BCR_Illinois Valley Living_062919

Living

Illinois Valley

Summer 2019

Fireworks, fun & entertainment

It’s a celebration of summertime across the region, with a nod toward our heritage

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Living

Greetings, and welcome to the summer of 2019.

You know it’s summer in the Illinois Valley when Festival 56 begins staging live theatrical productions again.

You know it’s summer in the Illinois Valley when Down on Main Street concerts are back.

You know it’s summer in the Illinois Valley when festivals, fireworks and fairs return.

And, you know it’s summer in the Illinois Valley when the summer edition of Illinois Valley Living is published.

Well, those things are happening, and more.

In this edition of Illinois Valley Living, we take a look at some of the aforementioned traditional summertime activities in our region.

Along with that, we visit with people who make the region tick — a 40-year veteran fire chief, for example, and the first-year leader of the venerable Bureau County Fair.

Heritage is important to our region, and we take readers for a visit to the 180-year-old Putnam County Courthouse, in whose hallowed halls Abraham Lincoln once walked, and step a century back in time to the early days of a popular Princeton park from “Out of the Past.”

Other summers are fun to look back on, such as a memorable summer 50 years ago when American astronauts first walked on the moon.

With all the interesting things to see and do in the Illinois Valley, here’s hoping for a relaxing, enjoyable and memorable summer for you and yours.

— Jim Dunn, editor and general manager, Illinois Valley Living magazine

PUBLISHER Dan Goetz

Illinois Valley

EDITOR, GENERAL MANAGER Jim Dunn PAGE DESIGN Julie Barichello PUBLISHED BY Bureau County Republican 526 S. Bureau Valley Parkway, Suite F Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-4461 COVER PHOTO Mike Vaughn

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STORY BY GOLDIE RAPP FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS GOLDIE RAPP

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Trolley car’s fun rides connect city’s business districts 1 9

p Princeton’s trolley is a 1993 Oshkosh model that harkens back to the interurban line that once ran through town many years ago.

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f you haven’t yet had the chance to take a ride along Prince­ ton’s Main Street on the cheery red and green trolley, be sure to add it to your summer bucket list. It’s a fun attraction that’s becoming more popular each year.

The trolley, which is a 1993 Oshkosh model, runs every Sat­ urday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. transporting riders and shoppers between Princeton’s two Main Street shopping districts. The south-end stop is in front of the Prouty Building, and the northend stop is in front of Flour House Bakery.

Princeton Tourism Director Kim Frey said the trolley has helped set Princeton apart from other small towns.

“More than ever, families are looking for experiences when they do day-trips or weekend-trips, and I think the trolley definitely adds to their experience. … You can’t say everyday that you got to ride a trolley, but you can in Princeton,” she said.

u The Princeton trolley has quickly become a popular sight to see on Main Street. Rides are free and available every Saturday this summer from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. q Jessie Turpen (left) and Jaime Kuhn, both of Princeton, take a Saturday morning ride on the Princeton trolley.

“The history of the town and having the nostalgia on the street is really neat to see. Everybody’s face, doesn’t matter which age, is excited to see the trolley. I’m thrilled Princeton Tourism gets the opportunity to showcase that.”

The trolley was donated to the city by Steve Kiser of Princeton as a living memorial to local photographer and historian Bill Lamb. Kiser acquired the trolley from a Chattanooga, Tenn. basketball team in

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2008. The model harkens back to the interurban line that once ran through Princeton many years ago.

“It definitely takes you back. It’s neat. It’s an experience. It feels like back in the day,” Frey said, recounting the experience of a trolley ride.

The trolley can also be used as a means of transportation for guests staying at the hotels in Princeton. The hotel provides a phone number for guests to call when needing to catch a ride to downtown.

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Independence Day’s night sky bursts with color, thanks to the Jaycees STORY COMPILED BY ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING STAFF | PHOTOS MIKE VAUGHN

als to the show’s success?

PRINCETON — Thousands of A. About 80 percent is by busiarea folks have attended a Princenesses and individuals and the ton Jaycees Fourth of July fireworks money raised from the Jaycees show at least once in their lives. For events. The other 20 percent is many, it’s an annual tradition. through a grant that we apply for Illinois Valley Living asked Matt through the Chamber. Without the Cochran of the Princeton Jaycees generosity of others, we would not to explain a little bit about the work be able to put this together. the Jaycees do to put on the show.

Q. If someone wanted to make Q. What all has to be done to a donation, how could they do make the fireworks show a realthat? ity?

A. Easy, drop a check into the mail A. We start by hiring a pyrotechto the Princeton Jaycees, P.O. Box nics company that will orchestrate 142, Princeton, IL 61356, or you the actual show. Throughout the could sign up to Flamingo someyear, we fundraise for the show one’s house. This is where you can through mailings and fundraisers that we put on. The day of, we have Equipped with a sparkler and patriotic glasses, Ryker Drinkwine pay us $25 and we will put a whole enjoyed the holiday activities. bunch of pink flamingos in the permembers setting up caution tape son of your choice’s yard for a few fence line to keep spectators from days. It’s a fun and harmless practidependent on the weather, but we anticigetting into the hazard zone. That cal joke between friends. For more info, look pate a good crowd for this event. An exact night, we are fortunate to have Gary Swanon our Facebook page, Princeton Jaycees. number is hard to say due to multiple entry son graciously help us with sound/music.

