| Forty-five alumni were selected for 
			recognition by a committee consisting of members of the board of 
			education, teachers and members of the community. Individuals honored are graduates of 
			Lincoln Elementary School District 27, or its predecessor schools, 
			who have made notable contributions in one of the following areas: 
				
				Business, industry 
				or as an entrepreneur
				Entertainment, arts 
				or sports
				Service professions 
				(education, religion, politics, law, medicine, research, 
				military, etc.)
				Community service Three graduates were selected to 
			receive special recognition as "Distinguished Alumni" because of 
			their outstanding contributions to the arts, for academic excellence 
			and for leadership in business and the community: Honored Alumni for 2013 are: 
				
				Kristina Allen
				Dr. Susan Anderson
				Rev. Gene Appel 
				Roger Baldwin
				William C. Bates Jr.
				Carla Henderson 
				Bender
				Claudia Beth Bismark
				Dr. Kent Budd
				Jody Carroll
				Tracy Allen Curry
				Larry Decker
				Laine Dreusicke
				Linda Franz
				Dr. Kevin Funk
				Gerry Brannan Gaedtka
				Paul E. Gleason
				Mary Peters Harmsen
				Cindy Johnson
				William E. Johnson
				Larry Lessen
				Natalie Workman 
				Loeffler
				Maureen Harrison 
				Looney
				Kevin Lynn
				Eric Martin
				Case McGee
				Thomas W. Montgomery
				Dr. Pamela Moriearty
				Dr. Samuel Pooley
				Gail Petro
				Dr. Keith Ray
				Ronald L. Robbins
				Thomas Rowland
				Trudy Leonard Sampson
				Michell Verban Simons
				Don W. Smith
				Brian Stoltzenburg
				Kent W. Sunderland
				Scott Taft
				Noel Thompson
				Bonnie J. Welch
				Kaye Wessbecher
				Cari Keysear Wilmert
				Tina Henderson Workman Information and pictures about Honored and Distinguished Alumni 
			are incorporated into a media presentation that is part of the LJHS 
			Wall of Honored Alumni. The wall, located in the LJHS commons, 
			recognizes notable District 27 graduates. The media presentation is 
			projected on a large video screen installed in the commons and was 
			created for two purposes. The first purpose is to honor the many and 
			varied accomplishments of alumni. The second is to provide positive 
			role models for current and future students. The Distinguished 
			Alumni are additionally recognized by placing a wall plaque that 
			includes their picture.  Lincoln Elementary School District 27 welcomes and encourages 
			nominations from the public of alumni to honor in future 
			celebrations.
			Nominations 
			can be made online from the district website,
			Lincoln27.com. Nomination 
			forms are also available at the district administration building, 
			304 Eighth St. in Lincoln. 
 
			
			 Bill Bates named to District 27 'Distinguished Alumni' Attorney William B. Bates, better known as Bill, was born, raised 
			and still lives in Lincoln. After graduating from Lincoln Junior High School in 1968 and from 
			Lincoln Community High School in 1972, he entered Westminster 
			College in Fulton, Mo. He was a member of the Delta Tau Chapter of 
			Sigma Chi fraternity and received a bachelor's degree in May 1976 
			with a double major, in economics and in business administration and 
			accounting. Wanting to pursue a career as a lawyer led him to the Drake 
			University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. His internship position 
			during his final year of law school was serving as the law clerk for 
			the late Judge John T. McCullough of the 4th District Appellate 
			Court. Bates received his Juris Doctor and graduated with honors in 
			December of 1978. He returned to Lincoln as an associate in his father's law 
			practice, later becoming a partner, managing partner and then the 
			owner of Woods and Bates, Attorneys at Law. Throughout his law career, he has presented many public seminars 
			in the local area on various legal issues -- wills, estate planning 
			and powers of attorney. He continues to be a member of the American 
			Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association and Logan County Bar 
			Association. Since returning to Lincoln in 1978, Bates has been actively 
			involved in the community. His time and dedication have made, and 
			continue to make, positive contributions to Lincoln and Logan 
			County. The Bates family has a long association with District 27. Bill's 
			father, William C. Bates Jr., served on the board of education in 
			the 1960s. Bill was a board member for 16 years (1985-2001) and 
			served as board president from 1993 to 2001. His son, Blinn Bates, 
			was recently re-elected to his second term on the board and 
			currently serves as vice president. Since 1998, Bill has been the president and director of The Woods 
			Foundation. The foundation was established by his former law 
			partner, Robert Woods, and Woods' wife, Joan, and generously 
			supports education and other services in Lincoln and Logan County.
			 Bates also serves as a member of the board of directors of 
			Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. He has served on various hospital 
			committees and was recently co-chair of the capital campaign 
			committee that raised approximately $4.2 million for the new 
			hospital building. Bates has also served as a member of the Lincoln College board of 
			trustees and the boards of the Lincoln YMCA, Lincoln Elks Crippled 
			Children's Trust, Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce, Logan County 
			Chapter of American Cancer Society, and the Logan County Park and 
			Trails Foundation. He has served as president of the St. Clara's 
			Manor board of directors and as president and founding director of 
			the Logan County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. 
 
