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Cheryl Boyd, meeting at Allen Chapel, starting seeds, Lincoln statue project, scrapbooking workshop, blood drive, Atlanta writing circle, HSLC chili and soup, jazz concert, 'It's All About Love!,' Republican city primary notices, Bowling for Books, Red Cross Heroes Breakfast, absentee and early voting, Polar Plunge

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[February 14, 2013]  Boyd named ALMH February Employee of the Month

Cheryl Boyd of Lincoln has been named the February Employee of the Month at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. Boyd works as an environmental services lead technician in the ALMH Environmental Services Department, where she is responsible for sanitizing and maintaining patient rooms in the Special Procedures Area and Obstetrics Department.

Boyd was born and raised in Lincoln and has been employed by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital for 16 years.

"Cheryl is great asset to our SPA department," wrote co-worker April Matherly, who nominated Boyd for the honor. "She creates GREAT Patient Experiences every day. She keeps our department spic and span and spoils our patients just as much as we do. When we need a helping hand she is there without any hesitation and with a smile on her face. There are days I honestly don’t know what we would do without her."

"I enjoy working at ALMH because of my co-workers and the patients," said Boyd. "My Environmental Service and Special Procedure Area co-workers are like family to me. The ALMH family has shown me several times that when times get hard, everyone is there to help you get through. The love and support for co-workers at ALMH is awesome.

"I also enjoy the patients and their families. I love to talk to them, help them and make them feel welcome. In the Special Procedures Area many of our patients come daily or weekly for years at a time so you grow to know them and love them (and spoil them)!"

Boyd also says she has learned a lot during her time at ALMH.

"From watching the nurses and doctors each day, I have learned a lot of medical information, and working in Environmental Services has taught me so much about hospital cleanliness and its importance. The patients have also taught me about extreme compassion and how important it is to feel safe and cared for when receiving medical help," said Boyd.

ALMH, located at 200 Stahlhut Drive in Lincoln, is a 25-bed critical-access hospital affiliated with Memorial Health System. ALMH employs 315 in a variety of roles. For more information about ALMH, visit www.almh.org and "like" Memorial Health Systems on Facebook.


LCGHS to host special meeting Monday at Allen Chapel

The monthly program of the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society will be at a special time and location on Monday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. Guests are asked to meet at Allen Chapel AME Church, 910 Broadway in Lincoln.

The pastor will provide an update on last year's renovation and on the history of the building. Bobbi Reddix will present information on Lincoln and Logan County residents of African heritage from the early 20th century.


U of I seminar in Lincoln next week on starting seeds

The Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit of University of Illinois Extension will offer a "Seed Starting" seminar Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the University of Illinois Extension Building, 980 N. Postville Drive in Lincoln.

The seminar is just in time to get you thinking about starting bedding plants indoors for the coming garden season.

Jennifer Fishburn, horticulture educator with U of I Extension, and U of I Extension Master Gardeners Lisa Wrage and Mary Moore will provide information on what you need to do to get started and how to keep your seedlings growing up to planting time. Seed selection, timing, materials and equipment will all be discussed.

For more information, call 217-732-8289.


Main Street Lincoln lends support to Abraham Lincoln statue project

The Abraham Lincoln Statue Committee has received some much-welcomed support for its project of placing a statue of Abraham Lincoln on the Logan County courthouse lawn. The support comes in the form of a donation from Main Street Lincoln. The Main Street organization has agreed to donate prints of a painting of the event the statue will commemorate.

The event to be commemorated is a speech given by Abraham Lincoln on the Logan County Courthouse lawn on Oct. 16, 1858, one day after the last of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, at Alton, during the senatorial campaign of 1858.

Main Street Lincoln's interest in the event is not new. In 2008, the 150th anniversary of the speech, Main Street organized a successful and entertaining re-enactment. Also in 2008, the organization commissioned a painting of the 1858 speech. The painting, which can be viewed at Lincoln College, depicts Lincoln speaking to a crowd of 5,000 on the courthouse lawn.

Main Street had a limited run of prints of the painting produced when it was commissioned. The work was funded by a grant from the Looking for Lincoln Bicentennial Committee. Main Street is making a portion of those prints available to the Abraham Lincoln Statue Committee for fundraising purposes.

The statue committee will award copies of the prints to donors. Individuals who donate $100 will receive a print, unframed. Those donors are asked to pay for framing if desired. Groups, businesses and corporations making a donation of $500 will receive a framed print.

