Organizations,  Events,  Good Neighbors,  A Day in the Life...,  Diaspora,  Reunions

May 2001

Sunday, May 13, through Saturday, May 19
WHO: Public
WHAT: Historic Preservation Week
WHERE: Lincoln

Wednesday, May 16
SPONSOR: Mitchell-Newhouse Lumber Company
WHO: Public
WHAT: American Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: noon-5 pm

Thursday, May 17
SPONSOR: Main Street Lincoln
WHO: Public
WHAT: Antiques Roadshow
WHERE: 616 Broadway (former antique mall)
WHEN: 5:30-8:30 pm

Saturday, May 19
SPONSOR: Lincoln Police Department
WHO: Public
WHAT: Bicycle auction
WHERE: Corner of Kickapoo and Pekin streets
WHEN: 1 pm

Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28
WHO: Public
WHAT: Avenue of flags
WHERE: Steenbergen Cemetery, Mount Pulaski

Saturday, May 26
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: People who wish to be recertified in CPR and first aid; call 732-2134 to register
WHAT: "Challenge" class
WHERE: 125 S. Kickapoo St.
WHEN: 9 am - 1 pm

Saturday, May 26, and Sunday, May 27
SPONSOR: Mason City Historical Society
WHO: Public
WHAT: Civil War Living History Weekend
WHERE: Mason City

Monday, May 28
WHO: Public
WHAT: Memorial Day celebration
WHERE: Logan County Courthouse lawn
WHEN: 10:30 am

SPONSOR: American Legion
WHO: Public
WHAT: Ham and bean dinner
WHERE: American Legion Home, 1740 Fifth St.
WHEN: after 10:30 am ceremony at courthouse

WHO: Public
WHAT: Atlanta Memorial Day Festival
WHERE: Atlanta
WHEN: activities all day

SPONSOR: American Legion and VFW
WHO: Public
WHAT: Memorial Day ceremonies
WHERE: Steenbergen Cemetery and Mount Pulaski Cemetery

Wednesday, May 30, and Thursday, May 31
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: Public; call 732-2134 to register
WHAT: Class sessions in CPR and first aid
WHERE: 125 S. Kickapoo St.
WHEN: 6 pm

REGULAR POSTINGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS:  American Red Cross,  Girl Scouts,  Healthy Families Task Force,  Lincoln Park District,  Logan County Extension office,   Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency (recycling),  Mason City Historical Society,  Oasis,  Vineyard Cafe

I remember the fun I had with you folks when I co-owned the Past Treasures antique store on the square. On any given day someone would come into the store with something they owned or found or had been bequeathed by a mean-spirited relative.

Half the time the question asked was, "What is it worth?" Half the time the question was, "What the heck is it?"

Unfortunately, half the time I could answer your query, which meant that half the time I could not.

This mystery of what our stuff is or what it may be worth is, of course, what produces the fun in holding onto or purveying past treasures. The idea that something we have so little invested in may be worth a mortgage payment or more brings out the youthful curiosity in the oldest of adults.

Well, for all you seekers and finders of lost Americana, get ready to know if you are wise beyond your years or just have an adorable little item worth only an endearing memory or two.

During Historic Preservation Week, Main Street Lincoln will offer an appraisal fair in the old D&G Antique store at 616 Broadway. This activity on the Lincoln square will be May 17, between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Collectors and dealers in furniture, glassware, books, toys, collectibles and miscellany will be on hand to try to tell you not only what the heck it is you are holding in your hand but what its real market value may be.

Unlike some roadshows, these dealers are not there to try to purchase your treasures to resell. They are there on behalf of Main Street Lincoln to attempt to honestly appraise your items as fairly and as accurately as possible.

Your "stuff" can be appraised at $5 per item, with the proceeds going to the Main Street Lincoln program.

At 7:30 that evening, the mayor’s awards for the best historically preserved buildings will be announced, and the Gov. Oglesby Bible, presented to the Logan County Board, will be dedicated.

I hope to see all of you there that night. Keep in mind that even the syndicated "Antiques Roadshow" gets stumped every once in a while regarding value. In the event this happens to you and your wares, I promise I will personally spend a few minutes with you telling you what I think you have and what I think it is worth. I may not be right, but I promise you my answer will be worth the five bucks you donated to a worthy cause.

[Mike Fak]

At a special presentation Tuesday, May 15, Lincoln and Logan County residents have the opportunity to learn more about the potential impacts of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library on our community.  The session will be at 7 p.m. in the Pegram Room of the Lincoln Library, 725 Pekin St.  David Blanchette, public information officer for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, will provide a PowerPoint presentation and take questions.

At a cost of $115 million and estimated annual attendance of half a million people, the new Presidential Library in Springfield is important to Logan County. Local residents need to be informed in order to take advantage of the tourists it will bring to the area.  The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is scheduled to open in October 2002 and the museum is to be completed in late 2003, the same year as the city of Lincoln's sesquicentennial. 

Rotarians in east central Illinois are seeking four or five outstanding professionals to visit India this winter as part of a group study exchange with the Rotary Foundation. The exchange will be with Rotary clubs in central India, including Bhopal, Indore and Sagar, and will last for three weeks in January and February 2002. Professionals from India will then visit Rotary clubs in east central Illinois next May and June.

Through the GSE program, teams of professionals exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. During their time abroad, team members share personal knowledge of their own country and experience the customs, vocations and lifestyles of another country.

The purpose of a group study exchange is to promote international understanding and good will through person-to-person contact, says Ken Gunji, GSE chair for Rotary District 6490. While abroad, team members stay in Rotarians’ homes and meet their professional counterparts, visit cultural institutions, farms, schools, industrial plants, and religious and historic sites. They also give presentations about their home country to Rotary clubs and other groups.

