 She went on to say that the
committee planning the celebration is a
group of "really nice people who are working hard" on the event that
will in essence last for the full calendar year 2011.
When the committee chairman, Tom Martin, called the meeting to
order, it soon became apparent that Bertoni's statement that they
have an ambitious plan is most certainly an understatement.
The village of Mount Pulaski was founded in 1836 by Jabez Capps
and Dr. Barton Robinson, both hailing from Springfield, and George
W. Turley of the Lake Fork area. The town was named after Count
Casimir Pulaski, a native of Poland, who played a huge role in the
American Revolution, standing beside then-Gen. George Washington in
many battles for this country's independence.
It is believed that the name Pulaski was first chosen by Turley,
whose father fought in the Revolutionary War.
The Capps family were neighbors and friends to Abraham Lincoln
and his family when they all lived in the same neighborhood in
Springfield. Lincoln spent many a night in the Mount Pulaski area
visiting with his friends there. As a circuit attorney Lincoln also
argued many a case in the Mount Pulaski Courthouse, which was at
that time the seat of Logan County and the hearing site for the
traveling Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit.
Throughout the years, Mount Pulaski, much like the city of
Lincoln, has worked tirelessly to preserve its history, but what is
being planned for the calendar year 2011 is by far the largest
endeavor this little community has ever planned.
Beginning with a New Year's Eve celebration that will include
downtown shops being open until midnight, youth activities at local
churches, fireworks and hopefully some form of a ball drop at
midnight, the village will kick off the year in style.
Other related celebrations will occur Feb. 12, 2011, Lincoln's
Birthday; March 5, 2011, Casimir Pulaski Day observed; May 30, 2011,
Memorial Day; Sept. 9-10, Mount Pulaski Fall Festival; Nov. 11,
2011, Veterans Day; Nov. 19-20, Christmas on Vinegar Hill; Dec. 3,
2011, Tour of Homes; and Dec. 11, 2011, Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day.
In addition to all these dates, the climax of the year of
celebration will take place June 30 through July 5, 2011. This will
be the "official" Founder's Day celebration for the village and will
commence with a very special reception at the Abraham Lincoln Museum
in Springfield and the town's first Citizen Award ceremony.
Beginning on July 1, there will be a wide variety of activities
throughout the town, including special alumni homecoming days. There
will be live entertainment in a variety of locations, and this will
include, among others, the St. Louis Rivermen band. There will also
be a living museum as local crafters will be invited to demonstrate
their talents. And there will be plenty of food, entertainment for
the kids, a parade, Fourth of July fireworks and, on July 5, an
official Founder's Day dedication.
Saturday morning Martin said he was quite pleased that they were
able to get the St. Louis Rivermen. The band plays traditional
jazz and blues and has over the years become a very popular group,
playing in jazz festivals around the country as well as many club
bookings in the Missouri and Illinois region.
Another innovative idea from the group is that during the
Founder's Day weekend, the food tent in the downtown area will be
air-conditioned for the comfort of those attending. Martin said it
looks like that will be a possibility, and John Wyss of
Bassett Mechanical and Central Illinois Wind and Solar has said that
he may be able to contribute the electric service for the tent as
his donation to the year of festivities.
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Raising money for the year of events is currently one of the
biggest challenges facing the planning committee. Like their
celebration plans, their fundraising goal is a very ambitious
$100,000.
Currently the group has raised nearly $10,000 and has plans for
several fundraisers to take place throughout the rest of this year
and into next.
Among other things, the group will host a dinner during this
year's fall festival, which is to be held the weekend after Labor
Day. The meal will include grilled chicken, green beans, au gratin
potatoes, coleslaw and cake.
Other fundraising is from sales of a local cookbook, reprints of
the 150th anniversary genealogical book, a 2011 calendar featuring
pictures and history of Mount Pulaski, and the sale of souvenir
items.
Saturday morning Dave Collins of Bright Idea was on hand to show
samples of T-shirts, coffee mugs and travel mugs that will be sold
beginning at this year's fall festival.
The design option that Collins presented for the T-shirts offers
a specially designed 175th logo on the front, and on the back a very
unique image of Abraham Lincoln. It features a line silhouette of
Lincoln filled in with names of Mount Pulaski citizens.
The group liked the idea for the back of the shirt but is
concerned as to whether or not they can acquire an accurate list of
the village population. They plan to work on this and hope that they
will be able to go with the unique silhouette.
In addition to fundraisers, Martin said that the Abraham Lincoln
Tourism Bureau of Lincoln and Logan County has pledged $3,500 in
support of the celebration, and the committee has submitted a grant
application to the Logan County Board in the amount of $5,000.
Martin said that Logan County has discretionary funds to award for
the promotion of Logan County tourism and preservation of local
history. He is hopeful the county will award the grant.
In addition to money, the group is also hoping for manpower.
Martin said the group is preparing to launch a "200 times 10"
campaign. The group will seek at least 200 volunteers who are
willing to spend 10 hours each on the year of celebration.
On Saturday morning Michelle Clark, who is a science teacher at
Mount Pulaski High School, was on hand representing the National
Honor Society. The NHS has volunteered to give time to the
celebration, beginning with this year's fall festival, where members
will be involved in the fundraiser dinner.
Martin said that speaking for the committee, he was very pleased
to see the youth of the community get involved in this project, and
he hopes that others will follow suit.
He also said that it didn't matter who volunteers or what kind of
restrictions they may feel they have. Any volunteer who is willing
to help will be given a job suited to their capabilities.
The planning committee has established a website where readers
can see updates to the agenda, make monetary donations or sign up to
be volunteers. In addition the committee has established a Facebook
group, which may be found by searching for "Mount Pulaski's 175th
Anniversary Celebration."
[By NILA SMITH]
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