Q. Who are some of the Jaycees mempoints to the park. We don’t sell tickets or Also the coordination with the Princeton bers who play leading roles in making have an entry fee, we just want everybody Park District, which has always let us be the fireworks show a success? to enjoy the show and be thankful for the able to have an amazing location to host A. We have many members that give up gracious businesses and individuals that this show. That night, we break it all down their time to participate in the wide range of donate to this event. Without them, there is and the pyrotechnic company cleans up activities and events that the Princeton Jayno fireworks show. their material. cees are a part of year round. We are a group Q. Who are some of the agencies and Q. Whereabouts in Zearing Park is the civic groups and others who help to man- of 18- to 40-year-olds that want to give back show set up? to this community as much as we can. age the crowd and otherwise operate the A. The fireworks company sets up on the Q. If someone wanted to become a show? south side of the baseball side fields. member of the Jaycees, what are the A. Princeton Police and Fire have a Q. What kinds of fireworks do you anticrequirements, and how would they go presence at the park as well as the Junior ipate this year? about signing up?

Explorers. Other organizations like the Boy A. The fireworks will be very similar to A. Anybody between the ages of 18 and Scouts and Girl Scouts are usually around years past and will include a wide variety 40 can become a member. The best way is providing various services or goods. Of of mortar shells as well as various artillery to messenger us on Facebook or just ask course, the staff of the Princeton Park Disshells. We leave it up to the professionals to one of us at the next function you see us at. trict has a big part in the preparation and decide what is best for us, based on a price There is a small yearly membership dues, the aftermath of an event like this. point we have told them. but in the grand scheme of things is worth Q. How much money does it take to put Q. When will the show begin (date and it to gain a few new friends and be part of on a fireworks show like the Princeton time)? something that gives back so much for the Jaycees’ show?

A. The show will be on July 4th and will community.

A. The typical show that we put on is start at approximately dusk.

Q. Anything else you would like to say Q. How long does the Jaycees fireworks about $10,000 to $13,000. We have multiple about the fireworks show? fundraising events throughout the year show generally last?

A. We would like to just say thank you one and, as I stated before, are very fortunate A. The show will last for approximately 13 more time to the businesses, individuals that we have so many generous businesses to 15 minutes. and Princeton Chamber for donating. We and individuals in this area.

Q. How many people generally attend a also hope to see you out there on July 4th Q. How important are financial donaJaycees fireworks show? tions from local businesses and individu- for the show.

A. It varies from year to year and is largely

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u The American English Beatles Tribute Band performs at last year’s Down on Main Street concert in Princeton. The popular band will play a return engagement on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Dancin’ Street in the

Princeton’s Down on Main Street concert series returns for the summer STORY BY GOLDIE RAPP FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS DAVE COOK AND CONTRIBUTED

Princeton’s Down on Main Street concert series is back again for the season.

The popularly of this series continues to grow year after year. It’s become a favorite tradition to grab the family and head down to South Main Street, near the Prouty Building, to hear the live entertainment, enjoy summer eats from local food vendors, and chat with friends and neighbors long overdue for a visit.

Princeton Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Frey said she hopes the summer concerts continue to bring more attention to Princeton’s outside community.

“Excitement throughout the year continues to build. The number of families that have come in that have worked vacations around the dates is pretty telling. People want to be here to see the shows,” she said.

The Princeton Street Concert Committee

Evan Webb Band

Mike and Joe Band

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has once again selected a wide variety of musicians and performances.

Frey said the committee is very excited to host the Evan Webb Band from the St. Louis, Mo. area, which features Princeton native Adam Hellman. They are also looking forward to bringing back (by very popular demand) the American English Beatles Tribute Band, which drew the largest concert crowd in Princeton last summer.

Phannie Rae and the Soul Shakers

What’s in store for the rest of the summer Evan Webb Band Wednesday, July 3 Popular around the St. Louis area, this band is known to sing songs that speak to the collective experiences they have had in the places where they grew up and call home, drawing on diverse influences across the spectrum of country, Americana, folk and rock ’n’ roll. One of their star performers considers Princeton home. Adam Hellman, son of Lynn and Lorita Hellman, will be sure to entertain for his hometown crowd.

Mike and Joe Band Friday, July 19 Chicago and Midwest modern rock cover

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band widely regarded by its peers and the industry as one of the very best sounding cover bands in the nation, they perform a smile-inducing mix of rock and pop songs from the ’90s, 2000s and today. You’ll want to bring your dancing shoes for this performance.

Phannie Rae and the Soul Shakers Friday, Aug. 16 Group of five soulful rockers, with a little hip hop and blues in between. Based in Chicago, they provide undertones of jazz, rock, funk and blues, driving to make the music scene green and heal souls in need.

American English Beatles Tribute Band Thursday, Sept. 5 From the Chicagoland area where they’re known as the Best Beatles Tribute Band,

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One-on-one with

Kyle Burrows Bureau County Fair Board president COMPILED BY GOLDIE RAPP FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS BY GOLDIE RAPP AND FROM FILE

New leadership at helm when 164th Bureau County Fair kicks off Aug. 21 have you fulfilled over the years?

The 164th Bureau County Fair, which will take place Aug. 21-25 at A. I have been active with the Bureau County Fair for 10 years. I the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton, is under new leadership have served as a volunteer, vice president and president. this year. The following is an Illinois Valley Living magazine interview Q. What inspired you to first get involved with the fair? with Kyle Burrows, the new fair board president.

A. I became involved with the Q. When were you elected Bureau County Fair as a high Bureau County Fair Board school student completing president? community service hours as A. November 2018. a requirement for graduation.

Q. Why did you choose to After learning more about the become fair board president? fair, I have remained actively A. I ran for fair board presiinvolved for 10 years. dent because I felt I could assist Q. What’s your favorite leading the fair to combine memory of the Bureau County tradition with new events and Fair? community partnerships to A. My favorite memory of the ensure the ongoing success of Bureau County Fair is getting the Bureau County Fair. engaged to my wife during Q. What are the duties of the the Martin Family Circus/Oak fair board president?

