Contact: Carolyn Martinette
email: carolynm4@gmail.com
phone: 270-324-2256
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President Lincoln Finally Receives Driver's License

(Hodgenville, KY) Ice and snow may have canceled this week's kickoff ceremonies for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial at Hodgenville, but fortunately  President Lincoln WAS able to finally claim his driver's license just in time for President's Day.

"I am happy to finally have a driver's license", President Lincoln said. "The next time I am stopped for speeding in my carriage, I will show this to the officer!"

Lincoln, portrayed by professional Lincoln impersonator, John D. Voehl of Colorado, was very pleased with the unique souvenir of his bicentennial, and posed for pictures with his new driver's license. Voehl, a lifetime member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, traveled to Kentucky from Colorado just for the event, and enjoyed the smalltown hospitality of Hodgenville despite the cancellation of the official ceremonies at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Site.

The Lincoln driver's license, created by Hodgenville native Carolyn Martinette, is a limited edition souvenir created especially for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. It depicts Lincoln and the log cabin in which he was born, as well as his "vital statistics": height, weight, eye color, signature of operator, date of birth and expiration date- the day he died. On the back is one of eight fascinating facts about our 16th President. Illinois, Indiana and Washington, D.C. versions are also available. For additional information and photos, visit www.lincolnlicense.com or contact Carolyn Martinette, P.O. Box 381, Hodgenville, KY 42748
 

President Lincoln, portrayed by John D. Voehl of Colorado, receives his driver's license from Carolyn Martinette during the 199th birthday party for Abraham Lincoln, held Feb. 12th in Hodgenville.

# # #

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
 

Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was born in a plain log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. The two year celebration marking his 200th birthday began February 12, 2008 and will continue through February 12, 2010.  Many commemorations are planned nationwide in honor of Kentucky’s most famous native son.

More information on the Lincoln License may be seen at: www.lincolnlicense.com

For links to Kentucky and national Bicentennial related events, visit: www.lincolnspeaks.com

For more information, contact: Carolyn Martinette
email: carolynm4@gmail.com
phone: 270-324-2256
 

previous release:

LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL MOMENTO
DELIGHTS POLITICIANS AND CHILDREN ALIKE

(Hodgenville, KY) President Bush and thousands of other visitors are expected to attend the opening ceremony for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial in Hodgenville on February 12th. One local resident is hoping to present him a most unusual souvenir for his wallet during his visit - assuming the President carries one.

Carolyn Martinette, 57,  is the creator of the "Lincoln Driver's License", a whimsical but educational souvenir of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration. Of course, historians know Lincoln never owned a driver’s license: The closest he came to driving a car was riding in a horse drawn buggy. So Martinette created one for him.

While there will likely be a wealth of souvenirs available throughout the celebration, Martinette has discovered that her unique souvenir has an unusually wide audience of admirers.
She has already presented copies of the license to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and other visiting dignitaries, and hopes to give one to President Bush during his visit as well. Most are thrilled with the momento of Kentucky's most famous native son, and immediately add it to their own wallets.

“Our political leaders do love it,” admitted Martinette. “But the most fun I have is seeing children who visit our Lincoln Museum light up when they spot it - it is a 'piece of history' that they can relate to and show their friends at home.”

The driver's license, a limited edition created especially for the Bicentennial, depicts Lincoln and the log cabin in which he was born, as well as his “vital statistics”: height, weight, eye color, signature of operator, date of birth and expiration date - the day he died. On the back is one of eight fascinating facts about our 16th President. For additional information and photos, visit www.lincolnlicense.com or contact Carolyn Martinette, P.O. Box 381, Hodgenville, Ky 42748.

# # #
PHOTOS
 

Carolyn Martinette of Hodgenville, KY, displays the artwork from her unique "Lincoln Driver's License" in front of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site Memorial.

Carolyn Martinette, Hodgenville native, presents Tommy Turner, LaRue County Judge Executive with a Souvernir Abraham Lincoln Driver's License. The County will purchase some of the Lincoln Licenses from Martinette, to present to visiting dignitaries at the opening ceremonies for the Lincoln Bicentennial on February 12th.

Artwork from the "Lincoln Driver's License" momento which will be available in Hodgenville and online during the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration.