Issuu

WINTER 2023

Take the dive into icy waters Learn why hundreds dip into a frigid pond for Make-A-Wish Foundation's Penguin Plunge MAGAZINE

Your guide to the season's events Mark your calendar for holiday festivals and winter activities

WINTER HIKES The Where and How of

A local expert imparts his knowledge about winter trail exploration and safety

Also inside

Discover dining & destinations with the 2023 Starved Ro ck Country's Finest award winners

Additional copies at 248 W. Canal St., Utica 61373

STARVED ROCK COUNTRY WELCOME CENTER An Illinois Made Gift Shoppe

Featuring gifts of all kinds from across Illinois, including local favorites • August Hill Winery • Illinois Sparkling Co. • Cajun Connection • Fine Field Pottery • Hegeler Carus Mansion • LaSalle Canal Boat • Ottawa Visitors Center • Tangled Roots Brewing Co. • Starved Rock Lodge

Located at

248 W. Canal Street in Utica Open Daily - Noon to 6:00pm

HCDestinations.com Like us on Facebook: @StarvedRockCountryWelcomeCenter 2 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

AÑO DEL GALLO YEAR OF THE ROOSTER TEQUILA | MEZCAL | CERVEZAS CRAFT COCKTAILS | FRESH INGREDIENTS | CHEF DRIVEN

RIGHT NEXT TO STARVED ROCK ON THE CORNER OF RT.71 AND 178 IN UTICA FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR SPECIALS WWW.ANODELGALLO.COM

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 3

Inside MUST TRY 8 DIVE INTO FRIGID WATERS

Penguin Plunge challenges participants to leap into an icy pond – and it results in fulfilling wishes for children with criticial illnesses

12 Q&A: WINTER HIKING TIPS

Guided hike leader Joe Jakupcak explains why winter is one of the most scenic times to explore Starved Rock State Park

16 A WEEKEND GETAWAY IN STARVED ROCK COUNTRY

Need a mid-winter break? Plan a three-day weekend in the heart of Starved Rock Country with this Friday-through-Sunday itinerary

MUST SEE 20 STARVED ROCK COUNTRY'S FINEST

Visitors voted, and here are the results of the region's favorite shops, restaurants, lodgings and recreational destinations

22 THE PRIME TIME FOR EAGLE WATCHING

Visitors flock to the Starved Rock Lock and Dam each January to view bald eagles in the wild and see raptors up close in education programs

26 SHOPPING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Bring the splendor of winter indoors by shopping at these six home decor shops, and enjoy browsing their elaborate displays

DINING & DRINKS 32 INTERNATIONAL EATS IN SRC

Embark on a global food tour within the borders of Starved Rock Country with these popular destinations for ethnic cuisine

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 36 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: FRANK KOBILSEK

Woodworker and artist Frank Kobilsek lives by a primary philosophy: "Make and be happy"

41 'A MAGICAL HALLMARK EXPERIENCE'

Home for the Holidays in Morris captures the spirit of a classic small-town Christmas celebration

47 HOLIDAY EVENTS IN STARVED ROCK COUNTRY

Mark your calendar for festivals, parades, lighted drive-thrus, holiday shopping events and more in November and December

ON THE COVER The canyons of Starved Rock State Park are one of the region's main attractions in the winter because of their frozen waterfalls, ice formations and wildlife. Read more about winter hiking on p. 12. Photo by Tom Sistak

4 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

49 THIS WINTER IS BOOKED

Cold weather is the perfect time to curl up with a good book; booksellers at Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa recommend 10 titles

IN EACH ISSUE EDITOR’S NOTE �� 6 CALENDAR ��40, 46 POSTCARD ��50

– ILLINOIS –

EXPLORE NORTH UTICA

Come enjoy all our delicious dining options from North to South. From gourmet treats, wines and unique spices to antiques and specialty gifts. We have it all. Come for a day or the weekend.

UPCOMING EVENTS OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE - November 25th and 26th WINTER WINE WALK - February 10th, 2024 ST. PAT’S PARADE - March 16th, 2024 ANTIQUIN’ WEEKEND - April 27th and 28th, 2024

utica-il.gov Photos by Paula Guttilla Hatchet Canyon Photography

The Village of North Utica • PO BOX 188 • Utica, IL 61373 • 815-667-4111

SM-LA2114223

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 5

| EDITOR’S NOT E |

inter ignites an internal conflict within me. I have two selves when the weather turns cold and the world turns to grayscale. One self wants to stay home with an oversized mug of hot chocolate and curl up under a blanket with a book. My other self wants to grab my red mittens and knit hat to blaze a fresh trail in the snow. There’s something extraordinarily peaceful about opening the curtains so snowflakes can drift in my peripheral vision while I sink into a novel. Prairie Fox Books, an indie bookstore in Ottawa, keeps my shelves well stocked for a full season of reading. In this issue of Starved Rock Country Magazine, the shop's booksellers offer 10 recommendations to keep me and my fellow readers occupied on the days we settle indoors (p. 49). After selecting a new title at Prairie Fox Books, shoppers can walk less than a block north to Jeremiah Joe Coffee, where they can order a hot drink and curl up on one of the coffee shop’s couches or chairs to consume a few chapters. Jeremiah Joe was voted the region’s favorite coffee destination in the 2023 Starved Rock Country’s Finest awards. Discover more regional favorites in entertainment, dining, shopping and recreation on p. 20-21, where we highlight this year’s Starved Rock Country’s Finest winners and runners-up. Despite my penchant for cold-weather coziness indoors, my other winter self sees a fresh blanket of snow and turns restless. That glistening expanse of white beckons me to explore nature’s Narnia-esque masterpiece. Winter in Starved Rock Country offers scenery unlike anything available the rest of the year. The region’s state parks reinvent themselves with frozen waterfalls, artistic ice formations, meandering animal tracks in the snow and frequent glimpses of wildlife. The lack of undergrowth, canopy and vegetation gives a clear line of sight to spot many deer and one of the region’s more popular residents: bald eagles (read about Eagle Watch Weekend on p. 22). The visions of winter rank high among Starved Rock State Park hike leader Joe Jakupcak’s favorites. In this issue, he shares his expertise about hiking in cold, icy weather and insight about the park’s seasonal attractions (p. 12). The splendor of the outdoors also can be reproduced indoors with artful seasonal decorating. Multiple home decor shops in Starved Rock Country refashion their interiors into winter wonderlands where shoppers can find inspiration and merchandise to make their own homes a winter paradise (p. 26). Whether you’re looking for snug indoor recreation, brisk outdoor adventure, a holiday extravaganza of activities (p. 41-48) or all of the above, Starved Rock Country has you covered. Come. Get a little snow on your shoes and experience the magic of winter.

JULIE BARICHELLO Editor

6 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year. Shaw Media 110 W. Jefferson St. Ottawa, IL 61350 815-431-4072 www.starvedrockcountry.com Email photo or article submission queries to jbarichello@shawmedia.com. Copyright 2023. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited. Vol. 11 No. 4 Winter 2023 Edition 2023-11/25,000 GENERAL MANAGER Jeanette Smith EDITOR & DESIGN Julie Barichello PRODUCTION Rhonda Dillon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Julie Barichello Ali Braboy Stephanie Jaquins CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Anderson Jen Heredia Ryan Searl Tom Sistak Charles Stanley Sarah R Peterson Photography

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. 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.

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 7 One Lodge Lane; Oglesby, IL | 815-667-4211 | www.starvedrocklodge.com

SM-LA21142

FREEZING TEMPERATURES. FRIGID WATER. A GOOD CAUSE .

ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

PLUNGE Take the

By Julie Barichello Photos by Tom Sistak

8 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

| Mus t Try |

PENGUIN PLUNGE MAKES DREAMS A REALITY FOR CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES EACH JANUARY when Cheri Francisco hurtles into the water for Penguin Plunge, it’s cold. It’s invigorating. And it’s personal. Penguin Plunge is an annual fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of children with critical illnesses. Registered teams collect pledges or host events to raise dollars for Make-A-Wish, then dive into frigid water at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa. Cheri knows firsthand the impact of the annual event. Her granddaughter, Chloe, was the recipient of a Make-AWish-funded trip to Give Kids the World Village, a Florida vacation resort for children and their families, in 2012. That trip is where the Team Francisco story begins.

A COMMITMENT TO THE PLUNGE

Colbee Francisco – Cheri’s son and Chloe’s uncle – was inspired by MakeA-Wish and its gift to his niece in 2012. That year, he decided to participate in Chicago’s Polar Plunge to raise funds for people with disabilities and illnesses. “There are not many people that relish the thought of jumping into freezing cold water in the dead of winter, but it’s exactly what Colbee looked forward to every year,” Cheri

said. “He did it mainly to raise money for Make-A-Wish, but it also was just part of his personality to enjoy doing crazy stuff like that.” The next year, Colbee took the plunge again – this time in his hometown of Ottawa on behalf of Make-A-Wish. He continued every year after in Chloe’s honor. In May 2017, Chloe died at age 16. About six months later, the entire Francisco family showed up for the plunge. “We all went to the next Penguin Plunge in 2018 to support Make-AWish and watch Colbee and other family members once again brave the frigid water,” Cheri said. “It would heartbreakingly turn into Colbee’s last one.” Colbee died unexpectedly in October 2018 at age 38. Colbee’s love of the plunge and Chloe’s link to Make-A-Wish rippled through the Francisco family. In 2019, family and friends formed Team Francisco to honor the pair. The team has taken the icy leap each subsequent year and has set the fundraising bar, accumulating nearly $67,000 in donations over the past five years. Every time Cheri takes the plunge, Colbee is there, too. “He jumps with me,” she said. “I bring his ashes in a glass globe. He goes with me every year.”

VA L L E Y PAWN STARS OF THE ILLINOIS VALLEY

SM-LA2115422

Open: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Closed on Sun.

www.valley-coin-jewelry-pawn.com

When: Saturday, Jan. 27 11 a.m. Registration 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Live music and food 12:30-1 p.m. Program 1-4 p.m. Plunge Where: Skydive Chicago 3215 E. 1969th Road, Ottawa What: Collect pledges to dive into icy water and raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation. Each registrant is asked to raise $100. Why: Funds go toward fulfilling wishes for children with critical illnesses. How: Register in advance at wish.org/illinois/ penguin-plunge or register the day of the plunge starting at 11 a.m. Advance registration is recommended to ensure T-shirt sizes are available. Information: Visit wish.org/illinois/ penguin-plunge or email penguin@illinois.wish.org

Shoes - Clothing - Gifts Dressing up your holidays from head to toe!

