Starved Rock Country Magazine - Spring 2024

WHERE FICTION MEETS REALITY

When exploring the village of Utica, visitors also are wandering through the fictional town of Tutter

HITTING THE GRAVEL ROADS

The Rough Road 100 invites bicyclists to explore 60+ miles of the region's back roads

NIGHTLIFE AT THE 122 CLUB

A former Masonic Temple has a new identity as a live entertainment venue

BIRD-WATCHERS

Wake Up With Nature

Experience the magic of the Midwest when you wake up with nature at Starved Rock. We’re the only lodge in Starved Rock State Park where you are steps away from scenic sandstone canyons and photo worthy seasonal waterfalls.

Inside

Photographer and bird-watcher Paula Guttilla introduces the migrating birds of Starved Rock Country and how to see them MUST SEE

8 SPRING BRINGS FEATHER WEATHER

10 MONUMENTAL EFFORTS

Two solemn and stunning war memorials in Marseilles honor fallen military service members

Bicyclists can explore the scenery of back roads and test their skill on different surfaces: pavement, gravel, dirt and more MUST TRY A

17 RIDING THE ROUGH ROADS

20 AN AXETREME ACTIVITY

Try your hand at plunging blades into wood targets at Axtreme Throwing in Oglesby

24 SHADOW TOWN

A 1920s book series transforms the village of Utica into the fictional town of Tutter HISTORY

LODGINGS

30 A SLICE OF FARM LIFE

Experience country living and learn about agriculture with an overnight stay at Hungry World Farm

DESTINATION SRC

36 DESTINATIONS FOR "I DO"

Couples seeking a destination wedding venue can set their sights on Starved Rock Country

40 SURPRISING GIFTS IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE

Jobst Monument and Gifts originally specialized in grave markers; now it's a destination for yard ornaments, household gifts and more

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

44 THE 122 CLUB

Experience Streator's nightlife with live entertainment inside a former Masonic Temple

48 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Alice Tang Matthews brings the beauty and precision of Chinese brush painting to Starved Rock Country

IN EACH ISSUE

EDITOR’S NOTE 6 CALENDAR 14, 16 POSTCARD 50

Photo

| E DITOR’S NOTE |

grew up on the back roads of Grundy County. These days when I drive on unstriped routes, nostalgia pulls me back to my earliest experience of tires meeting the pavement: gliding down Gonnam Road on my Huffy 10-speed bicycle.

Each spring, I roused my mountain bike from its winter of hibernation in our backyard shed. Dad would air up the tires and adjust the seat height to fit my growth spurt, then the handlebars would be in my hands and the pedals under my feet.

No surface was off limits to those bike tires. They crunched through the packed gravel of our driveway, sailed across the tar-and-chip pavement of the road, skidded down the loose gravel of the nearest crossroad and stamped grooves through the grass of our five-acre lot.

The most satisfying moment of each ride was the transition from gravel to pavement. Gravel riding is demanding – my leg muscles and my lungs burned with the effort of pedaling through the shifting rocks. Then the tires would bump-bump onto the pavement, and suddenly it felt like I was flying. The same amount of effort spent pedaling on gravel transformed into speed on pavement.

Those same back roads where I grew up are now part of the Rough Road 100 route, a 62-mile Spring Classic bicycle race through portions of Grundy and La Salle counties. In this issue of Starved Rock Country Magazine, I interview race founder and director Craig Patnode about the mixed-surface course that includes pavement, gravel, dirt and limestone hardpack (p. 17). The race takes cyclists off the beaten path, where they can experience the scenes of rural Illinois.

Starved Rock Country is full of rural sights, some of which we highlight for readers in this issue. Among popular springtime attractions are migrating birds. Photographer and bird-watcher Paula Guttilla shares some of her favorite locations to spot birds and explains which species can be found in the area (p. 8).

For more rural immersion, the operators of Hungry World Farm near Tiskilwa open their doors to people seeking a slice of country life. Guests can book farm tours or reserve overnight stays (p. 30).

With Memorial Day around the corner, visitors should consider a visit to two impressive monuments in Marseilles (p. 10). The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial stands in a solemn plaza on the banks of the Illinois River. Fifteen panels are carved with more than 8,000 names of military service members who lost their lives in Middle East conflicts. Across the river is Illini State Park, which is home to the Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial and Surround of Honor that memorializes the 247 Illinois service members who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Standing on the site is an oak grove with one tree planted for each honored service member.

As the trees bud and the temperatures warm, there's plenty to see and do in Starved Rock Country. We hope to see you here.

JULIE BARICHELLO Editor

Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year

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Vol 12 No 1

Spring 2024 Edition

2024-03/25,000

GENERAL MANAGER

Jeanette Smith EDITOR

Julie Barichello PRODUCTION

Rhonda Dillon CONTRIBUTING

Julie Barichello

Ali Braboy

Stephanie Jaquins

Ryan Searl

Charles Stanley CONTRIBUTING

Scott Anderson

Paula Guttilla

Ryan Searl

SnowyMountain Photography

Tom Sistak

Indigo bunting | Photo by Paula Guttilla

EXPLORE NORTH UTICA

Come enjoy all our delicious dining options from North to South including Al Fresco dining and drinking on Mill Street.

From gourmet treats, wines and unique spices to antiques and specialty gifts. We have it all. Come for a day or the weekend.

aSalle County Historical Society

CANAL MARKET 2024 SCHEDULE

Every Saturday & Sunday June - September 10am to 4pm Handmade • Homemade • Homegrown • Vintage

2024 EVENTS

March 30 TH AUGUST HILL WINE RUN 5K

March 30 TH UTICA FIRE DEPT EASTER EGG HUNT

April 27-28 TH ANTIQUIN’ WEEKEND

April 27 TH SWEET STROLL

May 4 TH SIP N SNIP

May 25-26 TH WILD BILL DAYS

Jun 8-9 TH UTICA GARDEN FAIRE & PLANT SALE

Jun 22 ND UTICA FIRE CAR SHOW

July 5 TH UTICA FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

TBD UTICA CRAFT BEER STREET FEST

Sept 21-22 ND VINTAGE ILLINOIS WINE FEST

Oct 12 TH UTICA FIRE DEPT DUCK RACE

Oct 12-13 TH 54th ANNUAL BURGOO

Oct 18 TH WITCHES WALK OF UTICA

Nov 3 RD VETERANS PARADE

Nov 30 TH-Dec 1 ST OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

Photos by Paula Guttilla Hatchet Canyon Photography

april marks the arrival of

WITH SPRING COMES BRIGHT PLUMAGE, A CHORUS IN THE TREES AND FLOCKS OF BOTH BIRDS AND BIRD-WATCHERS

By Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Paula Guttilla

If you listen closely, hold up your binoculars and look to the skies, you’ll find birds of all sizes and colors – some that call Starved Rock Country home and others that are just passing through.

Utica photographer and bird-watcher Paula Guttilla said among the many birds she sees each spring are warblers, which are small, vocal birds.

