| Guest speaker will be Jan Schumacher. 
			Greeters will be Jane Redding and 
			Marilyn Armbrust, with Mary Cooper and Sue Beaver as social 
			co-chairwomen. Janet Haning will be in charge of devotions. Those attending are asked to wear 
			red in observance of Heart Month. 
 
	
			
			 Community 
	Action board meeting notice 
	The next regularly scheduled corporate board 
	meeting of the Community Action Partnership is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 
	28, 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
 
 
	
			
			 Brenda 
	Westphal to retire from ALMH 
	Brenda Westphal, of Williamsville, will retire 
	from Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital this month after a long career in 
	nursing. Westphal has worked at ALMH for over 21 years as a charge nurse. 
			Brenda's husband, Erich, is a retired 
			state police officer, and they look forward to their retirement 
			years together. They enjoy traveling and watching movies. She also 
			looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren Adam, 4, and 
			Maddi, 8. She has already begun volunteering at the front desk at 
			ALMH and plans to continue giving time to the hospital. 
			Westphal earned her diploma in nursing 
			from Blessing Hospital in Quincy. She was attracted to the 
			profession because she wanted to help people. Looking back at her 43-year career 
			as a nurse, Westphal says that she always gravitated toward small 
			hospitals. She appreciates the atmosphere. She is very proud of the 
			hospital's new building and cherishes the time she had at ALMH.
			 Former and current employees along 
			with the public are invited to join Westphal as her contributions to 
			ALMH are celebrated with a cake and punch reception from 10 a.m. to 
			noon Monday in the Steinfort Rooms at ALMH, 200 Stahlhut Drive. 
 
	
			
			 Boyd 
	named ALMH February Employee of the Month 
	Cheryl Boyd of Lincoln has been named the 
	February Employee of the Month at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in 
	Lincoln. Boyd works as an environmental services lead technician in the ALMH 
	Environmental Services Department, where she is responsible for sanitizing 
	and maintaining patient rooms in the Special Procedures Area and Obstetrics 
	Department. Boyd was born and raised in Lincoln 
			and has been employed by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital for 16 
			years. 
			 "Cheryl is great asset to our SPA 
			department," wrote co-worker April Matherly, who nominated Boyd for 
			the honor. "She creates GREAT Patient Experiences every day. She 
			keeps our department spic and span and spoils our patients just as 
			much as we do. When we need a helping hand she is there without any 
			hesitation and with a smile on her face. There are days I honestly 
			don’t know what we would do without her."  "I enjoy working at ALMH because of 
			my co-workers and the patients," said Boyd. "My Environmental 
			Service and Special Procedure Area co-workers are like family to me. 
			The ALMH family has shown me several times that when times get hard, 
			everyone is there to help you get through. The love and support for 
			co-workers at ALMH is awesome. "I also enjoy the patients and 
			their families. I love to talk to them, help them and make them feel 
			welcome. In the Special Procedures Area many of our patients come 
			daily or weekly for years at a time so you grow to know them and 
			love them (and spoil them)!" Boyd also says she has learned a 
			lot during her time at ALMH.  "From watching the nurses and 
			doctors each day, I have learned a lot of medical information, and 
			working in Environmental Services has taught me so much about 
			hospital cleanliness and its importance. The patients have also 
			taught me about extreme compassion and how important it is to feel 
			safe and cared for when receiving medical help," said Boyd. ALMH, located at 200 Stahlhut Drive 
			in Lincoln, is a 25-bed critical-access hospital affiliated with 
			Memorial Health System. ALMH employs 315 in a variety of roles. For 
			more information about ALMH, visit 
			www.almh.org and "like" Memorial Health Systems on Facebook.
			 
 
	
			
			 LCGHS 
	to host special meeting Monday at Allen Chapel 
	The monthly program of the 
	Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society will be at a special time and 
	location on Monday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. Guests are asked to meet at Allen Chapel AME 
	Church, 910 Broadway in Lincoln. 
            The pastor will provide an update on 
			last year's renovation and on the history of the building. Bobbi 
			Reddix will present information on Lincoln and Logan County 
			residents of African heritage from the early 20th century. 
 
