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October 2001


Saturday, Oct. 6
SPONSOR: LCC
WHO: Public, by admission
WHAT: Fall play, "A Company of Wayward Saints"
WHERE: Earl C Hargrove Chapel on LCC campus
WHEN:
7:30 pm

Sunday, Oct. 7
SPONSOR: Heritage in Flight Museum
WHO: Public
WHAT:
Fall open house, historic military displays and educational programs
WHERE: Logan County Airport, 1315 Airport Road, Lincoln
WHEN: 1-4 pm

Monday, Oct. 8
SPONSOR: Lincoln Christian College and Seminary
WHO: Public
WHAT: Presentation and open forum, "Islam, Muslims, and America: A Christian Missionary's Perspective"
WHERE: LCCS, Earl C Hargrove Chapel
WHEN:
7:30-9 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 17
SPONSOR: Logan County Health Department
WHO: Public
WHAT: American Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN:
noon - 6 pm

Saturday, Oct. 20
SPONSOR: St. John United Church of Christ
WHO:
Public
WHAT: German Fest

WHERE: St. John United Church of Christ, Seventh Street
WHEN: 11 am - 6 pm

WHO: Public
WHAT: 1850s open house

WHERE: Mount Pulaski Courthouse
WHEN: 1-8 pm

SPONSOR: Knapp/Chesnut/Becker Historical Society
WHO:
Public
WHAT: Turkey supper

WHERE: New Holland-Middletown School, Middletown
WHEN: 4-7 pm

Monday, Oct. 22
SPONSOR: Lincoln Public Library
WHO: Public
WHAT: "On the Road with Antiques," featuring Rob and Joy Luke of Luke Auctions

WHERE: Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St.
WHEN: 7 pm

Thursday, Oct. 25
SPONSOR: U of I Extension
WHO: Public
WHAT: “Candy Making,” presented by Dick and Betty Applegate, Atlanta
WHERE: Extension office, 980 N. Postville Drive
WHEN: 1 pm

Saturday, Oct. 27
SPONSOR: Lincoln Christian Church
WHO:
Public
WHAT: Harvest of Talents, benefiting the International Disaster Emergency Service

WHERE: 204 N. McLean St.
WHEN: Daylong activities

SPONSOR: Eminence Christian Church
WHO:
Public
WHAT: Eminence Christian Church bazaar

WHERE: Atlanta Community Building, city roads 2500 North and 1600 East
WHEN: 8 am - 2 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 30
SPONSOR: Lincoln Park District
WHO:
Public
WHAT: Halloween Funfest

WHERE: Lincoln Park District ballroom, 900 Primm Road
WHEN: 6:30-8 pm

 

 

 

 

 


SPECIAL EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Presentation and forum: ‘Islam, Muslims, and America,’  LCC fall play, ‘A Company of Wayward Saints,’ Oct. 5-6Cars, crafts bring big crowds to Postville CourthouseLincoln Public Library adult program scheduleHeritage in Flight open house Oct. 7CEFCU accepts contributions to Red Cross Disaster Relief FundEd Madigan exhibit featured at Lincoln College Museum

REGULAR POSTINGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS:  Girl ScoutsKiwanisOasisU of I Extension, Vineyard Cafe


SPECIAL EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Presentation and forum: ‘Islam, Muslims, and America’

Dr. Keith Ray, president of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, invites the public to a special presentation and open forum, "Islam, Muslims, and America: A Christian Missionary's Perspective," featuring Dr. Robert Douglas, professor of intercultural studies.

The event will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8,
at Earl C Hargrove Auditorium on the LCCS campus.

Click here for a news release posted earlier in LDN:
"Expert on Islam will speak at LCCS."


LCC fall play, ‘A Company of Wayward Saints,’ Oct. 5-6

Lincoln Christian College will present "A Company of Wayward Saints," by George Herman, a play in which a group of people wander by mistake into the eye of an allegory. This company of wayward saints, far from home, seeks a means to return.

The play will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6, in the Earl C Hargrove Chapel.

The director is Tim Searby, worship minister for Lincoln Christian Church.

For ticket prices, call the Earl C Hargrove Chapel office, (217) 732-3168, Ext. 2254.


