Friends of Lincoln State Park

The Spencer County Community Band performs at the courthouse in Rockport at Christmas time.  

The Friends of Lincoln State Park will host a combined Community Band Concert at the Amphitheatre on Sunday, May 27th at 3:00 PM. Area bands participating are the Spencer County Community Band, The Old Dam Band from Newburgh, and the Owensboro Community Band.

The bands will perform patriotic, pop, jazz, and sacred selections including The Armed Forces Salute, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, The Imperial March, Count Basie Salute, Be Still My Soul, Stars and Stripes Forever, and an original composition by Jon Patton, director of the Spencer County Community Band.

The concert is free of charge and concessions will be available at the concession stand. The per vehicle park entrance fee of $5 will apply to the event.

This is the first time that the three area bands have played together. By joining together for this concert, they will create an ensemble of 75 to 90 participants from at least six counties in the tri-state area. Of course, there will be no rainout since the amphitheatre is fully covered. The idea of the joint concert arose from discussions between Jon Patton and Dan Schultz last year. Patton, who is not only the director of the Spencer County Community Band, but also founder of Newburgh's Old Dam Band, thought it would be a great opportunity for members of all three groups to get together and have fun playing music together. The Old Dam Band was formed at the old lock and dam building in Newburgh in 2000. It gives adults an opportunity to play and has evolved into one of the leading civic organizations in the tri-state.

Hugh Whittaker, a resident of Owensboro who plays with the Old Dam Band decided to form a band in Owensboro a couple of years later. Jon Patton, who had directed the Old Dam Band, moved to Rockport and, in 2005, with his wife Tina formed the Spencer County Community Band which has grown from just a handful of members to now over 20 performers.

The Blackburnian Warbler.  

By Wayne Rink
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is an 8-inch long bird. The male has a black head and back, a red triangle on its breast, and a white belly. In flight it shows white patches on its wings and a white rump. The female grosbeak has a large pale bill, white eyebrow, and streaking on a whitish breast. The female also has two white wing bars.

The grosbeak feeds on insects, seeds, tree buds, and some fruit. They will come to feeders for sunflower seeds. They live in deciduous woods, mixed shrubs, and trees.

These birds are summer inhabitants of this area. Come to your Lincoln State Park and Col. Jones Home and enjoy the beauty of the nature, birds, and wildlife that abounds here. So, get outside, go for a walk, and breathe deeply in this beautiful creation while you can.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, the official kick-off to the summer travel season. There will be lots of activities at the park this weekend. Whether you're camping or just stopping in for the day there will be lots to keep you occupied. In addition to the usual swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking, the naturalist will be presenting many activities and programs.

You can also view additional future events by clicking "Events" on the main menu on the left side of this page.

A photo of the Huffman Mill print.  

The Friends of Lincoln State Park are pleased to announce that we now have a number of prints for sale of a watercolor painting of the historic Huffman Mill bridge painted by Jerry Baum. The prints previously belonged to Cultural Arts of Spencer County, Inc. which is no longer active, but has transferred ownership of the prints to the Friends of Lincoln State Park.

Each print is numbered and measures approximately 15.5" x 27.5". The original painting was created in May 1999. They would make a unique gift and would look great framed and matted.

The prints are $35 each plus shipping charges. For more information or to purchase one of the prints, contact Dan Wilkinson at (812) 362-7954.

Response continues to be strong to our annual fundraising and membership drive for 2007. If you still haven't renewed your membership this year by sending in your dues, it's not too late. Don't be left behind, we need you!

We would like to welcome the following new members who have joined since last month's newsletter bring the total of nuber of new members in 2007 to 31:

Friends:   Gary & Cornelia Ahrens, Chester & Sherley Belcher, Alan & Elaine Daubenspeck, Carl & Sandy Forston, Sarah Gilley, Phillip Leibring, David & Velma Southwood, and Don & Katherine Spellmeyer

Supporters:   Betty Machin and George & Doris Meece

Patrons:   Chris Weber

It's hard to believe that it's already been almost two years since the final performance of "Young Abe Lincoln" at the Amphitheatre. Despite many uncertainties since then, local supporters have been working hard to bring the production back to life. Thanks to those supporters, local leaders, and local representatives in the General Assembly the budget passed this session did include funding for improvements to the amphitheatre, operating costs for the production of a Lincoln drama, and funding for Indiana's Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Funds for the amphitheatre were included in the Department of Natural Resources budget which will be responsible for determining what organization or entity will take charge of the production.

Local efforts have been focused on returning the show to production in 2009 to coincide with Lincoln Bicentennial celebrations across the nation.

Stay tuned.