Organizations,  Events,  Milestones,

Good Neighbors,  Fund-raisers,  A Day in the Life...,

Diaspora,  Reunions,  Reminiscence

November 2001

through Sunday, Dec. 2
PREMIER SPONSOR: Lincoln Land Communications; presented by Main Street Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation
WHO: Public
WHAT: Festival of Trees
WHERE: Logan County Courthouse
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 9 am - 7 pm; Sunday, noon-6 pm; open till 8:30 pm Nov. 27 and 29

through Wednesday, Dec. 26
SPONSOR: Michelle's Home and Garden
WHO: Public, by admission
WHAT: Winter Wonderland Walk
WHERE: 1014 N. Kickapoo
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 11 am-8 pm; Sundays 1-8 pm

Tuesday, Nov. 27
SPONSOR: Local Looking for Lincoln committees
WHO: Public
WHAT: Candlelight courthouse tour
WHERE: Logan County Courthouse
WHEN: 6-8 pm

Thursday, Nov. 29
SPONSOR: OSF St. Joseph Medical Center
WHO: Public; preregistration required; call 1 (800) 407-4557
WHAT: Life Line Screening (stroke prevention and osteoporosis screening)
WHERE: Friendship Manor

SPONSOR: Oasis senior citizens center
WHO: Public; fee
WHAT: Chili supper and bake sale
WHERE: 501 Pulaski St.
WHEN: 4-7 pm

CO-SPONSORS: City of Lincoln and Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce
WHO: Public
WHAT: Christmas parade
WHERE: Courthouse square in downtown Lincoln
WHEN: 7 pm

SPONSOR: Lincoln Christian College
WHO: Public; tickets sold in advance only
WHAT: "Christmas in the Chapel"
WHERE: Lincoln Christian College chapel
WHEN: 7:30 pm

Friday, Nov. 30
SPONSOR: Lincoln Christian College
WHO: Public; tickets sold in advance only
WHAT: "Christmas in the Chapel"
WHERE: Lincoln Christian College chapel
WHEN: 7:30 pm

December 2001

Saturday, Dec. 1
SPONSOR: First United Methodist Church
WHO: Public
WHAT: Cookie walk
WHERE: 302 Broadway
WHEN: 9 a.m. - noon

SPONSOR: Lincoln Public Library
WHO: Children; reservations required
WHAT: Teddy bear picnic
WHERE: Library annex, 725 Pekin
WHEN: 9:30-11 am; program at 10 am

WHO: Children
WHAT: Kids Day at the Festival of Trees
WHERE: Logan County Courthouse
WHEN: 10 am - 3 pm

SPONSOR: Lincoln Christian College
WHO: Public; tickets sold in advance only
WHAT: "Christmas in the Chapel"
WHERE: Lincoln Christian College chapel
WHEN: 11 am, 3 pm, 7 pm

WHO: Public
WHAT: Christmas open house
WHERE: Courthouse on the square, Mount Pulaski
WHEN: 2-8 pm

WHO: Public
WHAT: Lighting of the Atlanta Christmas tree
WHERE: Downtown Atlanta; refreshments at Atlanta Firehouse
WHEN: 5 pm

Sunday, Dec. 2
SPONSOR: Carroll Catholic School
WHO: Public
WHAT: Christmas breakfast buffet and bazaar
WHERE: 111 Fourth St.
WHEN: 7 am - 12:30 pm

WHO: Runners registered
WHAT: Jingle Bell Run to benefit Arthritis Foundation
WHERE: Lincoln Park District, 900 Primm Road
WHEN: 1 pm

SPONSOR: Lincoln Junior Woman's Club
WHO: Public
WHAT: Tour of homes; fee
WHEN: 1-5 pm

SPONSOR: Lincoln Christian College
WHO: Public; tickets sold in advance only
WHAT: "Christmas in the Chapel"
WHERE: Lincoln Christian College chapel
WHEN: 3 pm