			
			 Roland Ginzel named to District 27 'Distinguished Alumni' Roland Ginzel is widely recognized as a pioneer abstract artist. 
			Throughout his career, he established himself as an important 
			artist, teacher and organizer of art exhibitions and organizations 
			in Chicago. After graduating from eighth grade at Central School in 1935, and 
			then from Lincoln High School and Lincoln College, Ginzel received a 
			bachelor's degree in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute 
			in Chicago. He later earned a master's degree in fine arts from the 
			University of Iowa. He received a Fulbright Award and spent a year 
			in Rome doing postgraduate work. Ginzel has taught at the University of Chicago, Rockford College, 
			the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Wisconsin at 
			Madison, Colorado College, in New York at the Parsons School of 
			Design and at Columbia University. He has been honored as Professor 
			Emeritus by the University of Illinois Chicago and was awarded an 
			honorary doctorate at Lincoln College. A lifetime professional artist, Ginzel has exhibited his work 
			throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. He is known for his 
			unique brand of abstract painting using colors, lines and patterns 
			of shapes dispersed about the picture plane. His long-term 
			dedication to abstraction makes him one of the most singular and 
			individualistic figures in the spectrum of postwar Chicago art. 
 
			
			 D. 
			Leigh Henson named to District 27 'Distinguished Alumni' D. 
			Leigh Henson's name is well-known around Lincoln. He is the 
			developer of the award-winning website
			
			findinglincolnillinois.com. The website is a community history 
			of the first Lincoln namesake town and is titled Mr. Lincoln, Route 
			66, and Other Highlights of Lincoln, Illinois. Dr. Henson began this 
			website in 2003 and was awarded the "Best Web Site of the Year" by 
			the Illinois State Historical Society in 2004. Henson was born in Lincoln in 1942. He attended kindergarten at 
			Central School, grades one through six at Jefferson School, and 
			grades seven and eight at Central School, from which he graduated in 
			1956. After graduating from Lincoln Community High School, he 
			attended Lincoln College for his freshman year. He graduated from 
			Illinois State University, majoring in English with a minor in 
			history. He earned his master's degree in American literature and a 
			Ph.D. in English studies from Illinois State University. Before his retirement, Dr. Henson was professor of English at 
			Missouri State University and now serves as Professor Emeritus of 
			English. He has published many articles. In 2012 he was given the Award of 
			Superior Achievement by the Illinois State Historical Society for 
			his book, "The Town Lincoln Warned: The Living Namesake Heritage of 
			Lincoln, Illinois." Besides writing extensively about Abraham 
			Lincoln and Lincoln, Ill., Henson has written several articles about 
			another well-known Lincoln native, author William Maxwell. Henson is currently working on a long-range plan to promote 
			Lincoln, Ill., as a Lincoln-heritage community by increasing civic 
			pride and adding tourist appeal to the city. His proposal is to 
			erect four new Lincoln statues here, which would give the city a 
			total of 11, second in number only to Springfield, Ill. 
 
			
			 New Holland Cruise-In schedule announced NEW HOLLAND -- For its ninth year, the New Holland Cruise-In will 
			again be sponsored by the New Holland Firemen. Antiques, classics, 
			hot rods, street rods, rat rods, race cars, trucks and motorcycles 
			are welcome.The free event will be in downtown New Holland from 5 to 8 p.m. on 
			the second Saturday of each month from May to October. The evening 
			dates are May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. The New 
			Holland Firemen's Toys for Tots Cruise-In will be on Oct. 12 from 1 
			to 4 p.m. Besides the vehicles on display, there will be music, 
			50-50 drawings, door prizes, food by the New Holland Fire 
			Department, fun and friends. For information about cancellations due to weather, check 
			Facebook at New Holland Fire Department. 
 
			
			 Park 
			district to offer square dance lessons in May Lincoln Park District will provide a unique opportunity to learn 
			to square dance this spring. Classes will be on Tuesday evenings, 
			6:30-8:30, for four weeks, beginning May 7. This activity is for all 
			ages, teenagers through senior citizens.Instructors will be Ron and Jan Betzelberger of Lincoln. They have 
			been square dancing since 1976. Ron started calling and teaching in 
			1980. When not teaching in Lincoln, they share their talents with 
			the residents of Rio Grande Valley, where they winter. If you 
			enjoy meeting new people, moving to good music and having fun, 
			you're invited to come and give this a try. The class cost is $30 per couple in district. Square dancing is generally offered on the first and third 
			Saturday evenings in the ballroom at the park district. 
 
