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According to Main Street board member and 5K committee chair Tracy
Welch, the day will begin with the 5K, but there will also be other
activities, such as vendors for a community health fair, and hours
and hours of live entertainment on the square. Welch said some may
think the event got its name from the downtown car cruise-ins, but
in fact this event is about an entirely different kind of cruise.
And there will be two big giveaways: a week at the Biggest Loser
Resort in Chicago and an ocean cruise.
Anyone age 18 and older who registers to participate in the 5K
will be eligible to win the cruise, listed as a $500 value.
Anyone age 14 and older in attendance at the event will be
eligible to win a week's stay at the resort. Welch said the week at
the resort is a buy-one, get-one-free promotion for a new resort in
Chicago. For those who are fans of the television show "Biggest
Loser," you will know that there is a Biggest Loser Resort on the
West Coast. The company that owns it is expanding to Chicago, and
the week's stay is a $2,500 value, or 50 percent off the cost of a
stay for two.
When asked how the committee managed to get the resort stay, he
said, "You'll be surprised what can happen when you send an email."
Welch said he and his wife, Annette, are big fans of "The Biggest
Loser" television show. On the show, the contestants participate at
the Biggest Loser Resort in California. Welch said he'd learned that
another resort was going to open in Chicago, so he sent an email and
asked them to donate to the Lincoln event. They responded that they
were not able to give away a free trip, but they would give a
buy-one, get-one-free.
In addition to the prizes and the run, there will also be vendors
on hand to discuss their products and your health. Welch said he is
still trying to work out the details right now on who will be there,
but he is optimistic that there will be several when the big day
arrives.
The downtown portion of the city will be blocked off for the
daylong party that will take place during and after the race. Welch
said the Railsplitter Auto Club has been invited to come for a
special cruise-in, and there will be live music the entire day.
Among those on the stage will be Erin Eskra Vargo and Mike Vargo.
Some will remember Erin as part of a sister duo who have performed
at events in Lincoln in the past. Welch said both sisters were not
available, but Erin said she would come with husband Mike, who is
also a professional musician. The Vargos now live in Nashville and
are developing their careers in the music profession.
Julia Kay Rhodes is another powerful songstress who will grace
the downtown stage. From the Chicago area, Rhodes has been on
several nationally televised shows, such as "Nashville Spotlight,"
"Seven on Ridge" with Michael Essany, "Today's Talent Network" and
"American Kids Nationals."
Others who are scheduled to entertain are musicians Joe Borbely
and Greg Gemberling, and of course in Lincoln, you can't have a
party without a little bluegrass. The Blue Grass Pickers who
entertained at last year's Railsplitter Festival will be on hand to
offer some of their best stylings.
In addition to all this, there will be a special guest in
attendance. Joe Briseno will address the audience. Briseno is a 5K
runner who recently found himself in Boston during that very tragic
event.
Main Street is also encouraging local retailers to have special
sales that day and to set up sidewalk sales to draw attendees toward
their stores.
Welch also said that of all the things visitors will find on the
downtown square, food vendors are the one thing they won't find.
For the runners there will be food at the Oasis Senior Center,
but he hopes that everyone who attends will take the time to visit
the local restaurants on the downtown square. There are several
eateries on the square and just off the square, including Guzzardo's,
Hallie's, Mama's Arcade, Sorrento's and Vintage Fare.
Welch also explained that for the serious runners, the committee
has made arrangements for "chips" for their shoes. These chips
accurately measure the time of the run. Welch said this is important
because serious runners are always working to improve their time,
and this record helps them see their progress.
The committee is also offering some special incentives for school
groups to participate. With the help of wife Annette, Welch said
they have sent out special registration forms to the area schools.
Kids are encouraged to register for the 5K, and if they do so on the
special form for their school, the school will receive $5 for each
entry.
And finally, Welch said they are hoping for some serious public
participation at the end of the run. As a runner himself, Welch said
it is really encouraging to see a crowd of people cheering the
runners at the end of the race.
The organization also has plans for several future events, some
of them familiar from the past, some new and some restructured.
The Art of Wine this year at the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival
is going to be revamped and will be the Art of Wine and Brew. Welch
said they will have more details on that later, as well as on a new
event in October that is right now being called "Lincoln in Lincoln
-- 1858." Trick or Treat with the Mayor is scheduled for Oct. 26
this year.
