Lincoln Christmas tree pickup, Reinwald retirement, writing club, Mount Pulaski memorial service, HSLC board election, winter vehicle preparedness drawing, Pride & Progress nominations open, Atlanta 'Rt. 66 Reinterpreted' Art Project

[December 27, 2012]  City Christmas tree pickup program starts Jan. 7

The street department in Lincoln will pick up Christmas trees starting Jan. 7 for Ward 1, Jan. 8 for Ward 2, Jan. 9 for Ward 3, Jan. 10 for Ward 4 and Jan. 11 for Ward 5. Trees must be by the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of the scheduled pickup.

Trees must be free of all decorations and not in a bag. Wreathes will be picked up if they are free of wiring.

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Retirement open house planned for Rev. Rich Reinwald

The community is invited to a retirement open house for the Rev. Rich and Barb Reinwald on Sunday, Dec. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln.

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Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Jan. 8

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Lincoln College dining hall.

Suggested topics: an era when you wish to have been born; a memorable Christmas gift; a person you have always admired; home remedies.

For more info, call 732-2723. All are welcome.

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Mount Pulaski to hold New Year's Eve memorial service on the courthouse lawn

MOUNT PULASKI -- The community is invited to join the village of Mount Pulaski in a service of remembrance on New Year's Eve.

The gonging of the bell in honor of those who died in 2012 will be on Monday night at 9. This is the third annual memorial event.

The group is invited to meet on the west side of the courthouse, where the 1857 school bell will be used to ring out a remembrance of those who are gone but not forgotten.

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HSLC board election Jan. 30

A general membership meeting of the Humane Society of Logan County will be on Jan. 30 in the Steinfort Room at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, 200 Stahlhut Drive.

The annual election for three seats on the board of directors of the Humane Society of Logan County will be at this meeting.

Anyone who is current with their dues and has been a member for at least three months prior to the election may declare their intent to seek election to the board of directors. If you are interested in serving on the board, you may send a letter of intent to the board secretary, Wanda Stevens, at [e-mail].

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IEMA, Grainger offer winter storm preparedness sweepstakes

Participants can enter to win vehicle preparedness kits

SPRINGFIELD -- Despite an unseasonably warm start to December, winter's cold, snow and ice are just around the corner. To help people get ready for winter weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Grainger are teaming up to offer an online winter storm preparedness sweepstakes. Five winners will receive vehicle preparedness kits donated by Grainger.

Grainger is North America's leading broad-line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products.

The sweepstakes is available on the Ready Illinois website, www.ready.illinois.gov. Participants must read information about winter weather preparedness and successfully complete a five-question quiz before registering for the prize drawing. The sweepstakes runs through Dec. 31. Winners will be announced in January.

"Now's the perfect time to get ready for winter weather, particularly for traveling in snow, ice and bitterly cold temperatures," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "This sweepstakes is a fun way for people to learn about winter preparedness, and five lucky people will win a preparedness kit for their car."

The vehicle preparedness kits donated by Grainger for the sweepstakes provide water, nonperishable food, flashlight, light stick, AM radio, batteries, rescue blanket, first-aid items and whistle.

"Cold weather can take its toll on individuals," said Jeff Metherd, emergency preparedness brand manager for Grainger. "Personal preparedness is important during inclement weather and year-round, and we are excited to work with the state to help promote its importance."

A winter storm preparedness guide developed by IEMA and the National Weather Service is also available on the Ready Illinois website or by calling 217-785-9925.

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Chamber recognizes excellence in our community

The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce invites the public to help spotlight excellence in Logan County by making nominations for the chamber's Pride & Progress Awards. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 7 to celebrate the achievements of chamber members in the continued development and improvement of Logan County..

The Pride & Progress Awards are designed to recognize outstanding achievement and promote positive awareness. The awards celebrate and acknowledge excellence, innovation, initiative, community involvement and are a thank-you to those who go the extra mile to make Logan County a great place to live, work and play.

Awards will be presented during the chamber annual dinner on Jan. 26 at the American Legion. All nominations are due by Jan. 7.

Awards are being given for:

• Business of the Year, given to a business that contributes to the community, shows innovation and actively participates in events and projects within the community.

