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[SEPT. 5, 2001]  ^“One Hour ’til Dawn." Mike Fak, The Fak’s Machine, 2001, 240 pages.

"The following stories and articles are little vignettes of how I view the world we live in." So begins "One Hour ’til Dawn," a compilation of stories, articles and opinions by Lincoln resident Mike Fak.

Fak is currently one of the driving forces behind the LincOn-TV community television station and is co-host of the weekly talk show "The Fak Machine."

These submissions were selected from his published work as a free-lance journalist for the Lincolndailynews.com and the Lincoln Courier newspapers.

Fak, who has been writing for almost 40 years, explains the unusual title in the foreword: "For years I have been an insomniac. For years I have laid in bed thinking about something that I intended to write about. Often, I would have the piece down so well in my mind that early in the morning I could sit down at the keyboard and just type the article out in a few minutes."

His attitude toward writing is just as clear: "I have been submitting my thoughts to all of you these past three years for one reason. I am hoping to create dialogue about issues and cause changes in the world we live in." The motivation to encourage public debate is reflected in the book’s broad spectrum of issues and topics, topics that range from the humorous to the serious.

Some of the most hilarious stories involve life in the Fak household. "The Great Raccoon Hunters," describes the family’s move into their Union Street residence, the discovery of an unwanted guest, and the author on the hunt, "in my underwear, ball bat in hand." Another episode involves life with Smirky the cat in "A Mouse In The House." Only the "Fak family chromosomes that cause a need for cheeseburgers just two minutes after birth" equal the cat’s ability as a mouser.

Political observation and insight is also a mainstay of this collection. In "Congress, Feds, Need To Pay Back Taxes" Fak vents the outrage felt by many over the staggering amount of money owed to the IRS by federal government employees. "Politics Are Costing Us Too Much Money" is a call for campaign finance reform after the final tally of the 2000 presidential election and its $350 million price tag. Mixing politics and humor in "GAO Report Makes Great Bathroom Read," Fak quotes the astounding revelation from the federal government’s General Accounting Office that the feds spent over $1.7 trillion and are not exactly certain how the money was spent.

Some of the best writing in the book is found in the more serious articles, articles that convey the author’s sensitivity and compassion. One of the more eloquent articles is the poignant, "I Don’t Believe In Ghosts," where he writes that "Some of us need worldly proof to verify our future has a greater promise than just death. I don’t seem to have that need."

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Perhaps the best writing in the book is found in the commentaries on family life with his son Timothy. Timothy was born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at an early age. In "The Graduation – A Tale Of A Handicapped Family," Fak reveals his most personal feelings and deepest emotions when his son announces his decision to walk unassisted in his school graduation ceremony: "I felt the weight of the night's great rock being taken off my shoulders…Timothy was my son who I loved so much. Tim is who he is because of how he is…I hope the world will get to know my son and all the others like my son." Similar feelings are disclosed in, "Handicapped Programs Are Being Abused," a firsthand account of the family’s experiences of combating prejudice and bigotry while living with a member who is disabled.

One of the most popular (and most identifiable) stories is the baseball-inspired, "The Things We Throw Away." While attending school in Chicago’s north side, Fak was a sophomore on the baseball team. Because of budget restrictions the only uniforms available were hand-me-downs from another team. Only now can the author reveal the true story behind these donated uniforms: They were donated by the Chicago Cubs baseball team; Fak’s uniform number was 14 (worn by the legendary Ernie Banks); and at the end of the season the entire team threw them away in a 55-gallon garbage drum. As a red-faced Fak admits, "Yes, I threw Ernie Bank’s old uniform into the garbage. Lord help me for being dumb enough to tell you this entire story."

"One Hour ’til Dawn" is a very entertaining book that will find an appreciative audience of readers. Many of the articles are intended to spark debate and discussion on a wide range of topics. Readers will also enjoy the down-home philosophy that serves as the inspiration for the more humorous entries. Other will find encouragement and hope in the stories about life in the Fak household.

In his foreword he writes, "The last time I looked in the mirror, I noticed no halo around my head…All I am is Mike Fak, and on some days I’m not even that. I write these articles for one reason and one reason only. I want to tell you what I think about something and want to know what you think about that same concept." Encouraging debate and challenging the reader, this book is highly recommended for readers of all ages and tastes.

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

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

Theatre 7 announces ‘Moon Over Buffalo’  auditions

[SEPT. 5, 2001]  Theatre 7, Decatur's Community Theatre, will be having auditions for the first show of its 38th season, the comedy "Moon Over Buffalo." Auditions will be at Theatre 7 headquarters, 131 N. Water St. in Decatur, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 11 and 12, at 7 p.m.

