Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Blogger Bash and Halloween

Went to the blogger bash last night it was quite interesting mix of folks. With it being the night before Halloween, I had to make a dish for our Breakfast Brunch. I made a Strata, If you have not tried a Strata, it's easy and tastes great. Unfortunately, it has to be in the fridge for 8 hours before baking.



It turned out great. Now lets get back to the Blogger Bash, having arrived late I missed some of the early leavers. I did meet a very eclectic group of bloggers. They are a great bunch of folks, enjoy there posts. From all the discussions evolving the things you are not supposed to talk about were wildly discussed. Politics, religion and more politics. There was some interesting discussions on the Presidential race, the House race and the State's Attorney race. It will be an interesting election year. The neatest things about the discussions were the vigor that the bloggers had for their point of view.

That vigor also was present in the Sports discussions and some of the stories of interest that take place on a daily basis in all our lives. The wide array of views and thoughts about our great community were very interesting.

It is this vigor that makes their blogs so much of a great read. As we get closer to that early primary, make sure you check out the blogs. I am sure they will be most enlightening and a great read.



It was a great time. I am looking forward to the next installment.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Great Tomato Crop is coming to a cold end

This years tomato crop has been the awesome. There are plants still are budding. The fruit is bountiful. The indeterminent plants are well over ten feet in height or should we say length as now they are invading the yard.

This morning the first frost raised its head. It will probably be doom for these fine plants. If so we will be back at the Supermarket next month getting the red orbs that do not have the taste of the homegrown beauties.

If you have not had the pleasure of a tomato plant try one next season. You can grow them in any kind of pot or in the yard. They have unique character and a great taste. Maybe you should not plant them so you will be happy with the store bought varieties.

Farewell trusty Tomato plants. The humans and animals will miss you until next year.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Space Shuttle and International Space Station Sightings from Peoria, IL

These cool nights give us the opportunity to see the Space Station with the naked eye. It is free and kind of fun. So bundle up and go outside and see the space station hurtle over Central Illinois.

Sunday's sighting will be at 6:00 a.m. It will appear 11 degrees above SSW and reach an elevation of 35 degrees and leave your view 34 degrees above SE. It will be in sight for 3 minutes.

Speaking of degrees it may frost in the morning so bundleup.


You can go to the NASA website and get information on sightings on a daily basis. Their website is http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States&region=Illinois&city=Peoria

Good luck in seeing the Space station.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Local House on HGTV's "What's with the Haunted House" Sunday October 28 at 8:00 P.M.

The Haunted House in Creve Coeur, IL that is a big attraction before Halloween will be on the HGTV Special. You have a chance to see the Ghostly Delights in Person.



The Robertson Family Cemetery Home Haunt at 246 Ehrett Street in Creve Coeur, IL will be its last. It has been a tradition that will mark it's last showing. The House is open

Saturday October 27th and Sunday October 28th from 6:00 - 9:00 P.M.

On Halloween Night it will be open from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M.



They will have a Child Friendly Evening Tuesday October 30 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.



Check out their website at:

http://www.robertsonfamilycemetery.com/



"The Robertson Family Cemetary is open to the public. There is no charge but donations are accepted. Donations will be given to a local civic organization." - Source the family flyer.





Check out this local attraction. Seeing it in person is a better experience than seeing it on TV.



Have a Safe and Sane Halloween. Boo!!!

Footloose- Midwest Central High School Play

Last night was the final performance of the Midwest Central Play "Footloose" at the Forman Center in Manito. It was very good. Not attending many plays of late. This show kept the crowd on its toes with toe tapping music and some great comic relief. The comic of the Show was Willard played by Tyler Martin.



The Leads Ren played by Brad Wilson and Ariel played by Danielle Fisher, were very enthusiastic and professional in their portrayals. Brad has an excellent voice and the guy can dance. Danielle lit up the room with her expression and acting talents.



The cast included 61 students from a school of 240. That is amazing. The show was directed by Susan Frank and Rebecca Switzer. With a musical assist from the Brienen family. This was the 20th year for the Directors.



