Lincoln-Douglas debate re-enactments scheduled

The year 2008 marks the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln Douglas Debates in Illinois. The communities where the debates took place are planning to commemorate this important occurrence with a series of events throughout the year called "Reunion Tour 2008."

Starting on August 22 in Ottawa, and ending on October 19 in Alton, Lincoln and Douglas will meet in each debate community, on a weekend closest to the actual debate, to reminisce, share their recollections, and discuss some of the important issues that were at the heart of the contest. An accompanying naval aide will moderate the discussion and invite local press and audience members to ask questions of the candidates. The "Reunion Tour 2008" will be the core of a weekend long celebration in each community. Local planning committees are currently working on specific details.

The official kick-off for the sesquicentennial will begin in Bement on July 26, 2008. Bement is believed to be the place where Lincoln and Douglas met to arrange final details for the debates. While Springfield was not formally designated as a debate site, Lincoln gave the "House Divided" speech in the Old State Capitol on June 16. It was this speech, given during the Republican Convention that marked the beginning of the dialogue and helped to define the issues that were central to the seven debates. Events marking this crucial speech will be held on June 16, 2008 at the Old State Capitol.

Lincoln and Douglas will be portrayed by two actors who have spent a significant amount of time preparing for these roles. George Buss will play Abraham Lincoln and Tim Connor will play Stephen A. Douglas.

George Buss has been portraying Abraham Lincoln for over fifteen years. Performance venues include Ford's Theater in Washington, DC and Gettysburg. He also portrayed Lincoln in two of the seven broadcasts of the C-Span Lincoln Douglas Debates. He is president of the Stephen Douglas Association and vice-president of the Lincoln Douglas Society. Buss is the District Director for AVID in the Freeport Public Schools and a doctoral candidate at National-Louis University.

Tim Connors is the director of theatre and head coach of the Speech Team at Freeport High School. With a B.S. in communications and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University, he is active in theatrical and educational activities throughout his community. Connors has also portrayed Franklin Delano Roosevelt in several programs of great speeches from history.

IHC awards $12,000 in mini grants

The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) Board of Directors has awarded $12,000 in mini grants to five non-profit organizations for development and production of public humanities projects.

Funded projects include a Civil War exhibition in Murphysboro, a poetry reading and discussion program for youth in East St. Louis, and a festival of maritime music and culture in Chicago.

Community support for these programs totaled $93,891. A list of grants and the sponsoring organizations follow:

• Chicago Maritime Festival, Common Times ($2,500)
• The East St. Louis Visual-Literary Project, SIU-Edwardsville ($2,500)
• Voices of the Land, Garfield Heritage Center, Lafox ($2,500)
• April 1865: Lincoln, Grant, and Logan Exhibit, General John A. Logan Museum, Murphysboro ($2,000)
• An American Dream, Abraham Lincoln Association, Springfield ($2,500)

Potential applicants can review and download grant applications and guidelines by visiting www.prairie.org/grants. Grant information may also be requested by calling 312-422-5580, or by sending an email to ihc@prairie.org. IHC program officers are available at this number, and new applicants are encouraged to seek consultation.

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