The annual Holiday Open House at Sullivan’s Foods, 300 N. Madison Street, Morrison, IL, on Saturday, November 17, 2012, was held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Customer support of the Morrison Friends Food Pantry was an aspect of the day. Several opportunities for drawings, food sampling and ordering, Santa visiting, or cookie decorating were part of the fun.
People had entered the free, 30-second shopping spree. You were to sign up before noon; the drawing would be held at 1:00 p.m. One lucky person was to begin immediately. A condition of this drawing was the winner had to be present when the name was chosen.
It did not work that way, however. Eleven names were chose–one at at time–but none was there. (Editor’s note: Spellings had to be quickly approximated as they were called, with no opportunity to read the signatures.) Where were: Mark Wiebenga, Norma Nelson, Valerie Sharie, Nancy Chilton, Irene Bush, Cindy Jones, Penny Shagle, Regina Keith, Helen Wagenecht, Laurie Williams, and Kathy Claussen?
Manager Danny Baker and Assistant Manager Jeramie Reatherford decided to start the drawing over. Remaining names were disgarded. The small gathering of customers completed new registrations.
This was the point where a Sullivan’s staffer placed an entry blank into my hand. I had had two chances to register earlier that day, but did not. Now, “Why not?” I thought.
With no expectation to win, one is usually flabbergasted to do so! I was thrilled with the spontaneity of the run. I held two 15-ounce cans of mandarin oranges in one hand, as I awaited the countdown at the end of the check-out lane. Into the cart they went, as I tore down the baking and baby aisle–grabbed a ten-pack box of Alpine Spiced Cider–and slid around three “corners” into the meat department.
This is where Reatherford had said he would go, if he were in a shopping spree. What great advice! Here I chose:
- a fresh Butterball hen turkey, 14.45 lbs
- corned beef, 3.94 lbs
- extra-lean ground chuck, 1.06 lbs
- Angus beef bottom round roast, 2.16 lbs
- eight Tyson chicken breasts, 3 pounds
- six Johnsonville Brat patties, 2 lbs
- six assorted pork chops, 2.78 lbs.
The total “gift” was $89.68!
My family enjoyed the roasted turkey on Thanksgiving Day. The leftovers still make me smile.
During the Open House, Becky and Diane served fish and meat, left, and Connie Baar offered fruit.
Retired Morrison Junior High Principal Gordon Nelson, left, and Lester Mathew posed at the drawing table, near piles of prepared bags for the Food Pantry. At the meat department, customer Paula, left, sampled one of the varieties Liz had for tasting.
Santa Claus was available to children and adults. Manager Danny Baker, left, and Assistant Manager Jeramie Reatherford, right, flanked the jolly gentleman. A big sister prompted her brother to tell Santa his age.
