New Exhibit at Santa Claus Museum

Just before Christmas a new exhibit opened at The Santa Claus Museum, featuring a recreation of Jim Yellig, who was Santa at Santa Claus Land for many many years and is the father of Museum Founder and Holiday World icon Pat Koch.

The exhibit was created by The Weber Group of Sellersburg, Ind. They recently posted a wonderful blog on their site about this project including photos of brothers Tom and Donny Weber's own visits to Santa Claus Land back in the 1950s.

Click here to read The Weber Group's Blog!

Sisters Serve as Elves

The Santa's Elves, Inc., organization has all its volunteers working feverishly to help Santa send out letters to children from all over the world who have mailed their letters to Santa Claus, Ind. The Elves nerve center is The Santa Claus Museum, which right now has an entire room littered with letters and envelopes and stamps, not to mention a lot of "Elves" with writers cramp. This year Santa Claus, Ind. has received more than twice as many letters to Santa as last year creating a major Elf shortage!! All sorts of groups and organizations have been pitching in.

Recently, the Sisters of St. Benedict have chipped in to help! Sister Agnes Marie writes about it on her blog, Discover God in the Every Day. With Us.

It just goes to show that Santa's Elves aren't just at the North Pole!!

Google Sightseeing Features Santa Claus, Ind.

Santa Claus, Ind. is featured on the homepage of Google Sightseeing's website. Click here to check it out! I just love their website slogan: Why Bother Seeing the World for Real! Although, we hope here that you do come see Santa Claus, Indiana for real!!

Christmas in Santa Claus Festival 2008

Christmas Festival Memories

Here's a link to a great blog from a family who visited our Christmas in Santa Claus Festival this weekend. Check it out! http://thepaynechatelaine.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-13-visit-to-santa-claus-indiana.html They are taking part in the 25 days of Christmas Challenge in which they do something to celebrate Christmas each and every day. What a great idea!

C us on CNN!

I recently filed an I-report on CNN.com responding to a request for stories about people who go all out to celebrate the holiday season. Here in Santa Claus we have decked the halls and trimmed our trees in preparation to welcome thousands to our Christmas in Santa Claus Festival this weekend. My I-report also appeared on the air. If you didn't catch it on TV, you can view it online at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-157870

Rockport Christmas Parade

Despite the chilly temperatures, a huge crowd gathered to watch the annual Rockport Christmas Parade today. The parade was part of the town's annual Christmas Festival which included a breakfast with Santa, craft show in the Spencer County Courthouse Rotunda, and special activities at Lincoln Pioneer Village. This year's grand marshal was Abraham Lincoln, in honor of his upcoming 200th Birthday. Many of the floats also had a Lincoln Bicentennial theme.

Santa Claus, Ind. Featured in National TV Ad

The tiny town of Santa Claus, Ind., is featured in a national Christmas advertising campaign for RadioShack. The spot is airing now on NBC, ABC, The Weather Channel, Commedy Central, Discovery Channel, NFL Network, ESPN, CNN, TBS, AMC, Fox News Channel, A&E.

Postmark Roadtrip

I love seeing all the people walking into the Santa Claus Post Office this time of year with stacks of holiday cards in hand! Folks drive from all over to come to the Santa Claus, Ind. post office for our special picture postmark.

Today I came across a a post on the Highlowaha Blog mentioning a woman in Sellersburg, Ind., who volunteered to take a road trip to Santa Claus and postmark all her friend's Christmas cards. Now she's definately got the spirit of the season!

For others interested in getting the world-famous Santa Claus Postmark on their cards, our postmaster Marian Balbach offers these tips and suggestions:

1) Allow at least a 2-inch by 4-inch space in the stamp area for the picture postmark;

2) Have postage applied to the cards before bringing or mailing them to the post office;

3) If you wish to mail Christmas cards to the post office, package them - with postage stamps already on them - in a sturdy envelope or box and mail to:
Postmaster, Santa Claus Station, Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998

4) The picture postmark is available Monday through Friday from 9 to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

5) Postal customers must specifically request the picture postmark

6) In order to ensure a good, clear postmark please do not enclose large or bulky items in your holiday mail.

