ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVINGS		June 2001 Volume 59 Number 2

Published by Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives www.aiec.org John Lowrey Editor Jack D. Halstead Senior Editor Nancy R. Nixon Catrina McCulley Young Michelle Reed Associate Editors Sandy Wolske Avertising Editor Erin Weller, Kara Henning, Kathy Feraris Graphic Designer Derek Squires Graphic Technician/Designer Angie Bingenheimer Circulation Coordinator Illinois Country Living is a monthly publication serving the communications needs of 21 locally owned, not-for-protit Illinois electric cooperatives. More than 160,000 families receive the magazine as part of their electric cooperative membership. Monthly columns and stories provide information about topics and issues that affect the quality of their lives. Illinois Country Living (ISSN number 1086-8062) is published monthly and is the official publicarion of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, 6460 South Sixth Frontage Road, Springfield, IL62707. The cost is $2.40 plus postage per year for members of subscribing cooperatives and $5 per year for all others. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER; Send address changes to: Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, Illinois 62708. COOP MEMBERS: When requesting an address change, please include the name of your cooperative. Telephone: (21 7) 529-5561 Advertising and editorial inquiries should be directed to Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, Illinois 62708. National advertising representative: The Weiss Group, 14826 North 54th Place, Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (602) 482-8844. Acceptance of advertising by ICL does not imply endorsement by the publisher or the electric cooperatives of Illinois of the product or service advertised. Advertisers are screened by the publisher and every effort is made to protect the subscriber, but ICL is not responsible for the performance of the product or service advertised. EDITORS: Articles appearing in Iliinois Country Living may be reprinted upon consent of the editor. For permission phone (21 7) 529-5561 or write to John Lowrey, editor, Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708.

COVER STORY 10   A humble beginning - Abraham Lincoln and his impact on Illinois On the cover, Amanda Marquardt from Monroe County Electric Cooperative, follows a long-time tradition and rubs Lincoln's nose for good luck at Lincoln's Tomb during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperative's Youth Day. DEPARTMENTS 4   ILLINOIS COMMENTARY Joe Dunn, executive officer of the Illinois coalition for Community Services, suggests we help our communites help themselves. 6   ILLINOIS CURRENTS Glenn English, chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, says consumers must come first when thinking of new energy policies. 14   SAFETY AROUND YOUR HOME Roger Stegeman, manager of safety for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives urges us not to take shortcuts with lawnmower safety. 16   YOUR YARD AND GARDEN Find out what number five is on the list of interesting long-term ornamentals. 18   TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY AND YOU Find out ways to tame the clothes dryer energy hog. 22   ILLINOIS' FINEST COOKING This June tempt your family's sweet side and try Whoopie Pies from the recipe collection of Zion United Church of Christ in Metropolis, or try Turtle Cake from the recipe collection of The Davis Memorial Christian Church of Taylorville.

JUNE 2001 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 3