Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast the Market Street Inn

Who thinks about Persimmons today? Probably not a lot of folks but the Persimmon Fest in Central Illinois at the Christian County Historical Museum sure does draw a crowd from all over the country and then some. Actually the persimmon is a sought after fruit in Asian Countries.

The Lovely and Versitile Persimmon

Persimmons are not ready to eat, at least by local standards, before they have undergone a “killing frost” and we have had one now so the persimmon harvest is coming in, they are being washed, pitted and mashed into a pulp for use in all sorts of tasty dishes including puddings, pies, steamed persimmon pudding, spiced persimmon cake and other baked goods.  Darleen Wilson is making 24 persimmon pecan pies for this event.  Abraham Lincoln would have loved Darleen’s pies.

Persimmon Bundt with Walnuts

Persimmon Bundt with Walnuts Recipe

 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Myrna, our chief innkeeper, is a survivor of  6 months. Our effort in promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to invite you to a stay at the Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast for the weekend of Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30 or anytime through November 21, 2010 AND  10%  of your room rate will be donated to Cups for the Cure and/or Breast Cancer Research.  The donation will be in your name.

Some special events in Taylorville, IL   

** One East Market Restaurant invites you to make a $15 donation to attend a tasting of five fabulous wines and a complimentary, hand painted wine glass.  11 am to 5 pm    You may purchase any of the wines either by the bottle or case and all proceeds will go to breast cancer awareness and research in a ten-county area in Central Illinois.

** Lunch on the “Pink Plate Special” for $8.50 and $1.00 of each lunch will go to breast cancer research.

** The drink of the day at One East Market Restaurant will be the Flirtini Special for $7.50. Each Flirtini Special sold makes a $2.50 donation to Breast Cancer Research.

** There will be a 50/50 drawing and Gift Basket Raffles.

** There will be Art Bra’s on display, one by your innkeeper, and you may let your $$ vote for your favorite and, of course, all proceeds go to breast cancer awareness and research.

** There is NO COVER CHARGE for live music by 48 Connection from 5 to 8 PM. This band is known for their roadhouse blues and rock music.

Have fun, donate to a very worthy cause and enjoy Central Illinois finest lodging.  See us at www.marketstreetinn.com/

On Sunday, October 31st, Garlic Fest II will happen at the K of C Hall in Morrisonville, IL  just about 9 miles from the Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast.  Tickets are $8 at the door and what a good time you will have.  Garlic!!!!  The doors will open at 1 PM and Bagna Cauda will be ready about 1:30 PM.  This gives you time to soak up a bunch of Bagna and beer preparing for the meal which will be at approximately 3:30 PM consisting of Garlic Sausage, Slaw & Mostaccioli.  There will be music by “The Music Men” from 3:30 to 7:30 PM.  Garlic Fest II is a revived area tradition and golly, did we miss it when it was gone.  Thanks for the revival.  You cannot have more down home fun than is available here.      

Bagna Cauda Recipe

Garlic Fest II Where Garlic is King

Romance and warmth multiply in flickering firelight

We are approaching the time of year when warmth is a desirable thing. There is nothing like a flickering fire or the warm bubbling waters of a whirlpool tub for two to warm and stimulate you and your partner and enhance relaxation and romance. Both fire flicker and bubbling jets of our whirlpool rooms are available at the Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast www.marketstreeinn.com.

Whirlpool Tub for Two next to a Fireplace

Most of our guest rooms have either a gas log fireplace or an electric fireplace while our Hunt Club in the Carriage House has both. Enjoy the romance, the escape and each other.

From these Peppers come great Chilli

Come to Taylorville, Illinois and compete, participate or just enjoy the fun, food and frolic at the 25th Annual Chillifest beginning Friday afternoon, October 15, all day Saturday the 16th and most of Sunday October 17th. Sponsored by the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce and sanctioned by the International Chili Society there will be categories for Red Chili, Green Chili and Salsa. The”Chillinois Regional” takes place on Saturday, October 16 and the Central States Regional Cookoff takes place on Sunday, October 17.  Go to www.chillifest.info/ for all the categories, entry forms and schedule of events.

Red Chilli for judging and tasting

The Fall Colors will be peaking, the chili will be great, the entertainment will be funon our National Historic Registry town square.  There is also a “Bring your Own” wine taste and share on the front porch of the Market Street Inn just 2 short blocks from all of the Chili fun.  We look forward to you being here.

Summertime is the time to go to the fair for some good old fashioned fun. Yep, the Christian County Fair in Taylorville is upon us from July 6 thru 11 and there is fun for all ages.

