BCR_Illinois Valley Living Mag_062318

Living

Illinois Valley

Summer 2018

A summer’s worth of fun!

With music in the streets and at an outdoor saloon, with theater shows and outdoor adventures, the summer is beckoning across the Illinois Valley

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Make it a summer that’s too good to be forgotten

Living Illinois Valley

EDITOR, GENERAL MANAGER Jim Dunn

Yes, it’s only June, and summer is just beginning, but imagine for a moment that it’s already September, and summer days are on the wane.

AD DIRECTOR Jennifer Heintzelman

How will you look back on your own personal Summer of 2018?

Will it have been a satisfying summer filled with smiles and experiences and memories to carry you through the rest of the year?

The Summer of 2018 will be what you make of it, and the staff of Illinois Valley Living magazine has some ideas to share with readers about possibilities that might just make your summer simply too good to be forgotten.

The good old summertime in the Illinois Valley offers interesting people, places and things for locals and visitors alike.

For one thing, the Princeton Chamber’s Down on Main Street summer concert series is back. You’ve got to catch some of these increasingly popular outdoor music shows.

Festival 56 is back, too, with plays staged by talented actors and actresses from afar for the enjoyment of local folks.

We profile the popular Psycho Silo Saloon, report on the upcoming Bio Blitz at a waterfowl refuge near Hennepin, and tell about rural summertime bicycling routes.

Want some summertime reading material? New Little Free Libraries are on the way in Putnam County. Want a place to stage a special event or simply enjoy the ambiance of a former country club? Check out Chapel Hill.

Looking for summertime fashions? One story features a downtown Princeton shop.

After checking out Illinois Valley Living’s summer to-do list, and reading about reunited siblings, take an “Out of the Past” visit to a former local teen hangout.

So put on your sunglasses, pass the sunscreen lotion, and enjoy a slice of watermelon — the Summer of 2018 has arrived.

Here’s hoping readers get out and fully enjoy these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

PAGE DESIGN Lucas Pauley PUBLISHED BY The Bureau County Republican 526 Bureau Valley Parkway, Suite F Princeton, Illinois 61356 815-875-4461 COVER PHOTO Mike Vaughn

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

Inside

Princeton’s Down on Main Street concerts have quickly become a popular attraction.

Read more on page 4.

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Takin’ it to Main Street Outdoor summer concert series hits all the right notes

A young dancer shows her moves during a street concert in Princeton.

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Story By Goldie Rapp & Submitted photos For Illinois Valley Living

rinceton’s Down on Main Street concert series has quickly become one of the city’s most popular summer attractions.

People of all ages look forward to hitting the main drag on the south end of town to hear live music, enjoy local foods and beverages, and reconnect with neighbors they haven’t talked with in ages.

What started as just one small show in the grassy lot next to the Prouty Building three years ago, One of the main draws to Princeton’s street concerts is the variety in music. The street concert committee makes it a point to bring in a variety of genres for all to enjoy.

has grown into a series of live shows where musicians take center stage in the middle of — you guessed it — Main Street.

While street concerts are not a new concept, the wide variety of music genres played in Princeton’s downtown is what sets the lineup apart from others.

Kim Frey, executive director of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, said people really enjoy the variety of the series, and it’s one of the main draws.

Down on Main Street Summer Concert Series Tuesday, July 3 10 of Soul Band, a mix of soul, funk and jazz Friday, July 20 Cousin Eddie, four decades of rock ‘n’ roll Friday, Aug. 17 American English Band, Beatles Tribute Band Friday, Sept. 7 Seven Bridges Road, Eagles Tribute Band Saturday, Oct. 13 Heidelberg German Band

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This summer’s lineup includes six shows running from June to October. Goers can expect to hear everything from country to jazz, soul, tribute bands, rock ‘n’ roll and even some authentic German tunes.

Frey said all through the year, she receives calls and visits from people asking about the lineup before it’s announced at the annual Chamber meeting held in mid-April. To help build the hype, the Chamber purposely keeps the lineup a secret before then.

“I think it’s a great thing for Princeton and this region. I find more and more cities are doing streets concerts, which is great,” Frey said.

“I love to see so many families come out and enjoy them.”

A performer smiles for the camera during a Down on Main Street set in Princeton.

How it all got started Three years ago, Frey was approached by local music enthusiast Steve Gunning, who told her that he’d made connections with the Grammy award-winning band, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience.

Frey was intrigued that Simien had expressed interest in stopping in Princeton to play a set before continuing on to an annual performance in Milwaukee for its Fourth of July celebration.

So working together, Frey and Gunning provided a warm welcome when Simien played on the lawn next to the Prouty Building in the summer of 2015.

After a successful turnout, Frey invited Simien to play in Princeton whenever he might be passing through the area. The following

year, Simien took Frey up on her offer, and it was decided that his stage be set in the middle of South Main Street to allow more space for people to set up lawn chairs and have enough room for dancing.

Continued on page 7

The streets fill quickly on the nights when Princeton is hosting a street concert.

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A member of the Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience band plays in downtown Princeton in 2017. Terrance Simien (below) and his band were the first band to play in Princeton’s Down on Main Street series.

Continued from page 5

Frey knew Princeton was onto something when Simien’s 2016 show filled downtown, and three additional street concerts were scheduled that summer and fall.

BagShot Row performed on the Friday before the annual Z-Tour biking event in July, a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band performed on the Thursday before the annual Homestead Festival celebration in September, and the German Heidelberg Band played for an Oktoberfest celebration.

As the crowds grew bigger and more vendors were calling to sign up for the events, an official series of six shows came together for the first time in the summer of 2017, and thus a tradition began.

Support needed for Princeton’s concert series With the instant popularity of the concerts, came the desperate need in a committee that could help track down talent, schedule shows, coordinate vendors, and set up and tear down the stage area.

So with that, a Street Concert Committee was formed by members of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, employees of

the city, and Friends of the Concert, which is a new group that came together after last year’s final show.

Frey encouraged the formation of the Friends of the Concert for people interested in supporting future events.

“As the concerts grow, our expenses are growing,” she said.

Currently, shows are paid for by sponsors and

Princeton Tourism dollars. Vendors also pay a food and beverage fee. And starting last year, donations were collected during intermissions, which brought in more funds to help with expenses.

“Our sponsors have been fantastic, but I think because it’s a free event and we want to continue that, we need these supporters to help with future expenses,” Frey said. s

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Citizen scientists needed for critter census Dixon Waterfowl Refuge’s BioBlitz returns for 2018 species count Story & Photos By Dave Cook For Illinois Valley Living

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hat used to be one of the most biologically diverse areas in Illinois spent most of the 20th century as dry and depleted farmland.

However, in 2001, The Wetlands Initiative (TWI) began work to restore the land of the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge to its natural glory.

The first steps at the 3,000-acre site included the removal of the pump, levees and drainage systems.

Once man’s creations were out of the way, it wasn’t long before Mother Nature made her presence felt.

During the following years, the naturally formed lakes were restocked, and native plants were returned to the wetlands through the

yearly plantings and seed collections made by TWI and many community volunteers.