“There’s a whole bunch of different types. They’re just exquisite,” she said. “It’s just like going snorkeling and you see all the beautiful little fish.”

Warblers migrate through on their way to the boreal forest of Canada where they eat bugs and keep trees safe and clean. Bird-watchers can find them around the

edges of fields and prairies.

Guttilla became interested in birdwatching when she moved to a wooded, twoacre property in northwest Utica almost 30 years ago. In town, she would see cardinals, blue jays and a few other species, but her tree-covered property introduced her to other varieties as well.

“Here was just absolutely amazing, especially in the spring and summer and the migration time. We see nice, beautiful birds year round here in town, but in the spring you get the Baltimore orioles, you get the rosebreasted grosbeak and the indigo buntings.”

The migrating birds come through the region beginning the third week in April through early June, then start migrating at

the end of August through October.

From her front window, Guttilla can see woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees. She also has spots around Starved Rock Country she visits, such as the Matthiessen State Park river area. There, she finds birds near the edges of trees or prairie and the little park areas that have been mowed.

“Walk along the edges. Wherever there’s a transition in the environment, like woods and a field, that’s where you’re going to have the most wildlife,” she said.

She also visits Dayton Bluffs Preserve in Ottawa where, in the spring, visitors can walk along a trail near the treeline where they can find bluebirds and other species.

Guttilla regularly bird-watches at the

Rose-breasted grosbeak

Baltimore oriole

Weather

"Walk along the edges. Wherever there’s a transition in the environment, like woods and a field, that’s where you’re going to have the most wildlife."

Dixon Waterfowl Refuge in Hennepin, a 3,000-acre refuge open year round. The site is an Audubon Important Bird Area, with more than 270 bird species observed nesting, foraging or resting. American white pelicans and several species of geese and ducks are abundant for viewing each spring. Visit wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-overview for a list of birds and the seasons they are commonly sighted.

Sandy Hollow, located at the south end of the refuge, has a tract that has been restored to high-quality upland habitats including rare sand prairie and sand savanna. Visitors can hike Sandy Hollow’s figure-8 trail and take in the expansive view from the Pyott Pavilion.

For those heading to any of these spots, Guttilla recommends bringing binoculars and a smartphone. A free app called Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab of Ornithology can help identify birds by inputting a description, uploading a photo or recording audio of their calls.

Another helpful tool is Bird Cast, a free website that will show users birds they can

see based on location and the season.

“Most birds migrate at night,” Guttilla said. “You can see how they come in and what their numbers are. You can see a small number and then all of the sudden you’ve got 3 million birds flew over La Salle County or Illinois. That helps make you feel more confident.”

She also suggests Ebird, a free website to search for a specific bird and where sightings are documented.

Joining a local National Audubon Society chapter is a great way to learn about birdwatching, said Guttilla, who is a member of the Starved Rock Audubon Society.

When she goes birding with the group, they commence at about 8 a.m. Morning is the best time to bird-watch since the birds are active and looking for food.

“You can get together and go on walks, and that’s when you really learn because you get these experts,” she said. “You watch for movement and jumping around. That makes it fun, too, when you’re with other people, and it’s very peaceful.”

Pileated woodpecker

Common yellowthroat warbler

MONUMENTAL EFFORTS

PAIR OF MARSEILLES

SOLDIER MEMORIALS HONOR THE DEAD — AND THE COMMUNITY

By Charles Stanley

Photos by Julie Barichello

TWO SOLEMN MEMORIALS TO TROOPS who died in Middle East conflicts are located in Marseilles. Both were made possible by the donated labor of local tradesmen and materials from patriotic businesses.

On the north bank of the Illinois River is the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial. It is a curved row of 15 upright black granite panels overlooking the Illinois River etched with the roughly 8,000 names of American servicemen and servicewomen from across the country who died in Middle East conflicts since 1967.

On the south side of the river is the Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial

and the adjacent Surround of Honor focused on the 247 troops from Illinois who died in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial was proposed to the Marseilles City Council in November 2003 by the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run, a Chicago-area motorcycle group. The design was inspired by the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., which displays the names of the killed and missing from the Vietnam War.

The bikers provided the etched panels, but the rest was mainly local, recalled David Raikes of Marseilles, then the business manager of Laborers’ Union Local 393 in Marseilles.

“When we were asked to get involved, we didn’t even have a box of nails to get it started –and no money,” Raikes recalled. “But everybody came together.

“The project was estimated at $1.3 million, but 100 percent of the work was done by volunteers and probably 80 percent of the materials were donated. We had the building trades with the different crafts who volunteered; the contractors that donated equipment, trucks and fuel; and help from so many others. We really could not have completed the wall without their assistance.”

It took three months to complete the memorial.

“We never took a day off even though some days it seemed close to 100 degrees,” Raikes said. “Toward the end some people stayed 10 to 12 or even 14 hours a day.”

The night before the dedication, sod was laid in front of the memorial and the fire department was out with hoses to wash down the sidewalks.

A few years later, Steve Massey of Streator conceived the idea of a grove of oak trees being planted at the far west end of the 510-acre Illini State Park south of the Illinois River.

The proposal was one tree for each of the troops who had died in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Again, with the help of local tradesmen and support of businesses, in 2009 the trees were planted in a 2.5-acre meadow. A 33-foot flagpole and a 7-ton granite boulder with a

dedication plaque were placed near the grove, and the Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial was dedicated.

Ten years later at the tree memorial, the Surround of Honor was dedicated. The addition is composed of steel frames holding engraved bricks bearing the name, rank and hometown of each of the Illinois troops who died.

Again, the addition was built with donated labor and materials.

“It’s wonderful to know you have people in your community that care and love, who will step up and do what they can when their help is needed,” Raikes said.

At one point at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial, the 120-foot concrete sidewalk alongside the black name panels needed to be jackhammered loose and replaced with brick pavers.

When the three-week job commenced, it coincided with a predicted stretch of blazing hot weather.

“The jackhammers were so hot you couldn’t touch them with your bare hands – you had to wear gloves,” Raikes said. “It must have been 100 degrees. I gathered the guys around and told them I was worried about them working in such adverse conditions. Their reply to me was that hadn’t been too hot for our soldiers in the desert, and that they would keep working.

“I’m telling you, it brought tears to my eyes, and I had to turn away and leave.” C S R

SM-LA2141251

April 2024

Hike every canyon of Starved Rock State Park in the daylong guided Mega Hike. For information: www.starvedrocklodge. com/event/mega-hike

Shop antique and vintage vendors in and around the Canal Market in Utica during La Salle County Historical Society's Antiquin' Weekend.

Experience the solar eclipse in Starved Rock Country, which falls in the path of 90% totality as the moon passes between the sun and Earth.

It's UNESCO's World Art Day! Celebrate with a visit to a local gallery or an artsy destination such as the Princeton Art District.

Listen from the audience or take the stage to perform at open mic night, 7-10 p.m. at The Exibit Fine Arts Center and Gallery in Morris.

April is National Garden Month, and today marks the seasonal reopening of Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton.

