Because of the general election, the Lincoln Writing Club has changed the date of their monthly meeting from Nov. 7 to Nov. 14. The meeting will be in the Keys Room of the Lincoln Public Library and will begin at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in writing is invited to attend. For further information, you may call Rebecca Johnson at 732-2723.

The Lincoln Community High School Thespian Troope 225 and the Lincoln Police Department will present an interactive Halloween safety program for community children on Friday evening, Oct. 27, at 6:30 in the LCHS auditorium. The play features Halloween safety tips in a 30-minute program featuring bright costumes, original songs and audience participation. The LCHS Thespian group wrote the original program at the request of the Lincoln Police Department. It was performed on Tuesday, Oct. 24, for 1,000 area elementary school students. The encore performance is at the request of parents, preschools and classes who were unable to attend the Tuesday performance. There is no charge for this "Halloween Spook-tacular!"

[LCHS news release]

Girls of junior high school through college age who enjoy singing are invited to visit a rehearsal of a local ladies cappella group on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. at First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson in Bloomington. The singers in the group are seeking more young voices. For additional information, call (309) 473-2285 or (309) 452-8843.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. For more information about the international organization, click here: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org.

Oasis announces trip to Taylorville's Nashville North

Seniors are invited to head to Taylorville's Nashville North by mini-van to enjoy the 5 p.m. concert of Janie Fricke and Rex Allen Jr. on Saturday, Nov. 18. A group will leave from The Oasis at 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln at 3:30 p.m.

It is suggested that those attending have a light dinner before the trip, and there will be a dessert stop on the way home.

The $29 fee due at registration pays for a concert ticket and transportation. People are encouraged to register soon, as space is limited.

For more information, call The Oasis, 732-6132.

The Oasis Senior Center is operated by the Senior Citizens of Logan County, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. The Oasis is funded in part by the United Way. Seniors of all ages are invited to participate in trips and other programs and services of the Senior Center.

Lincolnland Intellectual & Nurturing Courses (LINC), an affiliate of the Elderhostel Institute Network, announces the fall 2000 session, with programs on Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 14 and 16.

What is LINC? It is a peer-driven organization that incorporates small educational groups who learn from each other for the sheer joy of learning. LINC provides college-level course work on a noncredit basis. The membership is involved in decision making. In addition to determining curriculum, members may be active in recruiting new members and developing social programming. If you are over 55, enjoy the challenge of learning and live within driving distance of Lincoln, you are a perfect potential member of LINC. Annual $5 dues for LINC membership entitle you to participate in spring and fall courses.

This is the fall schedule:

• "Discovering Celtic Music"
  Thursday, Nov. 16, 9:30-10:30 a.m., The Oasis, 501 Pulaski, Lincoln

Discover the beauty of Celtic music at this fascinating program. MeLane Coulter will trace the history of Celtic music while demonstrating Celtic pieces on a harp, dulcimer and bodhran (Irish war drum). What a great way to start your day!

• "Exploring Harry Potter"
  Tuesday, Nov. 14, 9:30-10:30 a.m., The Oasis, 501 Pulaski, Lincoln

Calling 811 muggles! For both experienced and uninitiated Harry Potter fans, come and find out what the latest craze in children's literature is all about. Millions of readers of all ages are enjoying J.K. Rowling's delightful series of books about Harry Potter, the young wizard. Join LINC's own Marty Hargett to discover why the books are so popular and to discuss their social impact.

For registration information, call or visit Oasis Senior Center, 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln, 732-6132.

[LINC news release]

The Lincoln Optimist Club is sponsoring its fourth annual essay contest. This year’s contest is entitled "Are We Losing Our Freedom?" All high school students under 19 years of age as of Dec. 31, 2000, in grades 10, 11 and 12 are eligible to participate, according to Bob Wood, club contest chairman.

The Lincoln club will select a first, second and third-place winner in its contest, and the first-place entry will automatically be forwarded to the district contest, where it will be judged against the winning entries from clubs in the Springfield area district.

The first, second and third-place winners will receive scholarships in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. In addition to the scholarship, the first-place winner receives an expense-paid four-day trip with his or her parents to the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Penn., in July for the Freedom and Leadership Conference.

All essays must be original and must be submitted by Dec. 31 to the Lincoln Optimist Club. For information, please contact Bob Wood, Contest Chairman, 166 Ninth St., Lincoln, IL 62656; phone (217) 735-4232.

Christina Dye of Lincoln was the 1999-2000 scholarship winner for the Lincoln Optimist Club and was also the second place winner for the Illinois District. Milton Wiggers, past governor of the Illinois District, presented Miss Dye with the Illinois District plaque.

Optimist International is one of the largest and most active service organizations, with over 150,000 members in 4200 Optimist clubs in the United States, Canada and other nations. Promoting "Friend of Youth," Optimist clubs conduct service projects which reach six million young people each year.

[Lincoln Optimist Club news release]

The Fall Harvest Festival sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be at St. John United Church Of Christ, 204 Seventh St. in Lincoln, on Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Red Checkered Café menu will offer homemade hot chicken and beef barbecue sandwiches, potato salad and cole slaw, homemade pie and cake, coffee and tea.

