August 28, 2009

Hey there treasure seekers.

Here are a few of the upcoming events.  Just in case you are looking for more to do while you are out and about looking for those special items.

Carlyle IL: Our First Harvest Thyme Festival is Saturday Aug 29th and Sunday Aug 30th. Sponsored by A Tisket A  and the City of Carlyle.  It is in the Carlyle City Park and starts at 9:00am and runs into the evening as it finishes up with a movie in the park at dusk.  There is even an icecream eating contest.

Morris IL: French Country Market at Canal and Port, Sept 12th from 5pm to 10pm ( yes it promises to be a bewitching evening under the stars and also 0n October 10th from 8am – 2pm.

Morris also had their Log Home Festival Sept 25 & 26 (see page 17 of The Treasure Map for more details) 815-942-5774

Genoa IL has their Open Air Markets going on Saturdays Sept 26th and October 24th.  It is downtown from 9am to 2pm with antiques, crafts and fresh produce as well as second hand and new items for sale. 815-784-6961

Elkhorn WI has their Flea Market on Sept 27th at the Walworth Co. Fairgrounds. 414-525-0820

Brodhead WI host a Flea Market and Farmers Market on Oct 10th from 8:00-4:00 at Sugar River Mall. Call 608-897-2001 or see page 5 of the September issue of The Treasure Map.

Have a great day and be sure to tell them you saw it on The Treasure Map web site.

August 3, 2009

 

Family is a wonderful thing. This weekend we had many (eighteen I believe) of my family come out to the lake for what seems to be evolving into an annual event. A great time of camping, fishing, swimming and of course sailing was had by all. Nathan, my 4 year old nephew was a hit. He is so much like my younger brother Mike that it’s a little, or a lot, scary. He just wanted to fish, fish and fish. And of course we all know that 4 year olds have great patience. The first time out fishing, he just could not wait for everyone to get going so he promptly got his poll and started to put the bare hook in the water. (After he was asked to wait). So he says “I’m not fishing, I’m just pretending to fish”. Well, next thing you know he caught a bluegill with a bare hook. He was quite excited and proud of himself. So we finally got out on the water and I had rigged a pole up with one of those special double hook systems that the locals like to use. As soon as the boat stopped he picked up the closest pole (the one with two hooks) and cast away. First cast he pulls in two fish at one time! I don’t know about the rest of you, but It’s hard to compete with a 4 year old who can out fish you like that!

It was great catching up with siblings and what is going on in their lives. We make the attempt of keeping in touch throughout the year utilizing todays technology. We use the internet, with e-mails, instant messaging, face book, blogs, instant messaging and such. Or our cell phones with its text messages, twitter and so forth. But there is no substitute for one on one contact and face to face conversation.

It is much the same in our business lives too. We would be amiss if we did not utilize todays technology to help promote and sell the wares of our businesses. I know that many of you feel the same way too as I have recently received photos of items that I collect. With these in hand I now know it is worth the trip to drive several hours to check out first hand what I am hunting for. So as consumers, I urge you to check out the websites of the shops you find in The Treasure Map or on www.thetreasuremap.net and use that to help you plan your trips. As a store owner, you need to put your best electronic footprint forward to help the consumers in making these decisions thus amplifying the enjoyment of their visits.

Each week our website seems to grow with new stores and locations wanting links to their web pages. It’s great to see so many people using the web to help promote their businesses and to help locate the collectibles they are on the hunt for. As with our families we need to keep in touch with our customers until we can get together for that one on one time and face to face connection that is so important. There is just no substitute for walking into a well stocked store and the fun and enjoyment of finding that one special item tucked back in the corner that you just can’t live without. Or the interaction you get from the store owner who is glad to tell you how they came about your new find and if you are lucky, some of the history that goes with it.

Yes we live in a wonderful time. One where we can enjoy the benefits and the convinces of todays electronic age and can use them to help us to remember and appreciate the past that has helped to bring us so far.

Until next time, www.thetreasuremap.net

God bless and jibe ho!

Joe Bartman