|
Another Life Begins for the Inn of the Six-Toed Cat |
 |
 |
|
By Shelda Lunsford
Reprinted with permission, Times-Republican.
The stately old Inn has passed through many hands in its more than a century-long history.
From its inception as a salesman and merchants hotel at the turn of the last century, on through the years spent as a boarding house, and later abandoned, to is resurrection under the guidance of former Innkeeper Bob Finley in the 1980s, the Inn has seen many changes.
Things are changing again.
When the Fisher family purchased the Inn several years ago, it seemed the perfect caretakers had been found. Recently, family health issues determined the Inn would once again be without caretakers.
A beautiful old Inn would once again sit quietly waiting for the right people to come along to care for it.
Fortunately a willing set of hands arrived in the form of the Murphy family.
Actually, several sets of hands arrived, each hoping to share in the duties necessary to care for the Inn of the Six-Toed Cat.
Much like the actual cat the Inn was named for who just showed up one day, to declare life at the Inn was where she wanted to spend the rest of her life, so did the new owners of the Inn.
One day, not long ago, the Murphy family was visiting southern Iowa for a family reunion. A cousin of theirs, Bonita Wells, drop them about the area on a sightseeing ride. The family was intrigued with the appearance of the outside of the Inn and one each consecutive visit to Wayne County, they made a special point driving through Allerton to “see the Inn”.
On a Labor Day visit the Murphy family learned the Inn was for sale and a discussion ensued about whether they wanted to pack up and move themselves across the country, from Mesa, AZ, to Allerton.
It was not done without heartache. Much of the family still lives in Arizona and the separation is difficult for the entire family, but the Murpheys are quick to state they are very happy to be here where they are still getting reacquainted with family living here.
The new Innkeepers consist of Larry and Linda Murphy and Linda’s sister, Kay Boam, Linda and Kay’s mother, Rosalie, made the move with them, as well as Keith Murphy, Linda and Larry’s son, and Keith’s children, Madison, 12 and Matthew, who is 9.
The family enjoys being together and decided to not only be Innkeepers, they decided to purchase a home large enough for all four generations of the family to live together. The home they chose was the former Jay Grismore house in Allerton.
|
|
|
Biggest Little Car Show in Iowa |
|
|
|
The annual “Old Settlers” celebration held every year in Sey mour, Iowa has evolved into a “must see” event if you are a car show enthusiast.
Plans are underway for an even larger event for 2011. The celebration is always held the second weekend in July. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 9, 2011.
Seymour, a small community in southern Wayne County, hosts its annual car show, antique tractor show and features entertainment for kids of all ages. There are many free activities for children, including a parade on the town square at 1:00 p.m. Persons desiring more information about activities can call Vicky Decker at the Seymour Herald newspaper office in Seymour. The phone number is 641-898-7554.
The 11th Annual Car Show has grown from 30 entries in 2011 to 165 in 2010. The show features 32 classes with three awards per class. Registration is held from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday July 9, 2011. There are special drawings, door prizes, dash plaques and other awards. The cars are judged by participants between 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. More information and pre-registration forms can be obtained by calling Tom Leniq 641-895-0530. Ernie 641-895-2622 or calling Dave Snider at 641 898-7763.
Information on the antique tractor show can be obtained by calling Ray Cook at 641-898-7684.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 9, 2011 and enjoy the day in Seymour, Iowa.
|
| |
 |
|
|
Wayne County - A Jewel in the Rough |
|
|
|
In other parts of the state people may go, "Wayne County? Where's that?" Wayne County residents then kindly explain that it's in extreme south central Iowa, and when asked what Wayne County has, most of them probably just shrug their shoulders. Wayne County may be small and easy to overlook, but it's a jewel in the rough and has a lot to offer.
The Wayne County Conservation manages the five parks in Wayne County as well as Medicine Creek Wildlife Area, a thousand acre area of public hunting and fishing. Many people make use of these parks every year, especially when one of the local towns is having a celebration, Seymour and Corydon Old Settlers, Watermelon Days in Humeston, and the Allerton World Fair are a few examples.
Conservation also has a growing Environmental Education program that offers many programs throughout the year. The prairie is home to many species of prairie plants such as Big Bluestem, switch grass, partridge pea, prickly ash (or toothache tree), as well as two species of rare orchid ladies' tresses orchid and bottle gentian. bobwhite is also home to many species of birds and animals like the Red-headed Woodpecker and bobcat.
The EE program also offers programs like the annual Halloween Hike, 5th Kids Fishing Derby, Lee fishing clinic, day camps and many others. To learn more about the Conservation and the EE program you can sign up to receive the quarterly newsletter. The Bobwhite Brief, free of charge. Simply call 641-873-4670, leave your name and address and request to be on the mailing list.
Another way to learn a little more about the parks here in Wayne County is to visit mycountyparks. com. This website features all the county parks, campgrounds, and activities here in Iowa. To view Wayne County's page simply move your mouse over the counties tab on the top left of the page, then move your mouse over to Wayne and click.
Take the time to visit Wayne County, it may just become your favorite weekend getaway! |
.png) |
.png) |
|
|
Honey making in Iowa |
|
|
|
A sweet adventure in South Central Iowa will be a visit to a charming store in small town Allerton called Log Chain Apiary, Proprietor Ann Garber enjoys conducting talks, tours, and demonstrations on making beeswax candles, and offering education about honey and other bee products.
