4-H Foundation spaghetti meal, Slackers chicken dinner for Arlee, writing club, Low Vision Support Group, Abraham Lincoln's birthday

[February 06, 2014]  Logan County 4-H Foundation to host spaghetti meal

The 16th annual spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Logan County 4-H Foundation will be served on Sunday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Lincoln. The meal includes spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and drink. Carryouts will be available.

Donations only are requested, with all proceeds going to benefit the Logan County 4-H program.

There will also be a silent auction including theme baskets and items donated from various local businesses.

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Slackers to host chicken dinner fundraiser for Arlee Theater

NEW HOLLAND — When it comes to helping others, Slackers is no slouch. On Sunday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Slackers Bar & Grill of New Holland will serve a fried chicken dinner with proceeds going to the Arlee Theater's "Beyond 77" digital projector fund.

Ever since opening Slackers over two years ago, owners Andy Evers and Jim Renken have gladly helped worthy causes such as Toys for Tots and the local school programs.

A few months ago, Renken approached Mason City's Arlee Theater owners, John and Gaye Maxson, about lending a big hand when he learned that the theater desperately needed to raise funds for a digital projector. The one-screen theater's 77-year-old projector still worked, but it would soon be obsolete as the movie industry did away with 35 mm films and went to a digital format. Upgrades to the tune of $43,000 were needed for the nonprofit venue to stay open.

"I think the Arlee is a big plus for us, and if we lose it, it's gone forever," said Renken, a Mason City native. "The old Arlee's been there a long time, and it would be a shame to see it close up. With all the Maxsons have done for the community and saving the Arlee, we are glad to help. We really do enjoy trying to make a difference in our small communities."

So Renken and Evers set the ball rolling for a dinner for an area with limited Sunday dining resources. Four pieces of their very popular fried chicken will be served with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and a dinner roll. They are asking $10 per meal.

Advance orders are requested, and by doing so, carryout meals can be picked up at Slackers or the Arlee. To place orders, call Slackers at 217-445-2561 Tuesday through Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. or the Arlee at 217-482-9999. Dine-in seating is also available at Slackers, 103 W. Lincoln St. in New Holland.

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Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Feb. 11

Lincoln Writer's Club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the student center at Lincoln College.

Suggested topics: writing goals for 2014; a valentine story; or county fair activities, rides, 4-H project, livestock, baked goods, etc.

All are welcome.

For more information, call 732-2723.

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Lincoln Low Vision Support Group to meet Feb. 10

The next meeting of the Lincoln Low Vision Support Group will be on Monday, Feb. 10, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Lincoln Christian Church, 204 N. McLean. Use the door off the parking lot, under the canopy.

The speaker will be Kim Walters, from the Bureau of Blind Services with the state Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Those attending are welcome to bring guests.

The group needs envelopes to send out letters for the meetings. Please bring a few.

For more information, contact Sandy at 732-6528.

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Mount Pulaski Courthouse will celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday Feb. 8

MOUNT PULASKI — Abraham Lincoln's birthday will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site, where Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis, Samuel Treat, Billy Herndon, Stephen A. Douglas and others rode by horseback and horse and buggy to bring the court of law to this Logan County seat venue (1848-1855). The Mount Pulaski two-story brick courthouse, an example of early Greek Revival architecture, is one of only two remaining structures from the once 15-courthouse Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit of the mid-1800s.

The featured speaker at 10 a.m. will be Barbara Stroud-Borth, who will portray Sarah Wakefield, a captive of Sioux Indians in the Dakota conflict in Minnesota in 1862. Abraham Lincoln became involved in the final resolution of the conflict, displaying his sense of justice.

Portrayers of Abraham and Mary Lincoln will be on hand at 9:30 a.m., when the courthouse opens with coffee and refreshments. Servings of Mary Todd Lincoln's traditional cake will be provided, along with other refreshments, until 3:30 p.m. Children's crafts and games will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. A variety of materials will be available for making Abraham Lincoln cards and valentines. A staff of volunteer docents will be on hand to provide tours throughout the day.

The speaker, Stroud-Borth, is a retired pastor who lives in Mount Pulaski. She did her pastoral internship on a Lakota reservation in South Dakota and served two congregations in South Dakota for 6 1/2 years. Her second parish was in southwestern Minnesota. In all those places, she learned bits and pieces of the conflict between whites and Indians and President Lincoln's involvement, even as the Civil War raged in the South. In her words: "This story is not well-known in Illinois. I want to share it here, and portraying Sarah Wakefield is a way to do that."

There will be an exhibit of some books, pictures and craft items collected during Stroud-Borth's year on the Lower Brule Reservation.

Regular visiting hours at the historic courthouse are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. The phone number is 217-792-3919.

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