To the editor:
The Mifflin County Historical Society would like to publicly thank all those who had a hand (and feet) in the success of the Logan Guards 5K Run/Walk for Lincoln on April 21 in downtown Lewistown.
To the Juniata Valley Striders, especially Scott and Stacey Falkner, the biggest thank you of all. We couldn't have coordinated our first 5K without their help from start to finish. The participation of 62 runners/walkers, with an additional 25 volunteers, was great for a first-time community event.
The 5K started and finished near the monument, which features a stone from President Abraham Lincoln's tomb. Mifflin County's Logan Guards were the first to answer Lincoln's call for volunteers in 1861.
McVeytown Lodge 376 and Lewistown Lodge 203 of the Free and Accepted Masons were the first to answer the historical society's call for sponsors. The Lewistown Lodge also supplied water on the day of the 5K for the participants.
Additional sponsors included the Association of Mifflin County Educators; Barrett Enterprises, McDonald's Restaurants; Vince's Pizza and Family Restaurant; Barr Funeral Home; Bobby Rahal Toyota, Lexus, Scion; Lake Ford, Lincoln Inc.; Frey Motors, Chrysler, Dodge; Burnham Hardware; Downtown OIP and Grille; Falkner's PC; Gold Key Real Estate - Mark Eddy; Juniata Valley Bank; Kish Bank; Mifflin County Savings Bank; Northwest Savings Bank; Kish Printing; Lerch RV; State Rep. Adam Harris; Wilson's Meats and Groceries; the Lynn Aurand, Dodaro and Heverley families and Forest and Dot Fisher.
Gus's Pizza, Lewistown, Dunkin' Donuts, both Lewistown locations, Burger King, Burnham and Lewistown, Subway, Burnham, and Giant, Burnham and Lewistown, all provided food or coupons for the runners and walkers.
In addition to volunteers from the historical society, Fame EMS, the Rotary Club, Mifflin County Ham Radio Club and the Mifflin County High School Key Club all helped to provide assistance around the course on the day of the 5K.
Rapid Transit, State College, gave gift certificates to the overall male and female winners, and Recognition Engraving, Lewistown, provided discounted prices on the medals and plaques. Also, special thanks to Mifflin County art teacher Tim Reeder for designing the wonderful logo of a jogging President Lincoln featured on the front of the 5K's T-shirts.
All of these contributors and participants enabled the Mifflin County Historical Society to conduct an event for the community that was healthy exercise and fun, as well as educational for participants under age 10 to over age 70. The net profit of this first 5K was $1,695. This will be used primarily on maintenance projects to help preserve the McCoy House Museum in Lewistown.
Harvey C. Eckert
Stephen J. Rynkewitz Jr.
Mifflin County Historical Society
5K Chair and Vice Chair
