Windsor Harvest Picnic is Almost Here!

Windsor Harvest Picnic is Almost Here!  Come and Explore!

It’s almost here!  Illinois’s longest running festival, celebrating 120 years this coming weekend!  The Windsor Harvest Picnic Committee’s dedicated volunteers have been working hard all year to bring you the best.  There will be tasty treats, family friendly events including a carnival provided by Fountain City Amusements, and high class musical entertainment!  This year’s lineup includes:  Firebox, Sampson Jones Gang, Phil Dirt, and Shenandoah!  To see the entire schedule for the Windsor Harvest Picnic go to http://lakeshelbyville.com/events/windsor.htm. 

Windsor is full of rich history, and members of the community group WHAT, Windsor Happenings Around Town, have collected historical information and placed it in a brochure for your convenience.  While in the area, check out the Windsor Historical Walking Tour to get a glimpse of the past.   

After exploring the town and working up an appetite, visit the Windsor Food Center to find a great selection of nourishment to satisfy all of your taste buds.  And, if looking to cool down with a new fun flavor of soda, make Uptown Variety your next stop!  You can find jelly belly sodas, delicious sandwiches, penny candy, and other fun items!

Another great part of Windsor is its access to Lake Shelbyville from Wolf Creek State Park.  I highly recommend the Fox Trail for an afternoon hike with sites that overlook the lake.  If you would rather get in the water, there is a nice sandy beach in the park, so bring out your floatables and sunscreen and enjoy the weather!  And, if you enjoy boating, the boat ramp is easily accessible further into the park.  On your way to Wolf Creek State Park, don’t miss the goat tower farm where you can find the tallest goat tower around!  The owners are very friendly and enjoy having visitors.  For more information about the Lake Shelbyville area, visit www.lakeshelybyville.com.  Enjoy your time in the great outdoors!

Treasures in Findlay, IL

Treasures in Findlay, Illinois by Jenny Biggs

Living near Findlay, Illinois has been one of my highlights during my service in Shelby County.  There are a number of great things that make Findlay such a wonderful place including the friendly and caring residents, the beautiful hiking trails with great sites of Lake Shelbyville, the Old Country Church filled with classic country and bluegrass tunes on Saturday nights, multiple events at the community center, and an activity packed Walleye Festival occurring the last weekend of July.  This fun-filled event is put on by dedicated members of the community that collaborate on providing great entertainment for people of all ages. 

If you missed the Walleye Festival this year but are still looking for a good reason to visit Findlay other than those listed above, the community group FLIP (Findlay Long-term Improvement Program) is hosting their annual 5K on August 13^th at Eagle Creek State Park, providing a scenic route for participants to enjoy!  Interested . . . contact Jody McCormick at 217-725-5176 for more information.

While at Eagle Creek State Park, be sure to visit the creative campground host, Mike Welch, who built a beautiful wooden chair that is large enough to seat your entire family.  He doesn’t mind people climbing up and having their photo made, and if you are lucky, you will see the hot rod that he built out of a ’93 Dodge Dakota named “Lil Yella Rat.”  Once Mr. Welch gets an idea, there’s no stopping him!  Be sure to check out his other creations when visiting.   

 

After soaking up the beautiful scenery at Eagle Creek State Park, participants can enjoy a tasty meal at Foor Family Restaurant and then proceed to check out some of the great treasures at Don’s Resale Shop in the downtown area of Findlay.  You can also check out some beautiful work done by one of Findlay’s own local artisan’s at I’m Board Productions, or if crafts are more your style, Personal Stitches may be the place for you.  If you live close by, be sure to come back in the evening for some great food at the Lumberyard or Tailwinds, enjoy a glass of wine at Niemerg’s Winery, and then head to the Old Country Church, located near the town’s park to wind up the night with some classic country.  Look for a white building with a red roof, and come on in.  Music starts at 7pm. 

Be sure to check out FLIP’s website at www.findlayillinois.net to learn more about local businesses and upcoming events!  And, if you would like to learn about nearby attractions, go to www.lakeshelbyville.com.  We hope you enjoy your stay!