The Thomson, IL, Sesquicentennial Committee held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, and discussed upcoming events. An overview concerning the Tribute to Ag Day was given by Randy Durward, and he explained the schedule for the day. Volunteers were solicited to help. A report on the Charity Auction was given. The event netted over $3000, and Mr. Tipton donated his commission. A motion was made to place $2000 of the money in a special Fireworks Savings Fund at the Savanna Thomson Bank, so anyone who wants to donate to the Fireworks Fund may do so. It was also reported that Brandon Prowant had donated the ten smaller banners to the committee for use for the Fireworks Funds. These will be sold for $50 each and are substantially smaller than the pole banners.
Jon Whitney reported that the Sesquicentennial Banners will be hung soon. Twenty-eight banners have been purchased and 22 are ready for display. Further orders will be taken but are limited by the number of poles on the highway and in the Main Street area.
Mary Ann Eirhart reported that recipe books have been proofed and will arrive the second week of April. More than 150 have been presold. If anyone would like to pre-order, sign-up sheets are available at the Library (1005 Main Street), Thomson United Methodist Church (1901 IL Route 84), Carroll County Review office (809 Main Street), or by calling Luanne Bruckner at 815-259-3168. There are 634 recipes in the book with pictures of by-gone days of Thomson. A donation of $15 is requested for each book.
Luanne reported on the free Thomson Sesquicentennial Choir Easter Cantata. She requested permission to give each participant in the choir a Sesquicentennial t-shirt and have them embroidered with the 150th logo. The motion passed. The cantata will be performed Friday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. in Thomson United Methodist Church.
The Alumni Committee reported on the 150th Anniversary Prom, to be held Saturday, May 23, and clarified that the dinner is alumni restricted, while the dance is open to the public, commencing at 8:30 p.m. The Decorations Committee is in place and working on themes. The Alumni Committee will be responsible for decorations on the tables for the dinner, while the Sesquicentennial Committee Decorations Committee–headed by Donna Diephuis with Don and Jane Groharing, Kim LaShalle, and other volunteers–will dress the gym for the dance. All are welcome to help.
The Depot Days Committee headed by John Ashby and Angie Taylor reported that the Outhouse Races would take place, with staging at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, by the Depot on Main Street. The race will take place at 11:30 a.m. running from the Municipal Building north to Walnut Street, turning around and returning to the Municipal Building. Rules and specifications for the outhouses were discussed and will be put on the website. A unique award will be presented to the winner. More information is forthcoming. The Depot Museum will have special displays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Other Depot Days events will include a quilt show at the Library; Art in the Park; Barbershop Chordbusters Choir from Moline, IL; Brass Quintet from Clinton, IA; Illinois Humanities speaker, Brian “Fox” Ellis, as Captain Dietweiller, steamboat captain from 1865, speaking at the Depot. The Boy Scouts of Thomson and Savanna, IL, will host a food tent and root beer float stand. A funnel cake booth by the Republican Women will be enjoyed. The Thomson United Methodist Church Adult Sunday School will present an ice cream social; Art in the Park is planned for the afternoon. The committee is considering contracting inflatable rides for the event.
The July festival was discussed and reported upon with more information forthcoming. At present, several floats have already contracted to be in the parade on Saturday, July 25. Parade Committee Chair Angie Taylor reported registration would take place in front of Val DeSpain’s home on W. Main, with line up heading west. A craft show also is planned for Saturday; a Thomson Historic Pageant will be Friday evening, July 24; the Thomson Legion will host a beer tent Friday night through Sunday, July 26. Volunteers are asked to help the Legion with the beer tent; contact Lawrence Bruckner or Terry Lattin if interested. A box social event for Sunday afternoon, July 26, was discussed. The historic cemetery walk for Sunday afternoon was finalized by the New England Women for Northwestern Illinois, who will present historical biographies at the graves of prominent residents of Thomson, buried in Lower and Upper York cemeteries. Refreshments at the cemeteries will be provided by the local churches.
Softball and baseball team exhibitions and tournaments are in the planning stages.
Anyone wishing to help with the Sesquicentennial is welcome to attend the next meeting in the Village Hall, 2100 Market Street, Thomson, at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8.