Home for the Holidays

The Princeton Chamber of Commerce and Bureau County Fairgrounds have teamed up to bring an exciting new event to the area this December called “Home for the Holidays”.

The Bureau County Fairgrounds will be the location for Home for the Holidays which is a drive through event. It will feature many stunning lighted Christmas displays. The displays are sponsored by many area businesses as well as local families. Several have been ordered in memory of a loved one.

This event is sure to entertain people of all ages and spread some holiday cheer. The spectacular Christmas light drive thru will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights starting Saturday, Dec 4th at 4 p.m. and continuing through New Year’s Day, January 1st.

Admission is by donation. You can still sponsor a display. Contact Jenica Cole at the Princeton Chamber office at 815-8752616. She has a book of available designs. Watch the Chamber website or the Home for the Holidays Facebook page for special activities during the event. You never know when the Grinch may pop out to see you. There are many other events being planned for the December in Princeton. There will be a parade, Christmas tree lighting, breakfast with Santa, great shopping in all of the stores and a vendor and craft show at the Fairgrounds.

• Garden Center • Arboretum • Botanical Gardens

Area’s Largest Selection of Plants

-4-SeasonEventCenter -Seatsupto350 -Weddings -Meetings&SpecialEvents

Princeton, Illinois • 815-659-3282 • www.hornbakergardens.com

PRINCETON GATEWAY TO NATURE WAYPOINTS

The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway unites more than 100 nature-based destinations throughout the Illinois River Valley, beginning in Ottawa and ending 140 miles south in Havana. The Byway showcases great places where visitors and residents alike can go to discover and experience the nature of the region. From hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, wetlands, gardens, birding and watching wildlife, the possibilities for adventure are endless. Visit: www. illinoisriverroad.org.

Princeton is the place to start your trip through Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway. Experience the many natural and historical waypoints throughout the Princeton Gateway. Visit the Lovejoy Homestead, an important site on the Underground Railroad network to freedom and National Historic Landmark; cross two of Illinois’ unique remaining covered bridges; explore the Bureau County Historical Museum; venture in any direction to enjoy nature; or visit the unique shops and stately homes that line Princeton’s brick streets. Princeton has numerous festivals including their newest month-long Festival 56 Summer Theater. Visitors can explore

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1. Warnecke Woods 2. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park 3. McCune Sand Prairie 4. Witness Tree 5. Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area 6. LaFayette Home Nursery 7. Indian Creek Vineyard 8. Schneider’s Orchard 9. Condit’s Ranch & Stables 10. Miller-Anderson Woods Nature Preserve 11. Sue & Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes 12. Putnam County Conservation District 13. Boggio’s Little Mountain Orchard 14. Plow Creek Farm 15. Hornbaker Gardens 16. Donnelley Depue State Fish & Wildlife Area & Complex A. Old Indian Boundary Line Prairie B. Barto Landing C. Red Covered Bridge B

one of Illinois’ first wind farms, or the state’s first “windpowered” high school in near by Manlius. About ten miles southeast of Princeton, the Illinois River dives southward, slipping into the wide north-south valley originally carved by an ancient Pleistocene version of the Mississippi River. The associated natural habitats are mostly open grassland types, dotted with closedcanopy woodlands such as those at Warnecke Woods, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, MillerAnderson Woods Nature Preserve, and Condit’s Ranch Campgrounds. Prairies dominate the remainder of this loop.

The McCune Sand Prairie sits on superporous glacial moraine soils, resulting in a unique assemblage of dry-country grasses, wildflowers and small trees, including a number of species more common to regions much further west. Visit the Hennepin & Hopper Lakes Restoration Project to view how the Illinois River floodplain is being reclaimed and restored.

GALENA TRAILS

Discover beautiful Bureau County along the Galena Trail and Coach Roads, scenic country roads that follow the Indian and pioneer trails that brought settlers, miners, Lincoln, and Lovejoy to Bureau, and the lead mines and prairies of northern Illinois. The Galena Trail and Coach Roads lead you over the Red Covered Bridge, through groves and fields, along blacktop county roads and dusty tracks lined with wildflowers, for a rare and exciting country adventure. Visit: www.galenatrail.com.

Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, grew up in Dixon, where he played football, delivered newspapers, and was a lifeguard. He attended Eureka College where he was active in theatre and was

involved in student government. Reagan went on to be a sportscaster, an actor, a governor and 40th president of the United-States. Today Reagan’s Illinois Heritage is celebrated throughout Northern Illinois in several communities that make up the Ronald Reagan Trail. Designated by the Illinois General Assembly on May 21, 1999, the trail tells the story of Reagan’s life from his birth in 1911 to his graduation from college in 1932. Communities along the Trail offer Reagan historic sites and walking tours, Reagan themed events and many other historic and fun attractions. Visitors can learn about Illinois history, play a game of golf, visit a gambling boat, see a theater production or sit back and relax on the Rock River where Reagan served as a lifeguard.

There are many activities and lodging experiences to choose from in our communities. For additional information on the Trail or to learn about traveling the trail visit our web-site at www.ronaldreagantrail. net.

Some fun and interesting facts about Ronald Reagan

His nicknames – • Dutch - This nickname he reportedly from his father who said at Ronald’s birth that he looked like a fat little Dutchman other reports are that it came from his haircut style when he was young, whichever the case the nickname “Dutch” stuck. • The Gipper – this nickname he received after playing the character of George Gipp in the 1940 movie Knute Rockne,

All American and where infamous line was uttered “win just one for the Gipper” by coach Rockne. • The Great Communicator – for the way he communicated with the people - simple, clear, and sincere.