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Published Jul/Aug 2006 In title: Visitors to Mr. Lincoln’s Souvenirs in Springfield, Ill., can choose from Lincoln bobble head dolls, snow globes, oversized pennies and more. Diana West photo |
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During your MIdwestern travels this summer, pick up mementos unique to the states you’re visiting to spark fond memories when you return home.
By Diana West |
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 Stopping and shopping for souvenirs is an essential part of vacations. When traveling through the Midwest, find a memento unique to the state you are visiting. Here are some favorites sure to bring a smile and a happy memory of your trip. Ozark hardwood from Missouri Take home a piece of Missouri from the Original Walnut Bowl Factory Store in Lebanon, Mo. The store has made walnut and oak bowls for 40 years. The gift shop sells wooden bowls–available individually or as sets–in sizes ranging from 6 to 14 inches in diameter. The shop also sells walnut cutting boards, walnut nut bowls, lazy Susans and salt and pepper sets. Gift shop manager Terry Wright says the store also is the largest dealer of Howard Miller mantel, wall and grandfather clocks in central Missouri. The factory store is located at exit 129 off Interstate 44 (1078 South Jefferson), downstairs from Barrels of Fun, where visitors may watch coopers from the Independent Stave Company skillfully construct leak-proof barrels. While at Barrels of Fun, check out the gift shop that features more Missouri gifts and food items, including Missouri wines. Create a gift basket to take home. For more information, call (417) 532-6186 or visit www.walnutbowlstore.com. Gifts from Oz Walk into Auntie Em’s gift shop at the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kan. (511 Lincoln) and you may think you’re over the rainbow. An assortment of Wizard of Oz items–such as lunch boxes, movie posters, figurines and books–fills the shelves. Maybe you’d like a door stop of the wicked witch’s feet or a picture frame inscribed with “Oh, you’re the best friends anybody ever had.” There are musical water globes and clocks, too. Popular items for children, according to store manager Ellie Coots, are a hand-operated “tornado,” stuffed animals and dolls resembling Glinda the good witch or Dorothy. Sepia tones in the gift shop re-create the farm from the 1939 movie. “You’ll feel like you’re walking into a Kansas barnyard, except it’s clean,” Coots says. Visitors of all ages can take the self-guided tour of the Oz Museum, which they enter through the gift shop. AAA discounts on museum tours are offered. For additional information, call 1-866-458-TOTO (458-8686) or visit www.ozmuseum.com online. “What makes this a fun gift shop is the entire experience, including the museum,” Coots adds. Land of Lincoln “I sell Lincoln,” says Tom Rebman, manager of Mr. Lincoln’s Souvenirs in Springfield, Ill. (603 South 7th St.), one block from the Lincoln Home complex. “The most popular, laughable item you can buy here is the Lincoln bobble head,” he says. The 5 1/2-inch figurine shows Lincoln standing on a round pedestal with his left hand clutching his coat at his chest and his right hand holding his top hat. Rebman says the best seller for adults and children is a three-inch diameter replica penny made of metal and spray-painted copper. “People use it as a paperweight, coaster, or for display,” he says. Just like the real penny, it has the Lincoln Memorial on the back and Lincoln on the front. There also are pens, giant lollipops in three flavors that have Lincoln’s home on them, Christmas ornaments and snow globes. Some rare items Rebman stocks are 8 x 10-inch black-and-white reproductions of the Lincoln Home; Lincoln and son, Tad; and the Lincoln portrait. For more information, call (217) 525-2060 or visit the Web site www.springfield-illinois.com/MrLincoln. Items from the Hoosier state Mother Nature’s Mercantile keepsakes made in Indiana will remind you of your state park experience. The gift shops are located at seven state park inns throughout the state: Abe Martin Lodge, Nashville; Canyon Inn, Spencer; Clifty Inn, Madison; Potawatomi Inn, Angola; Spring Mill Inn, Mitchell; Turkey Run Inn, Marshall; and Fort Golf Resort and Conference Center, Indianapolis. Camping, biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing and golf are some activities available in the parks. A best-selling item is a plush bottle holder, offered in the shapes of five cuddly critters. In addition, socks–decorated with bugs, snakes or raccoons–are an especially popular clothing item. Adults seem to favor Breezy Singers, which are four battery-operated birds, sold separately, that have realistic movements and authentic sounds. Motion-activated sensors start the birds chirping. For more information, call 1-877-563-4371 or click on www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/inns.html. Iowa items Shoppers love the Heart of Iowa Market Place (221 Fifth St.) located in the Historic Valley Junction shopping district of West Des Moines. Items are either made in Iowa or representative of the state, according to store owner Lori Stevens. Farm- or livestock-themed gifts, especially pig items, are big sellers. “Many people come to this store because they can find unique pig-themed gifts,” Stevens says. Handmade pottery mugs have a pig face with protruding snout, or full side view of pigs, or sayings such as “When pigs fly.” Other popular pig items are piggy banks, pig plush animals and pig suckers. It seems corn is grown everywhere in Iowa and corn-themed items include cornhusk dolls, corn head hats, corn-shaped suckers and corncob Santas, jellies and candles. “Corncob candles are hand-poured from beeswax by an Iowa honey producer,” Stevens explains about the popular gift. Gift baskets in the shape of Iowa may be customized, or shoppers can select from pre-made baskets that are filled with food and fun items. For more information call 1-866-274-IOWA (274-4692) or click on www.heartofiowa.com. Taking a trip requires picking up a souvenir. The more offbeat and unusual the item, the longer it remains a reminder of your exciting experience traveling in the Midwest. Diana West is a contributor from Joplin, Mo. |
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