Fun, Food and Frolic

Farmers bring their purebred livestock to show and be judged, local growers of produce and flowers bring arrangements to show and be judged also. Miss Christian County competition will happen and a Queen will reign. There is a show featuring local talent. How about a Truck and Tractor Pull?

Hear and Feel the raw power of a tractor pull vehicle

There will also be a Demolition Derby, a Toy Tractor Pull for the kids and, for the kids of all ages, the Carnival Midway with rides, cotton candy, lemon shake-ups and corn dogs. Did I mention the sanctioned Chili Cookoff? Wow, what a weekful of events.

The Taylorville Main Street Association is presenting a number of great activities here in Taylorville, less than 30 miles southeast of Springfield, Illinois. Come check out Barbecue, Blues & Cruise on June 4th & 5th at the Christian County Fairgrounds. Friday evening (no admission charge) from 5 to 10 PM “Talk to the BBQ Pros” and enjoy the Michelle Merker Memorial Concert.  Saturday ($5 admission)  From 10 am until 10:00 pm folks will be engaged in a Kansas City Bar-B-Q cook off, an Iron Chef competition and a Backyard grillers competition. While some folks cook and others taste, still others will be enjoying fantastic blues music from Big Babe Martin and the Chump Change Blues Band and The Manhattan Project.  

Start your day with a trip to the Farmer’s Market on the east side of Taylorville Square and pack a picnic, or enjoy good food from local vendors, and plan to make a day of it.  Also on the Square will be “Art On the Square”, a juried art fair which features beautiful paintings and sculpture and jewelry.

As if cook-offs and blues music aren’t enough, there will also be a Car and Bike Cruise and Show. This is guaranteed to be fun for vehicle aficionados of all ages. Taylorville is a perfect spot for Illinois Weekend Getaways. Come stay with us at our Central Illinois bed and breakfast and enjoy the Taylorville Main Street Association’s BBQ, Blues and Cruise on June 4th & 5th.

Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez

Saturday, April 3, 2010 Gaetano Gambino will celebrate the 1st year anniversary of being open in Taylorville, IL, right in the Heart of Lincolnland. Gaetano, long in the restaurant business, was transplanted by Hurricane Katrina and came to where we don’t have hurricanes. He is a success. There will be music all day long–featuring 3 bands, from 10 AM to 10 PM, a Louisiana Style Crawfish Boil and other refreshments. There is NO COVER CHARGE! Come and celebrate the end of Lent, Easter and have a great time.

Golf!  What a beautiful word which conjures visions of  sunshine, fresh air, challenge, fun, frustration, bets to be won on the next shot, camaraderie and liquid refreshment.  What could be better?  FREE GOLF!  Book your two night stay at the Market Street Inn and use our 4 passes to 18 holes per day.  The cart is on you. 

Taylorville Lake Shore Golf Course is rated 4.5 by Golf Digest and our golf guests tell us that it is a mature and challenging course.  Yes, there are some blackout dates and we urge you to check with us for those dates.

The Crocus have Popped!

The Crocus are up and popped and pretty and the Ides of March are upon us. Does this mean Spring? Why not. Fun things are happening in Taylorville and you should come to enjoy them.

St. Patrick’s Day One East Market Restaurant and Jazz Lounge will be featuring Live tunes by “48 Connection” and drink specials like “Irish Car Bomb’s” and more. Come and have fun.

On March 30 the Arts Council will feature a program by acclaimed film maker, writer and composer Craig Lindvahl in the Shumway Room of One East Market beginning at P.M.

Saturday, March 6 there will be a wine tasting, as there is every 1st Saturday, at One East Market Restaurant and Jazz Club. Taste fine wines from 3 to 5 pm and rate them and meet new friends. Stay for dinner. Beginning at 5 pm, Gary Burt will be performing in the Lounge, doing his vocalizations which, you would swear, you are hearing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tony Bennet. Gary will be performing from 5 to 9 pm. Book your room at the Market Street Inn, ask us to make your dinner reservations at One East Market and have a great time.

Your room will feature either a Queen or King bed and a double whirlpool tub in the bath. Book for two nights and ask about our two night special. Awaken each day to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and anticipate your full, country breakfast. Stay in your room, enjoy our parlors, go out and look the town or the area over and enjoy our Innkeeper Reception about 4 pm each day. We are here for you to have fun. Relax, reconnect and rekindle romance at our fine inn. You cannot go wrong!

Taylorville has numerous very good restaurants which are sure to please your palate.