Friends of Lincoln State Park

Rated PG; 2003; 95 minutes

The Friends of Lincoln State Park will present the hit comedy "Elf" on Saturday, July 19th starting at dusk (around 8:15 PM CDT) at the Campground Cabin.

Comedy
Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen
Ed Asner, Bob Newhart, Daniel Tay
New Line Cinema;
Directed by Jon Favreaur
Rated PG; 95 minutes; 2003

This hilarious Christmas film tells the tale of a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts on Christmas Eve and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf. Years later Buddy learns he is not really an elf and goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity.

Concessions will be available starting at 7:30 PM from the Friends of Lincoln State Park for a reasonable charge...not movie theatre prices!

Be sure to bring a blanket or a lawn chair and come join us for Christmas in July. It may be hot outside, but we'll make you think cool with some frozen treats!

IALBC members, park officials, and the project sculptor and architect break ground at the July 1st ceremony.

The Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission hosted a groundbreaking for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza at Lincoln State Park in Spencer County on July 1st.

Following an introduction by Master of Ceremonies Dan Bortner, Director of State Parks and Recreation, those on hand heard remarks from Connie Nass, Chair of the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee and Karen Ellerbrook, Commissioner of the Indiana Arts Commission.

The ceremony celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday with the first step toward completion of an art project that was awarded to Will Clark, a sculptor from Fort Wayne, and George Morrison of the Fort Wayne architectural firm of Morrison Kattman Menze. Both attended the groundbreaking and offered brief remarks during the ceremony.

The Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission chose Clark and Morrison from among artists across the state who submitted proposals to create a piece of public art to reflect the years Lincoln lived in Indiana from 1816 to 1830. The art project is a result of a cooperative effort between the DNR, the Indiana Arts Commission, the Indiana Historical Bureau, and the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. The Indiana Arts Commission will be responsible for managing the project administration and fiscal resources.

Known as the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza, the project consists of a large, bisected circular plaza. Visitors will first enter an area punctuated with limestone pedestals and interpretive signs signifying key milestones in Lincoln’s formative Indiana years between ages 7 and 21.

A central half-circle will remind visitors of young Abraham’s growth from a boy to a man. Visitors will be able to move freely between the pedestals at any pace. The second semicircle will provide a more intimate space for reflecting upon the man who led the nation through one of its darkest hours. It will contain a twice-life-size bronze bust of Lincoln, accompanied by quotes from his speeches and writings.

The site of the plaza is located on a knoll in the Oak Grove area of the park. The project is scheduled for completion in 2009.

“This work of art is truly unique for Indiana, taking the visitor on a journey of Lincoln's life from his birth, to the 14 years living in Indiana, to his last day as president,” said Connie Nass, IALBC chairwoman. “Located in a beautiful setting, it will be a popular destination for school groups as well as visitors from everywhere who want to learn more about this great man.”

Following the remarks, special guests, members of the IALBC, and other dignitaries joined together with shovels in hand to officially break ground and begin the construction process. The Friends of Lincoln State Park provided light refreshments following the ceremony.

The six-month, nationwide search for Lincoln Amphitheatre’s executive producer has ended. Scores of qualified candidates from all over the country were considered, says Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association’s president, Will Koch. “Steve Wright from Seattle, Washington, impressed us from the start,” says Koch. “He specializes in taking theatres to the next level. With our new Lincoln play opening next June, we needed a topnotch professional and we found one.”

Originally from Texas, Wright has a resume rich with accomplishments in managing theatres. His background includes acting and directing as well as producing. Most recently, he served as Managing Director/Producer of Seattle Public Theater, where he produced the world premiere of the stage play “(Just Like) Starting Over,” about the last day of John Lennon’s life.

“I don’t know that parallels are often drawn between Lincoln and Lennon,” says Koch. “But there’s something to be said for producing a play that satisfied Yoko Ono. We’re impressed with Steve’s personality, his experience, and his drive.”