Migratory birds move through the area at this time of year. See p. 8 for details about where to see them and what species to seek.

Need something to do on a Wednesday evening? Attend a weekly trivia night at 7 p.m. in the taproom at The Lone Buffalo in downtown Ottawa.

Catch opening night of "Jake's Women" at Stage 212 in La Salle.

Grab your bike and hit the road –including pavement, gravel and dirt – in the Rough Road 100 race. Read more on p. 17.

Step into the 1860s at the Shadows of the Blue & Gray Ball. Period dress encouraged but not required.

For tickets ($25/person or $40/couple), contact princetonbgball@ gmail.com

View some of the region's most talented young artists in the Town & Country Youth Art Show, noon to 2 p.m. at the NCI ARTworks gallery in Peru's Westclox building.

Enjoy a day of sweets, shopping and entertainment at restaurants, wineries and stores in Utica. Information at bit.ly/ UticaSweetStroll2024

t American white pelicans gather near Starved Rock Lock and Dam on the Illinois River during their spring migration.

ANTIQUIN' WEEKEND

May 2024

It's National Ride a Bike Day! Rent a bike for $5/hour from one of the region's I & M Canal bike rental stations in La Salle, Marseilles, Morris or Utica.

Happy Mother's Day! Treat Mom to an outdoor dining experience during opening weekend of the Mill Street Patio in Utica.

"Grumpy Old Men: The Musical" takes the stage at Engle Lane Theatre in Streator.

This Memorial Day, honor fallen military service members at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles. Read more on p. 10.

Want to add decorations to your garden or lawn? Visit Jobst Monument and Gifts in Ottawa to browse their unique inventory. Read more on p. 40.

Enjoy live music and a fast casual menu by Chef Carson Barger during the weekly Wednesday Night Live, 5 to 8 p.m. at Camp Aramoni.

Shop downtown Morris during Girls Night Out, 4-8 p.m. The evening includes late store hours, food trucks, live mariachi, margaritas, drink specials and an after party from 8-9 p.m.

Embark on a mushroom-hunting expedition during the Midwest Morel Fest in Ottawa. Register at www.visitottawail.com/ morel-registration

Are you a runner?

Sign up for the Starved Rock Country Marathon or Half-Marathon. For information: runstarvedrockcountry. net/races

WWII-era planes are on display and take to the air during the TBM Avengers air show at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru.

Indulge your tastebuds at the Streator Food Truck Festival, noon-7 p.m. Watch professionals fly kites or fly your own at Kites in Flight festival in Ottawa.

Hop on carnival rides and play games next to Streator City Park during the community's annual Park Fest.

Step into the Wild West at Wild Bill Days in Utica, celebrating La Salle County native Wild Bill Hickok.

TBM AVENGERS AIRSHOW

TBM Avengers air show and Salute to Veterans, May 17-18

STREATOR PARK FEST

KITES IN FLIGHT

WILD BILL DAYS PARK FEST

WILD BILL DAYS

RIDING THE Rough Roads

100-KILOMETER BIKE RACE TAKES CYCLISTS DOWN GRAVEL & DIRT BACK ROADS

By Julie Barichello

Photos by SnowyMountain Photography

For Craig Patnode and a few hundred fellow cyclists, the first weekend in April is time to hit the road. Not just the smooth blacktop of Illinois highways. They’re grinding through the loose gravel of seldomtraveled country roads and churning up dust on dirt paths.

The Rough Road 100 is a multi-surface bicycle race that weaves along rural roads in Grundy and La Salle counties. Two routes are available: the full 100-kilometer race (about 62 miles) and a shorter 64-kilometer route (about 40 miles).

Cyclists travel along highways, paved back roads, gravel roads, dirt roads and about 10 miles of limestone hardpack on the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail.

The course breakdown is about 63%

paved surface and 37% gravel for both routes.

“There is a whole sector of gravel races out there, which are pretty specifically all gravel roads,” said Patnode, the race founder and director. “Mine tends to be more of what I’d call the Midwest Spring Classic.”

Spring Classics are a European style of bike racing. The one-day, long-distance races challenge cyclists’ skill to cross various terrain, famously including cobblestones as well as gravel and mixed surfaces.

The Rough Road 100 replicates that format.

“There are nine sections of gravel and mixed surface, and in between all of that is road,” Patnode said of the route.

ROUGH ROAD 100

Saturday, April 6

Start and finish at Canalport Park West Illinois Avenue, Morris

Packet pick-up: 6 to 7:15 a.m.

Race start: 8 a.m.

Afternoon awards presentation to top five Open/USAC men and women

Online registration through March 30 at www.bikereg.com/rr100

Race-day registration available (cash only)

COURSE INFORMATION

100-KILOMETER LINK MAP 64-KILOMETER LINK MAP

The course is marked with ground arrows and turn signage. Turn confirmation signs are posted after cyclists have turned. Law enforcement will be posted at intersections with high vehicle traffic. On-course support is not provided. Cyclists will travel through Marseilles and Seneca, which have mini-marts near the route. FOR INFORMATION

www.roughroad100.com

www.instagram.com/roughroad100 roughroad100@gmail.com

MORE CYCLING OPPORTUNITIES

Mark your calendar for the Z Tour Bike Ride on Saturday, June 22, in Princeton. The Z Tour offers six routes of varying distances (from 9.4 miles to 120 miles) that explore rural Bureau County. For information about routes and registration, visit www.ztour.org.

For competitive cyclists, the Rough Road 100 tests their skills and strategies. Decisions about the type of bike and type of wheel are a factor. The mix of terrain also offers opportunities for racers to spin their strengths to their advantage.

“With gravel versus the road, you have opportunities within each of those to potentially say, ‘This is where I know as a rider I’m stronger. I’m able to pull ahead because I can go through gravel better than most people,’” Patnode said. “Or, ‘I’m on the road and I know that first gravel section is coming, so I need to get in a better position.’”

Unpredictable spring weather can add another layer to test cyclists en route to the finish line. Patnode said they’ve witnessed a mixed bag of forecasts, from rain to snow to low temperatures to 45 mph winds. One year a tornado passed through the area the night before.

The race has grown since its first edition in 2015, which drew

about 150 registrants. In 2023, almost 800 cyclists registered.

While the Rough Road 100 is a chip-timed event with a gun start, noncompetitive cyclists are welcome and encouraged to participate. Patnode said some have nicknamed the ride “the mullet of bike racing” –business at the front of the race and a party at the back.

“For us, the push in the past two years has been more toward the party end of it versus the race end of it,” Patnode said. “There are a lot of people who want to race, want to go fast, want to challenge themselves. That’s fantastic. I love that. But the back end of the race – where people are out for the experience and the camaraderie – has really taken off. That’s really been our focus the past couple of years.”

Patnode said one aspect that attracts cyclists to the ride is the chance to explore roads and locations they may not regularly experience. Scenery includes rural farmland, the wooded

trail along the I & M Canal and communities along the Illinois River.