Cars, crafts bring big crowds to Postville Courthouse

From Richard Schachtsiek, site manager

The weekend of the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival, Aug. 25 and 26, was the busiest period for the year at the Postville Courthouse. This year the crowd was good: over 1,200 people for the weekend. It was down a bit on Saturday because of the threat of storms.

What drew people to the courthouse on Saturday, Aug. 25, was the opportunity to see over a dozen Porsche cars, from a 1950s 356 to a couple of current Boxsters. The cars were displayed by members of the Lincoln Trail Porsche Club. Inside the courthouse was a display of scale model Porsche street and race cars. This helped draw people into the historic building.

Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis stopped by to present three award plaques to club members for their special Porsches. The plaques were donated by Neal Tire & Auto Service, Lincoln NAPA store and Burwell Oil.

This was the third time the Porsche club has had a charity car show at the courthouse. Money raised by registration and donations for the day is used to purchase new trees to be planted around the yard. The previous two car shows have raised enough money to plant five trees, oaks and maples, in the yard.

My thanks to all the Lincoln Trail Porsche Club members who brought their cars for the charity car show. I also thank Keith Leesman and Jack Bartelmay, who served as volunteer interpreters during the day. Their help was appreciated.

Sunday was a busier day with the annual 1800s Craft Fair. This event is always very popular, for there is something of interest for every member of a family.

This year we had several new artisans including a new flax-to-linen demonstrator from near St. Louis and a Windsor chair maker from Petersburg. Other crafts demonstrated were bobbin-lace making, working the "Great Wheel" wood lathe, blacksmithing and an herbalist.

In addition to the craftspeople, several music groups performed, including the local Prairie Aires. They provided music for a group of local dancers who did Civil War-era dances. They also asked the public to join in dancing.

New this year was a special display by "Phineas Fairhead, practical phrenologist," presented by Lee Slider of Decatur. Phrenology was a popular "science" in the mid-1800s. It consisted of reading the bumps on a person’s head to tell his or her personality.

In August the following Postville Courthouse volunteers gave 130 hours to greet visitors to the historic courthouse:  J. Bartelmay, B. Behrends, J. Curtis, B. DePuy, D. Freeman, R. Hoppin, C. Kelley,
C. Klink, N. Kleinman, K. Leesman, B. Marvel, R. Meyer, M. Ott, W. Post, S. Schumaker, G. and J. Semple, M. Smith, L. Snyder, G. Wibben.

[Richard Schachtsiek, site manager]


Lincoln Public Library adult program schedule

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

Schedule

Oct. 22 — "On the Road with Antiques," featuring Rob and Joy Luke of Luke Auctions. Learn the latest in antique collecting. Six lucky attendees will receive a free appraisal of an antique.

Nov. 5 — "Archaeology and Primitive Technology Roadshow," with Larry Kinsella, president of the Illinois Association for the Advancement of Archaeology. Larry will do artifact identification for several lucky participants.

Nov. 20 — "Herbal Seasons," with Tracy Kirby. How to grow, harvest and store herbs.

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


Heritage in Flight open house Oct. 7

Heritage in Flight Museum, at the Logan County Airport, 1315 Airport Road, will have its fall open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7. Heritage in Flight Museum members will be on hand to explain the displays and educational programs. This is an event that grandparents, parents and children can enjoy together.

The museum’s static aircraft collection includes a Bell TH-13T Sioux helicopter, Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter, Beech 18 (C45), Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, McDonnell F-4E Phantom II and a Vought A-7C Corsair II. The Huey and Corsair II cockpits will be open.

The museum has various examples of military vehicles, including a pair of Jeeps painted in military police schemes, one Army and the other Navy; a Desert Command car; a six-wheel-drive Army Gamma Goat that floats; a red firetruck; and a Korean-era Army ambulance. Children often enjoy vicarious rides in these vehicles as much as those involving aircraft.

After 11 years of operating the Logan County Airport with most of the member volunteer hours devoted to mowing grass near the runways, volunteers now spend the majority of  their hours preparing and presenting exhibits for the enjoyment and education of citizens of the surrounding communities. Weekday tours by school groups, by reservation, are receiving special attention, and weekend visits by families are encouraged.

The outside of the museum’s display building has recently been painted, new display cases have been installed, and the gift shop has been expanded.

Refreshments will be served at Sunday’s open house. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

The Logan County Airport is just off Kickapoo Street (Business US 55) in northeast Lincoln. The Logan County Airport sign is just north of the Illinois driver’s license branch office.