7) There is no charge for postmarking, however, there is a limit of 50 picture postmarks per person per day.

For more information, call the Santa Claus Post Office at 812-937-4469.

Living in a town named Santa Claus.....

This morning I walked into the local gas station to grab a coke on my way to the office and bumped into Santa Claus in Santa Claus, Ind.

You know, not just anyone, who lives anywhere, could say that!

There he was with his flowing white beard and the morning paper! He must have given the reindeer the day off, I thought, as I saw him climb into a gold mini van in the parking lot. I couldn't help but smile and wave at him. I mean, I want to stay on "The Good List!"

I just had the laugh at the insanity of it all.

Living in a town named Santa Claus in the month of December can be pretty hectic! Especially when its my job to promote all our holiday festivities! Luckily, some folks are starting to take notice of all the festiveness our little town holds.

Today, a story about Santa Claus appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And for those of you who missed the premier of The Travel Channel's Most Christmassy Places in America, it will re-air Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time. Evansville's Fox 7 News included an announcement about the town's Christmas Picture Postmark on its website today as well.

Watch Us on The Travel Channel Thursday!

See scenes from Santa Claus, Ind., on The Travel Channel's Most Christmassy Places in America show airing at 8 p.m. CST on Thanksgiving night.

The Travel Channel is the only television network devoted exclusively to travel entertainment and is available in more than 90 million homes in the United States.

Scenes for the show were filmed during the 2007 Christmas in Santa Claus Festival. Attractions featured include the Christmas Lake Village Festival of Lights, Santa Claus Post Office, Santa's Lodge, Santa's Candy Castle, and The Santa Claus Museum.

Other places featured on the program include Mall of America in Minnesota, Branson, Mo., and FAO Schwartz Toy Store in New York City.

Lake Rudolph Named RV Park of the Year, Again!

The National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) awarded Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort in Santa Claus, Indiana the 2008-2009 National RV Park of the Year in the large park category (251-499 sites). The Awards of Excellence program was part of the ARVC national convention held Nov. 15, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn.

This is actually the second time Lake Rudolph has received this honor. The park also was recognized as 2004-2005 National RV Park of the Year. The RV Park of the Year award is the highest possible honor in the campground and RV park industry and is based on national directory ratings, operations excellence, community service, association involvement, park promotions, management skills, education, and employee training techniques.

ARVC is the only national association exclusively representing the interests of all commercial RV parks and campgrounds in the United States and includes more than 3,800 members. Membership includes RV parks and campgrounds, cabin and lodge resorts, membership campgrounds and resorts, industry suppliers and park developers.


Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort is located next door to Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari Water Park. More than 200 rental RVs & cabins and over 200 RV sites & tent sites are available. Reservations for the 2009 season are being accepted. People may call toll free 1-877-478-3657 or 812-937-4458 for reservations. Online reservations are also accepted at http://www.lakerudolph.com/. Lake Rudolph will open weekends in April and open daily starting on May 1.


From left are Linda Profaizer, President & CEO of ARVCDave Lovell, Marketing Director of Lake Rudolph; Philip Koch, Owner & President of Lake Rudolph; Wayne Utley, General Manager of Lake Rudolph; and Mark Anderson, Board Chairman of ARVC

Bicentennial Plates Benefit Lincoln Projects

Help support Spencer County, Ind.'s Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration by purchasing one of these limited edition plates! These keepsakes were created by local artists at Yellow Banks Pottery in Selvin, Ind. Only 1,000 were produced and all proceeds from the sale of these plates go to Think Lincoln, Inc., to help promote Lincoln's Life and Legacy in Southern Indiana. For purchase details email thinklincoln@psci.net or call the Lincoln Commerce Center at 812-649-2119.

Read about how this plate was created in today's Evansville Courier & Press!

Election Day Quotes from Honest Abe

It's election day all across America today and here in Spencer County, Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood Home, it seems appropriate to look to him for guidance.

