(10-10-2015 11:16 AM)Gene C Wrote:  That will be nice. Let use know how your plans go for school, even if you end up somewhere else.

I'm in the ACT prep process.

(10-11-2015 04:30 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:  

(10-10-2015 11:16 AM)Gene C Wrote:  That will be nice. Let use know how your plans go for school, even if you end up somewhere else.

I'm in the ACT prep process.

Is it too off course to ask what that is and what you want to study? (Sorry if I forgot.)

(10-11-2015 05:21 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(10-11-2015 04:30 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:  

(10-10-2015 11:16 AM)Gene C Wrote:  That will be nice. Let use know how your plans go for school, even if you end up somewhere else.

I'm in the ACT prep process.

Is it too off course to ask what that is and what you want to study? (Sorry if I forgot.)

The ACT is an achievement/aptitude test (similar to SAT) used to assess what a student has learned in school. Scores from tests like this are often required by colleges as part of their application process and some have a minimum score for acceptance. Good scores help ensure acceptance and can earn scholarship money.

As far as Thomas' course of study, he'll have to address that one!

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(10-06-2015 10:50 AM)Anita Wrote:  I am recommending a new marker for the Cozy Dog Drive Inn.
"LINCOLN FORUM MEMBERS DINE HERE"

Funny thing, Gene and I noticed that inlaid in the stonework on the wall by the entrance, there is a silhouette of Lincoln. We're halfway there already!

Thanks for explaining, Scott (now what is SAT?) - good success, Thomas, I keep fingers crossed things will work out well.

(10-11-2015 05:59 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Thanks for explaining, Scott (now what is SAT?) - good success, Thomas, I keep fingers crossed things will work out well.

It used to stand for Scholastic Aptitude (then Assessment) Test, but they have added the term Reasoning I to it and a second on Subject II over the past few decades. I have a 15-year-old grandson who will soon start these series of tests in order to "encourage" colleges to consider him -- straight A's don't count.

Thanks, Laurie - oh my...

(10-09-2015 07:16 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Wow, and behind the gift shop is a mini replica of Westminster Abbey:

...I guess it wasn't there in Lincoln's days, was it? Is it a church?

The building is the First Christian Church on the corner of 6th and Cook St.

It is the fourth building used by the congregation. Construction began on it in 1911. The architecture was inspired by the Kirk of Melrose Abbey near Edinburgh, Scotland. (per the churches web site)

Thanks, Gene - this is Melrose Abbey:
   

(10-11-2015 05:28 PM)STS Lincolnite Wrote:  

(10-11-2015 05:21 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(10-11-2015 04:30 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:  

(10-10-2015 11:16 AM)Gene C Wrote:  That will be nice. Let use know how your plans go for school, even if you end up somewhere else.

I'm in the ACT prep process.

Is it too off course to ask what that is and what you want to study? (Sorry if I forgot.)

The ACT is an achievement/aptitude test (similar to SAT) used to assess what a student has learned in school. Scores from tests like this are often required by colleges as part of their application process and some have a minimum score for acceptance. Good scores help ensure acceptance and can earn scholarship money.

As far as Thomas' course of study, he'll have to address that one!

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(10-06-2015 10:50 AM)Anita Wrote:  I am recommending a new marker for the Cozy Dog Drive Inn.
"LINCOLN FORUM MEMBERS DINE HERE"

Funny thing, Gene and I noticed that inlaid in the stonework on the wall by the entrance, there is a silhouette of Lincoln. We're halfway there already!

To answer the course of study question, I will major in communications, possibly minor in US History. The colleges I have looked at require either SAT or ACT scores. I opted to take the ACT because it looks easier than the SAT.

(10-05-2015 11:31 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  I saw where it's been announced that the Illinois State Museum in Springfield is being closed to the public due to the state's ongoing budget problems.

Thank you to Laurie for sending this update:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Earlier this week, the Accreditation Commission voted to put the Illinois State Museum system on probation. The Commission took this action after Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and the state legislature were unable to pass a state budget, and forced the museum to close to the public on September 30.

