texts from Acts chapters 13 through 28, 1 and 2 Corinthians and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. At the tournament, the local youth will compete against approximately 250 teams from across the nation. Last year, the top team from the church placed 14^th.

[Katherine Heller]

ALMH accepts applications for summer teen volunteers

Applications are currently being accepted for this summer’s teen volunteer program at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

Teen volunteers work throughout the hospital, performing a variety of duties in many different departments. To be eligible for the program, teens must be an eighth grade graduate and must complete an application form that includes personal references. All teen volunteers must also complete the training session scheduled on Friday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the hospital.

Applications are available at ALMH from Barbara Dahm, director of volunteer and special services. Applications should be filled out and returned in person to the volunteer office as soon as possible. A brief interview will be conducted at that time. For more information, call 217-732-2161, ext. 184.

Citizens in Lincoln join thousands of individuals around the country as part of the National Trust’s Historic Preservation Week celebration. "Taking the Past Into the Future" is the theme of the week, May 8-14.

"The millennium is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. "This year’s theme celebrates that link between past and future, challenging us to plan for the issues that will confront us in the years to come. It is essential that we be vigilant, flexible and well-informed in order to deal with the rapid changes that are sure to have an impact on our irreplaceable historic treasures."

A May 3-14 drive-by tour of architecturally significant homes is sponsored by the Logan County Board of Realtors and The Courier.

Historic displays will be in the windows of many downtown businesses May 6-14 for Historic Preservation Week. Some windows will feature Western Illinois Regional History Fair entries by junior high students from Zion Lutheran School and New Holland/Middletown.

"More Love Than Money Restoration" will be the theme of a workshop Wednesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the Union Planter's Bank Conference Room on the second floor at 303 S. Kickapoo. Mike Fak will share low-cost tips on how to renovate your home and give examples. There is no fee and pre-registration is not necessary.

[Lincoln City Hall --
The LaFrance fire truck shown was purchased
by the city in 1924 and retired in 1970.]

Also that evening, Ruth Sloot from Lincoln Community High School will showcase the project on historic homes compiled by civics classes this year. This will be the first opportunity for residents whose homes were included in the project to see the results.

Another historically based event, the Elkhart Chatauqua, will be May 21 on Elkhart Hill from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the Chatauqua, call 217/947-2323.

Historic Preservation Week is based on the 29-year-old tradition of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is sponsored locally by the city of Lincoln and Main Street Lincoln with financial support from Beans ’N Such and the Blue Dog Inn. For more information on the activities, people can call the Main Street Lincoln office at 732-2929.

[LDN ed.]

Atlanta 4-H club invites youth from town to join

The members of the Atlanta Town and Country 4-H club invite eligible youth from town to join. Jeff Jones, the club reporter, says, "4-H isn’t just for people who live in the country. There are lots of things for a guy or a girl from town to do." Activities include cooking, growing flowers, woodworking, small engines, arts, crafts and herb gardening. For more information, people can call 217-648-2973.