Sad times at Brinkerhoff

 It is hard to accept and even harder to understand but it is what it is. Benedictine University is taking back full possession of the Brinkerhoff Home. I received the following letter last week.

 I will continue to maintain the pictures of the home and possibly one of the websites.

When I decided to discontinue my booth presence at the Brinkerhoff Spring and Fall fairs, little did I know that the fairs would not continue.

Spring Fair

The making of a fair booth

This year, we decided to take the Friday set-up option for our DSDigitals booth. In the past we did all the set-up Saturday morning. I recommend getting the tent set up on Friday! It was much less stress Saturday morning. We used a tent purchased from Sam's Club. I don't remember the price but it was reasonable. I set it up by myself but with two, it is a simple process. Over the years, we have developed what we consider the best set-up for us. It includes the tent with vinyl side curtains, an indoor/outdoor carpet for the floor and metal grate sidewalls. We needed the metal sidewalls to hang the relatively heavy framed pictures. It also adds security to the booth although we have never had any security problems at the Brinkerhoff fair. We also bring our own tables although you can rent them along with your booth space.  By the time we left Friday night, many of the booths were set up. Some with products others, like mine, just with the basic stand.

Saturday morning about 7 AM, we arrived with our goods and hung many of the pictures on our metal walls. The tent sidewalls make for a good backdrop.

By 9 AM, fair opening, we were ready for the fair-goers.

Later in the day, as it warmed up, we opened the back side up. There is not always room to do this and a strict interpretation of the booth contract would not allow it. You will need to ask for permission. While this MIGHT be an option, don't plan on it. Set up your booth within the 10 X 10 space allocation. 

Thanks for all the help!

SPRING FAIR

The Brinkerhoff Home Spring Fair was held on May 5^th and the weather was perfect and the crowd was big.  There were 45 vendors in attendance.  As with each Spring and Fall Fair, the production of the event would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers.  We’d like to thank the following people for their efforts:

Nancy Nolan, Susan Canny, Suzie Weiss, Kevin Beatty, Sharon Norris, Penny Greek, Brenda Kochmann, Barbara Olsen, Micki Payne, Wanda Saccaro, Bobbi Eagan, Mary Laswell, Ruth Hook, Karen Moffat, Sharon Melton, Margaret Woodall, Mona Bartz, Sandy Hartman, Lisa and Dominic Palazzolo, Jane and Bill Vetter, Julie Dirksen, John & Sharen Bucari, Linda Wedeking, Dore Skeels, Stacie Reichensperger, Judy Smith, Donna Oglesby, Jan Steinhour, Alice Nelle, Bitsy Henderson-Hathaway and Cheryl Ten Eyck.

We would also like to extend a thanks to Paul Palazzolo for arranging to have SHG Key Club volunteers assist with the set-up early Saturday morning.  Those volunteers were Maria Palazzolo, Cody Prosperini, Delany Flattery and Patrick Flattery.   The Brinkerhoff Board would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Mary Jo Rappe for her continued service.  Mary Jo graciously handles all the vendor contracts and vendor set-up.  Thank you Mary Jo for your dedication!

Thanks are also due to all those persons who baked the numerous goodies for the Bake Sale, who donated goods for sale and helped in numerous ways to ensure that the Fair was a success.

Congratulations to Tracey Dunn, winner of the 50/50 drawing.

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome new members – Gene and Sandra Boston, Mark and Julie Haehn and Thomas and Margaret Adams.

BUNCO PARTY

The bunco party will be held on June 10^th from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Snacks, dessert and beverages will be served at a cost of $8 per person.  Reservations should be made on or before June 5^th by calling Sharon Norris at 529-7088.

DUES

Just a reminder – if you haven’t paid your dues, please send $15 to the Brinkerhoff Home, 1500 N. 5th Street, Springfield,  Illinois 62702.

April News

SPRING FAIR MAY 5

Tickets for the 50/50 drawing to be held at the Spring Fair are enclosed with this month’s newsletter.  Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.  The drawing will be held at 2 p.m. and attendance is not required.    Please send your completed ticket stubs and donation to Treasurer Kevin Beatty, 140 Sidener Lane, Springfield, Ill 62707.

COUNTRY KITCHEN BAKED GOODS

Country kitchen is in need of pies, cakes, breads, cookies and brownies. We would appreciate it if you would package and label the goods in zip lock bags.  Cakes, pies and breads should be labeled and covered in saran or clear wrap.  Baked items can be dropped off at the Home on Friday, May 4^th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  If baked items cannot be delivered on Friday, we need them no later than 8 a.m. on Saturday.

BETTER BUYS

If you have any items for better buys, please contact Nancy at 528 5087 or Susan at 494 1571 for pickup.

SILENT AUCTION

The silent auction, featuring antiques and collectibles, will be taking bids until 2 p.m.

VOSE CONCESSION

Enjoy a corn dog and lemon shake-up while you shop  at the Fair.

MEMORABILIA

Tee shirts, aprons, tote bags, cookbooks,tree ornaments, napkins and note cards will be available for sale at the Fair.

A new feature at the Fair this  year will be the presence of  the Animal Protective League.  Dogs will be available for adoption.

THANK YOU

Thanks go out to all who helped make the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner a success.  Kudos to Susie Weiss for her culinary skills and to her granddaughter for all of her help.

NEW MEMBER

Welcome to new member, Esther Allen.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

If you haven’t sent in your dues, please send them to the Brinkerhoff Home, 1500 N. 5^th, Springfield,  Ill 62702.

