1 Front Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 146 No. 42
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Lincoln returns to Hennepin ... almost Trial re-enactment part of July 4 celebration By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — This year’s Hennepin Fourth of July Celebration will coincide with the Putnam County Courthouse’s 175th birthday, and events around the courthouse will be featured in this year’s festivities. The courthouse is currently the oldest continuously operating courthouse in the state.
A re-enactment of a trial in which young lawyer Abraham Lincoln defended a Woodford woman accused of murdering her husband will be presented at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the courtroom. In addition, some rooms of the courthouse will be open for public tours. The trial enactment is sponsored by the Hennepin Fourth of July Committee and the Putnam County Historical Society. A 5K run/walk will start the day at 8 a.m. with a pancake and sau-
sage breakfast. In addition, kids’ inflatables and food vendors will be open all afternoon. A bags tournament and children’s water fights will be held in the early afternoon. The beer garden opens at noon, as does the annual cruise-in at Ernest Bassi Park. A 50/50 raffle is being held with the winner announced in the evening. Tickets are available now at the Hennepin Village Hall or from any Fourth of July Committee member. The evening also features the presentation of the village’s Citizen of the Year and a presentation to the Putnam Coun-
ty Education Foundation, followed by a performance by the Putnam County Panteras and Little Panteras. The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will play at 6 p.m. in Walter Durley Boyle Park. Local band The Craigs will play both before and after the fireworks starting at 8 p.m. and ending at midnight. As always, the evening peaks at dusk with one of the largest fireworks shows in the area. “Because of the long-standing relationship we have with the fireworks company, we have one of the best shows,” said Committee-
man Quentin Buffington. “The bowl that Hennepin sits in makes it better. It makes it louder; it makes you feel it more. The fact there’s 100 feet in elevation difference, so when they’re fired off they’re at eye level for the crowd on Front Street, you feel it differently. “People should remember there’s really only one way out of town — Route 26,” Buffington said. “Instead of sitting in long lines of traffic, why not stick around for some music. More than likely, you’ll get home at the same time and not spend half of it sitting in your car.”
Flushing problems in McNabb By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
MCNABB — McNabb will be purchasing a new flushing hydrant for the northeast corner of town. Public Works supervisor Mark Ahlers told the board at its June 11 meeting the hydrant next to the old veteran’s hall would not open. He said the valve for the hydrant is deep within the mechanism, and he did not want to force it and possibly break the pipe. The hydrant will be ordered and kept on hand when Ahlers will attempt to open the hydrant again. If the attempt is successful, the hydrant will be kept as a spare in case another one breaks. Ahlers also informed the board another mop head has been found in the pump at the northwest pump station. This is the second time one has been found there. Ahlers said the sewer system near the pump station may have to be pumped out again to clear any other debris that may be there. He added the first time a mop head was removed, the company workers told him the head could have been flushed through a household toilet. “It’s getting pretty expensive. I hope we don’t have to do another one,” board President Mike Vaskie said. “If it continues, we’re going to have to raise the sewer rates.” In other action, the board: • Received a check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $9,600 from the flooding during April 2013. Vaskie estimated FEMA funds at about $12,000 to date. • Passed a resolution against smoking in village parks in response to a request from
McNabb Page 3
PCR photo/Ken Schroeder
Jim Wall of Hennepin stands behind one of his many wood carvings while others can be seen on his piano in the background. The art of woodcarving will be discussed at the Putnam County Historical Society’s summer program June 22.
Finding the art in the wood Showcasing Aubrie and Jim Wall and their wood carving By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — The art of woodcarving will be the subject of the Putnam County Historical Society summer program which will be held at 1:30 p.m. June 22 at the Agricultural Museum, 501 Old Highway 26, Hennepin. Aubrie and Jim Wall of Granville have been making works of art through wood carving for quite some time; Jim began carving in 1990 and Aubrie in 2003 when she was in high school. Both are members of Valley Carvers. Both have won awards for their carvings in competitions.
“There was a group of carvers that started mainly in Ottawa, and they started showing at Starved Rock about 26 years ago,” Jim said. “A gentleman by the name of Charles Bray took us under his wing and got us going and carving. Aubrie was only 2, but my older kids got involved in it, doing projects for 4-H and such; but she and I took it to the next step, to art.” Jim and Aubrie have taken several carvings to art shows, including an annual contest in Maquoketa, Iowa, where they have won international awards for their works. Both Walls do primarily expressionist work, which has a smooth, flowing look to it, although Aubrie breaks from that method on occasion, such as a Denver Broncos logo she recently finished.
Wood carving Page 2
PCR photo/Ken Schroeder
Aubrie Wall holds one of her carvings.
Card by mail with purchase 350 MasterCardofPrepaid a select Maytag Laundry PAIR
Vol. 146 No. 42
Receive up to a $
One Section - 16 Pages
®
June 1 - August 19, 2014 • See Store for details.
© The Putnam County Record
AMERICA’S PREFERRED LAUNDRY BRAND
PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.
815-882-2111 815-875-2540
404 W. Main, McNabb, IL • www.grassersplumbingheating.com