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Festival giveaway, ALMH food drive, Community Action meeting, Railsplitter, balloon fest, Lincoln statues, Oasis-related picnic, Whitey Herzog

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[August 12, 2013]  City announces annual Art & Balloon Festival giveaway

The city of Lincoln will once again conduct a giveaway in conjunction with the annual Art & Balloon Festival.

The announcement was made by Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder and 4th Ward Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, the city council's coordinator for the festival.

As a Prime Sponsor of the festival, the city of Lincoln receives several benefits and complimentary items. As it has done for the past four years, the city will share some of those benefits with the citizens and taxpayers of Lincoln -- those who underwrite the cost of city's sponsorship and every other activity of city government.

Five prize packages will be awarded. Each prize package will include:

  • Two wristbands for weekend admission to the Logan County Airport.

  • Two 2013 Art & Balloon Festival collector pins.

  • Coupons for two Art & Balloon Festival T-shirts.

Local citizens can register for the giveaway at one of three locations: the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St.; the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce office, 1555 Fifth St.; or the city clerk's office at City Hall, 700 Broadway. Everyone may enter as often as they like, but only one prize package will be awarded per household.

Winners must be residents of Lincoln. The contest is not open to city of Lincoln employees, elected officials, appointed officials or their immediate households.

The winners' names will be pulled from the entries in a random drawing at City Hall on Aug. 21. Winners will be notified immediately thereafter and can pick up their prize packages at City Hall on Aug. 22 or 23.


ALMH gives to local food pantry

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital announced last week that over 2,000 items were delivered by employees to the Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry as a result of this year's food drive. The "Great Place That Gives" drive collected twice as many items this year as it did the year before.

Community responsibility is a core value of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. For the past several years, the ALMH Employee Activity Committee has conducted several food drives to collect items to help local families in need.

"The generosity and kind nature of the ALMH staff is evident. This food drive is directly in line with our values as an organization because serving the community is simply the right thing to do. I'm very proud of our team," said Dolan Dalpoas, president and CEO.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed critical-access hospital located in Lincoln and affiliated with Memorial Health System. For more information, visit www.almh.org.


Community Action board meeting notice

The next regularly scheduled corporate board meeting of the Community Action Partnership is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at Community Action's corporate offices, 1800 Fifth St. in Lincoln.

For transportation to the meeting, contact the resource specialist at your county office:

  • DeWitt County:
    Anita Russell, 217-935-2455

  • Logan County:
    Cyndi Campbell, 217-732-2159

  • Mason/Fulton County:
    Anna Richardson, 309-543-6988

  • Piatt County:
    Wendy Dotson, 217-762-2421


Railsplitter Festival offers Civil War Ball, bluegrass and more

Each fall for 43 years there's been a Railsplitter Festival at the Logan County Fairgrounds. This year the full festival had to be abandoned due to finances.

On Sunday, there was an abbreviated event with the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Contest during the Logan County Fair. Several of the other Railsplitter activities have been rescheduled as well.

On Friday, Sept. 20, there will be a Civil War Ball and more at the Lincoln Park District complex on Primm Road. A pork loin dinner, style show and silent auction are set to begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the ball at 7 p.m. Ticket information will be released soon, or you can contact the Logan Railsplitting Association, using information at the end of this article.

On that same weekend, Sept. 20-22, the Dan Tackett Bluegrass Festival will take place at Hickory Lanes Campground, Atlanta. Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, there will be a casual jam. Music continues on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with casual jams and stage time availability.

There will be a silent auction as well.

Vendors, donations and demonstrations are welcome. Contact Misty Bell at 217-871-0388.

The Railsplitter Festival began because Abraham Lincoln once referred to himself as a rail splitter. It used to be a normal routine for pioneers to split rails used for fencing.

So is it any wonder that in the "Land of Lincoln," there would be railsplitting contests. The territory includes not only Illinois, where Lincoln lived his adult years before heading for Washington, but also Kentucky, where Lincoln was born, and Missouri.