For more information, call the HIF museum at (217) 732-7126.

[News release]


CEFCU accepts contributions to
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

Donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund can be made at the CEFCU Member Center, 341 Fifth St. in Lincoln.  CEFCU is proud to help support the Red Cross in efforts to cope with the Sept. 11 national tragedy.


Ed Madigan exhibit featured at Lincoln College Museum

The Lincoln College Museum is presenting a temporary exhibit called "Edward R. Madigan: From the Halls of Lincoln College to the Halls of the White House." The exhibit, which is currently on display, pays honor to one of Lincoln College’s most successful alumni, the late Edward Madigan.

Madigan graduated from Lincoln College in 1955, entered the Illinois Legislature in 1966, was elected to Congress in 1972, and was appointed by President Bush in 1991 to be secretary of agriculture. In 1974, the Lincoln College Alumni Association presented Madigan with its award for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Public Services. In 1975 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Lincoln College. He died in 1994.

Lincoln College Museum curator Ron Keller says the display tells the story of Madigan’s career in public service. "The display reflects his experiences and service through many photographs, and letters from every president from Carter to Clinton. There are also various artifacts from his works in Congress and in the White House." The exhibit will run through November of 2001. The public is invited to stop by the Lincoln College Museum to view this exhibit and tour the rest of the historic exhibits.

The Lincoln College Museum is located in the McKinstry Library on the campus of Lincoln College. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.


[Evelyn and Agriculture Secretary Ed Madigan at the White House with President and Mrs. Bush in 1991.]


REGULAR POSTINGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS

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/.


Kiwanis awards

At a recent banquet, the Lincoln Kiwanis Club installed officers and presented the following awards and recognitions:


Kiwanis board of directors: (left to right, back row) Duane Petty; John Fulton, first vice president; Mike Booher; Bruce Eisberg; Tom Comstock; Jack Bartelmay; (middle row) Joe Haning; Dan Row; Bob Steele; Bob Sullivan; Mark Wade, treasurer; Wayne Schrader, secretary; (front row) Bridget Schneider, past president; Wanda Rohlfs, president.


Elmer Krusemark, a 55-year Kiwanis member, is presented his certificate by Wayne Schrader.


Kiwanian of the Year Bob Sullivan is presented the award by Bridget Schneider.


Past President Bridget Schneider is presented her appreciation plaque by Wayne Schrader.


Certificates for perfect attendance over 30 years were presented to Gerald Carter, Paul Steen, George Gahr, Tom Comstock and Jack Bartelmay.


Wayne Schrader was presented the Luis V. Amador, M.D. Medallion Award for special service to the Spastic Paralysis Foundation. Wayne accepted on behalf of the Lincoln Kiwanis Club.


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.

Friends of the Oasis recognized

The executive director, Dominic Dalpoas, would like to recognize Bruce Stacy, R.Ph. and Medicap Pharmacy for the donation of a blood pressure monitor, which makes it possible for the Oasis to continue providing free blood pressure readings each Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

John Renfro of Carpet House is also recognized by the Oasis. He donated the carpeting for the Americana Room, which will display memorabilia commemorating men and women of the Armed Services.

Fall card party

A fun-filled afternoon from 1 to 4 on Saturday, Oct. 6, is planned for you and your friends. Get a foursome together, for only $5 each, to play pinochle, bridge or rummy. Stop by the Oasis to purchase your tickets.

Holiday closing

The Oasis will be closed Monday, Oct. 8, for the official Columbus Day holiday.

Department of Rehab Services

The DORS representative will not be available Oct. 8 or 15. If you need to contact the office for assistance, please call The Oasis for the phone number.

Legal assistance program expanded

Caregivers of any age caring for elderly parents, or grandparents raising their grandchildren, may now take advantage of the free legal assistance offered through the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. Please call for an appointment for Oct. 25. You may also stop in and pick up a pamphlet explaining the expanded legal program.

Game winners

The daytime pinochle winner for Sept. 21 was Marie Spaits, and on Sept. 25 Mable Hoagland won. On Friday night the 5-in-1 winners were JoAnn Eckert, Bernie DePuy and Ken McCray. Harley Heath won at pool on Friday and Sunday nights.