Another important development was achieved in 2015 when TWI once again worked with community volunteers to conduct its first BioBlitz, a one-day count of the site’s many species of birds, mammals, fish, plants, insects, amphibians and fungi.

“It was a chance for people to explore the refuge and learn about the variety of creatures living there. The Dixon Waterfowl Refuge is still a bit of a hidden treasure; 40 percent of those who participated in the 2015 BioBlitz said they’d never been there before,” Vera Leopod, of TWI, said.

Representatives of The Wetlands Initiative are hoping the amount of people attending the 2018 BioBlitz on Aug. 3 and 4 is twice what it was three years ago. They also see the event as a way to build awareness of the refuge as an important natural asset for local tourism.

“With all the new trails we’re opening at the site, we hope people will return in the future to explore on their own. We’re also working to engage more university and high school students in this hands-on science opportunity. The BioBlitz is an important way to gather data so we can better protect the unique and rare species at the refuge,” Leopold said.

Anna Braum, an ecologist with The Wetlands Initiative, will be helping to conduct a count of the numerous animal, insect and plant species living at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge near Hennepin on Aug. 3-4. Volunteers are still being sought, and more information can be found online at www.wetlands-initiative.org.

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With assistance from a variety of experts, the 2018 BioBlitz will also be collecting information about creatures that were overlooked in 2015, such as bats and ants.

“There could be very rare species using the refuge that we haven’t yet discovered. If we learn they’re there, we can do more to benefit them and enhance their habitat. The BioBlitz also helps tells us how we’re doing in restoring a high-quality habitat which can support the full range of organisms once found in the Illinois River Valley,” Leopold added.

During the 2015 BioBlitz, more than 675 varied species were identified. With the ongoing restorations of the wetlands, as well as the refuge’s large addition in 2014 of the adjacent and biologically rare sand prairie named Sandy Hollow, it’s likely many more species will be counted this year.

“It’s been two and a half years since TWI started restoring the native sand prairie, sand savanna, and other habitats at Sandy Hollow, so we’re looking forward to learning what insects, birds, reptiles, and other species are showing up there,” Leopold said.

To help fill the gaps in The Wetlands Initiative’s knowledge of the area’s biodiversity, the 2018 BioBlitz will include expert-led surveys, including a nighttime bat hike, an owl prowl, and surveys for ants and aquatic invertebrates.

“Our goal is to make the BioBlitz enjoyable and rewarding, whether you consider yourself an expert or have no experience at all in species surveys. We’ll also be hosting a Biodiversity Festival held at the BioBlitz ‘base camp’ on Saturday afternoon. Scientists will share what they’re finding through different hands-on learning stations, which will include microscopes, specimens and more,” Leopold said.

The observation tower at the Wes and Sue Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, south of Hennepin, helps visitors see out into the wetlands that have since become home to numerous birds, insects, plants and fish. During Aug. 3-4, surveys will be conducted with help from volunteers to document the increasing biodiversity of the refuge.

(Photo submitted)

Continued on page 10

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Most of the guided surveys will be appropriate for those aged 14 or older, and while they’ll involve hiking, the festival will be accessible to people of all ages and mobility levels.

Another difference between the 2015 and 2018 BioBlitz will be the time of year. The first BioBlitz was held in mid-June. The 2018 count will be held almost two months later at the height of summer.

“We expect many species of birds, plants, insects, and other organism groups will be more prevalent then. Many prairie wildflowers will also be easier to identify because they’ll be taller and closer to their peak time for blooming. Insects also emerge at different times of the summer and have different activity periods, so what’s found in August will be different from June. Birds will be different because June is peak nesting time, and some of the breeding birds may have left by August, but we could find early migrants like swallows, warblers and shorebirds,” Leopold said.

There are also a variety of species on TWI’s “dream list,” and they hope to see them return to the restored area some day.

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TWI’s annual spring plantings and fall seed harvests have attracted volunteers from throughout the Illinois Valley and even the Chicago area.

Those helping during these events were able to see areas of the refuge that weren’t yet open to the public and directly take part in the restoration efforts of newly acquired tracts.

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“For birds, several species we targeted to benefit from the Sandy Hollow savanna and prairie restoration efforts have already shown up. We hope our continued work will attract declining birds like the Eastern Whip-poor-will and Summer Tanager,” Leopold said.

TWI ecologists would also like to be able to reintroduce the large yellow lady’s slipper orchid to the sand savanna, but Leopold said it’s a hard plant to obtain.

“We’re also working to establish populations of the larval host plants needed by the regal fritillary, including three different types of native violets, and we hope this state-threatened butterfly could eventually be reintroduced,” she added.

TWI said other animals, such as the ornate box turtle, would need to be actively reintroduced to the refuge through partnerships and probably wouldn’t show up on their own because so little high-quality habitat like this remains in Illinois.

The 2018 BioBlitz evening events are scheduled for Aug. 3. On Aug. 4 there will be the day-time surveys, as well as the Biodiversity Festival. The Dixon Waterfowl Refuge is located south of Hennepin on Route 26.

For more information or to register for the 2018 BioBlitz, visit www.wetlands-intitiative.org or call 312-922-0777, ext. 111. s

TOP: TWI conducted its first BioBlitz in 2015, and more than 675 species were identified. With the continual restoration efforts since then, as well as the addition of new tracts, TWI is expecting to surpass the totals documented three years ago. (Photo submitted) ABOVE: No one will blame you if you’d rather not go looking for large snakes during the upcoming Bio Blitz event at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge. Other surveys being conducted on Aug. 3-4 are birds, fungi, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, bees, ants, fish, aquatic plants, bats, owls, aquatic invertebrates, moths and other nocturnal insects, and butterflies and dragonflies. Visit www.wetlands-initiative.org for more information or to sign up. (Photo submitted)

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Hundreds of motorcyclists drive their bikes to the Psycho Silo Saloon in western Bureau County every weekend.

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The phenomenon that is Psycho Silo Saloon Old Langley grain elevator becomes a hot weekend spot for motorcyclists, others Story & Photos By Lyle Ganther For Illinois Valley Living

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hen Troy Thompson of Princeton started Psycho Silo Saloon four years ago, he wasn’t sure how people would react to the business.

“If it didn’t work out, I thought it would be a cool clubhouse,” he said. “It took off, and now we are chasing our tails to keep up with regulations and organizing the business end of the operation. It is now a full-time job. We have no time to do anything else.”

Thompson was running a graphic arts business and printing T-shirts for sale in Princeton when Psycho Silo was first opened, hoping that would keep him busy during the winter months when the bar isn’t open to business.

Thompson estimates that on a good Saturday during the summer, 1,500 to 2,000 people will have stopped at Psycho Silo that day.

“We had 900 motorcycles just in the parking lot, and there were others on the road when we had a blessing of the bikes last year,” he said.

“We have had people from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Kentucky come here.”

Thompson gives credit to others for their help in making Psycho Silo Saloon as popular as it has become in four short years.

“Our staff has been great. We have what we call our Silo family where everybody works together,” he said. “Our slogan is, “Cold beer fast without a wait and with a smile.”

