Dinner programs at the Palms Cafe in Atlanta

[November 09, 2010]  ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Museum will host a series of Friday and Saturday night dinner programs at the Palms Grill Café, 110 SW Arch Street (Old Route 66) in downtown Atlanta, from November through February. The dinner programs will feature local speakers who will present 30-45-minute programs or activities following dinner at the Palms Grill Café.

The dinners will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the evening's program or activity starting at 7. Reservations are required and will be limited to 48 people. The Palms Grill Café will feature a set of evening dinner specials in addition to the items on its regular menu.

Phone [phone] to make a reservation for any of the dinner programs. Currently scheduled are:

• Friday, Nov. 12 -- "Veterans Day and Patriotism." Steve Brienen, former McLean County sheriff and WJBC radio talk show host will honor our veterans and share some of his insights regarding patriotism.

• Friday, Dec. 3 -- "Marked for Life." Terri Ryburn, former ISU professor, will relate the humorous story of the trip she, her parents, four brothers and two dogs took from Bloomington to California along Route 66 when she was 5 years old. You'll want to come along for the ride.

• Saturday, Dec. 18 -- "Saturday at the Movies in Atlanta." Larry Brandt of the Atlanta Museum will present and talk about a number of artifacts from Atlanta's former movie theaters, Tatum's and the Palace Theatre. Of special note will be the unveiling of the fully restored 1947 Manley popcorn machine from the Palace Theatre.

• Friday, Jan. 14 -- "Restoration of Sprague's Service Station." Terri Ryburn, former ISU professor, will relate the story of her work to preserve and restore one of only three remaining two-story Route 66 gas stations in the U.S. The station is in Normal.

• NEW -- Saturday, Jan. 15 -- "After 45 Years Gone, Coming Home." Dave Kindred, an Atlanta native, will share stories of years as a nationally known sports columnist and what it's been like moving back to his home area after being absent for 45 years.

• Friday, Jan. 28 -- "A Community Remembers: Memorial Day in Atlanta." Ken Kashian, Illinois Farm Bureau photographer, will present a program featuring the set of photos he took of the activities at Atlanta's Memorial Day observances over a four-year period.

• Friday, Feb. 11 -- "A Taste of Chocolate." Tom and Connie Wertheim, Atlanta area chocolate makers, invite you and your sweetheart to attend this delectable program at which they'll share stories of their business and everyone will get to sample their delicious candy.

• Friday, Feb. 18 -- "West Meets East: Building Education Partnerships with China." Dr. Karen Estep, chair of the teacher education program at Lincoln Christian University, will share her three-week venture through China in June to explore potential partnership opportunities between LCU and China. She will share stories, insights and pictures from her travels.

For additional information, contact Bill Thomas, 217-648-5077 or [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County]