News : Farmers Mercantile building echoes again with music

The Farmers Mercantile building in Garrison again echoed with music Saturday.

The historic Farmers Mercantile building served as concert hall on Saturday.

A century ago, the residents of the Garrison area would gather at the Farmers Mercantile on Main Street -- many during their weekly visit to town. There they would shop for whatever they needed and often socialize with neighbors while listening to music and dancing.

The historic store closed about a decade ago, and has been silent for years as owners Nick Fisher and his wife Charlotta worked to restore the historic building.

Finally, this year, the Mercantile has been open for a variety of events. On Saturday, nearly 100 people gathered there for the "Idiot Jam," as Todd Frank of Vinton and many of his musician friends from throughout the U.S. took turns playing and singing.

Scores of listeners sat in the former store area, while others leaned against the railing of the mezzanine to hear the guitars, violins and other acoustic instruments and singing.

"This is a very warm, intimate setting," said Joy Ward, a member of the Castle Ridge trio that has performed at many of the local jams.

Frank said the crowd seemed to be larger than any at previous jams, which took place locally in Vinton school auditoriums.

The event came at the end of the fund-raising day for the Garrison library project. An art show at the Benton County Nature Center, a tour of the library building and music and Maidrites in Garrison were part of the effort to help raise the funds needed to finish and furnish the new library.

Click HERE to see the Garrison library web site.