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[SEPT. 19, 2001]  ^“Marco’s Millions." William Sleator. Dutton, 2001. 161 pages. Ages 10-14.

Marco thought about millions a lot, but it wasn’t millions of dollars. Since the age of 5 he loved to take trips. He would get on a bus near his house and ride to the end of the line and back again. Soon he knew all the bus routes. To Marco, "millions" came to mean distance. He started reading travel books and memorizing train schedules so that he could go everywhere.

To keep his parents from worrying, he told them he was playing with the neighborhood kids. His parents believed him, but he couldn’t fool his younger sister, Lilly. She seemed to know exactly where he’d been even though he hadn’t told her. Marco also noticed that one evening when his father was late coming home from work, Lilly knew he had car trouble. Lilly also had dreams about the future and that she was needed as a medium to help on another universe.

Sleator’s fantasy really begins to spin when Lilly asks Marco to go down into the basement with her. "I know you won’t be afraid of what I saw there," she says. "I’m scared to look at it alone." Lilly led him through the basement to what used to be a root cellar. There on the far wall were lights and a tunnel seen only by Lilly.

With Lilly’s help, Marco entered the tunnel and saw buildings and creatures that looked like "insects with six limbs and ridged, carapaced heads." There was a swing that looked like an amusement park ride and a spinning light. The creatures had no eyes but sensed he was there and greeted him. These insect-like inhabitants were convinced that Lilly and Marco could prevent their planet from being destroyed.

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Marco enters the tunnel several times but always must hurry back because time moves much slower in the tunnel, and he doesn’t want his parents to become suspicious if he’s gone too long. At age 12, he decides that he needs more time in the tunnel to be able to save the universes from being destroyed by a singularity, a force so terrible it acts like a revolving door, swallowing objects from one universe and spitting them out into other universes.

"Marco’s Millions" moves at a fast pace and is action-filled as Marco communicates with Lilly and the creatures through his thoughts while traveling through the tunnel trying to capture the boxes necessary for saving the universes.

Sleator has written this story as a prequel to "The Boxes" (1998), but "Marco’s Millions" can be enjoyed by itself. Those who haven’t read "The Boxes" will want to after finishing this book.

[Pat Schlough, Lincoln Public Library]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

First of the season

Lincolnland Community Concert
recital by soprano Alison England

[SEPT. 24, 2001]  Friday, Sept. 14, the Lincolnland Community Concert series began. The first program was a recital by soprano Alison England entitled "Opera, Broadway, & Beyond."

England, accompanied by pianist Sandra McCune, performed a variety of songs from various operas and musicals, including "Romeo & Juliet," "Carmen" and "South Pacific." Styles in the first act ranged from the romantic "Le Canzone de Doretta" (Doretta’s Song) from Puccini’s "La Rondine" to the absurd Carol Burnett-esque version of "I Could Have Danced All Night" from Lerner & Lowe’s "My Fair Lady."

England did not allow for a passive audience, either. In the racy "Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss" (My Lips, They Kiss so Hot) from Lehar’s "Giuditta," she descended from the stage to flirt with "six wonderful guys" who happened to be seated on the aisle.

After the intermission, the audience was greeted with a stage empty of all but McCune and her piano, as England made her way up the aisle in the darkness. She wore a cloak and carried a lantern, setting the stage for her next set, a mysterious mixture of music from Yeston’s "Phantom" and Webber’s "Phantom of the Opera."

Switching moods completely, England dedicated her next set to Judy Garland, whom, she says, many people say she resembles. This set included songs from Berlin’s "Easter Parade" and Martin & Blane’s "Meet Me In St. Louis." Besides just her appearance, England imitated Garland in her attitude. She sat on a stool, rolled around on the piano, and kicked her legs in a way that would have made Judy Garland proud.

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Before her final set, England allowed a short question-and-answer period, during which it was revealed that it was her birthday. The audience sang "Happy Birthday" to her, after which she responded, "I’m 25." Members of the audience asked question such as "Do you still get nervous?" (yes); "Do you want your daughter to follow in your footsteps?" (no); and "What are your favorite roles in musicals?" (Anna in "The King and I," and Maria in "The Sound of Music"). The last question asked was "Where is home for you?" She responded, "Home is Beverly Hills. That is where I would like to live!" She went on to explain that she currently lives in Covina, Calif., which is a town outside Pasadena, but was raised in New York. As though it were planned, this question led her directly into her last set.

