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Experience geocaching with
local or worldwide adventures

[MARCH 29, 2003]  Would you like to go on a journey of fun and adventures that may open up new worlds or take you back to your youth? Would you enjoy a learning experience and sport that can provide you with ways to do that? Would you enjoy a technological game that provides you with both a puzzle to solve and a cache to find? Rick Kidd and Rod Marshall, two geocaching participants, appear to be able to do just that when pursuing the sport of geocaching.

Kidd and Marshall have been geocaching for a little over a year. Marshall first introduced Kidd to the sport. They have been enjoying geocaching since that time.

So, besides being an adventure and being fun, what is geocaching? You can begin your excursion into geocaching by doing research on the geocaching website at www.geocaching.com. Geocaching is a sport that has rapidly grown in worldwide popularity since May 3, 2000. That's when the first cache, a container of goodies, was first hidden outside of Portland, Ore. As of March 28 this year there were 46,965 active caches in 165 countries.

Here is the technical part of geocaching. There are 24 satellites 12,000 miles above the earth, tracking latitudes and longitudes for the GPS (global positioning system.) On May 1, 2000, the GPS was declassified by President Clinton, giving everyone access to the system and the ability to track geological coordinates. This opened up all kinds of new technologies, such as the Northstar system now found on some cars, and new techno-games such as geocaching. That is how geocaching began.

Geocaching as a game can be as simple or as difficult as you want. There are two things that you need to participate in geocaching. You need access to the Internet, and you need a GPS device.

"The GPS can be found at sporting good stores or department stores," Kidd said. "They range from $100 to $500 dollars, but you do not need the most expensive one to enjoy the game." The ones used by Kidd and Marshall are in the lower-mid price range.

"There are a few rules that you need to follow when doing geocaching," Kidd said. "When hiding a cache you do not disturb the earth by burying the cache or by beating down or making new paths to your hiding place. You never put food items, lighters or matches, or pornographic materials in a cache. You always ask permission before placing a cache anywhere. You never hide a cache for profit or to attract people to your place of business."

If you have the equipment you need and follow these rules, you are ready to start geocaching. You are ready to have fun. Go to the Internet to www.geocaching.com and type in your ZIP code or the ZIP code for the area that you are interested in. You will learn how many caches are in that area.

"There are 204 caches within 100 miles of Lincoln and 103 caches within 50 miles of Lincoln," Kidd said. On a recent Sunday they visited four caches in and around Lincoln.

There are at least three caches within a three-block radius of downtown Lincoln, beginning at Scully Park and moving to the Lincoln Public Library. These caches are driven by, walked past and used every day by people who never notice them. One of these, Marshall said, is called "in plain sight." He said, "I would not have found it myself, and it was right in front of my eyes. My 11-year-old daughter, Shelby, discovered it after we had followed all of the clues and coordinates on the GPS to where the cache was hidden. I still didn't see it but Shelby did."

Kidd says his daughter Stephanie often joins him when he goes to look for caches. This is a very family-oriented game.

To hide a cache you will usually want to use a small container, no larger than a 1-gallon metal or ammo container. You put a log book in the container so that when people find it they can log in. "The log book keeps people honest about how many caches they have found," both Kidd and Marshall stated.

People involved in geocaching often compete with each other to see who can find the most caches. Kidd and Marshall are currently in a tight race with each other. Marshall claims to have 61 finds, while Kidd has 60.

People use the geocaching website to tell stories about their finds; however, if they do not sign the log book, their find is not recognized as official.

Another thing that is good to put in your cache is a note explaining what geocaching is so that people who stumble upon the cache accidentally will not disturb it.

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There are many variations on the kinds of caches; these include virtual caches, offset caches, microcaches, puzzle caches, multistage caches and traditional caches, or you can develop your own variation. "New ones crop up every day," a participant said. Once you have developed your cache and hidden it, you enter the coordinates using the GPS, a description and clues on the geocaching website.

On a Sunday outing, Kidd and Marshall visited several neat and interesting cache sites. One of the sites had a book theme. The cache was in a larger container and could be seen as you approached it. This cache contained books -- many good paperbacks. The idea behind this book cache is to take some books from it that you would like to read and replace them with other books. Many caches are filled with little toys or things kids would enjoy.

Another cache they visited was a multistage cache. This cache was called the Abe in Lincoln cache. The cache was partially a puzzle with clues that led them to various Lincoln attractions. At each attraction another part of the puzzle was revealed. Eventually the puzzle led them to Madigan State Park where they hiked through the fields and woods until they were near Salt Creek, where they looked for and found the cache that contained Lincoln items and Lincoln tourism items.

There was one other item that was found in the Abe in Lincoln cache. This was a travel bug. Travel bugs are dog tags with serial numbers on them. People place travel bugs in a cache, and the person who finds it takes the travel bug and places it in another cache. In the forum on the website, they then log the number of miles the travel bug has traveled.