The statue committee has established a budget of approximately $48,000 for the project. The bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln will take $45,000 of the budget. A sign, similar to the one near the Civil War monument, will tell the story of the speech and include an image of the painting. The sign and the dedication ceremony are expected to take up the remainder of the budget.

Donations are to be made to the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, thus making donations to the project tax-deductible. Donations may be dropped off at or mailed to LCGHS at 114 N. Chicago St., Lincoln, IL 62656. The memo line on a check should note that the donation is for the A. Lincoln statue. Donors should include contact information so committee members can give them information about receiving the print.


Final scrapbooking workshop at the Atlanta Public Library Feb. 23

ATLANTA -- Want to explore creative ways to preserve your memories? The last of three scrapbooking workshops at the Atlanta Public Library will be offered on Feb. 23. Novice and experienced scrapbookers are invited to work with Cindy Schempp on "Power Layout and Organization." The workshop will take place at the library from 10 a.m. to noon.

The charge for the session is $5. Participants may sign up by contacting the library at 217-648-2112. All materials will be provided.


Blood drive at Lincoln College

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, Lincoln College is hosting a blood drive in the student center, 900 N. Ottawa, on Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

All donors who register to give blood at this drive will receive a T-shirt, compliments of Central Illinois Community Blood Center.

For your convenience in registering, call Alexis to sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 5158, or schedule online using sponsor code 60095 at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of lifesaving blood for 14 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield. CICBC is a division of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which collects over 180,000 units of blood annually and serves 87 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.


Join the Atlanta Public Library's writing circle

ATLANTA -- There's still time to sign up for the Atlanta Public Library's adult writing circle, "Yes, You Can Write!" The workshops are designed for people who enjoy writing already, who have always wanted to try their hand at it, or even think they can't write at all! Come and be surprised by what you can do. Participants will explore a wide range of writing techniques, share their stories with others, and enjoy the support of their fellow writers.

Whether you want to write fiction, memoirs, nonfiction, poetry or anything else, this group is a friendly, supportive circle of friends who enjoy sharing their ideas and stories with others. Sessions are light-hearted, fun and participatory. While people may come to as many sessions as they like, the library recommends signing up for all five sessions in order to help create a nurturing and safe environment in which people feel free to experiment and share their work.

Yes, You Can Write! is recommended for people age 18 and older. Sessions are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Library. Topics in this series are "Finding Your Inspiration," Feb. 21; "Setting the Landscape," March 21; "All About Character," April 11; "The Tricks of Dialogue" April 25; and "The Basics of Plot," May 9.

Registration fees are $5 for individual workshops or $20 for the series of five. For more information, contact the library at 217-648-2112 or visit http://www.apldinfo.org/. Yes, You Can Write! is sponsored by Susan Hoblit.


HSLC chili and soup luncheon planned for Feb. 16

The Humane Society of Logan County will host its annual chili and vegetable soup luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Friendship Manor, 925 Primm Road.

Proceeds from the event benefit the organization's programs.

Tickets are $7 for chili or vegetable soup, homemade dessert, and beverage. A hot dog meal will be available for $3. Carryouts will be available.

The public is invited to come and support the work of the organization and learn about the exciting happenings at the shelter that aids abused, neglected and abandoned animals of Logan County.


Lincoln College and Pekin High jazz groups to present joint concert Feb. 23

Feb. 23 will see the inception of an idea Professor Scott Woger of Lincoln College has had for a long time.

Woger, director of jazz studies at Lincoln College, has created a four-year bachelor's degree program in jazz studies at the college. One of the initiatives of the program is to partner the Lincoln College Jazz Ensemble with area high school jazz bands. In the first concert of this series, the college jazz ensemble will take the stage with the high school jazz band from Pekin on Feb. 23 in the Meyer Theater in the Johnston Center for Performing Arts on the LC campus. Pekin High School has had a renowned jazz program for many years. Each jazz ensemble will perform a set of four to five tunes.

Woger wants this concert to lead to more visits to the Lincoln College campus by central Illinois high school jazz bands. Eventually, he hopes to have a jazz festival on campus.

