Friday, July 19

[JULY 19, 2002]  ^"Most of Illinois has been hot and dry since June 15, and June 15-July 18 this year is the fourth driest such period since 1900. Statewide, temperatures during these 34 days have averaged 76.4 F, 1.6 F above normal, with daytime temperatures in the 90s; precipitation has averaged 1.87 inches, just 44 percent of normal," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Using historical data across Illinois, the driest June 15-July 18 period occurred in 1936, with only 1.32 inches of rainfall, followed by 1988 (1.63 inches), 1966 (1.76 inches), 2002 (1.87 inches) and 1914 (1.99 inches). For 30 and 60 days beyond the July 18 date, rainfall continued to be below normal in 1936, 1988 and 1966. There was a slow recovery in 1914 after 36 percent of normal rainfall within 30 days and 102 percent of normal rainfall within 60 days.

"We still need to wait and see what happens in 2002," says Angel.

Latest soil moisture measurements for Illinois show considerable drying in the top 20 inches across most of Illinois. As a result, soil moisture in this layer is below to well-below normal. There are some exceptions in southern, western and northeastern Illinois, where some areas have received scattered but substantial rainfall.

Soil moisture statewide in the 40- to 72-inch layer is considerably higher, reflecting the above-normal rainfall that occurred during May and early June. Root systems of crops planted early in the season are better developed and can take advantage of this deeper moisture. Later plantings of corn and soybeans are struggling.

To monitor these hot, dry summer conditions, the Illinois State Water Survey has developed a new Web page that includes tables and maps of precipitation and temperature, their departures from normal, and ranking of statewide precipitation since June 15. This information is updated automatically each day by 10 a.m. See http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/atmos/statecli/
dry2002/dry2002.htm.

Additional information on conditions across the Midwest this summer can be found on the Internet site for the Midwestern Regional Climate Center: http://mrcc.sws.uiuc.edu/Watch/Drought/
dryness.htm.

"A return to rainfall near normal and somewhat cooler temperatures could help later-planted corn and soybeans. An inch a week would go a long way toward reversing the current situation. The National Weather Service predicts a chance for rain today, Friday and this weekend, which could stop the soil moisture declines if rainfall is widespread," says Angel.

[Illinois State Water Survey
press release]

[JULY 19, 2002]  Groundbreaking for the new American Legion Post 263 home is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, July 20, and work on pouring the footings may begin even earlier.

The building will be constructed at the site of the previous post home, 1740 Fifth Street Road, adjacent to Logan Lanes.

Post Commander David Hennessey of Lincoln said about half the $630,000 projected cost of the building has been raised. Sections of the 80-by-150-foot all-steel building are currently being welded together by B & D Building Systems of Springfield and are expected to arrive in mid-August. Workers will then bolt the sections together and apply aluminum siding. The exterior is expected to be completed in three to four months.

"Am I excited!" exclaimed Hennessey, who has been active in the Legion for 22 years and is in his sixth year as post commander. "It’s been a long time. We’re anxious to get the building up so we can get started on the inside."

Participants in the groundbreaking ceremony include American Legion Department Senior Vice Commander Elvin Carey of Chicago, 4th Division Senior Vice Commander Chella Yeakel of Colfax, 17th District Commander Gilbert Holocker of Washburn, Logan County Commander Jerry Boward of Middletown, Hennessey and Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis. Master of ceremonies C. Wayne Schrader and chaplain Marlene Schrader, both of Lincoln, complete the roster.

The color guard will consist of Legionnaires Bud Wilson, Terry Johnson, Gary Liesman and J. Dellow, Sue Miller from the American Legion Auxiliary and Willie Hedrick of the Sons of the American Legion.

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Other Legion dignitaries are expected to attend, and the ceremony is open to the public. After the groundbreaking, cake and punch will be served.

Volunteers will do most of the interior work on the building. The floor plan of the new post home is roughly similar to the layout of the previous home but on a larger scale. In front are an expanded barroom and a small meeting room which Hennessey expects to be named the Mary Pat Room, after Mary Patterson, past department president of the Legion Auxiliary. She was similarly honored in the previous building. The room will be home to post and auxiliary meetings as well as rented out to other groups.

Behind the bar, the kitchen is expanded and features a new, more efficient layout with a central island for fryers and stoves. A large ballroom spans the back of the building. Except for the stage and a 20-by-40-foot tiled dance floor, the ballroom will be carpeted.

Plans also include an office, utility room, several washrooms and two storage areas. The facilities are designed to handle crowds of 200 people.

The building committee consists of Legionnaires Hennessey, Darrel White, Marion Goff, Joe Fitzpatrick, Sue Foster of the Legion Auxiliary and Willie Hedrick of the Sons of the American Legion. Dorothy Morrow is finance chair, and Tecia Hennessey serves on the fund-raising committee.

A fire that began with grease in the kitchen destroyed the previous American Legion Post 263 home on Jan. 4.

Zoning officer Bud Miller is planning a public hearing on whether to add the American Legion site to the Lincoln/Logan County Enterprise Zone. If the property becomes part of the zone, the Legion will save money on the building permit, property taxes for 10 years and sales taxes on building materials.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

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