The groundbreaking for the new state-of-the-art hospital on Lincoln's west side was yesterday afternoon, and this group of hospital and civic leaders took the job seriously, turning over some soil to mark the historic occasion.

Joining in the groundbreaking, from left to right, are William Wyles, union steward of bricklayers for the 1954 ALMH building; Dolan Dalpoas, ALMH president and CEO;  Marisa Cummings, ALMH 2008 Employee of the Year; Steve Aughenbaugh, chairman of the ALMH board; Shirley Dittus, Auxiliary member since 1954; Dr. Ken Sagins, member of the Springfield Clinic board of directors and ALMH medical staff; Dr. Melissa Cox, president of the ALMH medical staff; David “Bud” O’Shea, CEO of O’Shea Builders; Robert Meinershagen, chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation; Keith Snyder, mayor of Lincoln, Terry Carlton, Logan County Board chairman; and Brian Pansing of Pansing Nolan Matlock Ltd., architects for the ALMH project.

Picture by Mike Fak, identification by Amy Denney

CLOSE UP: June 2nd DAR scholastic awards; West Lincoln-Broadwell, Mount Pulaski Grade School, Mount Pulaski High School and New Holland-Middletown Elementary District 88 announce their academic awards for Close Up Zooming in on the people, places and things that make this community interesting! sponsored by CHRIS COYNE, Agent -- State Farm Insurance