Ridge Boys concert in 2017.

A. The president organizes Q. What sets the Bureau and runs monthly board meetCounty Fair apart from other ings and the annual meeting, area county fairs? appoints board members A. What sets the Bureau to committee assignments, County Fair apart is the utiserves as chair of the executive lization of our facilities yearcommittee and manages dayround. The fairgrounds hosts to-day operations of the organumerous events such as flea nization.

Bureau County Fair Board President Kyle Burrows took on the fair’s top markets, weddings, auctions, Q. How long have you been leadership position this past fall. Burrows has been an active volunteer with corporate meetings/dinners, active with the Bureau Counetc. the fair for the past 10 years and previously served as vice president. ty Fair Board, and what roles

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Holding tight, these girls enjoyed the rides last year at the Bureau County Fair.

It’s not just about getting you back on your feet. It’s about getting you back to your life.

Drivers are given the green flag to start a Demolition Derby heat at last year’s Bureau County Fair.

Q. What sort of challenges does the Bureau County Fair face, and how is the board tackling those challenges?

A. The Bureau County Fair is challenged with youth involvement, decreasing state funding and aging facilities. To overcome the challenges, we have established a Junior Fair Board, and created a partnership with Second Story Teen Center. We have also established the Bureau County Fair Foundation. We have Country music star Gary Allan, with his signature blend of had numerous construction/ maintenance projects, including smoldering vocals and rebelseveral new buildings on the fair- lious lyrics, will perform Aug. grounds. We also have an active 22 at the 164th Bureau County building and grounds commitFair in Princeton. tee.

Q. How has the Bureau County Fair changed over the years?

A. The Bureau County Fair began in 1855 and has 164 years of rich history. There have been many changes to the fair overall through the history. Today, the fair focuses on balancing tradition with new events and attractions to meet the needs of all fairgoers.

Q. Why is the Bureau County Fair so important to our area?

A. The Bureau County Fair has been an entertainment venue, focused on agriculture for families and fairgoers to make memories for 164 years. The fair continues to provide family-friendly entertainment and agricultural education, and supports our local community each year.

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A tribute to

Women

in theater STORY BY GOLDIE RAPP FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING PHOTOS DAVE COOK AND CONTRIBUTED

Festival 56’s summer season pays homage to women’s mark on the profession Festival 56 has kicked off another show-stopping theater season filled with performances you don’t want to miss. This year’s season will pay a special tribute to women in theater.

Not only is the season focused around women’s stories that showcase strength, tenacity and the heart of female characters, but a full female directorial staff will be working behind the scenes and a majority of women make up this year’s design crew.

Liana Hall, president of the Princeton Theatre Group, said the history of women in theater is not one that is highlighted often, but contains some of the most influential names.

For example, Antoinette Perry was a co-founder of the American Theater wing and namesake of the Tony Awards. Vignette Carroll was the first African-American woman to direct on Broadway and was nominated for three Tony Awards. Zona Gal was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for her play, “Miss Lulu Bett.”

“Stories change depending on which Liana Hall, president viewpoint they are being of the Princeton Theatre Group told, so it was important for us to spend this whole season putting our time and energy into exploring these particular pieces from a woman perspective in order to highlight different bits and pieces,” Hall said.

‘The intention of this season is that the audience will leave with a greater appreciation of the perseverance of the human spirit, and be able to relate it to people around us who exude those same characteristics.’

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t Fairy Queen Titania (Madison Kauffman, center) and her fairies, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed (Andrea Imsland, Astoncia Bhagat, Emma Roden and Lauren Frawley) are shown in a scene from last year’s Festival 56 Shakespeare in the Park production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.�

“The intention of this season is that the audience will leave with a greater appreciation of the perseverance of the human spirit, and be able to relate it to people around us who exude those same characteristics. ...

There is a hope for the future, because of the natural good in all of us waiting to burst

and they can recommend one of the shows that they think you will enjoy,� she said.

Hall recommends opening night shows where the staff and design team host a talkback session following the performance.

Here they will discuss the design concepts and inspirations behind each show. “It’s a great time to get to know the theater and the talent a little better and understand the reasoning behind some design choices for each show,� she said.

Hall also recommends the cabaret performances, which she describes are a “let-yourhair-down evening� where the actors and actresses perform songs of their choosing to showcase their talents. “There’s so many ways to take advantage of what Festival 56 has to offer, so it’s worth immersing yourself during the two short months it’s here, because as Shakespeare said in Henry IV, Part 1, ‘The time of life is short, to spend that shortness basely were too long.’�

For ticket information and a full list of show times, visit www.festival56.com.

forth, and there are some beloved characters whose stories showcase that beautifully.�

Hall encourages those who have never seen a show at Festival 56 to do so this year. “The shows are awe-inspiring, and the talent is unmatched. If you have never seen a show at Festival 56, give the box office a call,

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Shipp’s tenure as Bureau fire chief has brought remarkable improvements STORY BY GOLDIE RAPP FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS BY BECKY KRAMER

BUREAU — Tim Shipp has dedicated his life to the village of Bureau.

He served 15 years as village president.

He is currently serving his second stint as a village trustee and has put in 11 years total in that role.

And this year marks his 43rd at the Bureau Fire Protection District. For 40 of those years, he’s served in the top position as fire chief.

While the hours of work he’s put in would be enough to exhaust anyone, Shipp said there is just something in his mind that tells him he needs to be of service to the community where he’s lived in his whole life.

