A pleasant, dry evening had been “arranged” for the enjoyment of vendors, groups, and numerous participants, during the annual Evening Farmers’ Market, along Main Street, Morrison, IL. The Wednesday, July 26, 2017, event began well enough at 5:00 p.m., expecting to conclude at 8:00. Crowd attendance was reported as good. Food was enjoyed. Faces were painted and tattoos applied. Riley Horton’s piano music added to the ambience.
But that changed rapidly, as a storm moved into the area and drove everyone away by 7:00.
As if we needed more rain, with creeks and rivers still above flood stage! About 7:30, word spread to vendors that a rainstorm in Clinton, IA, quickly was advancing, with wind gusts of 50 miles per hour. It was a race to dismantle and stow displays, tents and tables, and merchandise. Sprinkles began at 7:45 but turned to a dark downpour within half an hour. The first Flash Flood warning by phone came at 7:57. One minute later, the City of Morrison Flash Flood alert rang.
According to Duane Habben, it was the first Evening Farmers’ Market to be rained out. Happily, those who attended from 5:00 to 6:45 had a fine time.
Piano Tuner/Technician Riley (R. C.) Horton of Milledgeville, IL, has offered repair services to piano owners since 2013. He performs at parties, church concerts, banquets, and Farmers’ Markets. You might recognize him as one of two baristas in the locally-produced film “Snowflakes and Diamonds.” Call Horton at 815-718-2496, visit https://www.facebook.com/RileyHortonPiano, or send an email query to Rchortonpiano@yahoo.com. R. C. returns to the Saturday, July 29, Morrison Farmers’ Market from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Friends of the Parks offered information and the opportunity to win a fitbit or bicycle. Left-to-right are visitor Susie Ottens with members Bob Brandon, Bill McNeal, Barb Benson, Ann Slavin, and Stan Mitick. Two Morrison boys won the give-aways. Jeg Weets, 4, won the bike. He is shown in the left photo with his six-year-old sister, Claire. Their parents are Brad and Jenna; she submitted the photo. Rowan Geiger, son of Ian and Tracy Banks-Geiger, won the Fitbit. His photo was taken by Bill McNeal.
Amy Wiltshire is the new Community Relations Coordinator at Pleasant View Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 500 N. Jackson Street, Morrison. She promoted the $99 per day, special summer pricing for Respite Stay, during July and August. Non-residents can sign in for up-to-13 days of temporary residence, if their caregivers become unavailable or need to be away. Room, board, various therapy treatments, scheduled social gatherings, and activities are included. Respite Care visitors should bring their own medications. Respite Care is available all year–for a day or more–but this special price is limited. Contact Wiltshire at 815-772-7288 to arrange short-term care for a loved one.
Deeny and Steve Siefken are married Morrison artists. She offered a plethora of ribbon wreaths, most selling for $50. Smaller ones are available for less, and custom designs are welcome. She makes other decorative items, too. Contact Deeny at 779-245-3070 to discuss your options. Steve is a professional photographer who owns Park Street Pictures; he brought a variety of framed pieces. He holds an exciting new project: a limited edition board print, with 11 never-published, Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick photographs. Steve has documented Beswick’s drag racing career and has the latter’s approval for this professional grade, 20″ x 30″ art piece. It sells for $60. Only 100 are available to Beswick fans around the world. Contact Steve at 815-564-8973 to purchase one for yourself or as a gift.
These Eighth Grade Cheers dispensed superhero skin stickers. The Editor was unable to find Wonder Woman. More troubling, however, was that none of the girls had seen the recent film, “Wonder Woman.” Grossing $389+ million,” Wonder Woman” attendance has surpassed all superhero films from the last 15 years. Left-to-right are Laney Edgeton, Lexi Allen, Faith VanderVinne, Corrine Carroll, Jenna Dykema, and Allison Talyor.
Morrison Historical Society Trustees Diane Wiebenga and Dan Vandermyde were in charge of the display and sold various collectible items: bells, sewing/trinket boxes, spoons, magnets, bookmarks, and notecards. Artistic wood blocks replicate iconic local structures, such as the Red Bridge which preceded the Covered Bridge over Rock Creek. Vandermyde holds one of three picture books of Morrison from the 19th century forward. They are $5 each or three for $10 at Morrison’s Heritage Museum, 200 E. Lincolnway. The museum is open Friday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. or any time by arrangement (815-772-8889.)
Cindy Poci, owner of Poci’s Market in Rock Falls, IL, filled tables, bins, and street space with her fresh produce, plants, and flowers. Sales were brisk until the weather interfered. Duane “Barney” Habben, Bryan Vogel, and the Editor helped Poci rapidly load everything into a truck, by 6:50–just before the sprinkles exploded in volume.
American flags are always available for purchase from American Legion members at $20. These men also sold raffle tickets–with a November drawing date–to support the organizations’ philanthropic goals. Each year, a MHS student receives a scholarship during Honors Night. Two Junior High students are presented the American Legion Patriotism Award; they are nominated by peers. Left-to-right are Barry Linder, Erwin Stralow, and Clayton Pearson. Jerry Brearton hauled the display equipment.
Visit some of these folks and other vendors at Morrison’s Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., behind the Whiteside County Court Services building, in the 200 block of E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL.