Newsletter

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


Happenings at the U of I Extension office

The local office of the University of Illinois 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.

Reservations will be requested; programs will be cancelled if fewer than 10 people are registered. An exception will be in November with the holiday program, for which a minimum of 25 will be required.

Call 732-8289 to make reservations. There will be no charge for any of the programs

Planned programs for the upcoming year through University of Illinois Extension:

•  Thursday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. — "Candy Making," Dick and Betty Applegate, Atlanta

•  Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. — "Holiday Happenings" program: "Holiday Gifts," Ellen Burton; "Holiday Foods and Safety," Jannanne Finck; "Holiday Plants," David Robson

•  Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002, at 10 a.m. — "Grains in the Diet," Jananne Finck, nutrition and wellness educator, Springfield

•  Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at 10 a.m. — "What to Do With Stuff," Ellen Burton, consumer and environment educator, East Peoria

•  Tuesday, March 12, 2002, over noon hour 12-1 p.m. — "Salads," Jananne Finck, nutrition and wellness educator, Springfield

•  Thursday, April 11, 2002, at 10 a.m. — "New Friends, But Keep the Old," Patti Faughn, youth and family educator, Springfield

•  Tuesday, May 15, 2002, at 10 a.m. — "Air Quality," John Fulton, Lincoln


Vineyard Cafe to feature Scott and Michelle Dalziel

The Vineyard Cafe welcomes Dalziel on Saturday, Oct. 20. Scott and Michelle Dalziel from Maquoketa, Iowa, bring a powerful mix of contemporary folk, upbeat pop and rock-blues. Their influences range from Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Costello to Shawn Colvin and Bonnie Raitt.

Admission is $3 at the door, and doors open at 7 p.m. Inexpensive refreshments are available.

The Cafe is held at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Bloomington. For more information or directions, please phone (309) 663-4943 or visit http://communities.msn.com/TheVineyardCafe.


Milestones


Heartland sends help to
Manhattan Community College

[OCT. 5, 2001]  Heartland Community College’s surplus furniture that was destined for future auction or other distribution soon will serve a distinctly more noble role. The furniture is being donated to assist New York community college students whose campus was devastated by the terrorist attack in Manhattan on Sept. 11.

Manhattan Community College’s 17,000 students were affected because the attack on the World Trade Center in New York destroyed one of their two campus buildings. Fiterman Hall, a 15-story structure containing more than 50 percent of the college’s classrooms, was struck by the collapse of World Trade Center 7.

Allan Saaf, Heartland Community College dean of instruction, and Rob Widmer, vice president of business services, were alerted to the Manhattan college’s dire situation through an e-mail listserv initiated to locate modular buildings or trailers for classrooms.

Widmer says he is pleased that Heartland can respond in this way. "As Americans we’re all affected by this tragedy. Everyone throughout the Midwest and across the country is doing whatever possible to help out those who have been affected by this horror. The situation is tragic, but our having an assortment of such furniture and equipment at this particular time is fortuitous. We’re happy that our surplus can assist the New York community college at this time."

 

[to top of second column in this article]

The college is not alone in its efforts. Ace World Wide Moving, an Atlas Van Lines Agent, is assisting in the process by donating a portion of the transportation. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 26, two and possibly three moving vans will transport and deliver the items — an assortment of classroom and office furnishings and equipment — to the community college in New York.

Typically, the furniture would have made its way through an auction or similar process if the opportunity for someone’s immediate benefit and utilization had not come along. The furnishings and equipment, much of it five to 10 years old, were part of a small percentage of items whose quality or functional standards did not meet requirements of the new campus facilities.

[News release]

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Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England, shares support, prayers for U.S. Lincolns

[OCT. 2, 2001]  Messages of love and support have come to many Americans from many places around the world since the terrorist attack that destroyed New York City’s World Trade Center buildings on Sept. 11.

A particularly heartwarming expression of feeling has come to the mayor of Lincoln, Ill., from the great cathedral in a city that shares its name Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. This letter, written on Sept. 13 by Roy Bentham, chapter clerk and chief executive of the cathedral, was read at the Lincoln (Ill.) City Council work session on Sept. 25:

The Mayor of Lincoln 

Illinois, USA

September 13th 2001

Dear Mayor,

Terrorist Attacks

We are writing to express support and fellow feeling for our friends in the United States of America. We have watched with horror the actions of ruthless people who place no value on innocent human lives. The outrages you have suffered have no equal in living memory and the strength and fortitude of those attacked has been an example for us all.