Woger is excited about the prospects of the newly created bachelor's degree program, one of two now offered by Lincoln College. In the past, when only a two-year degree was possible, he lost his most promising musicians to schools offering four-year jazz degree programs. Now, the students can remain at Lincoln College for their entire bachelor's degree. And as Woger pointed out, "a bachelor's degree is absolutely necessary to find employment, and the demand for musicians is a growing field." One exciting prospect of this program is some terrific jazz concerts for the public.

The first concert begins at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the Johnston Center and is free and open to the public.

Woger may be reached on the Lincoln College campus at 217-732-3155, ext. 281, or by email to swoger@lincolncollege.edu.


Logan County Art Association presents 'It's All About Love!'

"It's All About Love," a new exhibit presented by the Logan County Art Association, opens Thursday, Feb. 14, with a 5-8 p.m. reception at the Lincoln Art Institute, 112 S. McLean St.

Featured artists are Georgie Borchardt, Lee Hahn, Wilbert Hill, Jason Hoffman, Bonnie Mayo, Moses Pinkerton, Kerry Rolewicz, Christopher A. Tice and Randy Washam.

Beautiful, unique cuff bracelets created using antique spoon handles made by Tice will be for sale during the opening event, and Washam will take "sweetheart portraits" for only $20. All proceeds go to the Logan County Art Association.

There is no admission charge, although donations are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

Everyone is welcome, so plan to bring the family and enjoy the opening reception. The show runs through March 15, so if you can't join the Valentine's Day opening, the artists hope you can come another time during the show.

For further details about either the reception or exhibit, contact Georgie Borchardt at 217-819-6801 or logancountyaa@gmail.com.


Republican city primary notices

Lincoln Daily News received the following election notices from Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk:

(Copy)

CONSOLIDATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON FEBRUARY 26, 2013, IN THE CITY OF LINCOLN, STATE OF ILLINOIS, A CONSOLIDATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION WILL BE HELD FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:

MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN

THE COLOR OF BALLOTS TO BE USED BY THE RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS AT THE GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION WILL BE
WHITE

THE POLLING PLACE FOR SAID GENERAL ELECTION WILL BE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY FROM 6:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013.

/s/ Sally J. Litterly, Logan County Clerk

THE FOLLOWING IS THE CONSOLIDATED POLLING PLACE FOR ALL PRECINCTS IN THE CITY OF LINCOLN, ILLINOIS:

EAST LINCOLN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 AND WEST LINCOLN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN CHURCH YOUTH CENTER, DELAVAN & HAMILTON STREETS, LINCOLN, IL.

All voters registered in the City of Lincoln, Illinois will vote at one polling place for this Consolidated Republican Primary Election only.

___

 

[to top of second column]

(Copy)

N O T I C E

VOTER REGISTRATION AND GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION AND VOTING
FOR REPUBLICAN CONSOLIDATED PRIMARY ELECTION
FOR THE CITY OF LINCOLN
ON FEBRUARY 26, 2013

The last day to register to vote or to update voter registration information prior to the February 26, 2013 Republican Consolidated Primary Election for the City of Lincoln is January 29, 2013. Voter registration is being conducted at the Logan County Clerk’s Office at the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointed Logan County Deputy Registrars may also register voters through that date. Beyond that date, a voter must register and vote by Grace Period Registration in the Office of the County Clerk.

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Illinois Election Code, Grace Period Voter Registration will be offered from Wednesday, January 30, 2013 through Friday, February 22, 2013 in the Office of the County Clerk. Grace Period Registration allows a resident to register to vote and or change their name or address beyond the close of registration. Individuals registered during grace period voting may only vote at the time of their registration in the Office of the County Clerk and are not eligible to cast a ballot at their polling place on Election Day. The Office of the County Clerk is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, please call our Elections Department at (217) 732-4148.

/s/ Sally J. Litterly
Logan County Clerk


Atlanta Public Library: Exciting times, growth in services

ATLANTA -- Cruising through Atlanta, Ill., on Old Route 66, you will come to an unusual eight-sided building at the corner of SW Arch (Route 66) and SE Race streets. This architectural gem is the Atlanta Public Library, a historic building that was constructed in 1908 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Only one other example like this exists, the public library in El Paso, Ill.

Walk inside the building and you find the usual shelves of books, magazines and newspapers common to libraries. But dig a little deeper, and a person will find a growing list of exciting programs that are available to the community -- programs designed to encompass activities for preschoolers to senior citizens.

