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[NOV. 10, 2001]  Family Reading Night at the Lincoln Public Library is Thursday evening, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. Singer, musician, songwriter, storyteller and author Mike Anderson will be performing.

Anderson’s programs are entertaining for people of all ages, and he is an award-winning teacher. He received a National Children’s Television Award for "Mike’s Music Works," a television show that he wrote and hosted. His latest storytelling recording, a collection or original writing entitled "The Great Sled Race," won a Parents’ Choice 2000 Silver Honor. He has written a new children’s book entitled "The Phantom Teacher."

Light refreshments will be served after the program.

The library is located at 725 Pekin St. For more information about this program and future children’s programs, call the library at 732-8878 or 732-5732.

[Lincoln Public Library news release]

[NOV. 14, 2001]  ^“Among the Impostors," by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Simon & Schuster, 2001. 172 pages. Grades 5-7.

"Sometimes he whispered his real name in the dark, in the middle of the night. He was sure no one could hear."

Luke Garner is terrified, but he must act normal and try to blend in. He has a fake ID with the name of the deceased Lee Grant. Living in a society where it’s illegal to have more than two children, Luke, as the third child, has been hidden in his home for 12 years. Being found by the Population Police would mean certain death.

In this sequel to "Among the Hidden," Luke as Lee has entered the Hendricks School for boys. What he thought would be a wonderful, freeing experience has turned into a nightmare. The school has no windows. He feels lost and confused and is being hazed nightly by his roommates, especially "the jackal." All of the boys seem to be afraid of the hall monitors and teachers.

Just when Luke thinks he can’t endure the food, classes and name-calling any longer, he discovers an unlocked door to the outside. He can see grass and trees and sky, and in a flash he is outside running toward the woods. When Luke returns to the school building hours later, he realizes he got away with it… "and he could get away with it again."

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The suspense builds as Luke makes daily escapes into the woods, finds a way to plant a garden and has it trampled by someone unknown. The actions of the other boys and the teachers remain a mystery, but he is determined to go back into the woods no matter what.

On one of his trips outside he stumbles on a meeting of boys who seemed to plotting an escape. As he gains the courage to confront this group, he must make decisions he’s never had to make before. The action becomes intense as he decides he can trust this group and then must face the consequences. Everything is not what it seems.

Luke is determined to change the world, and Haddix leaves the door open at the end for a third book in this series. You do not have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but when you’re done you’ll want to read "Among the Hidden" to see what happened during Luke’s first 12 years.

For more information, visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-8878 or 732-5732.

[Pat Schlough, Lincoln Public Library]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

[NOV. 12, 2001]  Lincoln College Theatre Department opens its second production of the season, "12 Angry Jurors," on Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Johnston Center for Performing Arts.

The drama "12 Angry Jurors" was written by Reginald Rose. It is a story told against the backdrop of a murder trial in which a young man has been accused of killing his father. The 12 jurors who have heard the testimony and seen the evidence must decide the fate of the young man. In the initial vote, one juror stands alone with a vote of not guilty. What unfolds is a story of people facing their own past, their convictions about illusion and truth, and ultimately discovering the truth about themselves.

Guest director Tom Quinn feels this play will help people to explore and understand prejudice, stereotyping and the concept of reasonable doubt. "This play was first presented on television in the late ’50s, and the subject matter and theme in this production remains as important and insightful as it was then," he says.

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Cast members include Jemel Washington of Decatur as the Guard, Rachel Brancecum of Canton as the Foreman, Chad Pedigo of Springfield as Juror 2, Ashley Lyons of Waverly as Juror 3, Michael Heath of Annawan as Juror 4, Ben Fulks of Rushville as Juror 5, Larry Jones of Hartsburg as Juror 6, Kelly Wiegand of Henry as Juror 7, Nichelle Bringham of Oak Park as Juror 8, Nathan Beagle of Muskegon, Mich., as Juror 9, Annemarie Windhorst of Mahomet) as Juror 10, Jessica Buck of Effingham as Juror 11 and Courtney Cooley of Springfield as Juror 12.

Show time is at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15; Friday, Nov. 16; and Saturday, Nov. 17; with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.

Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 for children and senior citizens. To reserve tickets, call (217) 732-3155, Ext. 280, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

[Lincoln College news release]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s website serves a number of functions, from providing information on becoming a season ticket holder to showing what new productions are being planned. Pictures from past productions are also posted.

Visit LCT’s website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html, e-mail LCT at lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com, or write to Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656.

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