“Voices from Mount Bloom” to Echo in Tiskilwa’s Museum on Main on November 6

Next Monday night, the Tiskilwa Historical Society will offer a nostalgic glimpse into the lives of six early residents who helped to make up the early character of the village of Tiskilwa. In repeating the popular “Voices from Mount Bloom” program (first staged during the 2017 Pow Wow Days), the society is offering the same presentation, but this time in the cozy setting of the Museum on Main’s community room at 7:00 p.m. on November 6.

The society is inviting all community members who missed the presentation in August as well as those who would enjoy experiencing it again. The evening will begin with special recognition for all veterans in attendance as well as an acknowledgement of the $1,967 donation by the 50h anniversary THS Class of 1967, made in memory of their deceased classmates, Sam Bittner and Danny Sissel.

The main program will be portrayal of six early residents now resting in Mount Bloom Cemetery: a young wife and mother, Catharine Bloom Keep; the village blacksmith Bill Slygh; the Stevens family matriarch, Romelia Lyon Stevens; a Revolutionary War soldier Aaron Sturges and his daughter Lydia Sturges; and an early businessman, Owen Wheaton Battey.

Their enlightening and entertaining life stories will be presented on stage by local actors Ed Waca, Joy E. Schertz, Tom and Linda Ashby, and Phil Kaufmann. Shannon Cotter’s portrayal of Catharine Keep will be presented in a video, since Shannon has a school commitment that evening.

Following the program, the society will provide refreshments and host a social time in the galleries.

Looking ahead to TCA’s Country Christmas on December 9, the T-H-S Board is inviting community members to bring in miniature Christmas trees to be displayed throughout the galleries during the holiday season. Participants may drop off their trees and complete a Special Exhibit form between 9:00 and 2:00 on any upcoming Saturday, November 11, 18, or 25.

Those who want to join in the decorating fun at the museum should mark their calendars for Saturday, December 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Decking the halls will be followed by a volunteers’ lunch at the museum. The miniature trees loaned by community members will be available for pick-up sometime after Saturday, December 9, by special arrangement or on Saturday, December 16, between nine and two o’clock.

Audiences during Pow Wow Days delighted in Joy Schertz’s amusing portrayal of the strong-minded and independent Romelia Lyons Stevens. Among many other matriarchal duties, Romelia oversaw Chicago architect George W. Maher’s transformation of the “Stevens House” (now the home of Arik and Tania Bowen) into the imposing structure on corner of Main and High Streets in Tiskilwa. Joy will reprise her performance on Monday, November 6, as part of the “Voices from Mount Bloom” program, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Tiskilwa’s Museum on Main.