[OCT. 29, 2002]  About 40 people gathered Monday afternoon on Pulaski Street near Coffee with Einstein for the dedication of a mural painted by AmeriCorps members to encourage mentoring of young people in Logan County.

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.

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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

Lincoln haunted

Early sightings and anticipated activities

[OCT. 29, 2002]  Public reports of creatures haunting Lincoln began last Saturday. City officials announced more episodes are expected Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Thursday should be the culmination of this year’s annual spook invasion.

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.

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.

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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]

Veterans invited to attend Nov. 11 ceremony

[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.

[News release]

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