And there is going to be an annual Christmas parade. Welch said
that Main Street director Bill Hoagland is hoping to breathe a
little new life into the parade, and we should all look forward to
hearing more about that later. Also, there will still be Saturdays
with Santa in December.
___
5K route
The city has agreed to allow for North Kickapoo to be closed to
traffic when the runners get there. Welch said he would love to see
both sides of the street from Lincoln Avenue to Broadway lined with
spectators cheering on their favorite runners, or all the runners in
general.
The race will begin near the intersection of Kickapoo and Pulaski
streets and head south on Kickapoo. At Frorer Avenue runners will
turn left. At Bryant Avenue they will turn right and take the curve
onto Comet. From Comet they will proceed to Home Avenue and take a
left. Shortly afterward will be their first checkpoint.
Runners will then proceed northward on Home to Wyatt and take
another right turn onto Wyatt. They will pass the Odd Fellows home,
where the Y and Christian Child Care are located, and run onto South
Ladue, where they will turn left. They will take South Ladue all the
way to Pekin Street and turn left onto Pekin. They will then proceed
onto North Elliott Street, where they will find their second
checkpoint. They will then take North Elliott northward to Tremont
Street, where they will turn left. They will stay on Tremont to
South Sherman and then make another right turn.
When they reach Lincoln Avenue, they will turn left again and
proceed to North Kickapoo Street. They will turn left on Kickapoo
and proceed southward toward the downtown square. The third
checkpoint will be at the southwest corner of Latham Park. From
there everyone will run or walk the home stretch to the finish line,
just beyond the Kickapoo and Broadway intersection.
This is the first year that the Main Street organization has done
a 5K, and Welch said their only real goal here is to raise the
traffic level in the downtown area. The purpose of the Main Street
organization is to bring shoppers to the city's historic downtown
area, to help keep the downtown a living and vital part of the
community.
___
Main Street now has a separate website for its Lincoln events.
You can access the website to read more about the 5K, as well as
other events as they progress. You can visit that website at
http://www.mainstreetlincolnevents.com/.
[By NILA SMITH]
 Change
of venue for historical society's May meeting
The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society will host its monthly
program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, at 114 N. Chicago in Lincoln. An
unexpected cancellation has changed the program and location for this
month's event. Diane Osborn, a board member of the organization, will share stories
discovered during her research for a book in progress about historic
and older homes in Lincoln and Postville.
The program is free and
open to the public.
Refreshments will be served after the presentation.
Integrity
Data announces Community Giving grant recipients
Integrity Data in Lincoln has awarded a total of $7,500 in grant funds to
not-for-profit organizations in the area. The funds, awarded from an
Integrity Data employee giving fund, were distributed on Thursday at a
dessert reception honoring recipients. "It is wonderful to work for a company who initiates giving within
the community," said Lindy Belley, marketing coordinator at
Integrity Data. "We hope that through this program, others will
become aware of what amazing opportunities are available through
not-for-profit organizations in and around Lincoln. We have been
blessed as employees, as an organization, and enjoy coming together
once a year to recognize such worthy causes within Logan County."
Integrity Data received a total of 16 applications from
qualified, tax-exempt organizations serving the residents of Logan
County. Applications were then evaluated and voted on by Integrity
Data's employees.
This year's grant recipients are:
will provide food for
children who are eligible for the government's free and reduced
lunch program or those who may go hungry on weekends throughout
the school year.
Lincoln Community
High School will use the funds to purchase an interactive
whiteboard (Promethean board). It will be installed prior to the
start of the 2013-2014 school year. Pre- and post-test data will
be used by the administration and staff to measure increased
learning by special education students.
Lincoln Christian
Church Children's Ministry will use the funds to purchase
two laptop computers to maintain a safe, secure and up-to-date
computerized check-in system.
Carroll Catholic
School will use the funds to purchase educational software.
Lincoln Public
Library will use the funds to purchase a laptop computer and
mobile projector. The items will allow the library to prepare
demonstrations centered on new programs provided for public
access, such as an online public access card catalog and a
downloadable e-books and audiobooks service.
Christian Child Care will use the
funds to purchase new communicators for each classroom, a new
computer for the center's records and a portable unit for
trainings.
For information concerning Integrity Data's Community Giving
Program, email
grants@integrity-data.com or call 217-732-3737. Past recipients
are listed on the company's website at
www.integrity-data.com/grants.aspx.