Here are a few words of wisdom on elections and government from our nation's 16th president.

"To give victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary."


"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

"Lets have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."

Playwright, Artistic Director Selected by Lincoln Amphitheatre

An accomplished playwright whose work has been featured Off-Broadway and in theatres throughout the country is the top choice to pen "Lincoln," Indiana's new theatrical tribute to Abraham Lincoln.


An award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Ken Jones is currently playwright-in-residence and the Chairman of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Northern Kentucky University. Jones received his B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Florida and a M.F.A. in playwriting from the University of Virginia. He then continued on to graduate in playwriting from the American Repertory Theatre's Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University.


A theatre professor at the University of Evansville, Scott Lank was selected as Artistic Director for "Lincoln." Lank is a 21-year veteran of the university's celebrated theatre department. He has a BFA from the University of Evansville and a MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lank is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the National Congress of Actors and Acting Teachers.


The world premiere of "Lincoln" will take place in June on the very grounds where Abraham Lincoln grew up. Enhanced by multimedia projections and period music, the story of the man considered by many to be the greatest U.S. president is expected to be a highpoint of the national celebration of the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. Through Jones' play, audience members of all ages will gain an insight into the life of the man whose legacy continues to forge the future.

Opening night is scheduled for June 12; tickets for the production will be available this fall. Lincoln Amphitheatre is located in Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City, Indiana. For more information about Lincoln Amphitheatre visit www.LincolnAmphitheatre.com or call 1-800-264-4ABE.

NPS Announces American Presidents Travel Itinerary

With American's focused on the upcoming presidential election, the National Park Service thought it would be an appropriate time to release a new travel itinerary featuring presidential sites.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, located here in Spencer County, is among the sites included on the American Presidents:Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary.

This website contains a list of presidential sites in the national park system as well as maps, and historical facts about some of our nation's greatest leaders.

Holiday World to add World's Tallest Water Ride

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will soon be home to the world's tallest water ride: Pilgram's Plunge! The new ride for the park's Thanksgiving section was announced this morning as part of an 8.4 million expansion project for next season.

World's Tallest _______??????

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will announce plans for an $8.9 million expansion in 2009, including the World's Tallest _________. They'll fill in the blank for us Tuesday when they announce plans for the park's second largest expansion in its 63 year history. Check back to this blog for details on the announcement or visit www.HolidayWorld.com

Wishful Thinking...

This week the town of Santa Claus, Ind., has a very special visitor. Aidan Bailey, age 4, of Iowa, is here with his family on a trip sponsored by the Make a Wish Foundation. Aidan is awaiting a double lung transplant and requires oxygen at all times, but don't think that slows him down! He is full of energy and has a natural curoisty about everything! He spent a day at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari and is camping at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. He'll also visit The Santa Claus Museum and Santa's Candy Castle while he's here.

When he came to visit us at the Spencer County Visitors Bureau office, he just had to try on a Santa Hat we had on display. This is the first Make a Wish trip our office has been involved with and I just can't describe the great feeling you get inside knowing you're helping make a child's dreams come true.

We wish Aidan all the best!

Improvements at Lincoln Pioneer Village

The Leadership Spencer County Class of 2008 made it their class project to build a stockade fence around Lincoln Pioneer Village in Rockport.

The fence helps insulate the Pioneer Village from the modern city sounds of the nearby public pool. It also helps to preserve the historical integrity of this memorial to the life of Abraham Lincoln in Spencer County.

Funding for the project was provided by the Spencer County Community Foundation, which selected Leadership Spencer County Class as the receipents of a $934 grant.

Call 812-649-9147 for more information about Lincoln Pioneer Village or to arrange a tour.

Volunteers from the Leadership Spencer County Class take a break after their hard work on the Lincoln Pioneer Village's new fence.

New Book About Lincoln in Spencer County

Evansville Historian William E. Bartelt just released a new biography of Lincoln's years in Indiana. For anyone who has enjoyed visiting our Spencer County Lincoln sites, I know it will be a great read!

The book is available through the Indaina Historical Society Press and you can read more about Bartelt's book on their blog.