"Some travel bugs have traveled over 10,000 miles," Rick said. "One flew on a fighter jet in Bosnia. This is just one other fascinating part of geocaching. I mailed one travel bug to Australia, where it would begin its journey."

Kidd and Marshall said that they had just visited the Jesus cache. This is one of their favorite caches. The Jesus cache is along the Mississippi River near Hannibal, Mo. To begin the trip to this cache, you first travel on a winding trail, but the cache is placed on a 500-foot cliff that can be reached only by using ropes and climbing. The scenery was beautiful, the terrain was rough. Only about two others have reached this cache and signed the log book.

Caches are rated on the website at 1-5 for degree of difficulty. They can be double rated for physical challenge and for mental challenge. Kidd and Marshall rated the Jesus cache at 4.5. "Five-point caches often need special equipment such as canoes or scuba gear, depending upon where they are hidden" Marshall said.

A 14-person panel judges a cache's degree of difficulty before entering it on the website. This information helps people when they are choosing caches to look for. The panel also determines if a new cache meets all of the geocaching rules.

As you can see, geocaching has many facets. It is family-oriented, it can be great physical exercise, and it is educational. Geocaching provides you with an opportunity to do things with your kids or to meet new people. It is a way to get up off the couch on a Sunday afternoon and spend some time doing something interesting. It is an opportunity to visit scenic and beautiful places. You can leave something for people to find or you can find hidden treasures. You can add geocaching to vacations and trips, stopping to stretch your legs along the way to find caches. You can also travel all over just to find caches. You can clean up the environment while you are hiding or looking for caches. "Cache in, trash out," is a popular part of geocaching.

Doesn't geocaching sound like fun?

Now, whenever you walk down a street in Lincoln, hike through a park or drive down a road, you may find yourself wondering if there is something more there than meets the eye. Geocaching can open new worlds for you. It can lead you to look for treasures, adventure and ways to solve puzzles in the world today just as when you were young.

If you would like to find out more about geocaching, visit www.geocaching.com.

[Don Todd]

Places To Go

'Once Upon a Marigold'

[APRIL 2, 2003]  ^"Once Upon a Marigold," by Jean Ferris, Harcourt, 2002, 226 pages, grades 4-8

Review by Louella Moreland

Are you ready for a fairy tale with a very different twist? Jean Ferris says her fairy tale is "part comedy, part love story, and part everything but the kitchen sink." How right she is! This tale, written for a slightly older audience than most fairy tales, will make the reader hard-pressed not to laugh out loud.

It begins with two rather unlikely heroes: a troll named Edric and the 6-year-old boy (who calls himself Christian) Edric finds hiding in the forest. Now Edric was a contented troll who only wanted a piece of the tooth fairy's action. (Mab was not a reliable sort and the children sometimes did not get their teeth exchanged for several days.) Edric did not want to keep a small boy in his cozy cave, but Christian refused to leave and return to whence he came. And the years go by…

Eleven years later the tale is picked up again when Christian is a young man. He and Edric have lived comfortably together in their many-colored crystal cave. Life was simple with their two dogs, Edric's letters and Christian's inventions. Reluctantly, Edric admits that his life has been better having Christian around, even though he has not resolved the issue with the tooth fairy. He looks upon the young man as his son. However, Christian has grown up and become restless to explore more of the world. He has become quite inventive with his gadgets (some of which really work).

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Then one day, while Christian is looking through his telescope at the palace across the river, he sees the youngest princess on the balcony reading a book. He cannot, however, tell what the title of the book might be. He desperately wants to know what she is reading. After watching the royal family for many years, he feels he almost knows this princess and her three little dogs. So, he quickly writes out a short message and sends it to her via p-mail (carrier pigeon). Thus begins a correspondence between the two that evolves into a lasting friendship, which must endure many setbacks before true love has a happy ending.

All the elements that must be a part of a good fairy tale are here: the loving king/father, the evil queen, beautiful princesses, faithful servants and friends, a castle, royal courts, mistaken identity, and a dungeon. Twists and turns of plot, miscalculations, and a "happy ever after" ending may be predictable, but the many puns and delightful dialogue will keep the reader glued to the page.

There are no social issues to explore, no hard choices to be made by the characters, no life-changing moments. This is a book to pick up, read and enjoy. Come by the library at 725 Pekin or call 732-8878 to check out this book or any other. Find a quiet spot outdoors in the fresh spring air and sunshine. Let the story take you far away to "once upon a time."

[Louella Moreland, youth services,
Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Logan County Arts Association

LCT auditions begin next week

[APRIL 2, 2003]  Lincoln Community Theatre is looking for local talent to sing, dance and act in its summer 2003 productions. Singing and non-singing roles are available.