___
Integrity Data is a software development company based in
Lincoln. Since 1996, Integrity Data has built software solutions for
customers across the globe, allowing them to extend the capabilities
of their business software systems and increase their return on
investment.
Integrity Data was founded with the
following core values:
-
Integrity and
honesty in all relationships.
-
Passion for
customers, partners and technology.
-
Willingness to take
on big challenges and see them through.
-
Commitment to excellence, results and
quality to customers, partners and employees.
Local
gun club to host pistol course
Big Oak Hunting Paradise,
outside of Lincoln, and Pistol Prep Academy will host an NRA Basic Pistol
Course on June 1 and June 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course will be taught
by Annette Chapman, a local NRA-certified instructor, and will cover the
basics of safe gun handling and shooting.
The course will emphasize the safe and
proper handling and use of pistols. Participants will learn about
firearm safety, parts and operation, shooting fundamentals, care and
cleaning, storage options, selection, and more.
Some comments from previous students:
-
"I'm a Vietnam
Veteran who would like to think I know a thing or two about
shooting but I signed up to take this class with my wife and I'm
glad I did. I learned a lot."
-
"Instructor made
it a fun and engaging class and kept my attention."
-
"I was
apprehensive at first but the instructor made me feel at ease."
-
"I'm now
comfortable handing the guns my husband has in my house."
-
"Annette was Fantastic! I will highly
recommend her course to anyone interested."
For details on the course, call
Annette at 309-830-7182 or email
info@pistolprepacademy.
You may also find and "like" Pistol
Prep Academy on Facebook and check out the website at
www.pistolprepacademy.com.
Healthy
Families Task Force brings community service agencies together -- Part 1
On behalf of the Healthy Families Task Force, Coleen Moore coordinated a
meeting last week of area family service providers. The Healthy Families
Task Force is a part of the Healthy Community Partnership, which is directed
by Angela Stoltzenberg.
The purpose of the meeting Thursday was to open a dialogue so that
the groups and individuals could get acquainted with one another,
and to raise awareness on what each organization does to assist
families in Logan County.
Moore began by talking about a training she had attended last
year and how it had benefited her in her program. She said in that
meeting she had seen some of the most frightening statistics for
this area. Ranking high on the list of issues for young children
were problems with childhood obesity and child abuse.
She said that at one time, her school had 30 foster children. So,
she was very well-versed in the problems of child abuse, as well as
how to work with the state Department of Children and Family
Services and the foster care program.
She said she was led to write a grant through the Illinois Action
for Children and won the grant. This gave the Healthy Families Task
Force the momentum to start a program of working together to offer
valuable services to those in need.
She said the best part of the meeting Thursday was the
opportunity for the various groups to talk about what they do and,
more important, to share information on how to access the services
they do provide. Moore said it would surprise them to find out how
many people say they don’t know how to get the help they need; they
don’t know whom to contact.
Moore began the presentations around the room by discussing her
program, Christian Child Care.
Christian Child Care
Christian Child Care is located on Wyatt Avenue in the
single-story building of the Odd Fellows campus. The phone number
for the office is 217-732-5750.
Christian Child Care offers affordable day care services for
working families. Depending on the income level of the family, day
care services can be supplemented with payments from DCFS. DCFS pays
the qualifying portion of the day care bill and parents are
responsible for the balance, if there is one.
Moore said that when she took over as the director of the day
care six years ago, it was in dire straits financially. She told the
group that it was community support that helped her get the center
back on its feet, but money is always going to be a problem for the
day care.
In addition to financial improvement, Moore and her staff have
worked hard to achieve high ratings from the state on the quality of
care they provide. Currently the center is holding a strong 3-star
rating. Moore said that in all of Illinois, there are only slightly
over 400 day care facilities that have that high a rating, something
she is pleased with, but not satisfied with. She wants to see her
agency earn a 4-star rating. But again, there are improvements that
would have to be made, and that means more money. Moore said she
hopes to do more parent-teacher activities and more parent
trainings. This will go toward her higher rating.
She said it was very hard to run the agency on what they do have.
She said, "I would love to give my staff raises," but she told the
group the money just isn’t there. She doesn’t want to raise rates
because her parents are already struggling with the fees. She also
noted that in Springfield the same services she offers would cost
over $400 a month, and in Bloomington it would cost over $300 a
month. Christian Child Care rates are about half that amount.
