O.L.H.L. WELL REPRESENTED AT N.P.S. MEETING

Approximately thirty members of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League and its local chapters, plus representatives of the Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, made their way to Bucyrus on the gray Saturday morning of March 1, interested in hearing particulars regarding the National Park Service study being conducted for the Lincoln Highway.  After some brief pomp from the local contingent, Mike Buettner, Bob Lichty, and John Kiste talked about the work of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League, Lincoln Highway Association, and Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, respectively.  Ruth Heikkinen, NPS Study Team Coordinator, then gave the featured presentation.

According to Ruth, the Lincoln Highway is believed to meet at least two of the four criteria used by the NPS and their research team in producing a final report for Congress.  First, the Lincoln Highway is considered "nationally significant" and "an outstanding...example of a particular kind of resource."  Second, it represents "a theme that is not already adequately represented in the system nor already protected by another agency."

Five Preliminary Management Alternatives were then outlined.  The "National Lincoln Highway Program" would "develop a program to preserve and commemorate the Lincoln Highway that includes a national grants program."  The "Highway Touring and Discovery" alternative would "develop a series of discovery hubs to introduce visitors to the Lincoln Highway by encouraging state-based programming and local interpretation efforts."  In each Lincoln Highway state, one hub would be located in an existing resource or partner facility, with no new construction.  The third alternative, the "Lincoln Highway National Heritage Area" would "create a locally-initiated heritage area consisting of multiple geographically-defined segments of the highway and associated resources" through a coalition of local, state, and/or regional organizations.  The "Lincoln Highway National Historic Highway" alternative would "create a new program within the U.S. Department of Transportation to designate, preserve and interpret historic roads and highways that are nationally significant."  The final alternative would be to take no new federal action, but would work within existing programs such as the National Scenic Byway program to preserve and interpret the Lincoln Highway.

To read more detailed information about the Preliminary Management Alternatives, visit the comprehensive NPS website at www.nps.gov/mwro.lincolnhighway.  Comments can be then be made at planning.nps.gov/plans.cfm after selecting the Lincoln Highway Project located under the Special Resource Studies category.  Comments may also be faxed to Ruth at 402-221-3465, or mailed to her office as follows:
    National Park Service
    Ruth Heikkinen
    NPS Study Team Coordinator
    1709 Jackson Street
    Omaha, Nebraska, 68102

Readers are strongly encouraged to give their input before the deadline date of April 4, 2003.  This matter represents one of best opportunities we may ever have to receive outside assistance in promoting and preserving the Lincoln Highway.  Using public input, the team will then work on a final draft, presenting revised alternatives.  This draft is expected to be ready by Summer 2004.

UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS

Tuesday April 8, 2003, 7:00 p.m.—

Mike Buettner will speak to the Eagle Creek Historical Organization (ECHO)

Grace Bible Church, 400 Powell Drive, Arlington, Ohio

Thursday April 10, 2003, 6:30 p.m.—

Eastern Ohio Chapter will meet at Classic 57 in Minerva, Ohio

Saturday April 12, 2003, 6:30 p.m.—

Mike Buettner will speak to the Pioneer Auto Club

Shrine Cafeteria, Carey, Ohio

Thursday April 24, 2003, 6:30 p.m.—

Mid-Ohio Chapter will NOT meet at Fingers Corner as previously scheduled

Meeting is tentatively rescheduled to be at Rupps Market and Catering east of Crestline

Saturday May 10, 2003, 11:00 a.m.—

Ohio Lincoln Highway League 9th Annual Meeting

Hosted by Eastern Ohio Chapter

Grange Hall/Robertsville, Ohio

(see enclosure for registration, complete schedule, and vicinity map)

June 4-June 9, 2003— Gregory Franzwa's Book Tour Of Ohio

Proposed stops at: East Liverpool/Canton/Mansfield/Bucyrus/Lima/Van Wert

(Watch for details in next issue of Buckeye Ramblings)

June 7, 2003— Stark County Cross-County Cruise

see www.LHcruise.com for details

June 10-June 14, 2003— Lincoln Highway Association National Conference

Don Hall's Guesthouse on Washington Center Road just east of Lima Road

Fort Wayne, Indiana

August 17-September 1, 2003— Lincoln Highway 90th Anniversary Cross-Country Tour

August 19: Pittsburgh to Mansfield

August 20: Mansfield to South Bend

see www.LHcruise.com for details

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

 Welcome to the two newest Ohio members of the Lincoln Highway Association:  Cloyd McNaull (Ashland) and Wayne Quellhorst (Wapakoneta)

AGENDA FOR ANNUAL STATE MEETING

The Ohio Lincoln Highway League is pleased to present this schedule for our ninth annual state meeting.  This year's meeting will be Saturday May 10th at the Grange Hall in Robertsville (see map on back of this sheet).  The Homestyle Swiss Steak Dinner, prepared by the Robertsville Grange, will be $10.00 per person.  Please use the form below to register your plans to attend, making checks payable to the Ohio Lincoln Highway League and mailing same to OLHL Treasurer Michael Lester.  There will be a one-hour OLHL business meeting immediately after lunch, which will be followed by the highlight of the day—a tour of the historic brick road remnants both west and east of town, led by Jim Ross.  Vans or a mini-bus will be provided by the Eastern Ohio Chapter.

SCHEDULE FOR 9th ANNUAL MEETING OF OLHL

 

11:00am—11:45am                   Arrival—registration and fellowship

11:45am—12:00pm                   Welcoming Remarks

12:00pm—1:00pm                    Homestyle Swiss Steak Dinner

(please register for lunch by completing the form below)

1:00pm—2:00pm                      Annual Business Meeting

(agenda to be distributed at meeting)

[all chapter presidents should be prepared to give an annual report]

2:00pm—3:30pm                      Tour of brick road remnants, led by Jim Ross