Category Archives: Latest News

Events, Fitness, Hiking, Latest News

Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 11th Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K a success! Your support and the help of our volunteers with an assist from Honest Abe himself made for a very successful event. We hope you had a good time and will join us again next year. If you didn’t make it, be sure to save next year’s date of May 7, 2022.

We want to congratulate our top finishers (pictured below) for a job well done. The top adult male finisher and top finisher overall was Donald Scherers of Celestine who finished with a time of 20:42. The top adult female finisher was Kathy Flannagan of Santa Claus with a time of 25:29. The top boy finisher under 16 was Casey Steczyk of Ferdinand with a time of 25:14 and the top girl finisher under 16 was Dylan Steczyk of Ferdinand with a time of 27:27. Congratulations to the winners and everyone who persevered and finished the course! Complete results are at the end of this post.

Pictured above left to right: Don Scherers of Celestine, Dyaln and Casey Steczyk of Ferdinand, and Kathy Flannagan of Santa Claus. In the center is President Abraham Lincoln (of course) portrayed by Dean Dorrell.

Final Results

PlaceFirst NameLast NameHometownCategoryTime
1DonaldScherersCelestineman20:42:00
2Mike BrownChrisney man25:02:00
3CaseySteczykFerdinandboy-0-1525:14:00
4KathyFlannaganSanta Clauswoman25:29:00
5Bridget FlannaganSanta Clauswoman25:32:00
6EmiSteczykFerdinandwoman25:44:00
7DylanSteczykFerdinandgirl-0-1527:27:00
8JaymeBlessingerNewburghboy-0-1527:28:00
9ChadSchniedersSanta Clausman29:17:00
10JeremyEvansNewburghman31:30:00
11MarkWahlLincoln Cityman32:37:00
12SarahKluenderLamarwoman37:03:00
13RyanFlanaganSanta Clausman37:37:00
14JamesMarchinoEvansvilleman39:18:00
15JeffJonesOwensboroman41:05:00
16GinaDuppsOakland Citywoman43:17:00
17LilyanaHoffmanBirdseyeboy-0-1544:25:00
18Angela HoffmanBirdseyewoman44:26:00
19EarlenePreher Leopoldwoman44:39:00
20NevaehHaydenChrisneygirl-0-1545:26:00
21AveryHaydenChrisneygirl-0-1545:29:00
22KyleighPascoRockportwoman45:31:00
23AbbyPolster Troywoman49:21:00
24CalebPolster Troyboy-0-1549:22:00
25CathyLeistnerDuboiswoman50:56:00
26DianaCoxFt. Branchwoman51:42:00
27AudraCoxFt. Branchwoman51:44:00
28ElyHarrrisGrandview boy-0-1553:24:00
29ArcherHarrisGrandview boy-0-1553:25:00
30MaryFulkerson Grandview woman54:07:00
31NancyKamufOwensborowoman54:07:00
32CarolineWilsonTennysonwoman54:37:00
33JoycePhilippsFerdinand woman54:38:00
34BonnieHohlLincoln Citywoman54:43:00
35LoganMusgraveSanta Clausman54:44:00
36MarkMagillBoonvilleman54:48:00
37PamBlessingerSt. Anthonywoman55:04:00
38Dean BegleLincoln Cityman55:13:00
39JohnGintarSanta Clausman55:20:00
40TonyElpersman55:22:00
41AmyHarrisGrandview woman55:25:00
42KatyMagillGrandview woman55:26:00
43Faye MagillSmithChrisneywoman55:27:00
44JimAndersonGentryvilleman56:48:00
45RussellPascoRockportman59:52:00
46MyraJamesonChrisneywoman59:58:00
47LeoStriegelJasperman59:58:00
48TroyHaydenChrisneyman1:00:04
49JosephBegleLincoln Cityman
50Joy ZookChrisneywoman
51JeffZookChrisneyman
52CalebHaydenChrisneyman
53AprilHaydenChrisneywoman
54NoraHarrisBoonvillewoman
55KayleePascoRockportwoman
56KaisonPascoRockportboy-0-15

We would also like to thank the management and staff of Lincoln State Park for their help and support for today’s race and Dean Dorrell for his appearance as President Abraham Lincoln.

