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Champion trees featured in book

[DEC. 7, 2002]  After five years of exhaustive research, Larry P. Mahan has completed his book, "In Search of Large Trees," which includes 100 color pictures of notable tree specimens from central and southern Illinois.

During this research he traveled over 7,000 miles searching for large trees. He has registered 22 Illinois "Big Tree Champions," including a sycamore that is the largest tree of any kind in the state and a black oak that is the largest of any oak in Illinois and the second largest black oak in the United States.

Many outstanding species of trees from central and southern Illinois communities are featured with photographs and text. Mahan also chronicles his personal experiences during his research and includes information for identifying the different tree species.

People interested in purchasing a copy of "In Search of Large Trees" may contact him by mail to 27555 Deep Rock Station Road, Palmyra, IL or call (217) 436-2016.

[News release]

'The Rope Trick'

[DEC. 4, 2002]  ^"The Rope Trick," by Lloyd Alexander. Dutton Children’s Books, 2002, 195 pages.

This is an enchanting story of a young magician, Princess Lidi, and her quest through Renaissance Italy. Lidi's father was a magician and her mentor, but his problem with alcohol caused him to die at a fairly young age.

After his death, Lidi continued to take the show on the road with the help of a man named Jericho, who also traveled with her father. He takes care of the wagons and sets and is a father figure to Lidi. Her father often told her that she could be the greatest magician in the world if she could perform the fabled rope trick. He tells her that she must find a man named Ferramondo to teach it to her. The only clue to his whereabouts is that he may reside in a town in the south of Campania called Montalto.

As Lidi is heading back to the wagons one evening after performing in a tavern, she is followed by what she describes as a burlap sack with a pair of skinny legs. It turns out to be a small girl named Daniella who has been a slave to the tavern owner and very mistreated. He comes after her, but Lidi tricks him into giving Daniella to her. The first night she is with them, they discover that Daniella has an amazing gift of seeing into the past and the future. She soon becomes the "added attraction" to their show.

The next person to join their caravan is a young fugitive tenant farmer named Julian. He has a price on his head after a run-in with an abusive landlord. One of the landlord's thugs known as the "Baboon" kills a man, and Julian is blamed for the murder. Lidi trusts him immediately and finds herself attracted to him romantically. Jericho doesn't trust him at first, but when Julian helps them escape from the greedy moneylender, Scabbia, who wants to buy Daniella, he has a change of heart.

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One of the most interesting characters they meet on their travels is Pompadoro and His Performing Porkers. He is a kind man and a magician. He invites Lidi and her crew to travel with his troupe and be a part of their show.

When Lidi tells him about her quest, he provides her with some helpful information about Ferramondo. Pompadoro tries to dissuade Lidi from continuing her quest because he believes Ferramondo to be dead, but she has to find out for herself. They part ways as he heads for the seacoast to spend the winter and Lidi heads for the town of Montalto.

It is at this point in the story that things begin to happen at a fast pace. Daniella is kidnapped and the rest of them are taken captive. Daniella tells Lidi what she must do to save them all, but Lidi doesn’t think she can do it. She learns something about herself that day, and the story ends in a thrilling and magical finale.

Lloyd Alexander is the author of many books, including "The High King," which won a Newbery Medal, and "The Black Cauldron," a Newbery Honor book.

This story is recommended for children in grades five to seven. For more information, please visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-5732.

[Linda Harmon, Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

LCT 2003 season

[DEC. 9, 2002]  Lincoln Community Theatre is pleased to announce three productions selected for the summer of 2003.

Kicking off the 32nd season of live theater for the Lincoln community will be the hilarious musical "Nuncrackers." This fun-filled show is a continuation of the antics of the dauntless, darling nuns of Mount St. Helen’s Convent who delighted Lincoln audiences in the "Nunsense" series several summers ago. Audience participation, one-liners, a rum-soaked fruitcake, dueling sugar plum fairies and dear Sister Amnesia will definitely start the summer theatrical season with humor and fun.

The July production, "Steel Magnolias," is one of our best ensemble productions. The familiar, bittersweet story touches all the emotional peaks and valleys of life in a small Southern community. From wise-cracking Truvy to unsure Annelle, the characters in this poignant play promise to touch everyone with both laughter and tears.

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Ending the season on a patriotic note, LCT’s final production of the summer will be "1776," a stirring, yet humorous musical featuring a large cast representing our founding fathers. Humor abounds with fast-paced dialogue involving Ben Franklin, Henry Lee and other early congressional characters, along with catchy, patriotic music.

To kick off the holiday season, Lincoln Community Theatre is offering holiday gift certificates for season memberships for the summer 2003 season. Certificates can be mailed directly to the receiver or to the gift giver. Certificates for adult memberships are $20 each, and those for children through eighth grade are $12 each. Requests for gift certificates may be sent to LCT, Box 374, Lincoln, IL 62656. Further information is available at (217) 732-7542 or by visiting the LCT website, www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre.

[Judy Rader, LCT publicity chairman]

Lincoln Community Theatre’s box office, phone 735-2614,  is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday for the summer season. The office is located in the lobby of the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Lincoln College.

Performances of "Dearly Departed" are scheduled for July 12-20, and "The King and I" will be presented Aug. 2-10. Show times are 2 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The LCT mailing address is Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656; e-mail: lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.

Visit the LDC website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html. Pictures from past productions are included.

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