The Rotary Foundation provides round-trip airfare for each team member. Rotarians in the host country provide meals, lodging and group travel in their district. Team members pay only for personal and incidental expenses.

Applicants should be employed full time in a recognized business or profession for at least two years. Young professionals are encouraged to apply, although there is no age requirement. Group study exchange team members must live or be employed within the boundaries of Rotary District 6490. This includes all of Logan County and areas east to the Indiana border, south to Robinson and Hillsboro, and north to Gilman and Roanoke.

For an application, please contact Malcolm O’Neil at mfocjo@cs.com or 217-234-8101, or contact any member of the Lincoln Rotary Club.

The Lincoln Rotary Club meets at noon on Wednesdays at the Restaurant at the Depot. Membership is open to local professionals sponsored by current Rotary members. For more information about the Lincoln Rotary Club, contact Marty Ahrends at mahrends@adi.org or 732-3378.

Hunter safety clinic will be first weekend in June

A hunter safety clinic will be June 1 and 2 at Lincoln Sportsman’s Club. Class will be from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 1, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the following day. Lunch will be provided on June 2.

Call the Lincoln Police Department, 732-2151, for registration.

The safety clinic is sponsored by the Lincoln Sportsman's Club and the Logan County Chapter of Quail Unlimited.

On May 19 at 1 p.m., the Lincoln Police Department will have a public auction at Kickapoo and Pekin streets.  The auction will consist of approximately 66 bicycles that are of various brands and conditions.  This is a cash-only auction.  The Lincoln Police Department will not accept any liability after the purchase.

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. All teen volunteers must also complete the training session scheduled on Wednesday, June 13, 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 since the class size is limited to 12 participants. A brief interview will be conducted at that time. For more information, call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 184.

Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation has set Friday, June 29, for their seventh annual golf outing at the Elk’s Country Club in Lincoln. The format will again be a four-person scramble with a 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. shotgun start. The $75 entry fee includes greens fee and free cart rental, along with opportunities to win prizes and awards, including Hole-in-One, Top Foursomes, Longest Putt, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin, for both men and women. Also provided are a continental breakfast and buffet luncheon.

In addition to golfing, a variety of sponsorships are available, including Tee, Cart and Prize Sponsorships. Appropriate recognition and benefits are provided for each sponsor.

All funds raised from the golf outing support the ALMH Care-A-Van service. The Care-A-Van is a specially equipped van, custom-built to provide non-emergency transportation for individuals who are wheelchair-bound or need transportation assistance to get to necessary appointments.

For more information on player registration or sponsorship opportunities, please call Cynthia Kelley at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

The American Red Cross will have CPR and first aid classes May 30 and 31 at the office at 125 S. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln. These are evening classes beginning at 6.

On Saturday, May 26, a there will be a "Challenge" class for people who have had previous training and wish to be recertified. The class will be from 9 a.m. until l p.m. To register or for further information, call 732-2134 between noon and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mitchell-Newhouse Lumber Company will sponsor the American Red Cross blood drive on May 16 at the Lincoln Sports Complex. Hours will be from noon until 5 p.m.

Girl Scouts

Upcoming local activities

•  Day camp at Kickapoo Creek Park on Monday and Tuesday, June 11 and 12

For more information, call Gina at the council or ask your leader.

Links

Websites with lots of ideas that Girl Scout leaders, families or kids can use:

makingfriends.com

crayola.com

elmers.com 

See the website for Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council, at http://www.girlscoutsllc.org/.

You can send questions and suggestions to the council by clicking here: gsllc@girlscoutsllc.org.

Also, see the national Girl Scouts site at http://www.girlscouts.org/.

A program of Healthy Families Task Force

‘Safe Stops’ help children in emergencies

Dear Editor:

The Healthy Families Task Force would like to thank the people of Lincoln for their support of the "Safe Stop" program. A "Safe Stop" is a home or business where a young person may receive emergency assistance when a family member is not available. A "Safe Stop" emblem is posted in a window or door where it can easily be seen. The Lincoln Police Department screens all applicants as well as provides the educational connection in the schools.

We currently have 15 "Safe Stops" located in our community. Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, CEFCU, Jenkins Insurance, Lincoln Christian Church, MKS Jewelers, Abe’s Carmelcorn Shoppe and West Lincoln-Broadwell School are our non-residential "Stops." The rest are located in residential homes throughout Lincoln. We would like to request that parents look for the red stop sign emblems in areas where their children walk, ride bikes or play. Discuss the locations of these "Stops" in your area and when they should be used.

It is because of the volunteers and organizations who devote their time, effort and dollars that Lincoln is a community many choose as their home. It takes many committed people to run the agencies and organizations that make Lincoln special. One person can make a difference. We are still in need of more places to help. Become a "Safe Stop!" Applications are available at the front desk at Heartland Community College or by contacting Rich Montcalm at the Lincoln Police Department.

Louella Moreland

"Safe Stop" Chair

Healthy Families Task Force

Healthy Community Partnership

The phase "play ball" is echoing all around the Lincoln Park District.  Teams for boys and girls have been chosen and practices are in full swing.  Registration for men's and women's softball is currently under way.  If you have not come to the office to pick up your roster and information, you will want to do so soon.

A new league offered this summer is Co-ed Over 40.  This league is strictly for the recreational player.  The season will not last as long.  Play will be at Memorial Park on Thursday nights.

The success of Lincoln's summer baseball and softball programs is directly related to the many local businesses that support the teams financially.  In these times of rising utilities and gas prices, we urge you to support the businesses whose names appear on the team shirts.  It takes not only money but volunteers as well.  Our thanks to the many people who donate their time and talent to coaching and keeping a great game on track.

Our summer brochure is out and ready for you to pick up a copy to see the many things there are to do this summer.  While many of you think of us in terms of sports, we are offering much more.  This summer is guaranteed to be full of camps, clinics, arts and crafts, and a host of other fun activities for nearly every age.  Some of our new programs will be limited in size, and we urge you to register early.  Availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  We have had several calls from people wanting to know when registration for certain classes would be.  The earliest date to register will be May 4.