Monday, Dec. 3
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
WHAT: Luncheon and card party; by advance tickets
WHERE: Elk's Country Club
WHEN: Noon

Saturday, Dec. 8
SPONSOR: Needs and Goals of Elkhart
WHO: Public
WHAT: Christmas Goodies Bake Sale
WHERE: Elkhart Fire Station
WHEN: Starting at 8 am

SPONSOR: Zion Lutheran Church youth group
WHO: Public
WHAT: Cookie walk
WHERE: 205 Pulaski
WHEN: 8-11 am

SPONSOR: Main Street Lincoln's Economic Restructuring Committee
WHO: Public; ticket fee
WHAT: "Tour of the Tops"
WHERE: Downtown Lincoln
WHEN: 1-4 pm

WHO: Public; with advance tickets
WHAT: Christmas candlelight services
WHERE: John Dean Gillett Memorial Chapel, Elkhart
WHEN: 4 pm, 5:30 pm, 8 pm

WHO: Public; by advance tickets
WHAT: Madrigal dinner
WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 320 Broadway
WHEN: 7 pm

Sunday, Dec. 9
WHO: Public; by advance tickets
WHAT: Madrigal dinner
WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 320 Broadway
WHEN: 5 pm

REGULAR POSTINGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS:  Girl Scouts,  Heritage in Flight,  Oasis,  U of I Extension

Holiday time. Thinking about what to get the kids for Christmas? How about something that will really wow them, and you can have fun too.

Lincoln held its first soapbox derby this past summer. If you came out and watched the downhill races on North Kickapoo Street during the Art and Balloon Fest, then you know it’s a family affair that provides lots of fun, camaraderie and thrills.

There is still time to order a kit from the national organization and have it delivered for Christmas. Orders must be received in Akron by the first week in December.

Order blanks are available from any of the five soapbox derby committee members listed below. They will assist you when filling out the order blank. For those who would like to design and build their own car, the committee can help with the technical things you will encounter.

So, if you have a son or daughter, including the physically handicapped, who will be 7 years old by race day, they will be able to experience the thrill of racing.

The Lincoln Downhillers 2002 race will be bigger and better than last year. We have learned from last year, and we are going to have a "rip-roarin’" time in 2002.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from the committee:

Tom Kissel, Bill Martinie, Wayne Lolling, Duane Petty, Bob Steele

Needs and Goals of Elkhart will have their Christmas Goodies Bake Sale on Saturday, Dec. 8, beginning at 8 a.m. The sale will be at the Elkhart Fire Station. All donations are greatly appreciated. Santa will arrive with treats for the children and photo opportunities will be available.

Lincoln Christian College invites you to join us for "Christmas in the Chapel" Thursday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 2. "Christmas in the Chapel," performed by the LCC Chorale, celebrates the Christmas holiday season. It will be presented in the Earl C Hargrove chapel on campus on the following dates:

•  Thursday, Nov. 29 — 7:30 p.m.

•  Friday, Nov. 30 — 7:30 p.m.

•  Saturday, Dec. 1 — 11 a.m.

•  Saturday, Dec. 1 — 3 p.m.

•  Saturday, Dec. 1 — 7 p.m.

•  Sunday, Dec. 2 — 3 p.m.

Tickets are $5 each and are not required for children under age 5. A sign language interpreter will be provided on Dec. 1. For more information about ticket reservations, call the chapel office at 732-3168, Ext.2295.

Logan County Christmas tree project

The 2001 Logan County Christmas tree project in the Logan County Courthouse rotunda is being sponsored by Logan County residents again this holiday season. The 18-foot tree is displayed annually from mid-November through the holiday season. All ornaments have been donated by area residents.

Churches, businesses, families, schools, service clubs, organizations and individuals are again encouraged to donate ornaments.

•  The ornament should not exceed 6 inches square or weigh more than 8 ounces.

•  All ornaments must be submitted in an appropriate size box for future storage.

