Sunday, November 30, 2008

It is a very sad day

I don't think any of us thought this day would actually come, but it has. This evening at 5pm the doors on the Menard Home will be locked and barriers placed in the parking lots and that will be the end of our First Lt. Governor's home being open to the public. A home that once was open seven days a week and drew thousands of visitors each week will be mothballed. It is an outrage and an insult to the people of Illinois and the world. I hope that each one of you will realize that this is now the new reality and it's time for you to all step up and let our governor know exactly how you feel about his childish behavior.

Governor I hope you will realize that historic sites are just that, historic sites and not a for profit business. Why don't you try listening to the people of Illinois and what they want.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Can it really be the end?

Can the end of our French Colonial sites only be days away? As we enjoy our Thanksgiving, and we have a lot to be thankful for we are about to loose a very important part of our heritage. Sunday evening at 5pm the doors and gates will be permanently shut on the Menard Home, Fort Kaskaskia, Fort de Chartres and the Cahokia Courthouse. It's hard to believe that this is becoming reality. Please, please, please keep the pressure on the governor to rescind this ignorance and keep our historic sites open so that all can enjoy them and learn about history; where we have been and where we are going.

Friday, November 21, 2008

A Major Set Back

Our Dear Governor has done it again! He waited until the veto session was over and he restored the entire budget for everything BUT our historic sites. Now it will be January at the earliest before the Senate and the House can fix this grievous error in the governor's judgement.

Remember keep sending those letters and making those phone calls. It's the only way we can keep pressure on our elected officials who in turn put pressure on our governor.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Media Coverage

Our historic sites around Illinois recieved a fair amount of media coverage on last evenings news. Both of the local NBC & CBS affilates covered yesterday's rally in Springfield as well as the Southern Illinoisan newspaper.

If you would like to see the story that Casey Nolan did for KSDK-TV Channel 5 check out the link. http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=160700&catid=3

For updates on the site closings and to help out please go to http://www.saveillinoishistory.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

March On Springfield

Today was the march and rally on the Capital in hopes of rescinding the budget cuts that our dear governor instituted against our historic sites. It's been a lot of years since we've done the 8th Grade field trip to Springfield, so you'll have to forgive our lack of remembering the statue of Pierre Menard which is displayed prominently in FRONT of the state capital. Imagine my surprise when I get out of my car and there is Mr. Menard...do you think the governor ever saw that statue or realizes that you see Mr. Menard BEFORE you see Lincoln's statue or doesn't he use the front door these days?

Our rally certainly drew a lot of attention from the media. There were news stations from all over the state covering our protest as well as a LOT of newspapers. We even spoke to a reporter from the Southern Illinoisan! We know this rally/protest is a small step, but it drew a lot of attention from more than one news camera and as long as we stay in the public eye we will be remembered and hopefully the powers that be, will find that we will not soon go away, so PLEASE keep writing those letters and making those phone calls because all French Colonial Sites are still slated to close the doors and lock the gates on November 30th, 2008 as well as a lot of other sites around Illinois and many state parks too.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Save Illinois History!!!!

All of the volunteers at the various sites around Illinois are banding together in hopes of raising awareness of the plight of our historic sites and also to organize ourselves because there is strength in numbers. With that said various reenacting groups will be converging on the Illinois State Capital building on Wednesday, November 19th at 10am to make the governor and our legislators know that we will not go quietly into the night. If you would like to join us please find your way to Springfield next week and let your presence be know.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Our Last Event?????

Sunday's cooking demonstration was a huge success. The weather started out very uncooperative, but by mid afternoon we had a sunny and beautiful day for an outdoor event. We had visitors from far and wide, who were really enjoying the items we had available for sampling. The pumpkin custard didn't exactly turn out like it was supposed, I think that particular variety of pumpkin has to high a water content, which made the custard very soupy...sorry about that folks, maybe next year it will be better. Yes, we are choosing to be optimistic and we think the closings will all get straightened out before the scheduled closing date. We were also honored by Representative Dan Reitz and his wife, they toured the home and enjoyed our hospitality and a few refreshments and hopefully Rep. Reitz will go back to Springfield armed and ready to do battle for our historic sites.

There is another online petition circulating, please take the time and sign it. www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ihpa

Monday, November 3, 2008

Cooking Demonstration

This coming Sunday, November 9th from 1pm-4pm we will be presenting an outdoor cooking demonstration on the back porch of the Menard Home. Please come out and enjoy some of Martha Washington's pumpkin custard. It's rumored to have been George's favorite dessert! We'll also be serving up some delicious biscuits, roasting chestnuts, popping popcorn and having a good time in teaching visitors about Dutch Ovens and how they were used in the 19th Century.

This is the last scheduled event to take place at the Menard Home before it closes November 30th, so please come out, enjoy the home one last time. Also remember that tomorrow is election day, and it's your opportunity to tell our elected politicians what you think of what they are doing to our beloved Home and our state.

Photos of Chimney Repairs in Progress

Contracting is being done by Lake Contracting and subcontracting by Diecker-Terry, Masonry, Inc. out of Marissa, IL. You be the judge

The Current Condition & Maintenance Issues of the Menard Home

If you don't like the photos, please call and write our Legislatures. Addresses can be found in the right hand column of this blog.

Maintainance Issues at the Menard Home

Houston We Have a PROBLEM!!!!!

This is what the southeast dormer looks like from the attic. The light you're seeing is daylight...guess what happens when it rains!?!!???!!!


Houston We Have Another Problem!!!

Houston We Have Another Problem!!!
This is what is happening in the nursery with all the heavy rain.

Baked Whole Pumpkin

1 (5-7 lb) pumpkin
6 Whole eggs
2 Cup Whipping cream
½ cup Brown sugar
1 tablespoon Molasses
½ teaspoon Fresh grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
¼ teaspoon Ginger
2 tablespoon Butter

This dish was a favorite of George Washington. While it was called a pie in the old days, it's certainly not what we call a pie now. Here the custard pie is found inside the pumpkin and the whole thing is to be served up with a bit of anticipation for a very different pumpkin dessert. Cut the lid off the pumpkin just as you would for a jack-o'-lantern. Remove the seeds and save for toasting later. Mix the remaining ingredients together with the exception of the butter. Fill the pumpkin with this mixture and top with the butter. Cover with the pumpkin lid and place in a baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until the mixture has set like a custard. Serve from the pumpkin at your table, scraping some of the meat from the pumpkin with each serving. This is an interesting substitution for the usual pumpkin pie.

Herb Garden

The Menard Home Herb Garden has an extensive collection of herbs which were used during the 19th Century. These herbs were not used just for cooking but were also used for medicinal purposes as well.

The Menard Home Herb Garden in Early Spring 2008

Closed is Closed!!!!!!! 12/01/2008-04/22/2009

Closed is Closed!!!!!!! 12/01/2008-04/22/2009
Please remember this, least we forget and history repeats itself. Be ever vigilant and protect our beloved home.