Bartelt has been a wonderful friend to Spencer County, working for many summers at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and more recently, serving on the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association Board. We wish him great success with this new project!

A rave review!

These days online reviews guide more and more travlers in making their vacation decisions. That said, we were thrilled to find this review of Lake Rudloph Campground & RV Resort posted at RVParkReviews.com.

This guest raved about the campground and its neighbor, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, even comparing it to Disney World. Wow! That's quite a compliment! Thanks!

Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza Groundbreaking

The Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission visited Spencer County's Lincoln State Park last week to break ground for the new Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza.

The project was designed by Artist Will Clark and Architect George Morrison both of Ft. Wayne, Ind. It consists of a large, bisected circular plaza. Visitors will first enter an area punctuated with limestone pedestals and interpretive signs signifying key milestones in Lincoln’s formative Indiana years between ages seven and 21.

A central half-circle reminds visitors of young Abraham’s growth from a boy to a man. Visitors can move freely between the pedestals at any pace. The second semicircle provides a more intimate space for reflecting upon the man who led this nation. It will contain a twice-life-size bronze bust of Lincoln, accompanied by some of his quotes.

The site is located on a knoll in the Oak Grove area of the park. The project is scheduled for completion in June of 2009. This is also the same time Lincoln Amphitheatre will re-open.

The estimated cost of the project is $300,000, which will be funded through the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Fireworks On The Fourth

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari put on an amazing fireworks display this year! Here are a few shots for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy! Happy Independence Day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76784959@N00/sets/72157617316303902/show/

Communing with our 16th President

Here's a blog post recalling fond memories of tracing Lincoln's past at as a teenager during a summer spent at Lincoln State Park. Click here to read this great post on the Hoosierati Blog. I thought you all would enjoy reading, as much as I did.

Spencer County Tourism Ranks 7th in State

Thanks to wonderful visitors like all of you who read this blog, Spencer County ranks 7th in tourism spending per capita.

This week we revealed the results of a year-long study measuring the impact of the tourism industry on Spencer County's economy.

Visitors to Spencer County had a sales impact of $161.7 million and were responsible for more than 3,300 jobs during 2007, according to the study conducted by the University of Southern Indiana.

Here are some fun facts about Spencer County Visitors:

• 40 percent of visitors are under age 17. People age 25 to 44 make up 31 percent of visitors to Spencer County.

• 48 percent of visitors reside within Indiana. Large percentages also come from Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee.

• 49 percent of visitors stayed over night

• Visitors spent an average of $237 on lodging during their trip

• Visitors spending per person amounted to: $22 on food, $51 on activities, $10 on souvenirs and $41 per trip on gasoline.

• 84 percent of visitors were very likely to come back and 45 percent of those surveyed had been to Spencer County 2 to 5 times.

Visitors from Chicago

This week we welcomed two reporters to Santa Claus, Ind., from The Chicago Tribune. They were working on a story about what it is like to live in a town where it is Christmas every day of the year! They plan to run the story in The Tribune's Tempo section on June 25, which will be exactly 6 months away from Christmas Day.

We showed them a jolly time and were sure to let our Holiday Spirit shine through, even though it is only June! They visited Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, The Santa Claus Museum, Santa's Candy Castle, and The Santa Claus Post Office. We rounded out the evening with a boat ride on Christmas Lake, located in the gated community of Christmas Lake Village.

I think they were surprised by just how much there was to see and do in our festive little town!

Another great trip to Spencer County

I just love finding blog posts online where people write about visiting our attractions here in Spencer County, Ind. Here's a link to a post from "The Twisted Stitcher" about her children's first trip to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial's Living Historical Farm. It's a hoot!

Happy 50th Birthday Lake Rudolph!!

Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort Celebrated 50 years of family fun in Santa Claus, Ind., during an open house on Saturday.

At left, Lake Rudolph owner Philip Koch, has two forks in hand as he gets ready to dig into one HUGE birthday cake!

Along cake, campers enjoyed free hamburgers & hotdogs, campground tours, chainsaw carving demonstrations and more!