“We have added a deck and lower stage since we opened, “ he said. “We are adding a balcony on deck for more standing room this year.”

Psycho Silo Saloon usually opens the first weekend in May with a blessing of the bikes and stays open until the end of September.

Thompson is working on getting national bands to appear at Psycho Silo Saloon this year, but can’t tell who is coming yet until the details have been worked out.

Psycho Silo Saloon is located at the intersection of Route 6-34 and Route 40 in Langley, a former town in Bureau County.

Psycho Silo Saloon is open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May through October, since none of the former elevator buildings

are heated.

Thompson’s historical research showed that Langley at one time had a few houses, a train depot, an elevator and perhaps a general store.

He added that robbers hid in some train cars located at Langley in 1904 after robbing a bank in Manlius. A posse eventually found the robbers hiding there, and a shootout then followed.

Thompson recalled that “American Pickers” co-star Frank Fritz came to the saloon on his own motorcycle. Local pilot Craig Woodley landed his helicopter at Psycho Silo one time.

Thompson said they were joking that Kid Rock came here, and the rumor eventually started spreading that Kid Rock was at Psycho Silo, Thompson said with a grin.

“It is neat to go on vacation and see people wearing our T-shirts or people coming up to us saying we have been at Psycho Silo when we are wearing our shirts,” Thompson said.

People can check what band and other events are planned for certain weekends this summer on Psycho Silo Saloon’s Facebook page. You can also go to www.psychosilo.com or call 815-878-1058. s

TOP: Dave Roggy (left) and Troy Thompson (right) welcomed Frank Fritz of TV’s “American Pickers” when Fritz rode his motorcycle to Psycho Silo Saloon at the intersection of routes 6/34 and 40 in western Bureau County. (Photo submitted) ABOVE: Psycho Silo Saloon is located in a grain elevator that was part of the former village of Langley in western Bureau County.

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The cast of “The Wizard of Oz” poses for a photo in the summer 2009 season of Festival 56..

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A Festival of the performing arts For its 15th season, Festival 56 presents a family-friendly play lineup

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Story By Goldie Rapp & Submitted Photos For Illinois Valley Living

he 15th season of Festival 56 kicks off this summer with six productions that are sure to please audiences of all ages.

For more than a decade, Princeton’s professional theater company has been entertaining the heart of the Midwest with its show-stopping plays and musicals.

“We’re the largest summer theater festival in Illinois,” said Liana Hall, president of Princeton Theatre Group, which supports Festival 56.

Hall is one of the youngest members to have served on the board. This summer will mark her first as president of the Theatre Group, but she’s no stranger to the festival. In fact, she’s been involved with productions since the inception of Festival 56.

Hall describes this summer’s production lineup as “family-friendly.”

She said one thing she’s been working on since taking charge of the Theatre Group is attracting new audiences and looking for opportunities to make the festival more affordable for families and younger generations.

How Festival 56 came to be Festival 56 was founded in 2004 when a partnership was made between Princeton Theatre Group and The November Ten, a New York-based theatre company. Princeton native Dexter Brigham was one of the founding members of The November Ten and chose to bring alive his idea for Festival 56 in his hometown.

In its first season, the festival offered five productions over the course of four weeks in July. All 28 visiting artists who put on the productions stayed with host families in the Princeton community. The festival attracted around 2,000 patrons the first year, proving that professional theatre could flourish in rural Illinois.

Before Festival 56 moved into the Grace Performing Arts Center, which is located near the corner of Main and Peru streets, audiences may remember having seen productions in the auditorium at Princeton High School or on stage at the Prairie Arts Center. They may also remember purchasing tickets for shows at the corner box office in the Prouty Building in downtown Princeton.

In 2007, the Princeton Theatre Group acquired the former Bureau County Republican building at 316 S. Main St. and renovated

A cast member of “Seussical the Musical,” which was presented in the summer of 2017.

it into the 150-seat studio theatre it is today. It was named after arts supporter Grace Albrecht, who made a generous donation to the festival in 2008.

In 2015, Brigham stepped down as the artistic director and moved on to new things, but his vision for the festival has lived on. Today, Festival 56 has proudly presented more than 100 productions, and welcomes thousands of patrons from all over the state and beyond.

The talent of Festival 56 Each summer, Princeton’s downtown fills with talent brought in from all over the country for the summer’s festival.

“With the talent — It’s incredible what we get for Princeton,” Hall said.

“It’s big talent that comes in briefly.”

Laura Brigham has been the casting director for the festival since the very beginning. She brings in anywhere between 35 and 45 actors and crew members who continue to stay with host families.

“It’s very comfortable for them. They feel like they have a family while in town,” Hall said.

Some of the actors who perform on the stage at the Grace have been known to go on and have successful acting careers in the theatre

world. Hall said there are many who once got their start at the Grace, and eventually moved on and are now doing Broadway tours.

And while some may wonder why these actors, mostly from New York, come to stay in the heart of the Midwest, Hall said it’s because Princeton is good to them. She said many local businesses support them and give them discounts on services during their stays.

“It’s wonderful and not something they get when going to a big city. Princeton really takes care of them,” she said.

“They’re welcomed here unlike anywhere else, which is why we get really good people to return.”

Seeing a show at Festival 56 The cost of a regular ticket at the Festival is $29. Seniors get a discount at $26 a ticket, and students are $14. The festival also offers subscriber packages. A Flex Four, which is good for four productions, is $104. Those ages 29 and under can purchase a Flex Four at a discounted price of $99. Summer Season Tickets are $126, which includes one ticket per each show during the season.

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One tradition of Festival 56 is a free Shakespeare in the Park performance that runs Sunday and Wednesday evenings in Soldiers and Sailors Park throughout the summer.

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A scene from “Cabaret,” which was performed in the 2012 summer season at Festival 56.

Continued from page 15

Festival Summer Pass is $250 and is guaranteed one ticket per show and to the cabarets.

The box office is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and one hour before show times. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office in the Grace, online, by calling 815-879-5656, or by emailing boxoffice@festival56.com.

What’s coming this summer • “A Year with Frog and Toad.” After waking from hibernation, the cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad enjoy all sorts of adventures, celebrating the differences that make them unique and special. “A Year with Frog and Toad” tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the season with a jazzy score that the whole family will enjoy. Runs from June 23-30.

• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Shakespeare’s most popular comedy returns, complete with mischievous fairies, foolish donkeys, the hysterical mechanicals, and a love rectangle that gets more complicated with each passing scene. Runs from July 1-19.

• “The Momologues.” This comedy takes off the kid gloves and gets real about parenthood in a play that follows four women through the

early chapters of motherhood. The moms find solidarity in the shared experiences of picky eaters, rogue bodily fluids, and seeing your baby get on that school bus. This play reminds us that no one is alone in this overwhelming, exhausting, and hilarious journey. Runs July 3-19.

• “The Addams Family.” In the kooky world of the Addams family, to be sad is to be happy, and death and suffering are the stuff of their dreams. But trouble starts when Wednesday falls in love with a sweet boy and invites his respectable family to their mansion for a dinner during which secrets are disclosed. The Addams family must face the one thing they have avoided for generations: change. Runs from July 6-13.