COIN • JEWELRY • PAWN

123 W. St. Paul Street, Spring Valley 815-663-2313

PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 PENGUIN PLUNGE

Peaces of Fashion

918 1st Street, Downtown LaSalle

SM-LA2115665

815-228-1116 peacesoffashion.com

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 9

TAKING THE LEAP IN 2024

PLUNGE WHERE YOU ARE If your schedule is already booked on Jan. 27, there’s still an opportunity to participate in this year’s Penguin Plunge. “We found the beauty in technology these last few years – if people want to plunge on their own, [they can] send pictures or videos the day of the event,” said Ashley White, gift officer for Make-A-Wish Foundation. “We have the option where someone can plunge at the actual event, but if they have to work that day they can still fundraise for Make-A-Wish and then choose the virtual plunge-where-they-are option.” Past participants have found a variety of creative methods to take an icy plunge. “We had someone drive through a carwash on a flatbed truck. We had someone have snow dumped on them,” White said. Others have jumped into ice-filled kiddie pools or made snow angels. Anyone who is able to attend the in-person event is encouraged to do so.

The 2024 Penguin Plunge is scheduled Saturday, Jan. 27, at Skydive Chicago. This year’s fundraising goal is $80,000 – nearly $20,000 more than the 2023 event raised. Ashley White, a gift officer for Make-A-Wish Foundation, is inviting people all across Illinois to mark their calendars and rise to the challenge. “What else are you going to do on a cold January day?” White joked. The event offers more than a chilly dousing in the treated swimming pond on Skydive Chicago’s grounds. In addition to featured speakers, the day includes indoor live music plus food and beverages. “It’s a really fun pre-show,” White said. “People are so amped to plunge – it’s just a lot of energy.” Each preregistered team will have a designated table in the indoor event space. When it’s time to make the plunge, teams will be called out one by one to walk to the pond, where they can run from the bank or leap from a dock into the water. White said the atmosphere is celebratory and high-energy, with many teams dressing up in themes or “penguin waddling” from the hangar to the water’s edge. Participants also have the option of a toe-dip instead of a full-body soaking.

Beautiful Modern Barn offering casual glamour against a backdrop of woods and farmland. Located 80 miles from Chicago and 24 miles from Starved Rock State Park

• Hiking Trails • Fully stocked Pond • Outdoor Fire pit with roasting sticks, firewood and s’mores ingredients Recommended for up to eight guest. 2 night minimum stay For more information find us on airbnb Beautiful Barn on Indian Creek with all the fixins

10 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

“Our youngest plunger last year had her big brother carry her in so she could dip her big toe in,” White said. Fire department personnel are on site to oversee safety during the event. Heated bathrooms also are available a few feet from the pond for anyone who wants to quickly shed wet clothing and dry themselves. Despite the cold, Team Francisco has no hesitation and no trepidation about taking the leap. “Once you commit to doing it, whether it’s cold or not, it’s only going to last for a minute,” Cheri Francisco said. Team Francisco eagerly awaits their chance to plunge. For them, it’s the capstone of their fundraising efforts in memory of their loved ones. Jessica Miller, the senior communications manager for Make-AWish Foundation, said the event offers an opportunity for participants to interact with families who directly benefit from the funds they raise. “It’s such a cool event. It’s so unique in the North Central Illinois area,” Miller said. “You can meet with families and other volunteers and community supporters and feel the power of a wish in that room – and in the pond.” CSR

CL2114669

STEP BACK INTO THE

ROARING TWENTIES

Prohibition-themed restaurant, speakeasy bar and event center built inside a 1913 bank

Prime Steaks • Burgers • Chops • Pasta • Seafood • Specialty Drinks Prime • Burgers • Chops Giftsteaks Certificates Available Pasta • Seafood • Specialty drinks Let Us Host Your Holiday Party 200 East Main Street • Streator, IL 61364 (815) 822-9000

StarvedRock RockCountry Country • Summer Winter 2023 | 11 Starved 2023 | 29

Q&A WINTER HIKING TIPS

WHEN THE SNOW ARRIVES, HIKE LEADER JOE JAKUPCAK IS READY TO GO OUTSIDE By Stephanie Jaquins | Photos by Tom Sistak | Portrait by Charles Stanley

12 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

t Starved Rock State Park's ice falls are a popular destination for both hikers and ice climbers each winter.

oe Jakupcak, a retired teacher who taught in Ottawa and Chicago, has been a guided hike leader at Starved Rock Lodge for 12 years. He has an appreciation for every season at Starved Rock State Park, but winter is his favorite. He answered questions for Starved Rock Country Magazine about why he appreciates the cold, snowy months and how best to enjoy them. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

STARVED ROCK COUNTRY MAGAZINE: What makes the outdoors special in the winter? JOE JAKUPCAK: Our vegetation is gone. In the fall, all trails are underneath a forest canopy. We call it the green tunnel, so you don’t need any sunscreen. But you probably can’t see 20 feet off the trail. When the leaves fall, you can see for hundreds of yards off the trail. I like the visibility available in the wintertime. We get the most deer sightings. Most people aren’t used to seeing ice columns. They’re spectacular. That’s worth the walk on its own. SRC MAGAZINE: What are your favorite spots at Starved Rock State Park? JAKUPCAK: We have 18 canyons in the park – 12 of them you can walk into. I don’t think there’s a bad canyon, but I do have favorite canyons. I like La Salle Canyon the best. It has a waterfall that stretches like a shower curtain, especially in the wintertime, and you can walk behind it. That’s about a fivemile round trip from the lodge and the visitors center. On the east side of the park, one of the shortest hikes is Council Overhang, Ottawa Canyon and Kaskaskia Canyon. You can do all three of those in less than a mile. There’s no staircases to worry about. There are ups and downs, and that’s where

good shoes with traction helps. There are usually waterfalls in Ottawa and Kaskaskia canyons in wintertime. Waterfalls usually stop flowing about mid-June and start up again around Halloween, and they run all winter. The park does not allow rock climbing, of course. The rock is too soft – it will break. You will fall. But in the wintertime, if the ice columns form, the park allows ice climbers in some canyons. Last winter was not very bad, but at the end of January, Ottawa Canyon waterfall froze. It’s a 33-foot-high column. [Ice climbers] climb for almost four days. They’d prefer to climb all of January and February, but that happens every couple years only.

Don’t just live, LIV well.

Gift Cards Available! livwellnesslounge

SRC MAGAZINE: What are the best park destinations in the wintertime? JAKUPCAK: Wildcat Canyon. It has the 80-foot waterfall. It’s the ice climbers’ favorite when it’s frozen. That’s their longest climb. The view from on top of Eagle Cliff – up river, down river – is amazing. St. Louis Canyon on the west side of the park is our tallest waterfall. No ice climbing there, but it’s probably the nicest trail. Very few staircases into the canyon. The most visited canyon in the park is French Canyon, because it’s the closest one to the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center. Most people see Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 13

Reddick

Mansion and Gardens

Mansion Tours:

FRIDAY-MONDAY | 11 AM and 1 PM Please call for other arrangements & group tours

Traction devices such as crampons (shown here), microspikes or Yaktrax are recommended on winter trails in state parks. The devices fit over users' standard hiking footwear.

that one. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the visitors center. Except in the winter, it’s one of our iciest ones. You have to wear shoes with traction, and it’s single file in, single file out.

ne of the most expensive and ornate private homes in the Midwest when completed in 1858, the Mansion was built by businessman, politician, and philanthropist William Reddick. Home to the Reddick family for nearly 30 years, the mansion anchors Washington Square, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Join Us

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT FRIDAY DEC. 1st AND 8TH

6:00-8:00 P.M. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

100 West Lafayette St. | Ottawa, IL 61350 815-433-6100 | reddickmansion.org

SRC MAGAZINE: What's the optimal winter weather to hike in? JAKUPCAK: I like [the temperature] in the upper 20s. With or without wind doesn't bother me, because I dress for it. If it’s above freezing, then halfway through the hike you have to take something off. I like it when it’s snowing, of course – that just makes it all magic. My favorite season at the park is winter, because of the snow and you get to see the ice in the canyons. The water freezes into ice columns. There’s fewer people. SRC MAGAZINE: What are some safety tips for hiking? JAKUPCAK: First of all, tell somebody where you’re going and when you’re going to be back. Carry your cellphone. That’s made the biggest difference in the park for people who need help. Wear shoes with good traction. Even if the trails aren’t so bad, we have boardwalks, and the boardwalks ice up really quickly. All of our stairs in the wintertime are usually iced over. You need some traction to get up those stairs, and a good

pair of gloves. Dress for the weather. SRC MAGAZINE: How should you dress for a winter hike? JAKUPCAK: It's best to be layered. A nice foundation, and then I usually wear a flannel shirt over that and a hoodie. If it gets colder, you want more, but generally the problem is as you start to walk, you'll heat up and you won't need as much clothing. You need a good walking shoe. I like boots. I've only worn hiking boots since I started hiking. But in the wintertime, especially at Starved Rock, we have Yaktrax. It's kind of like a giant rubber band you stretch along the bottom of your boots. It contains coiled springs that are sideways, so they cut into the ice as you walk and make two big Xs along the bottom of your boots. They keep you from slipping. We also use the trekking pole, like a ski pole, only it has a tip on the end. Most hikers use a pair. It takes a lot of weight off your knee. CSR n For more information on guided hikes at Starved Rock, visit starvedrocklodge.com and click on the Activities tab.