In celebration of Fathers Day, Lake Rudolph, in Santa Claus, Indiana is offering 2 Free Holiday World tickets to families staying in a Standard or King Size Rental RV for 3 consecutive nights. To qualify for the free Holiday World tickets, the arrival date must be either Sunday June 15 or Monday June 16.

Reservations are taken by phone at (812) 937-4458 or toll free 1-877-4RUDOLPH (1-877-478-3657). Online reservations, information, and photos can also be found on Lake Rudolph's award winning website at http://www.lakerudolph.com/

Tips for Traveling With Kids

Here's a link to a recent article by Indianapolis Star Travel Writer Zach Dunkin with great advice on how to make your summer vacation with your children go smoother. The article also highlights several travel deals and Spencer County's new Visitors Guide to Lincoln's Boyhood Home. To get your copy, click here.

Goodbye to an old friend...

Macon Ray, 81, who portrayed Abraham Lincoln across Southern Indiana for many years, died yesterday from a brain tumor.

He played the role of President Lincoln in Billy Ed Wheeler's "Young Abe Lincoln," which was performed at Lincoln Amphitheatre in Lincoln State Park for many years.

Ray's image as Lincoln has been used for many years by the Spencer County Visitors Bureau on billboards, in brochures, in print ads and on our website.

Click here to read an article from the Evansville Courier & Press and learn more about this amazing man who served for so many years as an ambassador for Lincoln's Boyhood Home -- Spencer County.

Delta Queen Visits Grandview

The Delta Queen docked in Grandview, Ind., on Thursday, May 29, bringing with it several hundred passengers. This was the Delta Queen's second stop in Grandview this year.

This may be the last year this historic steamboat travels down river. The boat's long-standing coast guard exemption from fire safety rules is scheduled to expire later this year. A lobbying effort to 'Save the Queen' is ongoing.

Seeing one of these historic boats out on the river, transports you back to another time. If you'd like to come view one of these beautiful steamboats in person, mark your calendar for August 28, October 18 and October 25 when the American Queen will visit Grandview.

Memorial Day Visit to Lincoln City, Ind.

Here's a link to a great post by a visitor to Spencer County who toured Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and Lincoln State Park over Memorial Day Weekend. Click here to check out Becca's "Tales from Indiana" blog.

Watch & Enjoy

With many graduation ceremonies going on this weekend, I thought I'd share with you the work of a group of students from the University of Evansville.

These four students performed a dramatic reading titled "To Touch the Earth" during the Lincoln Bicentennial Mother's Day Celebration held May 11 at Lincoln Amphitheatre. The work was written by University of Evansville Theatre Professor R. Scott Lank specifically for this event.

This day in Santa Claus History....

Here's a fun little fact, 152 years ago today, May 21, 1856, the Santa Claus, Ind. post office was officially recognized by the U.S. Government.

Since that time, this tiny town's post office has received millions of letters from children all over the world! A group of volunteers, know as Santa's Elves, help answer childrens letters.

Each year, the post office offers a special picture postmark for holiday cards throughout the Christmas season.

If you're visiting the Santa Claus, Ind., post office this summer, be sure to stop and have your picture made by with the Santa statue out front!

Free Trees for Moms this Sunday

In celebration of the role women played in Abraham Lincoln's life, mothers attending a May 11 event marking the 200th anniversary of his birth will receive free tulip trees. Families are being encouraged to plant the trees as a lasting tribute to Lincoln’s bicentennial and his Indiana heritage.

On Mother's Day – May 11, 2008 – the state where Lincoln spent his formative years will host one of only five national signature events created by the National Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration. To be held at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City, Ind., the free event will celebrate the nation’s 16th president on the Spencer County land where he lived, farmed, grew up and even buried his mother.

The Mother's Day celebration date is no coincidence. Lincoln often credited his mother, Nancy Hanks, and stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston, for helping to shape his character, foster his education and instill in him the values that made him a great leader.

For more information, visit www.thinklincoln.org or call 888-444-9252

Pioneer Day is a Hit!

