2021 Year in Review

Changes in ownership, new businesses and notable accomplishments as community moves forward in 2021

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[January 17, 2022]   Coming off of a very rough 2020, it was good to see the Logan County community moving forward with positive results in the business world.  The LDN ribbon cutters assisted several new businesses with celebrations and some long standing businesses celebrated changes and growth within our community.

In addition, local organizations celebrated big changes that they believe will assist them as they move forward into the years ahead.

Local business leaders were recognized for their accomplishments and a number of businesses and organizations were acknowledge for outstanding service to our community. 

The new LEAD organization hired its director, and there were other leadership changes within local businesses and organizations as well. 

PEOPLE 

January 14

President and CEO of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Dolan Dalpoas recently completed a certification course for rural hospital leaders. “The certification course allowed me to learn from experts about the challenges and successes of rural hospitals throughout the United States,” Dalpoas said. “It is a great tool for future leaders.” 

Dalpoas is board certified in healthcare management and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is recognized as one of the top 50 critical access hospital CEOs in the United States. 

January 15

Andrea (Annie) Coers has joined the Frist National Bank in Tremont staff at the New Holland Banking Center in New Holland.

Coers will fill the role of Business Development Officer.

Read the full announcement in today's edition of Lincoln Daily News.


Andrea G. Coers joins The First National Bank in Tremont

February 23

Lincoln Economic Advancement & Development, Inc. has hired Andrea Runge as its Chief Executive Officer. Runge is coming to the LEAD organization with 20 years of community and economic development experience via her time spent with the state-level Community Action organization. 

Read more about Runge and the official launch of LEAD in today's edition of Lincoln Daily News.
 

LEAD Takes Shape with Formal Launch and New CEO
Local Economic Development Group Hires Experienced Professional Andrea Runge

 

August 18

Andrea Runge is the Executive Director for the Lincoln Economic Advancement and Development (L.E.A.D.) She has been with the organization since March and moved to Lincoln just a few months ago. 

In today's edition, read about Runge and what she hopes to accomplish for the good of economic growth and stability in Lincoln. 

In addition, thanks to a grant application by Runge, L.EA.D. is the official Community Navigator working with the state of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to assist local businesses in obtaining recovery funds in the wake of Covid-19.    

In today's edition, an announcement concerning the rollout of the first grant via this program.


New L.E.A.D. Executive Director looks to accentuate the positive and grow Lincoln’s economy through local collaborations

February 26

The Lincoln Park District Board of Commissioner's is pleased to announce it has hired Becky Strait of Lincoln as its Executive Director. 

Strait begins on March 10, 2021. She and her family have lived in Lincoln since 2008. She is an Air Force Veteran and holds a Master's Degree in Recreation, Sport's & Tourism from the University of Illinois. 

Strait is looking forward to meeting all of the park district members and becoming an integral part of the organization moving forward.

NEW BUSINESS

January 16

Atlanta Truck Stop and Dairy Queen Project Nears Completion

March 3
This week LDN's Curtis Fox took to the skies with his camera and grabbed some shots of the new Atlanta Truck Stop. The Dairy Queen at the truck stop is open for drive-thru service. The fuel station and convenience store should be opening soon.

May 15

Construction has begun on a new Starbucks Coffee House on the west end of Lincoln. The stop-and-go coffee shop is located on a lot right up against the interstate overpass on the east side of Interstate 55 and will be accessed from Ball Drive. The popular franchise is known worldwide and will attract more traffic off of the interstate and into Lincoln. 

Some may recall that there were plans several years ago for a Starbucks to come to town. Then the sudden downturn of the economy put a halt to the plan. The plan has been revived, and the shop is slated to open later this year.

August 27

Jason Glenn, Travis Dirks and Justin Ott invite you to join them Saturday, August 28th, for the grand opening of Lincoln Sportscards and Gaming in Lincoln. 

The new store is located at 527 Woodlawn Road in the strip mall across the road from RP Lumber. 

Read more about the new business in today's edition of Lincoln Daily News.


Lincoln Sportscards and Gaming now open on Woodlawn Road
Stop in for the grand opening this Saturday

 

September 30

The First National Bank in Tremont announces new branch in Lincoln
Bank will be built at 708 Woodlawn Road, opening in 2022

December 17

Board and staff members from the First National Bank in Tremont gathered together Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lincoln Banking Center.

 
Participating in the event were First National Bank board members Jim Shafer and Brock Butts, Chief Financial Officer David Pickering, Vice President/Regional Manager Tyler Hodge, President and Chief Executive Officer June Kidd, board members Jim Sommer and Richard Brenneman, and Business Development Officer Annie Coers.

