Cast your vote!

Each week USATODAY.com and TripAdvisor.com posts a survey on a travel topic. This week’s survey just happens to be about the best fall scenic locations and foliage.

Now I’ve hiked to the top of the fire tower in Lincoln State Park many times during the fall. By the time I get up there, even though I’m dizzy and winded, I always marvel at the beautiful fall colors. I am going to predict that with the amount of rain we’ve had this year our colors will be off the charts.

So … this is similar to “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” Only this one goes along the lines of “If you like the Midwest’s fall foliage and you know it cast your vote!”

LINCOLN Exhibit Panoramas

Many of you, when visiting, had the chance to tour our new Lincoln exhibit. It is a wonderful exhibit in what used to be the gift shop … a great compliment to the production.

The lovely gent that worked on the projections in the Lincoln exhibit finally got to visit us on closing night. Busy guy. While he was here he snapped a few pictures and put together some panoramas which he was kind enough to forward onto us.

And now I can share them with you …

Spencer County Community Band Concert

Friends of Lincoln State Park are hosting a concert this Sunday, September 13. This is a free concert, open to the public, that will feature a community band from Spencer County. It will include pop, jazz and patriotic music.

When: Sunday, September 13.

Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. CDT.

What: Spencer County community band concert at Lincoln Amphitheatre, inside Lincoln State Park.

More Information: Please call 812-937-4710 or visit their website.

Admission is free, but the park gate fee ($5 in state / $7 out of state) will remain in effect. Concessions and merchandise will be sold.

Hope we’ll see you here!

The “B” Word

Now that we’ve wrapped up the season here at the theatre, a word that I am not fond of is being thrown around. A small little “b” word. And that word is budget. As in 2010 budget. Gah!

I sometimes wonder how that one little word can instill such fear into people. Its a sure way to make a person choke. Right up there with the word “audit.” Ghastly words.

Our managing director, Eric, has managed (isn’t that appropriate) to get through the first draft and is now working on the second. I think that means I’d better get my butt in gear and finalize some line items on my marketing and advertising budget. Crikey!

Lincoln Bicentennial Concert

If you haven’t purchased tickets for the Lincoln Bicentennial Concert on September 6 you still have time. This is a concert you don’t want to miss. It is the finale of our bicentennial events here in Spencer County. The Evansville Philharmonic, under the direction of Alfred Savia, will play some of America’s most beloved music.

The program includes Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and A Lincoln Portrait narrated by Congressman Brad Ellsworth, as well as God Bless America, Melodies of Stephen Foster, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with cannons from the Indiana National Guard 1^st Battalion, 163^rd Artillery “The Nighthawks.”

And there are cannons. Four of ‘em. Need I say more?

You may purchase tickets online or by calling the Evansville Philharmonic at 812-425-5050. Their box office hours are Monday through Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CDT.

It isn’t over until …

… the Evansville Philharmonic plays.

Our season for LINCOLN may be over, BUT … we have another trick up our sleeve.

We have a special concert over Labor Day weekend at the amphitheatre. It is part of the Lincoln bicentennial celebration here in Spencer County. Here’s the inside scoop:

WHAT: Lincoln Bicentennial Concert featuring the Evansville Philharmonic. The concert features Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and A Lincoln Portrait narrated by Congressman Brad Ellsworth, as well as God Bless America, Melodies of Stephen Foster, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with cannons from the Indiana National Guard 1^st Battalion, 163^rd Artillery “The Nighthawks.”

WHEN: Sunday, September 6.                        7:30 p.m. CDT.

WHERE: Lincoln Amphitheatre, inside Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City, Indiana. That’s a lotta Lincolns!

TICKETS: Adults: $20 or $15; Children: $5.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit here.

Mrs. Lincoln?

I have to admit that sometimes I wonder if Mary Todd ever put on Lincoln’s hat. When he was out maybe she would secretly try on the hat …

I mean, I couldn’t have resisted. Heck, I sometimes put on the beard and hat that we have here. And of course one day our admin assistant, Nathan, happened to have camera in hand to get evidence.

I can’t say I blame him. How could you pass up that photo opportunity?!

That’s what I like to hear …

We received a wonderful survey response from some guests about a week ago. They visited us this summer during the premiere season of LINCOLN and really enjoyed the show.

So much in fact that they added a few extra comments in the “would you like to add anything else” section. Sometimes one line can just sum up everything …

“Several times during your production we were moved to tears. “

Now that is what I like to hear!

Mmm … Cake

Is there anything better than cake? I mean, really good cake.

For those of you that visited us this season and loved our Mary Todd cake … I’ve got a sweet treat for you.

Find the recipe here.

Is it really over …?

The final show of LINCOLN was last night. Can you believe it …? Closing night. It wasn’t so long ago that I was running around, feathers flying, because it was opening night.

A wide shot of the entire LINCOLN cast.

We sold a tad over 1,000 tickets for closing night. Ended the season with a bang … no assassination pun intended.