News From Club Members

                                               

                                             

Notes from the Brunk Museum

Have you wondered what's in this museum for you? Or why should I be interested in this Museum?

Consider some of the information available.

1. History of, not only Sangamon County, but Illinois.

2. Where did Illinois settlers come from and by what means did they make the trek to Illinois?

3. Why did they move to Illinois?

4. What kept them here?

5. How did they make a living?

6. Architectural history.

7. Agricultural history.

8. Farm Implements used over the years.

9. Transportation means used over the years.

10. State history.

11. Native American occupation.

12. Natural disasters.

13. Livestock

14. People history ie: such notables as Abraham Lincoln, President Martin Van Buren.

15. Why the Morgan Horse?

16. The history of the Morgan Horse including organization of the American Morgan Horse Association

17. Examples of buildings from the early 19th Century.

18. One of the largest collections of “The Morgan Horse” magazine available.

19. Books on Horse related subjects (Do you know the origins of the Bass bit, and the man who developed it? The Bass bit remains one of the most popular bits used in the show ring.)

20. Visit structures completed in the 1830's

21. See vintage transportation modes such as the Conestoga Wagon and Prairie Schooner.

22. See antique horse drawn farming equipment.

23. Horse memorabilia from the late 1800's thru present.

24. Revolutionary war soldier‟s grave site and hear his story.

25. Brunk history

26. Learn how early settlers in Illinois lived.

27. Step back in time imagining yourself in a previous century, learning how life was.

28. A park like setting where you can enjoy a picnic lunch or just relax in the country.

You're all invited to spend some time with us

whether an hour or a day! Please call to schedule (217) 529-4623.

Submitted by Lois McDermand

 

 

 

 Horner’s Corner

Hi everyone!!

Boy, what a mess this first of the year has been with everything. I am doing well with my second hand surgery. This time is was the right hand I had done. Another 6 weeks of not being able to do much. Terry has been a trooper with it all and what a GREAT nurse he is. I would not have been able to have this done without him that is for sure.

Terry’s ankle has been giving him a fit this winter. He has had a few trips to the VA Clinic, but he is al-ready planning his garden and looking forward to some fishing and camping. He has taken over the barn chores the last few weeks and as I said before I am grateful for all his hard, hard work.

We had it bad with the snow storm; 18" of the white stuff and the blowing made it to the point that all the roads were shut down for almost three days. Good thing is, at our apartment building, we kept power where there were a lot of people without it here. We had to have our car dug out. Was just not really able to much to do at all. Terrie Jones took care of our two horses and all of her own during this mess. A big "Thank You" goes out to her that is for sure. Without Terrie, we could and wouldn’t be able to enjoy horses again.

Well, hope you are all well and talk to you all again later.

Terry & Darlene

 

WCC Morgans

I want to take this moment to express a huge thanks and appreciation to Cotton Hill Farm and Kathy Mayes for the dedication, hard work and endless hours put into the Morgan Farm and the Morgan Breed! She worked endless hours keeping the feed and hay in supply, making sure all the horses were properly cared for, as well as training horses, daily. Her positive personality and rapport with all of us created a Wonderful atmosphere for learning and doing. I truly regret having to leave the barn. I know I am not alone when I say, many of us regret the closing. At the barn and at the shows, we all worked together as a team and it takes a special person in charge to create the "kinship" among different personalities.

It broke my heart to see this wonderful farm coming to an end. There are generations of wonderful Morgan breeding in that farm and winning horses have come from that farm for may decades. Many of my own Morgans have Brunk breeding in their pedigrees. I would like to add that although Brunk bred horses are considered "show horses", and demonstrate this every year, a couple of mine will do anything I ask trail rides, parades, demos, to mention a few, and do it with little or no preparation. Brunk bred horses have true Morgan Heart!

In closing, Thanks Kathy and all the crew and clients of Cotton Hill, you will be GREATLY missed! I pray for a speedy recovery for you, Kathy, and know that you will conquer and succeed with all future endeavors.

Brenda Whiteman