The Connection Center

10/26/2026

QUESTION. Is Kenny Mellon's Baker line related to Dr. Alfred C Baker, pioneer Doctor of Barry? Answer: No, but this amazing line is: Kenny's Bakers...are ...HUMPHREY BAKER was born 1713 in Worcestershire, England. He was baptized at St.Mary's Church. In 1729 he came to America at age of 16 as an indentured servant to William Burge.He participated in military actions before the Revolutionary War, settling in Washington County, Virginia. His son Rev. ROBERT BAKER, 1754-1834 fought in the Revolutionary War. His son SAM BROWN BAKER, 1790-1872 fought in the War of 1812. The question was posed ....was JACKSON EDMONSON BAKER (son Of Sam),born 29 Feb 1827 in Missouri and lived near Barry who married Mary Ann Richardson related to Barry's early Dr. Alfred Baker? NO However. these ancestors of Kenny Mellon.. His Baker line... is very, very interesting especially during the US's 250 anniversary given how early this family landed in what would be the U.S. Below is EVALINE BAKER, daughter of Jackson Baker and Mary Ann Richardson, Evaline married JAMES ALBERT MELLON in 1899.

10/10/2026

Hot dang......We just had a couple from France drop in.....they are traveling from New York to California on this trip ....not their first time in the USA.

10/07/2026

Lottie Holman O'Neill was the first woman elected to the Illinois State Legislation...we knew she was born at Barry...now thanks to Kyle Fee 's research we know just where she was born...The whole local news item is historical as it tells what a well known local historian reported at his local Rotary meeting.He went to Rotary meetings...just like people still do today!

10/07/2026

What a beautiful Apple Festival 2026.. the first one for The Connection Center. Thanks to Carol McCartney for helping out and to everyone one who stopped by. And congratulations to Stroemers for 25 years in Barry!

10/03/2026

With New Philadelphia Association – We just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

10/03/2026

Beautiful weekend at Barry Apple Festival. Enjoying hanging out at the Connections Center....maybe stay until 6PM ... tomorrow 3PM to 5PM Stroemers Celebration . meanwhile and Barry Museum and The Connections Center are open...Sunday, too!!

09/23/2026

09/15/2026

Coming this week.

09/12/2026

The Connection Center is open today Saturday September 12 from 11AM to 3PM and Jerry is there. Weekdays it is open 12:30 to 3:30 most days ...come on by. ..

09/10/2026

George Kiefer opened a grocery store in Barry in late September in 1926......100 years ago ....and it became K and E and then .....Stroemers.