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Allison Lindemann, AmeriCorps member
who designed the 5-by-12-foot mural, drew from life in her depiction
of a smiling male mentor and little boy. Her husband, Seth Lindemann,
posed for the mentor, and the boy is her own mentee, Brandon
Goodman. The mural says,
"Share
Your Life; Be a Mentor."
Shawn Sillings, Logan County AmeriCorps
supervisor, said all nine members of the local corps participated in
the painting, as did six community volunteers. It took two weeks to
complete the painting, with each participant being assigned sections
of a grid. Planning for the project began in June.
[Photos by Lynn Spellman]
[Shawn Sillings (left), Brandon Goodman
and Allison Lindemann.]
The nine members of the Logan County
group are all mentors through their own AmeriCorps program, but they
believe many more local children could benefit. Therefore, the group
wants to encourage others to participate through the Lincoln Area
YMCA mentor program. "It will change your life and the kid’s you’re
sharing your time with," Sillings promised at the dedication.
In the mural, really a banner hanging
on the Pulaski Street side of Coffee with Einstein, the boy is
leaning on the man. Lindemann, introduced by Sillings as "the brains
behind the artwork," said mentoring helps to encourage healthy
families.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Healthy Communities Partnership
sponsored the mural project. Dayle Eldredge, director of the
partnership, said AmeriCorps and the YMCA are partners in Healthy
Communities and active in the Healthy Families Task Force. "Helping
to sponsor this, to support mentoring, seemed to be the right thing
to do," she said.
[Seth
Lindemann and Brandon Goodman,
models for mentor and child]
Other support came from Alexander
Lumber Company, Dale Bassi Construction, Franz Express, Pete’s
Hardware and the city of Lincoln.
Rory Stoller of Petersburg is director
of the Tri-County AmeriCorps, which includes Logan, Mason and Menard
counties.
The
AmeriCorps website
describes the organization as a national service program that allows
people of all ages and backgrounds to earn help paying for education
in exchange for a year of service. Lindemann said she sees another
purpose as well — meeting unmet needs in the community. That is why
she participates even though she has completed her education.
[Lynn
Spellman]
Tri-County AmeriCorps
319 W. Kickapoo St., Lincoln
(217)
735-4985
Lincoln Area YMCA
319 W. Kickapoo St., Lincoln
(217)
735-3915 |
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Downtown Lincoln businesses saw a
stream of the invaders last Saturday afternoon. Beginning at around
2 p.m., Mayor Beth Davis led a trail of about 80 costumed creatures
down Sangamon Street and then around the square. Spooky music
playing throughout downtown set a fun, festive spirit. The peaceful
critters trick-or-treated in over 20 participating downtown
businesses
[Photos provided by Main Street Lincoln]
Carol Ponder from Closet Classics
initiated the Saturday afternoon event last year as a safe
alternative to trick-or-treating. Main Street Lincoln assisted with
it this year. "It was such a great turnout," MSL Program Manager
Cindy McLaughlin said.
Plans are under way to do the same
thing next year. Again, it will be the Saturday before Halloween.
More haunting will take place in
Lincoln on Wednesday and Thursday.
Lincoln Park
District assists in controlling yearly invasion
Wednesday
Halloween Funfest from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Lincoln Park District ballroom,
1400 Primm Road
• A trap has been laid to
capture, contain and entertain the foreigners for the evening. It is
believed that keeping them in a contained, controlled environment is
safest for all. The creatures will promenade, participate in
contests, and all will receive special treatment and goodies. The
young creatures seem to enjoy it greatly.
• Many area businesses and
leaders contribute to this safety effort each year. A list of
contributors will be posted at a later date. Be sure to thank them.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Alert from City
Hall
Thursday
Citywide Halloween hours 5 to 8 p.m.
• The impostors, urchins
and creatures are permitted out on the streets and in the
neighborhoods.
• Drivers are urged to use
extra caution, as the creatures may be difficult to see. Past
reports indicate that many of the invaders are known to either not
be able to see well or not have high intelligence.
• Residents are urged to
remain calm and treat the visitors with sweets in order to appease
them until next year.
• Remember, if you are
visited, speak kindly and enjoy seeing them. They are only a
once-a-year occurrence.
• Also keep in mind they
are protected by the law and are on the endangered species list.
Lincoln
likes the annual visitation and hopes to welcome them back for years
to come.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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[OCT. 29, 2002]
Veterans Day plans are well
under way, says C. Wayne Schrader from the American Legion.
Activities will take place at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11 on the north lawn
of the Logan County Courthouse. Schrader said most of the ceremony
is lined up except for the guest speaker. Details will be announced
later.
Right now,
Bill Gossett says, they would like to see all the veterans that can,
come out this year. He is urging all veterans to make their plans
now to attend.
[LDN] |
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