Celebrate "Love and Lincoln" Feb. 14
In celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday and Valentine's Day, the Village of East Dundee is putting the recent snowfall to good use as it prepares for a new "Love and Lincoln" event on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Professional snow sculptors will begin work on a 10-foot bust of Abraham Lincoln beginning Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The culmination of their efforts will be officially completed and dedicated by a Lincoln impersonator on Saturday, Feb. 14, at The Depot, 319 N. River St. in East Dundee, at approximately 11:30 a.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, visitors will be greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln at the Depot beginning at 11 a.m.
Shortly thereafter, they will officially unveil the snow sculpture and be available for pictures. Afterwards, the Lincolns will be discussing their lives and will be available for questions at the village hall annex adjacent from the Depot.
"We're thrilled that the downtown East Dundee business district will be hosting these artists in the spirit of Lincoln. Who else has a replica of Lincoln's family home in their downtown? It's a great way to introduce folks to the area," quips village president Lael Miller.
As part of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assignation, the Dundee Township Historical Society will introduce the speaker from the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train.
The funeral car, when completed, will be joined together with an already existing period locomotive, The Leviathan, and travel along the route taken by Lincoln's funeral train. Starting in Washington D.C. on April 21 and ending in Springfield on May 3, 2015, the Lincoln Funeral Train will make its way through the cities of the original train route.
In addition, area school children have been asked to participate in a writing project in which they write a letter to President Lincoln regarding his quote, "I do not like that man. I must get to know him better."
Visitors can view their efforts throughout the week at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee.
Throughout the year, visitors can view and take pictures in front of a replica of the Lincoln family home in Springfield located in downtown East Dundee. Used as professional offices, it was built in 1993 by a Lincoln enthusiast and businessman, Gerald Heinz, and is located at 206 N. River St., East Dundee.
The evening portion of the day will focus on Valentine's Day and include a play better-suited for mature audiences titled, "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney, at 8 p.m.
It will be performed by the Good Company Theatre Ensemble, which has a very strong following due to the professional level of experience they offer. Tickets are available for $10 per adult, however if you show proof of purchase at a local retail or restaurant from that day, tickets will be $5 each. Reservations recommended. Limited seating at the Dundee Township Park District Rakow Recreation Facility, Activity Center, 665 Barrington Ave. Use east side entrance. For more information, call The Depot at (847) 426-2255.
About the sculptors - Fran Volz, founder of the International Snow Sculpting Competitions has participated in numerous snow sculpting competitions and events throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Besides the use of snow, Volz's creative talents can be seen throughout the Chicago area suburbs using various materials including bronze, clay, fiberglass and dense carving foam. More information about his work can be viewed at www.franvolzstudios.com. Mayzik, a Wisconsin native, has competed with Team USA in numerous competitions throughout the years. He has worked with Volz on several snow creations for other events as well.
About the impersonators - Lincoln Productions, featuring Michael Krebs and Debra Ann Miller, have been producing educational programs to hundreds of schools, museums and libraries throughout the United States since 1994. Krebs and Miller have been designated official Lincoln presenters for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Group of DC, and National Archives sesquicentennial events. Krebs will present the reenactment of Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural address, accompanied by Miller at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. March 7, 2015 live on C-SPAN American History TV. Twenty years ago, Krebs started with Lincoln Productions after appearing as Lincoln on C-SPAN in a live reenactment of the Lincoln-Douglas debate in Galesburg, Illinois. He also appears as Lincoln in the 2014 film, "Field of Lost Shoes." Complete information can be found on their website, abrahamlincolnperformance.com.
About the Lincoln Funeral Train - Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's assassination and funeral with an historic recreation of his final trip from Washington, D.C. to Springfield. To learn more, please see their website at www.The2015LincolnFuneralTrain.com.
About Good Company - Members of Good Company Theatre Ensemble which formed about five years ago. The ensemble originally met at Willow Creek Community Church serving on the main stage drama team. Over the last few years we have performed in numerous locations around the North and Northwest Suburbs. More information can be found on their Facebook page, Good Company Theatre Ensemble.
About the Village of East Dundee
The Village of East Dundee is home to 2,882 residents. Its downtown plan is to create a "culinary" district consisting of the right mix of restaurants, retail, residential along with community events to serve as a destination attraction for both residents and regional visitors. For information regarding information on all area events, please go to the community calendar section on the village website at www.eastdundee.net.