The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Donna Pindell - The Quill
On Friday, November 22, merchants greeted patrons on the annual Stronghurst Christmas walk. If you like good food and a family fun atmosphere, this was the place to be.
A stage was set up on Broadway Street with a variety of people showing their talents. The West Central band and chorus entertained as well as the dancing elves.
Norm Menzenberg brought his lawn tractor and train to entertain the kids and an Amish wagon ride around the block was always full of people.
The Feed Lot owned by Jim and Sara Brown offered Chicken Tortilla Soup to warm you up while just to the west you could grab a walking taco from Eagleview.
As you walk south on Broadway Street past the Post Office, you come to Doran Insurance Agency owned by Tom and Diana Doran. They offered freebies such as pens, writing pads, flashlights, ice scrapers and other safety equipment.
Next in the line of travel is The Senior Citizen Center. The Family Outreach Community Center provided a drop off area in the building for food collection. They also were accepting school supplies for Aubrey's Community Care Drive which provides children at West Central schools with things that are needed. Rob Hull delighted the crowd with his singing at the center and the Henderson County Library also had a spot set up.
At the end of the block is H & H Feed owned by Phil Butler. A perfect location for the Henderson County 4-H to raffle off a Yeti cooler while you browse the farm and domestic animal supplies they have in stock.
Cross Nichols Street and you find Security Savings which held drawings for gift cards for both adults and children. The food included gourmet cupcakes and hot and cold cider. They also gave away tote bags.
The Stronghurst United Methodist Church shared the Security Savings space. They distributed coloring books, popcorn and candy.
Cross over Broadway Street and head north to Bygones and Buds owned by Jim Blender. If your stomach wasn't full yet, Jim and his elves would take care of that. The food spread included sandwiches, meatballs, cheesecakes, cookies and of course, hot apple cider.
Continue north to Fisher's Food Mart, owned by Jim and Char Fisher, to taste samples of wine-adults over 21 only-as well as another display of snacks.
Turn right on Main Street and follow to the Stronghurst Fire Station.
The volunteer fireman held a kid's tractor pull. Everyone received candy so there were no losers.
Walk across Main Street and head west past the new Stronghurst Water Tower and Veteran's Memorial. The "tiny house" which was raffled off by the Stronghurst Booster Club was the site to see the big man himself, Santa Claus. I'm not sure if Jan Neff charged him rent after she was the winner of the raffle for the house.
Next stop was the Bank of Stronghurst. You could have a hot dog, chips and homemade fudge as well as some refreshments from the Belted Cow while you listened to the Christmas carols sang by the Ecumenical choir.
Turn right on Broadway to reach Bob's TV ran by Lori Taylor and crew. You could pick out some new furniture while tasting some snacks.
Last, but not least, you cross Broadway and head south to the Hancock Henderson County Quill. Scrooge, also known as Dan Ashton, awaited everyone's visit. Patrons could sign up to win subscriptions to The Quill as they ate homemade Christmas cookies.
If you could not make it to Stronghurst for the Christmas Walk this year, put it on your calendar for next year.