THANK YOU

Thanks go out to Rita Folder, Mona Bartz, Dorothea Sorenson, Sharen & John Bucari, Marian Kochmann, Kevin Beatty and Adam & Jacki Cooperider for all their help in decorating the Home for the holiday.

BUNCO DATE

Just a reminder – keep June 10^th open for our next bunco party.  Details will be provided in the next newsletter. 

DONATION

The Home is in need of new window coverings in the drawing room and library.  If anyone is interested in “sponsoring a window” please contact Brenda Kochmann  at 836 9588.

St. Patrick's Day Dinner huge success.

Last Sunday, the Brinkerhoff home Celebrated St. Patrick's Day early with a corned beef and cabbage dinner. They served over 100 dinners.

I found this Leprechaun in the kitchen

Kitchen staff hard at work

Dining room

Center Hall

Dinner on its way

Formal Parlor

Front Parlor

Back Parlor

Kitchen service

St. Patrick's Day Dinner at the Brinkerhoff home was a huge success. Everyone had a good time; even the workers!

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 11                            St. Patrick’s Day Party

May 5                                  Spring Fair

June 10                               Bunco Party

September 8                      Fall Fair

October 14                         Victorian Tea

November 10                    Chilli/Soup Dinner

December 8                       Christmas Champagne Party

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Enclosed are envelopes for 2012 membership dues.  Please return envelope with your renewal by April 1^st.

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome new members – Sandra McGuire, Claire Carmichael and Michael & Jean Kienzler.

RENTALS

If you are interested in renting the Home for a wedding, reception, shower, dinner party, etc., please contact Nancy Nolan at 528-5087.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY

The menu consists of corned beef and cabbage, dessert and drink.  Cost is $10.00 per person.  Carry outs will be available.  Call Susie Weiss at 341-3728 by March 5^th for reservations.

DONATIONS FOR SPRING FAIR

Please remember the Brinkerhoff Home when you start your spring cleaning.  If you have items you wish to donate, contact Nancy Nolan at 528-5087 or Susan Canny at 494-1571 for pickup.  For silent auction items, please contact Penny Greek at 546-8890.  Also, representatives will be at the spring fair with animals from the Animal Protective League.

THANK YOU

Thanks go out  to Brenda Kochmann, Home Beautification Chairman and her helpers – Dore Skeels, Sharon Norris, Penny Greek, Betty Humphrey, Mary Jo Rappe and  Garden Club members Diane Hetherington, Jane Bundy, Judy Frasco, Nancy Gorman, Karen Grant, Mary Kay Hinkle, Janet Keistler, Angela Oldfield, Patti Quandt, Christine Rameriz-Campbell, Ada Lynn Shrewsbury, Eileen Straeter, Jan Sorenson and Sally Seiple; Benedictine University Physical Plant Crew and the college soccer team for carrying the decorations back upstairs.

TROLLEY PLANS

The Foundation has been working with the Lincoln Park Association and Enos Park Association in efforts to make long range plans for trolley tours in Springfield.  These plans would involve trolley rides to historic sites in Springfield.

EMAIL ADDRESS

The new e-mail address for the Home is Brinkerhoff-Home@yahoo.com

Christmas Party

Start your Christmas season by attending the Brinkerhoff Home 
Champagne Christmas Party!
* 

December 3rd, 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

Cost - $10/person; $18/couple

*

No reservations required

EVENTS

 Victorian Tea

The Victorian Tea will be held on October 16, 2011 from 3-4:30 pm at a cost of $15 per person.  The Tea has become one of our most popular events and reservations are required. To reserve a space for you and your friends, please call Jan at 528 7585 by October 11^th.  Send your check, made payable to the Brinkerhoff Home, to Jan Steinhour, 2012 Louise Lane, Springfield, Ill 62702.  Your check will be your confirmed reservation.

In addition to our delectable scones accompanied by Devonshire cream and lemon curd, the menu will include chicken, ham salad and pineapple cream cheese and olive cream cheese tea sandwiches.  Desserts include pecan balls, apricot balls and thumb print cookies.

Reservation Form

Name _______________________________

Phone Number _______________________

Number of Reservations ________________@ $15 per person = Total Amount _______

Fall Fair

Many thanks to everyone who volunteered to make the Fair a success. 

Congratulations to Chris Mueller, winner of the 50/50 drawing.

Chili Dinner

The Chili Dinner will be held on November 12, 2011 from 3-6 pm at a cost of $10 per person or $18 per couple .  To reserve a space for you and your friends, please call John at 528 2818 by November 6^th.  Send your check, made payable to the Brinkerhoff Home, to John Bucari at 2317 Lake Crest, Springfield, Ill 62712.  Your check will be your confirmed reservation.

The menu consists of chili or chicken tortellini soup, tea or coffee and dessert.

Reservation Form

Name ______________________________

Phone Number _______________________

Number of Reservations ________________@$10 person or $18 per couple = Total Amount ____

New Members

Welcome to Barb Fairchild, Mona Bartz, Barbara Hayler, Bobbi Eagan, Amma Fanale, Rita Folder, Sandra Nadzegeike and  Claire Eberle.

Dues

Just a reminder – if you haven’t paid your dues for 2011, please send your check for $15 made out  to the Brinkerhoff Home, 1500 N. 5^th Street, Springfield, ILL 62702.

Rentals

If you are interested in renting the Home, please contact Nancy at 528 5087 or Susan at 494 1571.

Christmas Decorating

Brenda Kochmann is looking for volunteers to help decorate the Home for the holidays.  If you are able to help, please call her at 836 9588.

Christmas Party

Don’t forget to keep December 3rd open for the Christmas party at the House.