The final set of the concert was dedicated to the "heroes" of the terrorist acts of Tuesday, Sept. 11, from the men and women serving now to help clean up to those who called on their cell phones from the airplanes, trying to make a difference. The set consisted of Mariah Carey’s "Hero," Celine Dion’s "My Heart Will Go On," and Margaret Bonds’ arrangement of "He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands."

After a standing ovation, England returned for an encore consisting of Albert Hay Malotte’s version of "The Lord’s Prayer" and "America the Beautiful." During the final song, she invited children sitting on the front row to come and join her on stage, and the audience to stand and sing with her. The mood was undeniably touching.

[Gina Sennett]

[SEPT. 18, 2001]  The Logan County Arts Association, meeting at Lincoln Public Library on Monday night, chose officers and discussed plans for its first three events, which include a clown, a showing of "Casablanca" and a classical Spanish guitarist.

Marshall Jacobs of Lincoln, previously the organization’s acting executive director, will continue to lead as its first president. Jean Gossett as vice president, Louella Moreland as secretary and Jeanie Xamis as treasurer round out the slate of officers. Chris Gray was selected as first program chair and Marshall Jacobs as marketing chair.

Mr. Tone, a clown who presents hands-on children’s programming, will perform at the association’s first fund-raiser, to be Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in Fellowship Hall of St. John United Church of Christ. Admission prices are $1 for children 2 to 6 years, $2 for children 7 to 12 and $3 for adults. Mr. Tone, of Atlanta Ga., is a graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. Gossett’s Decorator Studio is co-sponsoring the event.

"Casablanca" will be shown at the association’s first classic film night, planned for Thursday, Oct. 11, at Lincoln Cinema. Kerasotes Theatres is the co-sponsor. Seating will be limited to 200, with ticket prices of $5 for adults and $2.50 for those 13 and under. Tickets will be on sale at the theater starting Oct. 1, as soon as the poster appears in the window. At the showing Marshall Jacobs will present a brief introduction, including cinematographic techniques and facts about the film.

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Chris Culleton, a Lincoln native, will present a classical Spanish guitar program on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. All proceeds from the three fund-raisers will go to the Logan County Arts Association.

The association is also in the midst of a logo contest, with Oct. 10 as the cutoff date. Local schools have been notified about the specifications.

Board members tentatively set a second classic film night for Jan. 10, 2002. An exhibit of paintings by Lincoln artist Leola Dowling has already been scheduled for October 2002, and other potential programs include exhibits of ceramics and watercolors.

The Logan County Arts Association is in the process of soliciting memberships, beginning at $25 for an individual, and sponsorships.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

Logan County Arts Association will join the celebration of Illinois Arts Week

[SEPT. 7, 2001]  Joining an annual statewide celebration of the arts, the Logan County Arts Association will host Classic Film Night on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater. Classic Film Night will feature "Casablanca," courtesy of George Kerasotes Corporation. The film is to be shown in its entirety, without commercial interruption, on the big screen.

Gov. George Ryan has proclaimed Oct. 7-13 as Illinois Arts Week 2001. "To reach out to the community and beyond, Classic Film Night will be included in the Illinois Arts Council’s statewide campaign to promote Illinois Arts Week," said Marshall Jacobs, president of the local arts association.

"The Illinois Arts Week theme, ‘The arts are all around us,’ captures the important message that the arts are present every day, in some way, in our lives. Arts Week helps to focus our attention on all the arts activities and programs that surround us in our communities," said Illinois Arts Council Chairman Shirley R. Madigan.

"Logan County Arts Association is pleased to be able to join the Illinois Arts Council to be part of this statewide initiative," said Jacobs. "We hope that the entire community and surrounding area will take the opportunity to attend Classic Film Night and join the exciting statewide celebration. "

Admission to the local event is $5 per adult and $2.50 for children.

[Logan County Arts Association news release]

[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.

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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