USDA recommends that dial canner gauges be tested every year before using the pressure canner to preserve foods. University of Illinois Extension will offer two dates to check the accuracy of your canner gauge. The first was May 10. Cherie Lock will also test gauges anytime Tuesday, June 26. You may deliver your canner to the Extension office at your convenience before that date and then pick up your tested canner at your convenience after 4 p.m. on June 26. There is no charge for this service.

If you have a weighted gauge, it is permanently calibrated at the factory and does not need to be checked.

Free newsletter for grandparents raising grandchildren

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren can now get the FREE newsletter Parenting Again from University of Illinois Extension.

The newsletter offers practical advice on topics like helping grandchildren succeed in school, finding support groups and resources, taking care of your own health, and unique challenges for second-time parents.

Cherie Lock, unit staff member with U of I Extension in Logan County, says that grandparents can get on the mailing list by phoning the local Extension office at (217) 732-8289 or by sending a fax to (217) 735-5837 or e-mail to lock@mail.aces.uiuc.edu.

Those attending Memorial Day events for the Mason City Civil War Living History Weekend on May 26 and May 27 can look forward to one more event about town.  Ladies of the community have decided to donate their talents and assemble a quilt show.  

Many old, new, historic and just beautiful quilts are owned by ladies around Mason City.  The show will be Saturday and Sunday of Memorial weekend at the Masonic Hall on south Main Street in downtown Mason City. For additional information, please call Mrs. Myron Harrison or Mrs. Eugene Giehl.

Separate from the town ladies quilt show will be a quilt show of a different kind in the old Brinner Brothers downtown windows.  The fifth-grade classes of Illini Central School will be assembling their handcrafted paper quilts on the storefront window walls for a Civil War display before and during the weekend of May 26 and 27. 

[Dancers learn the Virginia reel, barn dance, popcorn dance, waltzes and other Civil War dances on Thursday evenings at the Mason City Community Center. Handmade, period-authentic dresses are available for purchase at the center. A dressmaker is also on hand, ready to make other dresses to order for the Civil War Ball scheduled for May 26.]

Civil War-period food booths 

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 26, Mason City organizations are invited to participate in sponsorship of period food booths.  Sheltered space is available on a first-come basis. Clubs already joining in the fun include Mason City Rotary with their famous rib-eye steaks, Mason City Optimists with their lemonade, Mason City Historical Society with root beer and peanuts, Girl Scouts with cookies, and Boy Scouts with apples, hot caramel, popcorn and a dill-pickle barrel. Yet to sign up are PACK, COBRA, swim team and any others wishing to make money.  Each booths keeps its proceeds. A $20 set-up fee is charged by the Mason City Historical Society for "Save A Site."  A guideline and health packet must be followed and will be mailed once the registration fee is received by the committee.  Call 482-5631 after 6 p.m. for the information.

The public will be bringing picnic baskets to the park on Saturday, May 26, for a family basket-blanket picnic.  People will shop the period booths for food to fill their baskets and dine with their families upon heirloom quilts or blankets under the shade trees. All clubs are invited to tempt the public's taste buds.

History through music 

The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band will play Civil War-era music in concert at Mason City on the evening of Saturday, May 26.  This primary fund-raising event for the restoration of Soldier's Monument in Mason City Memorial Park will be a family affair open to the public.  Tickets will be available at Mason City stores and City Hall the beginning of May.  The Illini Central School cafeteria will be turned into a garden party with tables of linen and lace, freshly picked flowers and candlelight, under the direction of Garden Angels and Bev Purvis, chairman. Limited seating is available, and tickets need to be purchased in advance, though some will be available at the MCHSociety hospitality tent on the park grounds Saturday, May 26.  Those in costume will be admitted free.

The dress shops are busing making ball gowns for everybody.  Each Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. seamstress have been busy consulting, measuring and taking orders from ladies young (age 2) and young at heart (age 92).  New styles are coming in weekly. Fabric by the bolt is ready for selecting.  The dance floor will be filled with glee and glamour.  Dancers are taking lessons and becoming pros, though the Grand March will be a time for all in costume to join the floor for a delightful showing. This is a prom night for the entire community.

The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band will play period music on original instruments of the 1860s.  They will appear in wool uniforms typically worn during the war. The regimental band was a major part of the Civil War soldier' s life, leading him into battle, keeping his spirits high and reminding him of home.  Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember our soldiers.

Come be a part of this fund-raiser on Saturday, May 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Illini Central cafeteria. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  Enjoy two wonderful hours of "History Through Music" being brought to you by Mason City Historical Society, compliments of Mason City National Bank.

[MCHSociety news release]

Oasis update

The Oasis, Logan County’s Senior Citizen Center, is located at 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln. The center is open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and for Friday and Sunday night pinochle and other table games. The center is closed on holidays. Activities are open to all Logan County senior citizens.

Game winners: April 24 and May 1 daytime pinochle winners were Ruth Aper and Marie Spaits, respectively. Weekend game winners were Marie Spaits and Esther Will, pinochle; Ken McCray, Louise Wiebers and Henry Warnisher, 5-in-1; and Harley Heath, pool.

Newsletter: Those who choose to have a Friends of the Oasis membership receive a bimonthly newsletter in the mail. Call the Oasis, 732-6132, for further information.

On Saturday, May 19, the Vineyard Cafe will have a Jam Night featuring an open microphone for Christian performing artists. The cafe is at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, one-half mile south of Interstate 74 on Route 51, south of Bloomington. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information or to reserve a spot at the mike, call (309) 663-4943.

[APRIL 25, 2001]  ^"This is a community celebration of hope. Life is a gift, and each day is a celebration."

