Oakland Noodle Co. at the Du Quoin fair's wine and food products show

One of the most well-traveled stops over the weekend was the Oakland Noodle Company at the Illinois wine and food products show in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fair. Owner, Clarence "Happy" Ethington, has been working in the bakery industry since 1956, specializing in made-from-scratch baked goods. Todd Ethington, son of "Happy," began helping in the family bakery business at age 11.

Oakland Noodle Company currently services 80 grocery stores, meat stores and restaurants with deliveries and, with distributors, they cover an additional 150 grocery stores, butcher shops, catering businesses and restaurants.

"We are unique because we hand cut our noodles with a 6-inch stainless steel chopper. Each noodle is between one-fourth and three-eighths inch wide, giving it the imperfect look of a homemade noodle," said Ethington.

"In today's busy world, people like a product that reminds them of home cooked, homemade family dinners. We do the work so they can take all the credit!"