• New Business of the Year, given to a business that has opened in the last 12 months and brings something new to the community, complementing and contributing to the growth of Logan County.

• Mike Abbott Volunteer of the Year, given to a person who is involved, committed and goes the extra mile, is dedicated and selfless for the betterment of the community.

• Beautification Award, given to a business that enhances, improves and transforms their corner of the community into a more attractive place.

• Excellence in Service, given to a business that demonstrates a commitment to the community, its customers and its employees, giving 100 percent always.

To be eligible to receive one of the above awards, businesses or individuals must be members of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce in good standing.

You can nominate yourself or another chamber business for any of the Pride & Progress Awards. Visit www.lincolnillinois.com for a link to make your online nominations and a complete chamber membership listing. The community is invited and encouraged to make nominations for these awards.

Pride & Progress winners from annual dinner this year were:

• Business of the Year -- Graue Inc.

• New Business of the Year -- Anytime Fitness.

• Mike Abbott Volunteer of the Year -- Joe Fitzpatrick.

• Beautification Award -- Lincoln Theater 4.

• Excellence in Service Award -- NAPA Auto Parts.

• Ambassador of the Year, Marcia Cook.

The chamber's annual dinner and the Pride & Progress Awards are part of the chamber's mission to advocate, support and unify local businesses of the prosperity of Logan County.

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Atlanta Betterment Fund board introduces 'Rt. 66 Reinterpreted' Art Project

ATLANTA -- In celebration of Route 66 and all it stands for, Atlanta -- located on the Mother Road, midway between Chicago and St. Louis -- announces its first "Rt. 66 Reinterpreted" Art Project.

Modeled on Chicago's "Cows on Parade" exhibit, the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted project presents artists the opportunity to create their own take on one of the 20th century's most iconic and recognizable symbols: the U.S. Route 66 highway shield.

Participating artists will be provided a blank, 2-foot-by-2-foot wooden cutout of the Route 66 sign, painted white, which will then become their personal canvas. The only requirement in creating a reinterpreted shield is to incorporate the text "Illinois U.S. 66" somewhere on the face of the shield, in whatever size, shape or color the artist desires. Everything else about the design, style, background and color of the reinterpreted shield is left to each artist's imagination and creativity.

The project is open to anyone 16 years old and above. Up to 50 entries will be accepted in this year's project, as determined by the date applications are received. All 50 entries will be displayed outside along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta from May 1 to Aug. 31, 2013.

The board of directors of the Atlanta Betterment Fund will select 10 shields out of the 50 entries as finalists. Shields selected as finalists will be judged on originality of design, overall concept and quality of execution.

Voting will then take place May 1-Aug. 31 to select the top five shield designs as winners of the 2012 project. Anyone, anywhere may vote, either in person at selected Route 66 attractions in Atlanta or online via Atlanta's website at www.atlantaillinois.org. The top five vote-getters will be the winners of the year's Rt. 66 Reinterpreted project.

At the conclusion of the project, the five winning shields, along with the names of the artists who created them, will be displayed on a permanent basis in the Atlanta Route 66 Park. Entries selected as one of the top five winning designs will also be showcased at the International Mother Road Festival in Springfield Sept. 27-29, 2013.

Artists wishing to enter the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project must submit a completed application form, along with a $25 entry fee. Completed applications are due on or before Feb. 1. Applications received after Feb. 1 will not be accepted.

Completed Rt. 66 Reinterpreted shields should be carefully packaged and returned to: The Atlanta Betterment Fund, 114 SW Arch St., Atlanta, IL 61723. Shields should be submitted between March 1 and April 5, 2013. Shields received after April 5 will not be accepted.

The Atlanta Betterment Fund sponsors the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project.

All decisions regarding judging are final. Entries selected as finalists will be notified by April 30, 2013. Entries selected as one of the top five winning designs will be notified by Sept. 1, 2013.

Click on the "Route 66 Art Project" logo at www.atlantaillinois.org for more information, including project guidelines and an application form to enter the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project. Or contact:

William Thomas
Atlanta Betterment Fund
114 SW Arch St.
Atlanta, IL 61723

[e-mail]

217-648-5077

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