•  All ornaments will be identified, labeled and recorded in a permanent register on display at the tree location.

Label information sheets may be picked up at the security guard desk at the Logan County Courthouse, or people can contact Mrs. Ted (Judy) Awe, 123 Crestwood Drive, Lincoln, IL 62656-1360; phone (217) 732-4758.

Ornaments will be received at the security guard desk in the Logan County Courthouse beginning Nov. 1.

The Lincoln Public Library has one adult program remaining on the schedule for this year. The presentation is in the Pegram Community Room at the library, 725 Pekin St., and begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Seating is on a first-come basis.

•  Dec. 11 — "Herbal Holidays," with Tracy Kirby. Holiday cooking, decorating and making gifts with herbs.

Girl Scouts announcements

• Girl Scout leader meetings:  the first Thursday of each month, at the usual time and place.

• Girl Scout Jamboree Railsplitter event:  weekend of Logan County Railsplitter Festival; Janice Greer, event coordinator.

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/.

Oasis update

The Oasis, Logan County’s senior citizen center, at 501 Pulaski St. in Lincoln, is open weekdays (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center also is open on Friday and Sunday nights for table games. Dominic Dalpoas is the executive director. Activities are open to all Logan County senior citizens,  regardless of membership.

AARP 55 Alive

American Association of Retired Persons is sponsoring a special classroom refresher course for motorists age 50 and older. The class is scheduled for Nov. 26 and 27 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Call for a reservation.

You may come in for a cholesterol test on Tuesday, Nov. 27, between 9 and 11:30 a.m. There is no charge, no fasting and no appointment is necessary.

Join us on Nov. 29, starting at 4 p.m., for a great bowl of chili, some Christmas shopping in our gift shop and a picture of the children with Santa. Chili tickets are only $4.

There are still seats available for the dress rehearsal of the "Nutcracker" at Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield on Nov. 30. Tickets are $8. Call for a reservation.

There are also seats available for the Dec. 1 trip to Monticello for a Christmas train ride with Santa. The cost is $13 for transportation, train ride and lunch. Call for a reservation.

Election of board members is covered by the existing bylaws in the following manner: A nominating committee is charged with the responsibility of forming a slate of nominees. All names of candidates must be presented to the nominating committee in writing and be postmarked by Dec. 1. Anyone wishing to be considered or to nominate an individual to serve on the board must do so before the close of business at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1.

The group has suspended their semimonthly meetings through the end of this year. The meeting start date for 2002 will be announced in a future Oasis update.

The computer class schedule is now established for the first quarter of 2002. Computer basics, word processing, e-mail-Internet and database-spreadsheet classes will be offered Monday through Friday for one hour, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Cost per weekly class is $15. Call for a reservation.

We have been notified by the Legal Assistance Foundation that due to the ongoing high volume of cases the attorney will only draft wills, powers of attorney or living wills in cases involving potential financial exploitation or abuse of the senior. Advice will be offered on wills, powers of attorney or living wills, and blank forms will also be provided. If a senior wants a lawyer to draft the documents and there is not an exploitation or abuse issue, that person will have to retain a  private attorney.

Game winners

The weekday pinochle winner for both Friday and Tuesday at Mable Hoagland. The Friday night pinochle winner was Helen Opperman; Five in One winners were Henry Warnisher, Tom Garrison and Arlie Joiner. Alice Thornton and Harley Heath tied for pool honors.

Friends of the Oasis members receive bimonthly newsletters by mail. For more information, people can call the Oasis at 732-6132 or 732-5844.

The local office of the University of Illinos Extension will host a series of educational presentations from September through May. Anyone and everyone is welcome. Programs will be at the Extension office at the northwest corner of the fairgrounds, 980 N. Postville Drive.

Milestones

Fund-raisers

[NOV. 3, 2001]  Reaching the age of 100 is, by today’s standards, a milestone all its own. Reaching that age without ever receiving so much as a single traffic ticket is pushing miracle status. Or as Harold Woodhull, Lincoln’s 100-year-young and still-driving resident, would put it, basic "luck."

