Bike Jaunt

Skipped out on a meeting to take advantage of the beautiful evening. 12 mile round trip. Half way is the small town of Plattville. Story was told that Bonnie and Clyde carried weapons that had been registered to an an armory here. Who actually robbed the armory is not known. Not sure any landmarks left of the building either... The little town does have a village hall and a closed school, maybe I'll be up to a longer ride soon. Stopped at the little marsh by the side of the road to meditate with the shrill of new frogs. Spied a couple ducks too.

Nearly Spring!

Took the bicycle out today with the gorgeous weather! Cattle were content! Creeks flowing on! Then there's my laundry hanging out on the line. Couldn't ask for a more beautiful day!

Yorkville Library Exhibit

http://yorkville.patch.com/articles/library-exhibit-features-work-of-kendall-arts-guild#photo-9010746

Working on uploading article... but here's the link.

The work of six Kendall Arts Guild members is now on display at the Yorkville Public Library.

The participating artists are Amanda Iwanski, Merrie Woodward, Jim Rendant, Walter Lesus, Doris Lein, and Joan McEachern.

“We really enjoy hosting the Kendall Arts Guild as they bring a nice mixture of different media and techniques,” library employee Sharyl Iwanski said. “This show is a good example.”

The artists' work is a mix that includes fabric art, photography, acrylic on canvas and more, Iwanski said.

The exhibit is especially near and dear to her since her daughter has art work on display.

Amanda Iwanski said she began dabbling in the arts about five years ago.

“I started creating in my high school art classes,” she said.

She tends to focus on pet portraits.

“I enjoy painting animals,” she said.

Her creations can be found on her website.

The artists’ work will be on display at the library through Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Artist display exhibits usually rotates on a six to weight week schedule.
Related Topics: Art, Exhibit, Kendall Arts Guild, and Yorkville Public Library

Bon Ami

Yes, I've been a stranger to my own blog. Seems the stuff of my life the past ten months may have been interesting reading, but extremely difficult for me to digest. Last week I received an email stating I won a years supply cleaning products and I hoped hoped hoped it was real. Today I came home and found 3 heavy cases on my porch. The cleanser I go out of my way to buy...Bon Ami! Case of powder cleanser, two cases liquid cleanser, two case all purpose cleanser, two cases of dish soap, and a block of polish...a tote, an apron and a tee that I will proudly wear... Bon Ami is the GREATEST! Not to mention recyclable packaging, environmentally conscience products I can use in good faith. WOW! It's a beautiful day.

Brickhouse Restaurant

Blugrass Festival~Dickson Murst Farm

The Neighborhood FilesDickson-Murst Farm to Echo With the Sounds of Bluegrass
The Doris Clayton Bluegrass Jam was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept.18th.
By Erin Sauder
Members of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association play during a past Bluegrass Jam event. Merrie Woodward Photos Credit Merrie Woodward

The inspiration behind the Bluegrass Jam at the Farm has passed away, but the memory of Doris Clayton will live on during this year’s third annual event.

The Doris Clayton Bluegrass Jam was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Dickson-Murst Farm, 2550 Dickson Road in Montgomery.

“She lived and breathed bluegrass,” Merrie Woodward, a Dickson-Murst Farm Partner, said of Clayton, who passed away earlier this year after losing her battle with cancer.

During the jam, the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association join the Partners at the Farm to generate music with both experts and beginners.

Clayton, of Sandwich, was a member of the Bluegrass Association and was the Illinois Bluegrass Ambassador of the year in 2005. She was also one of the original members of Trumans Ridge bluegrass band.

Three years ago, she brought the first bluegrass jam to the Farm.

“She thought it would be a perfect fit,” Woodward said.

During the jam, musicians move from one group to another to experiment with the blending of different instruments and players.

“It’s fascinating to watch and and fascinating to listen to,” Woodward said. “Nothing beats the sound and energy of live music.”

A special feature of the event is a schedule of workshops about the instruments used in bluegrass.

A "jam etiquette" workshop scheduled for 1 p.m. will explain “how a jam works and what is expected of musicians wishing to join in,” said NIBA member and D-M Partner Peggy McWethy Sutton of Oswego.

“There will be excellent information for musicians or informed listeners,” she said.

Instrumental workshops will be held throughout the afternoon to give attendees a start in learning to play or help them brush up on their skills. Sessions will focus on the guitar at 1 p.m., both the fiddle and standing bass at 2 p.m., and the mandolin and dobro at 3 p.m.

Other activities for the day included displays by Kendall Arts Guild members Peggy McWethy Sutton, Sharyl Iwanski, Joan McEachern, and Doris Lein, as well as the Newark High School Future Farmers of America, who will be on-hand with a large selection of mums and fall plants.

The Bluegrass Jam at the Farm is a free event hosted by the Farm Partners and The Conservation Foundation, owner of the site. The event will be held rain or shine. If the weather does not cooperate, activities will be moved into the century-old barn and other buildings in the farmstead.

The Country Kitchen provided by the Partners of the Dickson-Murst Farm offer charcoal grilled sandwiches. Profits are used for the maintenance of the buildings at the farm.

4th Annual Studio Exhibit

My work is included in my cousin's annual outdoor studio sale. I'm so appreciative of all the work she does to help get my work out there. Hope people get out and visit. Demos by Laura, 1:00-3:00. I'm hoping to attend some of the day Saturday.