We are saying prayers for you in the Cathedral at all of our services and throughout each day. We are also holding a special service to remember and pray for those killed and injured, and their families and friends.

Please pass on our love and support to your community and particularly to those who have been directly affected.

With every good wish,

Yours sincerely,

Roy Bentham

Chapter Clerk and Chief Executive

Chapter Clerk and Chief Executive,

Roy Bentham

The Chapter Office, 4 Priorygate,

Lincoln, LN2 1PL England

Telephone: 011 44 (1522) 530320

Fax: 01144(1522)511794

E-mail: chiefexecutive@lincolncathedral.com

Website: www.lincolncathedral.com 

The letter and envelope are on display at the Lincoln College Museum.

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

The letter included an e-mail address. A curious Lincoln Daily News reporter e-mailed the sender, expressing gratitude for the support and asking a few questions about the city and the name "Lincoln." The reply, from the chief executive of Lincoln Cathedral, follows:

Many thanks for your email. The Cathedral has been a centre of comfort for people since 11th Sept., many of them American. We have been pleased to help in these dark times. Yes, we have contacted all the Lincolns in the US.

We are keen to create a community feeling with those who share this great name. It derives from the Roman, "Lindum." Lincoln was a major Roman city (Colonia) on a hill visible for many miles. It was also an Anglo Saxon settlement and the Normans built a great castle and Cathedral here after the conquest in 1066. The current population [of the city of Lincoln, England] is around 90,000 and it has a City Council and Mayor.

We have never felt closer to our US friends and our support, as you know, will always be there for you.

Regards

Roy Bentham

To view the great cathedral, a fine example of Gothic architecture which was begun in the year 1072, see the Internet website www.lincolncathedral.com. The website www.lincolnshire.com  also gives information about Lincoln, England, and the surrounding area.

[Joan Crabb]

 


‘United We Stand’

All-volunteer community auction
with all-donated items

[OCT. 1, 2001]  The auction started off as an idea in the hearts of Carrie Granitto, Judy Ramlow, Michelle LaMothe, Linda Shaffer and Brenda Miller. This idea was realized in the donation of hundreds of items by local businesses and individuals and hundreds of hours by volunteers.

Donations were collected by numerous volunteers for two weeks. On Saturday, more volunteers came to help load up the furniture, jewelry, art and assorted knickknacks and transport them to the Lincoln Recreation Center. Sunday, at 2 p.m., Gary Morris began the auction with the smaller items. Everything from glassware to children’s toys was sold in odd sets — including one of a vise clamp and a child’s car seat — for as low as $1. Around 3, the second auctioneer, Ed Voyles, began to auction off larger items from the other side of the gym. Even with both men working their hardest, the auction was not over until about 6 p.m.

Lincoln people from all walks of life and all vocations came to give their support and money. Firefighters from Lincoln and Logan County fire departments, young couples, older women and men, and Shirley Dittus, a representative of the local Red Cross chapter were all seen walking around the gym. Even Mayor Beth Davis bid for and bought many of the donations.

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

The pre-picked highlights of the auction were the Dale Earnhardt commemorative jacket and flag. The jacket alone went for $145. Other top sellers were the "Return to Glory" poster donated by the Lincoln Fire Department, which went for $100, and a pink easy chair, which sold for $285.

The donation of time was even more impressive and precious than the donation of money or items. Volunteers helped in every stage of the process, from the planning to the collections to the auction itself. The auctioneers and all of their helpers were unpaid. They gave up their Sunday with their families to come out and help with this cause. Of course, some of them brought their families with them, as the many children wandering around could tell you.

 


[Philip Carver and Sam Shaffer answer questions at the jewelry table.  Many of the earrings, watches, and necklaces displayed here were donated by MKS Jewelers.] 

More information: http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2001/Sep/
24/News_new/today_a.shtml#United they share

[Gina Sennett]


Lincoln Rotary Club distributes books

[SEPT. 27, 2001]  Recently, 225 kindergarten children in the area were recipients of the book "Kindergarten Kids," written by Ellen B. Senisi. The book helps explain to youngsters what it is like to be in kindergarten and what they will be doing in the first year of school.