While The Village People certianly had a few hits in the 70's, there is a new group of village people producing hits these days! I'm referring to the Friends of Lincoln Pioneer Village, whose Pioneer Days event Saturday was definately a hit with the crowd. There were lots of opportunities to take part in hands on demonstrations of frontier life skills. From candle making to sheering sheep there were activities for all ages to enjoy! About 100 people attended the event, where a carving of Abraham Lincoln was unveiled as well.

Lincoln Statue Dedicated

This lifesize chainsaw carving of Abraham Lincoln was unveiled Saturday at Lincoln State Park. The Friends of Lincoln State Park group commissioned the work by local chainsaw artist Willy Loper of Grandview. From left are LSP Friends President Dan Wilkinson, and LSP Friends members Shirley Begle, Bonnie Hohl, and Linda Wilkinson. The statue, which commemorates the upcoming Lincoln Bicentennial, is made from a sycamore log. It features a young Lincoln holding an ax in one hand and a law book in the other.

Mother's Day Field Trip

You can make this Mother's Day a learning opportunity!

Sunday, May 11, bring your children to Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood Home in Spencer County and share with them the story of how a pioneer boy named Abraham Lincoln grew into America's Greatest President.

Lincoln often credited his mother, Nancy Hanks, and stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston, for helping shape his character and foster his love of learning. He once said, "All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother."

This special Mother's Day ceremony will honor the women who had an impact on Lincoln's life and today's mothers as well. It will include musical performances, a drama using Lincoln's own words about life on the Indiana frontier, and a wreath laying ceremony by area children. Gov. Mitch Daniels and Congressman Baron Hill also will speak.

After the ceremony, families can tour the Living Historical Farm at the site where Lincoln lived from age 7 to 21. With the help of the farm's interpreters, you can milk a cow, feed the sheep, or help with the garden.

For free tickets to this event, call 888-444-9252 or email tourism@psci.net.

Extreme Makeover for Huffman Mill Bridge

Indiana is well known for its covered bridges, but many people may not know there is a historic covered bridge right here in Spencer County.

The Huffman Mill covered bridge, located at the Spencer & Perry County line, was selected last week for a $240,000 restoration grant. The funding, announced by Congressman Baron Hill's office, is provided through the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program of the Federal Highway Administration.

Spanning the Anderson River in Eastern Spencer County, the Huffman Mill bridge was built during the Civil War in 1864. According to local legend, Abraham Lincoln and his father took their grain to be ground into flour at Huffman Mill. However, the bridge wasn't built there until long after the Lincoln family left Indiana.

A current view of the bridge is shown at right, but we can't wait to see it all fixed up!

If you're interested in visiting this bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, it's located off State Highway 545 on County Road 1300.

New Staff at Living Historical Farm

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial's Living Historical Farm staff welcomed 4 new additions this week! Four little lambs join a group of just hatched baby chicks who will all be making their public debut when the Living Historical Farm opens for the season, April 13.

Two of the lambs, one black and one white, are twins! They were born Wednesday morning in a torrential downpour causing one of the worst floods in Spencer County in many years. Lead Park Ranger at the Living Historical Farm Bob Zimmerman trudged out to the pasture through the storm to carry the newborn lambs safely into the barn. The threesome are now doing terrific!

Above, this little girl takes a break from nursing while her twin sister, back right, finishes up a feeding.

This baby lamb is sure to be popular with all the school groups who will tour Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial this spring.

This mother lamb looks after her little bundle of Spring-time Joy! With all these babies, this barn is looking more like a nursery.

Making space for Lincoln on MySpace

Abraham Lincoln may be getting ready to celebrate his 200th birthday, but don't think he isn't keeping up with the latest technology and social media trends!

Abraham Lincoln has his own Bicentennial MySpace page to help spread the word about upcoming special events and his boyhood home, Spencer County, Ind. Click here to view it.

If you have a MySpace page, please invite us to be your friend! Lincoln had strong opinions about the importance of friends. He once said, "I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down..."