			
			 Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In May 11 
	ATLANTA -- Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the Atlanta Rt. 66 
	Cruise-In on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy classic cars, 
	vintage music, great food, a 50-50 drawing, hourly drawings and more -- all 
	along an original alignment of the Mother Road itself in downtown Atlanta. 
			 All area car club members and anyone with a great old car they want 
			to display are invited to attend. Stop by the registration table to 
			be included in the hourly drawings. The first 50 registrants will 
			receive a free Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In dash plaque. While in 
			town, visitors can step into the Palms Grill Café for a piece of 
			blue-ribbon homemade pie, tour the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum, 
			get their pictures taken with the Bunyon Giant, pick up souvenirs at 
			the Gunnar Mast Trading Post or handcrafted items at the Arch Street 
			Artisans shop, have a cheeseburger at Chubby's, visit the Atlanta 
			Museum, enjoy a cold one at Phanny's or the Korner, then stroll 
			around and enjoy the assembled cruise-in cars. The Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In is sponsored by the Atlanta 
			Betterment Fund. For more information, phone 217-648-5077 or email
			wthomas@teleologic.net. 
	The next cruise-in will take place on Saturday, June 8, and will be 
	Illinois' first Electric Vehicle Cruise-In. Visitors will definitely want to 
	come to downtown Atlanta that day to see the variety of electric and 
	electric hybrid cars that will be on hand. 
 
			
			 Land 
	of Lincoln Honor Flight 'welcome home' party Tuesday 
	SPRINGFIELD -- Donations and efforts of many 
	individuals, organizations and businesses have allowed Land of Lincoln Honor 
	Flight to honor 24 more World War II veterans and 66 more Korean veterans 
	with a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to see the World War II 
	Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, National 
	Air and Space Museum, and other memorials. Seventy guardians who are 
	responsible for the veterans' comfort and safety will accompany them on this 
	20th Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. It is the second flight this year. The public is invited to a "welcome 
			home" ceremony for these WWII and Korean-era veterans when the plane 
			arrives back at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield 
			at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Wear red, white and blue to show your 
			appreciation.
			 Veterans on this flight come from the Illinois towns of Athens, 
			Atlanta, Benson, Brighton, Canton, Carlinville, Carrollton, 
			Chesterfield, Chestnut, Cottage Hills, Decatur, Delavan, East 
			Peoria, Edwardsville, Fillmore, Girard, Godfrey, Hardin, Hartford, 
			Hillsboro, Illiopolis, Jerseyville, LeRoy, Lexington, Lincoln, 
			Litchfield, Loami, Mason City, Metamora, Morton, Mount Pulaski, 
			Mount Sterling, Pekin, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Petersburg, Roanoke, 
			Springfield, Stonington, Taylorville, Tremont, West Peoria and Dyer, 
			Ind.  Applications for future flights are 
			still being accepted from the following, but WWII veterans will be 
			served first:  
				
				Veterans who 
				enlisted by Dec. 31, 1946 (WWII -- 92 currently on the list)
				
				Veterans who 
				served Jan. 1, 1947, through Dec. 31, 1957 (Korean era -- 340 
				currently on the list)
				Veterans who served Jan. 1, 1958, 
				through May 7, 1975 (148 currently on the list) Flights are already full for May 21 and June 18. If funds are 
			available, there will be additional flights in September and 
			October. The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight board welcomes the chance to 
			speak to organizations, businesses, churches, conventions or others 
			groups about the Honor Flight mission, future flights, guardian 
			duties, fundraising and donations. To learn more about Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, how individuals 
			and groups can help the mission, how to become a member, and how to 
			obtain
			
			applications, visit
			
			www.landoflincolnhonorflight.org or contact Ray Wiedle: home, 
			314-427-2317; cell, 217-622-1473; or
			arwiedle@sbcglobal.net.
			 
 
			
			 Hernandez 
	named April Employee of the Month at ALMH 
	Moses Hernandez of Lincoln has been named the 
	April Employee of the Month at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. 
	Hernandez works as an environmental services technician at the hospital. Hernandez earned an associate degree 
			from Lincoln College and has worked as a librarian and in 
			housekeeping. For the past five years, he has been employed at ALMH 
			in his current position. He enjoys his work and attributes that to 
			the people he works with.  "It makes the day go faster when you like your co-workers. 
			Getting along with a lot of people just makes it nice to work here," 
			Hernandez said. "Moses is willing to do anything that needs to be done when it 
			needs to be done! Moses always goes above and beyond the call of 
			duty helping others; whether it is co-workers, patients, volunteers 
			or visitors. He has a kind, gentle, giving heart and does whatever 
			has to be done to make ALMH the best and cleanest hospital," said 
			his nominator. Hernandez enjoys reading, painting, drawing and taking care of 
			his pets. He is one of 10 children, with five older sisters, two 
			older brothers and two younger brothers.  ALMH, 200 Stahlhut Drive in Lincoln, is a 25-bed critical-access 
			hospital affiliated with Memorial Health System. ALMH employs more 
			than 315 in a variety of roles. For more information, visit
			www.almh.org. 
 