Head Start
There were three representatives in the room from the Community
Action Partnership of Central Illinois: Marcia Hieronymus, Mackenzie
Montgomery and Libby Canady. Hieronymus began their presentation by
offering a rundown of all the services the agency offers.
Community Action offers programs such as Low Income Heating and
Energy Assistance, which provides funds to help pay heating costs
for seniors and low-income families. The agency also provides a
weatherization program to help make homes more energy-efficient. In
addition they offer senior meal programs with home delivery and
congregate dining sites, and the Foster Grandparent program that
links seniors to at-risk children in the public school system.
Community Action also administers the Logan Mason Transportation
Program.
The group was there to primarily talk about Head Start and Early
Head Start. In this area there are three Head Start classrooms that
serve approximately 90 children. The Community Action Head Start
program serves six counties, and the total enrollment is close to
400 children.
Hieronymus said right now they are recruiting for the fall
classes, and families are being encouraged to sign up their
children. The program is divided into two stages: the birth to
3-year-old group and the 3- to 5-year-old group.
Hieronymus said the programs are available free of charge to
qualified families. The program includes daily transportation to
school for the children and healthy meals and snacks during the
class period.
Head Start is federally funded, and Hieronymus said they, too,
face challenges as government funding is always changing and they
have experienced some deep cuts.
Montgomery talked about the health aspects of Head Start. In
addition to offering good nutrition, the program works to get needed
medical services for the children. She said their biggest challenge
is in finding dental care. Many of the families have medical cards
that will subsidize the needed services, but the problem is that
there is a shortage of dentists locally who will take the card. Head
Start does take advantage of the dental clinics offered by the Logan
County Department of Public Health, but in many cases their services
are not enough to meet the needs of the child.
Canady talked about the early childhood program and what it
offers to parents of small children. She said the program reaches
out to parents to offer parenting help and education.
The program also offers help for parents in conducting job
searches and writing résumés. In addition they do job interview
trainings.
The Community Action corporate offices are at 1800 Fifth St. in
Lincoln. Their phone number is 217-732-2159.
Department of Child and Family Services
Cince Bowns was on hand from the Department of Child and Family
Services. DCFS deals with abused, neglected and delinquent children.
Bowns said they do a lot of work with mandated reporter training and
have a memorandum of understanding with the local Head Start.
Mandated reporting is a program specifying that agencies working
with children are required to observe child behavior and report to
DCFS any actions that could be an indication of neglect or abuse in
the home. DCFS investigates those reports on a one-on-one basis and
acts accordingly. DCFS can be reached by calling 217-735-4402.
Lincoln Christian Church
Marsha Wells of Lincoln Christian Church is a youth minister at
the church. The church offers worship programs for children, and a
day care program is also available.
Lincoln Christian Church is across from Latham Park on North
McLean Street.
___
Part 2 of this report (below) continues with glimpses
of area youth summer programs offered by 4-H, Salvation Army, United
Cerebral Palsy and the Lincoln Park District.
[By NILA SMITH]
Healthy Families Task Force brings community service agencies
together
Part 2
Last week several agencies and organizations gathered to share
information with each other about who they are and what they do. The
meeting was sponsored by the Healthy Families Task Force of the
Healthy Communities Partnership. The group sat down to a casual lunch of sandwiches provided
by Lincoln IGA and soft drinks provided by the United Way of Logan
County.In the relaxed setting of a meeting room at Lincoln
Christian Church, the guests took turns sharing information about
their agencies and programs.
Logan County Sheriff's Department
The sheriff's office often crosses paths with many of the social
agencies that were present in the room.
John Bunner of the Logan County sheriff's office said that, as is
the case with most government bodies today, the challenges the
department faces are budget cuts. Bunner said the department is
available to assist the other programs present in any way they can.
He also noted that he personally has experience with children since
he works as a truancy officer for the Logan-Mason-Menard Regional
Office of Education.
Bunner can be found at the Logan County Safety Complex on Pekin
Street.
Logan County 4-H
Patty Huffer was on hand representing Logan County 4-H.
Accompanying her was Carissa Akpore. Akpore has been with the Logan
County Extension office for about a month and is intent on working
with the youth programs. She told the group that 4-H is more than
just cows and cooking. There are programs in a wide variety of
venues that will attract the interest of all youth.
She also talked briefly about a program offered called a poverty
simulation. In the simulation, young people are faced with
real-world challenges that involve managing money and bank accounts
and keeping up with the daily living expenses of a family.