The Country Pantry will feature homemade breads, cookies, pies, cakes, candies and snacks.

There will be a $500 raffle, with the drawing at 1 p.m.

Carry outs will be available; please call 732-6957.

Pharmacist Jim White of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital will give a review of prescription and other medications at Oasis Senior Center, 501 Pulaski St., from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24. He will present the latest information about prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as answer general questions about generic alternatives, vitamins and side effects of medicine. The talk is free of charge, and refreshments will be served.

[Update: Click here for a report on the presentation.]

The talk is sponsored by Lincolnland Intellectual and Nurturing Courses (LINC). A presentation on understanding Medicare 2000, also sponsored by LINC, will be given on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

The board of directors for "Sisters" safe house had a fund-raiser planned for Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Eagles Lodge in Lincoln. Due to unforeseen problems, the group has had to cancel the event, but they hope to reschedule it later.

November blood drives announced

Lincoln Elementary School District No. 27 will sponsor the American Red Cross blood drives on Nov. 1 and 15 at the Lincoln Sports Complex. Hours for both drives will be from noon until 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 9, the United Methodist Church in Atlanta will have a drive with hours 1 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 10, St. Peter's Church in Emden will have a drive from 2 to 6 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 13, Lincoln College will have a drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 20, Lincoln Christian College will be the site for a drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Blood is a continuing need, and everyone is urged to come give blood at one of these drives so that when you, your family or friends need blood, it will be available.

During October the following donors reached goals in their donations: Edna D. Miller, eight gallons; Kirk E. Dobihal and Andy Schwenk, one gallon each.

The Logan County Salvation Army is now accepting names for their annual Thanksgiving basket distribution. Families or individuals in need of this assistance may call (217) 732-7890 or stop by the office at 1501 N. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln to sign up. The sign up ends on Nov. 10. No names can be accepted after that date. The Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed at the Logan County Salvation Army office at 1501 N. Kickapoo St. on Monday, Nov. 20.

An Oct. 25 and 26 class at the Logan County Red Cross office, 125 S. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln, will cover adult CPR, infant and child CPR, and first aid. Hours Wednesday, Oct. 25, are from 6 until 10 p.m., and on the second night, class will be from 5 until 10 p.m. People desiring only a part of the selections offered may call 732-2134 for the hours required.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, there will be a Challenge class from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. This class is for those who wish to be recertified in any of the CPR classes. Preregistration is required.

Office hours are from noon until 4 p.m. weekdays.

The Zonta Club of Lincoln is sponsoring their annual turkey dinner fund-raiser on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Community High School cafeteria, where over a thousand people are expected to share a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings plus dessert and drinks.

As part of Zonta International, which is a non-profit organization providing service worldwide, Lincoln Zonta Club raises funds through local projects and provides thousands of dollars in health career scholarships each year. The Zonta Club of Lincoln has been sponsoring the turkey dinner over 40 years and encourages the public to join in this delicious, fun activity.

[Zonta news release]     

Thursday, Sept. 21

River City Brass Band

Twenty-eight musicians form the first professional brass band to be established in 25 years.

Thursday, Oct. 12

Three Hits & a Miss

Known for their amazingly tight harmonies in a program called "Sing Sing Swing."

Monday, Nov. 6

Christiana Pegoraro

A brilliant young pianist with an impressive concert and recording career.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Joe Burgstaller

A concert of trumpet and piano, including Lincoln Community High School students, honoring the great trumpeter Raphael Mendez.

Thursday, April 19

Dan Gonyea

An evening of music and comedy by the "heir to the piano-comedy throne."

[Lincolnland Community Concert Association news release]

The United Way of Logan County 2000-2001 campaign began Sept. 11 and runs through Nov. 17. The United Way hopes you will consider a pledge, a payroll deduction or a one-time donation. The Logan County goal is $104,000. You can contact the United Way of Logan County at (217) 735-4499 or at the following address:

United Way of Logan County

120 S. McLean St.

P.O. Box 684

Lincoln, IL 62656

Sponsors needed for Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees Committee is seeking businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor Christmas trees, wreaths and swags. The lavishly decorated items will be displayed at the festival in the Logan County Courthouse from Fri., Nov. 24, to Sun., Dec. 3. Sponsors’ names will be publicized at the festival, where 3,500 attendees are anticipated this year.

Sponsorship fee is $200 for a 7½-foot tree, $100 for a 4½-foot tree, $50 for a wreath and $50 for a swag. Sponsors may decorate their own trees or have others decorate them.

Most of the trees, wreaths and swags will be auctioned off at the ’Tis the Season Gala on Friday, Dec. 1. Some will be available for purchase through a silent auction at the Festival of Trees site. The proceeds will be equally divided between Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation for improving the quality of health care in Logan County and Main Street Lincoln for revitalizing downtown Lincoln.

Those interested in sponsoring or decorating items for the Festival of Trees may contact Main Street Lincoln, 732-2929, or the Healthcare Foundation at 732-2161, Ext. 316.