By providing the books at the start of the school year, parents and teachers can help children overcome some of their fears about the coming school year. The book is especially important to families who do not have many children’s books in their homes and for children who did not have an opportunity to attend preschool. More importantly it provides an opportunity for parents to spend time reading to their child.

The project was sponsored by the Lincoln Rotary Club. Seven members of the Literacy Committee assisted in the distribution of the books to six local schools. Schools participating were Carroll Catholic, Chester-East Lincoln, Hartsburg-Emden, Lincoln Elementary, West Lincoln-Broadwell and Zion School.

[News release]

           


Fund-raisers


Dominic Dalpoas

[SEPT. 22, 2001]  He drove with his wife of two days down a hard, uneven dirt and gravel road through the backwoods of Louisiana’s roughest country. The mission? A tree. A big tree. A mission to see the largest oak tree known to man. The motive..."Why not?"

It is said that regret of the past and fear of the future are twin enemies of the soul. If this is true, then the soul of Dominic Dalpoas, executive director of The Oasis Senior Center, knows no foe. In fact it would be no stretch to say that this man, who has spent his entire life investing in the lives of others, sometimes perfect strangers, knows only allies.

 

Sitting with Mr. Dalpoas for well over an hour, watching him sip his cooling coffee and relax casually, leaning far back in his office chair, I myself was taken aback by the two adjectives which I believe would best describe him: motivated and humble. Since he is constantly occupied with a strong force of amiability, it is not surprising to find so many of the said allies dropping in for a genuine smile and a touch of encouragement. One after the other, the steady stream of friends, employees and volunteers were greeted and treated at his open door with his open heart. Though to hear him tell it, one would likely assume that he was in the people business for himself, as opposed to the future betterment of others. "I'm always getting more than I can ever give," he said, looking away and thus proving the point of his natural humbleness.

After working his way up the ropes of Lincoln Developmental Center, from which he recently retired after 25 years, Dalpoas finds himself on an admittedly less hard, although certainly not always as evenly paved road. Filled with many stories and poignant analogies, he describes some occasional days at the helm of The Oasis "like Lassie trying to help Timmy out of the well." Assuming the humble and motivated "pet cannot pull the boy out with its strength alone" role, he says, "Sometimes, you have to be able to bark in just the right way."

This is where the help of outside sources comes into play. "This community is so blessed with caring, generous people," he said, noting that it is not so much he or his staff but rather the countless volunteers who manage to keep The Oasis above water. It was interesting to see a spark of excitement flicker into his eye when he spoke briefly of local and outside donors who choose to give their support anonymously. For truly, that is where his passions lie — being motivated enough to pour a certain dedication into others and, every now and then, doing so furtively.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

This falls in line with his effective game plan of "first establishing each individual or group need, doing our best to meet those needs, and at the same time planning for future needs." Presumably it’s a tough task, when taking into consideration his day-to-day regimen of unremitting meetings, appointments and the above-mentioned drop-by visits, though always welcomed, from employees he calls friends.

"Baby steps," he says, giving nearly every ounce of credit for current successes to the previous directors who once held his position. "We move in slow baby steps until we're finally up and walking." Suitable perhaps that the words most often spoken when describing any agenda are used in regard to the lives and activities of the seniors; and as he says, "younger seniors" who take advantage of the establishment are "self-sufficient."

Dalpoas has a desire to help in any way those connected with the center. A strong desire. As he does so daily. But at the same time he knows that, while holding an insurmountable respect for them, which comes across in each sentence, senior citizens should be, can be, and more and more often are becoming, that exact model of self-sufficiency which he holds true to his own life and motivations.

It is, after all, such a strong and embedded motivation that would lead a man to drive with his new bride down an uneven dirt path of uncertainty in the hope of finding something great. The world’s largest oak tree, remember? However, irony, being the great teacher that it is, would have them on that occasion arrive after the daunting trek to find the tree cut down. ... Still, speaking from a podium of reflective hindsight, "It was worth the trip anyway," he recalls with a childlike smile.

Yes, Mr. Dalpoas, this most certainly is worth the trip. And with you at the helm, guided by your humble sense of motivation, all of those involved will be much better off for having chosen to ride along with you.

[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


Reunions

Ongoing class reunion in cyberspace for 1960 graduates of LCHS

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


Reminiscence

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