Illinois State Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship
Dear Friends and Fellow “Roons”,
For twelve years The Illinois State Morel Mushroom Hunting hampionship & Festival has consumed the greater part of our lives for six months of each of those years. Countless hours, many of those were of the “wee hours in the morning” variety, have been spent processing entries, returning phone calls, preparing information, and handling the logistics of the event. And, those six months are also the busiest part of the year for our business. It would be tremendous if we could hold it in August. But, alas, morels don’t work that way.
With help from the people and businesses of Magnolia and Henry, Illinois, our dear friends and extended family, and the residents of a magical place we call “Moreldom”; the festival and competition has become the biggest mushroom event in the world. And we are exremely proud to be a part of it. We still laugh when we remember the looks on the faces of the Magnolia City Council in December of 1995 when we asked them to let us use their park as a staging area to take a “couple of hundred” people on a mushroom hunt. By May 4 of 1996, that number had grown to 750 registered competitors with several thousand festival attendees invading the town of 250 residents!
And it’s not been without problems, but we’ve forgotten most of them. The good times outweigh them greatly. In fact, there have been two marriages as a direct result of the event.
But, we have come to the realization that we no longer have the time and resources to manage the event and do it properly. We are extremely pleased that Tom Davis of Choice Productions in Henry, Illinois has agreed to assume the management of the event. Please understand that Mr. Davis is not a mushroom hunter - but he’s learning. He’s assumed command because of his love for our hometown of Henry, Illinois. Also understand that he owns Vizions, an income tax preparation firm, so until April 15, it is his busy time of year also.
Morel Mania and it’s volunteers will still be on hand for the hunter check-in, bus assignments, and the official counting of the mushrooms. And, the buses will still follow our big white van (if it’s still running in May) to the hunt site. We will also serve as advisors to Mr. Davis. But the registrations, craft show, auction, entertainment, etc. will be handled through Choice Productions. We ask for your patience during this year of transition. Tom Davis and his crew are not as familiar with what is required as we are, but without their taking control it wouldn’t happen at all.
We, Tom & Vicky, are looking forward to a little extra free time. Tom may be able to get his motorcycle out of storage before June and Vicky may be able to mow the lawn before June. Both activities are “therapy” for us respectively. And, Tom might not forget our anniversary this year - yes, that has happened. Additionally, we are anticipating a little extra time actually hunting for mushrooms instead of just talking about them.
We humbly thank you. See you in the woods!
~Tom & Vicky Nauman
Morel Mania, Inc.
Plans are not complete, but here is the current info:
www.ilmorelhunt.org
The contact person is Tom Davis at ilmorelhunt@mchsi.com
The date will still be the first Saturday of May, 05/03/08. Morel Mania and it's
volunteers will still lead
the competition and act as advisors to the new group. But all information and
entries will be handled
through the new group.
Morel Mania will still have the "Morel Tours" - guided mushroom hunts on Sunday,
May 4. Contact
tom@morelmania.com for details on the guided mushroom hunts.
Check out our exclusive Morel Tours
2008 RESULTS!
Grand Champion - Jason Marcum, Leroy, IL - 172 mushrooms
Men's First Place - Josh Joplin, Glsaford, IL - 128 mushrooms
Women's First Place - Melody Hawn, Virdern, IL - 78 mushrooms
Men's Second Place - Randy DeDecker, East Moline, IL - 127 mushrooms
Women's Second Place - Beth Schlueler - 72 mushrooms
Largest Mushroom - Darrell Cox, Urbana, IL - 6" girth plus 6" height = 12"
Smallest Mushroom - Brian Mackoway - .375" tall plus .5" girth = .875"
For current info visit: www.ilmorelhunt.org
Friday, May 2, 2008 & Saturday, May 3, 2008,
and Sunday, May 4, 2008!
Marshall-Putnam Fairgrounds
915 University Avenue, Henry, Illinois
Co-hosted by the Henry Area Chamber of Commerce & Morel Mania, Inc.
FREE PARKING INDOOR ACTIVITIES
CAMPING AVAILABLE ON FESTIVAL GROUNDS