Splitting rails harkens back to a more innocent time, when young children played at their mother's skirts and the older ones did chores, played outside or with homemade games, usually with siblings or maybe with a few neighbors during the occasional gatherings, such as when bringing in the harvest or at a barn raising.

Organizers for the Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival set out to preserve our understanding of this important way of life by re-creating pioneer activities and demonstrations that the whole family could enjoy.

So, while the traditional festival has taken a little break this year, organizers are keeping some of the elements of that period going in hopes of seeing the full festival return to the Logan County Fairgrounds next year or in the future.

Also, as part of the fundraising, the Logan Railsplitting Association provides decorative split rails for purchase. Sales support future contests and festivals.

To order rails or learn more about future events, contact the Logan Railsplitting Association at P.O. Box 352, Lincoln, IL 62656; or email loganrailsplitting@yahoo.com.

To keep up-to-date on what is being planned or to learn more details, visit http://www.railsplitting.com/.


Chamber launches mobile app for Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival

The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Integrity Data, has created a new mobile app for the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival to help festival-goers have all the event information in the palm of their hands anytime, night or day. This free mobile app is designed to help festival guests maximize their experience and time at the event.

"We are hoping that the mobile app will help enhance the experience for guests to the festival," said Andi Hake, executive director of the chamber of commerce. "Finding a way to better communicate with our guests has been an ongoing challenge for years. It is our hope that many people will download the new app and find answers to all of their questions and help prepare them for the weekend's festivities.

"We couldn't have accomplished this project without the help from Integrity Data. Patrick Doolin made the process of getting all the data in this app and all the many decisions that go along with creating something like this seem less daunting than I had originally expected," said Hake.

When the app is downloaded, the viewer can look at the festival's schedule of events at both the Logan County Airport and downtown Lincoln. Viewers can see which artists, crafters, wineries, breweries and barbecue competitors will be present. The app also has a section dedicated to the hot air balloon pilots, even featuring pictures of the hot air balloons and a biography of each pilot. In addition, the new app gives information on the live entertainment that will perform downtown and at the airport.

Guests can set their own schedules in the mobile app to help them plan for the weekend's events, get notifications about balloon flight and glow times, and receive any other pertinent information that may be released during the weekend.

Out-of-town guests at the event can find information about the community, directions, hotels and restaurants to help them navigate through Lincoln. And if that is not enough information, the complete festival program can be viewed under the documents section.

The mobile app is now available for download and is available for both iPhone and Android. All other phones can view a mobile website that will give them the same information.

For more details on the mobile app or any other questions regarding the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival, contact the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce at 217-735-2385 events@lincolnillinois.com.

To download the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival mobile app, click here.


State Bank of Lincoln purchases 1st of 30 Lincoln statues

The Abraham Lincoln Statue Committee has announced a major addition to the fundraising program for the statue project. The committee has committed to produce a 22-inch bronze version of the statue that is to be placed on the Logan County Courthouse grounds. The first three of a limited edition of 30 small statues have been produced.

State Bank of Lincoln has purchased one of those statues, and delivery will be on Monday, Aug. 12. The public is invited to the bank office at the corner of Sangamon and Broadway at 10 a.m. to see the new statue added to the Lincoln collection that already exists there.

The full-size Abraham Lincoln statue, to be placed on the courthouse lawn, will commemorate the speech made there by Abraham Lincoln on Oct. 16, 1858, during his run for the Senate. The speech on the Logan County Courthouse square drew a crowd of 5,000. The town of Lincoln was just 5 years old, and its population was swelled far beyond its permanent residents that day.

A total of 30 numbered statues will be made, autographed by the artist, and the mold will then be broken. The cost for a statue will be $2,000. To reserve a number and acquire one of the statues, a nonrefundable deposit of $500 is needed. The balance of $1,500 is due at the time of delivery, which should be from four to six weeks once the order has been placed.

Payment should be made to the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society, with check or money order made out to LCGHS and mailed to 114 N. Chicago St., Lincoln, IL 62656; Attn: Bill Donath. For more information, call the office phone, 217-732-3200, or cellphone, 217-737-8675.