	
			
			 U 
	of I seminar in Lincoln next week on starting seeds 
	The Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit of University 
	of Illinois Extension will offer a "Seed Starting" seminar Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. 
	at the University of Illinois Extension Building, 980 N. Postville Drive in 
	Lincoln. The seminar is just in time 
			to get you thinking about starting bedding plants indoors for the 
			coming garden season. Jennifer Fishburn, horticulture 
			educator with U of I Extension, and U of I Extension Master 
			Gardeners Lisa Wrage and Mary Moore will provide information on what 
			you need to do to get started and how to keep your seedlings growing 
			up to planting time. Seed selection, timing, materials and equipment 
			will all be discussed. For more information, call 
			217-732-8289. 
 
			 Main 
	Street Lincoln lends support to Abraham Lincoln statue project 
	The Abraham Lincoln Statue Committee has 
	received some much-welcomed support for its project of placing a statue of 
	Abraham Lincoln on the Logan County courthouse lawn. The support comes in 
	the form of a donation from Main Street Lincoln. The Main Street 
	organization has agreed to donate prints of a painting of the event the 
	statue will commemorate. 
			 The event to be commemorated is a speech given by Abraham Lincoln on 
			the Logan County Courthouse lawn on Oct. 16, 1858, one day after the 
			last of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, at Alton, during the 
			senatorial campaign of 1858. Main Street Lincoln's interest in the 
			event is not new. In 2008, the 150th anniversary of the speech, Main 
			Street organized a successful and entertaining re-enactment. Also in 
			2008, the organization commissioned a painting of the 1858 speech. 
			The painting, which can be viewed at Lincoln College, depicts 
			Lincoln speaking to a crowd of 5,000 on the courthouse lawn. Main Street had a limited run of prints of the painting produced 
			when it was commissioned. The work was funded by a grant from the 
			Looking for Lincoln Bicentennial Committee. Main Street is making a 
			portion of those prints available to the Abraham Lincoln Statue 
			Committee for fundraising purposes. The statue committee will award copies of the prints to donors. 
			Individuals who donate $100 will receive a print, unframed. Those 
			donors are asked to pay for framing if desired. Groups, businesses and 
			corporations making a donation of $500 will receive a framed print. The statue committee has established a budget of approximately 
			$48,000 for the project. The bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln will 
			take $45,000 of the budget. A sign, similar to the one near the 
			Civil War monument, will tell the story of the speech and include an 
			image of the painting. The sign and the dedication ceremony are 
			expected to take up the remainder of the budget. 
	Donations are to be made to the Logan County Genealogical & 
			Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, thus making 
			donations to the project tax-deductible. Donations may be dropped 
			off at or mailed to LCGHS at 114 N. Chicago St., Lincoln, IL 62656. 
			The memo line on a check should note that the donation is for the A. 
			Lincoln statue. Donors should include contact information so 
			committee members can give them information about receiving the 
			print. 
 
	
			
			 Final 
	scrapbooking workshop at the Atlanta Public Library Feb. 23 
	ATLANTA -- Want to explore 
	creative ways to preserve your memories? The last of three scrapbooking 
	workshops at the Atlanta Public Library will be offered on Feb. 23. Novice 
	and experienced scrapbookers are invited to work with Cindy Schempp on 
	"Power Layout and Organization." The workshop will take place at the library 
	from 10 a.m. to noon. 
            The charge for the session is $5. 
			Participants may sign up by contacting the library at 217-648-2112. 
			All materials will be provided. 
 
	
			
			 Blood 
	drive at Lincoln College 
	To help ensure an adequate 
	blood supply for the region, Lincoln College is hosting a blood drive in the 
	student center, 900 N. Ottawa, on Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  
			 All donors who register to give blood 
			at this drive will receive a T-shirt, compliments of Central 
			Illinois Community Blood Center. 
			For your convenience in registering, 
			call Alexis to sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 5158, or 
			schedule online using sponsor code 60095 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 
			Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln 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. 
 
