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

Lincoln once said, “To this place, and the kindness of its people, I owe everything.” He was speaking to the community of Springfield Illinois, where he made a home for himself and found his wife.

Today, much of what made Springfield a home to Lincoln is still here. His law office, which he ran with his partner William H. Herndon, is now on the registrar of historic places, and one can take a tour of the historic building. In the summertime, there is a costumed guide portraying Lincoln’s clerk.

Market Street Inn is near Springfield IL Lodging. We are approximately 29 miles from Springfield.

There are several other interesting historical Lincoln sites in Springfield. One can visit Lincoln’s home; the

Abe Lincolin's Home in Springfield IL

only home he ever owned, where he lived for 17 years before leaving for Washington D.C.

It was also here in Lincoln Hometown that Abe delivered his “House Divided” speech. It was during the Republican National Convention; only after that speech did the concept of a “divided House” become common terminology.

Lincoln addressed the people of Springfield at the train depot before leaving to take office in the White House. It was here that he spoke the kind words about his community members quoted at the top of this page. You can visit this Great Western Railroad Station, where Lincoln bid farewell to his friends and family to take on the greatest responsibility of his life.

And, of course, Lincoln’s tomb is also here in Springfield. After his assassination, his remains were returned to the town he loved so much, and great speeches to his unparalleled service were spoken. His tomb is a sizable 117-foot tower, and contains the bodies of his wife and three of four sons. The outside of the tomb features sculptures of Lincoln, and inside are many excepts from Lincoln’s speeches and famous words. It is a powerful place, and an essential part of any visit to Lincolnland.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, an extraordinary new facility, opened just a few years ago.   It is open 7 days weekly w/ Wednesday being the late day.   One should allow approximately 4 hours for this tour.   

I hope you will come to visit us, and Lincoln, soon. There is a wreath-laying ceremony at his tomb on February 12. Starting in June and throughout the summer there is a flag lowering ceremony every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the tomb.

A humble man, Lincoln remains alive because what he did with his life affects us all today. Come and visit the home of this American hero.