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 The
events will be held as an optional “Dinner Program” with a cost
involved only for the meal which is served at 5:30 p.m., or come at
7 p.m. just for the program at no cost. Reservations are required
and limited to approximately 50 people. The Palms Grill Café will
feature a set of dinner specials, including homemade desserts for
each program, and feel free to BYOB. Phone 217-648-5077 to make a
reservation for any of the scheduled Dinner Programs.
The events will feature local speakers who will present after-dinner
programs at the Palms Grill Café, located at 110 SW Arch Street in
downtown Atlanta.
2018 schedule
Friday, December 1, 2017: “Restoring the Governor’s Mansion”
Justin Blandford serves as the Superintendent of State Historic
Sites in Springfield for the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources. His stewardship and management responsibilities
include seven state historic sites in the capital city that
annually serve more than 400,000 visitors. Justin will present
"Restoring the People's House," an overview of the privately
funded restoration of the Illinois Executive Mansion.
Friday, December 15, 2017 – “The Music Makers Chime Choir”
With the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, sometimes we
just need to sit back, relax, and listen to the sounds of the
season to remind us of why we celebrate Christmas. Join us as we
welcome The Music Makers Chime Choir from St. John’s United
Church of Christ in Lincoln, under the direction of Darlene
Begolka, for an evening of holiday music. It’s sure to be a
special and uplifting evening. Enjoy!
Friday, January 12, 2018 – “Danny Tackett – Music and Stories”
Retired newspaper editor and author Danny Tackett returns with a
presentation of music mixed with banter and gab.
Tackett his career in journalism in September 1968 as a green,
cub reporter and left as a managing editor in 2012.
His
second book, Even More Big Stories; A Companion to Big Stories
from a Small Town, includes personality profiles and incidents
that Tackett witnessed and covered for the Lincoln newspaper.
Atlanta related tales focus on the one-of-a-kind
Barney Gosda, a gardener, gravedigger, coon hunter, teller of tall
tales and other admirable attributes of a self-sufficient man. The
other tells the story of Elmer and Arnetta Young, Tackett's first
wife's grandparents.
As a
retired farm couple that never stopped living off the land, their
lifestyle was all about self-sufficiency. Tackett plays guitar and
offers up songs, most of which tell a story, including some old time
gospel songs and a few tunes he's known since childhood. Tackett
will have copies of his books available during his Atlanta
performance.
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Friday, January 26, 2017 – "The curious history of General
Santa Anna’s leg and Atlanta, IL”
After the Mexican War of 1846-48, the wooden leg of Mexican General Santa Anna
ended up in the United States, and in Atlanta, Illinois to be specific. It now
resides in the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. Join Bill Lear,
Curator of the ISMM, as he recounts the leg’s origin and its travels throughout
the United States and the world, including its connection to Atlanta.
Friday, February 9, 2018 – Riding the Interurban – the story of the Illinois
Traction Railroad
All aboard for what’s sure to be an enjoyable evening, as Dale Jenkins, with the
Illinois Traction Society shares stories of the history and operation of the
Interurban. This electric rail line provided frequent, cheap, and comfortable
transportation to folks who – prior to widespread automobile access – had no
other convenient way of getting from town to town.
Friday, February 23, 2018 – “Duncan Manor – A story of historic preservation
through community involvement”
Just outside Towanda, Illinois and clearly visible from Historic Rt. 66, sits
Duncan Manor - a stately circa 1866, Italianate home, where David and Randi
Howell now reside. As a couple, they recognize the benefits of restoring and
leveraging historic buildings in small towns and have embarked on a creative
path for raising funds through community involvement for their restoration
efforts. Together they will share their passion for preservation, as they relate
their experiences at Duncan Manor.
Friday, March 9, 2018 – The old “Three Eye”
In the first half of the 20th century, the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League was one
of the more respected low minor leagues in professional baseball. Bloomington,
Decatur, Springfield, Quincy, and other downstate Illinois communities fielded
teams at one time or another. Cooperstown inductees that passed through the
Three-I League (also known as the “Three Eye” or “Triple Orb”) included Carl
Hubbard, who played for Decatur in 1927, Warren Spahn (Evansville, IN, 1941),
and Lou Boudreau (Cedar Rapids, IA, 1938). Join Bill Kemp for an evening of
baseball history as he recounts stories of The Old Three Eye league. Bill has
served as librarian of the not-for-profit McLean County Museum of History in
downtown Bloomington for the past fourteen years.
Friday, March 23, 2018 – “Saving Sprague’s Super Service: A Route 66 Icon”
Dr. Terri Ryburn worked to restore Sprague's Super Service for ten years before
the Town of Normal bought it from her. It now houses Ryburn Place, a gift shop
featuring Route 66 and local art. Hear how Terri saved the 1930s building as
well as the Town of Normal’s future plans for it.
[Bill Thomas] |
