In celebration of Earth Day, Mr. Lincoln is cleaning out his shed and preparing for a sale of unused items.

Shelby County Lincoln Heritage, Inc. will be the benefactor of this event, which will take place at the Lions Club Building in Forest Park, Friday, April 17, 3 - 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 18, 8 a.m - 3 p.m.

The SCLH is trying to raise an estimated $5,000 to pay for the bronze donor plaques, Robert Root and Anthony Thornton bio-sketches, and anticipated incidental expenses in placing the five looking for Lincoln Wayside Exhibits in Shelbyville, and one each in Moweaqua and Strasburg. The life size statues are presently at the Shelby County Office of Tourism, east of the Courthouse - where they will remain until the Courthouse exterior and concrete slab and steps west of the south stairs are renovated or replaced.

Shelby County Lincoln Heritage, Inc., began fundraising in October 2005 to create life-size bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Anthony Thornton to commemorate their debate in Shelbyville on August 9, 1856, as painted by Robert M. Root. Thornton was a Shelbyville attorney, former Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court from 1870 to 1873, and founder and first President of the Illinois State Bar Association from 1877 to 1879. The ISBA continues to be the only state-wide organization representing Illinois attorneys today.

The tax-deductible contributions are appreciated and can be sent to SCLH, Inc., P.O. Box 392, Shelbyville IL 62565.