[Click here for more photos]

Viola Rickey

Kayla Meister and Tabatha Weidhuner

[to top of second column in this article]

Bob Jeckel

Kathie and Ann Elliott

Fran Lessen

[Click here for more photos]

[MAY 4, 2001]  Our local police department works hard to keep our community safe and our town peaceful. In order to accomplish their task, they need hard workers supporting them. Faye Huneke is one such supporter.

For over 26 years, Huneke has been the full-time departmental secretary for Lincoln Police Department. She has served under five police chiefs—six if Mayor Davis appoints a new chief. She commented that each of the chiefs has been great and she enjoyed working for them.

[Due to an increase in phone activity, the dispatch now shares the phones lines with Huneke. She operates three non-emergency lines so that the dispatch can focus on emergency calls.]

Each day Faye Huneke processes a lot of information for the police department, beyond typical secretarial duties. She collects all arrest and accident reports from officers and sends them to the courthouse or to whoever else needs a copy of the report. She also collects traffic tickets and sends them to the circuit clerk’s office in the courthouse.

In addition to this paperwork, Huneke is responsible for evidence involved in pending court cases. She logs in and shelves all evidence, checks out evidence to authorized individuals, and sends evidence to labs for analysis. When a court case is completely closed, the court instructs her to refile, return or dispose of the evidence.

Huneke has acquired an additional role since she was first hired—answering phones. Originally, all calls rang to the dispatch, but due to the increase in phone activity the dispatch now shares the phones with Huneke. She operates three non-emergency lines so that the dispatch can focus on emergency calls—a responsibility she is all too happy to leave to the dispatch.

So how did Faye Huneke become a police department secretary? She started with business classes in high school. Even though she has not used it in awhile, she still remembers shorthand from a high school course. After high school, she enrolled in business school in Peoria. Cutler-Hammer of Lincoln called the school for a graduate, and that brought Faye to Lincoln.

Cutler-Hammer brought Faye not only to Lincoln but also to Bob Huneke, one of their employees. She worked for the electric control manufacturer for a few years, as a secretary, until she and Bob had their first daughter. Faye Huneke stayed home until all three of their daughters were in school.

About that time, she heard of a secretarial opening with the police department. The former secretary had passed the exams to become Lincoln’s first female police officer—something to which Faye said she has never aspired. She applied and was hired. At that time LPD was located in City Hall. She worked in that building for 3½ years, until 1978, when the department moved to its current location in the Safety Complex.

Huneke enjoys her job because she likes to help the public, whether it is on the phone or in the lobby. Several times she mentions how much she has liked serving with her co-workers. Faye does not have a favorite part of her job; rather, she says, "I like most all aspects of my job."

[to top of second column in this article]

Faye Huneke has had a number of memorable experiences during her years as a police secretary. Perhaps the most rewarding memories for this grandmother of five are reuniting young children with their parents. Occasionally, officers will find a toddler wandering around and bring the child back to the station until they can locate the parents. Faye usually helps the officers watch the child. She even has pictures on her desk that show her with some of the children.

One of the more amusing information-related calls Huneke remembers was during the Logan County Fair. A woman called to ask what time the rides opened at the fair. Luckily, Faye just happened to know the information. She wishes she had kept a diary of all the amusing calls she has received, which are usually unrelated to the police department.

Huneke related an intimidating situation that happened when she started to work for LPD. As keeper of case evidence, she is occasionally called upon to testify in a court case concerning the handling of the evidence. She was especially nervous the first time because she wanted to be careful to do a good job in court. Each case she has testified for in court has relaxed her a little more so that she no longer views it as intimidating.

[For over 26 years, Faye Huneke has been the full-time departmental secretary for Lincoln Police Department.]

A very memorable experience for Huneke, and all the members of LPD, was seeing and counting close to a million dollars. Officer Greg Saylor stopped to inspect a suspicious moving van and asked Officer Rawlins and his K-9 unit, Sampson, to assist. Sampson sniffed out a cardboard box full of cash. The officers confiscated the suspected drug money, and the next morning Huneke watched the officers count out over $900,000.

Family is very important to the Hunekes. The extended family, most from around Illinois and some from Minnesota, gathers for each holiday. The Hunekes, their children and grandchildren celebrate each birthday together. This weekend, the family is gathering for a reunion just southwest of Effingham.

When Faye is not at work or preparing for a family get-together, she enjoys gardening or creating scrapbooks. Each year she tries to add a few perennials to her garden at home. At work, Huneke’s office is decorated with a lot of greenery.

As to retirement, she really has not thought about it. Huneke said that perhaps in the next year or two she might begin planning her retirement, but right now, "I guess I like the job so much, retirement isn’t a priority."

So the next time you call or visit LPD you can say hi to Faye—she plans to be there awhile.

[Jean Ann Carnley]

People all across this country and, in fact, around the world, claim roots in Logan County. They have very interesting stories to tell, and some of them like to connect with those of us who stayed at home. Logan County Diaspora publishes the stories of former Logan County residents. With their permission, we also include their e-mail addresses so that old friends might be reunited.  If you wish to be part of the Logan County Diaspora, e-mail ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.  

Stan Stringer tells story of
Mark Holland’s buzzing of Lincoln

A year ago I received a copy of Paul Gleason’s "A Pictorial History," and I found the pictures of Mark Holland’s buzzing of Lincoln. Regrettably, the author did not make attribution to the photographer for these or any other photographs, and perhaps this was not possible, as so many dated back so far. In any case, I thought your readers might enjoy a story behind these pictures.

My father, Charles M. Stringer, had a photography studio on the second floor of the Marcucci building in the ’30s and ’40s. During Mark’s later high school years he worked for my father and at the same time developed an interest in flying. After our entry into World War II, Mark entered the Army Air Corps and flight school. At some point Mark told dad that if the opportunity ever came that he could "buzz" Lincoln, he would telegram dad the night before. Dad agreed he’d have his Speed Grafix loaded and snap the pictures.