Famous for Steakburgers DOOR DASH AVAILABLE THROUGH | WWW.STEAKNSHAKE.COM

DINE-IN • DRIVE-THROUGH DELIVERY 4240 VENTURE DR., PERU

(815) 224-3111

14 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

F VARIET Y O , D A L A S , S T APPETIZER HES GREA IC W D N A DS S HANDHEL F BURGER O N IO T C SELE

ORE! M & S B STA, RI RY APPETITE A P , K A , STE E E VE N S E A K E C L I P H FISH, C METHING TO VE SO WE HA

THE AREA’S BEST PRIME R IB

le b a l i a v A r e t Banquet Cen es, i t r a P y a d i l for Ho d n a s n o i n u e Class R ners n i D l a s r a e h Re

SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK SM-CL2114034

SUN & MON 11A-8P • TUES-THURS 11A-9P • FRI & SAT 11A-12A

2550 N. 32nd Road Marseilles • 815-795-5107 • https://www.thelakescc.net/

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 15

a weekend in SRC 16 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

FRIDAY SAT Take the afternoon off and start your weekend early with retail therapy in Ottawa. Park downtown, bundle up and stroll the variety of shops. Expand your closet’s trendy fashion choices at stops such as Iconic Boutique, Lady Di's or Bell's Clothing Store. Shoppers also can browse an eclectic array of clothing, accessories, gifts and decor at shops like A Mess of Things and Heartland By Hand. Be sure to visit Starved Rock Hot Glass, where local artisan Laura Johnson sells glass art and jewelry with her hallmark of swirling colors. Also don't miss Jobst Monuments and Gifts, a unique gift shop known for its outdoor decor.

Early Morning

Mid Afternoon

Set the tone for a relaxing getaway by indulging in a spa treatment at SaltTree Yoga in Ottawa. Book an appointment to kick back in the Himalayan salt cave, to unwind with dry hydrotherapy, to bask in a full-spectrum infrared sauna and more.

Noon

Early Evening

For a romantic dinner, visit Casa-Mia Lounge and Restaurant in Naplate and order from their menu of seafood, steak and Italian cuisine. If you’re in the mood for a casual meal, sample the region’s top-voted pizza in the stained glass-decorated dining room of Bianchi’s Pizza. (Diners should note that Bianchi’s is a cash-only establishment.)

Early Afternoon

Evening

Spend the night at one of the Kishauwau Cabins. The rustic lodgings pride themselves on being a destination for romantic getaways and solitude. Wrap up in a quilt or knitted blanket and settle in for a cozy winter evening in front of a wood-burning stove or gas fireplace.

Morning

Afternoon

Early Evening

Evening

ATURDAY Experience the sylvan aesthetic of Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant for breakfast. The wood walls, ceiling and floor give diners the sense of settling in for a meal at a remote cabin. The dining room windows offer views of the park and lodge grounds.

SUNDAY Mid Morning

Explore the winter wonderland of Starved Rock State Park. Dress for the weather and hit the trails to view frozen waterfalls and animal tracks along snowy trails. Read about winter hiking tips on p. 12. After working up an appetite with a morning hike, cross the Route 178 bridge over the Illinois River and visit downtown Utica for lunch. Skoog’s Pub & Grill was voted the region’s favorite destination for lunch as well as serving the topvoted burger. After lunch, visit the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center & Illinois Made Gift Shoppe for souvenirs and regional guidebooks. Also stop at August Hill Winery’s wine shop and tasting room to sample local wine and buy a bottle to take home.

Swimsuits aren’t just for summer. Visit the indoor waterpark at Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock – guests can either buy a day pass or opt to book a room, which includes access to the waterpark.

Head to Ottawa to find out why B.A.S.H. (Burger And Sushi House) wins the double crown for the region’s favorite dinner and cocktails. Try one of the gourmet burgers or treat yourself to sushi while you enjoy mixed drinks from the full bar.

Not ready to call it a night after dinner? Enjoy a taste of nightlife at CatsEye Wine Bar in Ottawa where guests can order wine and cocktails while listening to live music.

Early Afternoon

After a busy Saturday, sleep in a little, then head to Ottawa to try the popular Sunday brunch buffet at Hank’s Farm Restaurant. The building is a former dairy barn that was converted into a restaurant. The grounds include a pond and gazebo, and in good weather fowl (including peacocks) roam the property.

Make a stop at Prairie Fox Books in downtown Ottawa to find fresh readeing material and gifts (see p. 49 for the latest book recommendations from the store's staff). After book-buying, walk less than a block north to Jeremiah Joe Coffee, where you can relax and read on one of the shop's couches or upholstered chairs. Baristas serve a variety of blends (including a seasonal Christmas blend with a sweet, tart, cocoa flavor profile). Before heading home, cross the street to grab lunch at The Lone Buffalo and sample true farm-to-foam craft beers at its companion brewery, Tangled Roots Brewing Co. Barley and hops used in the brews are grown locally in Ottawa.

l l e T d n a w o Sh

Are you spending a weekend in Starved Rock Country this winter? We want to know about your adventures! Use the hashtag #StarvedRockCountry on social media.

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 17

LIVE THE HARBOR L I F E

| Mu s t See |

STARVED ROCK CO

Starved Rock Country is home to some of the state's premier entertainment, dining, shopping and destinations. In the 2023 Starved Rock Country's Finest Awards, visitors voted for the top events, activities, restaurants, businesses and service providers the region has to offer. When planning a trip to Starved Rock Country, this tourist-approved list can be your guide.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EVENT/ FESTIVAL

Burgoo Festival (Utica) z Chris Kringle Market (Ottawa) Ottawa 2 Rivers Wine Fest (Ottawa)

GOLF COURSE

Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club (La Salle) z Deer Park Golf Club (Oglesby) Prairie Lakes Country Club & Inn (Marseilles)

LIVE MUSIC

The Sandbar at Heritage Harbor z Starved Rock Lodge Dockside Bar and Grill (Ottawa)

THEATER

Stage 212 (La Salle) z Engle Lane Theatre (Streator)

20 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

DINING BEER

Tangled Roots Brewing Co. (Ottawa) z Lodi Tap House (Utica) Ginger Road Brewing Company (Utica)

BREAKFAST

Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant z Hank’s Farm Restaurant (Ottawa) The New Chalet Restaurant (Ottawa)

BURGER

Skoog’s Pub & Grill (Utica) z B.A.S.H. Burger And Sushi House (Ottawa) Lodi Tap House (Utica)

COCKTAILS

B.A.S.H. Burger And Sushi House z (Ottawa) Red Dog Grill at Heritage Harbor Star Union Spirits (Peru) Uptown Grill (La Salle)

COFFEE

Jeremiah Joe Coffee (Ottawa) z More On Main (Streator) Bean Box Espresso (La Salle)

DINNER

B.A.S.H. Burger And Sushi House z (Ottawa) Hank’s Farm Restaurant (Ottawa) Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant Wedron Office (Wedron)

FRIED CHICKEN

Rip’s Tavern (Ladd) z Hank’s Farm Restaurant (Ottawa) Anne’s Hideaway (Naplate)

ICE CREAM

Bruce and Ollie's (Utica) z Tone's Cones (Ottawa) Johnny’s Ice Cream (Marseilles) Starved Rock Lodge Cafe

KID’S MENU

The Dog House (La Salle) z Hank’s Farm Restaurant (Ottawa) Lodi Tap House (Utica) Skoog’s Pub & Grill (Utica)

LUNCH

Skoog’s Pub & Grill (Utica) z Lodi Tap House (Utica) Red Dog Grill at Heritage Harbor The Lone Buffalo (Ottawa)

PIZZA

Bianchi’s Pizza (Ottawa) z Sam’s Pizza (Oglesby) Lou’s LaGrotto (Peru)

ROMANTIC DINNER

Casa-Mia Lounge & Restaurant z (Ottawa) Monte’s Riverside Inn (Ottawa) Uptown Grill (La Salle)

WINE

August Hill Winery (Utica) z CatsEye Wine Bar (Ottawa) Lodi Tap House (Utica)

OUNTRY'S FINEST

FAVORITE PLACES TO GO

PERSONAL SERVICES

RETAIL / SHOPPING

ADVENTURE

BEAUTY SALON

GIFT SHOP

Sainte Genevieve Riverboat (Ottawa) z Vermillion River Rafting (Oglesby) ZipChicago/The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park (Marseilles)

CAMPING

Starved Rock Campground z Kayak Starved Rock Campground Getaway Starved Rock Cabins

Ambrosis Salon (Ottawa) z Studio 718 Hair Salon (La Salle) Blunt Hair Lounge (Ottawa)

SPA/MASSAGE

SaltTree Yoga (Ottawa) z Unwind At Westclox (Peru) Balanced Spirit Wellness Center (Streator)

FAMILY ADVENTURE

Staved Rock Lodge River Cruise z Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Heritage Harbor

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

HIKING

Petals By Peyton (La Salle) z Blythe Flowers (Ottawa) TPM Stems (La Salle)

Starved Rock State Park z Matthiessen State Park Buffalo Rock State Park

LODGING

Kishauwau Cabins z Starved Rock Lodge Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

FLORIST

PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY

Matthew Klein Films z Lex Poulakos: Photographer Annette Barr Photography Studio

Starved Rock Hot Glass (Ottawa) z Starved Rock Lodge Heartland By Hand (Ottawa) Lady Di’s (Ottawa)

JEWELRY

VanDuzer Jewelers z (Ottawa/Streator) Sasso Jewelry & Gifts (La Salle) The Rock and Soul (Utica)

MEN’S STORE

Bell's Clothing Store (Ottawa) z That Guy’s Secret (La Salle) Vlastnik’s Menswear (Peru)

WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

Iconic Boutique (La Salle) z Weeta’s Boutique (Ottawa) A Mess Of Things (Ottawa) B Dominique Boutique (Ottawa) Kelley Cawley (La Salle) T’s Midwest Boutique (Utica)

WATER SPORTS

Heritage Harbor Boat Rentals z Kayak Starved Rock Vermillion River Rafting z Indicates the top-voted attraction and/or destination in each category. Additional businesses listed in each category were voted more of the finest the region has to offer. Photos by Scott Anderson and Ryan Searl.

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 21

Eagle

WATCH SEE RAPTORS UP CLOSE AT ANNUAL JANUARY EVENT By Ali Braboy • Photos by Tom Sistak

he cold, leafless days of January are a prime time to view one of Starved Rock Country’s most celebrated sights: the majestic bald eagle. Since 1998, visitors to Starved Rock State Park and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center have been captivated by Eagle Watch Weekend, which is an opportunity to learn about and view eagles and other raptors that soar in the region’s skies.

celebrate the

season in

Ottawa, Ottawa, Illinois! Illinois! Friday, November 24th @ 6:00pm! Every weekend from Nov 24th through Dec 17th!