Cathy Maciariello was recently appointed director of community programs for the library in Atlanta and has been ramping up the program menu from a modest beginning in 2011 to a wide variety of offerings today, some of them unique to the library district, such as the Behind the Scenes programs.

One of the success stories is the children's programming, which began with an outdoor summer reading program on the library lawn. Other offerings during the year are a homework and reading lab, kids' crafts, a summer creative writing class, and preschool reading gatherings.

One measure of success is the number of area children participating, from an initial 12-15 to a count of almost 30 kids at a recent event.

The dramatic increase in participating children has created a happy problem for the library. Currently, one section of the octagonal building is dedicated to children's reading material and events. The small area is now at the maximum capacity, and more space is rapidly becoming a necessity.

Toward that end, plans are being made to convert the basement of the library into a new area for children's books and activities. The basement has at least double the space of the current area. After the relocation of the children's area to the basement, the upstairs space will be converted into an adult fiction area and reading room.

Initial plans are being developed to upgrade the infrastructure of the basement with a new ceiling, lighting, heating and a dehumidifier before the children's books and activities are relocated there.

As with all remodeling, the new children's area will require funding to proceed with these ambitious plans. Toward that end, the Atlanta Library will have a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 16, called "Bowling for Books."

Bowling for Books will take place at the Red Wing Bowl, just across the railroad tracks from the library. Twenty-four teams of four bowlers each will compete for prizes, with bowling times at 3:30, 6:30 and 9 p.m. In addition to bowling, a Chinese auction will take place for items donated by area businesses.

The prime sponsor for Bowling for Books is Mattingly Automotive, with additional help from Kitty Cat Crafts. So far, response has been very positive, with many teams already signed up.

The library hopes to raise at least $4,000 to begin the basement renovation process.

"The momentum of community involvement in the library is increasing," says Maciariello. "The fundraiser is providing an exciting way for members of the Atlanta community to participate in their library's improvement."

Sign-up forms for Bowling for Books are available at the library and on the library website.

Maciariello sees the library as a magnet for area residents to come together and participate in fascinating events, as well as use the traditional library services.

In addition to the Feb. 16 fundraiser, another important date for the library is rapidly approaching. Randy Brooks, president of the Atlanta Public Library District, announced that a referendum will appear on the April ballot, requesting an increase in the library district's assessment.

The assessment has not been changed in decades.

"We can't do 2013 work at the library with 1950s money," said Brooks.

He stressed that when the assessment was last changed, all the library had to offer was books. Now, in the digital age, libraries are called upon to offer many more services. In addition to checking out physical books, library patrons are requesting access to digital reading material that they can download to their iPads, Kindles and Nooks.

Money from an increased assessment will go directly into updating the services and programs the library can offer its patrons, as well as maintaining and updating the library's physical structure, a historic building that needs lots of care.

Brooks said: "I can't stress enough how important a modern library is to a thriving community like Atlanta, especially with the increase in tourists coming to town for the Route 66 experience. A modern library enriches the community."

Brooks and Maciariello are excited about the future of their town and the Atlanta Public Library, and their enthusiasm is shared by members of the Atlanta community.

For a complete list of the Atlanta Public Library programs and special events such as Bowling for Books, go to the library website or call the library.

[By CURT FOX]

Atlanta Public Library contact information


Area Red Cross seeking hero nominations for 8th annual Heroes Breakfast

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking hero nominations from the public for the eighth annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast fundraiser on April 19 at the Crowne Plaza. Presented by the Bank of Springfield, this inspiring event honors a group of everyday local heroes for performing an extraordinary act or giving a lifetime of service to the community.

Proceeds benefit local disaster relief by the Red Cross.

The Red Cross is seeking nominations for nine hero categories that will be honored at this year's breakfast:

  • Youth, sponsored by St. John's Children's Hospital: A person under 18 who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis or committed themselves to better their community/the people in it.

  • Education, sponsored by Horace Mann: A K-12 or college teacher who has made an extraordinary difference in the life of a child or group of children.

  • Military hero, sponsored by Hanson Professional Services: A local member of the U.S. armed forces who has shown dedication to serving our country or made the ultimate sacrifice in defending it.

  • Public safety hero, sponsored by the American Red Cross: A person in an emergency service field, such as police, fire department or EMT, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to save or protect another.

  • Senior hero, sponsored by Concordia Village: A person over the age of 62 who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis or committed themselves to better their community or the people in it.