	
			
			 Join 
	the Atlanta Public Library's writing circle 
	ATLANTA -- There's still time to sign up for 
	the Atlanta Public Library's adult writing circle, "Yes, You Can Write!" The 
	workshops are designed for people who enjoy writing already, who have always 
	wanted to try their hand at it, or even think they can't write at all! Come 
	and be surprised by what you can do. Participants will explore a wide range 
	of writing techniques, share their stories with others, and enjoy the 
	support of their fellow writers. 
			 Whether you want to write fiction, 
			memoirs, nonfiction, poetry or anything else, this group is a 
			friendly, supportive circle of friends who enjoy sharing their ideas 
			and stories with others. Sessions are light-hearted, fun and 
			participatory. While people may come to as many sessions as they 
			like, the library recommends signing up for all five sessions in 
			order to help create a nurturing and safe environment in which 
			people feel free to experiment and share their work. 
			 Yes, You Can Write! is 
			recommended for people age 18 and older. Sessions are from 6:30 to 8 
			p.m. at the Atlanta Library. Topics in this series are "Finding Your 
			Inspiration," Feb. 21; "Setting the Landscape," March 21; "All About 
			Character," April 11; "The Tricks of Dialogue" April 25; and "The 
			Basics of Plot," May 9.  Registration fees are $5 for 
			individual workshops or $20 for the series of five. For more 
			information, contact the library at 217-648-2112 or visit
			http://www.apldinfo.org/. 
			Yes, You Can Write! is sponsored by Susan Hoblit.  
 
			 HSLC chili and soup luncheon 
			planned for Feb. 16 
	The Humane Society of Logan 
	County will host its annual chili and vegetable soup luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 16, 
	from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Friendship Manor, 925 Primm Road. Proceeds from the event benefit the organization's programs. 
			Tickets are $7 for chili or vegetable soup, homemade dessert, and 
			beverage. A hot dog meal will be available for $3. Carryouts will be 
			available. The public is invited to come and support the work of the 
			organization and learn about the exciting happenings at the shelter 
			that aids abused, neglected and abandoned animals of Logan County. 
 
			 Lincoln 
	College and Pekin High jazz groups to present joint concert Feb. 23 
	Feb. 23 will see the 
	inception of an idea Professor Scott Woger of Lincoln College has had for a 
	long time. 
			 Woger, director of jazz studies at 
			Lincoln College, has created a four-year bachelor's degree program 
			in jazz studies at the college. One of the initiatives of the 
			program is to partner the Lincoln College Jazz Ensemble with area 
			high school jazz bands. In the first concert of this series, the 
			college jazz ensemble will take the stage with the high school jazz 
			band from Pekin on Feb. 23 in the Meyer Theater in the Johnston 
			Center for Performing Arts on the LC campus. Pekin High School has 
			had a renowned jazz program for many years. Each jazz ensemble will 
			perform a set of four to five tunes. 
			 Woger wants this concert to lead to 
			more visits to the Lincoln College campus by central Illinois high 
			school jazz bands. Eventually, he hopes to have a jazz festival on 
			campus.  Woger is excited about the 
			prospects of the newly created bachelor's degree program, one of two 
			now offered by Lincoln College. In the past, when only a two-year 
			degree was possible, he lost his most promising musicians to schools 
			offering four-year jazz degree programs. Now, the students can 
			remain at Lincoln College for their entire bachelor's degree. And as 
			Woger pointed out, "a bachelor's degree is absolutely necessary to 
			find employment, and the demand for musicians is a growing field." 
			One exciting prospect of this program is some terrific jazz concerts 
			for the public.  
			The first concert begins at 7 p.m. on 
			Feb. 23 in the Johnston Center and is free and open to the public.
			 Woger may be reached on the Lincoln 
			College campus at 217-732-3155, ext. 281, or by email to
			swoger@lincolncollege.edu. 
 