As you can guess, Lincoln was not the only town being buzzed. There was a general order prohibiting this, but there was little the military could really do. Pilots were needed overseas, and buzzing your hometown would not ground a qualified pilot.

[to top of second column in this article]

[Mark Holland]

One night the telegram came, something about seeing Lincoln soon. Dad knew it meant Mark would buzz the town the next day. My dad told me to keep all of this to myself, and I was certain I was in on a big military secret. At the time, I was in the fourth grade at Monroe Elementary School. My teacher was Miss Hazel Holland, and our classroom was on the second floor. Miss Holland was a cousin of Mark’s.

Needless to say, when Mark made his first run the class was out of hand. We ran to the windows for a grand view of the action. After Mark finished his runs and the class had quieted down, Miss Holland asked if anyone knew who was flying that airplane. While I had to fake it, we all had blank faces. I’m not sure if she suspected it was Mark, but nothing more was said.

Dad got the pictures, and these were kept out of circulation until Mark returned. During the war each kid had his personal hometown heroes, and Mark was one of mine.

Stan Stringer

Falls Church, Va.

dstringer@mgfairfax.rr.com

(5-11-01)

Diaspora writer seeks reunion information for class of ’71

I am seeking information on the class of 1971 reunion. Any information will be appreciated. Forward to me at 1dasue@home.com. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Wanda Whitson Aue

1513 Hastings Dr

Hampton, VA 23663

(5-4-01)

Leigh Henson, now a college teacher in Missouri, remembers Miss Jones, Jefferson School principal

I graduated from LCHS in 1960, attended Lincoln College for a year and then transferred to Illinois State (then Illinois State Normal University).  I taught at Pekin Community High School for 30 years before taking early retirement in 1994.  Since then I have taught technical communication at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.  For more information about my career and teaching activities, please visit http://www.smsu.edu/english/dlhpages/dlh.html.

The move to Missouri has increased my appreciation of the diversity of our society.  I always wondered what people meant by having to deal with "culture shock" in moving to a different section of the country.  Here in the Ozarks, there seems to be a blend of Midwestern, Southern and Western cultural influences. Let me cite an example of the Western influence. Missouri is nicknamed the "Show Me" state, and that often seems to translate as an attitude of "so what?" or "prove it."  The good thing is that here rugged individualism is alive and well.

As a teacher for nearly 37 years, I have been especially interested in communities composed of students, teachers and parents. Thus, many of my most vivid Lincoln memories have to do with school experiences. For example, I attended Jefferson School from 1949 through 1954 and remember being taught in fourth, fifth and sixth grades by the principal, Miss Bernadine Jones.  She kept us together as a class because she had taught most of our parents, aunts and uncles and so took a special interest in us. 

[to top of second column in this article]

Those were the times in which many students regarded teachers with awe.  At the beginning of fourth grade, I was so aware of Miss Jones' reputation for strictness that on the first day of school I attempted to avoid her class by enrolling myself in the other fourth-grade teacher's class.  About an hour or so went by, and I began to relax, thinking I had escaped.  Suddenly, Miss Jones walked briskly into the room.  She sternly asked if I were there and then escorted me to her classroom-office.

Fortunately, she did not take me to the nurse's office, where her infamous wooden paddle prominently hung on the wall, handy for private lessons.  When she took someone for those lessons, we often heard the results.

For three years, our class learned values as well as the "three R’s."  In the way she taught and ran the school, she exemplified discipline and responsibility and got respect for it. 

I would be interested in exchanging other stories with classmates.  For this reason, I have collaborated with other LCHS classmates in the creation of an interactive LCHS Class of 1960 site at http://www.geocities.com/lincolnhigh1960/.

On behalf of my classmates, I am grateful to Lincolndailynews.com for helping us use Internet communication as a way to re-establish our community. 

Leigh Henson

(3-29-01)

 (Note: A link to the Internet site for 1960 graduates of LCHS is available regularly under "Reunions" in the LDN Diaspora section.)

I think LDN is just great. I live in San Antonio, Texas, so LDN is the only way I can keep up on what's happening in Lincoln.

I have just one request. Does anybody know when the class reunion for 1966 is going to be this year? I would really appreciate the information.

Thanks.

James Chandler  (Doc)

415 Pemcanyon

San Antonio, TX  78240

(210) 561-9505

doc@texas.net

(3-8-01)  

Foreign Service officer recalls
infamous Valentine's Day '79 in Tehran

By George McKinney

Valentine’s Day brings back memories for all of us — the sweethearts we gave flowers to or chocolate candy or kind words to our mothers.

Valentine’s Day for me awakes the memories of being taken hostage in Tehran that very day. We at the American Embassy in Tehran nicknamed it the "Valentine's Day Massacre."

At about 10 a.m., Feb. 14, 1979, three vehicles pulled up at strategic locations around the embassy compound and opened fire with machine guns. Iranian fanatics under the Ayatollah Khomeni were attacking our embassy with the intent to close it and do serious bodily harm to the occupants, American and Iranian employees. Our Marine detachment was able to return fire and hold them off for about three hours, but were outnumbered and outgunned.

I was caught under heavy gunfire while setting up a "secure" telephone system in the embassy administrator's office on the first floor of the embassy. Through the grace of God, I was able to get upstairs to my own office, located in our communications vault, which I was in charge of. My staff were already in the process of destroying sensitive equipment and classified documents under the direction of my deputy communications officer. During this same time frame, as many employees as possible were making it to the vault, which was also the embassy's "safe haven" location.