The majority of each route is rural – the race departs Canalport Park in downtown Morris, crosses the Illinois River heading south on Route 47 and then enters farmland. Cyclists will pass through two other small communities –Marseilles, population 4,845, and Seneca, population 2,353 – before returning to Canalport Park.

Patnode said race organizers and sponsors are putting special emphasis on increasing participation among women and people of color, whom he said are historically underrepresented in the cycling community. International bike manufacturer BMC is sponsoring this year’s women’s race in the Rough Road 100 and covering registration fees for the first 120 women to sign up.

Patnode noted the course is beginner-friendly – the route is relatively flat with limited elevation change, although

cyclists should be prepared for a handful of short uphill stretches. The race is open to all ages, with no requirements about the style of bicycle participants ride.

“A guy last year finished on a bike older than you or I,” Patnode said. “He had one of those old leather cycling caps. He was wearing leather work gloves, and he rode in jeans.”

Despite the race having no limitations on bikes, organizers recommend 28-millimeter tires or larger because smaller tire sizes could struggle to handle deep gravel surfaces or rainsoftened limestone hardpack on the canal trail.

The only real prerequisites are signing up and showing up.

“People who come out and do this year to year always amaze me, in terms of who comes and why they come and why they do it,” Patnode said. “A lot of the people who ultimately are drawn to it are people who say, ‘Hey, I’ve got a bike. I’d like to go and ride.’” C S R

Axetreme Activity An

By Ryan Searl

Wrap your fingers around a wooden handle, take aim at a target and awaken your inner lumberjack by hurling a steel blade into wood.

That’s the thrill guests will discover at Axetreme Throwing in downtown Oglesby, where participants are invited to step out of their comfort zone and embrace the thrill of throwing axes.

From its origins as a niche hobby in 2016 to a popular pastime in 2024, axe throwing – which once was relegated to lumberjack competitions – has grown to be what many have dubbed this generation’s equivalent to bowling. Around the world, “axe houses” give guests a chance to safely

explore a recreational activity that fuses skill, precision and camaraderie.

Axetreme Throwing, owned and operated by husband and wife duo Charles Cusick and Deanna Cox, is a familyfriendly entertainment destination where anyone ages 12 years and older can try their hand at the art of axe throwing. A brick-and-mortar location, along with two mobile axe-throwing trucks that visit various festivals and events across the region, give novices a chance to hone their skills with axes, fresh wood targets and instruction from an axe master.

Cusick and Cox were early fans of axe throwing and have visited dozens of axe houses across the country, where they’ve cherry picked what they believe makes the most fun and approachable axe-

throwing experience.

“Every city we stop in, we’re looking for an axe house just to see what they offer, what the experience is,” Cusick said. “We take the good, leave the bad. The idea for Axetreme started after I took my wife to an axe house for her birthday with some friends. We got there and they’d overbooked the lanes. It was a bad experience, but it got us thinking.”

“So instead of leaving them a bad review, we decided we’ve done a lot of axe throwing, we know how this should work. Let’s start our own,” Cox added. “So it all began with the one mobile trailer in 2021 and it’s grown from there.”

Upon entering Axetreme Throwing, guests are greeted with a rustic atmosphere filled with wooden accents. The venue houses 11 walled throwing lanes, each equipped

with sturdy wooden targets and ample table space behind each to accommodate groups.

Whether visitors are seasoned axe-throwers or novices, Axetreme Throwing caters to all skill levels. On-site experts provide safety briefings and one-on-one guidance, ensuring that participants can enjoy the experience with confidence. Guests new to axe throwing will learn about scoring, the proper stance, gripping techniques and the critical mechanics of releasing the axe – everything they need to know to start hitting the target and scoring points.

One of the defining features of Axetreme Throwing is their commitment to fostering a sense of community. The venue regularly hosts themed events, leagues and tournaments, bringing together like-minded individuals who share a passion for the sport. The axe house also caters to walk-ins, family bookings, date nights and guests passing through the area looking for a fun indoor activity.

“Fridays we have a three players for $30 deal, and guests can add a fourth player for just $15. It’s a great way to get families and groups of

friends out,” Cox said. “On our Sunday Family Fun Days, each kid plays free with a paid adult.”

In addition to their recreational offerings, Axetreme Throwing is a popular choice for hosting special events such as birthday celebrations, bachelor or bachelorette parties and teambuilding corporate events. The site also has hosted functions for church groups, the governor’s staff and corporate retreats. Group rates are available when booking.

“We’ve just kicked off the fourth season with our league. It’s a noncompetitive, family-friendly mixed league. We have a great, consistent group of players, a really wide array of people and skill levels. It’s like a family,” Cusick said.

Axetreme Throwing is more than a new entertainment offering in Starved Rock Country – it’s a growing community of enthusiasts looking to invite more people to try an exciting and approachable hobby.

HIDDEN HISTORY takes a closer look at interesting but lesser known moments in Starved Rock Country’s past.

SHADOW TOWN

REAL-LIFE VILLAGE OF UTICA DOUBLES AS THE

FICTIONAL TOWN OF TUTTER IN BOOK SERIES

By Charles Stanley • Photos by Scott Anderson and Julie Barichello

If you’ve ever been to Utica, you’ve also been to Tutter. Likewise, if you have been to Ottawa and Marseilles, you’ve also been to Ashtown and Steam Corners.

All those connections made their debut a century ago in a popular series of boys adventure books about “Jerry Todd.”

The author was Edward Edson Lee, who wrote under the pen name of Leo Edwards. Lee was born in 1884 in Meriden, a small town in La Salle County located on U.S. 34 between Mendota and Earlville.

But Lee was raised in Utica, where he lived from 1888 to 1897. When he left, he took his fond memories with him.

Long an aspiring writer, Lee first worked in advertising. But finally in 1920 he was able to break into the youth market with a story titled “The Cruise of the Sally Ann” that was published in Boys’ Magazine.

Lee’s own attempt at magazine publishing – Boy Partners Magazine – floundered after a year. But his efforts were rewarded with a contract to write a series of boys books.

The typical plot was a gang of boys from the fictional town of Tutter who got involved in a local mystery that, after hijinks and escapades, got resolved by the end of the volume.

Jerry’s gang would sometimes take on the Tutter rowdies, who were in another gang called the Strickers. Each book typically included a battle between the gangs fought with weapons such as mud and rotten eggs. The Strickers always lost.

TOWN

The connection between Tutter and Utica is unmistakable.

Inside the cover of every Jerry Todd book is a map of Tutter, Illinois, which was sandwiched between the Chicago & Rock Island

Railroad to the north and a canal to the south. The Tutter creeks and roadways follow familiar counterparts in Utica.

It isn’t hard to decipher fictional locations with their real-life equivalents. Tutter’s main street is Hill Street instead of Utica’s Mill Street. The book series’ canal is modeled after the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which also flows through the fictional communities of Ashtown and Steam Corners – stand-ins for the real-life canal towns of Ottawa and Marseilles, respectively.