Individuals auditioning for a role in one of this summer's musical productions should have a song prepared. An accompanist will be available. Individuals trying out should also be prepared to learn a few basic dance steps at the audition. Those auditioning for non-singing roles will be required to do cold readings from the script.

Scripts may be viewed at the Lincoln Public Library two weeks prior to each audition. Library scripts may not be removed from the building.

All auditions will be conducted at St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St. in Lincoln.

LCT audition schedule

"Nuncrackers" -- a musical comedy from the "Nunsense" series of plays

• Directed by Sarah Knutilla of Lincoln
• Performance dates: June 13-21
• Audition: Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m. or Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m.; possible callbacks on Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m.

• Roles include six women, two men and parts for four children (two boys and two girls, ages 8-14)

"Steel Magnolias" -- an all-female lighthearted drama

• Directed by Paul Cary from Springfield
• Performance dates: July 11-19
• Audition: Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m. or Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m.; possible callbacks on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m.
• Roles are available for six women (ages 18-70), with several parts for "mature" actresses as well as one woman in her 20s.

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"1776" -- a history-based musical

• Directed by Jennifer MacMurdo, formerly of Lincoln
• Performance dates: Aug. 1-9
• Audition: Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m. or Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m.; possible callbacks on Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m.

• Many roles (23 in all) for male actors ranging in age from 20 to 50! Roles are also available for two women (both soprano). Roles include parts for older, "mature" actors as well as one young teenage male. A few male non-singing roles are also required for the show.

Questions regarding auditions may be directed to Marlene Perry, audition chairman, at (217) 732-2640.

Season tickets are still available for this season. Send check or money order ($20 adults, $12 children through eighth grade) to LCT, Box 374, Lincoln, IL 62656. Additional information regarding LCT's upcoming season is available at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre.

[Lincoln Community Theatre press release]

Lincoln Community Theatre
entertaining for 32nd summer

[MARCH 26, 2003]  Preparing for the 32nd year of live summer theater for the Logan County area, Lincoln Community Theatre's 2003 membership campaign kicked off this month. Season tickets for the summer are $20 for adults and $12 for students through eighth grade.

Productions for this season begin in June with the hysterical musical "Nuncrackers," a continuation of the well-loved "Nunsense" series offered by LCT in previous seasons. This selection centers around the sisters' holiday program and includes dueling Sugar Plum Fairies, dear Sister Amnesia and audience participation. The July production, "Steel Magnolias," is a familiar, bittersweet story that mixes laughter and tears as the audience becomes acquainted with the eccentric and lovable characters of a small Southern community. Closing the 2003 season on a patriotic note, LCT will offer the musical "1776." Humor abounds with the fast-paced wit of our founding fathers as they deal with revolutionary problems and joys.

Performances Tuesday through Saturday will be at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees will be offered at 2 p.m. All productions will be presented at the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Keokuk St.

Season ticket holders may make their reservations as soon as the box office opens on June 2 and are assured a seat for each performance on the night of their choice up to the date tickets become available to the general public. After that point, season ticket holders may still make reservations, but tickets are then reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Season ticket holders may also purchase additional general admission tickets when making reservations during season ticket week and do not have to wait for general admission sales to open.

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General admission tickets to each production are available to the public one week before each show's opening, at the cost of $9 per adult and $6 per student through eighth grade. Individuals or businesses wishing to further support live theater in Lincoln may purchase memberships at increasing levels and be recognized in each program during the summer season. Those memberships are as follows: Friends of LCT at $30 (includes one membership), Sponsors at $50 (with two memberships), Angels at $100 (four memberships), Grand Patrons at $250 (eight memberships) and Sustaining Members at $500 (12 memberships).

To renew or purchase a season membership, send check or money order to LCT, Box 374, Lincoln, IL 62656. For further information, contact LCT's membership committee at (217) 732-7542. Additional information regarding LCT's upcoming season is also available at http://www.geocities.com/
lincolncommunitytheatre.

[Judy Rader, Lincoln Community Theatre
publicity chairman]

Classic films return to Lincoln Cinemas

The Logan County Arts Association, in conjunction with GKC Cinemas Corporation, has brought the classic film night series back to the Lincoln Cinemas. The next set of films is scheduled for every second Thursday through October, with shows at 7 p.m.

Classic films lined up for the 2003 season:

• "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," April 10
• "The Guns of Navarone," May 8
• "My Fair Lady," June 12
• "Old Yeller," July 10
• "The Apartment," Aug. 14
• "Wuthering Heights," Sept. 11

• "War of the Worlds," Oct. 9

Tickets are $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. The tickets are available at GKC Lincoln Cinemas.

Anyone wanting more information may call the Logan County Arts Association at (217) 735-4422.

[Press release from the
Logan County Arts Association]

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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