A delightful surprise awaited those who attended Third Thursday at The Loft on Main, on April 20, 2023. Always a welcoming spot for folks of all ages, the gallery at 112 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL, happily consisted of 15 people plus the Editor. Ages ranged from 10 months to three gentlemen in their 80s (80, 83, and 87.)
Sharon Boyles holds Ivy Lynn Sipes, and father Evan holds his son, Clark. Clark was mesmerized by the lathe-turned, silky-smooth rattle built by Lloyd Beckman.
Starting at the back are Boyles and Ivy Lynn; Evan and hidden-baby, Clark Sipes. Clustered clockwise around the table are Joan Vander Bleek; Barney Habben; Martha Kophamer; Bill Biagi; Marianne Biagi; Jean Zinnen; standing, Mark Zinnen; Ron Coplan; Everett Pannier; mother Kayla Sipes. Underlined names denote artists in fabric, wood, metal, leather, stones, various paints, beads, jewelry, and laser designed products.
The last visitor to arrive, Dee Janssen, left, visits with Boyles, while Pannier listens to Vander Bleek’s Loft advertising proposals.
Boyles baked items for the day, and one was unusual: Magical Marshmallow Puffs. Each small, spherical pastry began with a full-size marshmallow dipped into melted butter and rolled in a sugar-cinnamon mixture. Marshmallows were wrapped in store-bought pastry triangles–from a tube. During baking, the sugary marshmallow heats and “explodes” inside the puff. Boyles drizzled a glaze on top. When one bit into the confection–it was hollow, with a buttery, cinnamon-sugar interior coating. April Fool!
