DECEMBER 2008

Display and Judging (in schools, libraries, banks, and other public places) of Reading, Writing, and Art entries.

School winners in three categories, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, are selected by classroom; then by school; and then entered in the City-wide Competitions.
 
College/Adult entries will also be displayed at similar sites including the three College Art Galleries and Down-Town Galleries for Art and the College and City Libraries for Reading and Writing.

December 13: Debut of newly published Autobiography of General Benjamin H. Grierson: book signing by editors, reception, and dinner at Hamilton’s sponsored by the Morgan County Historical Society and the Grierson Society: 5-6:30 p.m.

JANUARY 2009

January 10-31: Strawn Art Gallery Lincoln Exhibition: museum quality pieces of Lincoln Art and Photography from the local collections of Jacksonville institutions and individuals.

January 10: Strawn Art Gallery: Lincoln Exhibit Opening Reception: 5:30 p.m. Gallery Talk: by John Power at 6:30 p.m. Open to the Public.

January 15: Strawn Art Gallery Lecture: “Images of Stephen Douglas” by John Hoffman.
7:00 p.m.

January 26: As part of the Gallery Exhibit and the Illinois/MacMurray Lincoln Speaker Series. Mark Pohlad presents two illustrated lectures:
• “Camera and Abraham Lincoln”: at Illinois College: 10 a.m.
• “Abraham Lincoln in American Art” at the Strawn Art Gallery: 7 p.m.

FEBRUARY 2009

February 11: Reenactment of Lincoln’s speech “Discoveries and Inventions,” given in 1859 for the Illinois College Phi Alpha Literary Society, 150 years ago. Beecher Hall (IC) Time: (TBA)

February 12: Grand Celebrations of Lincoln's 200th Birthday 2 p.m. All elementary and secondary schools have Lincoln 200th Birthday Parties with School Prize Winners Announced.
• 4 p.m. Heritage Lincoln Sculpture by Bruce McCoy and Story Plaques Dedication: College Walkway at Illinois College; 200th Birthday Celebration follows at Walkway’s Heritage Circle. Public invited.
• 5:30 p.m. Concert featuring Jacksonville High School and Illinois College musical ensembles and City-Wide School Awards Presentation at Rammelkamp Chapel. Open to the Public.
• 6:30 p.m. Dinner for School Award Winners in Cummings Dining Hall (IC)
• 6 p.m. Jacksonville’s Gala 200th Lincoln Birthday Dinner and Ball with special music by the Illinois College Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble, featuring soloists Addie Gramelspacher and MacMurray College student Joel Tinsley. Additional works will be presented by IC's Renaissance Singers and a newly-formed men's ensemble, The Naturally Sharp Singers. Guests will also be treated to a series of dances performed by members of the Jacksonville Pilot Club and Illinois College's literary societies. Cummings Hall (IC) Ticket price: $40.

February 20-21-22: Theater Guild World Premier: Ken Bradbury and Roger Wainwright in collaboration on a commissioned musical centering on Abraham Lincoln and some Jacksonville friends who together made a difference At the Sophie Leschin Theater in Community Park: Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices: (TBA).

February 21: Illinois College's Rammelkamp Chapel will provide the setting for a world premiere of a musical score that combines the poetry of Walt Whitman with the words of Abraham Lincoln. Composer William Himes, conductor of the Salvation Army Staff Band of Chicago, will direct the ensemble in a performance of “A Lincoln Reflection.” Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are priced at $15 and will be sold at the door. The event is part of the 2008-2009 concert season presented by the College's fine arts series. Admission is free to all students, regardless of where they attend class.