Hollydazzle Historic Tour of Homes

Kick your holiday off with a dazzle and support two great historic Franklin County Places: The Leander Reeve Old Stone House and the Harriman-Nielsen Danish Immigrant Farmstead.
Buses sponsored by ABCM will leave from Bandshell Park to transport you through time to enjoy our Franklin County Christmas traditions from yesterday to today.

Our earliest Christmas is celebrated circa 1854 in the Old Stone House. You’ll see our scrub cedar tree, popcorn garlands and dried apple chains. Are those rag socks hanging by the stove? Santa will bring a few pieces of hard candy, new knitted caps, and maybe, if it’s been a prosperous year, a fresh orange will fill the toe. Leander Reeve built this “proper house” for his city wife. We think they’d both be honored to know we still remember his love for her.

Travel forward to 1910 when H.E. Boehmler commissioned a Prairie School architectural student to design his grand home. The home retains most of its original woodwork, stained glass, inlaid doors and fixtures. The story of the Boehmler family, their loss of a young daughter and their dashed college hopes is as interesting as the home itself. The home is decorated in period-authentic Christmas greens.

1918 Danish Immigrant Christmas. Christian and Anna Jensen Nielsen’s home is all decked out in Danish style for Christmas. Enjoy a cup of coffee and something sweet to go with it when you step back in time at the Harriman Nielsen Farm. In 125 years only three families have occupied the home. The builder, Dr. O.B. Harriman was a physician and community leader. Henry Skow, was a local contractor and built many additions to the town including the Carnegie Library, Masonic Lodge, theater, school buildings and churches. The Nielsen family emigrated from Denmark in 1905 and through much diligence and hard work was able to purchase the property in 1921 from which they operated a dairy and raised two daughters.

Carl and Sophia Borcherding were united in marriage in 1893 and to this union came two daughters and eight sons. The two eldest sons Carl and Ed helped their father (Carl) build this beautiful farmstead from a Sears and Roebuck package kit in 1920 and 1921. Carl and Verna lived here from 1921 to 1928. Tour our beautiful bed and breakfast; you’ll find a Christmas tree in every room.

Christmas traditions 2009. Tour one of Franklin County’s newest businesses when you go to Hansell’s Towns End. There in an old barn you’ll find a warm welcome as you end the tour with a warm drink or two. Taste wine from Franklin County grapes and berries. Then take some home to start your own holly dazzle Christmas tradition.

Won’t you join the fun? December 5, 2009, 1p - 4p repeating December 6, 2009, 3p - 6p. $15 in advance; $20 day of the event. Tickets are available at downtown retailers, local banks and Center One.

Visit www.oldstonehouse.org


Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Jackie Dohlman Master Gardener Answers

How much light does an African violet need?

African violets need the proper amount of light to grow and bloom well. Plants that receive insufficient levels of light have thin, blue-green leaves with long petioles. They also don’t bloom well. Plants that receive too much light are stunted and produce small, crinkled, yellow leaves borne on short petioles. Generally, sites near north or east windows are best for African violets. However, if these sites are not available, African violets can be successfully grown under fluorescent lights. A fluorescent light fixture suspended 8 to 10 inches above the plants and left on for 12 to 16 hours per day should provide sufficient light for African violets.

picture taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saintpaulia

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Turkey Tips

If preparing a frozen turkey, it is best to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator two to three days before cooking. Place the turkey in the refrigerator below ready-to-eat food or at the bottom to avoid having the juice drip on other foods. Just thinking about having raw turkey juice drip onto your pizza should help us remember.

If a turkey is purchased the day before being cooked, it can be thawed out by placing the turkey under cold, running water for about an hour.

Turkeys can be frozen at a temperature of zero degrees and kept in a freezer for six months to a year. If there is a frost build up on the package, or freezer burn, the quality of the food will be altered. Make sure the turkey is properly wrapped or in a freezer safe bag. Food with freezer burn is likely to be dried out and have a disagreeable taste.

Thanks to the Extension Office for this info!

picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridamemory/3250932633/sizes/m/


Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

LATE HARVEST AND CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE

Iowa and other Corn Belt states are experiencing one of the latest and slowest harvest seasons on record. Producers are contacting William Edwards, Iowa State University Extension economist, wondering if their crop insurance coverage will be still be in effect if harvesting drags into December.

Edwards says the standard policy for corn and soybeans in the Midwest lists Dec. 10 as the end of the insurance period. However, producers may request their insurance company allow them additional time to complete harvesting.

“This can be granted when timely notice is given to the agent and the delay is due to an insured cause, such as wet weather or snowfall,” said Edwards. “This will allow any claims to be settled based on actual harvested production rather than an appraisal in the field.”

If insured acres are not harvested by early December, Edwards recommends producers contact their crop insurance agents and request additional harvest time beyond December 10. Producers are required to make an honest effort to harvest the crop during the extended period if conditions allow, or to document why they were unable to do so with a written record and even photos.

The Risk Management Agency, which regulates multiple peril crop insurance policies, recently issued a program announcement about wet harvest conditions. The full text is at http://www.rma.usda.gov/news/2009/11/wetharvest.html.

“The standard crop insurance policies cover quality losses due to low test weight, foreign material and mold, as well as low yields and prices,” said Edwards. “However, increased drying costs and charges are not covered.”

picture provided byhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/field_museum_library/3948760554/sizes/s/

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Annual Chamber Dinner a Success

A good time mingling, lots of people, awards given, Bill Krause spoke well and plenty of food— we think the Chamber Dinner was a big success. The fundraiser was a success and your donations were greatly appreciated.

Congratulations go to Jan & Barry Johnson, Bev Peter & Jim Davies the 2009 Merit Award Winners. Marlys Pralle, United Bank & Trust won the Ambassador of the Year and Deanne Winkowitsch for Above & Beyond the Call of Duty Award. Thanks again to Kum & Go the 2009 Distinguished Service Award Winner.

The high bid items at the silent auction were a tie between Fareway's Sunkist Electric Go-cart and KLMJ's Last Chance $ Night Sponsorship. Thank you both!

The highlight of the evening was Kum & Go's and Hampton's own Bill Krause's speech and acceptance of the 50 year anniversary of business and Chamber membership. They go hand in hand. He also accepted the Distinguished Service Award.

Thanks also to the 2009 HACC Board and Franklin County Tourism Board, they truly did a wonderful job and have a great 2010 year planned.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Jackie Dohlman, Master Gardener

Image by **Mary** via Flickr

When should I plant an amaryllis bulb in order to have it in bloom at Christmas?

An amaryllis bulb usually blooms about 4 to 6 weeks after planting. Plant the amaryllis bulb in early to mid-November for spectacular blooms at Christmas. To increase your odds of having an amaryllis in bloom at Christmas, pot up one amaryllis bulb in early November and a second one several days later.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114