Numerous firefights were taking place throughout the embassy at this time, as the Iranians had successfully gotten onto our compound. Some of our Marines were wounded, some were captured and taken away, and some people suffered the ultimate — death…

As our ambassador was doing what he could to assure the safety for as many as possible, there was no doubt we were going to have to surrender the embassy.

He yelled to me, "How much more time do you need?" (to destroy necessary equipment and documents).

I told him, "Thirty more minutes," but because of the atrocities taking place and to save as many lives as possible, we didn't get that 30 minutes.

[to top of second column in this section]

At that time, I was on one of our HF radio systems informing our embassy in Kuwait that we were under attack, surrendering the embassy and for them to inform the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The ambassador swung open the vault door and the Iranians busted in, saw me on the radio and bashed me in the head with an AK-47. As I got hit, I spun the dial on the radio so they would not know our radio frequency.

When I regained consciousness, armed Iranians were everywhere and were in the process of removing us from the vault. As they removed us, they body-searched us and forcefully took us to a large area to physically control us. They had us get on our knees with our hands behind our heads. We were held there for some time and physically abused at their whim.

We were later removed to the outside of the embassy and placed in front of a machine gun that had been set up. Many things took place at this time that I won't go into, but the international press (numerous) showed up, and that most likely saved our lives. I had been injured earlier, besides being hit in the head and again beaten when taken outside of the embassy. We were later taken to the ambassador's residence, located on the compound.

Some employees were released during the next days and weeks, but I did not leave until all of my staff were safe and accounted for and also safely gotten out of Tehran.

This was not my first encounter with terrorism, as I had been kidnapped in Fort Lamy, Tchad, in 1968. I believe my prior experience in the Marines, having served in unstable countries prior to being assigned to Iran, most likely prepared me for what took place.

Of course, not learning from these experiences, I continued to volunteer for the trouble spots around the world during the rest of my career in the Foreign Service.

It is one Valentine’s Day I will never forget.

[George A. McKinney, Pharr, Texas]

(2-15-01)

Tom Renner writes in

As a native Logan County resident, after high school in Mount Pulaski I went to the Navy in 1956. After getting out of the Navy in 1960, I moved to Southern California and spent most of 17 years working as a construction welder working out of the Boilermakers Union. Got tired of looking through a dark lens, so went to driving a truck cross-country for KLM out of Jackson, Miss., but now retired and living in Sun City, Ariz., enjoying the heat and the fishing.

So if any of the old bunch are still around, get in touch. I hear from George McKinney from time to time (alias Buster). I am sure he will like that.

All three of my girls live in Lincoln. Oldest is a nurse; No. 2 works in a factory in Lincoln; No. 3 — don’t know what she is doing.

Godspeed to all of my old classmates in Mount Pulaski, and live long and prosperous.

To contact me send e-mail to renner1@juno.com.

Tom Renner

(2-6-01)

 Franz writes home

Although I have visited the Daily News several times, this was my first time in this section — really like it. Like many others have said, this column is a good place to get in touch and find friends you have not seen or heard from for years.

I am Wayne Franz:

—Graduated from LCHS in 1956 and left almost immediately for a career in the United States Air Force — almost 22 years, and [I’ve] seen a good part of the sphere we live on.

—Retired from the service in 1979 and settled in the Great Northwest — Everett, Wash., to be exact.

—Joined the Boeing company and, as part of the AOG (Airplane on Ground) team, managed to see quite a bit more.

—Retired from Boeing this past August.

—Married a wonderful California woman 42 years ago; have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Have not been back to Lincoln as often as I probably should have, but do think of it often. We are planning a visit this coming summer. Still have sisters in Atlanta and Springfield and a brother in Charleston. I have many fond memories of Lincoln.

I can be found at wefranz@aol.com.

(1-2-01)

Greg Schriber hopes to find old friends from Lincoln

Hello, Lincoln:

I live in Liberty, Mo., just north of Kansas City. I left Lincoln around 1984 and spent some time in Montana and now here. I miss Lincoln at times and hope to find some of my old friends from there. I keep in touch with only one to date. This website is the first link I have had with Lincoln other than my family and I appreciate it.

Greg Schriber

gregschriber@hotmail.com 

(9-12-00)

Nancy Eichelberger still gets homesick for the Lincoln area

I graduated from L.C.H.S. in 1956 and would love to hear from some classmates.

We have been gone from the Lincoln area for over 20 years. I still get homesick even after so many years. I lived in Lincoln for eight years and then moved to a small town (Emden), where we lived for the next 22 years. We lived in Clearwater for 16 years and moved to Odessa Fla., which is really northwestern Tampa several years ago, as we wanted to be in the country again.

Both my husband, Wayne, and I are farm people and my parents lived in Lincoln until their deaths. The city was fine for a while but as they say, you can take us out of the country but you can't take the country out of us. We have over an acre of land here and really like living where we can hear the birds and see the horses and llamas daily. Yes, I did say llamas, our neighbor has six of them and they are beautiful.

It would be nice to hear from people that I used to know.

Nancy (Hatfield) Eichelberger

ike3@aol.com 

(7-7-00)

Hello everyone in Lincoln/Logan County.

Len and I have lived in Henderson, Nev., for 16 years now and get back to Lincoln quite often, but I check the LDN every day to see what's happening. I was thrilled when my sister, Lana Miller, told me about this.

We used to co-own Landauer's in Lincoln. I sell real estate in the Las Vegas valley, and Len is sales manager for a ready-mix concrete company. Our son, Chad, is married with one daughter and expecting a son in November. He and his wife, Sandee, work for Southwest Airlines here in Las Vegas.

We attend Central Christian Church, where Gene Appel, former Lincolnite, is senior pastor. We just moved into a brand new church building that seats approximately 3000 people.

I would like to see more letters from people who have moved away from Lincoln/Logan County, so let's hear from you.

