A couple of weeks ago I got an email from an MBIP reader who invited me out to see his farm in Trivoli. His name is Dave Hoover and he and his family have a Christmas Tree farm that runs from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Since this is hardly Christmas season, I was curious as to why and what he wanted to show me, so I accepted his invitation. And so begins this House Call journey to the mysterious land of Trivoli!
Dave sent me directions, which I dutifully printed out. This is going to be a miracle if I actually find this place!
I stopped at Huck's to get some gas, beer and snack items and look who was behind the counter, Amy, who was our lovely waitress at Haddad's a couple week's ago when we had lunch with Steve Tarter. It turns out she works here too. And no, I'm not stalking her!
Usually on a House Call, I make a full-fledged snack mix, but I was in a hurry this day, so I only had time for a couple bags of Kitchen Cooked potato chips and a six pack of Budweiser. But hey, it's better than showing up empty-handed!
And then, just like a Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movie, we're on the road to Trivoli!
Wow, Dave sure lives out in the sticks. I'm just hoping I'm on the right road!
I'm amazed and pretty proud that I made it to Dave's house and we're three minutes early. It's really nice and pretty out here in the country.
Here's our host for the day, Dave Hoover! And this is the first barn on the farm, let's take a peek inside.
Dave told me this barn was mainly used for storage.
The signs that are used for the Christmas tree farm are stored in here in the off season.
Check out the baby Christmas trees! We'll definitely be back here next Christmas to see this farm in full bloom.
Here's Dave in front of barn number two, which he told me is the place that he really wanted to show me.
It turns out that they use this barn for the gift shop when the Christmas tree farm is up and running. Here's some of the items stored in here.
There's some cool stuff in here, but now I'm wondering why Dave asked me to drive all the way out here just to see some Christmas pillows in storage.
Okay, now I see why he invited me out here, Dave's got a vintage Rock-Ola jukebox from the '50's in here!
Wow, this is in perfect shape and it works.
The song, "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro is playing, that's the original 45 RPM record. And just when you think it can't get any cooler than this...
It gets cooler. Dave led me to the back where he's got...
A collection of working pinball machines! I've never seen this many pinball machines lined up in one room in my life!
And check it out, there's more over here...
And here's some more, they're all over the place. Okay, it's time to test some of these machines out and take a close-up look at them. And instead of captions, I think I'll put up the lyrics to a song that's probably running through all our collective brain trusts...
But I ain't seen nothing like him,
In any amusement hall.
That deaf, dumb and blind kid,
Sure plays a mean pinball!
He stands like a statue,
Becomes part of the machine.
Feeling all the bumpers,
Always playing clean.
Plays by intuition,
The digit counters fall,
That deaf, dumb and blind kid,
Sure plays a mean pinball!
He's a pinball wizard,
There has to be a twist.,
A pin ball wizard,
S'got such a supple wrist.
How do you think he does it?
I don't know!
What makes him so good?
Ain't got no distractions,
Can't hear no buzzers and bells,
Don't see no lights a flashin,’
Plays by sense of smell.
Always gets the replay,
Never seen him fall,
That deaf, dumb and blind kid,
Sure plays a mean pinball.
I thought I was,
The Bally table king.
But I just handed,
My pinball crown to him.
Even on my favorite table,
He can beat my best.
His disciples lead him in,
And he just does the rest.
He's got crazy flipper fingers,
Never seen him fall.
That deaf, dumb and blind kid,
Sure plays a mean pinball!
This was a great day out and I thank Dave for his invitation and hospitality! We've only scratched the surface at this place, there's another jukebox out here and other games, so we'll definitely be making another House Call here in the future.
But now I need to find my way back to Peoria. Drizzle, drazzle, dradle, drone, time for this one to come home. See you all tomorrow, same batty time, same batty station. (P.S. If you have an unusual collection or something going on where you live, send me an email and we'll set up a House Call at your place. I'll bring the snacks and beer!)
Ol’ Dairy Barn Christmas Tree Farm
17424 W. McDonald Rd.
Trivoli, Illinois
309-362-2436
Further Reading: Tales and Tails, Peoria Journal Star and facecrack.