Apkore also noted that the 4-H and Extension office is interested
in partnering with other youth-based agencies to offer summer
nutrition camps.
The Logan County Extension office is on the northwest corner of
the Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln.
[to top of second
column] |
 United Cerebral Palsy of Springfield
Amanda Miller was present from the United Cerebral Palsy agency
in Springfield. She spoke about their summer camps for children and
the very successful therapeutic horseback program. She also spoke
about their online programs that can be accessed from home
computers.
Miller said one of the biggest challenges for her organization is
in providing transportation for the clients. She said her hope and
dream is to one day have a real transportation program.
Miller noted that in addition to cerebral palsy, her agency
serves clients with other impediments as well, including a current
caseload of approximately 35 children who are autistic.
The United Cerebral Palsy office can be contacted by calling
217-525-6522.
United Way of Logan County
Marla Blair was on hand as the administrative director of the
United Way of Logan County. The phone number for United Way is
217-735-4499.
United Way offers a lot of financial funding to not-for-profits
that assist those in need in the community. Blair said this year she
has 15 agencies and 16 programs that seek annual funding. She said
applications for funding are currently being taken and decisions
will be made in June for this year's funds.
Blair said that United Way is evolving into more than just
putting money in the hands of agencies. United Way is working toward
becoming a social service agency that will work with its own
programs in addition to helping other agencies in the communities.
Blair also spoke about the new 2-1-1 program that is being
formatted for Logan County. The 2-1-1 program is widespread and has
been implemented in other areas. Logan County is not yet online in
the system, but the time is drawing ever closer when it will be.
Blair explained that the 2-1-1 is like 911 for emergencies and
411 for information, but what it does is provide information about
services available for those in need. When it is up and running in
Logan County, it will be a resource system that will give the caller
information about social service agencies, health providers,
schools, day cares, churches and much more.
Blair also shared that she had recently written a grant
application through the Healthy
Communities Partnership to receive a grant from the ALMH
foundation, and had just learned that she received the award. The
money will be used for marketing and advertising of the 2-1-1.
Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois
Peggy Ross-Jones from the Mental Health Centers of Central
Illinois said that the agency serves a six-county area, which
includes Logan County and the Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center in
Lincoln.
She explained that in youth services, her agency is contacted by
other agencies that have concern for a child, and the MHCCI comes to
the child and does a screening to determine if there is a need.
The agencies provide counseling and psychiatric care. She said
MHCCI uses the Logan Mason Transportation Program through Community
Action to get clients to psychiatric treatment in Springfield. Other
needed services are offered locally. She also spoke briefly about
the Logan-Mason Rehabilitation facility in Lincoln for adults and a
home-based service that is offered for children.
She said that if anyone has heard the rumor that people are on a
waiting list for years to receive the services and care that MHCCI
offers, it is true. She said the funding is not there for the agency
to help everyone at once, so many have to wait long periods of time
to get attention.
The contact number for MHCCI is 217-735-1413.
Lincoln Park District
Marcia Greenslate and Roy Logan were on hand from the Lincoln
Park District. They provided several handouts about programs offered
at the park district.
Perhaps their biggest bit of news was that they have funding to
start construction on the new aquatic center. The park district is
targeting summer of 2014 for the grand reopening of the pool.
Logan also talked about the summer program that the district will
offer in replacement of the pool. He said the "Awesome Afternoon
Adventures" will offer kids a wide variety of opportunities. He said
the program includes swimming at Lincoln College on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, but will also have many other activities, including a
tour of the local grocery store, fire department and a walking tour
of historic downtown Lincoln, just to name a few.
The main offices of the park district are at 1400 Primm Road in
Lincoln, next door to Lincoln Community High School. The contact
number is 217-732-8770.
Lincoln Parents' Center
Cari Rohlfs from the Lincoln Parents' Center was also on hand.
She said the services her organization provides are very similar to
the Head Start programs. The primary difference is that the LPC
programs are state-funded instead of federally funded. She said her
organization also suffers from money restrictions all the time.
The Lincoln Parents' Center hosts play groups four times a month
during the school year and once a month during the summer. The
summer play group dates this year are June 26, July 31 and Aug. 28,
from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day.
The center works with families as a whole and provides services
such as transportation to medical appointments.
The Lincoln Parents' Center is part of the Academic Development
Institute, 305 N. Kickapoo in Lincoln. The phone number is
217-735-4192.