			
			 Republican city primary notices Lincoln Daily News received 
	the following election notices from Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk: (Copy) 
			CONSOLIDATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY 
			GIVEN THAT ON FEBRUARY 26, 2013, IN THE CITY OF LINCOLN, STATE OF 
			ILLINOIS, A CONSOLIDATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION WILL BE HELD 
			FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES: MAYOR OF THE CITY 
			OF LINCOLN  THE COLOR OF 
			BALLOTS TO BE USED BY THE RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS AT THE GENERAL 
			PRIMARY ELECTION WILL BEWHITE
 THE POLLING PLACE 
			FOR SAID GENERAL ELECTION WILL BE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY FROM 6:00 A.M. 
			TO 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013. /s/ Sally J. 
			Litterly, Logan County Clerk 
			THE FOLLOWING IS THE CONSOLIDATED POLLING PLACE FOR ALL PRECINCTS IN 
			THE CITY OF LINCOLN, ILLINOIS: EAST LINCOLN 1, 2, 
			3, 4, 5, 6 AND WEST LINCOLN 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN 
			CHURCH YOUTH CENTER, DELAVAN & HAMILTON STREETS, LINCOLN, IL. All voters 
			registered in the City of Lincoln, Illinois will vote at one polling 
			place for this Consolidated Republican Primary Election only. 
			 ___   [to top of second 
			column] | 
 (Copy) 
			N O T I C E 
			VOTER REGISTRATION AND GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR REPUBLICAN CONSOLIDATED PRIMARY ELECTION
 FOR THE CITY OF LINCOLN
 ON FEBRUARY 26, 2013
 The last day to 
			register to vote or to update voter registration information prior 
			to the February 26, 2013 Republican Consolidated Primary Election 
			for the City of Lincoln is January 29, 2013. Voter registration is 
			being conducted at the Logan County Clerk’s Office at the Logan 
			County Courthouse, 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL Monday through 
			Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointed Logan County Deputy 
			Registrars may also register voters through that date. Beyond that 
			date, a voter must register and vote by Grace Period Registration in 
			the Office of the County Clerk. 
			Pursuant to Article 4 of the Illinois Election Code, Grace Period 
			Voter Registration will be offered from Wednesday, January 30, 2013 
			through Friday, February 22, 2013 in the Office of the County Clerk. 
			Grace Period Registration allows a resident to register to vote and 
			or change their name or address beyond the close of registration. 
			Individuals registered during grace period voting may only vote at 
			the time of their registration in the Office of the County Clerk and 
			are not eligible to cast a ballot at their polling place on Election 
			Day. The Office of the County Clerk is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
			p.m. Monday through Friday.  For more 
			information, please call our Elections Department at (217) 732-4148. /s/ Sally J. 
			LitterlyLogan County Clerk
 
 
			
			 Atlanta Public Library: Exciting times, growth in services 
			
            
            ATLANTA -- Cruising through 
	Atlanta, Ill., on Old Route 66, you will come to an unusual eight-sided 
	building at the corner of SW Arch (Route 66) and SE Race streets. This 
	architectural gem is the Atlanta Public Library, a historic building that 
	was constructed in 1908 and is now listed on the National Register of 
	Historic Places. Only one other example like this exists, the public library 
	in El Paso, Ill. Walk inside the building and you find 
			the usual shelves of books, magazines and newspapers common to 
			libraries. But dig a little deeper, and a person will find a growing 
			list of exciting programs that are available to the community -- 
			programs designed to encompass activities for preschoolers to senior 
			citizens. 
			 Cathy Maciariello was recently 
			appointed director of community programs for the library in Atlanta 
			and has been ramping up the program menu from a modest beginning in 
			2011 to a wide variety of offerings today, some of them unique to 
			the library district, such as the Behind the Scenes programs. One of the success stories is the 
			children's programming, which began with an outdoor summer reading 
			program on the library lawn. Other offerings during the year are a 
			homework and reading lab, kids' crafts, a summer creative writing 
			class, and preschool reading gatherings.  One measure of success is the 
			number of area children participating, from an initial 12-15 to a 
			count of almost 30 kids at a recent event. The dramatic increase in 
			participating children has created a happy problem for the library. 
			Currently, one section of the octagonal building is dedicated to 
			children's reading material and events. The small area is now at the 
			maximum capacity, and more space is rapidly becoming a necessity. Toward that end, plans are being 
			made to convert the basement of the library into a new area for 
			children's books and activities. The basement has at least double 
			the space of the current area. After the relocation of the 
			children's area to the basement, the upstairs space will be 
			converted into an adult fiction area and reading room.  Initial plans are being developed 
			to upgrade the infrastructure of the basement with a new ceiling, 
			lighting, heating and a dehumidifier before the children's books and 
			activities are relocated there. As with all remodeling, the new 
			children's area will require funding to proceed with these ambitious 
			plans. Toward that end, the Atlanta Library will have a fundraiser 
			on Saturday, Feb. 16, called "Bowling for Books." Bowling for Books will take place 
			at the Red Wing Bowl, just across the railroad tracks from the 
			library. Twenty-four teams of four bowlers each will compete for 
			prizes, with bowling times at 3:30, 6:30 and 9 p.m. In addition to 
			bowling, a Chinese auction will take place for items donated by area 
			businesses.  The prime sponsor for Bowling for 
			Books is Mattingly Automotive, with additional help from Kitty Cat 
			Crafts. So far, response has been very positive, with many teams 
			already signed up.  The library hopes to raise at least 
			$4,000 to begin the basement renovation process. "The momentum of community 
			involvement in the library is increasing," says Maciariello. "The 
			fundraiser is providing an exciting way for members of the Atlanta 
			community to participate in their library's improvement."
			 Sign-up forms for Bowling for Books 
			are available at the library and on the library website. 
			Maciariello sees the library as a 
			magnet for area residents to come together and participate in 
			fascinating events, as well as use the traditional library services.  In addition to the Feb. 16 
			fundraiser, another important date for the library is rapidly 
			approaching. Randy Brooks, president of the Atlanta Public Library 
			District, announced that a referendum will appear on the April 
			ballot, requesting an increase in the library district's assessment.
			 The assessment has not been changed 
			in decades. "We can't do 2013 work at the 
			library with 1950s money," said Brooks. He stressed that when the 
			assessment was last changed, all the library had to offer was books. 
			Now, in the digital age, libraries are called upon to offer many 
			more services. In addition to checking out physical books, library 
			patrons are requesting access to digital reading material that they 
			can download to their iPads, Kindles and Nooks.  Money from an increased assessment 
			will go directly into updating the services and programs the library 
			can offer its patrons, as well as maintaining and updating the 
			library's physical structure, a historic building that needs lots of 
			care.  Brooks said: "I can't stress enough 
			how important a modern library is to a thriving community like 
			Atlanta, especially with the increase in tourists coming to town for 
			the Route 66 experience. A modern library enriches the community."
			 Brooks and Maciariello are excited 
			about the future of their town and the Atlanta Public Library, and 
			their enthusiasm is shared by members of the Atlanta community.  For a complete list of the Atlanta 
			Public Library programs and special events such as Bowling for 
			Books, go to the library website or call the library. 
[By CURT FOX] 
Atlanta Public Library contact 
information 
 
