We Are Community 226
The Collectors of Illinois Pottery and Stoneware convention is over for another year. It was our 40th convention. For several years we moved it around the state then a few years ago we settled on the Stoney Creek Inn in East Peoria because it was centrally located for most members even though we have several, Including officers, from outside Illinois. A lot of stoneware changed hands and I try to buy a lot of stoneware for Plymouth Rock Antiques and was successful again this year. It is always nice to see other stoneware collectors and old friends. Got a stoneware barn birdhouse for my building-birdhouse collection. Got home safely and will spend first of week unloading and pricing.
The Colchester Historic Society met on Monday evening. We decided to meet on the 3rd Monday four times a year at the Colchester library. Suggestions for programs would be welcome. Seven people paid their dues for the year.
Tuesday I finally finished unpacking boxes from the Spoon River Drive. That allowed me to start repacking for stoneware convention though many fewer boxes!
Had a phone call from the past-a lady I was in 4H with many years ago. Always good to hear from friends from the past. She lives in Mapleton which I go through several times a year on route to 3rd Sunday or stoneware convention. Wonder if I drive right past her house.
Wanted to take a dessert to convention so found one that was easy. Takes one yellow cake mix, 2 eggs and three over ripe bananas. Nothing simpler than one, two, three. Mixed the eggs and mashed bananas then stirred in the cake mix and baked it at 350 for 20 minutes as it was not very thick in the 9 by 13-inch pan. Sprinkled the top with cinnamon and brown sugar after it came out of the oven. Simple and good.
Read my name in the paper as having a delinquent tax on a property. Was surprised as I pay bills when they arrive so I don’t have to handle them twice. Called the courthouse. Played phone tag for a while. Called one office, was transferred, call dropped. Called back not answered etc. so drove to Carthage on Thursday morning with cash in hand as she said they would not take a check. Told the nice lady I never got a tax bill. She said I should have called and told her that I did not get a tax bill. Hum. Never had gotten one for that particular property so did not know I was supposed to get one. Anyway, I ended up paying a quarter of what I paid for the property in one year’s taxes. Surely glad that my house taxes are not similar. Got a form to fill in for a tax review of the property. One of the reasons we chose to live in Hancock County when our major business was in McDonough County was the tax rate, so in reality, I am not complaining about the tax rate but rather how this was all handled. Will try to get it all straightened out before the next tax year.
Thanks to everyone who came to the antique store this weekend. Traffic had been light but many came in on Saturday while I was at convention. Hopefully store traffic has now picked back up.
Vote. The election is fast approaching! It is a very important election and no mater which side one supports, each feels that the country will implode if their candidate is not elected.
Have a good week. Enjoy the fantastic leaf color because they will soon be gone. Scatter Kindness and Love even to those who vote “wrong”!