• “Peter and the Star Catcher.” This Tonywinning adventure upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be the boy who would not grow up — Peter Pan. With marauding pirates and jungle tyrants, this production explores the depths of greed, despair, and the bonds of friendship. “Peter and the Star Catcher” uses ingenious stagecraft and imagination to bring this tale to life. Runs from July 20-26.

• “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Featuring the acclaimed score to the Disney film, this production transports the audience to 15th-

century Paris where the deformed Quasimodo is sequestered in the Notre Dame bell tower.

When the feast of fools allows him to escape, he suffers ridicule from an unwelcoming town, but the enchanting Esmeralda recognizes the kind man beneath his exterior. “Hunchback” challenges us to seek ways to help the outcasts we encounter in our lives. Runs from July 31-Aug. 5.

Shakespeare in the Park If you’ve ever driven by Soldiers and Sailors Park during the summer months and wondered what the story was with the temporary stage setup, that would be the set for Shakespeare in the Park.

Each summer, the Festival presents a fully staged production of one of Shakespeare’s plays. The production is a gift to the community and is presented free of charge all summer long with performances every Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

The production is done in true Shakespearean language, but don’t sweat. Before the production begins, audience members are given a summary of what’s going to take place.

“It’s a lot easier to follow if you have a general outline, because it can be difficult to understand Shakespeare,” Hall said.

For more information about Festival 56 or this summer’s productions, visit festival56.com or “like” the Festival 56 Facebook page. s

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Story & Photos By Lyle Ganther For Illinois Valley Living Gina Nelson is the owner of Little Blue Dress located in downtown Princeton.

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‘We ... should have done this years ago’

Little Blue Dress a tribute to owner’s parents, city’s history, customers’ likes

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ina Nelson, owner of Little Blue Dress in Princeton, said the store’s name is a subtle shout-out to her parents.

“My mom preferred pink, but he liked her in blue,” she said about her parents, Dan and Bonnie (Argubright) Colby.

Nelson said it is important for her to have a store on Main Street in Princeton.

“My sister and I liked to shop in the 1980s and really wanted to go to the Peru Mall, which was hopping then,” she recalls.

“Our dad preferred shopping on Princeton’s Main Street,” she added. “He was a farmer and wanted to spend locally. We usually went shopping for Mom’s birthday and Christmas gifts in Princeton.”

Nelson opened her store in June 2017 at 514 S. Main St. in Princeton after many months of remodeling a building she bought in June 2016.

Nelson ran a business called Bead Buzz at another location on Main Street where she rented the space for about 10 years. Little Blue Dress is a bigger version of Nelson’s earlier store.

“We have had overwhelming support since opening and should have done this years ago,” she added. “We have a nice open space in this building, which used to be a bakery 120 years ago.”

Nelson has incorporated two arches used for the bakery into her shop and also used original bricks from a street in Princeton for use when customers walk into the store.

“We got them from my father-in-law, Dick Nelson,” she said. “We had to cut the bricks in half. Phillip Erickson did the brick work on the front walkway, while Dennis Erickson took bricks from a chimney removed from the Apollo Theater to match the original bricks in the back of the store for the archways used when it was a bakery in the early 1900s.

“We have always offered free gift wrap, a perk for those who shop at Little Blue Dress,” Nelson said. “Not many businesses offer this service anymore.”

Little Blue Dress specializes in accessories and stocks women’s clothing and shoes as well.

It is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Nelson has a Facebook page for her store. Its phone number is 815-872-2880. s

ABOVE: Little Blue Dress in Princeton specializes in accessories and stocks women’s clothing and shoes.

BELOW: Part of bricks that had been removed from a Princeton street many years ago have been used for the walkway into Little Blue Dress in Princeton.

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Pedaling and soaking it all in

Region’s scenic countryside a big draw for bicycle riders Story By Goldie Rapp & Submitted Photos For Illinois Valley Living

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he Princeton Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission has collaborated with two organizations to create official bike routes that tour the area’s scenic countryside and connect riders with Bureau County’s rich history.

The Commission worked with members of the Tiskilwa Historical Society to create two routes that tour rural Tiskilwa and pass by former sites of many of the old country schools, which have all been marked with signs.

The group also worked with the Barn Quilts of Bureau County to create three routes that explore the county’s northeast, southwest and northwest areas and pass by many of the barn quilts.

Commission member Brian Church, who was instrumental in starting up the annual Z Tour bike ride, did much of the work mapping out the new routes.

Church said all routes are on paved roads, which is appealing to many riders.

When creating a route, Church said he takes into consideration traffic, elevation, distance and surrounding landmarks that can be featured in the tour.

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TOP: Bikers from all over come to ride the countryside of Bureau County. The main attraction to the area are the traffic-free roads and scenic views one won’t find in urban areas.

ABOVE: Bikers can now tour Bureau County’s countryside along mapped-out routes. The routes can be found on the city of Princeton’s website.

A photo taken by Tiskilwa resident Jan Lohaus shows Ed Waca (left) and Paul Lohaus erecting the sign that marks the site of the former Dorr Hill School in the Tiskilwa School District.

Find the routes on Princeton’s city website

Under the “Community” tab, click “Scenic Area Bike Routes.”

The maps and directions can be downloaded and printed out or can be viewed on a mobile device.

Tour Tiskilwa’s countryside

“We don’t have the Rocky Mountains. We don’t have the Gulf of Mexico. But, we do have some really neat natural landmarks and the history,” he said.

The routes vary in distance from 28 to 68 miles, therefore are not just geared toward experienced riders. Church said the Commission is hoping these routes attract recreational riders who just want to get out and see what Princeton and the surrounding area have to offer.

Rick Menzel, a member of the Commission, said people would be surprised to know how many out-of-towners come out and bike Tiskilwa’s countryside.

He said they come out to enjoy a variety of things including the scenery, Bureau Creek and the wildlife that riders don’t get to see in the urban areas.

“It’s one of the most scenic areas around,” he said.

Matt May, a member of the Commission, said the little traffic on the country roads is also a huge attraction for riders.

“For people who ride in, say, Chicago or the suburbs or Peoria, this is the place to come to and ride.”

Church described it as “unbridled freedom” when taking a bike tour through Bureau County’s countryside.

These five routes are just a start of what’s to come for the Commission. While the group is excited to hear the response of riders who try out the new routes, they are busy at work preparing to launch additional routes in the future that promote Princeton and the surrounding area as a bike-friendly area. s

There are two 30-mile routes that pass by sites of former country school houses, which once made up the Tiskilwa School District in years gone by.

Randy Senneff, a board member of the Tiskilwa Historical Society, said a few years back, the society got together and thought it would be neat to find the locations of those former schools and mark them with signs.

Senneff, who is an avid bike rider as well, got the idea to then map out a bike tour through the countryside that would highlight those school sites. That’s when a partnership was created between he and Brian Church of the Princeton Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission.