  • Community hero, sponsored by Greene Dodge: Someone who has shown heroism in some unexpected or unusual way during a time of crisis in their community or has shown sacrificial commitment to meeting the needs and challenges of their community.

  • Workplace hero, sponsored by Express Employment Professionals: Someone who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis in their workplace or has shown strong commitment to helping others within or through their place of work.

  • Health care hero, sponsored by Springfield Clinic: A member of the medical or health care profession who has displayed extraordinary and sacrificial commitment to saving or improving lives or treating illnesses.

  • Civic hero, sponsored by Bunn: A person in a paid public service field, such as government, nonprofit or social services, who has gone above and beyond to help or protect someone or worked toward positively affecting their community.

Nominees must either live or work in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Menard, Macoupin, Montgomery, Sangamon or Shelby County. Local heroic acts must have taken place within the last 18 months to be eligible, unless the nomination is for a lifetime of service. An individual or group of individuals may be nominated and can be entered into multiple hero categories.

People in the community can fill out and submit the online hero nomination form by visiting www.il-redcross.org. Nominations are due by Friday, Feb. 22.


Absentee and early voting for Lincoln Republican primary

Lincoln Daily News received the following notice from Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk:

(Copy)

PUBLIC NOTICE

ABSENTEE AND EARLY VOTING
FOR THE LINCOLN CITY CONSOLIDATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION
FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Do you want to avoid lines on Election Day? Registered voters who desire to cast a ballot at the Office of the County Clerk rather than their polling place, may now vote in person in the Office of the County Clerk. The office is located on the 2nd floor of the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway St., Lincoln, Illinois. In person absentee voting continues through February 25, 2013.

Registered voters may also make application by mail to vote absentee. Students and out of county workers can conveniently obtain an Application to Vote Absentee by contacting the Office of the County Clerk, or access the form on the Clerk's website at http://www.co.logan.il.us/county_clerk/. Mail applications will be received by the County Clerk until February 21, 2013. No ballots may be sent by mail after that date as provided by law. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee by mail or in person.

Early Voting (similar to Absentee) will also be conducted in the Office of the County Clerk February 11 through February 23, 2013. Early voting allows registered voters to cast their ballot prior to Election Day by voting at the pre-designated site of the Office of the Logan County Clerk. Early voters must be registered and present a valid picture ID showing their current voter registration address.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Any questions concerning voting may be directed to the Office of the County Clerk Elections Department at (217)732-4148.


Polar Plungers across Illinois will be freezin' for a reason Feb. 22-March 17

NORMAL -- It's not every day that people are willing to "go jump in a lake" -- particularly in the winter -- let alone do so with thousands of other people, including members of the law enforcement community. But that's exactly what will happen on various weekends in February and March as part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois presented by GEICO.

Any adventurous soul is invited to join law enforcement officers, as well as media and business and civic leaders from their community, by donning bathing suits, costumes or any clothing of choice (just no wetsuits!) to jump in a lake. Each plunger must collect a minimum of $75 in donations that will be used to support Special Olympics programs in Illinois.

The event has grown from one location in 1999 to 20 locations across the state this year. The Polar Plunge series will kick off with a Super Plunge -- where participants raise a minimum of $2,500 and plunge into Lake Michigan once every hour for 24 hours -- on Feb. 22-23 at Northwestern University's North Beach in Evanston.

The Logan County plunge will take place on Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Lakes. Please note this is a change in both day of the week and time. Anyone wishing to know more about the local plunge can click on the "Polar Plunge" button on the Top Stories page of LDN or contact Joanie Keyes of Special Olympics Illinois at 217-428-9255.

Individuals and teams can register for the plunge on the Special Olympics Illinois website at http://www.plungeillinois.com/ or by contacting Keyes at the number above.

Plungers are encouraged to form teams to spread the fun. Each team member must raise the minimum of $75 in donations, and all team members' individual fundraising totals will be merged to form a combined team total. Teams are placed into divisions based on size and are awarded prizes for the most money raised.

All plungers will receive gifts, compete for prizes, and enjoy food and camaraderie with other chilly participants. The more money a plunger raises, the more chances he or she will have to win a four-night trip for two adults to Cancun, Mexico, with accommodations at Riu Peninsula, courtesy of Apple Vacations. For every $500 a plunger raises, he or she will get an entry into the drawing for this grand prize.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Each year, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the "Flame of Hope" through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal in June.


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