Many mouthwatering premiere products are for sale in the store, their own creamed honeys, such as blueberry honey, raspberry honey, or many other flavors, attractively packaged in a wide range of sizes, including miniatures.
Their pure homemade beeswax candles are long burning and sweetly fragrant.
Log Chain Apiary also sells bulk teas and individualized baskets.
Products from Log Chain Apiary are also sold at numerous fine shops around the state. Call to find out the closest source. If you have a retail shop and are interested in selling their products give Ann a call.
Allerton is three miles west of Corydon on Hwy 2, then three miles south.
Log Chain Apiary, 204 N. Central Ave., P. O. Box 336, Allerton, Iowa 50008, phone 515-873-4119 or 877-564-2246.
|
|
Wayne County’s parks and places of Interest |
|
|
|
Bobwhite State park
As Wayne County’s only State park, Bobwhite State park offers an abundance of activities. This 390 acre park, with a 90 acre lake, has facilities for: hiking, picnicking, swimming, boating (restricted to electric motors only), camping, (you can even “pitch your tent” where 500 covered wagons camped on the original 1846 Mormon Pioneer Trail).
A Park Ranger is located at the park year round. More information can be obtained by calling the Ranger at (641) 873-4670. Allerton is located 1 mile east of the park.
Corydon Lake Park
Located at the Corydon Municipal Reservoir, this 143 acre park has many varied facilities including: camping (with or without electric hookups, drinking water, showers, flush and pit toilets), fishing, boating on 65 acre lake (limited to electric motors only), picnicking, hiking trails, a 9 hold disc golf course, and a wildlife exhibit.
Lakeside Park
Located one mile north of Humeston on Hwy 65, is an 86 acre park with facilities for camping with or without electrical hookups, drinking water and pit toilets), fishing on its 45 acre lake, and picnicking areas.
Moore-Gosch Memorial Park.
Located on mile north of Lineville on Hwy 65, is a 29 acre park featuring facilities for: camping (with or without electrical hookups, drinking water, and pit toilets), fishing on the 12 acre lake, and picnicking areas.
Medicine Creek Wildlife Area
Located 5 miles east of Lineville, is a 1028 acre area with facilities for hunting and fishing, as well as upland timber ground, a restored prairie area, and 140 acres of wetland.
Seymour Lake Park
Located one quarter of a mile south of Seymour on county road S60, is rustic park with facilities for: camping (20 undesignated campsites for tent camping and restrooms), fishing on its 24 acre lake (with boat ramp), and picnicking areas.
Cinder Path Trail
Created on reclaimed railroad right of way, the Cinder Path Trail is a biking and hiking trail that continues into Lucas County, south of Derby, all the way to Chariton.
Corydon Municipal Golf Course. Located on the southeast corner of Corydon. The 9 hole, par 36 course is located in Walden Park.
Humeston Municipal Golf Course
Located at the Lakeside Park, is a 9 hold course, featuring sand greens, and a challenging water shot across part of the lake.
Corydon Municipal Swimming Pool and Tennis Court
Located on the east edge of Corydon.
|
|
Wilson House joins historic site near Allerton |
|
|
The International Center for Rural Culture and Art, Inc. had a Queen Anne Style Victorian house moved to the Round barn site in Allerton. The house was built in the Town of Allerton in 1897 for Joseph F. Wilson and family. Joseph had married Victoria Kniffen, from the Wayne County area and they had two daughters. Both Joseph and Victoria were early settlers to the area. During the Civil War, Joseph had lost his left arm at the Battle of Shiloh, when he was only 17 years old.
The two story house, with circular rooms on the southwest corner was  placed on a new basement foundation. There will be a small meeting room and restrooms in the basement, with period furnishings and decorations. The Wilson house is now at the historic site, just east of Allerton, where the 50 foot diameter Round Barn was built in 1912. This house will make an excellent farm house addition for the round barn site. Also at the site are the 1887 New York Christian Church (from New York Iowa) and the 1868 one room William’s School House, The Round Barn, church and school house are fully restored and open for tours in the summer or any time by appointment. The Round barn site has become a popular destination for school field trips, some of which plan all day activities to show the students what life was like at the turn of the century. Everyone is welcome to visit the site.
Call 641-8873-4259 for more information.
|
.jpg) |
|
 |
|
|
Summer on the Square 2011 |
|
|
 Summer on the Square kicks off the 2011 season with another jam packed schedule of Blues, Country, Pop, Jazz, and light classics to entertain the crowds on Thursday nights in Corydon, Iowa. The concerts are free but donations are always accepted.
The weekly event held from June through July each year has entertained hundreds each week for almost fifteen years as young and old alike come together to enjoy the evening air with food and entertainment.
Included in this series is the Annual Fourth of July Festival featuring a parade around the square, a pie baking contest, basset hound festival, barbeque, free entertainment on the square and much more. The day’s festivities conclude with fireworks at dusk, over Corydon Lake.
Bring your lawn chairs and prepare for a summer of fun in Corydon, Iowa! For more information or a concert schedule contact: WAYCO Arts Council at 641-872-1198.
|
|
|
.png)
Between 1846 and 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons trekked from Nauvoo, Ill., to Salt Lake City. the main route across Iowa, now marked by road signs, meanders atop the rolling hills of southern Iowa from Montrose to Council Bluffs.
