North Pole Family Fun Day Warms Hearts

North Pole on Friday, LBL Saturday...what's next?

I was disappointed when my daughter (Kristi), granddaughter (Millie) and I first arrived in Paris for North Pole Family Fun Day about mid-way through the festivities. The ad had mentioned several events taking place "around the court square" and I saw only a long line of youngsters at Santa's candy-cabin and scouts cooking hamburgers on the grill. Quickly, though, we realized Parisians think bigger than the grounds of the square; events were scattered strategically between shops about town and we made haste to see all the attractions. First on our list was MOLLY. We'd heard about this elfin wonder, granddaughter of Lisa Ellis, and found her to be even cuter and sweeter than her photos. We'd have missed her if Millie hadn't honed in on her behind the scenes at Leach's Music, where, incidentally, we noticed a plethora of guitars in various sizes and styles. Every youngster, teen and young adult needs a guitar; it's a rite of passage for some and a must for the musically gifted.

We also had to duck into a shop called Penique's, which must be a synonym for UNIQUE. Much larger inside than it seems, this shop carries a wonderful array of items from baby items to homewares and decor, clothing and accessories. Kristi's favorites was the "Life is Good" section while Millie enjoyed the area designed to entice little girls. Among other signs we saw one that read, "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself." This is a statement in which we fully believe, and one that Paris apparently embraces as well. Where else can you find, downtown, the nostalgia engendered by people enjoying the holidays -- walking, mingling, meeting people and seeing the stores? No mall can replicate it. Most towns can't either, but in Paris downtown shopping is a convenient and welcome reality.

And then there were the 4-H Honor Club youngsters braving the cold -- and despite sun-warmed spots it was COLD in the shade. These young entrepreneurial types showed children how to make various Christmas crafts. Said one of the girls, "That's what we're all about: service to the community." She and her friend described the wonderful 4-H Club opportunities in Henry County, and said it gets better and better as you progress to higher grades, including helping with the younger kids in camp. I can't say enough about the wholesome opportunities provided by this great organization.

We also had a first look at Trees on the Square (don't miss this display of Christmas tree decor by local shops and organizations, where you can vote for your favorite). It is located in downtown Paris next to BPU on East Washington Street. Gingerbread Village will be on display at Trees on the Square from December 1 through December 23, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $1.

We had lunch at Miller's Country Store, a Mennonite establishment out toward Como in Henry County. They make out of this world sandwiches from your choice of home-baked breads, meat, cheese and vegetables. Our favorite is sweet Lebanon bologna and yogurt vegetable cheese on sourdough bread with shredded lettuce, tomato and mayo but the choices are wide and varied. Have a wild cherry cola or other drink for about half of what you'd normally pay. Don't pass by the opportunity to try out the rocking chairs they offer that are designed for lumbar support. (Thinking we might need one of these when the twins arrive!)

We went home tired and happy only to head back through Henry County Saturday on our way to The Homeplace at LBL. An intriguing visit everyday, the place was even more special with holiday fudge and gingerbread served in the old-fashioned kitchen, plus crafts and candy for the youngsters. Everything in the gift shop was half price and we went home with Susie, a soft, curlyhaired lamb that fit right in with the rest of Millie's animal friends. I'd say she was a stuffed animal, but that was before we took her home and made her a member of the family headed up by Millie and Sammy, a panda bear brought home from the Memphis Zoo when Mil was about three years old.

Funny how every time we venture to Paris, whether we're stopping or just passing through, we seem to be creating a little more of what we want to be, and be a part of. If you're looking for yourself, maybe it's time to give up that fruitless task and create yourself -- in Paris.

Thanksgiving 2009

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Many, many miles Jean and I traveled this Thanksgiving holiday. The only miles that were in Henry County were Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon, but we had such an incredible time that I had to write about it. Jean left Paris at 3:55 Thursday morning, and arrived at Timbercreek, where I was, at 8:25. We unloaded her truck into the condo, then piled into my truck for a 2 hour trip to Brownstown, Illinois, where we had a feast. Turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sinfully rich sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, turnips, dumplings, corn pudding, baked beans, pineapple salad, cranberry salad, Ramen noodle salad, tossed salad, homemade yeast rolls, Snicker Doodle cookies, pumpkin pie, apple pie, blueberry pie, sweet cream pie, pumpkin bread, apple bread, and assorted candies. Brownstown is about 120 miles from Timbercreek, and it was a beautiful ride, almost the whole way. Even downtown St. Louis looked pretty nice with hardly any traffic. Then we came by Denise's house, in Granite City, Illinois. Denise is my bus driver at work and she read my blog on riches, was moved by it, and asked to put it in her church bulletin. She wrote an opening paragraph to my story that just blew me away, so I wanted her and Jean to meet. We left there and rode back to the condo, for some much needed rest.