22 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

“Eagle Watch Weekend is a great way to get outside during those dreary winter days and experience the beauty of nature and the wildlife that thrive in our area,” said Lisa Sons, natural resources coordinator with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. “Bald eagles tend to gather along the locks and dams where the water hasn’t frozen over. It provides easy fishing for eagles. The tall cottonwoods and white pines along the river and bluffs at Starved Rock State Park provide perches for these large birds of prey and perfect viewing for our visitors at Eagle Watch Weekend.” Don Goerne remembers when the eagles were sparse. Goerne serves as the vice president of the Starved Rock Audubon Society, which has been a part of Eagle Watch Weekend since the beginning. He remembers the return of the eagles in 1997 involved

a gradual process of many agencies working together, such as conservation groups, the U.S. EPA, Illinois EPA and IDNR, as well as legislation like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act and a ban on using the insecticide DDT. Before 1997, Goerne said the Audubon Society had not seen high numbers of eagles in the Illinois River Valley. “We took a chance and thought, ‘They’ll be back next year, right? So let's start eagle weekend,’ and that’s what we did. It took the whole year to plan it,” he said. The colder the weather, the better the eagle viewing, he said, adding that’s why the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is an ideal location. Large windows look onto the Illinois River and Starved Rock Lock and Dam where visitors can view eagles from indoors. For years, the Illinois Audubon Society has been a supporter of eagles, especially

in 2004 when it acquired Plum Island on the Illinois River. The 45-acre island has been transformed into an eagle sanctuary. The 2024 Eagle Watch Weekend is 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. The program is available at no cost to participants, and programs are tailored for all ages at Starved Rock Lodge, Starved Rock State Park and Visitor Center and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center.   Saturday activities include guided eagle-viewing hikes in Starved Rock State Park and live birds of prey programs at all three locations. Sunday activities include children's programming and photography workshops at all three locations. The Illinois Raptor Center will host bird of prey meet and greets in the Utica Village Hall gymnasium, where guests can get up close to a live raptor and have a photo opportunity. Register in advance online.

EAGLE WATCH WEEKEND Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 28, at Starved Rock State Park and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. More information on p. 24.

To help preserve eagles and their habitats, hunters can invest in non-toxic bullets that don’t use lead, Sons said. Lead is one of the leading causes of poisoning and death in eagles because 90% of their diet is fish, and lead can make its way through the food chain in rivers and lakes where eagles hunt, she said. Visitors should respect the space and nesting areas of eagles, which mate for life and return to the same nest each year. Guests also should practice “leave no trace” principles and keep wildlife habitats, nesting areas, rivers, lakes and the environment clean, Sons said. For a list of activities, locations and times, visit www.starvedrocklodge.com/ event/eagle-watch-weekend2/2024-01-27. CSR

Uncork A Great Time At Clarks Run Wine & Beer Tasting Room, Live Music. Now Serving You At 2 Locations!

Clarks Run Antiques

Check Facebook for Music Schedule

215 N. Division St., Utica • 815.667.7190 2 Quality unique crafts, antiques, and gifts. TASTING ROOM & OUTDOOR PATIO Enjoy our wonderful wine and beer selection. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm, Closed Mon

Clarks Run Creek Wine & Gifts 143 Mill St., Utica • 815.691.8049

Gaming .Available!

Utica’s Best Kept Secret Gifts & Wine, Bourbon, and Specialty Drinks Rent our upstairs room for special events. Bachelorette Parties, Birthdays, or Showers Mon, Wed, & Thurs 12-7pm, Fri & Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm, Closed Tues

For Upcoming Events and Live Entertainment Schedule, like both locations on Facebook! Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 23

Eagle Watch Weekend

OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY

Rip s Tavern

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

FRIDAY 11:30 - 2:00 SATURDAY 11:00 - 2:00 SUNDAY 11:00 - 1:00

VIEW OUR MENU AT RIPSCHICKEN.COM

SM-CL2115243

SERVING LUNCH

311 N. MAIN AVE. LADD, IL | 815.894.3051

Try Our Frappes! Mocha, Oreo and Carmel

2139 N. Main St.

Princeton SM-LA2115241

800 W. Dakota St.

Spring Valley

1503 13th Avenue 2701 12th St

Mendota

Now Hiring Full and Part Time / EOE Locally owned/operated by Paul & Mary Breznay

Join us Saturday, December 2nd for City of Peru’s Christmas Celebration! Lighted Parade 5 p.m. Parade starts at Centennial Park with Holiday events to follow. Check our Facebook page, City of Peru, Illinois Parks and Recreation, soon for a listing of events!

n All Eagle Watch Weekend activities are free. Some programs may require advance registration. Guests can register online at Starved Rock Eventbrite for the children’s programs and eagle-viewing guided hikes. Those interested in reserving tickets for bird of prey meet and greets can register at Zeffy.com under Illinois Raptor Center. n A “build a bald eagle” craft project and story time will be hosted for children at each location on Sunday. Each location also will have a chance to meet various life-sized eagle mascots, including Sadie the Starved Rock Eagle at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. n Anywhere from several hundred to more than 1,000 visitors may attend. The event varies each year depending on the weather. n Some of the program sites will have binoculars available for checkout and viewing assistance with spotting scopes. Guests are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. n Visitors should dress for the weather and trails. Trails at Starved Rock State Park are not shoveled or salted except for areas around buildings such as sidewalks, building stairs and parking lots. Traction devices for shoes are recommended. n Eagle viewing will take place on the platform deck behind the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and is located outside along the river. n Eagle-viewing guided hikes at Starved Rock Visitor Center will travel along the trail to Starved Rock, which is a 0.6-mile roundtrip and will include two staircases. n The Stillman Nature Center and the Illinois Raptor Center work with raptors and their conservation. Donations to either of these facilities go toward the care and wellbeing of birds in the education programs. Donations to Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend help the festival in continuing to offer free programming to youths and adults. It is one of Illinois' oldest and largest free, family-friendly conservation education events.

Brought to you by CITY OF PERU and the PERU RECREATION BOARD www.peru.il.us

24 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Facts were provided by Lisa Sons, natural resources coordinator with the IDNR at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks; Julie McDonald, park ranger with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center; Kathy Casstevens, marketing director at Starved Rock Lodge; and Jane Seitz, executive director at Illinois Raptor Center.

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 25

Meadows Home Decor & Gifts

r e t n i W land r e d n o W SHOPPING in a

Deja Vu

Once Upon A Craft

Transform your home for the season with these decor & gift stores Photos by Julie Barichello and courtesy of Apple Butter & Shugie's, Deja Vu, Old Glory, Once Upon A Craft and The Thoughtful Spot

Old Glory

Bring the magic and splendor of winter inside your home with expertly curated decor from some of Starved Rock Country's favorite shops. From colorful holiday displays to elegant seasonal arrangements, these destination stores are a sight to behold through Christmastime and well beyond. Deja Vu

Apple Butter & Shugie's

26 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Old Glory

Apple butter & Shugie's

deja vu

Old Glory

Once Upon a Craft

309 N. Liberty St., Morris www.applebutterandshugies.com 815-942-5093 Owners Jane and Stu Kerr explain to shoppers that they are close, personal friends of Santa Claus. That's why their store has certified Santa invitations allowing children to bring their family elf to the shop for the annual Elf on the Shelf Party (planned Dec. 9-10 this year). Santa gives special permission to children to handle and play with their elves during the popular seasonal event. Families also have the opportunity to meet a life-sized elf. Beyond the party, Apple Butter & Shugie's is home to an extensive collection of gifts, toys, holiday treats and seasonal decor. The novelty shop carries products for people of all ages.

4425 Progress Blvd., Peru www.facebook.com/oldgloryperu 815-224-3524 Old Glory is a floor-to-ceiling visual experience. From floor displays to tabletop vignettes to life-sized decor in the ceiling framework, the season is in sight no matter where the eye wanders. The store carries a vast selection of vintage-style figurines, ornaments, decorations, floral arrangements, gifts and more. Whether a person enters as a shopper, browser or just a sightseer, owner Beth Burr invites guests to explore her store in the Progress Village strip mall. Progress Village's facades are reminiscent of early 1900s storefronts with vintage-style streetlamps in the parking lot. Old Glory was the top vote-getter for home decor and gifts in the 2023 Best of North Central Illinois Ballot.

716 La Salle St., Ottawa www.facebook.com/ottawa.dejavu 815-434-2836 Deja Vu is a local legend for its transformation to a Narnia-like wonderland. The shop closes for three weeks at the end of October to transition its seasonal inventory and create an elaborate indoor wintertime experience. Shoppers will find an array of nature-inspired decor as well as furnishings and gifts with classic, vintage and elegant aesthetics. The shop reopens for the season from 4-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, for the holiday open house. The open house continues Nov. 11-12. Holiday hours for the shop are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday leading up to Christmas.

518 S. Main St., Princeton www.onceuponacraft.org www.facebook.com/OnceUponACraftByAsh Those who seek a modern aesthetic with a personal touch can browse the shelves at Once Upon A Craft, which specializes in hand-painted signs and crafty home decor. Owner Ashlee Decker creates word art signs (including porch signs, wall art and hangings for doors) as well as handmade and custom ornaments. The downtown Princeton shop also carries decor with rustic, down-to-earth appeal. A holiday open house is planned Saturday, Nov. 4. Follow Once Upon A Craft on Facebook for updates about scheduled paint parties and toddler time activities, in which adults and children can sign up to work on crafts in the shop's paint studio. Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 27

Meadows Home Decor & Gifts

501 S. Main St., Princeton www.meadowshomedecor.com 815-872-2811 "It's not just a shop, it's an experience," says the slogan on Meadows' website. Shoppers can step inside the downtown store to browse color-coordinated displays that match any home's aesthetic. Inventory highlights include handmade Byers' Choice Carolers figurines; 1803 Candles manufactured in Waterman, Illinois; Wind & Willow dip mix packets; Nora Fleming pottery; and custom florals, among a variety of other products. The shop closes Nov. 12-16 to complete its seasonal transformation and will reopen for a three-day holiday open house 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19.

The thoughtful spot

112 W. Washington St., Morris The Thoughtful Spot on Facebook 815-941-0429 The Thoughtful Spot curates a collection of stunning colors and textures for seasonal home decor. The shop covers the spectrum for interior embellishment – view elegant winter arrangments and vignette displays incorporating silver, gold and white as well as vibrant holiday displays full of classic and nostalgic home accessories. Follow The Thoughtful Spot on Facebook for updates about its annual Holiday Extraordinaire in mid-November.

