[December 27, 2018]      

February 1

Many people are familiar with the bragging rights bumper stickers that say something to the effect of 'My kid is an honor student.' In the Mount Pulaski School District No. 23, they have taken that recognition one step further. After honor rolls are announced each quarter, students who earned that high grade point average get a sign to place in the front yard of their home. The sign simply says "I excel @ Mt. Pulaski Community School District 23."

Roy Logan was out and about in Mount Pulaski recently, and he noted several such signs in front yards and stopped to speak with a parent who proudly relayed the sign was bragging rights for the whole family.

Indeed it is, and based on the number of signs in the community it is also an excellent testament to the quality of education being offered in the Mount Pulaski area.

Photo by Roy Logan

While much of the tennis world was awed by 21-year-old South Korean tennis sensation Hyeon Chung’s climb during the Australian Open, a Lincoln College professor had a personal interest in the player’s performance. Hyondo Chung (no relation), Lincoln College Lead Faculty for Exercise Science, has been a key member of Hyeon Chung’s training team since 2014, focusing on the tennis star’s mental conditioning. Hyondo Chung works with the tennis star during the summers and visits regularly with him at other times during the year.

Hyeon Chung became the youngest player to advance to the Australian Open semifinals in the past eight years. He was the only South Korean player ever to advance beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam before having to pull out of his semi-final match against Roger Federer due to a foot blister. Along the way Chung defeated world number four ranked Alexander Zverev and six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

Photo by Mark Gordon

 

February 5

Ethan Hoinacki and Nicole Cox pose for a picture inside their new business - Guest House, in downtown Lincoln. The two have formed a partnership and opened up a coffee house and bakery in the location originally known as By the Bean.

Photo by Nila Smith

 

The Lincoln Junior High School Poms Team is headed to the Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) State competition. Ten young ladies from Lincoln Junior High School make up the Trojanettes Poms Team and they successfully competed over the weekend and earned a shot at advancing to state competition to be held this Saturday in Springfield at the BOS Center (formerly the Prairie Capital Convention Center).

Photo provided by Emily Martinez

 

February 9

Congratulations to the West Lincoln-Broadwell Wolverines on winning the Sectional 5 championship at Virginia on Wednesday night.

The Wolverines defeated Morton Blessed Sacrament by a score of 30-27 to advance to the 2018 8th Grade Class 1A State Tournament.

Photo provided by Terry Biggs

 

February 13

Introducing the Mount Pulaski Hilltop Club Executive Boards. The Women's Board, front row left to right: Sam Brown, Julie Bobell, Katie Alsup, Sheena Vinyard and Danielle Meister. The Men's Board, back row left to right: Doug Smock, Andy Meister, Justin Jones, Brian Beecraft and Steve Fulscher.

The new organization recently formed to help fill gaps left in the community when the Mount Pulaski Jaycee's disbanded last year. Look for the group to be involved in many events and fundraisers in the Mount Pulaski community, all with the intent of giving support to members of the community in times of need.

Photo by Teena Lowery

 

February 15

It took a couple of weeks longer than expected, but on Wednesday, Valentine's Day, residents at St. Clara's Rehab and Senior Care moved from their home on Fifth Street to their new residences on the west side of Lincoln. Buses and vans arrived a little after 8 a.m. and by 8:30 residents were being seated for the ride across town. Among the early transfers was Elaine Conrady, who rode over in the St. Clara's van, while others rode over in a van provided by Castle Manor, and yet others were in buses provided by Southern Bus & Mobility.

Photo by Nila Smith

 

February 17

Two Lincoln Community High School wrestlers made school history this week as being the first ever to compete in the IHSA State level competition. Congratulations to Trevor Bree and Austin O'Donaghue for a remarkable accomplishment!
Left to right: Coach Jason Lawrence, Wrestler Trevor Bree, Coach Walt Landers, Wrestler Austin O'Donaghue, Coach Justin Dietrich, and Coach Sam McShane.

Photo provided by Jason Lawrence