Church took the information on where the schools were located and pinpointed two 30-mile routes. Both routes start and end in downtown Tiskilwa at the Museum on Main. Both routes are fairly hilly, but offer little traffic.

The Tiskilwa Country Schools West route features Kitterman School, Union School, Providence School, Jamison School, Dorr Hill School and Morris School. Riders will also see three barn quilts along the countryside.

The Tiskilwa County Schools East route features Soverhill School, Cottage School, Lone Tree School (the only country schoolhouse still standing), Stauffer School, Nye School, Aldrich School and Benson School. There are no barn quilts on the East tour.

Tour the Barn Quilts of Bureau County

Brian Church of Princeton Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission has worked with Valerie Jensen, who was instrumental in starting up the Barn Quilts of Bureau County. Their collaboration has produced three barn quilt routes that tour the county’s northeast, southwest and northwest areas.

• The southwest tour is 50 miles long and begins and ends at Zearing Park in Princeton. The route features 16 barn quilts, and while most of the route is on paved roads, it does include short stretches of gravel.

• The northwest tour is a little less than 50 miles and begins and ends at Soldiers and Sailors Park in downtown Princeton. The route features eight barn quilts along its tour.

• The northeast tour is about 67 miles and begins and ends at Zearing Park in Princeton. The route features 11 barn quilts along the way.

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Take a book, leave a book, read a book

Putnam County the newest home to Little Free Libraries

Story & Photos By Dave Cook For Illinois Valley Living

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ibraries are hubs of their communities, a place where residents gather to learn, make connections, share ideas, or simply pick out a good book.

Residents of rural areas, however, may have a challenge getting to a library, but the Putnam County Library District has taken steps to assist them by joining the Little Free Library movement.

“This will be a great outreach for Putnam County, and it will give our residents a better chance to get quality books they may not normally have access to,” Librarian Matt Miller said.

Little Free Libraries is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities engage with their “take a book, leave a book” free book exchanges. While they’re generally small wooden boxes that are found in a variety of locations, stewards often use a surprising amount of creativity when building or decorating their Little Free Libraries.

What started as a small, local project in Wisconsin, has since grown into a movement that includes more than 60,000 Little Free Libraries in more than 80 countries.

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Nearby Princeton embraced the Little Free Libraries a few years ago after co-founder Rick Brooks retired to the community, and they’ve proved very popular with residents of all ages. Many residents often work in visits to several during their evening walks.

Miller said the county’s five new Little Free Libraries have been funded through a grant and community donations, and their construction has been undertaken by the Putnam County High School FFA class.

Each library will require a steward to care for its overall condition and to monitor and maintain the collection within. Currently, one is scheduled to be installed at Lake Thunderbird, but stewards and locations are still being sought for the others.

The hope is that some will be installed in rural areas where residents may not have easy access to reading materials. Little Free Libraries also often result in an increased connection with neighbors.

“LFLs can help bridge the gap when traditional access to books isn’t available. In rural areas, for example, public libraries can use LFLs to reach farther into the community. We currently work with more than 600 public libraries across the country who use them for community outreach,” Margret Aldrich, of the Little Free Library organization and author of “The Little Free Library Book,” said.

Brooks added the book exchanges also frequently lead to the creation of a variety of additional and socially beneficial events such as inter-generational reading programs and book clubs.

Anyone may contribute or take books from a Little Free Library. If you take a book from one, you don’t have to return that exact book. However, in order to keep them stocked with a variety of choices for the whole community, people are encouraged to add a book of their own to share. In other words, they work on the honor system; everyone contributes, and everyone benefits.

According to the Little Free Library website, three out of four people report they’ve read a book they normally wouldn’t have read because of a Little Free Library. Seventy-three percent also say they’ve met more of their neighbors because of a little library, and 92 percent say their neighborhood feels like a friendlier place because of the addition of an Little Free Library.

In addition, up to 61 percent of low-income families report they don’t have any books for their children at home, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The multi-award-winning Little Free Library organization has partnered with such organizations as Rotary International, Lions International, Girl Scouts, the Library of Congress, AARP, multiple law enforcement agencies, Scouts BSA, Kiwanis International, United Way, the YMCA, the National Book Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and many more, including several major corporations.

To become a steward or for more local information, contact Miller at 815-925-7020. To learn more about the Little Free Library organization and to see the photo gallery of the many creative little libraries that have been crafted with a personal touch, visit www. littlefreelibrary.org. s

Princeton’s Patty Gibson uses her Little Free Library to encourage the young readers in her neighborhood. She’s pictured with her grandson, Levi Brisbois, who’s enjoying his latest selection.

Little Free Libraries are often built with a creative touch that helps attract readers of all ages towards the wide variety of books contained within.

Hunter Witzman (from left), a Putnam County High School junior, and Jacob Frazier, a senior, working to assemble a Little Free Library. Stewards are still being sought for the little libraries. Stewards are responsible for caring for the libraries as well as monitoring and maintaining their collections.

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From private club to public destination Chapel Hill symbolizes more than a century of summer activities

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1650 INDIAN TOWN RD. • HENRY, IL 309.364.3905

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Story By Goldie Rapp & Submitted Photos For Illinois Valley Living

he country club known today as Chapel Hill holds a lot of history and many memories for people in the area.

It was once the private Bureau Valley Country Club, where members would bring their families to enjoy celebrations, dances, gatherings, outings and recreation.

In fact, if you browse through the big, stuffed folders at the Bureau County Historical Society, one will find a plethora of old photographs that show members throughout the decades kicking back, relaxing and having a good ol’ time in the clubhouse or on the golf course with their friends and family.

According to the Historical Society’s records, the good times for the country club began in 1911 when 52 business and professional men met on Oct. 30 at the courthouse in Princeton to discuss the possibility of a social club — a place for family gatherings and indoor and outdoor recreation.

Those same men decided to acquire subscribers for shares of capital stock for a corporation to be organized. Two hundred shares were sold at a value of $100 per share, and so began the plans for a country club.

Those shares helped purchase 70 acres of land located southeast of Princeton, at a cost of $1,100, according to a warranty deed dated in February 1912.

In all, the clubhouse, a nine-hole golf course and three suspension bridges built over the creek on the property ended up costing a total of $30,000.

In August 1913, the club was dedicated. Back then, people from all over would ride the interurban street cars to a concrete platform in the wooded area behind the clubhouse. They would then walk across the large swinging bridge over the creek and made their way up to the dazzling white, verandaed structure.

The bridge they walked across is the only standing bridge left on the grounds today. It is hung by cables taken from the tragically destroyed Cherry Mine in 1909.

In the early days, members could buy lunch at the club for 50 cents and a steak dinner for $1.50. Calendar events included skeet shooting, croquet, picnics, tennis and, of course, golf.

In 1958, a swimming pool was installed, and it quickly became the popular hangout for families and their kids. Many still talk about the good ol’ days of swimming, catching sun rays, and meeting new friends at the pool. In 1964, a snack bar accompanying the pool was built.

Continued on page 26

One of the newest additions on the grounds of Chapel Hill is a chapel that owner Dave Husemann had built to hold wedding ceremonies.