How he became a firefighter Shipp was only a young boy when he knew he wanted to be a firefighter. In 1976, at the age of 18, he pursued his boyhood dream and signed on with his hometown’s fire department.

After less than a year of being with the department, he was elected captain. A year after that, he was again promoted to assistant chief. And finally, in 1979, he accepted the white hat and took on the role as chief.

It’s a position he takes seriously and has served wholeheartedly the past four decades.

Shipp’s strong leadership skills and fresh vision for the department was just what it needed to turn around its iffy

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Longtime Bureau Fire Chief Tim Shipp poses for a photo next to one of the department’s fire trucks.

Shipp has served the fire district for 43 years — 40 of those as fire chief.

reputation back then.

With a small annual budget of only a couple of hundred dollars, the department was unable to afford high-quality equipment. The firefighters used fire trucks from the 1950s, and firefighters were forced to fundraise for reliable fire equipment.

“If anybody had a fire, they’d call you the basement savers,” he said, laughing, as he looked back at that time.

“Most fire departments had a lot better equipment than we could ever afford back then.”

Shipp focused on ways to build the department’s budget over time. One of the key decisions he made to better the bottom line occurred in 1983 when his department asked voters to approve changing Bureau from a fire department to a fire district.

“It was hard for people to change. A lot of your elders back then thought we should just cover the city, whereas we wanted a district so we could create extra funding for the department and help protect the surrounding area,” he said.

Despite some backlash, voters ultimately saw the need for the change and approved the proposal. Shipp considers the passage of that referendum one of his greatest accomplishments.

Today, the department is operating on a healthy $65,000 annual budget.

Over the years, the Bureau Fire Protection District has also been the recipient

of some pretty generous grants under Shipp’s direction. In 2006, the district received a $233,000 grant to help with the purchase of a new fire engine and equipment. In 2014, the district received another grant of $215,000 that allowed for the construction of a storage building for its equipment at the former Leepertown Grade School, which is where the district is headquartered today.

“I think now most every fire department has respect for us. They call us for a lot of mutual aid. I think that was one of the biggest things we wanted to overcome, and we have overcome,” he said.

Looking back on his career Over his 43-year firefighter career, Shipp has responded to thousands of calls. The exact number is unknown, but a couple of calls stick out to him, one being the Euclid Chemical Fire that broke out in 2010. Bureau was called for mutual aid, and Shipp spent 44 consecutive hours on scene assisting.

The other disaster was when a train carrying ethanol derailed and caught fire near Tiskilwa in 2011. Shipp said he clocked 48 straight hours at that scene running operations.

“There has been some big ones over the years. They’re all different.

Every one you go to is a different fire. No two are the same,” he said.

‘No firefighter knows it all’ Shipp said the key to success over the years has been his ability to change with the times and hear people out.

“I’ve always taken the stance that if somebody knows something more than I do, come and tell me. I’ll be more than happy to listen to you. You just can’t say, ‘I wear the white hat. What I say goes.’ It doesn’t work that way,” he said.

The advice he instills in the young firefighters is that there is no firefighter who knows it all.

“Believe me, I’ve been doing this 43 years, and I don’t even know a part of it,” he said.

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An old photo shows a young Tim Shipp shortly after he signed on with the department.

Although every fire is different, Shipp goes into them all with the same goal. That is to bring every firefighter home when the call has been answered.

“Knock on wood, over the years we’ve been fortunate. We’ve had minor injuries, but we’ve never had anybody seriously hurt. That’s one of my biggest pluses. I’ll let something burn down before I risk putting one of my firefighters in harm’s way,” he said.

Being 100 percent dedicated to his work and community, there’s only one regret Shipp has — that his service has taken precedence over his family in many cases.

“That’s the biggest regret I have with this job,” he said.

“But I’m not one who can sit at home while my neighbor is having a heart attack. I want to be there and try to help the community as best as I can. I’ve lived here all my life, and I want things to be on the up and up, and I’ll do what I can to make sure they are that way.”

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Summer fun in the Illinois Valley A look at things to do across the region STORY COMPILED BY DAVE COOK FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS MIKE VAUGHN AND DAVE COOK

JUNE 29

• Spring Valley’s Summerfest will be held all day in Kirby Park with a carnival, music, food and a beer garden. A fireworks show will begin at dusk at Hall High School.

• The annual Old Wheels Car Show will be held at Princeton’s First Lutheran Church located at 116 N. Pleasant St. • Gateway Services will hold its annual Superhero Showdown 5K at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton.

JULY 1

• The Starved Rock Runners organization will host the 2019 Women’s Running Clinic from 6 to 7 p.m. at Northwest School in LaSalle. The evening’s goals will be to provide training advice and the promotion of the health, fitness, motivation and confidence of

local women runners or those women interested in taking up recreational running.

JULY 3

• The Evan Webb Band will perform as part of Princeton’s “Down on Main Street” summer concert series. Admission is free, and popular local vendors will offer food and beverages for sale. The night runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and the live entertainment starts at 6 p.m.

• Mineral will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at dusk.

JULY 4

q Help celebrate our nation’s birthday with the village of Hennepin and experience “Thunder on the Illinois,” an explosively loud and colorful fireworks display over the Illinois River. The show begins at dusk, but the day will be full of live music, food, a car show and many more family friendly activities.

• Ottawa will celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks show from 9 to 10:30 p.m. This popular annual display over the river offers great viewing opportunities from the bleachers at Ottawa Township High School and a variety of other locations both on and off-shore.