Finally, we would like to give one final thank you to all of our sponsors for today’s event: Dubois County Tire, Holiday Foods, Lincoln Amphitheatre, Messmer Mechanical, Spencer Industries, Price & Associates, LLC, Julie E. Schmitt Tax & Accounting Service, Martin-Serrin Insurance, Spencer County Bank, Uebelhor & Sons, Universal Design Associates, Thermwood Corporation, Pro-Rehab, and Freedom Bank.

Latest News

5K Early Registration Discount Ends Saturday

Just a reminder that Saturday, May 1 is the deadline for receiving the early registration discount and guaranteeing your event t-shirt for the 11th Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K. You have persevered through the pandemic, gotten your vaccine and made it almost halfway through 2021…congratulations! Celebrate with us by coming out to Lincoln State Park on May 8 for the 5K Run/Walk. To sign up and get registered just click here. You’ll be able to register for the discount up until midnight Saturday night. Don’t wait!

Events, Fitness, Hiking, Latest News

Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K is Back!

Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood Returns on May 8
Early Registration Now Open Online

LINCOLN CITY, IND.—  The Friends of Lincoln State Park and Indiana Department of Natural Resources will co-host the 11th Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 8 at 9:00 a.m. CDT in Lincoln State Park.  This year’s 5K run/walk route will once again start and end at the Lake Lincoln Beach parking lot.  The route will consist of the paved park roadways and some hiking trails.  Prizes will be awarded to the first place male and female finishers for both adults and kids under 16.  Random door prizes will also be awarded during the event including Indiana State Park annual passes, gift cards, gift certificates, and more.    

“We are very excited to be bringing back Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K after having to cancel the 2020 event due to COVID.  Based upon improving conditions and the outdoor nature of this event, we are confident we can conduct a safe and fun 5K.  Our 5K through Mr. Lincoln’s Indiana neighborhood is a perfect way for people of all ages to start or continue a fitness habit and enjoy the natural beauty Lincoln State Park offers. The 5K also supports the many projects and events we do at the park through our Friends group.  Even with COVID limitations in 2020, we were able to provide funds to repair the fishing pier, purchase all new park message boards, a raccoon mount for the Nature Center, and to sponsor an outdoor music performance at the beach.  We are looking forward to supporting more projects and events in 2021 and the 5K will be the kickoff to those efforts.”  

Dan Wilkinson, President of the Friends of Lincoln State Park.

The early registration discount saves entrants $10 when registering by the early deadline of May 1.  Interested walkers and runners may get more details, download registration forms and event flyers, or register online at lspfriends.com.  Completed registration forms can also be sent with a check or money order made payable to Friends of Lincoln State Park, PO Box 601, Chrisney, Indiana, 47611.

  • The early registration fee is $20 per person registering on or before May 1 and $30 from May 2 until race day.  
  • All event participants will receive an event t-shirt while supplies last, with t-shirts guaranteed for early registrants.  Registration forms are also available at the Lincoln State Park office.
  • The registration fee does not include the $7 in-state or $9 out-of-state per car gate fee to enter Lincoln State Park.
  • All proceeds will benefit Friends of Lincoln State Park to support special projects and events at Lincoln State Park. 

For more information regarding the 5K run/walk, participants may call the Lincoln State Park office at (812) 937-4710 or visit lspfriends.com. Lincoln State Park is located 5 miles west of Santa Claus, Indiana on State Road 162 in Lincoln City across the highway from Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Event sponsors as of the date of release:  Dubois County Tire, Holiday Foods, Lincoln Amphitheatre, Messmer Mechanical, Spencer Industries, Price & Associates, LLC, Julie E. Schmitt Tax & Accounting Service, Martin-Serrin Insurance, Spencer County Bank, Uebelhor & Sons, Universal Design Associates, Thermwood Corporation, Pro-Rehab and Freedom Bank.

ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF LINCOLN STATE PARK

Formed in June 2004, the Friends of Lincoln State Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide volunteer and financial support for events and projects within Lincoln State Park which includes Col. William Jones Home. The organization has invested over $100,000 toward projects and activities at Lincoln State Park since its inception.  Membership in the Friends of Lincoln State Park starts at $25 with varying levels of membership. Membership is open to everyone and all are invited to attend monthly meetings held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Nature Center. More information about Lincoln State Park and the Friends of Lincoln State Park can be found by visiting www.lspfriends.com where visitors can get information about membership, activities and events, membership information, sign up to receive a monthly newsletter, and learn about the history contained within the park.

Participants in the 10th Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K on May 4, 2019.
Nolan Hargus, Jackson Joyal, Mandy Schaffer and Cora Lasher were the top 5K finishers in 2019.
History, Latest News

Moon Tree Continues to Thrive at Lincoln State Park

Last week, we received a message via Twitter from Steve of Indianapolis. Steve has just visited Lincoln State Park for the very first time and sent us this amazing photo (see below) he took of Lincoln State Park’s “Moon Tree”. It is perhaps fitting that the photo shows our solar system’s very own star and life force, the sun, casting a long shadow across the grass, given this sycamore tree’s long and unique journey to Lincoln. If you aren’t familiar with the “Moon Tree” read on to learn the full story.

This photo of the Lincoln State Park “Moon Tree” was recently taken and sent to us via Twitter by Steve (@hailmary13) of Indianapolis.

On January, 31, 1971, NASA launched Apollo 14 which was the third trip to the moon by the U.S. space program. The Apollo 14 crew consisted of Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, and Stuart Roosa. Shepard and Mitchell would land and walk on the lunar surface while Roosa remained in the command module “Kitty Hawk” orbiting above.

Stuart Roosa was the command module pilot on the Apollo 14 moon mission. Image credit: NASA

Roosa was a former U.S. Forest Service smoke jumper and stowed away in his personal kit were 400-500 tree seeds as part of a joint project between NASA and the U.S. Forest Service. Seeds from five different types of trees were selected for the journey to the moon and back: Loblolly Pine, Sycamore, Sweetgum, Redwood and Douglas Fir. Once the seeds returned to Earth, they were germinated by the Forest Service and planted throughout the United States as part of the celebration of the U.S. bicentennial in 1976.

On May 1, 1976, a sycamore tree seedling from Apollo 14 was planted by the Raintree Council Girl Scouts in Lincoln State Park below the dam near the old Nature Center building.

A stone plaque was installed in 1976 to commemorate the planting of the Lincoln State Park Moon Tree. The Girl Scouts also buried a time capsule that was to be opened on 2001. On May 5, 2001, the time capsule was unearthed and opened and a new time capsule was buried to be opened in 2026.
Image credits: NASA/David Ayer

44 year later, the tree is still healthy and growing. Will this Moon Tree survive to see our next in-person visit to our lunar neighbor? Only time will tell. Next time you’re at the park, take a few minutes to find the Moon Tree and check it out.

Some information for this article was taken from the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. You can read and learn more at https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/moon_tree.html.

#LincolnStatePark #IndianaStateParks #MoonTree #NASA #Apollo14

Latest News

Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K Rescheduled

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency and restrictions on public gatherings, we have made the decision to postpone the 11th Mr. Lincoln’s Neighborhood 5K from May 2 to Saturday, September 12.

If you have already pre-registered, no action is required of you at this time as you are automatically registered for the rescheduled event.  If you wish to register for the event on Sept. 12 simply go to our registration page and follow the instructions.  
This event is an important fundraiser for our organization and raises money that we use for projects and activities that benefit Lincoln State Park.  However, if you pre-registered ON OR BEFORE April 8, 2020, cannot attend on the new date, and wish to request a refund of your registration fee, please send us a message through our Contact Us page.  
Thank you for your patience, understanding and support!