The community was really behind this show. It is great to see that in a small town like Manito. It would be great to see this kind of support in the bigger schools in the Peoria area. When was the last time you went to a School play, or Corn Stock or Peoria Players? Yet a lot of folks fork over big bucks to see productions at the Civic Center. The performers might be professional but the intensity and drive of the performers at Manito would stack up against a touring show.



Go out and support your local theatre groups. It makes for a great community.



5 of 5 tail wags for the "FOOTLOOSE" performers. It was a great show. Good Luck in your next endeavor.

Friday, October 19, 2007

ATail of Two Halves The Richwoods LaSalle Peru Football Game

Wow what a game. For those that missed it, it was down to the last plays before the game was decided. Last week against Woodruff it was the last set of downs that ended in a Richwoods win. A final minute interception tonight stopped LaSalle from Beating Richwoods.



For the fashion conscious Richwoods came out in new All Green Uniforms. The Knights looked as good in the Second half as the new Uniforms.



It was finally Football Weather. The cool night felt reminiscent of years gone by when the Football Season started several weeks later. Here it is the end of the regular season and the first game with a temp below 50 and a wind chill.



If you are old enough to remember the Thanksgiving Day game at the Stadium. They were truly memorable experience of games between Manual and Peoria Central. Many of the attendees were just football fans. This was before 300 channels on cable. There may have been 3 back then. Folk's went to the game as a social event whle the Turkey was cooking. The game was well attended, you would see many people from all the area schools. It was a great event. This had to stop when the Illinois State High School Association started the Football playoffs.



In between the two halves was a fine performance from the Richwood Band, Flag Team and the Pom Squad. The played some Older Rock and one hit wonders starting the show with an Emerson Lake and Palmer offering. The one problem I have with the new band half time show is that the drum lines do not march. Was there a Darwinian Evolution of Percussionist that does not allow them to March. Have they lost there sense of Rhythm in Evolution process. There Drummers The should be able to March;-)

Richwoods next game will be in the playoffs. Go out and support one of your local teams. It is great fun and money well spent.

Go Knights

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Farmer's Markets

Last week, I was traveling in the great State of North Carolina. They really know how to support their Agriculture producers. I visited the State Farmers Market in Raleigh and in Greensboro.



The Raleigh State Farmers Market just off Interstate 40 is a large complex filled with Fresh Produce (Locally grown), plants, prepared foods and Crafts. It is large enough that you can leisurely walk around the stalls and look at the items and make your selections. The area also includes 2 restaurants, One is a Seafood restaurant that is self serve (A great value) and a full Service family restaurant with Southern Specialties. Try the Meatloaf. It is open every day. It is a must stop if you are in the area.



The Greensboro State Farmers Market is a little smaller. The highlight is a new Restaurant the Moose Cafe.

The original Moose Cafe is in Asheville, NC. This restaurant was a great place to stop. A friendly and helpful staff. The Restaurant is large and open.

The Food is great. The biscuits and Apple Butter are a specialty. The Apple Butter is quite Chunky and tastes great. The Biscuits were very large and fluffy. They did not leave that oily aftertaste that some biscuits leave. The Chicken Dumplings were excellent. It came with two sides. I got the Green Beans and the mashed Potatoes. The Green beans were old fashioned pole beans, the Mashed Potatoes were the real deal. The Berry Cobbler was hot and fresh. Cost with drink was under $10.00.

The Moose Cafe at The State Farmer's Market in Greensboro get 4.5 out of 5 Wagging Tails.



It would be great if we had these types of areas in Illinois. The Farmer's Market at Metro Center is good as well as the one on the Riverfront on Saturday Morning. I have not made it to the other Seasonal market in Pekin. Being at the Courthouse it always sounded interesting. Guess we will have to wait for next year to get the Markets here in full swing.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Initial Post

Having been told that this is the hardest post, I do believe them now. We are beginning a journey that will start here and end down by the River.

Speaking of the River, Last week was Bark in the Park. For you fellow Animal lovers there is the Foster Pet Outreach - Ho0liday pictures coming up this Sunday at the Heartland Dog training facility. The Photographers "Freeze Frame" do a great job. It is a very worthwhile cause and a great event.

Hopefully we will see many tail waggers there.