Good neighbors make life in Logan County better for all of us. LDN wants to celebrate the organizations and individuals who are especially caring and helpful. Please send your suggestions for groups and people we should cover, and provide a brief description of what they do that makes them Good Neighbors.
E-mail to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.

Habitat breaks ground in Mount Pulaski

[MARCH 5, 2001]  A small crowd huddled around for the groundbreaking of the first Habitat for Humanity House in Mount Pulaski. It was a fairly fast ceremony as the wind whipped them, and snowflakes dominated the scene.

Future inhabitant Cheryl Mittelsteadt stood by with shovel in hand, barely containing her excitement. First, the Rev. Paul Droegemueller blessed the site and workers in a brief prayer. Second, George Dahmm pointed out the Habitat board members who were in attendance. Next, Dahmm handed the ceremony back to the pastor to see if he wanted to say anything more before Cheryl dug in. He frankly replied, "It’s cold and she might as well go ahead!"

So she did.

She displaced two shovels of soggy Mount Pulaski earth while her sons posed beside her for a million different cameras.

Meanwhile, the crowd, now dancing to keep warm, broke into friendly chatter. Habitat board members, volunteers and Mount Pulaskians intermingled and grew excited talking about the project.

Marla Durst, Mount Pulaski city clerk, expressed her desires: "I hope the whole entire community will come out!"

Mittelsteadt herself did not know what to say at first but commented, "We’re very thankful that the mayor donated this lot. And we’re excited to be getting a home."

[to top of second column in this article]

John Bates, mayor of Mount Pulaski, also obviously excited, declared, "I think it’s wonderful."

The city of Mount Pulaski donated the lot to Habitat for Humanity. The lot had been seized by the city as abandoned property. A house that had stood on the now-vacant lot was demolished to make room for the new one.

Depending on the weather, the project could well be under way within the next couple of weeks. The foundation is scheduled to be poured within the month. "It’s up to the basement contractor and her dad," said board member Lyle Fout, referring to Mittelsteadt’s father. He will be aiding substantially in the construction. The framing of the house is slated for April 5-10.

Community members interested in getting involved can contact George Dahmm at 732-6234.

[Trisha Youngquist]

Stuffed animals donated

[FEB. 26, 2001]  The Logan County Board of Realtors and affiliates donated dozens of stuffed teddy bears and other animals to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Joann McCullough, member of the Logan County Board of Realtors, made the presentation.

[ALMH news release]

A house has been built

[FEB. 23, 2001]  The newest Habitat for Humanity house is finished after many hands worked for months to produce what stands now at 316 N. Sherman St. A lovely bi-level with four bedrooms, two living rooms and 1½ baths, it represents a house built with good intentions that a family will own their own home.

[click here to see photos]

While there will always be maintenance and small finishing and remodeling work to be done, this project is far from done. It was recognized that now the real building begins in this place, a work that goes on for a lifetime, the work that makes this house a home where friends and family are welcome. This was the sentiment expressed at the close of the dedication of the latest Habitat house, the house that the Mark Dailey family will inhabit.

The new owners, Mark and Isola Dailey, and children Marquita, Mark Jr. and Malik graciously hosted a full house of friends and family at Sunday afternoon’s open house and dedication. Prayers and blessings by Leonard Krusemark opened and closed the ceremony. In between Harley Petri offered an account of all who worked at the house in his dedication remarks. Phil Dehner was on hand to present Dailey with the keys to the house. On behalf of his family, Mark Dailey expressed deep appreciation to all who worked on the house. As a surprise highlight, the Dailey family honored George Dahmm with a plaque citing his model dedication. A humbled George read the plaque for all with tears and quavering voice.

Upon the close of official ceremony, music, happy voices and laughter filled the air as people lapsed into friendly conversations, meeting and greeting old and new friends.

Contributors and volunteer labor

A.G. Edwards

New Wine Fellowship

First United Methodist Church

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Zion Lutheran Church of Lincoln

Lincoln Daily News

Mark Gates

Lincoln Sand & Gravel

Trinity Episcopal Church Women

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Emden

Pat Dugan Excavation

Lincoln Rotary

Uncle Bubba's Outhouse

Bloomington Pantagraph

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Tom Funk, attorney

Hunter Blinds

Lincoln Christian Church

Lincoln Christian College

Zion Lutheran Church of New Holland

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

St John Church of Christ

Barrick Transfer

Harold Goodman Trucking

Zion Lutheran Church of Clifton

Zion Lutheran Church of Mount Pulaski

Bakers Tree Service

Linda Barrick - ME Realty

Union Planters Bank

Eaton Corporation

Lincoln Courier

Larson Doors

Area Disposal

Suppliers

Mitchell-Newhouse Lumber

Pete’s Hardware

Illinois Plumbing and Heating

Carpet House

Light House Appraisal Service

Alexander Lumber

Sherwin-Williams

Lumberyard Suppliers

Heartland Industries

Board members of Habitat for Humanity of Logan County

George Dahmm, president

Phil Dehner, vice president

Leonard Krusemark, treasurer

Harley Petri, Bill Sahs, Lyle Fout, Ken Benham, Don Begolka, Ken Tappendorf and Rick Lee