			 Birding 
			walks in Elkhart April 27 ELKHART -- The Elkhart Historical Society will host Bird Watcher Walks 
			on Saturday, April 27, as 
	part of Elkhart's "Celebrate Spring!" weekend events. The walks on Elkhart Hill will be 
			offered at 6 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., leaving from 
			Birdsong Books & Vintage Shoppe, 111 Gov. Oglesby St. in the 
			historic downtown. Walkers will look for the migratory birds that pass through Elkhart 
			every spring. The Bird Watcher Walks are a perfect opportunity for a 
			spring family event. The outing will be on foot, so walkers should 
			dress for the weather (rain or shine), wear good walking shoes and 
			bring insect repellent. And don't forget the binoculars. The walks 
			last approximately 90 minutes. The cost is $10 for adults and $7.50 for children 12 and younger. 
			Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is limited to 
			15 people per walk. To register, mail the online, printable form 
			available at www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org. To complement the walks, the Elkhart Historical Society is 
			offering a special "Walk with Lunch and Lecture." The cost for the 
			walk, lunch and lecture is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 
			and younger. Lunch includes soup and half-sandwich or quiche, along 
			with dessert and beverage, at Wild Hare Café, 102 Gov. Oglesby St. 
			in downtown Elkhart. For information and the online, printable 
			reservation form, see 
			www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org.  For information on all the activities and events during Elkhart's 
			"Celebrate Spring!" weekends in April, visit
			www.explorelogancounty.com/ElkhartIL  
 
			
			 Meeting 
			postponed 
			Pleasant 
			Valley Cemetery Association annual meeting MIDDLETOWN -- The annual 
	meeting of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association will be on Monday, May 
	6, at 7 p.m. at the Knapp-Chesnut-Becker Library in Middletown. All lot 
	owners are welcome to attend. 
            April 23 special note: This meeting has been postponed to a later date. A new notice 
			of date and time will be posted when it is announced by the cemetery 
			association board. 
 
			
			 Hartsburg-Emden 
	FFA food drive 
	HARTSBURG -- The Hartsburg-Emden FFA 
	nonperishable food drive has been rescheduled for April 24. Bags will be 
	delivered to homes on April 23 and pickup will begin at 6 p.m. on April 24. 
	All items will be delivered to the Logan County Food Pantry. 
 
			
			 United 
	Methodist Women host annual May breakfast 
	SAN JOSE -- The United 
	Methodist Women of the San Jose Methodist Church, 600 S. First St., are 
	having their annual May breakfast on Wednesday, May 1. A breakfast of french 
	toast, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea will be served in the Fellowship Hall 
	of the church at 9 a.m. An offering will be taken for the Cunningham Children's Home, a 
			ministry supported by United Methodist Women.
			 A musical program will be presented by Laurel Jean. Blind since 
			birth, this Christian recording artist, pianist, vocalist and 
			inspirational speaker travels extensively delivering a message 
			through her music for God's children of all ages. She began her career in music and ministry at the age of 14, 
			producing her first album while still a teenager. Her music takes on 
			several different styles, such as gospel, comedy, blues, jazz and 
			country, and includes many of her own original compositions. She has 
			12 CDs to her credit and has been featured internationally on the 
			Total Christian Television Network. To learn more about Laurel Jean, 
			her music and ministry, visit www.laureljean.com. 
			To help in planning, make reservations by April 27 with the 
			church office, 309-247-3232, or Lucy Albers, 309-247-3450. San Jose is located on U.S. 136, two miles east of Route 29 and 
			about eight miles west of Interstate 155.  
 
			 LCU 
	Women's Conference welcomes Nicole Johnson 
	Lincoln Christian 
	University's annual Christian Women's Conference will be on April 24 in the 
	Earl Hargrove Chapel Auditorium on campus. Featured guest Nicole Johnson 
	will be joined by Lincoln Christian Seminary Dean Dinelle Frankland in the 
	daylong event. Women from across central Illinois will be blessed by the 
	messages of these two women of the faith.
			 Nicole Johnson is one of the most 
			sought-after creative communicators in America today. Her ability to 
			blend humor with compassion enables her to capture the innermost 
			feelings of women facing life's daily struggles. She has addressed 
			more than 3 million women and toured with Women of Faith for 11 
			years, which included her "Fresh Brewed Life" message that gives 
			"hope for the daily grind" to women dealing with issues from 
			motherhood, to the tragedy of cancer, to being a woman in today's 
			society who seeks to be a valued daughter of the living God. Johnson 
			has 20 years of experience as an actress, television host and 
			producer, and has published seven books. 
			Dr. Dinelle Frankland is a popular 
			speaker and musician and serves as professor of worship and academic 
			dean at Lincoln Christian Seminary. She is a native of Albion and 
			holds a bachelor's degree in sacred music, a master's in music and a 
			doctorate in worship studies. She has served Lincoln Christian 
			University since 2003 and developed a graduate degree program in 
			worship studies that provides worship leadership for churches today. 
			She also teaches regularly at TCM International, a graduate seminary 
			near Vienna, Austria. She is the author of "His Story, Our Response: 
			What the Bible Says About Worship." Over the years, this annual 
			conference has earned an excellent reputation as an opportunity for 
			Christian women in central Illinois to be blessed and refreshed. There is still time to register for 
			the event at a cost of $40 per person, which includes lunch. To 
			register online, visit
			
			www.lincolnchristian.edu/cwc. You may also register the day of 
			the event, beginning at 8 a.m. in Earl C Hargrove Chapel. The first 
			session will begin at 9 a.m. 
			The conference will provide a special 
			opportunity for offering gifts to help fund renovations in the men's 
			residence hall in order to make it handicapped-accessible in a 
			number of areas. The renovations are slated for summer and will 
			include entrances, doorways, stairways and bathrooms.  ___ Lincoln Christian 
			University serves the church as part of its mission to equip 
			Christians to serve and lead in the church, the workplace and the 
			world. Established in Lincoln in 1944, LCU now offers a variety of 
			degree programs for undergraduates, graduates and seminary students. 
			Classes are offered in Lincoln, Peoria and Normal, and in Las Vegas, 
			Nev., as well as online. For more information, visit
			www.lincolnchristian.edu 
			or call 217-732-3168. 
 [to top of second 
			column] | 
 
