The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Kudos To Community Organizers

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

December 6, 2017

Hats off to all those in each town who help make our towns special. If it were not for those individuals and support of community businesses, our towns would be cold unfriendly places it would seem.

You often hear people talk about those olden days when the streets were lined with cars and the walks and stores filled with people.

There were many more country folk who came to town on Saturday night, therefore there were active movie houses, car dealerships and new car unveilings. There were also circuses, street vendors and parades going on from time to time.

Some visit about when there was a big Christmas tree in Stronghurst in the middle of Main and Broadway streets and that is where turkeys would be given away.

I don't remember the tree in the square, but I do remember when my brother Gary was around 8 and pulled in a wagon during a 4th of July parade and I believe he had a red bandana around his head and was Aunt Jemima, but not sure, I was so young. Everyone was there from all around the community to watch the parade.

I also remember when cowboy Gene Autry came to town with his horse and we could each stand on a stool and get up on the horse. I was so excited as I loved horses and city folk do not have much access to them.

In the park, we had a platform where the little kids had a bathing suit contest which I think sounds funny now. I doubt if anyone had a clue how to model which made it even cuter.

Of course, variety shows were always fun too. It is unbelievable the talent that lies right here in your area. I attended one at the Raritan Opera House and remember Pat Twomey tap dancing. I had only seen that on television and couldn't believe how good he was and that he could do that, complete with cane and top hat. It was like having Bing Crosby right here!

Of course there have been many plays at the Opera House but never enough. I remember Dan Ashton in long red underwear playing the part of a drunk as he was trying to get dressed or undressed, I can't remember which, but everyone was laughing so hard.

Kudos to you who keep bringing fun events to our towns to build warm memories of our loving midwestern Illinois communities.