Rita Remmert

RitaRemm@aol.com 

(7-13-00)

Needs copy of local birth certificate

I was born in Lincoln but moved away quite a few years ago. I recently moved and can not seem to locate my birth certificate. I am going on a trip to Canada in a week and would like to have my certificate. Can you tell me who I should contact about getting this? Thanks!

Philip Gehlbach

 - - - - - - - - -

Philip,

You can get that information from the county clerk's office, (217)732-4148.

Jan Youngquist

(6-15-00)

As a person who is lucky enough to call Lincoln my hometown, I just wanted to say what a great Web site you have.

I am a resident of Lincoln not currently living there, because of my job. I'm serving on active duty with the Army at Fort Campbell, Ky.

I was born and raised in Lincoln, and have come to appreciate just what kind of community I come from. Lincoln isn't the biggest town I've lived in, and actually I guess it's about the smallest town I've lived in. Both of my parents, Roger and Connie Boss, and for that matter most of my immediate family, still live in Lincoln.

My mom routinely clips out sections of the Courier and sends them to me so I can keep up on what's going on back home. Recently they showed your Web site to me, and Mom, I think you can retire the scissors. It's great that I can just pull it up on the Web and see what my friends and family are doing, no matter if I'm in Korea or Kentucky.

You have a good thing going here. It helps all of us out here from feeling so homesick when we can't go take a walk around the courthouse square or down Broadway to the Depot.

Thanks again for a great Web site, and keep up the good work...

Sgt. Brad Boss

(7-6-00)

Brad Dye would like to communicate with classmates

Hello, my name is Brad Dye and I graduated from LCHS in 1960. I attended the old high school, near downtown, for two years and then the new high school at the edge of town when it opened.

I have hardly been back to Lincoln since I graduated. My parents moved to Decatur and I went off to see the world. So far, that desire to see the world has taken me to about 55 countries. I often think of Lincoln and wonder what has happened to my old friends in the last 40 years.

I live in Dallas now and work for a radio paging company, which will be no surprise to those who remember me as an avid ham radio operator.

My sister Pam, who lives in Miami Beach, and I are both wondering if there will be a class reunion this summer for the class of 1960? We would like to attend. If anyone knows about this (date, time, place, etc.), please let me know by e-mail to: BradDye@swbell.net [address updated 3-27-01] and to Pam at: pgoldfaden@aol.com. 

I would love to communicate by e-mail with any of my former classmates.

I have a homepage on the Internet at: http://braddye.com 

Best regards,

Brad Dye

(6-7-00)

I have fond memories of Lincoln as I was growing up...

The Lincoln Lakes was the place to go in the summer time.

I used to play basketball pickup games at the Central School outside courts. I couldn't believe the last time I was home in Lincoln…The drinking fountain is still by the basketball courts.

I can remember the racetracks and the A&W root beer stand.

Riggs Dairy was on Woodlawn Road…the old football field on Woodlawn…

The watermelon festival in the summertime... I was in my 30s when I found out that Lincoln used watermelon juice to christen the city with the name Lincoln. As a matter of fact, I am related to Abraham Lincoln, very distantly. My father (Warren Chandler), whose mother’s name was Edna Lincoln, was the connection.

The Logan County Fair, where, if you are by the beer tent, you might meet someone you haven't seen in a long time…

I also have fond memories of all my sporting endeavors at Lincoln Community High School (LCHS).

I still come back for my high school reunions

"Hi" to Sharon Webster and Tim Harmon … good friends.

I am glad that Lincoln has stayed about the same size. I live in San Antonio, Texas, and believe me, if I could, Lincoln would be the place for me.

James Chandler (Doc)

doc@texas.net

(6-7-00)

Where is everyone?

I am an avid reader of Lincoln Daily News. The reason for this is because I no longer live there, but was born and raised there, and it always remains in my mind. I am always looking to see something or someone I may remember from when I was there.

I really enjoy Diaspora, but not enough people are getting into it. I wish there was something I could do to raise that interest.

Come on Lincolnites, get on that computer and let us know what and how you are doing. (Go Railsplitters.)

Thank you,

George McKinney

Pharr, Texas

(5-11-00)

Brainard recalls Lincoln Skateland

Charles Brainard moved to Lincoln with his family when he was in sixth grade. He graduated from LCHS in 1979 and lived here until 1986.

He likes to remember the Indian summers and the skating rink, which his parents owned from 1972 to 1979. He thinks he misses the winter least and the summer most. "Compared to where I spend most summers, Lincoln’s weather is mild and wonderful," he says.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986 and has been stationed in Georgia, Germany, Korea and Arizona. He was deployed to the Iraq area for Desert Storm. "Each station and area has had its own beauty," he says, "but not one of them was home."

"I am still on active duty in the Army. My specialty is communications. I work as a satellite communications network engineer and all-around communications techie. I enjoy several veterans associations – especially the American Legion and the 3rd Armored Division veterans (Spearhead) association."

His local family members are his parents, Charles and Carol Brainard; his brother, David, who just bought a house in Lincoln; and a sister, Laurie Armstrong. "My folks still live there at the homestead," he says. "The rest of us have scattered across the nation." Linda Jamison, another sister, resides in Shirley, Ill., and his sister Susan Conver lives in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area.

In closing, he tells us, "Enjoy your freedom? Thank a veteran!"

(3-16-00)

Weindorf remembers Lincoln Lakes

Donald Weindorf lived in Logan County from 1934 to 1946 and then from 1957 to 1959.

Of his years in Lincoln he says, "I like to remember my friends, the Arcade soda fountain, the old Recreation Center, the Lincoln Lakes and much more."

"I was pretty much raised in Boys Town outside of Omaha," he explains. "I got an opportunity to run Omaha Magazine and so I returned to Omaha."

He now owns and operates a group home for 20 at-risk boys.

"I love the range of weather we have here, the marvelous steak houses, the museums and the outside recreational facilities," he says.