 
			
			 Elkhart's 
			Artisan Craft Fair features gourd artist 
	ELKHART -- The Elkhart Artisan Craft Fair will 
	be open in historic downtown Elkhart from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 
	Sunday, April 20 and 21, and again April 27 and 28. The fair is part of 
	Elkhart's "Celebrate Spring!" weekends this April and will feature Liz 
	Drake, gourd artist from Springfield.
			 Drake has won blue ribbons for her 
			gourd art at the Illinois State Fair in 2008-2012, including the 
			"Best in Hobbies" award in 2011 and 2012 and "Best in Show Floral" 
			in 2010. She has exhibited and won blue ribbons at the Illinois 
			Gourd Society Annual Show in 2008-2011 and the Kentucky Gourd 
			Society Annual Show in 2009-2011. She published and illustrated the 
			book "Bedtime Stories for our Gourdchildren," which includes folk 
			tales featuring gourds. She is founder of the Lost Gourd 
			Society, active in the Illinois Gourd Society, and a member and 
			District Illinois co-director of the American Gourd Society. In explaining her art, Drake says: 
			"When I work with gourds, the world fades away and leaves me totally 
			free to hear the whispers, the stories, the songs and the delights 
			as well as the tears and struggles of growth that comes with the 
			maturity of the fruit. There is a depth of layers to explore and 
			enjoy. When I release the voice of the gourd, even the casual viewer 
			experiences the beauty." Sharing her talents, Drake has 
			taught classes in gourd art at Morton Arboretum, Springfield 
			Ceramics and Crafts Club, Lincoln Memorial Gardens Indian Summer 
			Festival, the Lost Gourd Society, and Cross Evangelical Lutheran 
			School in Yorkville. She has shared her experiences as a gourd 
			artist with the Springfield Civic Garden Club, POE groups, the 
			Master Gardeners and Chautauqua group. Drake tells others: "Each gourd 
			leads me to find the colors and embellishments that will allow it to 
			sing." With over 20 booths, local crafters 
			at Elkhart's Artisan Craft Fair will showcase a variety of handmade 
			items to purchase, including children's items, jewelry, wood crafts, 
			bags and totes, walking sticks and canes, hand-sewn items, purses, 
			wine glasses, and tarts and warmers for shoppers. Vendors invited 
			this year are Scentsy, Avon, Grace Adele, Longaberger and 
			Tupperware. Jimmy B's Salsa of Springfield will be available on 
			April 27 and 28.  For a complete listing of Elkhart's 
			"Celebrate Spring" events, including dates, times and reservation 
			information, see
			
			www.explorelogancounty.com/ElkhartIL, or visit the Welcome 
			Center in the Village Hall, open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 
			a.m. to 4 p.m. on Gov. Oglesby Street in the historic downtown. 
 
			
			 Blood 
	drive at ALMH 
	To help ensure an adequate 
	blood supply for the region, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, 200 Stahlhut 
	Drive in Lincoln, is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, April 25, from 11 
	a.m. to 4 p.m. For your convenience, call Alexis to 
			sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD, ext. 5158, or schedule an 
			appointment online using sponsor code 60177 at
			
			www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly 
			appreciated. 
			 Central Illinois Community Blood 
			Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of lifesaving 
			blood for 14 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including ALMH 
			and Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield. 
			CICBC is a division of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, 
			which collects over 180,000 units of blood annually and serves 87 
			hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. 
 