JULY 4-6

• Skydive Chicago will host the annual All-American Invitational skydiving comA parade is one of the featured events for Hennepin’s Fourth of petition, which challenges July celebration. dozens of competitors from

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NOTE: The following list is comprised of a variety of upcoming events being held throughout the Illinois Valley and is not intended to be comprehensive. throughout the world to create intricate group formations after jumping from as high as 18,000 feet from one of three airplanes.

The event will also include a celebratory fireworks display in honor of the Fourth of July.

JULY 5

• The Utica Fireworks Celebration will begin at 5 p.m. in Carey Memorial Park with a variety of family friendly activities followed by the fireworks, which will begin at dusk.

JULY 6

• Sheffield will hold its third annual tractor pull. The event will be held on the northwest side of town, across the railroad tracks and past North Street.

JULY 7

• Festival 56 will present its first performance of “Othello” as its 2019 selection for “Shakespeare in the Park.” All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Princeton’s Soldiers and Sailors Park, which is located downtown along South Main Street. Other performances of “Othello” will be held on July 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 and 31.

JULY 19

• Mike and Joe Band will perform as part of Princeton’s “Down on Main Street” summer concert series. Admission is free, and popular local vendors will offer food and beverages for sale. The night runs from 5 to 9 p.m., and the live entertainment starts at 6 p.m.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Princeton’s 9th annual Z-Tour Bike Ride is a charity event providing some of the best cycling in the region. It will take place on July 20.

JULY 19-24

• The winning team from Oglesby and Peru’s annual Central Region Senior Baseball Tournament will move toward competition in the Senior Baseball World Series held in Easley, S.C. 2019 is the 34th anniversary of the tournament being held in the Illinois Valley, and several surrounding states will send their best for a chance to advance. Games in Peru will be held in Washington Park, and Oglesby contests will be decided at the Dickinson Field Baseball Complex.

JULY 20

t Princeton’s 9th annual Z-Tour Bike Ride is a charity event providing some of the best cycling in the region. The tour’s five countryside routes incorporate hills, woodlands and beautiful views of Bureau Creek and the Hennepin Canal. Cyclists can check in early Friday night and enjoy live music, food, drinks and hometown hospitality. Entrants can choose from a 10-mile ride with an optional hill challenge, a 30-mile course, a 65-mile route, a 100-mile course, and new for this year, the Adventure Route consisting of 22 miles of pavement and 40 miles of Hennepin Canal and gravel roads.

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A highlight of the Homestead Festival, slated for Sept. 6-8 in Princeton, is the annual parade, which takes place Saturday afternoon, Sept. 7, and traditionally attracts thousands of spectators.

JULY 27

SEPT. 6

• Walnut’s Sunset Ridge Motocross Track will host the Racer-X Vet series, which promises an abundance of fast and high-flying action around the challenging track.

• The Prairie Arts Center’s community theater group will present its first performance of “Deathtrap,” a thriller by Ira Levin, in Princeton at 7:30 p.m.

AUG. 2

• The Granville Cruise, complete with live music and a street dance, is the first part of the village’s two-day Granville Days celebration. Classics and customs will be lined up on both sides of McCoy Street, and attendees can also enjoy plenty of family friendly fun.

AUG. 8

• The 2nd annual Women’s Expo will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at JFK Elementary School in Spring Valley. The event will feature local vendors, crafts, food, a fashion show and more.

AUG. 8-11

• Those who enjoy a buttery, lightly salted ear of fresh sweet corn won’t want to miss Mendota’s 72nd annual Sweet Corn Festival.

Each year, guests consume approximately 50 tons of corn as they also enjoy a parade, beauty pageant, flea market, live music, carnival, local vendors, crafts and much more.

AUG. 16

• Phannie Rae and the Soul Shakers will perform as part of Princeton’s “Down on Main Street” summer concert series. Admission is free, and popular local vendors will offer food and beverages for sale. The night runs from 5 to 9 p.m., and the live entertainment starts at 6 p.m.

AUG. 17

• The Spring Valley Historic Association’s Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Cruise will feature food, music, a 50/50 raffle, and a variety of vehicles from 1993 and earlier. The

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SEPT. 6-8

A classic automobile’s interior is shown. Several car shows are on the summer agenda for the Illinois Valley. show will be located along the 100 and 200 blocks of West St. Paul Street from noon to 5 p.m.

AUG. 21-25

• The 164th annual Bureau County Fair will be held at the fairgrounds in Princeton. Visit the long-running fair and enjoy music, food, livestock, rides, a carnival, daily entertainment and much more.

AUG. 23-24

• The village of Tonica will celebrate its annual Tonica Fest celebration with a 5K, car show, food, live music, dancing and more.

SEPT. 5

• American English, a Beatles tribute band, will return to Princeton’s “Down on Main Street” summer concert series. Last year’s performance was the most popular of the year, and fans of the Fab Four won’t want to miss hearing their favorite Beatles songs performed live on stage. Admission is free, and popular local vendors will offer food and beverages for sale. The night runs from 5 to 9 p.m., and the live entertainment starts at 6 p.m.

p Princeton will celebrate its annual Homestead Festival celebration with a weekend full of activities including live music, a parade, food, beer garden, car show, golf outing, theatrical performance, window display contest, Owen Lovejoy Homestead tours, 5K, baby contest, horsedrawn carriage rides, children’s fun fair, baking contest, craft show, helicopter rides, flea market and more.

SEPT. 7

• Hornbaker Gardens will hold its 7th annual Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will offer more than 30 artists, wine, home-baked items, craft beer, live music, local lunch fare, ice cream, local produce, henna art, rock balancing, pottery demonstrations and more, with free admission.