A scenic view of one of the greens at Chapel Hill Golf Course.

ON PAGE 24: Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center holds more than 100 years worth of history and memories for families near and far.

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Continued from page 25

In 1981, the club held a celebration to recognize its 70th anniversary. Membership roll lists stated there were 250 Class A members and about 25 Class B memberships. These were single listings, and when family members were added to the mix, the club could expect to host hundreds of people in the golf course and at the swimming pool during the summer months.

In 1997, work began to construct an additional nine holes to the golf course, and several greens were reconstructed to enhance the course’s playability.

In 2002, the Bureau Valley Country Club was sold to a group of Chicago men who purchased it for $1.1 million. They changed the name to Hunter’s Ridge Golf Course, and it was decided to open the club to the public.

This marked the year where many non-members in the area were able to try out the greens for the first time, and the location continued to be the spot for outings, gatherings and weddings.

In 2013, the country club was purchased by the Husemann family, who rechristened it the Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center Inc. The new name was inspired by the southern mansions in North Carolina.

An old photograph taken from the collection at the Bureau County Historical Society shows a group of women enjoying a round of golf at the former Bureau Valley Country Club.

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Dave Husemann’s vision for the place has marked a new era for the business. He’s made improvements to the facility, and is always looking for new ideas and opportunities that will attract a variety of visitors, both local and non-local, to the mansion.

Husemann built a small chapel on the grounds for small weddings. The mansion, which received a facelift, continues to host wedding receptions, outings, fundraisers and high school proms.

Husemann installed a wine cellar in the basement of the mansion. This summer, he anticipates opening a bed and breakfast in the upstairs of the manor, which was been completely remodeled. Husemann has also cleaned off the old pathways where the former interurban electric railway once ran and built hiking and biking paths for people to explore.

Many are also excited about his efforts in reopening the swimming pool on the grounds.

For years, it was closed and sat empty. Husemann said the previous owners no longer wanted to maintain it, but he has desires of bringing it back for the community. He’s been active in making the needed improvements and is hopeful the old pumping system is still operable.

For so many years, the club was a private destination, but Husemann is working to eliminate that mindset in people and now has a vision of making the business an affordable, friendly atmosphere that’s inviting for all to visit and relax.

“We love when people come out and enjoy it,” he said.

For more information about Chapel Hill, visit chapelhillprinceton.com or “like” the Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center Inc. Facebook page.

NOTE: The historical facts wrote about in this piece come from documents provided by the Bureau County Historical Society. s

Progression of names

1911 to 2002: Bureau Valley Country Club 2002 to 2013: Hunter’s Ridge Golf Course 2013 to today: Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center Inc. One of the hiking trails available for people to bike or explore on the Chapel Hill grounds behind the mansion.

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They were lost, and are found Adopted Tiskilwa man discovers some siblings, seeks others

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andy Fox believes the reason he survived numerous heart attacks and being brought back to life two times is to find his 97-year-old mother and some long-lost siblings.

“I believe the reason I survived is to find my family,” said Fox, who is 64 years old and currently lives in Tiskilwa.

Fox met his birth mother, Cora Carrier, who is living in a nursing home in Princeton, and three siblings, Debbie Muller, younger sister; Kathy Annmos of Tower Hills, Illinois, older sister; and Perry Carrier of Hemet, Calif., older brother. He hasn’t met a younger brother, Charles Carrier, who reportedly lives in the Princeton area but no one knows his location now.

Randy Fox of Tiskilwa found out earlier this year that 97-year-old Cora Carrier of Princeton was his birth mother.

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Fox said his mother had 12 children, some who are probably dead, and others they would like to meet if they are still alive. “We would like to find out about Barney Carrier, who would be 65-70 years old, and three other siblings who would be 50 to 62 years old,” he said.

Fox and his younger sister, Debbie Mueller, who now lives in Arizona, grew up together in LaSalle not knowing they were siblings. Fox’s wife, Deedra, and Mueller were close friends growing up.

“We are one year and 16 days difference in age, and graduated together in 1973 from LaSalle-Peru High School,” he said about Mueller.

Fox was told about being adopted when he was 32 years old, but never pursued finding about his biological parents until 2006 when he had a life-threatening heart attack.

He was then interested in knowing more about his family’s medical history. Fox has since learned that many males in his family had heart problems.

Due to heart problems, Fox had to retire early from P.Q. Co. in Utica after working there for 38 years.

Mueller has been looking for information about her siblings the past five to six years. She was searching on the Internet for any information about her family and eventually found out her father’s name was Edwin, which is Fox’s middle name.

Fox reported that Mueller got a call in January from the Adoption Registry, a service provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which helps people connect to an Illinois adoption learn about each other if both parties consent. Mueller then learned one of her real brothers was Randy Fox, who was married to her friend, Deedra.

Fox’s birth name was Randall Edwin Carrier and Mueller’s birth name was Judith Mae Carrier. His last name was changed to Fox when he was adopted, and her name was changed to Debbie Bridget-Jones. Her adopted parents are both dead.

Fox and Mueller were both told about being adopted later in life.

“We found out that a doctor sold us to other couples for $200 in the 1950s,” he added. “My real mother was given paperwork, which she thought was adoption papers, but instead were death certificates.”

“We were both taken when we were about a day old. It is hard to convince her 63 years later that I am still alive,” he added. “I didn’t know the real story. I thought I was left for adoption because nobody wanted me or couldn’t afford us. I had no idea I was sold.”

Cora (Pearce) Carrier, Fox’s real mother, grew up in Hennepin and delivered Randy, Debbie

Debbie (Bridgett-Jones) Mueller of Arizona, formerly of Streator, and Randy Fox of Tiskilwa discovered they were siblings earlier this year after being adopted by different families when they were very young.

(Above photo submitted).

and three others at Peoples Hospital in Peru.

Cora Carrier lived for many years at the Princeton Hi-Rise before moving to a nursing home. She had been a physical education teacher in Peru and later a librarian.

Fox added that it has been a whirlwind the past several months since finding out about his siblings. He had one week to find more about

Mueller and his other lost siblings before she started her job in Arizona.

Randy held a family reunion the first weekend in June to meet his real family and so that some of his newly-found siblings could also meet their birth mother.

If anyone has any information about Fox’s lost siblings, they can call him at 815-646-1192. s

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A summer to-do list

Communities throughout the Illinois Valley host multiple fireworks displays each year on and around the Fourth of July.

A guide to some of the Illinois Valley’s summer events and activities Compiled by Dave Cook & Photos by Dave Cook, Mike Vaughn and Illinois Valley Living Staff Note: The following entries aren’t meant to be a complete guide of things to do within the Illinois Valley, but rather a sampling of some of the best summer events in and around the area.

1. Celebrate LaSalle — This annual celebration will run from June 21-24 and will include a carnival with bigger and better rides, a beer garden, concerts, a 5K, a car show and plenty of family friendly activities.

2. Festival 56 — This professional theater company performs a variety of plays each season, as well as hosting “Shakespeare in the Park” at Princeton’s Soldiers and Sailors Park. This summer’s featured work by the bard will be “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and it will be performed each Sunday and Wednesday between July 1 and 29. For more information, visit festival56.com.

