1 • Wednesday, August 15, 2018 - Shopper’s Guide
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Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 80 • NO. 33
YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Village of Lena pursues greening as an alternative to blight EDITOR
Rather than deal with the stresses of urban blight resulting from empty lots and abandoned houses, the Village of Lena is undertaking a project designed to reduce tension through greening; a process that can be as simple as cleaning empty spaces, planting trees and shrubs and adding limestone signage. The first project is already underway and within months, Lena will open its newest comfort destination, Volunteer Park. “After that house got tore down near the little triangle at Schuyler and Logan I was talking to the mayor and he said they wanted to do something with the empty lot,” said Lena resident Ben Mayer. “At first we discussed putting a welcome sign with a panther on it at the edge of town like Pearl City has with their wolf sign, but after talking, some people thought we should do two on each end of town; one coming into town on the highway and one going out of town towards the ethanol plant.” As the talks continued, they decided that was too expensive. “So, we decided it would be better to do one sign on that empty lot where they just tore a house down,” said Mayer. “When you go into Freeport you see that sign that says, “Welcome to Freeport” and then they have the debate sign both on large limestone stones. We thought we would go along those lines and have one stone that said welcome to Lena and another that identifies the park as Volunteer Park.” He said the Village of Lena, the three banks in town, and The Lena Lions are funding the project at this
point and they are expecting to take delivery of the stones by the end of August, meaning it is time to gather the volunteers and get started digging a base and pouring the concrete footings that will support the limestone signs. “You’ve got to unload these stones one and a time and one weighs about three ton and the other weighs about four, so we won’t be doing that with a wheelbarrow,” Mayer said. “We have several volunteers lined up to help with the unloading and positioning of the stones and we should be ready when the stones arrive.” The lot is too small to locate a residence on it and attractive signs welcoming visitors to town should go a long ways toward cleaning up the intersection. “It’s a good thing for the village to expand its parks and recreation areas,” said Mayer. “The Lions bought land where the park is and I think that helps a lot. We have the swimming pool, the ballpark and now with this Volunteer Park, it all fits together.” He said there really is not a problem with abandoned houses in the village, but they want to stay out front of that possibility. “The village intends to continue applying for funding, so they can tear down some of these empty houses,” Mayer said.” A vacant lot is a contagious place. Signs of disorder including overgrown weeds and bare spaces have a way of spreading, but Lena’s Lions, its three banks, and the village are on the right path to beautification and that path can be even more contagious than blight.
PR SRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHINGLLC
By Tony Carton
Fall Festival RUN/WALK Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Lion’s Park
Check in at 7:30 a.m. (register at Pool Office) Race begins at 8:30 a.m. Early Registration on or before August 24th Cost - $20.00 (T-Shirt guaranteed) Registration after August 24th Cost - $25.00 (Will not receive T-Shirt) Register at Park Office 609 N. Schuyler, Lena, IL Call with questions 815-369-5351
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018
COURTESY PHOTO Shopper’s Guide
Pearl City Mason Lodge members Gilbert Hershey, John Kempel, Mike Smith, Donna Eisenbise, Lee Fry, Marsha Butson present a check to the Pearl City Education Foundation.
Pearl City Mason Lodge closes after 124 years By John Kempel LODGE SECRETARY
Being a member of the Pearl City Lodge, I was asked to write a few notes and my writing has gone with my years. Being the secretary for 50 years, I had to write many obituaries and all of them do not compare to this. Pearl City Lodge was born in 1893 and passed away in 2017 having a great number of years for many Masons. At one time we had about 140 members, mostly country members. But age, time, changes in lifestyle took its toll and we found numbers in members and the participation of existing members could no longer support the lodge in Pearl City. After
many meetings and lots of thought we found a home for our existing members in Evergreen Lodge #170 in Freeport, IL. I was a fortunate person to join the Mason at 21 years of age on Jan. 7, 1947, making me a 70 year member at this time. I had the opportunity of sitting in chairs and learning ritual. Being master a couple of times and raising your own brother was a real treat. When he was asked for something of a Metallic kind he said he was glad I was there because he was broken. In my life, I have belonged to many organizations. But only if they did not interfere with the Lodge meetings, making 25 in a row without missing one. We visited many
lodges helping them with degree work. One evening, we were having too much fun and he was jealous of all the members we had to put in the work. He spoiled his presence at our meetings and also others. I will always be a Mason and enjoy the work they do and the kind of people they are. Traveling is always fun when you are recognized as a Mason and know you are in good company. Losing our Lodge in Pearl City breaks my heart, but we are still Masons. And I hope we will support a Lodge where ever that may be. Years ago, the salary for secretary was $1.00 per meeting. I never took the pay for a meeting, being a Mason was enough.
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