Director Jayson Albright and assistant director Rick Smith will be casting four men and four women ranging in age from 20 to 60-plus. For more information on the specific characters, check http://www.decaturnet.org/theatre7/what's.htm.

Those auditioning will be asked to read from a provided scene from the script.

Performance dates are Nov. 2-4 and 9-11.

Producer Jerry Johnson will also be accepting volunteers for a variety of production jobs.

For more information, call 423-2107 or send e-mail to theatre7@decaturnet.org.

[Theatre 7 news release]

[Click here for previous LDN posting about the production.]

[SEPT. 1, 2001]  The Logan County Arts Association is a newly formed organization dedicated to introducing all disciplines of the arts to our area. From hands-on programs for children to classical music for adults, the spectrum is broad and entertaining. Though it is still very new and in the setting-up stages, the association has already scheduled several events. 

"Music, Magic, and More" by Mr. Tone, a professional clown, is geared to children's activities and set for Sept. 29. Classic Movie Night featuring "Casablanca" will open on Oct. 11. An afternoon performance of classical Spanish guitar by Spanish-trained Chris Culleton is scheduled for Dec. 16.

"What we don’t have," says Marshall Jacobs, director of the association, "is an identifying logo that graphically shows who we are! Here's where we hope you can be of help and have fun in the process."

The association is sponsoring a contest in Logan County schools for a logo the arts group can adopt. Jacobs says this challenge can be an exciting art project for students in middle school and high school. The winner will be publicly recognized and receive a cash award and a free membership to the association’s first-year activities.

Entries should be sent to:

Logan County Arts Association

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

Entries should be postmarked no later than Oct. 10 to be considered in the judging. For more information, please contact Jean Gossett, (217) 732-7542.

[AUG. 28, 2001]  Eighty-one artists had works on display Aug. 25 and 26 at Lincoln’s 28^th annual Art Fair. Artists came from eight states, and the weather was very nice both days. The artists have always been pleased with Latham Park setting and none said they would not be returning. As usual, survey sheets were given to the artists. The responses are yet to be fully evaluated, but there did not seem to be any major problems. Co-chairpersons managing the fair were Debra Short and Shirley R. Bartelmay. 

Winners

Three-dimensional class

Sally Foster of Springfield — Wood

Daphne Davies of Osage City, Kan. — Jewelry

Mila Aciro of Palos Park — Art in sawdust.

Two-dimensional class

Sue Scaife of Springfield — Pastel

Connie Glowacki of Janesville, Wis. — Watercolor

Dennis Rosen of Wind Lake, Wis. — Photography

Special awards

The Janet Harris Memorial Award to the most creative painter was awarded this year to Julie Purdum of Hanna City for her pastels.

Alice Jaeger-Ashland of St. Ann, Mo., received the Best of Show award for her printmaking. This award was sponsored by Lee Dowling of Lincoln.

[JULY 31, 2001]  Season tickets are now on sale for the 38^th season of Theatre 7 — Decatur’s Community Theatre. Call the Decatur Civic Center box office, 422-6161, for more information. All shows will be performed at the Decatur Civic Center Theatre. The following shows will be presented as part of the coming season.

•  "Moon Over Buffalo" (comedy)

Written by Ken Ludwig

Nov. 2-3 and 9-10, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4 and 11, 2 p.m.

A backstage farce about an acting couple in the 1950s who have one last shot at stardom as a famous movie director is on his way to Buffalo, N.Y., to see them perform. Misunderstandings and mistaken identities pile up for loads of laughs. Written by the author of "Lend Me a Tenor."

Sponsored by Bodine Electric, Miles Chevrolet, Romano Company and Skeff Distributing

•  "Deathtrap" (mystery)

Written by Ira Levin

Feb. 8-9 and 15-16, 2002, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 and 17, 2002, 2 p.m.

A successful writer of Broadway thrillers is struggling to overcome a "dry" spell when he receives a script from a student. Suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness that will hold you enthralled until the final, startling moment of the play.

Sponsored by Behnke and Company

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•  "Anything Goes" (musical)

Music and lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse

April 12-13 and 19-20, 2002, 7:30 p.m.

April 14 and 21, 2002, 2 p.m.

A deliriously witty festival of songs and rollicking humor unfolds on a luxury ship making the Atlantic crossing in 1934, with a society girl caught between her finance and her boyfriend, a nightclub queen, a bevy of Times Square sirens and a slightly nervous gangster. Songs include "I Get A Kick Out of You"; "Blow, Gabriel, Blow"; and "You’re the Top."

Sponsored by Doug and Peg Schmalz and ADM Foundation

[Theatre 7 news release]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s website is up and available. The site serves a number of functions, from providing information on becoming a season ticket holder to showing what new productions are being planned. Pictures from last season's productions are also posted.

If you are interested in joining a performance or just going to see one, 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.

[LDN]

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