Logan County Housing Authority
Steve Allen of the Logan County Housing Authority told the group
that one big issue he wanted to drive home is that 98 percent of the
people who live in subsidized housing are really good people. He
said the housing authority homes often get a bad reputation from the
2 percent who do tend to cause problems in public.
Allen said that because his housing authority is ranked very
highly among housing authorities in the United States, they are not
currently suffering severe funding problems. He said yes, they are
seeing decreases, but it will be a few years before it will have a
serious affect on this agency. He added that he still has the
ability to give raises to his staff.
One of the representatives from Community Action drove home the
stigma of public housing. She explained that Head Start has a
classroom at Centennial Courts. She has had people say they didn't
want to send their children to that classroom because it was at the
housing authority. However, she said that once they do get the
children there, they don't want to leave, because the staff members
are so caring and it is a nice location.
Allen said the housing authority has invested a lot of money in
the facilities at Centennial Courts, and they are proud of what they
offer the community.
Allen's office is at 1028 N. College St. in Lincoln. His phone
number is 217-732-7776.
Salvation Army
Tony Shuff of the Salvation Army could not attend the meeting,
but he provided the meeting coordinator, Coleen Moore, with
information about the programs he has to offer.
Moore spoke briefly about the flood cleanup kits offered this
year after the heavy rains. She also talked about Salvation Army's
free summer camp for kids age 7-17 and the Illinois American Water
assistance program that helps those in need get caught up on their
water bills and avoid shut-off. In addition, the Salvation Army
offers a food pantry and clothing pantry and has an emergency
shelter program at the Keest Center in Lincoln.
The Keest Center is on North Kickapoo Street in Lincoln. The
phone number for the center is 217-732-5899.
Healthy Families Task Force
Moore wrapped up the meeting by addressing the work of the
Healthy Families Task Force. She said the group had promoted
celebrating the Week of the Young Child with grocery bag art that
was placed on bags at Lincoln IGA and Kroger.
The task force is talking about having a family day in November
as a stress reliever for the holidays. She said holidays can
sometimes be the worst times for families. She believes they will
work the project into a movie night when families can relax and
enjoy some time away from the stressors in their lives.
Moore said that encouraging family events and helping parents is
so very important to keeping children healthy and happy. She drove
home her point, saying, "Parents don't plan to abuse their children;
it just happens." The goal of the Healthy Families Partnership is to
offer programs that will deter abusive behavior and keep the family
unit more stable.
Moore also told the group she loves to see collaborations. She
wants to see the groups continue to share information and start a
program of working together. She added that there will be more
meetings such as this in the future to help keep this open dialogue
moving in the right direction.
[By NILA SMITH]
Staton
named May Employee of the Month at ALMH
Ariel Staton of Lincoln has been named the May Employee of the Month at
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. Staton has worked as a dietary
technician at the hospital for the past four years.
She is a 2009 graduate of Lincoln Community High School.
In her
role as dietary technician she is responsible for washing dishes and
delivering trays to patients. She enjoys her work because of the
people she comes in contact with on a regular basis.
"I love working at ALMH. I get to meet new people every day, work
alongside wonderful people and I get to have fun at work! Every day
is a new adventure," said Staton.
Staton was nominated for the honor by her co-worker Kathleen
Cunningham.
"Ariel always has a smile to greet you! Happy to help no matter
which position she is working that day. She often comes to work when
we are short even if it’s at the last moment or early in the
morning. Her positive nature always makes for a great place to
work," said Cunningham.
Staton enjoys being active so she spends as much time outdoors as
possible. She regularly attends Zumba classes and enjoys dancing,
drawing and crafts.
ALMH, at 200 Stahlhut Drive in Lincoln, is a 25-bed
critical-access hospital affiliated with Memorial Health System.
ALMH employs more than 315 in a variety of roles. For more
information about the hospital, visit
www.almh.org.
Community
Action board meeting notice
The next corporate board meeting of the Community Action Partnership is
scheduled for Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at the 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
Land
of Lincoln Honor Flight plans May 21 trip
SPRINGFIELD -- Land of Lincoln Honor Flight will honor 26 more World War II
veterans and 61 more Korean veterans with a one-day trip to Washington,
D.C., on May 21 to see the World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam
Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, National Air and Space Museum, and other
memorials. Seventy-four guardians who are responsible for the veterans'
comfort and safety will also be on this 21st Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. Donations and efforts of many
individuals, organizations and businesses have allowed Land of
Lincoln Honor Flight to honor the veterans. This will be the third
flight for 2013.