In preparation for the world’s celebration of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 2009, the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association (LBDA) last year launched an effort to create a new dramatic presentation for the 1,500-seat Lincoln Amphitheatre, located in Lincoln State Park.

“Lincoln’s character was forged right here in southern Indiana,” says Koch. “We want the new play to leave the audience with the understanding that the boy who lived here from ages seven to 21 became such a remarkable president in large part due to what he experienced and learned here.”

The Drama Association recently received final approval of its contract with Indiana DNR to produce the play and some upgrades to the amphitheatre facilities have already begun.

Naturalist activities continue at Lincoln State Park throughout the month of July. Various guided hikes are offered throughout the month giving visitors an opportunity to explore the park trails while learning a little something extra from your interpretive naturalist guide. The Weber Lake hike is offered on July 5, 13, and 24 at 8 AM. You can take the Neighborhood Walk on July 13, 19, and 24. The hike to Sarah Lincoln's Woods and Nature Preserve is offered on July 17 and 26. The Night Hike will depart on July 18 and 26 starting at 8 PM.

There are many, many activities and projects offered daily at the nature center Thursday through Monday each week...too numerous to mention here. Nature center hours are from 10 AM to 2 PM.

The Col. William Jones Home is open from 8-10 AM on Fridays and 11 AM - 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays for self-guided tours. Guided tours are offered at 2 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Walk Indiana State Parks Volksmarch Series 2008 will come to Lincoln State Park on August 2. The obvious question you have is probably "What is a Volksmarch?" Volksmarch literally means a "folk's walk" or a walk for the people. Volksmarches are a form of exercise that allows anyone of any age to participate at their own pace with family and friends over a marked course of usually 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) or more.

The Series is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association to meet international standards of the International Volkssport Veraband (IVV). The events are non-competitive and open to the public. Those participating may earn consisting of a special 2 1/4-inch die cast medal with a DNR property bar attached to which additional property bars can be attached to form a chain. Completion of the trail and payment of a registration fee is required to receive the award.

The IVV also issues special awards for participants who complete certain specified milestones in volkssporting. Persons can enroll by purchasing a $5.00 Event/Distance Book. Purchase of the book entitles the owner to a certificate, hat pin, and patch when milestones are completed. Awards are earned for completing 10, 30, 50, and then every 25 IVV sanctioned events. Distance awards can also be earned after every 500 kilometers or 310 miles. There are no time limits for completing the books which can be used at sanctioned IVV events worldwide.

The Volksmarch at Lincoln will start at the Lake Side Shelter which is located near the beach house and camp store. Start time is from 7 AM to 12 PM CDT and finish time is 3 PM CDT or before. The distance is 10 km and 5 km or approximately 6 miles and 3 miles.

All participating are being encouraged to pre-register at least 10 days prior to the event. The pre-registration fee to receive both the medal and IVV credit is $11.00 or $13.00 the day of the event. To receive only the property bar and IVV credit, the pre-registration fee is $6.00 or $8.00 on the day of the event. There is a fee of $3.00 for those who only want the IVV credit. If you don't want an award or credit, you can still participate and walk for free. The per vehicle park entrance fee will apply.

Other events in the series include Charlestown State Park on September 13 and Shades State Park on October 25. An earlier event took place at Quabache State Park on March 29.

The Volksmarch Series is sponsored by the State of Indiana, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks, and the Indiana Volkssport Association.

The Friends of Lincoln State Park extend our congratulations to Michael Sipes of Grandview. Michael's name was drawn on July 1st from all entries received making him the winner of two one-day tickets to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari! Even though you didn't win, don't give up! We still have many prizes to give away later this fall. You can still enter to win at the nature center and the park office.

Items offered for sale by the Friends of Lincoln State Park can now be purchased in the park in the camp store located at the beach and at Buffalo Run. Lincoln State Park hat pins, hiking medallions, and magnets can be purchased at Buffalo Run. Those items as well as postcard can be bought at the camp store.

All items, including the Huffman Mill prints can always be purchased through our online gift shop.