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'Numbering All the Bones'

[MARCH 26, 2003]  ^"Numbering All the Bones," by Ann Rinaldi, Hyperion Books for Children, 2002, 170 pages.

Review by Linda Harmon

This historical novel is set in Andersonville, Ga., at the end of the Civil War. The main character in the story is a 13-year-old girl named Eulinda. She is the daughter of the plantation owner, Mr. Hampton, and a slave. Her mother cooked at the main house. When Eulinda was 7 years old, her older brother, Neddy, told her that Mr. Hampton was her father. She asked him why Mr. Hampton didn't stand up for her if he was her Daddy. Her brother responded, "It just ain't done, masters taking up for any children from a slave woman." She lives in the main house and is educated but has never been given her freedom. Her father's second wife, Mistis, treats her much better than his first wife, even though she can be cruel at times. Eulinda constantly struggles with her place in society; she doesn't seem to fit anywhere. The other slaves don't trust her, and her relationship with her father is always uncertain.

When Eulinda was 7 her mother had another baby, a little boy named Zeke. Eulinda loved him so much that she made the mistake of letting the first Mrs. Hampton know. One day Mrs. Hampton misplaced her prized ruby ring that her grandmother left her. Zeke was playing outside and found it on the sidewalk. He ran to give it to Mrs. Hampton, and she started screaming that he had stolen it from her. It was clear to everyone that the toddler was happy because he had found the ring for her. The next day Mrs. Hampton sent Eulinda, Neddy and her mother on an errand in town. When they returned they realized that Mrs. Hampton had done something that would change all of their lives forever. Before Neddy ran off to join the Union Army, he stole the ruby ring as a payback for pain Mrs. Hampton caused their family. Eulinda's mother's payback is very unique and eventually costs Mrs. Hampton her life.

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Woods are all that separate the plantation from the Andersonville prison. Eulinda said that you could smell the prison long before you could see it. She had gotten close enough to see inside of the fence and was appalled at the living conditions, where Yankee soldiers died daily of starvation and disease. To make matters worse, she heard a rumor that the regiment her brother joined had been captured and taken to prison. She needs to convince Mr. Hampton to find Neddy at the prison and ask that his property be returned to him. Mr. Hampton does go to the prison, but the outcome was not what he or Eulinda had hoped.

The end of the war brings change to the plantation with President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Eulinda accidentally meets up with a soldier whose job it is to clean up Andersonville Prison and give the soldiers who died there an honorable burial. Eulinda offers to help him, partly for selfish reasons, and is introduced to Clara Barton, the famous Civil War nurse and activist.

The author provides a very interesting after-note about what is true in the story and what is fiction. The themes of justice, prejudice and freedom run strong throughout the story. This story is recommended for ages 10 to 14. For more information about this book, 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

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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