Habitat for Humanity of Logan County, P.O. Box 714, Lincoln, IL 62656

[Jan Youngquist]

‘If you eat, you qualify’

Co-op program is a good deal

[FEB. 16, 2001]  Thirty to 40 Lincoln families are enrolled in the SHARE program in central Illinois. SHARE is not just a local organization — 250,000 families a month in 17 different states are involved in this co-op program.

The Self-Help And Resources Exchange (SHARE) is not another governmental handout; rather it is a cooperative effort between various individuals and families to buy food at bulk rates and divide the purchase between participants.  Volunteers drive all over Illinois to pick up groceries from food warehouses and distributors.

Participants decide each month how many portions they will purchase.  Each portion costs just $15 a month — and January’s portions were worth $28.05 in a grocery store!  Of the dues, $14 purchases food and $1 pays for transportation. 

SHARE’s slogan is, “If you eat, you qualify.”  No maximum or minimum income is required.  John Sutton, Lincoln SHARE coordinator, and the regular Lincoln volunteers, such as Marion Smith and Jean Garner, agree that there is room for many more individuals and families to participate in the co-op. 

Smith stressed two qualities of SHARE:  (1) This is a non-governmental self-help program, and (2) it’s a good deal!  Garner appreciates that there are no income guidelines, the pick-up times are after working hours for most individuals, and the program helps a lot of people.

Participants are asked to help unload, sort and reload SHARE portions on distribution days.  They are also encouraged to do two hours of community service sometime in the month.  This may be anything from calling on shut-ins to working for an hour or two on distribution day.

[to top of second column in this article]

A friend of Smith asked her to help with SHARE, and she’s been volunteering since the request.  Garner has been volunteering for a little over a year.  She became involved through her sister-in-law.

Volunteer Smith said that each month, SHARE participants get fruits, veggies and meats.  This month, they will purchase chicken, fish, boneless pork chops, maybe bacon or sausage, flour tortillas, apples and oranges, potatoes, and five or six other in-season fruits and vegetables.  In addition to these food items, participants may purchase 2.75-pound boneless rib-eye roasts for $7.50 apiece.

If this sounds like a program you would like to join, please stop by at the next distribution, and you can observe firsthand how the co-op works.  The next distribution will be on Friday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln.  The church is located at 204 Seventh St.  At this distribution you may sign up for next month’s SHARE and pick up a list of future SHARE deadlines and distributions.

If you have any questions about SHARE or cannot stop in on the 23rd, please call 735-2626.  The orders for March must be in by March 10.

[Jean Ann Carnley]

[FEB. 10, 2001]  ^"I’m extremely excited. I never could have been able to actually buy a house at this point in my life," exults Cheryl Mittelsteadt, the future owner of the next Habitat for Humanity house, the first to be built in Mount Pulaski.

[to top of second column in this article]

Mittelsteadt works as a negotiator for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Springfield. Her job is to confer with other insurance companies and attorneys to be sure Blue Cross Blue Shield is reimbursed for losses for situations in which the other party is at fault.

[Lynn Spellman]

[FEB. 8, 2000]  Bryce Covert of Beason was recently diagnosed with cancer on the brain stem. His elementary school, Chester-East Lincoln, is pitching in to raise money for his medical treatment. The cancer is inoperable, so the doctors are using radiation.

According to Amy Neece, the teacher organizing the Bryce Covert Fundraisers at Chester-East, Bryce is happy but tired. He did attend the most recent fund-raiser, which was this past Saturday at the school. Neece said, "Saturday’s benefit was an overwhelming success."

Chester-East Lincoln has had numerous fund-raisers to help the Covert family: a pancake and sausage breakfast, 50/50 raffle, chili and hot dog lunch, bake sale, and Pie-the-Teacher. The school has also placed Bryce Covert Fundraiser canisters in many local businesses, placed Puritan water jugs in each Chester-East classroom, and raffled and auctioned various items.

Pie-the-Teacher raised at least $600. Over $800 in change has been dropped into the water jugs at Chester-East. The 50/50 raffle brought in about $2,600. So far, about $14,000 has been raised to help alleviate Bryce Covert’s medical bills. To all those that donated, Amy Neece would like to say an "ENORMOUS thank you."

If you would still like to donate to the fund, just stop in at any CEFCU — there is already a Bryce Covert Fund account.

As an active member of the community, Lincoln Daily News will publish notices of BENEFITS for people with special needs free of charge in our Good Neighbors section. Please send details of upcoming BENEFITS to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.

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