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3. Fireworks — Communities throughout the Illinois Valley host multiple fireworks displays each year on the Fourth of July, but Hennepin’s “Thunder on the Illinois” celebrations over the Illinois River provide some of the best views of summer’s most explosive holiday.

4. Bureau County Tourism Garden Walk and Barn Quilt Trail — A July 7 tour of the many eye-catching gardens throughout the county with trips past the increasingly popular barn quilts along the way. Visit bureaucounty-il.com for more information.

5. The 97th annual Marshall-Putnam Fair — This year’s fair will be held from July 11-15 and will once again feature the Lucas Oil National Tractor Pull competition and the Big Hat Rodeo. Other attractions will be an antique tractor display, a car show, the beauty pageant, a demolition derby, vendors, arts, crafts, harness racing, a talent show, kid-friendly activities, fair food, the best of local agriculture and much more. For more information, visit marshallputnamfair.org.

6. The 163rd annual Bureau County Fair — Scheduled for Aug. 22-26, this year’s fair will include a concert by Scotty McCreery as well as performances from a variety of other musical acts, as well as midway attractions, rides, a demolition derby, a draft horse competition, a tractor pull, arts, crafts, food, the best of local agriculture and much more. For more information, visit bureaucountyfair.com.

Continued on page 34

TOP: The highly competitive Big Hat Rodeo will be a featured attraction of the 97th annual MarshallPutnam Fair to be held from July 11-15 in Henry.

ABOVE: The 163rd annual Bureau County Fair will be Aug. 22-26, and this year’s headlining grandstand act will be a concert by Scotty McCreery.

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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 1, 2018.

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

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Illinois Valley Living

Women Women of of Distinction Distinction identifies identifies women women who who have have made made a a difference difference in the the Illinois Illinois Valley Valley and and who who are are representative representative role role models models as as in leaders leaders in in their their fields fields and and community. community. Honorees Honorees will will be be profiled profiled in in the Illinois Illinois Valley Valley Living Living Magazine’s Magazine’s September September issue issue and and recognized recognized the 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 if if necessary) and and return return by

by August August 1, 1, 2017.

2018. Additional Additional forms forms can can be be necessary) downloaded downloaded by by visiting visiting www.illinoisvalleyliving.com. www.illinoisvalleyliving.com.

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

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From July 25-29, DePue will host the annual Lake DePue National Championship boat races. This U.S. Title Series professional outboard race attracts competitors from throughout the country, and their craft can reach speeds of more than 120 mph.

7. Motocross racing — Sunset Ridge MX, in Walnut, will be hosting the AMA Regional races, which are National MX Championship qualifying events on June 23-24. The Racer-X event for veteran racers will be on July 14, and the day will include special vintage classes.

The Pro-Am MX event will be held on Sept. 22-23, with racing on both days. Visit www.sunsetridgemx.com for more information.

8. The Z-Tour Bike Ride — The 8th annual charity ride that begins and ends in Princeton on July 21 will be bigger and better than ever with the addition of longer and more rider-friendly routes that will take participants through some of the most scenic locations in Bureau County. Routes include distances of 10, 30, 50, 75 and 100 miles, and the ride is just one part of a whole day’s worth of celebratory activities planned in conjunction with this popular

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event. Visit z-tour.org for more information.

9. Lake DePue National Championship boat races — From July 25-29, DePue will once again host this U.S. Title Series professional outboard racing series in which these competitive boats can reach speeds of more than 120 mph.

The entire event becomes a community celebration for DePue and includes live music, a carnival, a 5K, food and plenty of family friendly activities.

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The 40th annual Ol’ Fashun’ Threshun’ Days, scheduled for July 21-22 near Ohio.

10. 40th annual Ol’ Fashun’ Threshun’ Days — On July 2122, come see how they used to farm. Located at Albrecht Grove, two miles south of Ohio and a half-mile west, this family-friendly event features a wonderful variety of steam-powered and working antique farm equipment, an antique tractor and farming equipment display, music, food and demonstrations. Call 815-4982013 or 815-824-6810 for more information.

11. Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days — Held from Aug. 2-5, this smalltown celebration includes a 5K, the Lil’ Spurs children’s rodeo, a pageant, music, dancing, food and several other attractions.

12. Spring Valley Historic Association’s Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Cruise — This Aug. 18 event will feature an array of

Along with refreshing snow cones, Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days, held from Aug. 2-5, also includes a 5K race, the Lil’ Spurs children’s rodeo, a pageant, music, dancing, food and several other

classic vehicles, music, food and a 50/50 drawing.

13. Ottawa Riverfest — Running from July 31 to Aug. 4, this annual event will include two picnics, sidewalk sales, a children’s fishing rodeo, live music, “The Taste of

Ottawa” celebration of local food vendors, a variety show, a dance recital, a 5K, an arts and crafts show, a farmers’ market, a martial arts demonstration, and more.

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The annual Granville Cruise will be held the evening of Aug. 3, and the event never fails to attract some of the finest rides of the Illinois Valley.

Continued from page 35

July 3, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 7, and all are scheduled to be held between 5 and 8 p.m.

15. Utica Craft Beer Street Festival — This event will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 and will offer attendees a chance to sample and enjoy the products of local brewers,

14. Down on Main Street Concerts — Princeton’s evening concerts have become increasingly popular and feature a variety of different musical acts that have all had fans dancing in the middle of South Main Street.

2018 summer concert dates are

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as well as food, music, vendors and more.

16. Granville Cruise — This annual show will be held on Aug. 3, and it attracts some of the finest rides from throughout the Illinois Valley and will also include live music, food, a 50/50 drawing, a petting zoo, and plenty of other family friendly activities.

Princeton’s 47th annual Homestead Festival will be held from Sept. 6 to 9, and the celebration will feature a wide variety of events and attractions, not to mention its popular annual parade.

17. Princeton’s 47th annual Homestead Festival — From Sept. 6 to 9, this town-wide celebration features a golf tournament, concerts, a window display contest, museum tours, horse-drawn wagon rides, a 5K race, an arts and crafts show, food, a parade, helicopter rides, a photography exhibit, a bags tournament, a flea market, a car show, a petting zoo and more.

18. Psycho Silo Saloon’s Photo Fest — Located west of Wyanet, at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 40, Psycho Silo’s early fall event will be held on Sept. 15 and will feature pin-up models and a pageant, photography, hot rods, motorcycles, cold beer, live music and more.

19. Hornbaker Gardens Artisan Market — This 6th annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15 and will include a beautiful setting, local artists, wine tasting, live music, food, fresh produce, and a wide selection of perennials, annuals, lillies, hostas, grasses, trees, shrubs and aquatic plants.

20. Community Band Concerts — Princeton, DePue and Spring Valley all have community bands who perform throughout the summer. Admission is always free and the early evening performances are generally held in a park setting with refreshments available, so bring your own lawn chair. Visit the community websites for more information. s

The community events held throughout the summer in the Illinois Valley provide the perfect opportunity to display your patriotic fashion sense, and they also include a variety of family friendly attractions.