The public is invited to a "welcome home"
ceremony for these WWII and Korean era veterans when the plane
arrives back at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield at
9:30 p.m. on May 21. Wear red, white and blue to show your
appreciation.
Veterans on this flight come from the Illinois towns of Alton,
Ashland, Bartonville, Beason, Bloomington, Carlinville, Chatham,
Cuba, Delavan, East Alton, East Peoria, Elgin, Elkhart, Glasford,
Godfrey, Hamilton, Havana, Hillsboro, Jacksonville, Lewistown,
Lincoln, Marquette Heights, Minonk, Morrisonville, Morton, Mount
Pulaski, Nokomis, Normal, North Pekin, Pawnee, Pekin, Peoria,
Pleasant Plains, Roanoke, Rochester, Roxana, Ruma, Springfield,
Taylorville, Tremont, Trivoli, Waverly, Winchester and Wood River
and from Fort Madison in Iowa.
Applications are still being accepted
for the following, but WWII veterans will be served first:
-
Veterans who
enlisted by Dec. 31, 1946 (WWII -- 71 currently on the list)
-
Veterans who
served Jan. 1, 1947, through Dec. 31, 1957 (Korean era -- 299
currently on the list)
-
Veterans who served Jan. 1, 1958,
through May 7, 1975 (157 currently on the list)
The June 18 flight is already full. Additional 2013 flights will
take place Sept. 10 and Oct. 22.
The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight board welcomes the chance to
speak to organizations, businesses, churches, conventions or other
groups about their mission, future flights, guardian duties,
fundraising and donations.
For more information about how individuals and groups can help
the mission, how to become a member, how to obtain applications, and
to learn more about Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, go to
http://landoflincolnhonorflight.org/ or contact Ray Wiedle,
chairman: home phone 314-427-2317, cellphone 217-622-1473 or email
arwiedle@sbcglobal.net.
Upcoming
blood drives in Logan County
To help ensure an adequate blood supply for
the region, the Central Illinois Community blood center is offering
opportunities to donate blood in Logan County later this month.
Thursday, May 23
-
Elkhart -- Elkhart Christian
Church, 113 S. Gillett; 3-6 p.m.
-
Atlanta -- St. Mary's Catholic
Church, 805 Pearl St.; noon-6 p.m.
Saturday, May 25
- Lincoln -- Hampton Inn, 1019
N. Heitmann Drive; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
For your convenience, call Alexis
toll-free 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 5158, to sign up, or
schedule an appointment online 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.
Logan
County Arts presents 'Functional and Fine Art: Lincoln Community High School
Textiles, Woods, Metals and Fine Art'
An exhibit of works by Lincoln Community High
School students in textiles, woods, metals and fine art will be on view at
the Lincoln Art Institute in downtown Lincoln from May 9 through May 26. The
show opens Thursday, May 9, at 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public. This event will feature various works by current students attending
Lincoln Community High School and includes works that are both
functional and creative in a variety of media.
Refreshments will
be served at the opening, in addition to a bake sale with the
proceeds going to support Logan County Arts, which serves artists
and the community throughout Logan County.
The Lincoln Art Institute hosts Logan County Arts with the goal
of expanding awareness of arts with a focus on Logan County.
___
Lincoln Art Institute
Address: 112 S. McLean, Lincoln, IL 62656
Contact: Toby Prange, curator,
contact@logancountyarts.org
Phone: 217-651-8355
Website:
www.logancountyarts.org
Hours: Saturdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
or by appointment
Hartsburg-Emden High School Alumni Banquet will be June 8
HARTSBURG-EMDEN -- The 86th annual Hartsburg-Emden High School Alumni
Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in
Lincoln. Invitations to the banquet will be sent out the first week of May.
Anyone who did not receive an invitation but would like to attend
the banquet may send a request via email to Ron Spencer at
coach_spencer@hotmail.com,
or you may reach him on his cellphone at 309-838-0360.
Anniversary classes being honored this year are 1933, 1938, 1943,
1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998,
2003, 2008 and the senior Class of 2013.
The winner of the "Wall of Fame" award will be selected and
announced at the banquet. This year's award will be represented in
the category of "Athletics/Sports."
Please mail nomination letters to Ron Spencer, 8923 Blooming
Grove Road, Bloomington, IL 61705.