Oak Island in the book “Jerry Todd and the Oak Island Treasure” is inspired by Buffalo Rock State Park west of Ottawa. The haunted house

included in several books is actually the state-owned Halfway House, which sits east of Utica on the section of stagecoach route today called Dee Bennett Road.

The Jerry Todd books were published until 1938. They quickly became popular and led to additional series: the Poppy Ott series (19261939), the Andy Blake series (1928-1930), the Trigger Berg series (1930-1933) and the Tuffy Bean series (1931-1932). Often locations in those books also were inspired by Utica locations.

Lee wrote most of his books at his cottage on Lake Ripley in Cambridge, Wisconsin. By 1931, he was receiving an estimated 10,000 fan letters a year from all over the United States.

Lee died in 1944 at age 60 in Rockford.

Today the Jerry Todd books are collectibles. The whole series is owned by the La Salle County Historical Society at its Utica museum campus. Other copies are available (for viewing only) at the Utica Public Library.

The books still draw interest, said museum director Amanda Carter. An idea is on her mind to host a weekend family activity with a Tutter scavenger hunt, where Utica’s street signs also would be posted with their fictional Tutter names as guideposts.

“I think it would be beneficial to Utica’s tourist efforts to help sponsor an event where visitors could discover Tutter for themselves,” Carter said. C S R

A glimpse into tutter

This map of the fictional town of Tutter is printed at the beginning of each Jerry Todd book, written by Edward Edson Lee under the pen name of Leo Edwards. The town is modeled after the village of Utica. The canal shown on the map is based on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Tutter's main thoroughfare of Hill Street is based on Utica's Mill Street.

Book a room at

of

FARM LIFE a slice

Hungry World

Farm to experience rural living and learn about regenerative agriculture

By Ali Braboy | Photos provided by Hungry World Farm

Hungry World Farm isn’t your average overnight destination.

Like most accommodations, the rooms provide four walls and a bed. But the grounds also offer 100 wooded acres for exploration, a relic glacial hillside prairie, a two-acre blueberry patch, a working farmstead and the welcoming bleats of sheep and goats.

Those who yearn to escape the traffic and bustle of city living can experience a slice of rural life among gently rolling hills east of Tiskilwa.

Hungry World Farm is operated by a nonprofit organization that aims to educate people about regenerative agriculture and help guests develop a passion and appreciation for farming.

“Maybe they're just thinking about an escape, but whatever their skill or talent is, whatever their type of desire is – maybe it’s to gaze at the stars, maybe it’s to learn to can food – there's a place for them,” said Sam Ingersoll, a board member of Hungry World Farm.

The 175-acre property offers multiple lodgings, including an upstairs farmhouse apartment, a rustic cabin (no electricity or plumbing) and rooms to rent at the farm’s learning center. The site provides a tranquil escape for individuals, families, church groups, wedding parties and more.

The grounds previously served as an intentional Christian community, associated with the Mennonite Church, which established a number of apartments and buildings. The farm opened the lodgings for bookings via Airbnb to give guests an opportunity to

connect with agriculture and nature.

“Many people who we have already hosted at the apartments, they haven’t gazed at the stars or they haven’t splashed in a creek for years,” Ingersoll said. He noted many of the farm’s guests are urban residents who have never had the opportunity to dig up a potato or pet sheep and goats.

“Their minds are kind of blown,” he said. “So many people right now are on electronics constantly, that when they get out in nature, it can be transformative for them,” he said.

Those who reserve a room at the farm can hike in the woods, explore market gardens, schedule a farm tour and meet barnyard animals. The farm is home to cows, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks.

“In addition to helping people

BOOK A ROOM AT HUNGRY WORLD FARM

To reserve an overnight stay at Hungry World Farm, visit www.hungryworldfarm.com/airbnbs.

escape the city and the traffic and discover a farm, we really want the farm to be an experiential experience,” Ingersoll said. Hungry World Farm practices and teaches the principles of regenerative agriculture. They produce fruits, flowers, vegetables, meat and bread.

In 2023, the nonprofit farm harvested and distributed 26,000 pounds of produce, which included 5,200 pounds donated to food banks, pantries and other food service organizations.

“We want to bring people to connect with the source of their food in addition to eating it when they’re at home,” Ingersoll said.

Hungry World Farm launched in 2017 and began using the rural Tiskilwa property to educate people about healthy soil, plants, fruit,

2024 TBM AVENGER REUNION & SALUTE TO VETERANS

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food and bodies and lives.

The organization has worked through five growing seasons and teaches interns – both from the United States and internationally – as they work and produce food.

“So many come to stay at the farm and enjoy a getaway, and then discover there’s lots to learn about food and health of food and health of soil and

just enjoy the farm and see the beautiful gardens,” said Cal Zehr, pastor of Willow Springs Mennonite Church in Tiskilwa. He volunteers a quarter of his time to help establish the farm.

The nonprofit anticipates its lodging options will expand over the next two years. The farm plans to offer four to five apartments, a retreat center with four budget-

conscious rooms, three to five “glamping” tents and between 10 to 15 campsites.

Hungry World Farm is about a five-minute drive from Tiskilwa, a village of 740 people, and about seven miles south of the city of Princeton. For additional hiking opportunities, the farm is about 32 miles from Starved Rock State Park and

three miles from Hennepin Canal State Trail parking. The Hennepin Canal offers about 155 miles of towpath to hike or bike.

For more information about Hungry World Farm events, products and lodgings, visit www.hungryworldfarm.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Hungryworldfarm. C S R

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DESTINATIONS

The Silver Fox, Streator Photos by Bill Phelan

Camp Aramoni

FOR "I DO"

Discover wedding venues brimming with history, nature and elegance

By Stephanie Jaquins • Photos provided

Forget about plane tickets and passports for a destination wedding. Illinoisans who dream about a scenic, atmospheric ceremony don’t have to travel far from home.

In Starved Rock Country, venues are plentiful.

One is the site of a former Masonic Temple.

Another is a former blacksmith shop at a brickyard. Yet another stands among the sandstone bluffs and waterfalls of Starved Rock State Park. Here are a few of the region’s popular wedding destinations.

THE SILVER FOX: HISTORIC CHARM

122 N. Park St., Streator • www.silverfoxstreator.com

The Silver Fox in Streator originally was built as a Masonic Temple in 1906. The building’s character attracted The Silver Fox owner Bill Phelan many years ago when he bought it, and that’s what continues to draw in couples for their weddings.

“I fell in love with all the woodwork, the history and the architecture of the place,” Phelan said.

Its use as a Masonic Temple ended about 2006, and the historic building sat empty for about eight years, until Phelan and his family took on the restoration.

“The building, it really is quite a bit different than any other venue because of when it was built, what it was built as, the history of the building. There’s a lot of fun, quirky aspects to the building.”

Wedding photographers like it for its large windows and good lighting, as well as the variety of rooms in the 8,000-square-foot space.

BOOK A VENUE IN STARVED ROCK COUNTRY

More popular wedding and event venues in Starved Rock Country are listed here.