			
			 Area 
	Red Cross seeking hero nominations for 8th annual Heroes Breakfast 
	SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Capital Area 
	Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking hero nominations from the 
	public for the eighth annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast fundraiser on April 
	19 at the Crowne Plaza. Presented by the Bank of Springfield, this inspiring 
	event honors a group of everyday local heroes for performing an 
	extraordinary act or giving a lifetime of service to the community. Proceeds benefit local disaster relief 
			by the Red Cross.
			 The Red Cross is seeking nominations for nine hero categories 
			that will be honored at this year's breakfast: , 
				sponsored by St. John's Children's Hospital: A person under 18 
				who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis or 
				committed themselves to better their community/the people in it. Education, 
				sponsored by Horace Mann: A K-12 or college teacher who has made 
				an extraordinary difference in the life of a child or group of 
				children. Military hero, 
				sponsored by Hanson Professional Services: A local member of the 
				U.S. armed forces who has shown dedication to serving our 
				country or made the ultimate sacrifice in defending it. Public safety hero, 
				sponsored by the American Red Cross: A person in an emergency 
				service field, such as police, fire department or EMT, who has 
				gone above and beyond the call of duty to save or protect 
				another. Senior hero, 
				sponsored by Concordia Village: A person over the age of 62 who 
				has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis or 
				committed themselves to better their community or the people in 
				it. Community hero, 
				sponsored by Greene Dodge: Someone who has shown heroism in some 
				unexpected or unusual way during a time of crisis in their 
				community or has shown sacrificial commitment to meeting the 
				needs and challenges of their community. Workplace hero, 
				sponsored by Express Employment Professionals: Someone who has 
				acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis in their 
				workplace or has shown strong commitment to helping others 
				within or through their place of work. Health care hero, 
				sponsored by Springfield Clinic: A member of the medical or 
				health care profession who has displayed extraordinary and 
				sacrificial commitment to saving or improving lives or treating 
				illnesses. Civic hero, sponsored by Bunn: A 
				person in a paid public service field, such as government, 
				nonprofit or social services, who has gone above and beyond to 
				help or protect someone or worked toward positively affecting 
				their community. Nominees must either live or work in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, 
			Menard, Macoupin, Montgomery, Sangamon or Shelby County. Local 
			heroic acts must have taken place within the last 18 months to be 
			eligible, unless the nomination is for a lifetime of service. An 
			individual or group of individuals may be nominated and can be 
			entered into multiple hero categories.  People in the community can fill out and submit the online hero
			
			nomination form by visiting
			www.il-redcross.org. 
			Nominations are due by Friday, Feb. 22.  
 
