As you probably know, in Neponset on Oct. 3, at 10 a.m., Carl Sandburg will be memorialized with a state marker in Bertelsen Park next to the Neponset Historical Society.
In June 1900 Carl Sandburg wheeled in from Galesburg on his trusty bike to stay the summer at Neponset House Hotel on this same spot, and start his new career selling stereopticon slides.
Is there something special in the air in this setting? Dr. Bertelsen, who once owned the historical building and the lot beside it, was the local family doctor who had degrees in both medicine and engineering. He was also the world-respected inventor who developed the Aeromobile, the first hovercraft to carry a human over both land and water. Carl Sandburg, itinerant peddler, went on to win three Pulitzer Prizes, and world-wide acclaim for both his prose and poetry.
Events like the Sandburg marker unveiling don’t happen without a great deal of planning and work by volunteers who want to bring something positive to our attention. In this case, it’s the Neponset Historical Society.
The marker is financed by donation only, and the following people are bringing Carl back to Neponset: The society’s officers are President Mark Bowen, Secretary Pat Weeks, Treasurer Gale Pickering and Curator Adam Kelly.
The Society has many members, but those very active in this event were the following: Lorene Decatur, Julie Witte, Ed Safiran, Chuck Blake, Carolyn Miller. (Please forgive me if I’ve left anyone out. Old age, you know…)
The program will feature Neponset-Sheffield American Legion Post 875, Neponset Grade School eighth grade band, and possibly some members of the Kewanee High School band. Guest speakers will be Lex Poppens, executive director of the Bureau County History Center; William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society; and Jim Eichler, Sr., manager of RWE Clean Energy.
Hope to see you there!
Your friend, Carol