SEPT. 12

• Every Thursday at 9 a.m., the Starved Rock Walkers Club meets in the lobby of the Starved Rock Lodge before heading out on a pre-planned group hike along one of the many scenic trails in the area. Free and open to the public, their adventures typically end around noon. The group’s route is different each week, though it repeats itself every quarter so the park can be experienced in each season. Those hiking 12 times with the group will earn a free lunch at the lodge. No preregistration is required. Appropriate clothing, shoes and a water bottle are recommended.

A Legacy of

Lincoln &

Legality STORY BY DAVE COOK FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS DAVE COOK

HENNEPIN — There are many museums in Illinois honoring and cataloging the details and items related to the state’s history. However, few places do so organically, and while not a museum, the Putnam County Courthouse shares many of the same attributes.

Completed in 1839, the courthouse has since absorbed the history around it for 180 years and shares a solid connection with the people of Putnam County, as well as with the state’s most famous resident, Abraham Lincoln.

q The courtroom features the original judge’s bench, witness stand, clerk’s cubicle and public seating.

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TOP: The Putnam County courthouse, located in Hennepin, is the state’s oldest active courthouse, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

ABOVE: The original blueprints for the courthouse’s first addition constructed in 1893 still reside in their original file.

Initial construction of the colonial-style building cost $14,000, which included the decoratively carved and still active judge’s bench, clerk’s cubicle, courtroom benches and more.

Impressively, the blueprints, details and official records of the courthouse’s long history, as well as that of the county, are still where they were originally placed. Many are still actively used and have become unique historical pieces. For example, the county has used only one book since the early 1830s to record the name of each elected official. With many blank pages remaining, the book will likely be in use well past its 200th anniversary.

In 1893, the courthouse’s $4,780 northern wing was added. It contains room for vaults, a law library, and the room that now serves as the county board room.

A 1932 remodeling project painted the courthouse yellow and removed a cupola and engraved bell that had been added a year before the 1893 addition. It wasn’t until a 1964 interior and exterior renovation that the outside was returned to its original brick facade. In 1975, it was honored with a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1996, the eastern addition housing the offices of the Putnam County sheriff and the 911 dispatch center was built.

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Sheriff Kevin Doyle, now in his sixth term, also serves as the traditional caretaker of the courthouse. He’s proud of the local history, but also well aware of the frequent challenges this role presents.

“Anything you try to do with a building of this age, whether it’s maintenance or an addition, usually becomes very difficult, expensive or impossible. An example would be trying to incorporate technological advancements into a building of this age,” he said.

Lining the halls of the first floor are several historical items, including a hand-written letter from Lincoln dated 1845. Lincoln is known to have visited Hennepin in 1832, 1845 and 1848, and historians have reported he attended to court business during his 1845 trip. To make reading the faded letter easier, an engraved copy has been placed next to it.

It’s addressed to “Friend Durley” and refers to brothers Williamson and Madison Durley.

Lincoln met and talked with the brothers as they dug for potatoes near what is now Route 26 and Hennepin’s High Street. The letter is significant for both its length and the important political issues Lincoln discusses.

The brothers were also the great-grandfather and great-great uncle, respectively, of longtime Putnam County State’s Attorney Walter Durley Boyle. Boyle served in the courthouse as the state’s attorney for 40 years and as an attorney for more than 70 years.

Other historical documents on display include the county’s militia muster roll for the Blackhawk War of 1832 and an 1818 map of the bounty lands in the Illinois Territory.

The bounty lands were set aside to be given as payment for the soldiers of the War of 1812.

Several original and restored portraits of the county’s historical figures can be found throughout the building. Lining the top of the lobby of the sheriff’s office are photos of each of the county’s sheriffs. There are also many uncelebrated, yet thoroughly historic items to be seen within the courthouse, particularly in the clerk’s office.

When looking into the office’s small records vault, numerous old books from each of

Shown is a soot mark on the ceiling of the county clerk’s records vault. It was created by the oil lamps used by the county’s early clerks.

the county’s villages can be seen filling the shelves. Look up, however, and you’ll see a significant soot mark on the low ceiling that was caused by the oil lamps used by early clerks in the 1800s.

The county’s original plat book is well-worn and regularly used, and countless other historical documents were easily accessed from their original files and displayed.

While the term “living history” often refers to educational events where the historical is recreated by actors, it also seems an appropriate way to describe the Putnam County Courthouse.

While new, modern buildings are often argued as being necessary, and sometimes they are, Putnam County’s courthouse helps to show the importance of the past and the benefits of accrued continuity.

Official, day-today business is still conducted there, but history is right at the fingertips of those conducting that business.

It also surrounds them and provides a direct line back to the county’s early times and to those who helped build the community and The back wall of the Putnam County courtroom is filled with original the landmark courthouse. volumes of case law.

Putnam County Sheriff Kevin Doyle is shown in front of a collection of weapons and items confiscated or used by previous sheriffs, which is located in the lobby of the sheriff’s office.

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OUT OF THE PAST

The early days of Princeton’s

ALEXANDER PARK STORY BY BILL LAMB FOR ILLINOIS VALLEY LIVING | PHOTOS BILL LAMB COLLECTION, BUREAU COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Mr. Anderson had a force of men working for The Gosse property was a big open field that was OUT OF THE PAST: This some time on this project. First, he made a conbordered from Peru Street on Gosse Boulevard “Out of the Past” article by crete base of a dam on the west edge of the propto Park Avenue West and west to the northeast Bill Lamb, with accompanying erty.

Wheel scrapers scraped the bottom of the entrance of Oakland Cemetery and north to West photos, was originally publake-to-be and filled over the concrete foundation Peru Street next to the fairgrounds amphitheater. lished in the Bureau County for the dam.