			
			 Lincoln 
	residents among those to be honored at Lincoln College's Alumni Reunion 
	weekend 
	Lincoln College has announced the schedule of 
	events for its annual Alumni Reunion weekend. This year's reunion will take 
	place Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. All Lincoln College alumni and 
	friends are encouraged to return for the reunion. 
			One of the highlights of the weekend is the Reunion Dinner and 
			Awards Program on Saturday, April 27. The evening's activities begin 
			with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. The awards 
			program will follow, concluding around 9 p.m. Alumni will be 
			recognized by class decades, with special recognition for the 
			Classes of 1988, 1963, 1943 and 1938, which are celebrating their 
			25th, 50th, 70th and 75th anniversaries. Five alumni awards will be presented. Alumni Achievement Awards 
			will be presented to William "Bill" Gossett, Class of 1943, for his 
			lifelong achievements in business and community service; to David 
			Fischer, Class of 1963, for his achievements in higher education 
			leadership; and to John "Jack" Sparacio, Class of 1963, for his 
			achievements in business. The Young Alumni Achievement Award will be 
			presented to Adrienne "Adie" Harmon, Class of 2001, for her 
			achievements in the field of dentistry and her humanitarian work in 
			Haiti. The LaVeta Zurkammer Alumni Award will be presented to LC 
			Professor Emeritus Paul Beaver, Class of 1956, for his lifelong 
			dedication, passion and involvement with Lincoln College. All alumni and friends of award recipients are welcome to attend 
			the dinner and awards program. Tickets for the dinner and program 
			are $30. Registration for the event is due by Friday, April 19. There will be a special recognition ceremony for former baseball 
			coach and athletic director Chuck Lindstrom on Saturday afternoon, 
			April 27. Lindstrom's former baseball players have contributed to 
			name the baseball coach's office in the Lincoln Center in his honor. 
			Lindstrom and his baseball players will also be acknowledged during 
			the awards program. Coach Lindstrom was made an Honorary Alumnus of 
			Lincoln College in 2009. Other scheduled activities include: 
				
				Wine and cheese reception featuring Kickapoo Creek Winery of 
			Edwards on Friday, April 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Center. 
			This event is open to alumni and friends of the college. Tickets are 
			$10 and include cheese and hors d'oeuvres buffet and three 
			complimentary wine tastings.
				Coffee and juice with Lincoln College President John Blackburn at 
			the president's residence on Saturday, April 27, from 9 to 10 a.m. 
			This event is open to alumni.
				"How We View Our History: The Changing Image of the 16th 
			President," a multimedia program by Ron Keller examining how Abraham 
			Lincoln's image has been used and changed over the past two 
			centuries, will be presented on Saturday, April 27, from 2 to 3 p.m. 
			in the Lincoln Center, Classroom 128A. Keller is assistant professor 
			of history and political science at the college and director of the 
			Lincoln Heritage Museum. This event is open to the public. For
			
			registration information and a complete
			
			schedule of events, visit 
			http://www.lincolncollege.edu/alumni/events/alumni-reunion-2013/.
 For more details, contact the alumni relations office at 
			217-732-3155, ext. 217, or email 
			mjwerth@lincolncollege.edu. 
 
			
			 Bill 
	Higdon Memorial Country Music Show at Lincoln College on April 28 
	The Bill Higdon Memorial Country Music Show, a 
	new event, is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at Lincoln College. 
	The show will be at the Johnston Center for Performing Arts, 300 Keokuk St. 
			The Last Band Standing, formerly the New Salem Country Opry band 
			from Petersburg, will present the music for the day. Members of the 
			band are Ken Decker, stage manager and steel guitar; Pete Dalton, 
			lead guitar and vocals; Roger Frantz, fiddle and vocals; Larry 
			Reavis, drums, sound and vocals; Bob Weaver, bass and vocals; Bob 
			Watkins, keyboard and vocals; Paul Lewis, lead male vocals; and Les 
			Wood, drums. Tickets are now on sale and may be reserved by 
			contacting Doris Higdon at 309-244-8894 or
			dorisah@mtco.com. 
 
			
			 Community 
	Action board meeting notice 
	The next regularly scheduled corporate board 
	meeting of Community Action Partnership is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 
	at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at Community Action's corporate offices, 1800 
	Fifth St. in Lincoln. 
			For transportation to the meeting, 
			contact the resource specialist at your county office: 
				
				
				DeWitt County:Anita Russell, 217-935-2455
				
				Logan County:Cyndi Campbell, 217-732-2159
				
				Mason/Fulton 
				County:Anna Richardson, 309-543-6988
				Piatt County:Wendy Dotson, 217-762-2421
 
 
			
			 Walk 
	MS event at Kickapoo Creek Park on May 5 
	Plans are nearing completion for the 14th 
	annual Walk MS event at Kickapoo Creek Park in Lincoln on Sunday, May 5. 
	According to Nancy Ireland, coordinator for the event, "all we need now is a 
	beautiful day and lots of walkers." 
			Check-in begins at noon, team pictures 
			will be taken at 1 p.m., and the walk starts at 1:30. The walk route 
			is 100 percent accessible, and participants have the option of 
			walking 1.5 or three miles. There will be assistance for anyone who 
			is unable to complete the route. 
			All activities begin at the north 
			shelter in the park. The day's events include music provided by Greg 
			& Joe Hackett Music 4U DJ Service, as well as face painting and a 
			silent auction.  A "bags" tournament will take place 
			at 11:30 a.m. Team check-in is at 11. Cost is $10 per team, and 
			there's prize money for the top two teams. Bring boards and bags. 
			Participants must register by May 1 by calling 732-2339.  It's not easy to pinpoint the cause 
			of multiple sclerosis, and so far, the cure rests on continuing 
			research. Every hour, another person is diagnosed with MS. For 
			20,000 people in Illinois and some 400,000 nationwide, that hour has 
			already arrived. Money raised by Walk MS helps to support research 
			along with much-needed programs and services that enhance the 
			quality of life for people living with multiple sclerosis. 
	People may register for the walk by calling 
	732-2339 or 
	online at www.lincolnms.com. 
	Donations may be sent to Lincoln MS Walk, 23 Tulip Drive, Lincoln, IL 62656. 
 
