"Together for Lincoln", is a partnership consisting of more then 15
churches that are committed to sharing their love of Jesus Christ by
serving the community. The first major kickoff of this
multi-denominational group will be the late September date when
dozens of small groups from churches all over the community will
descend on homes to help with various projects from just a visit to
actually repairing or building something for the homeowner.
The
jobs will be varied indeed. Help could be as simple as helping
someone with housework or grocery shopping all the way to interior
or exterior painting, home repairs, electrical or plumbing repairs
or perhaps building something such as a handicapped accessible ramp.
The group is in its infancy and that is why several of them got
together to share experience. The idea is to have a better, more
experienced volunteer pool for when the big day comes around in
September.
Norm Newhouse, a member of the organization and of the Methodist
Church said that the six person crew at the first project
represented four different churches, the Methodist Church, Lincoln
Christian Church, Jefferson Street Christian Church and the Trinity
Episcopal Church. Norm mentioned names are put into a hat so that
volunteers get to meet and work with other volunteers from other
churches.
Information on how you can become a volunteer or apply to have
something done for you or your home is available at their website
www.togetherforlincoln.com Applications are also available at State
Bank of Lincoln, Wal-Mart and Action Rentals.
Things are always happening on the square.
If you have been to the southwest corner of the Logan County
Courthouse grounds lately you can relax. The sod all torn up and
missing isn't from moles or gophers. It's from workmen preparing the
ground for a new cement plaza that will be located on the square at
the corner of Pulaski and Kickapoo.
The plaza will have at its center a new kiosk that will be on
duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week for visitors to find out
information about our community.
The four sided information station will be 70 inches tall and 30
inches from side to side in the form of a square. The attractive
tourist information center will have pictures from two Ostendorf
paintings of Lincoln as a lawyer and a judge. Another side will have
a quarterly calendar of events occurring in the Lincoln/Logan County
area.
Included on the kiosk will be a map of Logan County showing where
all our historic and interpretive sites are located.
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The kiosk is being built with a grant from the Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission with several businesses and individuals in
the community participating in the matching funds program. When it
is all done and ready for the Fourth of July celebration on the
square, we will let you know everyone who was involved in this
project.
Speaking of the Fourth of July, the square will be adorned in
red, white, and blue. Many merchants have ordered flags and bunting
to adorn their shops for the holiday.
The person wishes to remain anonymous so that's what we will do.
This person approached a member of the Logan County Food Pantry and
handed over two $50. bills to help buy food. The person said he
received his "economic stimulus check" and wanted to give some of it
to a worthwhile cause. We can always learn something from our
neighbors, even when we don't know their names.
You need to mark this date on your calendar. The Elkhart
Hill Tour is June 21st. If you're interested in nature and in
history, this tour is the one for you. The Elkhart Historical
Society will be hosting a guided tour of Historic Elkhart Hill.
Space is limited for this event, so please call 217-947-2238 for
reservations.
Got a good piece of news, information or something that we can
all brag about? If you do e-mail Mike and let us tell everyone about
it. Plus you can win cash. Every submission, whether we use it or
not, will get your name in the "Close Up" grab bag. At the end of
the month we will draw a name and someone will get $25.00 just for
dropping us an e-mail. If you wish, we will be happy to donate your
winnings to the organization of your choice.
You can contact Mike at
mikefak@lincolndailynews.com
[By MIKE FAK]
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