Private, Gated, Recreational Camping Resort | Sublette, IL

GIVE US A CALL OR VISIT AT WOODHAVENASSOCIATION.COM | 815-849-5209 28 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Matthew Klein Photography

TO The

Starved Rock State Park Whether you’re spotting eagles in Starved Rock State Park, shopping in our historic downtowns, or sipping locally-made wine and spirits, find your fun in LaSalle County this winter!

FlockToTheRock.com

Scan to join the Winter Challenge and win a free gift! Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 29

M-CL2114042

Downtown Ottawa Come Spend The Day With Us! Whether you are visiting the beautiful area of Starved Rock Country or live in our local communities we invite you to stop and spend the day in downtown Ottawa. A town lined with boutique shops and modern eateries.

Welcome to Ottawa, the middle of everything!

Saint Genieve Gift cards make great holiday gifts! 2114147 - Booked PUBLIC CRUISES WEDDINGS CORPORATE EVENTS HOLIDAY PARTIES BAR & CATERING PACKAGES 815-200-4781 | STEGENRIVERBOAT.COM hello@stegenevieveriverboat.com

30 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

JOBST MONUMENTS & GIFTS

Shop Small! Open Small Business Saturday 10-6!

UNIQUE INDOOR & OUTDOOR GIFTS Open Mon. - Fri. 10:30AM to 5PM Sat. 10:30AM to 3PM

unwrap RPS TOYS the magic of Christmas! 2114047 - Booked

402 W. M ain Street • Ottaw a Across from Knights of Columbus 815-433-0310

OTTAWA’S B E ST KE PT SE C R E T

SM-CL2114151

LaSalle County’s Favorite Independent Bookstore

baby • books • crafts • educational • dog toys Tonies • imaginative play • plush • games puzzles • and much more!

820 LaSalle St., Ottawa, IL 61350 | online: rps.toys

Let us cook your

holiday feast! •Catering Available • Party Trays Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. SM-CL2114142

719 LaSalle Street, Ottawa (815) 433-7323 prairiefoxbooks@gmail.com

1219 Fulton St. • Ottawa • 815-433-0478 HOURS: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm

Relaxation and Wellness in the Heart of Starved Rock Country

Van Duzer 2114150 - Proofed Out

FOR JEWELRY THAT CAPTURES THE SEASON’S SPIRIT 615 LaSalle St. • Ottawa 815-433-5683 310 E. Main St. • Streator 815-672-2614 www.vanduzerjewelers.com

Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

Dry Hydrotherapy

Ionic Foot Detox

Migun Massage Bed

Whether you live in Starved Rock Country or are here for a visit, remember to take time to hike, go eagle watching, find an adventure, or just RELAX! A visit to SaltTreeYoga will provide you with the relaxation and harmony you need to balance your life.

Try a YOGA CLASS and SHOP in our unique gift shop before or after you relax! 310 ½ W. Main St. Ottawa, IL • 815.343.2751 SaltTreeYoga.com SM-CL2114687

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 31

INTERNATIONAL

EATS Dine around the globe without even crossing the state border. Starved Rock Country is full of ethnic cuisine and international flavors – here is a sampling of popular dining destinations.

| Dining & Drink s |

Compiled by Starved Rock Country Magazine staff

ITALIAN

INIGA PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA 215 W. Jefferson St., Ottawa 815-324-9229 | www.inigapizzeria.com

This downtown Ottawa restaurant serves Neapolitan pizza, a style that originated in the Italian city of Naples. The pizzeria is home to a 6,600-pound wood-burning oven that was built in Italy and sits in view of the dining room. Iniga’s pizzas feature fresh ingredients on handmade dough. From charcuterie-style appetizers to cocktails to dessert, the menu offers a comprehensive dining experience. VERUCCHI’S RISTORANTE 600 N. Greenwood St., Spring Valley 815-663-6431 | www.verucchis.com

Verucchi’s is a landmark on the local dining scene. Founded in 1914 by Battista and Elizabeth Verucchi, the restaurant serves classic food from their homeland of northern Italy, including polenta, tortellini, lasagna and other pastas. In addition to its Italian specialties, Verucchi’s offers American staples and also is renowned for its fried chicken.

32 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

CENTRAL EUROPEAN

JAPANESE

Owner Toni Pettit serves traditional Slovenian and Croatian recipes her parents carried to the United States when they fled a Yugoslavian dictatorship in the 1950s. The cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch, also offers dishes with an American twist to appeal to a variety of palates. The restaurant’s name was inspired by Pettit’s mother, who gave the daily Slovenian greeting of, “Dobro jutro dober dan, vsako jutro vsaki dan,” which translates to “Good morning good day, every morning every day.”

B.A.S.H. is an Asian fusion restaurant known for its innovative half burger, half sushi menu, which appeals to a mixed group of diners who crave multiple options. The restaurant also serves gourmet mac ‘n’ cheese, including a build-yourown option. The full bar is known for its cocktails.

GOOD MORNING GOOD DAY CAFE 417 E. Main St., Streator 815-510-9603 www.facebook.com/GoodMorningAndDay

FLO’S ON PULASKI 1309 Pulaski St., Peru 815-223-9791 www.facebook.com/flosonpulaskiinc

Although the majority of Flo’s menu is American fare, the restaurant is known for hosting a Polish Night on the third Saturday of each month. The monthly special features kielbasa, pierogies, potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, haluski and sauerkraut.

B.A.S.H. (BURGER AND SUSHI HOUSE) 1012 La Salle St., Ottawa 815-434-2274 www.burgerandsushihouse.com

KOI SUSHI & HIBACHI 1519 Water St., Peru 815-250-0907 www.koisushi1519.com

Koi Sushi & Hibachi doubles as a casual dinner location or a special occasion destination in an intimate dining room. With an expansive menu of sushi, sashimi, rolls, ramen, udon, poke and hibachi, Koi is among the region’s top-rated Japanese restaurants. Cocktails also are available.

BUILD IT ONCE  BUILD BUILD IT RIGHT IT ONCE  BUILD IT RIGHT along Peru’s historic riverfront. Maze Lumber has been BUILD IT RIGHT Illinois’ longest operating lumberyard continues to thrive providing top quality building materials to Illinois Valley contractors and homeowners for 175 years, still owned by the founding fathers (Maze).

Located in a 15,000-square foot showroom and office, we offer building materials for the modern home as well as a full line of the traditional lumber items used in home building, commercial FLOORING DOORS construction, INTERIOR and industrial applications. Our experienced sales staff takes pride in their ability to provide knowledgeable assistance along with prompt 1848-2023 delivery at reasonable prices.

FIREPLACES

DECKING & FLOORING

INTERIOR DOORS

BATHROOMS

EXTERIOR DOORS

CABINETRY & COUNTERTOPS

WINDOWS

STONE, SIDING & ROOFING

KITCHENS

DOORS

ROOFING

CABINETRY & COUNTERTOPS

mazelumber.com KITCHENS

Water Street, Peru | 815-223-1742 er.com

| 815 -223 -1742

SM-LA2114225

mazelumber.com Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 33

serves familiar Chinese fare (such as sweet and sour chicken, General Tso's chicken, Mongolian beef, orange chicken, etc.), plus a selection of Japansese favorites like sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, tempura, hibachi and bento boxes. ORIENTAL GARDEN RESTAURANT 428 S. Main St., Princeton 815-875-2560 www.orientalgarden428.com SAKI SUSHI & HIBACHI 306 Liberty St., Morris 815-513-5229

Saki Sushi & Hibachi opened in December 2022 and has grown into a popular lunch and dinner destination in its inaugural year. The downtown restaurant serves a variety of sushi and hibachi entrees, including cooked or raw roll options, yakisoba and a children's menu. Regular diners give high praise to the flavor and prices.

CHINESE

BEIJING GARDEN 116 N. Bloomington St., Streator 815-822-9087 www.beijinggardenil.com

Beijing Garden offers a blend of both Chinese and Japanese favorites. The downtown Streator restaurant

Oriental Garden Restaurant serves favorite Chinese dishes as well as special entrees and family platters in a comfortable dining room. The downtown restaurant is close to shopping destinations and attractions such as the Apollo Theatre and Coal Creek Brewing Company.

THAI

THAI CAFE 610 Columbus St., Ottawa 815-431-8090 www.thaicafe-ottawail.weebly.com

Downtown Ottawa’s Thai Cafe serves a variety of authentic dishes passed down in the owner’s family and brought from Thailand to Illinois. The familyowned restaurant is a popular destination for both carryout cuisine and dining in. The dine-in experience allows guests time to relax in a cozy space with large windows that look onto downtown Ottawa.

MEXICAN

TAMALERIA ROSY 210 E. Saint Paul St., Spring Valley 815-995-3690

Tamaleria Rosy's menu is tightly edited, and it excels in its dishes. The restaurant's offerings are housemande by a mother-and-daughters team, including their homemade, hand-pressed tortillas. The star of the menu – and the house specialty – are the tamales. Choose from five tamale recipes: chicken or pork in red sauce, chicken or pork in green sauce, jalapeño and cheese, beans and cheese or a sweet option of strawberry and pineapple. JALAPEÑOS 4387 Venture Dr., Peru 815-220-1638 www.jalapenosperu.com

Owner Enrique Delgado takes inspiration for his Mexican cuisine from his parents, who still live in Mexico. This local favorite, which opened in March 2003, celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2023. The extensive menu (up to 12 pages!) features traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex favorites as well as a variety of cocktails, desserts and a children's menu. The restaurant takes pride in chopping all vegetables fresh daily to use in its recipes.

Come Visit Us!