Other donations for the project may also be made to the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society. Individuals who donate $100 of more to the project will receive an unframed, numbered copy of a print showing Mr. Lincoln giving the speech. The prints are being donated to the committee by Main Street Lincoln.

LCGHS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible.


 

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Splitting rails, an event that pulls families together

The annual National Railsplitting Contest in Lincoln has become a family tradition for many people. But for several families, it is a passion that goes back decades and is even multigenerational.

This year, for the first time, the contest took place during the Logan County Fair.

Organizers

Daris Knauer, founder of the Railsplitter event, now in its 43rd year, was on hand and continues to help coordinate.

Each year, a re-enactment of Abraham Lincoln christening the city of Lincoln is part of the activities. An important part of the local heritage is that Lincoln was the first city named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president. Knauer, looking dapper in his suit, tie and hat of yesteryear -- about 1860 -- portrays Robert Latham, a founding father of the city of Lincoln.

Daris Knauer's brother Dennis was also present to assist with the activities. Another brother, Darrell, was unable to be in attendance this year, and he was missed.

Competitors

For the Friedlein family, it is the actual log splitting that runs deep.

On Sunday, the Friedlein family dominated the competition field, with Chris Friedlein taking this year's championship, his 12th title.

Chris comes from good stock, with his father, Oliver Friedlein, taking one of the top three spots many times over the years. Today, the amateur event that precedes the championship is named in Oliver's memory.

In addition to several of his sons competing, Chris has a young grandson who stepped onto the field after the competition on Sunday, just to sink a few wedges into a trunk. He'll need a few years of growing yet, but given his solid striking style, you can bet he's going to be strong competition when he gets there.

Running the show

On the production side of the event were family members: Heidi Mueller, Bob Rankin and Gwen Tibbs.

Mueller has been attending the Railsplitter since she was 12 years old. She now narrates the splitting competition, keeping fans on top of who is doing what. In her acute understanding of the intricacies of what each competitor might be experiencing as they proceed, she keeps the audience interested. With 21 years under her belt, the competition is in her blood.

By day, Heidi is a special education teacher in O'Fallon.

Heidi's dad, Bob Rankin, could be seen on the field, holding a stopwatch and a scorecard, intently observing as a judge.

Bob's mom, Gwen Tibbs, was keeping records under the tent. Tibbs is also the treasurer of the Logan Railsplitting Association.

Bob and Gwen couldn't be prouder of the great job Heidi does in announcing the contest as it ensues.

The family travels out-of-state to at least two other log splitting competitions each year: Lincoln Days, which takes place in Hodgenville, Ky., Abraham Lincoln's birthplace, and the Ozark Regional Timberfest in Doniphan, Mo.

As a family, they are all enthusiastic about promoting our Abraham Lincoln heritage, community and splitting rails. They enjoy all the camaraderie they have found and have made great friends through the splitting events over the years.

These are just a few of the families for whom the National Railsplitting Contest has become an important part of their lives.

[LDN]


Firefighters to be honored during Oasis fundraiser Sept. 15

The Saturday after the Oasis fire in downtown Lincoln, area merchants stood about talking of how terrible the blaze was for the venerable old building. But they also remarked how fortunate they felt that their businesses were not also destroyed in the great conflagration.

Downtown business owner Mike Fak said that storefront businesses on Pulaski Street were extremely thankful for the efforts of the 15 fire departments as well as the first responders who came on the scene to battle the late-afternoon blaze.

"We all talked about what an amazing job those men and women did to prevent the flames from spreading," he said. "The entire block of 500 Pulaski has common walls, and if the firefighters didn't contain that fire, there could have been devastation to the square that could have taken years to recover from."

From that day, talk of doing something to say thank you to the firefighters began.

Discussions ensued with Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder, Alderwoman Jonie Tibbs, Main Street Lincoln director Bill Hoagland, Logan County Board member Andy Anderson and several businesses. The decision was to have a family picnic for all 15 departments, plus first responders and their families, with the costs paid for by residents of Lincoln. It was also decided that this was the perfect time to start a concerted donation drive to help the Oasis rebuild.