 
Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch also welcomed Kidd and the bank to Lincoln.

Construction on the bank has already begun, with an anticipated completion in the summer of 2022. The new bank is located at 810 Woodlawn Road.

RIBBON CUTS

July 26

On Friday evening, staff at the Lincoln Grand celebrated the reopening of the local theater with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Acting Manager Josh Ward, Assistant Manager Emily Hyde and employee Richard Casad were joined by Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Alderman Rick Hoefle, City Clerk Peggy Bateman, Lincoln Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky, Kathie Williams representing Logan County Tourism, and 2020 Miss Logan County Fair Faith Doerr and Little Miss Aubrey Rogers for the cutting ceremony.
 

VIP Cinemas celebrates opening the Lincoln Grand

July 31

Wednesday, Dr. Todd Nobbe (right) and Dr. Ryan Witt representing the Chittick company, snipped the ribbon marking the official transition of the local optometry office from Nobbe Eye Care to Chittick Family Eye Care. Dr. Nobbe and many of the existing staff will continue to be the face of the practice. The primary difference of the transition will be seen in the state-of-the-art technology utilized and the services and products offered through the office.


Chittick Family Eye Care Open House and Ribbon Cut celebrates transition from Nobbe Eye Care

September 2

On Saturday, August 28, Styles Lynn snipped the ribbon on her new business venture in New Holland. Styles Cafe' enjoyed a successful soft opening and then celebrated officially on the 28th as part of a community fun day held in town.

Lynn was assisted with the scissors by New Holland Mayor Annie Coers. Joining Lynn behind the ribbon were friends and family members who have supported her along the journey to opening the new eatery. The ribbon was held by Logan County Tourism Director Alice Roate and Logan County Clerk Theresa Moore.

Styles Café in New Holland celebrates opening with a ribbon cut

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September 16

On Friday, September 10th, Sun Ag, Inc in Emden celebrated its first anniversary with a customer appreciation day and ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Sun Ag, Inc., owned by Dave and Lori Neisler, took over ownership of Tri-Ag owned by Don Batterton on September 10th, 2020. Because of the coronavirus, the two companies were unable to celebrate the transition publicly. Therefore they decided to do it up right at the one-year anniversary.

Dave Neisler snipped the ribbon on Friday while wife Lori, Don and Debbie Batterton, Emden Mayor John Snyder and Sun Ag staff looked on. Also behind the ribbon, but not in the photo was the original owner of the fertilizer company, Tom Komnick.
 

Sun Ag, Inc. celebrates first year looking back and looking forward

Sun Ag Inc. celebrates its first year at Emden location - slideshow

September 23

On Saturday, September 18th, Doug Johnson and his staff at Johnson's True Value Hardware in Mount Pulaski welcomed the community to their new store at 501 East Chestnut. 

A ‘ribbon’ cut was done by Johnson at noon using a piece of wood and a reciprocating saw. Then everyone was invited to enjoy free food and visit the store where there were opportunities to win freebies, raffles and take advantage of some special deals on store merchandise.
 

Johnson True Value in Mount Pulaski celebrates grand re-opening

October 4

On Saturday morning the United Way of Logan County celebrated 60 years of service to the community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The group first named the "United Fund," formed on October 2, 1961 to support local community service groups and organizations with monetary awards raised through local donations. 

Administrative Director Patti Becker did the honors of snipping the ribbon at the cut. 

Standing with Becker behind the ribbon were (left to right) Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Karen Hargis, Joe Schaler with the CIVC (behind Hargis), UWLC Board members Stacy May and Adrienne Klockenga, Alderman Rick Hoefle (behind Klockenga), UWLC Board member Jaylee Swinford, Becker, Tom Schonauer (behind Becker), Kevin Bateman, Logan County Tourism Director Alice Roate, Peggy Bateman (behind Roate), 2021 Logan County Fair Queen Caroline Ahrends, and Junior Miss Logan County Alayna Briggs.

United Way of Logan County celebrates 60 years with a ribbon cutting

October 25

The light mist covering Logan County on Friday morning subsided long enough for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the New Holland Banking Center. The bank, a branch of the National Bank in Tremont, hosted a grand opening of its brand new banking center on Friday and Saturday. 

Holding the scissor for the cut were bank President June Kidd, Brand Manager Tyler Hodge and New Holland Mayor Annie Coers. In the background were members of the Tremont Board of Directors and New Holland Staff.
 