			
			 Spring 
	is in the air -- and so is art 
	ELKHART -- Dragonfly Art Studio & Gallery is 
	planning special events during Elkhart's "Celebrate Spring!" weekends. The 
	art studio is on the upper floor of the refurbished 1889 building at 102 
	Gov. Oglesby St. in downtown Elkhart. 
			The studio is having an art exhibition and open house every Saturday 
			in April from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artist and owner Renee Sisk's 
			beautiful original paintings, and those of her students, adorn the 
			walls of the studio. The second-story windows provide a great view 
			of Elkhart's historic downtown.
			 There is no charge for viewing the exhibition. Sisk is also offering classes with a flower theme at the studio 
			every weekend in April to complement Elkhart's spring events. This 
			Saturday, April 13, "Painting the Jack-in-the-Pulpit" with acrylic on canvas 
			is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. "Painting the Purple Coneflower" 
			watercolor class will be offered Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., and 
			"Painting the Blue Flag Iris" on glass for a stained-glass look will 
			be on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to noon. Sisk will lead your family, 
			group or weekend guests in an inspired and enjoyable experience 
			creating paintings that you didn't think you'd ever be able to draw.
			 
	For class information and registration, contact 217-737-7933 or
			dragonfly.art@live.com. 
			For information on all activities and events during Elkhart's 
			"Celebrate Spring!" weekends, visit
			
			www.explorelogancounty.com/ElkhartIL. 
 
			
			 Benefit for 'Punk' O'Donoghue April 27 
	Family and friends are sponsoring a benefit 
	later this month for Phillip "Punk" O'Donoghue of Burton View. Punk worked 
	at Eaton Corp. for 35 years and at O'Donoghue Radiator Shop in Lincoln. He 
	has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and Stage 2 lung cancer. In 
	March he underwent surgery at Mayo Clinic to remove a tumor from his lung, 
	and chemo will begin soon. Future trips to Mayo are necessary. 
			Punk and his wife, Lynn, have three 
			children and six grandchildren. This family genuinely needs your 
			support.  The benefit will be at the American 
			Legion in Lincoln on Saturday, April 27, beginning at 1 p.m. 
			Highlights of the event will include a pulled pork meal, silent 
			auction from 1 to 5 p.m., 50-50 raffle, live auction beginning at 6 
			p.m. and live entertainment throughout the event. If Punk were to be described in one 
			word, it would be fun. The public is encouraged to take this 
			day to celebrate all the fun and laughter he has brought us over the 
			years. Monetary donations will be 
			gratefully accepted at the door, and an account has been established 
			at CEFCU, where donations may be made payable to the "Phillip 
			O'Donoghue Benefit." 
	Material donations for the auction -- such as 
	baskets, crafts, services and big-ticket items -- are welcome and needed. If 
	you are interested in donating an item or volunteering in any way, please 
	contact Tricia Benninger, 217-871-8274; Corinne O'Donoghue, 217-871-7053; or 
	Mary O'Donoghue, 217-732-7150. 
 
			
			 Guest speakers for Elkhart's 'Celebrate Spring!' weekends 
	Elkhart is sponsoring speakers every Sunday 
	afternoon during the April "Celebrate Spring!" weekends. On April 14 and 28 
	from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., author Holly Labisky, of Champaign, will speak in 
	the St. John the Baptist Chapel in Elkhart Cemetery. Bob McCue, of Mount 
	Pulaski, will entertain at Elkhart Cemetery on April 21 from 1:30 to 2:30 
	p.m. Ms. Labisky visited over 520 cemeteries in 38 counties in Illinois 
			to gather material for her book, "Cemeterying With Hope." Labisky 
			will speak on a variety of topics regarding cemeteries and will 
			share stories of her adventures in Elkhart and Logan County. She 
			will read excerpts from her book and will be available for book 
			signing, questions and conversation following the presentation. She 
			also will provide the opportunity for activities and challenges for 
			those who are interested in an interactive experience. "Cemeterying 
			With Hope" will be available for purchase at the Birdsong Books & 
			Vintage Shop in historic downtown Elkhart and is available on eBay 
			by the title.  Bob McCue, dressed in period costume, will entertain on the topic 
			of "The Life of Captain A.H. Bogardus." Bogardus (1834-1913) was a 
			sharpshooter champion, inventor of the Bogardus trap and patented 
			one of the most successful of the glass ball targets. He toured with 
			Buffalo Bill Cody's "Wild West" show, with Annie Oakley in 1911 and 
			had his own "Captain A.H. Bogardus' Wild West and Frontier 
			Exhibition." Bogardus was a resident of Elkhart at the time he was 
			crowned American Wing Shot Champion and when he won the world 
			championship medal in London in 1875. McCue, a direct descendant of 
			Bogardus, will speak near the gravesite of Bogardus in Elkhart 
			Cemetery.y. 
	The one-hour talks are free of charge, but space is limited. For 
			information on all activities and events during Elkhart's "Celebrate 
			Spring!" weekends, visit
	www.explorelogancounty.com/ElkhartIL. 
 
