Rambling through central Illinois, pondering the odd obsession with foul balls.
• • •
Here’s a bad-news, good-news item. While the Joker did indeed come out last Thursday during the Queen of Hearts Jackpot drawing at Farmington Moose Lodge 1571, the pot does not decline dramatically, as this space stated last week. Instead, the pot starts at $111,272.50. And while Lodge President Rachel Kenney said the drawing has attracted many new members, other factors are also at play. She said good food, enjoyable events and a new rule requiring spouses to also join have fueled increased Moose memberships.
• • •
We have a new winner in the annual Weekly Post Big Tomato Contest. Mike Cramer of Edwards (at right) hauled in a 2-pound, 4-ounce mater he had on cold storage for nearly a week. Did the tomato lose weight in that time? Probably. But it was still enough to nudge him past leader Pat Gilles and her 2-pounder. Mike, the check will be in the mail – as soon as you call me with an address! … Fundraisers at the Jubilee College State Historic Site have so far paid for the replacement of a few of the building’s many leaky windows, according to Lonye Gilles. To pay for more restorations, the group is holding an art fair on Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with vendors, artists, food trucks and tours of the site.
• • •
This week’s warmer temperatures and very dry conditions are brewing up a scary medley for deer hunters, who will want to be sniffing in the timber in the days to come. The problem? These conditions are perfect for the deer-killing epizootic hemmorhagic disease – caused by midges that emerge from drought-created mudflats and bite deer seeking water in dry conditions. … Parting shot: Need some good news? Duck numbers are expected to be just as impressive as last year and pheasant numbers in Iowa are at a 20-year high.
Contact Jeff Lampe at (309) 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com.