			
			 Absentee 
			and early voting for Lincoln Republican primary 
			
			Lincoln Daily News received the following notice from Sally J. 
			Litterly, Logan County clerk: (Copy) 
			PUBLIC NOTICE 
			ABSENTEE AND EARLY VOTING FOR THE LINCOLN CITY CONSOLIDATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION
 FEBRUARY 26, 2013
 Do you want to 
			avoid lines on Election Day? Registered voters who desire to cast a 
			ballot at the Office of the County Clerk rather than their polling 
			place, may now vote in person in the Office of the County Clerk. The 
			office is located on the 2nd floor of the Logan County 
			Courthouse, 601 Broadway St., Lincoln, Illinois. In person absentee 
			voting continues through February 25, 2013.  Registered voters 
			may also make application by mail to vote absentee. Students and out 
			of county workers can conveniently obtain an Application to Vote 
			Absentee by contacting the Office of the County Clerk, or access the 
			form on the Clerk's website at
			
			http://www.co.logan.il.us/county_clerk/. 
			Mail applications will be received by the County Clerk until 
			February 21, 2013. No ballots may be sent by mail after that date as 
			provided by law. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee by mail or 
			in person. Early Voting 
			(similar to Absentee) will also be conducted in the Office of the 
			County Clerk February 11 through February 23, 2013. Early voting 
			allows registered voters to cast their ballot prior to Election Day 
			by voting at the pre-designated site of the Office of the Logan 
			County Clerk. Early voters must be registered and present a valid 
			picture ID showing their current voter registration address. Office hours are 
			Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Any questions 
			concerning voting may be directed to the Office of the County Clerk 
			Elections Department at (217)732-4148. 
 
			
			 Polar 
	Plungers across Illinois will be freezin' for a reason Feb. 22-March 17 
	NORMAL -- It's not every day that people are 
	willing to "go jump in a lake" -- particularly in the winter -- let alone do 
	so with thousands of other people, including members of the law enforcement 
	community. But that's exactly what will happen on various weekends in 
	February and March as part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar 
	Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois presented by GEICO. Any adventurous soul is invited to 
			join law enforcement officers, as well as media and business and 
			civic leaders from their community, by donning bathing suits, 
			costumes or any clothing of choice (just no wetsuits!) to jump in a 
			lake. Each plunger must collect a minimum of $75 in donations that 
			will be used to support Special Olympics programs in Illinois.
			 The event has grown from one location in 1999 to 20 locations 
			across the state this year. The Polar Plunge series will kick off 
			with a Super Plunge -- where participants raise a minimum of $2,500 
			and plunge into Lake Michigan once every hour for 24 hours -- on 
			Feb. 22-23 at Northwestern University's North Beach in Evanston. The Logan County plunge will take place on Sunday, March 17, at 2 
			p.m. at Lincoln Lakes. Please note this is a change in both day of the 
			week and time. Anyone wishing to know more about the local plunge 
			can click on the "Polar 
			Plunge" button on the Top Stories page of LDN or contact Joanie 
			Keyes of Special Olympics Illinois at 217-428-9255. Individuals and teams can register for the plunge on the Special 
			Olympics Illinois website at
			
			http://www.plungeillinois.com/ or by contacting Keyes at the 
			number above. Plungers are encouraged to form teams to spread the fun. Each 
			team member must raise the minimum of $75 in donations, and all team 
			members' individual fundraising totals will be merged to form a 
			combined team total. Teams are placed into divisions based on size 
			and are awarded prizes for the most money raised. All plungers will receive gifts, compete for prizes, and enjoy 
			food and camaraderie with other chilly participants. The more money 
			a plunger raises, the more chances he or she will have to win a 
			four-night trip for two adults to Cancun, Mexico, with 
			accommodations at Riu Peninsula, courtesy of Apple Vacations. For 
			every $500 a plunger raises, he or she will get an entry into the 
			drawing for this grand prize.  The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest 
			year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. 
			The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects 
			have two goals: to raise money and increase public awareness for the 
			athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Each year, more than 3,000 
			officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the "Flame 
			of Hope" through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to 
			the State Summer Games in Normal in June. 
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