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Sundaes and sodas and cherry Cokes, oh my!

Story & Photos

by Bill Lamb For Illinois Valley Living

Memories of the Chocolate Shop, a teen hangout and so much more

I

t seems as though, in any small town, there is usually a place where teenagers hang out.

Not so long ago, there was such a place, not only where teenagers frequented, but kids of “all” ages from 6 to 86 went to congregate.

In a way, it was known as the “home of the Princeton Tigers” — the Chocolate Shop!

Here was the mecca for gatherings of students and parents alike, most likely after every home or away football or basketball game. Grade school and other students of surrounding towns also frequented the Chocolate Shop.

Tom and Appie Velon were the proprietors of the Chocolate Shop at 528 S. Main. It was a beehive of many activities or after-school affairs such as plays, band concerts, games and most school functions.

Tom and Appie Velon and his brother, John, bought the shop July 1, 1946. Dinna Velon, Tom’s sister, also worked for a few months, then left. Another brother, Nick, was with them for a few years. John left in 1949.

They bought the business from the Pappas brothers, who started the Chocolate Shop back in 1921.

Tom made all their own candies, ice cream, syrups of all flavors, and many other delightful edibles. The favorite of all was their famous “tin roof ” sundaes served in a tall-stemmed metal container which looked like a metal wine drinking glass. Another item that was a big favorite was a chocolate frost flavor and ice cream made by hand, and of course, the favorite of all drinks — the cherry Coke!

Tom and Appie Velon became, more or less,

M.R. Holmbeck, D.V.M. B.R. Sondgeroth, D.V.M. C.M. Schelkopf, D.V.M.

Tom and Appie Velon were the proprietors of the Chocolate Shop at 528 S. Main St. in Princeton from July 1, 1946, when Tom and Appie and Tom’s brother, John, bought the shop from the Pappas brothers, until July 1, 1962, when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Lyle. It was a popular haunt for high schoolers and adults alike.

‘Out of the Past’

This “Out of the Past” article by Bill Lamb, with accompanying photos, was originally published in the Bureau County Republican in August 1988. It is now part of the Bill Lamb Collection and is provided courtesy of the Bureau County Historical Society, Princeton. self-styled “babysitters” for Princeton teenagers.

The Chocolate Shop was interesting in that walking into the place was like stepping back 40 or 50 years, as the first thing you saw was

an honest-to-goodness true marble counter which was lined with gleaming handles of syrup wells which contained almost any flavor you desired.

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LEFT: Princeton area young men pose for a photo with Chocolate Shop proprietor Tom Velon (right). A banner advertisement above touts various sandwiches available: ham and cheese, 40 cents; hamburger, 25 cents; chicken salad, 30 cents; bacon and tomato, 40 cents; grilled cheese, 25 cents; Bar-B-Que, 25 cents; ham, 30 cents; and a frankfurter, 20 cents.

ABOVE: After-school customers pose for a photo at the Chocolate Shop.

The Velons owned and operated the shop from 1946 until 1962.

Then the ice cream wells contained many flavors, and the concoctions of combinations of flavors and syrups were many. The floor was tile and the quaint booths — each individual booth sat four — had a tall mirror beside it on the wall.

Over the years, Tom and Appie built up the business not only with their very fine homemade candies and ice creams, but they also had many varieties of sandwiches and short orders as well as popular brands of candy bars, etc.

Along with sandwiches, one could finish with a banana split, hot or cold beverages and so forth.

When the Velons first started out, Tom had his brother, Nick, with him in the business and daughter Diane. They were host and hostess to the hangout for those growing into the teenage appetite. Nick was at the shop during the earlier years, but moved away some time later for a better opportunity after a few years.

Nick had been an advanced student in mathematics, and in free moments would straighten out some of the students having difficulty with school math.

Tom prided himself on having had some scientific terminology using Greek terms, and that was duck soup for Tom. He just told them what one of those words, which was as long as your arm, meant in Greek, and it seemed to come through to them.

Dealing with young folks from pre-Korean War days to that present (then) could impart a deal of wisdom to a man, and the Velons took credit, too, for imparting some knowledge to their customers — both the kind found in books and the more practical kind.

When the Velons took over from the Pappases, they were warned from the Pappases, who had never wanted and seldom had received

the teenage patronage, that they — the kids — would make a lot of noise and there was no money in it.

“I’ve made my living on the tapeworm appetites of growing boys and girls,” Velon said. “If I had depended on the adult business, I would have starved.”

Velon continued, “They said I would never be able to stand the noise. Well, after a while, it’s just second nature — you get used to it and you don’t hear it. And people wonder how I can stand that juke box all day. I like to hear it because when it’s going, that means I am making money.”

There were many BIG moments in the Chocolate Shop that really stand out over the years. The day Princeton’s own Richard Widmark came to town to visit the Bests, Widmark strolled into the shop where delighted teenagers visited with him. He had a chocolate soda, Tom remembered.

Another famous Princeton man, worldfamous organist Virgil Fox, also stopped there when he was in town visiting his aunt Etna Nichols.

Many other highlights were when Princeton High went to the state tournament in 1954 and 1955 and after the spectacular games, the sectional game, there were wall-to-wall kids — sheer pandemonium! Excitement was never ever at a higher pitch, and the kids were ecstatic with joy and were well-behaved!

The kids and the Velons just blended in together, and they all had a good time, and there was no rowdiness or misgivings or hard feelings at any time, which over the years, since then, have wonderful memories instead.

There were gatherings and meetings, and shoppers would stop in for a soda or a Coke or sundae to rest for a few minutes while shopping.

Speaking of gatherings, most every morning during the work week, Mayor Speedy Rheeling, the city attorney Bill Wilson, along with Frank Smith, who worked next door at Anderson and Mosshart, Mac Russell and other local store owners would have a “coffee break.”

Many hilarious and precious moments were enjoyed by all who attended, and when those men got together, no one in earshot was safe from the stories and innuendos of those guys trying to outdo each other in storytelling, or just plain tattling on some unsuspecting soul sitting there listening.

The Masonic Lodge No. 587 would meet at the shop for refreshments and after their meetings, and Tom had invented a special “587 Sundae” after their lodge number.

There never was a dull moment at the Chocolate Shop. Students over the years would meet and map out dates and talk over school activities and games and have a good time just visiting with school chums.

Oddly, the Velons started in business July 1, 1946, and sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Lyle on July 1, 1962, where the tradition kept on a few more years.

Many pleasant memories from the “good old days” came from the Chocolate Shop — another great story — OUT OF THE PAST! Note to readers: After Tom and Appie Velon sold the Chocolate Shop, Tom (1919-2013) worked at the Bureau County Courthouse for 34 years, 26 of them as Bureau County clerk.

Bill Lamb, who died in 2013, wrote this story in 1988 for his “Out of the Past” series with the Bureau County Republican. It and the accompanying photos taken by Lamb were retrieved from the archives of the Bureau County Historical Society, which granted its permission to republish them.

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