4387 Venture Dr, Peru • (815) 220-1638 • jalapenosperu.com 34 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 35

Artist

| Arts & Entertainment |

SPOTLIGHT

FRANK KOBILSEK 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.

ake and be happy.” Frank Kobilsek lives by those words. Call it a slogan, or a mantra, or a philosophy, or an artist statement. In reality, it’s all of the above – it’s the way Kobilsek approaches life and his woodworking career. “Every maker needs to create to be the best version of themselves,” Kobilsek said. The final product isn’t the singular goal of creating. Kobilsek believes the act of making, in and of itself, is important for selfimprovement and self-fulfillment. “It doesn’t matter what the maker makes or if it is even well made; it’s important to the maker that the action was taken,” he said. Kobilsek makes art using his preferred medium: wood. He began as a traditional woodturner, crafting bowls, platters and what he calls “the world’s most interesting bottle opener and wine bottle stoppers.” Over time, his projects expanded to include both functional and artistic pieces. “Wood is a medium that offers many potential opportunities, from beautifully useful to artfully expressive,” he said. His career hasn’t always been devoted to woodworking. Kobilsek was trained in manufacturing technology and worked

36 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

in industrial sales and fundraising before committing to wood artistry full time in 2021. In the years prior, Kobilsek practiced woodworking as a hobby. Early projects included sign carving and crafting fancy boxes – projects that lasted weeks or even months. When he began practicing woodturning on a lathe, he could create a project such as a bowl start-to-finish in an afternoon. In 2019, Kobilsek wanted to broaden his craft to include wooden wall art, so he attended a woodturning class led by pioneering wood sculptor Merryll Saylan at the Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia. “Having been fascinated with her work, I was excited to share a few pictures and discuss my ideas,” Kobilsek said. Many of his classmates were beginners at woodturning and required much of Saylan’s attention. Kobilsek began coaching fellow students in woodturning basics throughout the morning session; by lunchtime, Saylan had noticed his skill and thanked him. Then she questioned why a skilled woodworker was enrolled in her course. “I told her I wanted to talk about my wall art ideas and share pictures of my work and get some feedback,” Kobilsek said. “She looked at my pictures and again said, ‘Why are you here?’ I took this encounter

as validation – and almost permission – to pursue the wall art tangent I was on.” Much of the inspiration for Kobilsek’s wooden wall art comes from a small source: jewelry. “Seeing a unique earring or pendant can send me to the studio to recreate the design 20 or 30 times larger than the original in wood,” he said. Finished pieces can range in size from 9 to 36 inches in diameter. “As a nod to the piece’s origin, I will occasionally set semi-precious stones in my wall art pieces.” The first jewelry-inspired piece Kobilsek created was a sundial design first crafted in sterling silver by jeweler Arica DeArcos, a friend of Kobilsek. The design continues to be one of his favorites and is one of his most popular among buyers. His work is frequently featured at juried art shows – he attended 15 art shows across four states in 2023 – and occasionally exhibited at Starved Rock Country art galleries. Despite the pride and satisfaction found in art show awards and individual sales, the root of Kobilsek’s happiness remains in the act of making. “I encourage folks to make what makes them happy,” he said. “Make bread, make music, make beer, make pictures, make song, make sawdust, make art, make a smile.” In other words: “Make and be happy.” CSR

Photos by Shanna Dugan and Frank Kobilsek

DETAILS OF FRANK KOBILSEK’S WOODWORK To view more of Frank Kobilsek's art or to inquire about commissions, follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/frank.kobilsek. 1. Can’t Try Can’t: 19 5/16 x 9 11/16 x 1 3/4, basswood/milk paint, $228 2. Group of carved and painted bowls 3. Alton: 20x10, basswood/hybrid insert (resin and burl maple), $200 4. Purposeful: 14 5/16 diameter, cherry/walnut flame figure, $212 5. Soylant: 13 5/8 diameter, cherry/hybrid insert (resin and walnut), $192 6. Montana (inset shows detail): 81/2 x 8 5/8, basswood/maple/manufactured stones/milk paint, $255 ABOUT THE ARTIST Frank and his wife Anita live in rural Peterstown, south of Mendota. Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing technology from Bradley University and an MBA from Lewis University. He worked in industrial sales and later fundraising before leaving traditional employment in 2021 to pursue his wood art.

7. Charcuterie boards, bowls, bottle openers and stoppers: $26 to $180 8. Banish: 18 3/4 X 13 3/4 x 1 1/2, basswood/ cherry/milk paint, $255 9. Bottle openers: $28 Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 37

Welcome To

Streator

Bromley & Brown 2114688

Her perfect gift is here.

Bromley & Brown B

308 E. Main St. • Streator 815.672.4772 Open Tuesday - Saturday

Three Wishes 2115035

inspiring home decor, gifts and more for you and your littles

317 E. Main St. • Streator. • 815.822.8913

38 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Refurbished treasures 2114690 Stop In and wander throughout our artisian boutique that offers beautiful home decor, seasonal decor, trendy gifts, artisian soap and bath bombs, furniture, and custom furniture artistry is offered by appointment.

Proud Elite retailer of: • Dixie Belle Paint • Day Dream Apothecary Paint • Re Design with prima transfers • Retique It Liquid Wood.

Refurbished Treasures 306 E Main St. Streator 815-674-5540 RefurbishedTreasures.Boutique

Explore Experience Enjoy Streator Cute boutiques and specialty shops along with great eateries. Come spend the day.

JUMBO PORK TENDERLOINS

3rd street 2114694 • Salads • Sandwiches • Appetizers & Sides

ASK ABOUT

OUR DAILY SPECIALS!

5 MATCH PLAY

Must be 21 to gamble. One coupon per customer daily. Expires 12/31/23

105 ARMORY CT STREATOR 815-674-2500

BEEF TURKEY SHARK VENISON SALMON PYTHON ELK RABBIT CAMEL GATOR

PRIVATE GAMING AREA

ALWAYS MADE FRESH CONVENIENT DRIVE THRU

3 Cafe rd Street

SM-CL2114694

Come visit us at our 2 locations

PLAY HERE. WIN BIG.

1610 N. Bloomington St., Streator 815-672-0033 Open Mon. - Sat. 11am to. 8pm

3rdstreetcafestreator.com

A Neighborhood Favorite

Go Where the Locals Go To Eat

country cupboard 2114155

HOUSE OF JERKY BUFFALO 2114715 723 S CLARK ST UTICA OSTRICH 779-237-6063

SM-CL2114715

Authorized Retailer of

streatorhouseofjerky.com

LAMB WILD BOAR DUCK SWORDFISH TROUT KANGAROO HOT SAUCE RUBS CAT TREATS DOG TREATS

Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

| Breakfast Served All Day | Daily Specials | Delicious Soups | Homemade Desserts

The Country Cupboard 124 S. Vermillion Street | Streator | 815.672.5885 Carryouts and Delivery Available Open 7 Days A Week | Mon - Fri 6am to 3pm | Sat & Sun 6am to 2pm

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 39

| cal en dar |

Mark your calendar for holiday shopping events an d light displays aroun d Starved Rock Country!

November 2023 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

Happy Día de los Muertos and All Saints Day!

Celebrate our nation's veterans at the 15th annual Veterans Parade and Air Show in Utica. Activities commence at noon.

Sample wine and appetizers while viewing (and buying) art during the 8th annual Wine & Art Walk in Ottawa. Register at IVCC Ottawa Center.

Gather a few friends and exercise creativity at Open Space Art Gallery's wood burning workshop.

Catch a stage production of "Little Shop of Horrors" at Stage 212 in La Salle.

In honor of Veterans Day: Thank you to all of the veterans who have served in the nation's armed forces.

Find holiday gifts and decor during the three-day Christmas Walk shopping event in Princeton.

Shop at a German Christmas Market (Christkindlmarket) at Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton.

Stop at Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa to expand your winter reading collection. Check out the staff's top recommendations on p. 49.

Today is Pumpkin Pie Day! Stop by one of the region's bakeries to indulge in a slice of pie.

Joanne O'Brien, a tribute artist for Karen Carpenter, performs at 7 p.m. in Ottawa. For information, visit www.ottawaconcert association.com.

40 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

29 Feeling festive? Take a drive-thru tour of the Celebration of Lights, a massive glowing holiday display at Rotary Park in La Salle (display open Nov. 10-Jan. 1.)

SAT

PRINCETON CHRISTMAS WALK

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate holiday! Skip the cooking and enjoy a meal at Starved Rock Lodge's Thanksgiving buffet. Reservations required.

Kick off your holiday shopping at opening night of Ottawa's Chris Kringle Market, open Friday-Sunday from Nov. 24-Dec. 17.

kicks 25 Utica off its two-

day Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Village celebration. Be dazzled by the holiday light display at Streator City Park at 6:30 p.m.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN MORRIS

‘A MAGICAL

Hallmark Experience

’

Discover the charm of a small-town Christmas at Home for the Holidays By Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Sarah R Peterson Photography

ome for the Holidays started more than 40 years ago with a single activity in Morris – it has since grown into a two-month-long destination to celebrate Christmas. The festival began with House Walk for Charity with the purpose to encourage people to shop local the weekend after Thanksgiving, when shoppers traditionally visit big box stores or buy online. “We wanted to give them a reason to see what their local community had to offer and try to capture some of those sales tax dollars here so they can be reinvested,” said Julie Wilkinson, business development director for the city of Morris. House Walk for Charity has grown into a three-day endeavor followed by weekend Santa visits and stores hosting holiday open houses through November

and December, among other events. This year’s Home for the Holidays main event kicks off the season Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26. This is the second year the city of Morris is the event host. The city solicits sponsors to offer events for free to the community and guests.

HOUSE WALK FOR CHARITY House Walk for Charity is a decadeslong tradition in Morris in which people open up their decorated homes for the holidays. In the last few years, businesses and other properties have been added and well received. Each property this year is quite different, Wilkinson said. One is a historic Morris home bought a few years ago by a couple with a heart for restoration and history. “They’ve woven in a lot of the home’s

history as well as modernized some of the features of the house,” Wilkinson said. “We’re really happy to have that one.” A unique apartment inside an old Masonic Temple also will be part of the walk. “The apartment covers part of three stories with incredible views of downtown, beautiful stained glass, just a lot of really unique features, so we think people will really like that one,” she said. She noted the apartment is not wheelchair accessible. Green Acres south of Morris is another stop. In the summer, locals and tourists visit the farm for its beautiful sunflower fields, and it is the site of many weddings, benefits and fundraisers, Wilkinson said. “It’s a beautiful family farm they are opening for the first time in the winter, and they've got some really neat features I think people will appreciate. Lots of floral design and greenery,” she said, adding Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 41

there will be photo opportunities. People also will have the opportunity to visit Morris City Hall, which was built in 2010. Wilkinson said many people have expressed an interest in seeing inside City Hall. It will be decorated for Christmas by a group of volunteers. Tea, cookies and coffee will be provided by downtown businesses with the purchase of a ticket. Tickets can be bought for a $20 donation, which goes toward the Morris Retail Association. The association distributes two $1,000 scholarships for Morris High School students who exhibit strong community service. A donation also is made to a local charity. Remaining funds are used to partner with the city to beautify the downtown. The ticket also includes a 25% off coupon for Downtown Morris Retail Association stores and an entry to win a grand prize for a gift certificate to shop at any downtown store. “The tradition is always that people view these homes or businesses and they’re decorated for Christmas, each in their unique style,” Wilkinson said. “Then it makes you feel inspired to decorate your own home for Christmastime, so our downtown stores are a great place to do that. It’s

really been a nice tie making it a day of shopping.”