The picnic day will be Sept. 15, from 1 till 4 p.m., on the 500 block of Pulaski Street. There will be a family-style picnic for all those involved with helping contain the blaze and for their families.

The general public is invited to attend.

A special showing of photographs of the fire will be on display at the Lincoln Art Institute, on the McLean Street side of the square. Prints will be available for purchase, with all proceeds from their sale going to the Oasis. Some prints will also be available to the firefighters at no cost.

The mayor made a point that donations of time and effort are appreciated and that all cash donations that go beyond paying for the costs of the event will be turned over to the Oasis. Currently many of the items needed for the picnic are being supplied by area businesses free of charge. Fak said the hope is that there will be only a small cost for the picnic, if any, with the great majority of funds collected going to the Oasis.

A special bank account under the auspices of Main Street Lincoln has been set up at State Bank. Checks should be made payable to "The Oasis Fire Fund." Checks or cash donations can be dropped off at any State Bank location, or checks can be mailed to State Bank of Lincoln, P.O. Box 529, Lincoln, IL 62656.

People interested in helping with the event can email mefak@msn.com.

The mayor recalled his emotions during the blaze. "I went up and thanked one of the volunteer firefighters for coming to Lincoln and helping us fight the blaze," Snyder said. "He said we would have done the same for him if it was his town. But this time, it wasn't his town, it was ours, and we look forward to thanking all who came with a special day."


Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog visits Mount Pulaski

MOUNT PULASKI -- Former St. Louis Cardinal World Series champion skipper and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog was in Mount Pulaski over the weekend on a local fishing outing with his son, Jim, and two grandchildren, while his wife, Mary Lou, and daughter-in-law, Ann Hubbard Herzog, shopped at Saddie's Secret Place on the west side of the Mount Pulaski square.

Afterward, they all were given a cook's tour of the Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site by docent Phil Bertoni. Whitey was his usual studious self, asking questions left and right, as did his grandsons and other family members. Besides being in the actual courtroom where Mr. Lincoln walked and worked, he appeared most impressed with the map on the courtroom wall showing the 1850s Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit route on which lawyer Abraham Lincoln spent so many months and years riding his horse, then horse and buggy, over the 450-mile circuit twice a year (1849-1860) following his two-year stint as an Illinois representative in the United States Congress (1847-1848).

Several pictures were taken of Whitey's grandsons donning stovepipe hats, sitting in Judge David Davis' chair and in the witness-stand chair alongside, with the U.S. Stars and Stripes hanging above, showing its 1848 look of only 30 states.

Herzog enjoys telling the story of trading his Redbird shortstop Garry Templeton for Ozzie Smith of the San Diego Padres after the 1981 season, when Templeton made the Cardinal fans and its management extremely upset due to an obscene gesture to the home crowd.

Herzog recounts that Smith came to St. Louis in the dead of winter to take a look at the surroundings and for a final interview with the Cardinal management. Whitey was "scared to death" that the snowstorm would deter Ozzie from agreeing to the trade -- in fact, Ozzie showed up in a parka and boots as a tease to Whitey, who was so excited about the possibility of landing his services. As we know, Ozzie agreed, and "you know the rest of the story."

Whitey's lovely and engaging wife, Mary Lou (they were high school sweethearts), relates that he was drafted by the Yankees at the same time Mickey Mantle surfaced -- 1950. It wasn't too long before they noticed the superstar status in Mantle, which relegated Whitey to the bench. But, not to be discouraged, Mary Lou continued, Whitey took paper and pencil and began taking notes on pitchers, hitters and managerial moves.

When an ear infection put an end to his playing days a few years later, Herzog switched gears and went into coaching, then managing. He had done some managing during his stateside stint in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War and enjoyed it immensely.

The folks in his hometown of New Athens, Ill., know him as Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog and call him "Relly," but the rest of us know him as "Whitey."

[By PHIL BERTONI]


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