This 65-acre plot of ground was leased by George Republican in June 1997. It The dam was constructed across the main ravine, Staples until March 1, 1921. is now part of the Bill Lamb at a point straight south from the fairgrounds Alex Anderson had an idea for an amusement Collection and is provided amphitheater.

It was about 300 feet long and 15 to park, where there would be adequate facilities for courtesy of the Bureau County 20 feet high and was wide enough to carry a road boating, bathing, baseball, football and all other Historical Society, Princeton. driveway from one side of the park to the other. The forms of recreation available to Princeton folk. Mr. lake, when filled, was 250 feet wide and between Anderson wanted to buy this property in 1920 and 800 to 900 yards in length and from 13 feet to one foot in depth. he wanted to start developing this idea as soon as possible, so Mr. Water was supplied from many flowing springs that were found all Staples consented to Mr. Anderson’s plan and released his hold on along the bottom of the ravines. the property, and Anderson bought it in 1920.

The plan was to use the lake for swimming and boating. One part Alex Anderson began work on his idea of an amusement park in was thoroughly graveled, so that it would be convenient for bathers. the fall of 1920 and worked until winter weather set in. Once Mr. When filled, the lake would extend from the south limits of the park Anderson started work, he didn’t want to be interrupted so that there wouldn’t be any delay once he got started. Along with a big recreation on the (then) Wyanet-Princeton route 6 and 34 road to the dam, which was not far from the north limits of the park along Peru Street. resort, he wanted a large lake, and the first feature to be developed WAS a large lake, which wound about in several ravines that extended Between three and four acres of land was submerged underwater altogether. through the property.

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An aerial view from many years ago shows Alexander Park’s lake, swimming pool, and other attractions. Alex Anderson was the driving force behind development of the park, which began in the early 1920s.

The Tiny Hill Orchestra was one of the musical groups that performed for dances at the Alexander Park pavilion.

Mr. Anderson’s property included, in all, some 65 acres. More than half of this was in pasture and the balance along Gosse Boulevard was in corn.

When Anderson took over, it was seeded to grass for the next spring in 1921. The resulting property at that time, extended from Park Avenue West to Peru Street, and from Gosse Boulevard west to the cornfield north of Oakland Cemetery.

Natural conditions of the property were ideal for an amusement park. The land was rolling, with plenty of level stretches for a baseball diamond and the like. Indeed, there was an excellent place for a diamond with a row of large oak trees along the west border to shade the bleachers. As a matter of fact, there was an abundance of shade throughout the premises, as well developed oak trees were plentiful.

When Anderson started out on his amusement park venture, he had not fully decided upon the full plan for the development of the park, but that he expected to carry the improvements just as far as the public decided. He had the lake ready for use by spring of 1921 and added other features as he felt reasonably sure that they would be supported. Folks who lived in that section of town were pleased over the possibility of a good park.

In the late fall of 1920, plans were also formulated for the construction of a dance hall pavilion on the west side of the through roadway that would run from West Peru Street to Park Avenue West.

Construction began of the dance hall along with the concrete dam, and work was continued until winter weather set in, and was resumed the following spring.

The dance floor area was 50 feet by 80 feet in dimensions, and time and expense were not spared into making this one of the finest dance halls to be found anywhere in this part of the state.

The park that was constructed by Alex Anderson was also an ideal place for picnics, special gatherings and many other social functions.

The originator of Alexander Park was Alex Anderson, and from him, the park got its name!

Speaking of picnics, in fact, the very first event in the opening of Alexander Park, especially the dance pavilion, was the fifth annual jubilee picnic of O.B. Harrauff, general Bureau County agent of the Franklin Life Policy Holders Insurance Company, which was held June 15, 1921.

Three thousand people attended that picnic, and it was one of the biggest affairs of the year in the county. A picnic dinner was served on the grounds at noon and was followed by speaking in the dance hall pavilion, and a program of sports followed.

It was the largest crowd ever to gather on a similar occasion in Princeton, and heaps of praise were showered upon the general agent of O.B. Harrauff who planned the picnic.

Mr. Harrauff even made a contract with a motion picture cameraman from Chicago and was on the grounds all that day filming the crowd and various events, individuals, groups, squads and activities.

The movies were shown in all the theaters in the county.

Mr. Anderson, the genial owner of the new park, worked extra forces night and day to complete the park for this great event, and while he did not entirely have it completed in all details, everything was in good ship-shape to accommodate the picnickers. It was a beautiful park with plenty of shade and grass and the finest pavilion in the state.

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Alec’s Blue Boys, the famous orchestra from Galesburg, played during the program in the afternoon and at the evening dance following the picnic and speeches. You could say, in fact, that THIS was the FIRST actual dance in the new dance hall pavilion — on Wednesday, June 15, 1921. The following Saturday and Sunday nights, Alec’s Blue Boys played for the public, and the dance hall business was on its way!

Then, in the fall of 1921, the Alexander Park made facilities for a local semi-pro football team — the Princeton Tigers! A field was laid out with bleachers on the west side of the park facing east. The bleachers were lined up along a row of oak trees, and seats were available for several thousand people.

The Tigers played the Peru Independents, the Spring Valley Wildcats, the LaSalle Pony Express, Prophetstown, Kewanee, Sheffield Independents, American Legion from Mendota, and the Chicago Cardinals. Since it was a semi-professional team, they usually passed the hat or charged admission to see the games, which were played on Sunday afternoons as there were no lights at that time. They had big crowds.

The games were fiercely fought and the competition keen. Whenever the football was downed, no matter where it was located, the next play was at that exact place — even if it was right next to the sidelines, the ball was put into play at that spot. As you probably guessed, the players were all lined up along the sideline, and the ball had to be played toward the center of the field from that position, and not go out of bounds.