LIGHTED HOLIDAY PARADE The 18th annual Lighted Holiday Parade is at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. “That event is very popular among families. When the weather is nice, we’ll have a couple thousand people come out and watch the parade,” Wilkinson said. The parade travels west on Washington Street and turns north onto Liberty Street to head up to Chapin Park. At the end of the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus make their appearance, beginning their month-long presence in Morris. The parade ends at Chapin Park, where a crowd gathers for a countdown with the mayor and Santa Claus to turn on the snowflake lights in the park’s trees. “It's really kind of a magical Hallmark experience that evening,” Wilkinson said. She noted the park light-up includes free hot cocoa, madrigal singers and visits with Santa.

DOWNTOWN WINDOW WALK The downtown window walk was a tradition that began during the COVID-19 pandemic as an activity

F un , F am i ly F riend ly di n i n g &

e nte rta i n m ent STARTERS • SOUPS • SALADS • SANDWICHES • PASTA • ENTREES

Centrally-located rentals Restaurants, coffee, ice cream, retail, spices, winery, all just steps away!!! Beautiful, iconic, home to Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park, the I & M Canal, LaSalle County Historical Museum and so much more! Mill Street Rentals - Mill Street Suite Find us on Air bnb and Vrbo when you search North Utica! 42 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

•

LLY OWN CA

Explore. Relax. Enjoy!

FOUNDED IN 2000

COME JOIN US

1st & 3rd Saturday of Every Month for mouthwatering Prime Rib! Every Monday night $2 Domestic Pints Every Wednesday Wing Night Special Pricing! Every Friday Night - Blue Gill Thursday - Saturday Nights BBQ Ribs, Steak, Fish & Pasta Specials

ALLY OWN OC

• ED

815-667-5800

155 MILL STREET • UTICA

VOTED BEST LUNCH! VOTED ONE OF THE BEST KID MENUS!

HOme OF tHe

FAMOUS JUMBO WINGS

people could do while maintaining social distance. “It was very popular, so it stuck around even as the COVID protocols have changed,” Wilkinson said. The event is spearheaded by downtown retailers. About 25 retailers place an item in their store window, and participants search for the item based on clues listed on a paper provided at local businesses. Once you find the store that corresponds to each clue, hand it in at any of the stores. A drawing will be held for a chance to win a gift certificate to shop downtown. Retailers also will distribute a limited number of 2023 Window Walk shopping bags.

SANTA AND HIS REINDEER, CARRIAGE RIDES Santa first appears at the end of the parade, but he will be present in Morris every weekend until the holidays. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, children can register at Morris Public Library to visit with Santa and take home a toy or treats. Children also can visit Santa and his reindeer on the lawn of the Grundy County Courthouse from

stonejugbbq.com

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 26, Santa begins his regular hours at the City of Morris Santa House. On Saturdays and Sundays leading up to Christmas, Santa will host hours to meet children as well. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 25. People will board the carriage at the corner of Washington and Liberty streets.

FESTIVAL OF TREES The Grundy County Historical Society is hosting its Festival of Trees auction for the 28th year. “They’re beautiful,” Wilkinson said. “They’re created by volunteers, and each one has a different theme.” The trees can be viewed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum at 510 W. Illinois Ave. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday beginning Thursday, Nov. 16. At that time, auction items will be on the auction site, richardaolson.com. All bidding will take place online. Bid sheets and instructions will be available at the museum if unable to participate online. Raffle items also will be available with tickets purchased at the museum. CSR

Girls’ Stylish Clothing 4T-16 & Amazing Accessories! 512 S. Main St., Princeton, IL Open: Mon-Sat @ 10am * Sun @ 12pm

SERVING THURSDAY - SUNDAY 11am - 8pm

DINE IN • CARRY OUT • CATERING • VENUE

Let us supply all your party needs! CATERING FOR Graduation Parties Weddings Family Reunions Funeral Luncheons Meetings Corporate Events Parties and more!

Centrally Located, Close by the State Parks Outside Seating • Full Service Bar

1920 4th St | Peru

SM-LA2115990

815.780.8275 [Restaurant] 815.202.2986 [ catering/venue]

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 43

Corner Cha

414 S. Main

ir Market

St. * 815-91

5-7

968 Hours- Tue s-Sat 10am-5 Repurposed pm Statement F urniture, Homemade Home Déco r & Gifts

Beetz Me!

952 N. Main St. * 815-87

9-7777

Specializing in having wh at you didn’t know you need ed for over 30 years!

Christm

C N I R P

The Knack

906 N. Main St.* 815-915-2119 An Artistic studio by Beetz Me! *Paint your own pottery *Private Parties *Sip n Paint

Lodestone

528 S. Main St * 815-875-2793 Great selection of LeCreuset & Kitchen, Christopher Radko, Home Décor – frames, pillow, linens, aprons, pottery. Leather and Upcycled Purses, Jewelry, Candles, Gifts, etc.

Sisler’ s Ice C

421 S.

Main ream sislers St. * 815-87 icecre 4th ge am.co 2-3678 cream. neration fam m ily o Mad wn ef se fromresh in store ed premium or half ! Enjoy a sc ! Over 30 flav ice o gallon to take op, milkshakors e, home.

to choo

Bean Buzz Coffee 130 N. Main St.

Make your choice of a coffee, tea, smoothie, frappe, or a handcrafted beverage and sit back and enjoy a freshly toasted New York Bagel.

Christmas in Princeton Christmas Walk Weekend November 17th, 18th, & 19th

Fresh Greenery Sale, Christkindl Markt, Horse Carriage Rides And More!

December 1st

r Tree Lighting, Lighted Christmas Parade, Candy Cane Hunt & Live Reindee

December 2nd

Breakfast with Santa, Santa’s Workshop, & Free Christmas Movie at the Apollo Theater

Home for the Holidays

Christmas Light Drive Thru at the Bureau County Fairgrounds November 24th - December 24th on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays

Shop, Dine, Enjoy H

www.princeton

mas in

CETON

ustache o M k l i M 55 The 815-875-64

in 944 N. Ma tache.com s u o m k il m www.the p with a ’s sho ys, Unique kid . Apparel, to e ib v e g ta ts retro vin y gear & gif books, bab

ath Rachel Rene B e u & Body t.B- o81u5ti-9q15-2001

620 S. Main S eBath.com RachelRen

ts, and body produc Handmade bath e or wear, gifts and m pajamas, lounge

Fresh Finds

460 S. Main St. * 815-875-1039 Women’s fashion, home décor, and collectibles. Bring this ad in for 20% off the purchase of an item.

Blooms on Elm

14 Elm Place * 815-915-8537

ts,

Unique fresh cut arrangements, plan and gifts. delivery available

Five* 28215-246-5226

ain St. m 522 S. Mshopfive22.co

Blue Jay Way Records

615 S. Main St. * 815-872-1935

We have everything you need - CDs, Records, Tapes, DVD and more! Stop in and check out our amazing selection!

en’s And M e! n e m o W in ons for ries. Shop onl i h s a f t Lates ccesso g and A n i h t o l C

Wild Honey Boutique

Check us out on

512 S. Main St. * 309-525-1585 wildhoneyboutique815.com

Historic Princeton

Women’s and Men’s clothing and accessories, brands like Zsupply, Little Words Project, Dear John, Spanx, Lucky Mens. Stop in and see what fits you best.

nchamber-il.com

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 45

| ca l en dar |

Mark your calendars in advance for the Penguin Plunge on Jan. 27, 2024! Read more on p. 8.

December 2023 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

s e r u t n e v d a r u o y Share

on social media with the hashtag #StarvedRockCountry when you visit destinations and attend events in the region.

Catch a 3 p.m. performance of Handel's "Messiah" at St. Columba Church in Ottawa.

It's AFL-CIO Day. Visit Soderstrom Plaza at Streator City Park and the R.G. Soderstrom Room at Streator Public Library to learn about labor leader Reuben G. Soderstrom.

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

Kids can hunt for candy canes by flashlight at the Christmas Tree Lighting in Princeton. Experience a Victorian Christmas by candlelight, 6-8 p.m. at Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.

2 The Home for the Holidays Lighted Drive Thru is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December at the Bureau County Fairgrounds.

Find deals as you shop and dine in downtown Streator during the Merry on Main event from 4-8 p.m.

Catch a performance of "The Nutcracker" ballet, 4 p.m. at La Salle-Peru High School.

Tickets: www.ivso.org/ 2023-nutcracker

Visit the village of Walnut for a free Live Nativity, 6-8 p.m. at Walnut Bible Church, 125 Jackson St. A special hot cocoa recipe is served. LIVE NATIVITY

carols arranged for tubas at Tuba Christmas, 4:30 p.m. at Hall High School in Spring Valley. Free admission with a canned food donation.

Tickets: starvedrocklodge.com

SAT

Hanukkah Sameach (happy Hanukkah)! Tonight marks the beginning of the eight-day Jewish festival.

Experience a classy season of yesteryear with songs by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Elvis and more at Crooner Christmas.

to 17 Listen Christmas

FRI

There's still time for some last-minute holiday shopping. Find gifts at one of the region's winter wonderland shops featured on p. 24.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate today!

Wishing a bright and happy Kwanzaa to everyone honoring the holiday!

46 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

Plan a three-day weekend in Starved Rock Country. See our itinerary on p. 16.

Holiday Events

polished. modern. casual.

By Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Scott Anderson, Jen Heredia and Tom Sistak

CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS AT ROTARY PARK

Opening Friday, Nov. 10, and continuing through New Year’s Day. 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and the week of Christmas 2837 E. 5th Road, La Salle

UPTOWN GRILL

This sprawling holiday drive-thru features more than 450 lighted displays along a winding route through Rotary Park. The drive-thru is free, but donations are accepted at the entrance. The route takes between 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

OTTAWA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS “DECK THE PARK”

AMERICAN CUISINE WITH THE MOST EXTENSIVE MENU STARVED ROCK COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER

6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, downtown Ottawa

The lighted parade route will travel from Jackson Street south along La Salle Street and end at the Jordan Block with the Lighting of the Parks. Fireworks will follow.