Let it Snow!

Along with Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Tuesday, Feb. 12, came several inches of snow here at his boyhood home, in Spencer County, Ind.





As I hiked around photographing the Living Historical Farm at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial I couldn't help but think about how hard the winters were for Lincoln and his pioneer family living on the Indiana frontier.





Here's a frigid close-up:

To see more snowy Spencer County scenes, visit The Holiblog on the Holiday World & Splashin' Safari website.

We'd rather be No. 1, but No. 2 is not too shabby!

Prolific Travel Writer Earn Conn has written 400 travel columns in his long career traveling throughout Indiana and abroad. For his 401st column he boiled down all his Indiana travels into a single Top 10 list. Lincoln's Boyhood Home, Spencer County, Ind., came in at a very respectable No. 2 on his list. Click here to read the article.

Sticking up for Indiana's Lincoln

I thought you all might enjoy reading this post from the Lincoln Amphitheatre blog. As Kentucky prepares to kick off the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration next week, those of us who live in Indiana keep reminding folks that while Lincoln was born in Kentucky, and rose to fame in Illinois the 14 formative years he spent in Indiana shouldn't be overlooked. Here is the story of one man's efforts to do just that.

Lincoln....... He's Electric!

Electric Consumer Magazine, produced by Indiana's Rural Electrical Co-ops did a wonderful feature this month about the upcoming Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration. It includes great information about Spencer County, Ind.'s Lincoln sites and other activities state-wide. The online version of the magazine has even more great information and neat links to check out! Click here to go to the Electric Consumer online magazine.

Blast From the Past

We got a request this week for some historic photos of our town from producers at Sharp Entertainment, who filmed the town of Santa Claus in December for a Travel Channel special on America's Most Christmassy Places. The show will air during the 2008 holiday season.

We knew the Santa Claus Museum was sure to have some treasures from the past, so we ask Curator Chrystal Buehler for help.

My how times have changed! Here's a photo from the museum's archives of one of the town's early post offices:

Here's a photo of the post office as it is today:

While the buildings may look dramatically different, one thing has stayed the same throughout the years -- each Christmas thousands of letters from children arrive here intended for The Jolly Ol' Elf himself.

Visitors can learn more about the history of the Santa Claus Post Office and our town's tradition of helping Santa write back to these children at The Santa Claus Museum.

Honk if You Love Lincoln!

Abraham Lincoln may soon be hitting the highway in the state of Indiana. If House Bill 1202 is approved, his face may soon appear on Indiana license plates.

The bill, which is now moving through the Indiana General Assembly, would create a special license plate for issue in 2008 & 2009 in honor of Lincoln's 200th Birthday. The measure is was proposed by Rep. Russ Stilwell of Boonville, Ind.

Here in Spencer County, where Lincoln lived from age 7 to 21, we are thrilled about the new plates and can't wait to see them on the road! We hope they'll help bring more people to visit our Lincoln sites where they can learn more about the life of our nation's 16th president.

Lincoln Takes Center Stage

Efforts are underway to develop a new play about the life of Abraham Lincoln to be performed in honor of his 200th birthday at Lincoln Amphitheatre in the summer of 2009.

A nation-wide search resulted in more than 25 playwrights submitting samples of their best work and their ideas for the new Lincoln production to the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association for its review.

The covered, outdoor 1,500-seat Lincoln Amphitheatre is located in Spencer County’s Lincoln State Park. The new play will explore how Lincoln's formative years spent in Indiana influenced the decisions he made as president leading our country through its most trying time - the Civil War.

Click here to go to the Lincoln Amphitheatre website to learn more.

Lincoln Bicentennial Featured in Kentucky Living

Spencer County's upcoming Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Events were included in an article in the January issue of Kentucky Living Magazine. To read the article online, click here. During 2008, many special events will be held here as part of a two-year celebration of the 200th birthday of our nation's 16th president. Spencer County is Lincoln's boyhood home, where he lived with his pioneer family from age 7 to 21. For a complete schedule of Bicentennial Events, got to ThinkLincoln.org