Weindorf still has relatives living in Lincoln and gets back for a short visit every few years.

You can contact Weindorf via e-mail at weindorf1@juno.com.

(3-16-00)

"Nothing compares with e-mail and Web pages" to keep friends in touch

I have lived in the Fort Myers, Fla., area for the last 14 years. I have tried to keep in touch by phone, mail, etc. with my friends in Illinois. Nothing compares with e-mail and Web pages to accomplish this! Many thanks to the people who started lincolndailynews.com. It is firmly placed in my favorite places and I check it every day.

Thanks again.

Bill Horn
Fort Myers, FL
Bill3567@aol.com 

(3-3-00)

LDN makes Germany closer to home 

We just heard about the lincolndailynews.com and are enjoying keeping up with latest. We are currently living in Germany and now we don't feel so far from home.

Tom and Kristy (Smith) Yarcho
Haupstuhl, Germany
tkksk6@bunt.com 

(2-16-00)

Lincoln remains close to her heart

Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay posted on the happenings in my hometown! I am currently living in the North Georgia mountains, but my children spend the summers in Lincoln visiting their grandparents, and they love to look at the pictures of places in Lincoln and stay familiar with their "summer surroundings" After viewing the message board that one other Lincoln site has, I think I will stick with lincolndailynews.com, where I can see the news that I want to see....how things are progressing, and the good that still comes from my little hometown. Keep up the good work! Lincoln may be 700 miles from my home, but is much closer to my heart!

Traycee Ritchhart-Pirkle

Traycee87@alltel.net  Traycee@americashomeplace.com

 (2-16-00)

[to second column of letters]

World traveler keeps up on Lincoln

Thank you for lincolndailynews.com. My name is Denise and I am living in the Port Charlotte, Fla., area. I am getting established in real estate here in Southwest Florida after moving to this area within the last year from the north of England.

I lived in Lincoln until I was 27 in 1983, before starting a world traveling lifestyle. Although living thousands of miles away (i.e., Texas, California, Australia, England) over the years, I have managed to return to see my family, friends, and just to see Lincoln every six months on average. Now that plans have it that visits will be less often, it is absolutely great to have lincolndailynews.com for that Lincoln connection.

My parents are down here for 'The Season." January to April. They are enjoying the benefits of the new lincolndailynews and the latitude of Florida, that of sun, warm, wildlife and the new pool construction going on in my back yard with the golf course view. Ya' all come down now! :o)

Now you won't miss out on any Lincoln area news either! I am so excited about lincolndailynews that I am starting a classified ad to help readers learn more about wintering in Florida.

Many thanks.

Denise Radcliffe Wood
Sunnybreeze, FL
e-mail: floridaliving@hotmail.com   

 (2-11-00)

Alabama resident likes Lincoln photos

Great Web page. My brother just sent me the link to the website so that I can keep up with the news from back home. I left Lincoln back in 1963 for the Air Force. I currently reside in Alabama but Lincoln is never far from my mind. I truly enjoyed seeing the pictures of the different places around town and what is going on. Keep up the good work.

dlowe@ispchannel.com  

Dale A. Lowe
Huntsville, AL

(2-8-00)

Reunions

LCHS class of ’76 announces reunion plans

[MAY 4, 2001]   

Friday night, Aug. 3

•  Beer tent at Logan County Fair

Saturday, Aug. 4

•  Golf outing at Elks Club in Lincoln

Cost: $33.00 for 18 holes includes greens fees and cart. Lincoln Elks members pay their usual price. Prizes awarded. To form foursomes, we need to know if you are an A, B, C or D player. Tee times will be assigned at a later date. Limited to 32 players

•  Swimming at the Elks Club

Cost: $2 per person at the door.

•  Dinner-dance

6-7 p.m. — Social hour

6:45 — Class picture by Picture this Photography, cost: $12

7-8 p.m. — Buffet dinner

9 p.m. — Dance

[to top of second column in this section]

Planning committee:

Janice (Radcliffe) Greer, jjmm@abelink.com or (217) 735-2621

Kathy (Stoltz) Jones, dkjones@frontiernet.net or (217) 792-3241

Shelly (Birk) Conley, cclan@ccaonline.com or (217) 732-8097

Jamie Voyles, jivoyles@earthlink.com or (217) 735-2295

Mitzi (Gallagher) Rohlfs, rohlfs4@abelink.com or (217) 732-4316

Terri (Sullivan) Choules, jctchles@pdnt.com (217) 586-3221

Mark Guzouskis, (217) 735-3043

Looking for class of ’76 members

[APRIL 18, 2001]   Reunion planners still need updated addresses for the following LCHS classmates who graduated in 1976:

Terri Allen, Terry Hyde, Pam Gill, Joe Palmer, Virginia Parmer, Charles Krueger, Cindy Imlay, Randy Letterle, Kathryn Beach, Liz West, Monica Wyland, Rebecca Turner, Janet Schroyer, Rick Rohlfs, Kelly Cordrey, Terry Fisher, Mike Fox, John Frye, Doris Dews, Wayne Denney, Mike Short, Debbie Johnston, Bonnie Freese, Robert Hinton, Dave Rice, Clayton Reed, Arthur Merritt, Mike Kavannaugh, Tim Armstrong, Tony Young, Dave Buch, Sabrina Simmons, Mark Loughmiller, Brian Hackett, Mary Check, Don Prince.

If anyone knows the address, or a person to call to get the address, of a classmate listed, please call or e-mail Janice Greer at (217) 735-2621, jjmm@abelink.com.

Saturday, Aug. 4, is the date set for the class reunion. A golf outing and dinner at the Elks Lodge in Lincoln is being planned.

Thanks to those providing updated information.

Ongoing class reunion in cyberspace for 1960 graduates of LCHS

http://www.geocities.com/lincolnhigh1960/

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