Hardin County Farm Museum

The Hardin County Farm Museum is a little different than most museums I have visited because it holds a lot of good memories. My family and I have attended pancake breakfasts and political events there, and often went to their annual Threshing Day. The photos in this post are from August 2016, when Charity, Yai and I attended Threshing Day.

Back in the good old days, Papa would often play chess with a local man, Gary. We children enjoyed a coin scramble, and plenty of good, old-fashioned games like corn hole, a canning ring toss, and trying to drop clothespins in an apple juice jar.

New Providence

Have you ever been to an old soda fountain where the community gathers for breakfast every month? If not, it may be time for a trip to New Providence (below). During the summer of 2016, I visited this charming little town with my grandma Siripon (Yai) and sister Charity.

Food selections included biscuits and gravy, pancakes, pastries and omelets. And, wow, were those omelets good. (I still remember them a year and a half later...haha! I'm on the brink of forgetting though, so I figured I should get this posted.)

Hardin County Courthouse

The Hardin County Courthouse in Eldora, Iowa is a particularly special courthouse to me because William Lockard and his wife Elizabeth Steinbarger Lockard, my great great great great grandparents, moved to Hardin County in 1852.  They came from Ohio in a covered wagon, bought land from Greenberry Haggin (the first white man to settle in Hardin County, in 1849), and broke up the virgin soil.  

They lived in a log cabin, where, as Mrs. Lockard reported, they could not stand up straight, and where she did her cooking for eight to ten years in an old-fashioned fireplace.

Rite on 175

Right on Highway 175 in Eldora, Iowa, there is a little diner called Rite on 175.  Since I live near Eldora, I've stopped there before for ice cream treats; their ice cream sandwiches are particularly refreshing on a hot day!

This June, we had to take a vehicle in to the tire shop next door.  Since this diner was on my list of places to blog about, my brother Daniel (who had to take care of the tire), grandma Siripon Schunk (who is visiting for the summer from Nevada), and I decided to go out and have lunch together.

Moonlit Eve, Foggy Morn, & Family History

As I've mentioned before, my family and I enjoy excursions around lakes and on trails in the area.  We have three runners in training  (best time so far: one of my sisters ran a 5K in a little over 24 minutes).  Those of us--including myself--who don't run, like to ride along on bicycles.  Below you can find an assortment of photos from various trips.

The trees above are in Deer Park.  For many years the city kept a herd of real reindeer in this park; the past couple years though, Santa has had to look elsewhere to replenish his herd.  

October Beauty

I decided it was time for an old-fashioned, non-controversial post.  Top on my list were articles about the St. Louis Zoo and the National Hot Air Balloon museum, but a  [very grumpy] person could say the election is already a zoo and the candidates are full of hot air, sooo...instead, here's a post to celebrate the beauty of an Iowan October.

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."  --L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

A Hike and a Canoe Trip

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."  --Robert Frost

This spring we have been canoeing in and hiking around the Iowa River and Pine Lake.  Photos here are assorted shots from the lake on March 28th and the river on April 16th & May 9th.  You'll notice some variety in the stages of spring.

Along the Iowa River

Last weekend my sister, mother, and I went thrifting in Iowa Falls, and enjoyed some time walking by the Iowa River.  The day was beautiful, and the trees were full of singing birds.  So, without further ado, I present the beautiful view.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  
He restoreth my soul:  he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."  --Psalm 23:3

Bloggers' Night Out

The first time I visited the Coffee Attic and Book Cellar in Iowa Falls, Iowa was for a meet-up with my dear friend, Nela, who blogs at Beloved Star.  Not long ago, we decided to go out for dinner at the Princess.  We were there an half hour before the restaurant opened, so we walked over to the Book Cellar again to chat and wait.

The front of the building is devoted to the Coffee Attic, where you can purchase all types of coffees, as well as tea, chai, cream sodas, and smoothies.  During lunch hours there's also a soup and sandwich menu.  Baked goods, coffee beans, cards, and books are on display.    

The Ahoy Fountain

I first visited the Ahoy Fountain in Eldora, Iowa many years ago.  For some time I had been intending to go back to review the soda fountain.  That opportunity finally came when I scheduled a dentist's appointment in Eldora.  Afterward, my papa and I stopped at the Ahoy Fountain for lunch.