Princeton had a fantastic team and was well followed by spectators and followers. The lineup for a particular team game was Lafferty (right tackle), Clark (right end), C. Garman (right guard), Truskowski (center), Baird (left guard), Hayden (left tackle), Lapan (left end), Janes (quarterback), Smith (right halfback), Storey (left halfback), Fraser (fullback), Beyer, McColl, Schultz and Gross.

This lineup was when they played the Peru Independents on Oct. 13, 1921. The score was 6-0 after Peru made a touchdown in the first

t Well, if it isn’t Bill Lamb himself, shown here in the projection room at the Alexander Park Drivein movie theater.

3 minutes and that was the final score. Then, too, the players played both offensive and defensive football during the game, and needless to say, it was really rough!

The Princeton High School football team also practiced and played at Alexander Park. Al Moser and Doc Nance were the coach and assistant coach. They would dress at the high school and then jog out to the park, a distance of over a mile.

Nance and Moser usually rode bikes along with the boys jogging, so that no one “cheated” in getting to and from the park by hitch-hiking a ride.

PHS played at the park until Bryant Field was opened and dedicated on Nov. 11, 1930. Princeton High usually played on Saturday afternoons.

NOTE TO READERS: Bill Lamb, who died in 2013, wrote this story for his “Out of the Past” series with the Bureau County Republican in June 1997. It and the accompanying photos were retrieved from the archives of the Bureau County Historical Society, which granted its permission to republish them.

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of WOMEN Illinois Valley Living’s

distinction

Honoring the women of the Illinois Valley — the Women of Distinction Awards focus on those ladies who make a difference in the lives of area citizens.

The Illinois Valley Living Women of Distinction Award is given to women who have made a difference in the Illinois Valley and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and communities. Illinois Valley Living is excited to offer this annual event to honor those women who make a difference in the lives of others.

What woman do you know who has gone that extra mile to benefit others? Who has taken a stand; made a difference; and/or been a role model for others? We want to hear about these wonderful women from you.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the annual Women of Distinction Award. Honorees will be chosen by a selection committee of former Women of Distinction Award winners.

In the fall of this year, a welcome reception will precede a luncheon and awards ceremony, where multiple Women of Distinction Award winners will be honored and given the opportunity to share their stories.

To nominate a Woman of Distinction, go to www.illinoisvalleyliving.com and click on the ad on the right side of the page to complete the nomination form. You can also fill out the nomination form on the adjoining page and mail it to Women of Distinction, c/o Bureau County Republican, Attention: Editor Jim Dunn, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m., August 2, 2019.

For questions or more information, contact Jim Dunn at 815-875-4461, ext. 6330.

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Illinois Valley Living

Women women who Women of of Distinction Distinction identifies identifies women who have have made made a a difference difference in in the the Illinois Illinois Valley Valley and and who who are are representative representative role role models models as as leaders leaders in in their their fields fields and and community. community. Honorees Honorees will will be be profiled profiled in in the the Illinois Illinois Valley Valley Living Living Magazine’s Magazine’s September September issue issue and and recognized recognized at at an an awards awards luncheon luncheon in in the the fall. fall. Date Date and and location location to to be be announced. announced.

Please Please fill fill out out this this form form completely completely (use (use additional additional paper paper ifif necessary) and and return return by

by August August 1, 2, 2017.

2019. Additional Additional forms necessary) forms can can be be downloaded downloaded by by visiting visiting www.illinoisvalleyliving.com. www.illinoisvalleyliving.com.

Today’s date:__________________________________________ date:__________________________________________ Today’s A. Nominee’s Nominee’s Personal Personal Information Information A. Name ___________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________ Organization/company/corp. _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Organization/company/corp.

Title _____________________________________________________________ Title_____________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Phone City of of residence__________________________________________________ residence __________________________________________________ City

Email __________________________________________________________ E-mail __________________________________________________________ Hometown (childhood) (childhood) ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Hometown Date of of birth birth _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Date

Education: Education: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Family: Family: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Please include include bio/résumé/vita bio/résumé/vita Please

B. Achievements Achievements B. In the space below, below, please please describe describe the the nominee’s nominee’s greatest greatest personal, personal, professional professional or or job-related job-related achievement. achievement. Honors Honors or or awards awards can can be be In the space included as as well well as of a a challenging challenging problem problem solved, solved, a a major major project project completed completed or or a a product product produced. produced. included as examples examples of ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ C. Nominator *Name _____________________________________________________ Title _______________________________________________________ Organization _______________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________ *Email: _____________________________________________________ *Must include to be informed if your nominee has been selected

Presenting Sponsor

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATION: August 2, 1, 2019 2017 Mail: Women of Distinction % Bureau County Republican P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356 P.O. Box 340 Princeton, Illinois 61356 Attn: Jim Simon Dunn or Attn: Terri Email: tsimon@bcrnews.com jdunn@bcrnews.com Email: Subject line: Women of Distinction

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inceton!

CUSTOMIZE YOUR HOME! Single Family Homes FOR SALE in an age restricted community.

The unique features of The Villas include: • Membership to AJ’s Fitness Center, located on site • Spacious 2-3 bedroom floor plans • Attached garage • Full size kitchens • Design for accessibility and safety 140 N. 5th St., Princeton • Active community for those 55 or better 815.875.6600 2322 N. Eastwood Dr., Streator

815.672.1900 3230 Becker Dr., Peru Call for more information on The Villas and to schedule your tour.

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815.224.2200 www.simplythefinest.net