New Holland Bank ribbon cutting a bright spot on a gloomy day

Community enjoys tours of new banking facility - slideshow

November 15

The Bee celebrates one-year anniversary with a ribbon cut

December 13

Grand opening and ribbon cut at Elite Kicks brings in a shoulder to shoulder crowd

 

 

Elite Kicks - shoppers flock to Lincoln's newest store - slideshow

December 15

On Monday night, representatives of the Springfield/Lincoln YMCA came together with Lincoln and Logan County government members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Youth Activity Center in Lincoln. 

The YMCA has occupied the center on Wyatt Avenue in the former Oddfellows gymnasium for several years, with an additional office downtown on Broadway Street. 

The YMCA has combined those two locations into one and has added some new services for the community. The building has also been refreshed with window replacements and fresh paint. Adult workout areas are now offered in the basement of the building as well. 

There is currently a membership drive at the YMCA with some discounts and special offers available. Membership is open to anyone within the county.

 

YMCA in Lincoln celebrates the repurposing of the Youth Activity Center with a ribbon cut and open house 

December 16

On Tuesday morning a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Sublime Skin in Lincoln. The new business owned by Jamie Harnacke is located above Guest House Pastries and Coffee on South Kickapoo Street. 

Joining Harnacke behind the ribbon are from left to right, Lisa Ramlow, Lincoln Daily News; Harnacke's parents Kevin and Reva McFadden; Harnacke’s husband Justin Harnacke, Logan County Treasurer Penny Thomas, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Logan County Clerk Theresa Moore, Open Arms Fellowship Church Pastor Larry Crawford, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy Bateman and Karen Hargis of Lincoln Daily News.

 

Sublime Skin celebrates opening with a ribbon cut

BUSINESS CHANGES AND GROWTH

March 24    

Illinois American Water Breaks Ground on New Water Treatment Plant, Elevated Water Tower and Water Main Replacements
Projects represent approximately $37 million in Lincoln water system upgrades

April 29

Earlier this week, crews from Rent One stores in the area came to town to assist the Lincoln store in moving from its location downtown to a new building on Woodlawn Road. 

Though it was a busy day, former store manager Roger Matson (right) and new store manager Chris Bruce took time to pose for a photo. Matson, who has led the downtown store through several owners, is ready to pass the torch.

Matson will remain at the store, serving as an assistant. He noted that he is more than ready to pass the responsibility of store management on to someone new and is excited to work with Bruce. 

While there is still work to be done outside, the new store located in the former Alexander Lumber building on Woodlawn is open for business.
 

Rent One moves to new store front on Woodlawn Road in Lincoln - Album

May 1
 
If you noticed the truck of Schneider Masonry at the Logan County Hardware store this week, you might have wondered, "What's up?" Well, the answer is a wall. A wall is being built inside the hardware store, making its footprint a bit smaller so as to expand the package liquor store next door. 

On Friday, Brad Schneider, owner of Schneider Masonry was busy at work laying the blocks that will create the permanent structure.

 June 28

Rent One celebrates the grand opening of its new location in Lincoln - Album

July 16

On Thursday, new signage was going up at the State Bank of Lincoln, Woodlawn Road branch in Lincoln. The signs on Woodlawn are just part of the project as similar changes have also been made at the Sangamon Street branch downtown. 

September 28

ALMH to change name October 1st
Hospital will drop the Abraham and become Lincoln Memorial Hospital

October 23

As many people know, inventory of new and used vehicles is lower now than it has been in many years past. Jim Xamis Ford Lincoln took this opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade and redesign the front parking lot. This week that long snakey-looking thing in the back of the photo was busy pumping out concrete onto a new lot while crews on the ground worked to smooth out the edges and clean up the seam areas of the pouring process. 

November 16

Illinois American Water Invests in Mapping Technology to Enhance Upcoming Customer Service in Mount Pulaski

December 23

On Monday morning, new Farm and Home Supply Manager Rick Wilson (left) and Assistant Manager Bob Rankin took time out from a busy morning to smile for the camera at the Lincoln store. 

Farm and Home is taking over the space of the former Big R on Lincoln’s west side Woodlawn Rd business district. For the next little while, the store will transition from the old layout to the new. 

Both men are excited about the transition and believe that shoppers will be as well.

BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS

October 29
Eaton listed as one of Newsweek's “Top 100 Most Loved Companies in America”

December 2

The Christian Village in Lincoln was recently honored through the Christian Horizons Operations Excellence Awards for outstanding leadership, service and infection control compliance. 

Julie King, residential services director at The Christian Village, was also awarded the Dr. Phillippe Award for outstanding leadership and service to others. 

The award was presented to King by Dr. Keith Ray of Christian Horizons.


The Christian Village Honored for Excellence
 

December 30

Memorial Health Receives National Award for Innovative Internal Communications during COVID-19 Pandemic

[Nila Smith]

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