Now it may not seem fair to review a restaurant after going to the dentist, but my mouth was not anesthetized; I was in full control of my faculties, and I can guarantee an honest review.

The original soda fountain was installed in the pharmacy in 1928.  It was destroyed by a fire in 1948 and replaced.  In 1982, it closed when the owner retired, but was later re-opened.   

Birds and Books

Unless you're a very patient person or fellow photographer, you may find me a terrible person with whom to take a bicycle ride because I frequently stop to take pictures.  My mom belongs in the first category; she's a very kind and patient person!  During one of our rides at the lake, she spotted this red-bellied woodpecker and pointed it out to me.

The red-bellied woodpecker is named for the reddish tint on its belly.  Although the red feathers on its head are much more obvious, another species already holds the name of red-headed woodpecker.  

Geese at Pine Lake

This fall my family and I went biking in the Pine Lake/Iowa River area and enjoyed watching the geese on the lake.  

Many seemed to have characters all their own.  A dear old friend of mine used to say "We're not all made from the same cookie-cutter!"  Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were?  Apparently geese don't all come from the same cookie-cutter either.

Ackley Publishing Co.: Part 2

Behind the main Ackley Publishing building is another building filled with antique printing equipment.  Mayor Daggs welcomes students/classes from Iowa State University who come here to see first-hand how printing used to be done.

The building houses 1500-1600 fonts, some of which are shown above.  Changing fonts hasn't always been a one-click experience!  Until the 1890s, type was set by hand.  The linotype machine was invented by Ottmar Mergenthaler in 1884 and was commonly used until the end of the 1970s.  

Ackley Publishing Co. Part 1

Walk down Main Street in Ackley, IA.  Across from the Pizza Ranch you'll see one of the oldest buildings in town, built in the 1870s as a Chinese laundry for railroad workers.  Today the exterior looks relatively new, and no one would ever guess the intriguing history of the building that has been home to Ackley Publishing Co since 1895.

Ackley Publishing is owned and run by Ackley's popular and well-liked mayor, Jim Daggs, and his wife Pat, a cheerful, energetic lady who is also a nurse.  Mayor Daggs' mother has said that he was born with printer's ink in his veins.  That might not be so far from the truth.  

The Johnson Strings & an Auction

Sunday morning, my family and I went to a Johnson Strings concert at Zion United Church of Christ in Hubbard, Iowa.  We met the Johnsons in 2006 and listened to them for the first time in 2007.  They've been one of our favorite music groups ever since.

How to Pick Apples Like a Pro

In case any of my readers are looking for a seasonal second job or a good way to incorporate a strenuous exercise regimen into crisp autumn days, this is a tutorial on how to pick apples like a pro (and live through it).   

The Secret of Cleves

A grain elevator, bank, repair shop, and handful of houses are all that meet the eye of the casual passerby.  On the map, the town of Cleves, Iowa is nearly forgotten. Surrounded by cornfields, it is not the pulsating center selected by tourists. The grocery store is gone. The railroad is no more. A cursory glance reveals nothing of interest to be seen. Where is its secret?

Scenic Manor Sing and Picnic

Last Sunday my family and I sang at Scenic Manor, one of our favorite nursing homes, on their special event day.  The event also featured a hymn sing, 2 other groups, dinner, and games for children. It is attended by residents of the home, their family members, and locals.

I enjoyed singing and the crowd was a pleasant audience.  Unfortunately though, my shoulders, arms, and fingers have been programmed to hold a guitar for the duration of a 45 minute concert, so by the time our hour was up they were fatigued; my strings were starting to dig into my fingers with every chord...evidently I need more practice!

Pizza Hut

Last evening after a long day's work my family travelled to Iowa Falls for a pizza supper.  It was around 8 pm when we arrived, and the place was deserted except for the staff and a group of linemen from Minnesota who came in not long before we left.  We thought it was odd for the restaurant to be empty, but it could be due to the fact that most Iowans in our area seem to eat supper between 5 and 6:30 pm.  

Deep-Dish Barbecue Pizza

The Princess Grill and Pizzeria

The Princess Grill and Pizzeria has adorned downtown Iowa Falls for 99 years.  A sign reading "Air Conditioned" welcomes visitors; a waitress told us that many years ago few places were air conditioned, so the Princess was a great place to escape on a hot summer day.