AUDITORIUM BALLROOM

109 Wright St., La Salle

www.lasalleballroom.com

The Auditorium Ballroom building was built in 1915 and restored in 2017. The elegant indoor event space includes several eye-catching features including an original marble staircase with polished brass railings and a grand chandelier.

THE BARN AT HORNBAKER GARDENS

22937 County Road 1140 N, Princeton

www.hornbakergardens.com/thebarn

The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens is a rustic red barn that shares its grounds with botanical gardens and an aboretum. While the outside of The Barn is artfully weathered, the inside provides an elegant reception space with windows overlooking the 40-acre property.

JENNIFER’S GARDEN

555 Gore Road, Morris

www.jennifersgardenbanquets.com

Colorful perennial flowers surround an outdoor gazebo overlooking the fountains at Jennifer’s Garden. The venue accommodates both indoor and outdoor ceremonies.

PINE HILLS GOLF CLUB

1665 N. 2501 Road, Ottawa

www.ottawapinehillsgolfclub.com

Pine Hills Golf Club offers a ceremony site surrounded by gardens and featuring a natural stone staircase and a moon arbor. A more intimate ceremony site is available beside a wooded creek. The clubhouse is available for receptions and includes a private deck and back patio.

SENICA’S OAK RIDGE GOLF CLUB

658 U.S. 6, La Salle

www.senicagolf.com/weddings

The 17,000-square-foot clubhouse is available to book for celebrations. An outdoor patio overlooking the course’s lush greens is a popular place to conduct ceremonies. The site includes a 9,500-square-foot banquet hall.

WESTCLOX EVENT CENTER

300 Fifth St., Peru

www.westcloxeventcenter.com

The Westclox Event Center delivers a rustic industrial aesthetic inside the 19th century Westclox building, which once housed the Western Clock Company factory. The venue is touted as “a photographer’s dream” because of its many nooks and features for unique photos.

The Silver Fox, Streator

Photo by CLS Media

business for 10 years. Since many couples are from outside the area, he provides guidance and recommendations.

“Each room has different character in the same theme, but each room has its own twist, character or flavor to it. There’s lots of variety within the venue to take lots of cool pictures without even having to go anywhere,” he said.

Couples preferring an outdoor ceremony can use the nearby Weber House and Gardens, with a storybook Tudor cottage and paths through English-style gardens.

“I tell couples, ‘Tell me what you like, and we’ll figure out how to make your vision work here,’” he said.

CAMP ARAMONI: RUSTIC INDUSTRIAL MEETS NATURE

809 N. 2199 Road, Tonica

www.camparamoni.com

“It’s unlike any other property in the state. It’s a private two-acre garden they can rent out for the wedding, which is absolutely beautiful,” Phelan said. “One thing with outdoor ceremonies, you never know how the weather is going to be, so they can use our space as a backup. That takes some of that worry away, too.”

The majority of The Silver Fox’s weddings are booked from outside Starved Rock Country. Couples come from the Chicago suburbs, as well the Peoria and Bloomington areas.

“We get a lot of couples coming from the Chicagoland area, and price-wise that’s a big draw as well. What a wedding costs in Chicago, we’re a fraction of that in central Illinois,” he said.

Phelan has been in the wedding

About 20 miles away from Streator is one of Starved Rock Country’s newest venues, Camp Aramoni in rural Tonica.

Fall is the most popular time of year to marry at the boutique campground along the Vermilion River, said Stephanie Bias, Camp Aramoni communications director.

The prairies, tall grasses and wildflowers make for a stunning backdrop, as well as the historical venue Bricks & Stones.

The building that now houses Bricks & Stones originally was used as a blacksmith shop at the brickyard that operated on the site from 1870 to 1981. The 150-year-old building underwent three years of extensive renovations.

“There’s a lot of history

Starved Rock State Park

here, and we tried to preserve all of the older elements of the property while adding in modern amenities,” Bias said. They added a full-service bar, two kitchens, a suite and other features.

The grounds also have a variety of outdoor spaces, including a 50-by-50-foot deck overlooking the Vermilion River.

“That’s a really pretty spot for ceremonies, cocktail hours, watching the sunset,” Bias said.

Camp Aramoni also has an outdoor bar and can accommodate outdoor dancing.

“There’s a lot of different elements of the property they can use,” she said.

Once couples book their wedding, they are invited to take their engagement photos at the venue as a means to get to know the property.

“There’s a pretty spot where couples can stand on this rock that comes out from the shoreline, but it makes them look like they’re basically in the Vermilion River,” Bias said.

There’s also a canoe couples can take out on the lake to take photos.

Elements of the brickyard, including the old kilns and brick retaining walls, are popular photo backgrounds.

STARVED ROCK LODGE: CANYONS, WOODS AND WATERFALLS

One Lodge Lane, Oglesby www.starvedrocklodge.com

Starved Rock Lodge is a destination location with everything available on site.

Starved Rock Lodge can accommodate rehearsal dinners, overnight accommodations, a ceremony and reception as well as a farewell breakfast, said Starved Rock Lodge Sales & Catering Manager and Assistant General Manager Jenny Roulston.

Couples can marry at the Great Hall in front of the large stone fireplace, at the Sunrise Shelter tucked away in the woods or at the Courtyard & Cabin overlooking gorgeous views of the state park.

Roulston said couples choose Starved Rock for a few reasons.

“Of course, the gorgeous scenery but also our outstanding customer service and attention to detail,” she said.

Popular spots for wedding photos include St. Louis Canyon, which is home to one of the park’s tallest waterfalls, and Council Overhang, which is a towering alcove in Ottawa Canyon.

C S R

Photo by Seth Morris Photo & Video

Jobst Monument and Gifts sells eye-catching garden decorations, religious gifts and more

By Charles Stanley | Photos by Tom Sistak

SURPRISING Gifts

Viewed from Main Street in Ottawa, Jobst Monument and Gifts, which has been providing cemetery grave markers for more than a century, looks pretty ... well ... grave.

But inside the two-story brown brick building with its heavy layer of ivy, it’s a different matter.

The first hint when you enter through a heavy sliding door is a display of big-eyed concrete alien creatures, which are likely to cause second or third looks if located in a home garden.

In the past 20 years, Jobst Monument and Gifts has been expanding beyond its traditional core business of headstones, with the addition of a large assortment of yard decorations and special gifts.

Besides the aliens are statues, birdbaths, wind chimes, garden decorations, picture frames, fairy gardens, hummingbird feeders and jewelry.

It’s a unique collection of merchandise, says Donna Nordstrom, tourism coordinator for the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center.

“When you’re looking for something special, it’s a good place to go and shop,” she said.

“I think a lot of people who grew up in Ottawa and thought of us just as a monument shop are surprised when they come to find out it’s now also a gift shop,” said Debbie Walker, a longtime employee who does most of the curating.

“The advantage we have over buying online is that here you can see, touch and feel what we have,” she said “And you’re shopping local.”

Among the unique inventory the store offers are religious items that can be given as gifts for youngsters completing their First Communion or Confirmation requirements. Those items were the result of a customer’s suggestion, said owner Char Bragg.