“The Illinois State Museum system has never been in greater peril and it’s due to political maneuvering and an unfortunate lack of recognition by the state’s leadership of the museum system’s tremendous impact,” said Laura L. Lott, president & CEO of the American Alliance of Museums. “This 138-year-old institution is a major educational resource for more than 40,000 Illinois students each year, a regional economic powerhouse and an internationally recognized research facility.”

“The museum’s accreditation in 1972—and its four subsequent re-accreditations—bear witness to the fact that the Illinois State Museum is one of the most highly regarded and professionally operated museums in the world,” said Lott. “We stand in solidarity with the museum’s professional staff, including those in the leadership who were summarily dismissed without health benefits. These staff members are not only valued AAM members, but they are true community leaders and experts in their respective fields. Their departure from the museum is a significant loss for the state of Illinois and for the museum field.”

Accreditation is the museum field’s highest mark of distinction, and indicates that a museum is operating at the highest professional level, admirably caring for collections and having a significant and measurable impact on the community. The closure of the museum—now in its fourth week—has far-reaching consequences. Not only is the museum’s accreditation now at risk, but the state is vulnerable to lawsuits and risks defaulting on contracts and loans which could affect the museum’s ability to secure future support.

“Given the state budget stalemate and closure of the museum, the Accreditation Commission had no choice but to take this serious action because the accreditation guidelines are very clear: Museums must remain open to the public, must maintain a professional staff and must comply with all federal, state and local laws to maintain their accreditation,” said Lott.

“I call on Governor Rauner and the Illinois state legislature to put aside their differences, recognize the $31 million generated in economic activity by ISM visitors and the inestimable contribution to citizens’ lives and immediately re-open the Illinois State Museum system,” said Lott.

Learn more about the decision by the Accreditation Commission to place the museum system on probation; read a June 12 coalition letter to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner expressing concern at the proposed closure of the Illinois State Museum System; read Laura L. Lott’s testimony to the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability urging immediate action to keep the Illinois State Museum system open; and contact Governor Rauner to express your views on the status of the Illinois State Museum system.

Learn more about museum advocacy.

It is a shame that this is happening to this museum system. Winning accreditation from the AAM represents a long assessment that requires a lot of staff work, hard thinking, and important decision-making. The fact that this Illinois system has maintained its accreditation for over forty years speaks well of the program. Let's hope there's a savior somewhere.

Every city, county, and state budget process always pleads for more money for public education -- but the bean counters and the politicians often fail to realize that history museums and arts programs are part of society's on-going education. Even the arts community's pleas are heard above those coming from history museums. It is very frustrating.

Plans are underway for the Springfield 2016 Tour this fall.
Stay tuned for more details.

Gene: di you have an update?

Springfield Tour 2016, Friday, & Saturday, Sept 30 - Oct 1.
Joe is working on our schedule.

Between now and then, you might enjoy reading this short romance about Abraham and Ann, "Lincoln's First Love".

https://archive.org/stream/lincolnsfirst...0/mode/1up

Thanks for that link, Gene. The author talks about Mentor ('Mintor') Graham. Herndon interviewed Graham. From Herndon's notes of the interview:

"I Knew Miss Ann Rutledge — took sick while going to School — Lincoln & her both were stayting at My house. They Rutleges came from White Co Ills. Rutelege & Cameron built the Salem Mill, about 1828 — I saw the dam Commenced. Miss Rutledge died about 183. or 4 — She was about 20 ys — Eyes blue large, & Expressive — fair complexion — Sandy, or light auburn hair — dark flaxen hair — about 5-4 in — face rather round — outlines beautiful — nervous vital Element predominated — good teeth — Mouth well Made bautiful — medium Chin — weigh about 120 — 130 — hearty & vigorous — Amiable — Kind — — tolerably good Schollar in all the Common branchs including grammar &c. She was beloved by Every body — She loved Evry body. Lincoln and she was Engaged — Lincoln told Me So — She intimated to me the Same. He Lincoln told Me that he felt like Committing Suicide often, but I told him God higher purpose — He told me he thought so somehow — couldn't tell how — He said that my remarks and others had often done him good

She dressed plainly, but Exceedingly neat, was poor and Could not afford rich Clothing."