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 We learned some things very quickly. For example,
when it comes to Facebook pictures definitely speak louder than
words. While we created a variety of posts, the ones that got the
most attention included a photo.
In some ways, this helped us to redefine what we used as photos in
our daily editions, and made us more aware of the picture content.
While cute and pretty pictures were popular, the pictures we wanted
to bring to Facebook were those that bore some significance to a
story that was also featured in our daily edition.
We learned that photos of kids always get a lot of attention. We
love that because upholding the youth of Logan County is important
to us. While it is a bit cliché the truth will always be that our
children are our future, and we want to brag up those who do well.
We also found that pictures and stories that grab at the heart are
valuable, as well as the ‘hard news.”
So, looking back at 2019, we decided it was time to boast a little
bit about our Facebook presence, and to do it through our daily
photo posts. But in trying to narrow down what to post according to
criteria such as most hits or engagements or likes or comments, we
found that there were too many to put into one year-end story. So,
we decided that the best we could do was to give you a slice of what
you liked.
For example, we talked earlier this week about the photo of the
grass “God loves you” carving on the hillside between Mount Pulaski
and Lincoln brought meaning to the lives of Myron and Sharon Fehr of
Canada. That Facebook post garnered 22,862 hits, 187 shares, and 42
comments. Those numbers constituted our all-time record high to a
Facebook post.
The second high of the year was a photo posted on
September 17th of Mayor Seth Goodman. The photo itself was not all
that remarkable, but the topic it was attached to was one that
concerned many of our Logan County residents. The photo brought in
11,811 hits and 88 comments.
The story behind the photo was that of Goodman being left to break
the tie on the aldermanic vote to allow recreational marijuana to be
sold within city limits. The aldermen were split 4-4 and Goodman
voted yes to allow.
On the whole the comments that came with this post were oppositely
black and white. People were either strongly opposed to the decision
or they were strongly supportive of the decision, but on Facebook at
least, it appeared that most were supportive. The theory behind
their support was similar to that of the city aldermen who voted
yes; it is here anyway, buyers will buy it somewhere, so why should
Lincoln not reap the benefits of the tax revenues.
Those who were opposed were also of the same camp as those in the
city council who voted against it; that it was a step toward
lowering our standards as a community and embracing immoral living.
Another high ranking photo in 2019 was this artist
rendering of the newly proposed YMCA that is slated to be built in
2020. Posted to Facebook on February 21st, Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital Administrator Dolan Dalpoas had addressed the Lincoln City
Council sharing plans to build a new ALMH Wellness Center/YMCA.
This post garnered 11,285 hits and 102 comments from readers. The
vast majority of our readers were excited to see this and noted they
were looking forward to utilizing the new facility.
Though far from being a “feel good” story, this photo
posted on June 10th was connected to a heartwarming story that was
attached to a heart breaking tragedy. When Allissa Martin fell from
a parking garage in St. Louis and sustained fatal injuries, the
Logan County community mourned for a young woman they held in high
regard. This procession traveled from the Logan County Correctional
Center to Fricke Calvert Schrader Funeral Home in a show of love and
respect. Martin was a corrections officer at the prison. The
procession was made up of dozens upon dozens of vehicles driven by
members of local law enforcement including local correctional
officers, county, city, and state police agencies. It showed us all
that within our community there is a second community, a close-knit
family that bond together to serve and protect.
On Facebook, there were 8,708 hits on this post and many comments
regarding Martin, her kind heart, and also many comments showing
love and concern for the family she left behind.
In addition to these top hit-getters, there were several other
photos that got a lot of attention. In no particular order, all the
rest listed in this article were well visited with more than 3,000
hits per picture.
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 The first of these came about in October.
When Rachel Marten and her daughter Karina joined
Mandee Dexter with her daughter Faith, and Alex Williams and her son
Harry at an October Lincoln City Council meeting, they were there to
address Down Syndrome awareness in Logan County. All three moms with
their beautiful children were well received by the council and by
Facebook also. In the 6,025 hits on these photos, the comments were
all very much in support of the moms and kids. We hope that this is
a living demonstration that our community does not stereo-type its
citizens and does recognize the beauty and the potential of every
person regardless of what others might consider to be disabilities
or disorders.
Another heavy hitter in October was this picture of a
puff ball taken at Kickapoo Creek Park this fall. More than 4,000
Facebook readers found this picture and caption interesting and
responded with posts about their own hunting and eating experiences.
What some of us at LDN learned about these big poofs was that they
are edible, and not only that, many of our local residents have
known that for a while, and enjoy hunting and cooking these mushroom
like fungi.
When this photo of Lincoln High School Basketball
Coach Neil Alexander and Railer Basketball player Jermain Hamlin
posted in June it garnered a lot of interest. In this particular
photo it was announced that Hamlin would represent Railsplitter
Basketball and Lincoln in the 2019 Illinois Basketball Coaches
Association All-Star Basketball game. Hamlin also got a lot of
interest later in the year when it was announced that he would be
playing basketball for the Fighting Illini at the University of
Illinois. Hamlin has done well at UoI and gets special mention
regularly in Jeff Mayfield’s Monday Mutterings in LDN.
Sticking with the sports theme and adding to it the
ever popular Facebook topic of our kids, this picture posted in
September received a lot of attention. Young Joseph is giving Tim
McDougal a run for his money when it comes to the title of the
number one Railers fan. The evening he was invited onto the football
field at a Railer game was one of the most exciting and rewarding
times he has had at a game. On Facebook comments were warm and
congratulatory as everyone enjoyed seeing the beaming face of the
young man out on the field with the game officials.
And finally we end with this picture posted to
Facebook on April 25th. The barred owl taken in Kickapoo Creek Park
by Curtis Fox was a favorite on that day, getting the attention of
nearly 4,000 Facebook readers. It also brought in 15 comments, 21
shares, and 148 emoji responses, all positive.
It is a cool picture and the story behind it. Curtis had been
walking the park for quite some time trying to find the barred owl
that supposedly lived there. When he got the shot and emailed it to
the LDN editors his excitement was clear, as he went ‘all caps lock”
on us saying ‘I GOT IT!”
Well he got it alright, and there were plenty of readers who were
happy that he did.
So, Facebook has become a part of our news reporting agenda though
we see it more as a great way to bring the community together to
enjoy and comment on our photography, there are still times when we
know that looking at the pictures sparks the curiosity and brings
readers to our website, and in the end, for us at LDN that is what
it is all about.
[N SMITH / LDN FACEBOOK PAGES] |