“She said there really was nowhere local to buy those items,” Bragg said. “Today our customers are not just people who are sad and looking for a memorial gift, but also ones who are looking for something for a joyful celebration.”

The building dates back to 1903 when it was constructed from the bricks of an old school that was sold in 1900. John Jobst Sr., who had a monument shop at 606 Columbus St., bought the building in 1922, and it has remained in the family ever since.

In the early days, monument making was a job for skilled craftsmen who would carve the lettering, flowers and crosses by hand. But that changed with the adoption of environmental standards enacted to protect stone cutters from respiratory

ailments caused by breathing stone dust.

Now the production part of the monument business is contracted through a monument company in the Chicago area. But there’s a plus there as well. New advanced engraving techniques allow images with much more accurate detail, Bragg pointed out.

Jobst Monument and Gifts at 402 W. Main St. in Ottawa is open weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 815433-0310. The shop has a presence on Facebook and Instagram. C S R

The

122 CLUB

Streator venue delivers live entertainment in a historic setting

By Ryan Searl l Photos by Ryan Searl and provided by The 122 Club

Aformer Masonic Temple now houses one of Starved Rock Country’s most popular destinations for live entertainment: The 122 Club.

This opulent one-time fraternal meeting hall in Streator has undergone a transformation under the stewardship of owner Bill Phelan. Now, this dynamic event space brings contemporary entertainment to a historic building with an array of concerts, stand-up sets and interactive events.

“(The 122 Club) is

really unlike a lot of other bars and venues in the area; the history and architecture really set us apart,” Phelan said. “The building was originally built in 1906, and it housed Streator’s Masonic Temple up until about 2006. We’ve tried to keep a lot of the original fixtures and design elements.”

The interior of The 122 Club transports patrons to the pre-Prohibition era with turnof-the-century vintage décor. The club features a spacious stage and two levels of seating, making it one of the largest live entertainment venues in the region. This distinct atmosphere, paired with great lighting and sound, make for memorable evenings of live entertainment.

CLUB

The amenities don’t stop there – The 122 club boasts a full bar for all events and a kitchen serving a revolving selection of meals and appetizers.

“We’re really proud of our drink menu. We have some great cocktails and bourbon options. It’s a pretty extensive selection, and it’s always open during our events,” Phelan said. “We encourage people to show up early to our shows, just hang out and enjoy the vibe. We have a great laid-back lounge area; people really enjoy the ambience.”

The 122 Club prides itself on offering a diverse lineup of events, catering to a

wide range of tastes. From live jazz and blues performances to stand-up comedy, magic shows and metal acts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on the club’s event calendar.

“I was just looking to expand things on nights that we didn’t have weddings going on,” Phelan said, noting the building doubles as a wedding venue known as The Silver Fox. (Read more about The Silver Fox and other regional wedding venues on p. 36.) “I really wanted to open the space up to the public, because a lot of people, for the first seven or eight years of

the business, didn’t get a chance to experience the space and what we offer unless they were invited to a wedding. So opening up to the public and hosting events has been a great way to get more people into the building and maximize how often we can put the space to use. I wanted to do some live entertainment, things that were a bit different than what else was being offered by the local bar scene, just to give people a reason to come out on a Friday or Saturday night.”

In addition to its regular lineup of events, The 122 Club has found success hosting alternative activities, such

MORE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN STARVED ROCK COUNTRY

As the sun sets over Starved Rock Country, the nightlife rouses. Whether you crave a relaxed evening with acoustic tunes in a cozy wine bar, an energetic rock show in a hidden venue or Chicago blues paired with craft cocktails, this region has it all. Get ready for a night of artisanal drinks and live entertainment at these other Starved Rock Country venues.

l STARVED ROCK LODGE VERANDA

One Lodge Lane, Oglesby www.starvedrocklodge.com

Experience an evening of panoramic views at Starved Rock Lodge's outdoor venue that overlooks the Illinois River. Enjoy live music, craft cocktails, local wines and food.

l CATSEYE WINE BAR

724 La Salle St., Ottawa www.catseyewinebar.com

Explore an extensive selection of local and international wines in addition to craft cocktails on an evolving drink menu. The intimate setting hosts art openings, drag shows, wine tastings and live acoustic performances.

l RED DOG GRILL

411 Great Loop E Dr., Ottawa www.reddoggrill.com

Nestled in the Heritage Harbor Marina resort community, Red Dog Grill offers large bay windows and a covered patio on the harbor. Enjoy cocktails, craft beers and wines in addition to the restaurant menu.

l I&M CANAL BIER GARTEN BY OBSCURITY

111 W. Canal St., North Utica www.loditaphouse.com

The picturesque beer garden along the Illinois & Michigan Canal features patio roofs fashioned from grain bins. Local and touring acoustic and rock performances complement the laid-back atmosphere. Guests can sample Obscurity's freshly brewed craft beers, meads and ciders.

l AUGUST HILL WINERY TASTING ROOM

106 Mill St., North Utica www.augusthillwinery.com

August Hill's tasting room offers award-winning, locally produced wines made from grapes grown in Starved Rock Country. Guests can listen to live music acts inside the tasting room and on the open-air patio.

l STAR UNION SPIRITS

300 Fifth St., Suite 135, Peru www.starunionspirits.com

The lounge-style room inside Peru's historic Westclox building offers views of the distillery and hosts curated live music from an eclectic range of genres. Star Union Spirits serves award-winning spirits and inventive cocktails featuring their small-batch spirits with a twist on classic drinks.

l TANGLED ROOTS BREWING CO. TAP ROOM

812 La Salle St., Ottawa www.tangledrootsbrewingco.com

Located in a stunningly restored department store, Tangled Roots offers a relaxed modern atmosphere and a sprawling menu of craft beers made from local ingredients.

as indoor bags tournaments during the winter. These events have attracted both local participants and professional players seeking a unique venue for their sport.

Recent crowd-pleasing events have included stand-up comedy showcases highlighting touring talent from across the state, a burlesque show – complete with live musical accompaniment –and a full bill of metal bands. The stage also has hosted rap and hiphop shows, live theatrical radio play readings, tribute artists, drag shows, murder mystery dinners and country nights. The 122 Club frequently hosts karaoke nights, pool tournaments and board and card game events.

“At a recent comedy show we had people drive in from Peoria, Manhattan, Princeton and Dwight – we’re seeing people come from farther and farther away for our shows, in addition to our loyal local crowd. We’re drawing from a pretty wide radius with these shows,” Phelan said.

“We hosted a metal show recently and that was great, it was just a wonderful turnout – a really good crowd and atmosphere. I don’t think a lot of the bands on the bill had played under a chandelier in a ballroom before.”

The grand ballroom is the crown jewel nestled within The 122 Club, standing as a

testament to the venue’s rich history and architectural grandeur. Adorned with chandeliers and intricate detailing, this space serves as the centerpiece of the former Masonic Temple. With its soaring ceilings and ornate décor, the room serves as a tribute to the building’s storied past while providing a grand backdrop for modern celebrations.