			
			 Elkhart's 
	'Celebrate Spring!' weekends -- special events scheduled for April 
	ELKHART -- Every weekend in April will be busy 
	in Elkhart as the village celebrates spring weather and the beauty of 
	Elkhart Hill. For a complete listing of events, including dates, times and 
			reservation information, see
			
			www.explorelogancounty.com/ElkhartIL, or visit the Welcome 
			Center in the Village Hall on Gov. Oglesby Street in historic 
			downtown Elkhart for information on events. The center is open each 
			weekend in April from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following is a list of 
			some of the activities on Saturdays and Sundays in Elkhart during 
			April: 
				
				
				Wildflower Nature 
				Walks and lectures 
				
				Elkhart Vintage 
				Market
				
				Artisan Craft Fair
				
				Book signing and 
				lecture: "Cemeterying with Hope," with Holly Labisky
				
				Dragonfly Art 
				Studio open house and art classes
				
				Self-guided tours 
				at St. John the Baptist Chapel
				
				Capt. Bogardus 
				lectures, with Bob McCue
				
				Bird Watcher Walks 
				and lectures
				
				Book displays and 
				book sales at the Elkhart Public Library
				
				Geocaching 
				
				Coffee, homemade 
				rolls and baked goods sale at the Elkhart Welcome Center
				
				Dining specials at 
				local restaurants
				Violin recitals by the students of 
				Birdsong  The quaint village of Elkhart offers unique businesses and 
			quality services in restored structures in the historic downtown. 
			Elkhart is less than one mile from Interstate 55 and right off Old 
			Route 66, providing convenient access. Rich in history and natural 
			beauty, Elkhart is famous for its unusual landscape -- a 
			tree-covered hill that rises 777 feet above sea level, surrounded by 
			a horizon of flat Illinois prairie land. The site was settled in 
			1855, and the picturesque early 1900s-style downtown makes Elkhart 
			one-of-a-kind.  
			If you plan to enjoy all the activities over the weekend, 
			overnight accommodations are available at the Best Western Plus in 
			Lincoln, just minutes north of Elkhart on Old Route 66. Call 
			217-732-9641 and ask for the Elkhart discount, or visit the
			
			website. The Best Western Lincoln Inn is home to the 
			Railsplitter Covered Wagon, the largest covered wagon in the world:http://www.abe66.com/coveredwagon/
 Or stay at the Hampton Inn, where the special Elkhart "Celebrate 
			Spring!" weekend rate is $74 plus tax per night. Call 217-732-6729 
			or visit the
			
			website. 
 
			
			 Elkhart's 
			'Celebrate Spring!' weekends include unique shopping opportunities ELKHART -- The Elkhart Artisan Craft Fair returns to celebrate 
			the beginning of the new season during Elkhart's "Celebrate Spring!" 
			weekends in April.  The Artisan Craft Fair will run 
			from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 20-21 and April 27-28 in historic 
			downtown Elkhart. With over 20 booths, local crafters will provide 
			shoppers with all types of handmade items to purchase, including 
			children's items, jewelry, wood and gourd crafts, bags and totes, 
			walking sticks and canes, hand-sewn items, purses, wine glasses, and 
			tarts and warmers.  
For a complete listing of events, including dates, 
times and reservation information, see
			
			www.explorelogancounty.com/ElkhartIL, or visit the Elkhart 
Welcome Center for information. The Welcome Center is open every Saturday and 
Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Village Hall on Gov. Oglesby Street in 
historic downtown Elkhart.  
 
			
			 New 
	springtime hours at Lincoln city landfill 
	Now through May 5 the city 
	landscape waste facility in Lincoln will be open every day except Monday 
	from 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Beginning May 8 the facility will go 
			back to normal hours of operation, which are Wednesday and Saturday 
			only from 8 a.m. to 3.50 p.m. 
						The public is reminded that the city 
			landfill accepts only landscape waste. 
 
			
			 HSLC 
			now seeking donations for 2nd annual garage sale The Humane Society of Logan County is seeking donations of goods 
			for the second annual "Big Spring Garage Sale." Clean, gently used 
			items for donation can be dropped off every Wednesday and Saturday, 
			beginning April 3, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Logan County 
			Fairgrounds. Use the south entrance. For more information or to arrange pickup, call 732-1979 or 
			732-7853. Electronics cannot be accepted.  This year's sale will be May 10 and 11, a Friday and Saturday, at 
			the Logan County Fairgrounds. Items for sale will include home decor, toys, sporting goods, 
			furniture, clothes, shoes, accessories, holiday items, outdoor 
			goods, books, CDs, DVDs and much more. There will also be food, 
			music and fun stuff just for kids. With the support of the community, the HSLC was able to open a 
			shelter in 2011. Since then, they have placed more than 200 cats and 
			dogs in forever homes, and facilitated in more than 400 low-cost 
			spay and neuters per year.  
 |