Morrison’s Farmers’ Market concluded the 2014 season on Saturday, September 27. The dulcet guitar rhythms of regular entertainer Jim Seeley, Jr. of Tampico, IL, added pleasure to the morning from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. There were raffles for mum plants and a cookbook, too. As another successful Farmers’ Market comes to a close, visitors will soon have the opportunity to continue the experience indoors–at Lincoln Highway Gifts, 104 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL.
Beginning Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, owner Susan Schuler will invite Market vendors to use a portion of her store. Vendors will be available from 9:00 a.m. to noon on each Friday and 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Schuler plans to add in the future crafters who offer different products than she sells and antiques booths.
At Saturday’s event the oddest produce was these “snake” gourds. They resembled green beans for giants. Note the yard stick to measure the size. Paint would transform them, and a big basketful would be impressive on a porch. They might add to a spooky Halloween scene!
Bryan Vogel of Morrison is shown behind one of his handcrafted, pine, Vogle benches (note the change in spelling.) “It is pronounced ‘volley’,” he stated. Vogle Bench Co. items are becoming visible outside local businesses: Family Dollar and Lion and the Lamb, for example. This one normally rests outside his father Tommy’s Barber Shop at 205 E. Main Street. Each bench is 4′ wide, comfortable for two or three, and only 25 pounds in weight. The fee of $110 includes your color choices of oil-based paint and stenciled message. To place an order, call Bryan Vogel at 815-772-9007.
“The Bread Lady” is Sally Eng‘s easy-to-remember business name. She is pictured with husband Tom and several of her baked offerings. There was French, Wheat, and Corn Bread; Bread Crumbs, Croutons, and Sticks. Eng said she will make a gluten-free bread loaf upon request. Order Apple Dumplings through Thanksgiving; order Caramel Dumplings from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Eng’s annual Christmas Cookie Open House is Sunday, December 1, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Bring a plate(s) to fill with “dozens of varieties of holiday cookies and fruit breads.” Orders must be placed before Friday for pick-up on Sunday, between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., at The Road Side Bread Shop, 825 12th Street, Erie, IL, on Old IL Highway #2. The phone number is 309-912-4556.
If you are devoted to the J. R. Watkins natural product lines, Carolyn Aiken of Morrison is your contact person. She is shown at the Farmers’ Market with her top sellers, Pure Vanilla Extract and Purest Ground Cinnamon. Begun in 1868, Watkins products now include four categories of natural items: Gourmet; Home Care; Personal Care (including bath and body, vitamins and supplements); Remedies, like Pain Relieving Liniment with camphor and capsicum. Aiken also makes natural dog treats. Contact her at 815-772-2813.
Craig Janssen and his wife, Marilyn, operate Janssen Family Farms at 20192 Moline Road, Lyndon, IL. You can order the following pork and beef products and sunflower seeds by calling 815-778-4557. Inquire about 1/4 and 1/2 bundles of Pork or Beef.
PORK: 1# pkg. sausage–$3; 1# pkg. porkburgers–$3.50; 1# pkg. whole hog brats–$3.50; 1/4# whole hog brat patties–$3.50; 3# pork roast–$8; 2 plain or seasoned butterfly pork chops–$5; pork spare ribs (approx. 2#)–$5; lard for baking–$8.
BEEF: 1# ground beef–$4.50; 1/4# beef patties (4/pkg)–$5; 4# beef roast–$14; 4# arm roast–$12; 2# beef roast–$7; sirloin steaks–$11; T-bone or ribeye steaks–$15; liver–$2.
SUNFLOWER SEEDS: small bag–$1; large bag–$12