The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher
Country Fun Restaurant and Bowling Alley, rural Biggsville, as of August 15th, is under new ownership. The restaurant-bowling alley is located along US 34 west of Junction 34 and Ill. 94.
The new owner is Charlie Brown, of Keithsburg. He is the third owner since Country Fun first opened its doors on March 6, 1978 in a joint venture by Bob and Carol Peterson and Chuck and Shirley Earp.
The business was then sold to John and Paula Ray who still live in their home behind Country Fun.
Charlie says he will remain a resident of Keithsburg where he serves as Fire Chief for the Keithsburg Fire Department and as an EMT on the ambulance.
"The 25 minute commute is a short jaunt," he said as he had been working the last 4 years at General Grind & Machines in Aledo, a 20 minute commute.
Before that Charlie had worked 21 years at Cannon Bronze Precision Manufacturing in Keithsburg, where he supervised 75 employees as they made parts for locomotives, John Deere, Catepillar, and Mack Trucks. That stopped with the flood of "93.
He was also involved in the Flood of "08, where he witnessed the levee give way in two different places that flooded his town. Charlie is thankful his home is located on higher ground and remains dry.
He is a familiar face to the league bowlers at Country Fun as he has bowled in league since he was 16 and he was the second league bowler to ever bowl a perfect 300 game at Country Fun.
"It was on October 3, 1989. You don't forget a thing like that!" Charlie said. "There were three sponsors and I won $1,000!"
Sponsors were Gene Fassett, Vancils Locker, and the Bank of Stronghurst who each paid 1/3rd of the prize.
"Gene still won't let me forget it!"
Bob "Bud" Painter was the first one to get a perfect game in 1981, he said, eight years earlier.
As for the restaurant, Charlie will be continuing with the 7 day-a-week routine, except for the few holidays they are closed.
Hours remain 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday, until 10 p.m.
They will continue serving Saturday night buffet and Sunday noon buffet which both will feature their famous fried chicken and alternate other entrees.
This Saturday they served Salisbury Steak and Chicken and Sundays they feature two meat entrees along with their chhicken.
They will alternate with ham, roast beef, Italian pork, ham loaf, ham balls, salisbury steak to name a few.
"Our banquet room can still be reserved, and we still have our peanut butter pie, homemade tenderloins, and hot beef sandys that people are always asking for."
As for bowling, it is still the best deal in the area, Charlie said. The ten lanes have league bowling 7 days a week. 7 p.m.Monday, 12:30 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday Noon, and Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
"Tuesday night is our biggest bowling night with 50 men playing on all ten lanes, 5 to a team.
There is open bowling Saturday nigh- Adults $2.50, Juniors $2.00, Seniors $1.75, and Shoe Rental $1.00.
He has three children, Dillon, 16, Kaylin, 13, and Alex, 10, which he enjoys spending time with and jointly shares the responsibilities of raising them with his former wife.
He also loves to fish, hunt, go camping and is an avid Cubs fan.
You may see Charlie's parents, helping out from time to time - Duke and Judy Brown from Keithsburg.
He has retained the same friendly staff plus hired a few new faces.
The Hancock County Quill, La Harpe, and The Henderson County Quill, Stronghurst are now on sale at Country Fun.