SATISFYING APPETITES SINCE 1985 FULL MENU EVERYDAY • SERVING LUNCH THRU DINNER KITCHEN & BAR SERVING LATE CUT & AGED STEAKS IN-HOUSE • FRESH SEAFOOD & OYSTERS GOURMET BURGERS & SANDWICHES CRAFT BREWS • LARGE WINE SELECTION PRIVATE BANQUET ROOM • LIVE MUSIC KID FRIENDLY FOOD • PATIO DINING • DOGS WELCOME

OTTAWA CHRIS KRINGLE MARKET

Open four weekends: Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26; Friday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 3; Friday, Dec. 8, through Sunday, Dec. 10; and Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16 Downtown Ottawa This European-inspired open-air market features small makers, bakers, creators and wares from around the globe. Live performances and free family-friendly activities are scheduled for various weekends of the Chris Kringle Market. For more information, visit chriskringlemarket.com.

815.224.4545 • 601 FIRST STREET • LASALLE UPTOWNGRILL.COM • SM-LA2114572

Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 47

KEEPING CHRISTMAS CLOSE TO HOME Saturday, Nov. 25 Downtown Streator

Rockin’ 46 years! years! Rockin’ Starved Starved Rock Country for 45 Live and 10 10 wines winesavailable. available. LiveMusic Music33Days Days aa Week. Week. Over 70 beers and

9thstpub.com 9thstpub.com

BRUNCH

Saturdays & Sundays 9am-2pm. Try our amazing Farmers Omelette or other delicious menu items

Breakfast Lunch and Dinner 8 am till 9 pm

We WeDeliver Deliver

815-223-8960 815-223-8960

View our Menu:

LIVE LIVE

Video VideoGaming Gaming Slots Slots&&Poker Poker

Home of of the the Cheeseburger Cheeseburger in Home in Paradise Paradise

253 9th Street • LaSalle, IL 61301 • 815.223.8960 • ebener@comcast.net 48 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country

The Light Up Streator Committee will illuminate Streator City Park at 6:30 p.m. – the light display fills the entire park, which covers four city blocks. A lighted Christmas parade begins on Main Street after the park light-up. The 2023 schedule for Saturday, Nov. 25 includes: • Downtown shopping and Small Business Saturday, all day during normal business hours • Model trains, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Streator Incubator • Holiday markets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Park Place, Bruce Township Hall and Streator Incubator • Food trucks, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Streator Incubator, and 5 to 9 p.m., City Park • Screaming Eagle MC Annual Toy Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., southwest corner of City Park • Chainsaw ice carving, 2 to 4 p.m., Heritage Park • Downtown extended shopping hours, 5 to 9 p.m. • Carriage rides, 8 to 9 p.m.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS LIGHT SHOW 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays (beginning Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 24) Bureau County Fairgrounds 811 W. Peru St., Princeton

Visitors can drive through the Bureau County Fairgrounds to view a variety of holiday lighted displays. The drive-thru is free, but donations are accepted.

PRINCETON TREE LIGHTING AND CANDY CANE HUNT

Friday, Dec. 1, Princeton

Princeton will light its Christmas tree at Veterans Park at 6 p.m. The Lighted Christmas Parade will begin on Main Street at 6:30 p.m.; festivities continue at Soldiers & Sailors Park at 7 p.m. with a candy cane hunt, free refreshments, Christmas music and the arrival of Santa with live reindeer.

For a listing of holiday events in Princeton, visit the Princeton Chamber of Commerce website at www.princetonchamber-il.com or its Facebook page.

SPRING VALLEY LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE “BRING BACK THE LIGHT”

PERU’S LIGHT UP CHRISTMAS PARADE

Participants get creative with their floats and vehicles, sharing their favorite Christmas memories, movies or songs through dazzling displays of light. For a list of holiday events in Spring Valley, find GROW Spring Valley on Facebook.

The parade begins at Centennial Park at 5 p.m. with holiday events to follow. Check the City of Peru Facebook page or the city of Peru website at www.peru.il.us for updates on parade route information and a listing of holiday events with Santa.

Saturday, Nov. 25, Spring Valley

Saturday, Dec. 2, Peru

10 titles to add to your reading list

This winter is

Booked Chilly days are the perfect time to pull on a pair of thick socks, curl up under a blanket, sip a mug of hot cocoa or coffee and delve into the pages of a good book. The staff at Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa compiled this list of recently released titles for book lovers to add to their to-read piles (or their Christmas lists) this winter.

1. "Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story" by Max Marshall: Biography and memoir, true crime An investigative journalist immerses readers inside a fraternity linked to a murder and multimillion-dollar drug ring. 2. "Sword Catcher" by Cassandra Clare: Fantasy Two outcasts are offered their deepest desire from the Ragpicker King as they descend into the criminal underworld of the city-state of Castellane. They soon uncover deeply rooted corruption that could unleash chaos. 3. "Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones" by Dolly Parton: Biography and memoir, photography Photos and stories celebrate Dolly Parton's style and personality. 4. "The Exchange: After the Firm" by John Grisham: Thriller, sequel Set 15 years after "The Firm," protagonist Mitch lands in the center of a sinister plot that could have global impact.

5. "To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery" by Neil Degrasse Tyson and Lindsey Nyx Walker: Science, illustrated narrative of cosmology Neil Degrasse Tyson and Lindsey Nyx Walker break down planetary science and astrophysics in language accessible to the average science enthusiast.

6. "Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education" by Stephanie Land: Memoir "Class" offers a candid look at motherhood and how it interacts – and sometimes conflicts – with personal and professional goals.

"Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America" by Steve Inskeep: U.S history, biography This biography examines Abraham Lincoln's life and political impact through 16 encounters with other people. "Big Lights, Bright Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews: Domestic fiction, romance Kerry Tolliver travels from her family Christmas tree farm to New York City to help her brother. She quickly bonds with her neighbors, and chemistry sparks with single dad Patrick. "Fragile Threads of Power" by V.E. Schwab: Fantasy Four worlds are connected by one city: London. The doors between worlds have been closed for years, but one girl with magical ability can change the fate of all worlds.

10. "Basics with Babish: Recipes for Screwing Up, Trying Again, and Hitting It Out of the Park" by Andrew Rea: Cookbook YouTube star Andrew Rea explains classic recipes with step-by-step photos and tips to troubleshoot in the kitchen. n BROWSE MORE TITLES at Prairie Fox Books, 719 La Salle St. in Ottawa or on the bookstore website at www.prairiefoxbooks.com. Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 49

50 | Winter 2023 • Starved Rock Country Photo by Tom Sistak

Postcard

Starved Rock Country

R o ck C Dec. 2023

ve tar d

On a handful of occasions during a typical winter, people are treated to the beautiful sight of hoar frost. This feathery frost made an early morning appearance on this vegetation on the banks of the Illinois River near Starved Rock State Park. Hoar frost occurs when dew settles on objects before a freeze on a clear night. Make sure to head out early when a hoar frost settles to catch it before it melts. With all of the plant life and trees around Starved Rock State Park, there will be plenty to see.

ountr

Come spend the day with us!

Located just 60 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago, downtown Morris, Illinois offers the amenities of its more metropolitan suburban neighbors along with small-town hospitality and charm. Come to downtown Morris and enjoy a fun day shopping for unique gifts, enjoying our restaurants and tea room, and enjoying outdoor activities. Make memories and have fun with your friends or your family as you shop, dine and enjoy!

• Bagged Coffee • Baked goods • Teas & Lemonades

CHILDREN’S APPAREL | SIZES PREEMIE TO SIXTEEN

• espresso drinks

SPECIALTY CHILDREN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

• drip Coffee

HOLIDAY

SHACKETS AND JACKETS

SQUISHMALLOWS

PICK UP YOUR CERTIFIED SANTA INVITATION FOR OUR DEC 9TH-10TH ELF ON THE SHELF PARTY

1803 CANDLES

Don’t Miss Out –

Morris Retail Assoc.

Winter Fest Sun. Dec. 10

309 Liberty St. Morris 815-942-5093

PET ROCKS

Our cozy department is

MICHEL DESIGNS WORKS

VENDORS GALORE T-SHIRTS

BLANKETS

LANTERNS

MITTENS

Fabulous!

ELF ON A SHELF

815/942-3999

Upscale Boutique Specializing in Quality Clothing and Accessories

TOYS

ORNAMENTS

SOCKS

SM-CL2114169

PUZZLES

GNOMES

SCARVES

218 LIBERTY ST. • MORRIS, IL 60450

• daiLy soup HARRY POTTER

SIMPLY SOUTHERN

312 Liberty St., Morris 815.710.5000

215 Liberty St., Morris IL 815-942-1514Starved Rock Country • Winter 2023 | 51

MAGAZINE

OUR REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES gh in your travels and ou en e at un rt fo e ar If you run-ofe beaten path of the you like getting off th ould ls, your destination sh the-mill inns and hote north Kishauwau Cabins in e th at op st a de clu in arved s being adjacent to St central Illinois! Beside d of amazing canyons an Rock State Park, full what of t ing you to the hear trails, these cabins br sty, eat...simplicity, hone makes this country gr in s . Your cabin is an oasi ily m fa d an rk wo rd ha phone . Absent is internet, its powerful simplicity st g) and tv. What at fir service (except textin nce of se ab ar/uncomfortable becomes an unfamili acefully forces you to pe d an ly ick qu ity tiv connec and ds of nature, the hum un so e th th wi t ec nn co e and rmlands and the valu bustle of adjacent fa illness. reflective power of st and as it is, is a treasure This place, as simple ve ha o we are when we a true reflection of wh to... d ourselves to listen nothing but nature an — Rick R.

Beautiful Scenery

Dog Friendly Cabins Available

Family Reunions Single Family Vacations Romantic Couples Getaways Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award for the 5th consecutive year

SPECIAL: 50% off 2nd nights’ stay when you stay 2 weeknights or more from Nov. 19 - Dec. 21, 2023 with promo code Snowflake Kishauwau’s Starved Rock Area Cabins 4.9

Cozy Cabins

LET’S CONNECT

SCAN CODE TO SEE MORE

738 Google reviews 690 reviews

Packages Available

KishauwauCabins.com

901 N. 2129th Rd. • Tonica, IL • 815-442-8453