Latest News

Support Us With AmazonSmile

While you’re busy ordering your quarantine supplies at Amazon, why not have a small percentage for your purchase donated to Friends of Lincoln State Park every time you shop. It’s simple and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

How does AmazonSmile work?

When first visiting AmazonSmile, customers are prompted to select a charitable organization from over one million eligible organizations. In order to browse or shop at AmazonSmile, customers must first select a charitable organization. For eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the customer’s selected charitable organization.

What Do I Need to Do?

Just follow the link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-1033838 or click the button below to select Friends of Lincoln State Park as your designated charity and start shopping!

Events, Fitness, Latest News, Naturalist Programs

Important: Program Schedule Cancellation

Due to the latest restrictions related to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, all in-person programs at Indiana state parks have been cancelled. This means that all scheduled naturalist led hikes at Lincoln State Park (including those scheduled on 3/27 and 3/28) have been cancelled as well. State parks remain open with entrance fees waived, but offices and nature centers are closed to the public. Please practice hand washing and social distancing when visiting the parks.

Latest News

Latest COVID-19 Update From Indiana State Parks

Here is the latest update from Indiana State Parks concerning COVID-19. In keeping with this guidance, the Nature Center at Lincoln State Park is closed, however outdoor programs such as the naturalist led hikes will continue as scheduled within State Department of Health guidelines…

As posted on the Indiana State Parks Facebook page…

Updated COVID-19 Information (03/22/20): Indiana State Parks, lakes, and inns remain open, with some modifications and exceptions:

  • Entrance fees at all properties are temporarily suspended.
  • Modern and primitive campgrounds, inns and cabins are open (fees still apply), along with our hiking trails, boat ramps and picnic areas.
  • Group camps, youth tent and rally campgrounds and rentable recreation buildings are closed.
  • Our property offices are open, but with limited public access.
  • Our nature centers, indoor program facilities, and historic buildings are closed, but our interpretive naturalists will still offer outdoor programming within State Department of Health gathering guidelines, and you will see them out in our parks answering questions and sharing information.
  • Our inn restaurants are serving carry-out meals only.
  • Our state park inn pools and the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge are closed.
  • All IDNR-managed facilities at J.E. Roush, Salamonie, Mississinewa, Brookville, Cecil M. Harden, Cagles Mill, Patoka and Monroe lakes (campgrounds, wildlife areas, boat ramps, trails, etc.) remain open. However, public facilities managed directly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at or below the dams at these lakes (tailwater areas, observation mounds, etc.) are closed.

This is a fluid situation, and we are following the lead of the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and local county health departments as we monitor the virus and its potential impacts. Thank you for your patience, and you can read the most current information about what we are doing at on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19. Now please #washyourhands, practice #socialdistancing, and #staysafe.

Latest News

Scheduled Hikes Still On This Weekend

Interpretive Naturalist Michael Crews snapped these photos this morning of a beaver and a couple of common loons inside the park. He also informs us that the scheduled hikes for this weekend are still on.

Meet at the Nature Center and plan on practicing social distancing. Obviously, if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who may be sick, please stay home. Be safe, be cautious, be prepared.

You can view the schedule on our website here: https://lspfriends.com/index.php/events/

Latest News

Share Your Favorite Lincoln State Park Photo

With many folks stuck at home and looking for things to do, we’re going to try a little experiment. Do you have a favorite photo of Lincoln State Park from the past or from a more recent memory? We’ve created a form where you can submit your photo along with a description and we’ll share them here and on our Instagram and Twitter accounts. Hoping to see some interesting photos and maybe some from days gone by.

To use the form you will need to have a Google account. If you need one, it’s very simple to create one. Here is the link for submitting your photos: https://forms.gle/5UoV9KaWixbufHZo7

Or post your photo with the hashtag #LincolnStatePark and we’ll grab and share them from there. Just be sure to include a description of when and where you took the photo and why it’s special to you.

Check out our Photo Shares page to see a collection of all the photos we have received and shared so far!