Due to the rising costs of the banquet, the alumni association
will accept donations to help out with the cost of the event and to
continue funding the Alumni Scholarship. Donations are payable to
the Hartem Alumni Association and may be sent to Greg Phillips, 208
Market St., Emden, IL 62635.
Officers of the alumni association for 2013 are Chris Boerma,
president; Ron Spencer, vice president; Loretta Hellman, secretary;
Greg Phillips, treasurer; and Kay Mullins and Verna Lessen,
corresponding secretaries.
Route
66 will anchor weekend of activities in Logan County
Route 66 will be the centerpiece for a diverse series of activities taking
place in Logan County on the weekend of June 7-9, Friday-Sunday.
Events will range from garage sales, auto racing and an electric
car show to art exhibits and the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame
Banquet.
Festivities will begin with the annual Route 66 Garage Sale,
which will take place from 7 a.m. until dusk Friday, Saturday and
Sunday in Lincoln.
This year, vendors can rent indoor or outdoor space at the VFW,
915 Fifth St., or flea market space at The Mill, 738 S. Washington
St. For reservations at the VFW, or general information about the
garage sales, call Andrea Dykman at 217-735-0294. The Logan County
Tourism Bureau at 217-732-8687 is taking reservations for spaces at
The Mill.
For the first time, Logan County Outreach, a community betterment
organization, and Lincoln Printers will host the Route 66 Garage
Sale.
Private garage sales will also take place throughout the
community. Those planners are urged to use traditional news and
social media outlets to advertise their sales.
On Friday night, race fans can watch the POWRi competition at
Lincoln Speedway on the Logan County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 3
p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
The Mill 2nd Saturday Flea Market on June 8 is the premiere event
for a series of flea markets there on the second Saturday of each
month through October. The flea market will run from 10 a.m. until 5
p.m.
The Lincoln Art Institute gallery at 112 S. McLean St. in
downtown Lincoln will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Main Street Lincoln will sponsor a PLUS 5K run and health fair in
downtown Lincoln on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, an Electric Vehicle Cruise-In will take place
from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. along the original Mother Road in historic
downtown Atlanta. The free public cruise-in is sponsored by the
Atlanta Betterment Fund.
After it was commissioned in 1926, Route 66 was responsible for a
huge increase in automobile traffic that led to the need for
businesses to serve the traveling public. Among these new businesses
were service stations.
Now, Route 66 is poised to help create the next big
transportation infrastructure -- charging stations for electric
vehicles. Atlanta is interested in helping other Route 66
communities discover how to better serve the traveling public that
will be searching for an electric plug-in instead of a gas pump.
The June 8 Electric Vehicle Cruise-in, Illinois' first, will
display some cool EV cars and offer a chance to learn more about how
the Mother Road is working to give birth to a new travel
infrastructure.
All electric and hybrid cars are invited to participate in the
cruise-in. The event will also feature vintage music, great food, a
50-50 drawing and hourly drawings.
Atlanta offers two Level 2 Eaton charging stations, available by
advance reservation at no fee. There are also 16 Level 1 charging
stations available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the cruise-in, or to make reservations
to use the Level 2 charger, contact Bill Thomas of the Atlanta
Betterment Fund at 217-648-5077 or
wthomas@teleologic.net.
Atlanta will also exhibit the results of its first Rt. 66
Reinterpreted Art Project from May 1 through Aug. 13.
Modeled on Chicago's "Cows on Parade" exhibit, the Rt. 66
Reinterpreted Art Project presented 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.
Artists were provided a blank 2-by-2-foot wooden cutout of the
Route 66 highway shield, painted white, which then became their
personal canvas. Each shield was required to incorporate the text
"U.S. 66," but otherwise the design was left to each artist's
imagination.
The Atlanta Betterment Fund, sponsor of the project, selected 10
shields as finalists. Visitors can vote on their favorites, and
those with the most votes will be named winners of the contest. 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 Rt. 66 Park. For more information,
contact Bill Thomas at the telephone number or email address above.
The annual Route 66 Association of Illinois Motor Tour will pass
through Logan County on Saturday, June 8. Many of the participants
will stay overnight Saturday before continuing the tour on Sunday.
The Route 66 Association Hall of Fame Banquet will take place
Saturday evening at Lincoln College. Advance reservations are
required for the banquet. For more information about either the
banquet or the motor tour, visit the Route 66 Association of
Illinois at il66assoc.org.
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