The local University of Illinois, Master Gardeners have created a wonderfully diverse and unique "Master's Tour" this year in Quincy. This event is open to the public and will occur Saturday, June 28th, 9 to 1pm. You will enjoy art in many forms.
The seventh annual Master's Tour focuses on both gardens and porch-gardens. Come see how families of today can enjoy front porch living. The garden tour includes a look at history, allowing our minds to carry us back before air-conditioning, when front porches were the center for relaxing and entertaining. In addition, the tour celebrates a sense of community with the Quincy Community Vegetable Garden, on 8th street; and with gardens at the Illinois Veteran's Home. At all sites, Adams/Brown Master Gardeners will showcase container gardens, flowers, and other unique displays. The refreshing 2008 tour allows you to see what is possible with a creative mind, lots of plants, and some unique "porch art".
8th & Locust, Phil & Hedy Elligsen's 'German Village'
During the last 25 years, the Elligsens have purchased and remodeled almost an entire block of buildings on North 8th Street. Five buildings have been combined into a marvelous German village. There are also outbuildings and garages that have been transformed. All of the wooden trim and structures have been painstakingly crafted by Phil and his son, Erik. Phil Elligsen is a master carpenter, master engineer and a master architect. The family has paid tribute to Quincy's German heritage in a most special way.
You will love touring this artistic site. Enjoy strolling through the village, along winding paths lined with fragrant flowers and decorated porches. Go inside 'Schnelten Hall' to relax, sample tasty German refreshments and visit with Hedy.
1116 Cherry - Home of John and Nancy Schafer
This bungalow was built in 1916. For 50 years the yard produced a bounty of garden crops. In 1940, Lawrence (Bus) and Katherine Kuhlman purchased the home. For the next 55 years, spring to fall, the Kuhlman's would sit on the front porch. It was an extended living space for family and entertaining. Today, the porch is home to Schafer family gatherings. Viewers will enjoy seeing how the Master Gardeners have artistically decorated the porch for beauty and enjoyment.
1119 Cherry, Home of John Schutte
Ted Hollister built this beautiful home, with its graceful dimensions and sweeping side lawn. When the home was completed, it added a great elegance to the working-class neighborhood. Ted was a co-founder of the Hollister Whitney Elevator Co.
The large, sturdy porch denotes an old world flavor that invites an afternoon with close friends for tea and cake. In the 1940s and 1950s, Mrs. Hollister had flowering vignettes, tastefully appointed around bird baths and statuary.
Today, John Schutte is being faithful to the grand elegance of this fine home. His invitation to you comes from his happy and generous personality, offering a way of bringing back a bygone era. The Master Gardeners will enhance the beauty of the porch with delightful containers and other creative features.
Quincy Community Garden (North 8th, between College and Elm)
This community project is coordinated through the Adams County Extension office, in cooperation with the City of Quincy and the Quincy Park District. The Quincy Community Vegetable Garden provides space for residents to garden, compost, and grow their own food and flowers. The garden is open to residents committed to caring for their own plot.
You will enjoy seeing the 18 vegetable garden plots, the mentoring "fence project", and the attractive flowers around this site. Master Gardeners and community gardeners will be available to answer questions.
Illinois Veteran's Home (North 12th, near Locust)
Expect the unique. Many features will be included: Master Gardener plant sale; self-guided tour of the ever-expanding Memorial Garden; and unique flower gardens along the flag-lined, main boulevards. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and to educate.
Visit the Master's Tour
Saturday, June 28th, 9-1pm. $5 includes: admission, refreshments and a tour booklet. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the U of I Extension office, 330 S. 36th St. in Quincy; or at any of the main sites the day of the tour. Start at any of the sites and tour at your own convenience.
The Master Gardener program is a national effort through Extension that provides extensive horticulture training to area residents, who then volunteer their knowledge and time back to their communities. The Adams/Brown Master Gardeners provided over 2,200 hours of volunteer service (worth more than $40,000) in 2007 to our community.
For more information on the Master's Tour or the Master Gardener program, please contact the University of Illinois Extension office at 223-8380.
