Westernport society to hear about Abe Lincoln on Feb. 24

For the Cumberland Times-News

LUKE — The Westernport Heritage Society will hear about the life and times of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, as the first in a series of three speakers set for 2009.

Dennis Morris of Romney, W.Va., will portray Lincoln in words and dress Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Luke City Building.

Heritage society president Tom Clayton points out that it is an auspicious occasion since the country is celebrating the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. “We are so pleased Mr. Lincoln (Morris) will be with us for the evening. I want to stress that this is a program for the entire family.”

Morris will retire this year after 30 years with Mineral County public schools, where he teaches third and fourth grades. He began doing amateur Lincoln presentations in the early 1990s for school children by gluing a carpet strip to his face using rubber cement, but since has grown his own beard. Morris has appeared as Lincoln at schools, churches, civic organizations and festivals, including the New Creek Maple Fest and Hampshire Heritage Days.

A Romney City Council member, he lives in that city with his wife, Monica.

The other two programs in the Westernport Heritage Society Speaker Series include March 19, with Bob Bantz, who will discuss the life of Christopher Gist, an early Allegany County pioneer. He also dresses in costume and brings artifacts of interest. On Sept. 15, Frank Roleff will discuss the work of the Mineral County Historical Foundation.