Friday morning was spent preparing another great meal. We had two lady friends for a lunch fit for a king. Kentuckian ham, green bean casserole, confetti potatoes, slaw, cooked apples, homemade bran muffins, pumpkin bread, apple bread, and three candies. After a short nap, we headed for Alton, Illinois to visit a 90 year old lady who Jean and I know quite well. We left her house and drove to a park that had 2.5 MILLION Christmas lights strung throughout the trees, and had many Christmas displays set up. After the Christmas display, we drove the 60 miles back to Timbercreek.

We love this country of ours.....we hope to spend many, many, more hours traveling in the good ol' USA. There are lots of things we have not seen yet, but there are also many areas that we have already checked off our list. With time, more beautiful and historic sites will be enjoyed!

Bright Reflections Indeed

Downtown Paris is magical during the holidays!


Since I failed to take my camera with me last night to the PARIS! magazine gathering (held in the avante-gard penthouse of COMPUTER HELP in downtown Paris) and the concurrent holiday open house of downtown shops, I am relying on Ray Harding's recent photo he entitled "Bright Reflections". Ray (2008 Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year for his work with the Heritage Center and Lee Academy for the Arts) is one of many intriguing associates of PARIS! magazine as well as its online companion, myparismagazine.com. I love reading his "Who Knews" as well.

I was accompanied to the event by my daughter, Kristi, her twins-in-the-oven, and granddaughter Millie. Millie, who is proud of her association with the group, missed "Mr. Rick" and made good with Miss Lisa's pink-frosted cupcakes. Kristi came away glowing, just as my son did after meeting some of the crew recently. His assessment, "Those are some good people," is an accurate accounting of this group of movers and shakers in Henry County.

Henry County must be full of them, if our experience in the shops' open houses are an indication. We only had time to visit four stores in the remaining time of the event, but daresay they were among the best! We first slipped into The Gallery, where we were greeted with aplomb by a gracious hostess, who said the items in her store were created by a variety of (apparently very talented) artisans. With a store full of wonders, we were drawn to a few special items, including some unique silver "spoon" bracelets (the more unique because of their chained clasp - drop by to see these!) and some whimsical zoo animal paintings on stretched canvas.

Next stop - Nirvana! Calling all quilters...you'll be delighted first by the intricate, precise detail of the machine quilting in the fine pieces displayed near the front of the store (and throughout) and then by its delightful purveyor, who may have been Ginger Eichler or Diane Sundstrom (both of whom are listed on the business card for YOUR PLACE Quilting Studio). This lady of charming smiles and interesting conversation deserves to be called by name and I regret that I am unable to do so. It is incumbent upon you to visit this store and make her acquaintance! You'll find all sorts of quilting fabrics and notions and more. This shop was voted "best smelling" (among a plethora of aromatic shops) by Gaines Hedges of WTPR-KF-KQ 105, WENK fame who with his wife, Becky (a local artist, and both PARIS! associates), ventured in while we were there. We learned the odor was created by Japanese cherry blossom oil diffused via a votive candle-heated bowl. (Got to get one!)

Then we visited JuJu's. Just as their slogan proclaims, "It's accessory heaven!" Necklaces, belts, SCARVES (all the rage), earrings, rings, bracelets, a big variety of handbags and shoes... and great prices! If you ever visited Claire's and similar stores at the mall, this is the classy version, with room to move and enjoy the wonderful inventory. Gifts galore could be purchased here!

It was espresso heaven at the next stop - Jack Jones Flowers and Gifts, also home to Jack's Java (the reason for the sensational aromas wafting throughout the shop) and Studio J. My daughter here found her "home" due to all the unique items that appealed to her bohemian nature. I can't tell you all the fabulous finds we discovered here because I have to go pick them up for her Christmas surprises! Just kidding, check out everything from long, appliqued and pom-pommed scarves to jewelery and fashion accessories to baby clothes. In fact most of the shops had some baby items, which reminds me that there was a FIFTH shop included in our adventure...

This one is a must-see -- Paris on the Square! This is a local treasure that embodies all the pride of Paris and Henry County in a collection of everything from wall hangings to handbags to clothing. Have you seen those Abercrombie jackets where the "ABERCROMBIE" is stitched-on appliques? Well, Paris on the Square one-upped them with the more exclusive "LAKE GIRL" ensembles. The pièce de résistance is the handbags made from PARIS! magazine covers. Live in Paris or Henry County or just visiting, this specialty shop is a treat.

And just think... this was just one side of the courthouse square! All the shops we missed! This was Millie's lament as we ended the evening at open house quitting time - 8 p.m. But it's a beautiful day for shopping! Hope to see you in downtown Paris today!