Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Rumors are True.

The news is true, unless the Powers That Be in Springfield can come to some sort of agreement the Menard Home and all other French Colonial Sites in Illinois will close as of October 1st, 2008. If you would like to voice your concerns on this subject please feel free to contact the governor and let him know how you feel. You can find his address at http://www.illinois.gov .

Even though the Menard Home is slated to close, the Friends of the Menard Home, the dedicated working volunteer group, will continue to press on with projects to help the home and we will be ready and waiting when the home reopens to help the site staff and continue to support the Home and it’s needs.

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.