The Prairie Travelers open their nearly hour-long concert Sunday with “Joy To the World.” The members (from left) are Geralyn and Glen Kruep, Ken Laux, John Feldman and Mike Bango. (Photo by Bryan Hunt) The Clinton County Historical Society's museum in Carlyle was a cozy venue for a Christmas concert on Sunday.
Area favorites the Prairie Travelers brought their acoustic stylings to the museum — the former Sidney Breese home on Franklin Street — and, for nearly an hour, regaled a small but appreciative audience with music played the way it used to be — simple, beautiful, and with meaning.
Mary Essen, director of the Clinton County Historical Society, introducing the band, playing their first concert at the museum, said, “I think this beautiful music will really get us into the Christmas spirit."
“We’re really honored to play today, and guys, talk and sing, visit and — I mean ... don’t feel like this is the Sheldon Auditorium …” said guitarist John Feldman.
Playing familiar holiday songs, Feldman invited the crowd to sing along if they so desired, and enjoy the music. The band opened with “Joy To the World.”
Besides Feldman, the group included Ken Laux, Mike Bango, and Glen and Geralyn Kruep.
"As far as musical family, these guys are like brothers and sisters to me because we’ve been together for how long?” Feldman asked, saying the band started about 20 years ago.
“We’re just very close knit and just love each other, and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said.
Among the group's offerings were “Jingle Bells,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “The First Noel” featuring Geralyn Kruep on flute, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” and “Deck the Halls.”
Laux would be featured on a Celtic drum known as the bodhrán for "The Little Drummer Boy."
The audience was invited to sing along from copies of a Shopper’s Weekly Christmas song book, an insert dating from 1992.
One hundred years ago families would gather together, like they were on Sunday, and Feldman said he wished things were like that today.
Going into “Silent Night,” Feldman said they would play a couple more songs to finish their performance.
Essen said, “Oh, play all you want!” Feldman said something about going into some numbers from Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Cash.
Following José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad,” Essen asked if the band took requests.
“I was thinking, oh my gosh, I have yet to hear this this holiday season. How about ‘Go Tell it on the Mountain?” The band was happy to oblige.
Essen recalled growing up and having sing-alongs at their family home during Christmastime.
“People don’t do that anymore,” she said, adding that they hope to have started a tradition at the museum.
Several fire departments responded to a barn fire Monday night on Huelsmann Road, north of Beckemeyer.
Beckemeyer Fire Chief Luke Baker said that his department was dispatched to a fully-involved pole barn fire on Huelsmann Road.
"The homeowner called 911 about 10 p.m. after hearing a noise outside and discovered the pole barn on fire," Baker said.
Baker said firefighters from Beckemeyer, Carlyle and Wheatfield Township all showed up at the same time; however, multiple agencies were called in for tankers and mutual aid assistance.
"When we got there, the fire was near the milking parlor of the cattle shed that was attached to the pole barn, but we were able to get that knocked down quick," he said, adding that there were cattle in the barn; however, the homeowner was able to get the cattle out to safety.
Due to the high winds on Monday night, the firefighters worked hard to keep the fire from spreading.
"With the combined effort from multiple agencies we were able to keep the fire from consuming everything," he said.
The agencies were at the scene for roughly four hours, until 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
Several tractors and other pieces of equipment were damaged by the fire, however, no injuries were reported.
"Although it was a little chaotic at times, everyone came home and no one was injured. Strong work by all," said Baker.
The fire departments responded include Beckemeyer, Carlyle, Breese, St. Rose, Highland-Pierron, Wheatfield Township Fire Department, Santa Fe Volunteer Fire Department, Keyesport, Greenville Fire Protection District, and Huey-Ferrin-Boulder Fire Department.
MedStar Ambulance, theClinton County Emergency Management Agency and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office also provided assistance.
Baker thanked all of the departments and agencies involved, including the Clinton County Highway Department, whose personnel had to pour salt on the road due to the water freezing, and to Diekemper Excavating for their assistance with lifting the pole barn.
By Andrea Casali
Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Farm Bureau president Richard Guebert (left) presents Darryl Brinkmann of Carlyle with the organization's Eagle Award for Excellence. Darryl Brinkmann of Carlyle has been awarded the 2019 Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) Eagle Award for Excellence. The award was presented during IFB’s annual meeting held in Chicago Dec. 7-10.
Brinkmann received the award for his steadfast support and dedication to Illinois agriculture. A member of IFB since the mid 1980s, Brinkmann has continuously given back to the industry through his service on numerous local and national boards of directors and agriculture leadership teams throughout his career.
Brinkmann’s involvement with IFB includes his service on the board of directors of the IFB, Country Financial, Clinton County Farm Bureau, and the IFB Producers Alliance, IFB State Young Farmer Committee and graduation from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program.
On a national level, Brinkmann has provided leadership as vice president of the American Soybean Association. He is a recipient of the American Soybean Association Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Brinkmann led the National Biodiesel Board of Directors as president.
Closer to home, Brinkmann has served as a director on the boards of Agri-Pride FS, the Illinois Soybean Association and the Clinton County Service Company.
Brinkmann received his associate degree from Kaskaskia College in 1979 and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois in 1981.
Upon graduation, Brinkmann started his grain and livestock operation and is still farming today. He is an active member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Carlyle. He and his wife, Jean, have one daughter, Danielle.
Through the IFB Eagle Award for Excellence, IFB recognizes an individual or organization for excellence on issues or programs important to Farm Bureau and to agriculture on a statewide and/or national basis.
The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers.
Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau.
IFB has a total membership of more than 386,291 and a voting membership of 79,159. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.
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