Despite being now one full century in age, Woodhull, a widower, has never spent a day in the hospital. As a younger man, he did spend some time working as a mechanic while enlisted with Great Lakes Aviation out of Chicago. And he spent time in New York and in Boston as the captain of a 45-foot yacht, until, citing reasons unknown, "The Navy confiscated them, and we had to use the smaller boats." To which he says, "I didn’t like them as much; they weren’t long enough."

In the living room of his well-set one bedroom home, Woodhull keeps many sizable, framed pictures that he says have the look of the ships he once helmed. Between them, another portrait, a vast, cultivated farming region, is reminiscent, he says, of "a large plantation I worked on in Charleston, S.C." In addition, Woodhull keeps on an end table a set of stoic black-and-white pictures of his only daughter, Grace (Houchin), who also is a resident of Lincoln.

Though by his own assertion "old," Woodhull appears by no means to be slowing down. He says he began driving in 1913, making him at the time just over the age of 12. He hasn’t stopped since. Having renewed his driver’s license a few weeks ago, he shows it off proudly to anyone who asks. A spokesperson for the Lincoln driver’s license examining office says they "had no problem passing Woodhull [on his driver’s test]" and that faced with the choice of riding on an extended trip with either Mr. Woodhull or a fresh-faced, 16-year-old rookie in the driver’s seat, Woodhull would be the choice, "hands down."

[to top of second column in this article]

"I spent three years in the Coast Guard and four years in the Navy," said Woodhull. "I’d go help [the military] fight today if they needed me. But I think I'm too old now."

It is perhaps this type of spirit that keeps him going so strong behind the wheel. But don’t confuse strong with fast. "Nah, I don’t speed," says Woodhull, his claim backed by the aforementioned perfect driving record. "When you’re young, that’s the first thing you do," he continued. "You get in the car and right away you see how fast you can go. But when you’re older, your attitude changes."

Asked if he thought he might ever get a ticket, he responded with a large smile, "I hope not!

"I’ve only been in one wreck my entire life, 10 years ago, and that wasn’t even my fault," he said. "Her insurance paid for everything. She was sick, though, so she shouldn’t have been driving."

You can spot Woodhull sporting about, cautiously, in his 1978 Pontiac on his way down the street to his daughter’s or off grocery shopping, both of which he says he does often. "I don’t get out as much as I’d like to anymore, but I guess I do drive about once a day," he says. "But you have to be careful. There’s a lot of bad drivers, you know?"

[Colin Bird]

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.  

Diaspora correspondents

Click on names to see letters and stories.

v Indicates LDN sponsors

• Wanda Whitson Aue

• Brad Boss

• Charles Brainard

• James 'Doc' Chandler

• Brad Dye

• Wayne and Nancy (Hatfield) Eichelberger

• Wayne Franz

• Philip Gehlbach

• Leigh Henson  v

• Bill Horn  v

• Dale A. Lowe

• George A. McKinney

• Len and Rita Remmert

• Tom Renner

• Tom Rippon

• Traycee Ritchhart-Pirkle

• Greg Schriber

• Stan Stringer

• Donald Weindorf  v

• Denise Radcliffe Wood

• Tom and Kristy (Smith) Yarcho

Reunions

Ongoing class reunion in cyberspace for 1960 graduates of LCHS

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

Reminiscence

• "Lincoln Lakes beach," by Stan Stringer, posted July 10, 2001, in LDN

• "Stan Stringer tells story of Mark Holland’s buzzing of Lincoln," posted May 11, 2001

• "Leigh Henson, now a college teacher in Missouri, remembers Miss Jones, Jefferson School principal," posted March 29, 2001

• "Foreign Service officer recalls infamous Valentine's Day '79 in Tehran," by George McKinney, posted Feb. 15, 2001

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