For those who want to experience the charm of The 122 Club, tickets can be bought online through the club’s website or in person on the day of the event, provided the event is not sold out in advance.

l

www.the122club.com

VExperience the charm of decorated store fronts fas you shop, dine, and explore historic Main Street

Treat yourself to an Airbnb or Hotel stay, attend a unique event, embark on a tour of Princeton’s landmarks, museums, public arts and parks, all in bloom, for a weekend getaway this spring!

FESTIVAL 56 at THE GRACE THEATER festival56.com for tickets

Steam Irish Quartet - March 30th

Girls Like Us - April 11th-12th

David Casas Magic - April 27th

Summer Season opens June 22

1912 EXHIBIT Bureau County History Center

BUREAU COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHERS

April 13th at Princeton Public Library

SHADOWS OF THE BLUE & GRAY CIVIL WAR BALL

April 13th at Bureau County Fairgrounds

HISTORIC HOME TOURS

City of Princeton Historic Preservation Commission

May 4

SPRING FEVER SHOP SMALL EVENT Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce

May 10-12

NELLIE BECKER: A TITATIC STORY presented by Peter Cook May 11 at Venue 450

SHRIMPFEST by Princeton Rotary Club

June 1 at Rotary Park

MAIN STREET CONCERT SERIES KICKOFF: Barracuda June 7 on South Main Street

45TH ANNUAL BEEF & AG FESTIVAL June 15

SUMMER SOLSTICE SHOP SMALL EVENT

Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce

June 21

Z TOUR BIKE RIDE & BIKE FEST June 22 at Zearing Park

Visit bureaucountyfair.com for a list of events at the Bureau County Fairgrounds

PRAIRIE ARTS CENTER GALLERTY SHOWS

Saturdays and Sundays in March & April

Soldiers & Sailors Park photos by Mike Vaughn

Lovejoy Way Mural

photos by Mike Vaughn

Captain Swift Bridge

Soldiers & Sailors Park

ALICE TANG MATTHEWS Artist SPOTLIGHT

Local artists invigorate the community with thoughtful, creative pieces. Each issue, Starved Rock Country Magazine and Starved Rock Country Community Foundation are partnering to highlight artists and their work.

lice Tang Matthews is part of an artistic legacy dating back more than 2,700 years.

The Ottawa, Illinois-based artist is skilled in Chinese brush painting, an art form that seeks the essence and spirit of its subject.

Matthews was raised in Yangzhou, China, a city with a rich history of poets, artists and scholars. As a child, she learned Chinese calligraphy from her father, who emphasized the importance of understanding and appreciating their native culture. Her father also wanted to pass their artistic traditions to future generations.

“When he discovered my love of painting, he sent me to study traditional Chinese brush painting under an art professor who taught Asia art at the Chinese Art Academy in Beijing,” she said. “For many years I spent weekends and school breaks studying with him. He was strict, but a great Chinese art master.”

Chinese calligraphy and brush painting are among the oldest continuing artistic traditions in the world, first emerging around 770 BCE. Tools of the trade include rice paper and silk as canvases, handmade animal-fur brushes and ink pigments derived from plants, minerals and other natural materials.

The art form values precision and forethought.

“In Chinese painting, each brush stroke is permanent. This requires having a whole painting in mind before painting,” Matthews said. “One must think long and hard before laying down every single brush stroke, as there is no opportunity for correction. There is an old tradition to help you clean your body and clear your mind before you practice Chinese art. It involves taking a bath, lighting incense and grinding the needed inksticks on the inkstone. All the preparation is to give you time to think before you write or paint.”

Mastering the many techniques and styles of Chinese brush painting can be a challenge –each dynasty had its own.

“It requires a lot of time to learn and practice,” Matthews said. “It’s often said that

nobody can learn everything about Chinese art in a single lifetime. So, I am always learning and practicing.”

Matthews said Chinese brush painting features two main styles: Xieyi, a freehand technique that often features exaggerated forms and expresses the artist’s emotions, and Gongbi, a meticulous method of contour or outline painting. Brush strokes and line drawing are important in both styles.

Inspiration for her artwork comes from nature and its beauty.

“Chinese art is all about nature,” she said. “The three main types of Chinese painting are landscape painting, human figure painting and flower-and-bird painting, which includes all animals.”

Matthews specializes in Chinese brush painting but works with other media. Oil painting is her second favorite. “The technique is very different from Chinese brush painting, but it has its own beauty, and I love how you can manipulate the paints and use layers of them to create textures,” she said. She also sketches, works with watercolor, oil pastels and color pencils, and she practices digital art.

One of her more challenging projects was during the 2023 Ottawa Wine & Art Walk, during which local artists were invited to paint wedding dresses. Matthews works with treated silk for Chinese brush paintings, but the wedding dress was her first experience with polyester fabric. At first, the fabric would not absorb the pigment; however, through experimentation with the water-to-pigment ratio, she achieved her vision.

“I felt so proud when several people said to me, ‘I want that dress to be my wedding dress. Where can I buy it?’” She plans to experiment further with fabric in the future. “I bought some silk fabric, and this year I will try to make some silk scarfs using my Chinese pigments.”

Matthews finds joy in connecting with people through her artwork.

“I have had people show me my paintings hanging in their houses, which has had a bigger impact on me,” she said. “It’s not just that I sold a painting, but I shared and passed on beauty and happiness.”

Alice Tang Matthews creates traditional Chinese brush paintings. Her work has been displayed in galleries and shows throughout North-Central Illinois. In Starved Rock Country, her artwork frequently can be viewed and/or purchased at Jeremiah Joe Coffee and Open Space Art Gallery, both in Ottawa. ABOUT

DETAILS OF ALICE

TANG MATTHEWS' ARTWORK

To view more of Alice Tang Matthews' art, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ AlicesArtSpace, on Tiktok at alicetang373 or on Instagram at tangxinyao19.

1. Cherry Blossom: Traditional Chinese brush painting on rice paper scroll framed with silk blend fabric, 50x25, $800

2. Fengshui Fu(luck) Rock: Traditional Chinese brush painting on rice paper, 18x18, $450

3. Blue Mountain: Traditional Chinese brush painting on silk, 18x21, $800

4. Snowfall: Traditional Chinese brush painting on rice paper, 18x21, $600

5. Purple Orchid: Traditional Chinese brush painting on rice paper, 28x23, $400

6. Tiger: Traditional Chinese brush painting on rice paper scroll framed with silk blend fabric, 50x25, $800

7. Summer Memory: Oil on canvas, 18x24, $800

Many people are curious when they view a sea of yellow stretching as far as the eye can see in an unplanted farm field. Butterweed is not a planted crop but flourishes in open areas with well-drained soil. This field of butterweed, which is reflected in the water of a recent rain, greets visitors before they enter the east entrance to Starved Rock State Park.

Photo by Tom Sistak

Willowbrook

Chicago

Romeoville

Joliet

Joliet

Wilmington

Braidwood

Dwight

Pontiac

Pontiac