Wander rows of berry bushes and taste special flavors at Choo Choo Farms
Explore the full trail system of Starved Rock State Park in one day with a self-guided route
Treehouses and boutique A-frame cabins provide unique stays
5 destinations to experience Halloween frights
Featuring gifts from Illinois artisans, makers and attractions
248 W. Canal Street, North Utica, IL • Open 12:00PM - 6:00PM every day! Located in Village Hall, between Downtown Utica and Clarks Run Antiques.
There is so much to see in Starved Rock Country – canyons, waterfalls, rivers, woods – but also the agricultural world is open for all to view The harvest moon shines over this barn south of Starved Rock State Park on a late September evening, aiding local farmers working late to gather crops before winter
Photo by Tom Sistak
AMONG TREETOPS AND FLOWERS
Stay in luxury treehouses near sandstone bluffs or boutique A-frame cabins near woods and wildflowers
Pick your own aronia berries at Choo Choo Farms, plus buy bread, eggs, jams, jellies and honey fresh from the farm
Explore a plaza of mini shops selling artisan goods and foods in Utica
TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY
Check out five visitors centers and gift shops in Starved Rock Country to plan and commemorate your visit
Get your scares at five Halloween attractions, including haunted houses, outdoor haunted trails and dark tours
The inaugural Paint the Town: En Plein Air Festival invites artists to create in the outdoors for cash prizes
The Starved Rock Hikers map out a self-guided route for visitors to explore the state park's full trail system in one day
A former tavern operated by "Dad Joe" has links to a president
Murals share tidbits of a city's connections and contributions to the transportation industry
SPECIAL RECIPE
A Morris cafe owner serves his mother's cheesecake to the masses
TASTE THE TRADITION OF A PIONEER STEW
Burgoo Festival returns to Utica in October, where visitors can order a bowl of the namesake burgoo stew
Experience the charm of Princeton’s Historic Main Street, where beautifully decorated storefronts and unique ...........boutiques create the perfect shopping destination. Savor a meal at a family-owned restaurant, unwind at our local brewery, and relax with a stay in a charming Airbnb or hotel. Explore our landmarks, museums, parks, or enjoy a festival for a memorable getaway—a short drive that takes you far! at E perience here beautifull
PRINCETON FARMERS MARKET every saturday thru october 25
DOWN ON MAIN SUMMER STREET CONCERTS september 4 | electric avenue: 80s mtv experience
BUREAU COUNTY HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL september 4 - 7 | homesteadfestival.com
WITCHES NIGHT OUT october 3
MONSTER MASH BALLOON BASH & HALLOWEEN PARADE october 4
OKTOBERFEST october 18
VOICES OF THE MATSON PUBLIC LIBRARY october 25
I visited a haunted house for the first time in fall 2024. At almost 40 years old, I’m not ashamed to admit I screamed a couple of times.
OK, maybe I’m slightly ashamed to admit I shrieked a lot of times.
My husband and I visited the Nightmare Haunted Attraction at the Bureau County Fairgrounds last October. Normally our fall activities stick to the agritourism side – apple orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes – but after talking to one of the organizers about new and expanded features coming to the fairgrounds’ haunted house, my husband suggested we give it a try.
I was confident when I stepped through the first barn door. I expected jump scares and unsettling noises and creepy actors, but I almost felt guilty at how stoic I imagined I would be.
It turns out the anticipation of something leaping out of the dark adds its own sense of unease. Within the first minutes, I jolted and involuntarily screamed when an actor surged out of a dark corner. Then it happened again ... and again. Eventually I was creeping through each room, peeking around corners and squinting at the bottoms of curtains to see if I could spot any feet lurking behind them. That was a futile effort ... when I did see feet under a curtain and announced, “I know there’s someone here and I’m not going to scream,” I pulled aside the curtain only to be greeted by a grinning mask (expected) and the blast of an airhorn (unexpected).
Yes, I jolted. Yes, I screamed. Haunted fairgrounds 10+, Julie 0.
This issue of Starved Rock Country Magazine highlights five of the region’s favorite haunted attractions, including haunted houses, trails, campgrounds and tours recounting some of the region’s dark history (p. 22).
For those who prefer to stick with autumn agritourism instead of fall frights, a unique opportunity is to pick aronia berries at Choo Choo Farms (p. 12). Aronia berries ripen in late summer and are available for picking through early October. The tart, slightly bitter fruits work well as a cranberry substitute in many recipes, and they also are popular in jams, jellies, homemade wines, ciders and meads.
Another opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather is the inaugural Paint the Town: En Plein Air Festival, Sept. 12-14 in Ottawa, in which artists are invited to sign up and paint outdoors (p. 26). Visitors also can check out Utica’s newly opened Market on Mill, a shopping plaza featuring 12 artisan retailers in small huts around a green space (p. 16).
Of course, one of the leading outdoor activities in the region is visiting our state parks. If you’ re planning a trip to Starved Rock State Park this fall, consider embarking on a Mega Hike. The Starved Rock Hikers group drafted a self-guided route for visitors to explore the park’s full trail system and major sights (p. 28).
Enjoy fresh air and autumn sights this fall in Starved Rock Country. And if you’ re up for it, indulge in a few frights, too.
JULIE BARICHELLO Editor
Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year
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Copyright 2025 Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited Vol 13 No 3 Fall 2025 Edition
2025-08/25,000
GENERAL MANAGER
Jeanette Smith
EDITOR & DESIGN
Julie Barichello
PRODUCTION
Rhonda Dillon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Derek Barichello
Julie Barichello
Ali Braboy
Stephanie Jaquins
Ryan Searl
Charles Stanley
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Scott Anderson
Tom Sistak
By
The treehouse you dreamed of as a child exists, and the getaway is a magical experience where you can watch the stars at night, listen to the sounds of nature and spend time with loved ones.
The Treehouses at Starved Rock is a secluded, 26-acre treehouse retreat carved into Starved Rock State Park's border. Two spacious, luxury-crafted treehouses accommodate up to eight people and are built for both groups and couples. The treehouses are steps away from Starved Rock State Park's system of picturesque hiking trails, canyons, waterfalls and bluffs.
“You kind of feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere,” said owner Mike Ambrose. “The idea is you're in nature, but it’s very comfortable.”
Treehouses at Starved Rock started four years ago when he purchased the property, but his idea has been around for years. Ambrose recalled growing up as a kid building forts with friends.
“We can’t find any photos of course,” he shared. “I’ve always wanted to do this.”
The site currently has two treehouses, with two more about 80% complete. The business is permitted to build a total of 25 treehouses. Each lodging has a full kitchen and bathroom, fireplace and bonfire pot, screenedin porch, comfortable beds and couches and all the amenities guests need on a getaway.
Although the beautiful, natural landscape might feel like being in the middle of nowhere, guests are minutes away from North Utica, Ottawa, La Salle, Peru and Oglesby, where visitors can discover an abundance of dining and shopping. In addition, the treehouses are along the Illinois River and minutes away from two other state parks: Matthiessen State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park.
“The idea is to gather, and that’s why I made them big and a lot of communal space. They're separated just enough, so they can get whole families together,” Ambrose said. “Get in nature, get outside, go to a bonfire. Go see this landscape that doesn’t look like it belongs in the Midwest. Experience it.”
About 30 miles west of the treehouses is a unique, floweresque getaway.
“We offer the slower-paced environment,” said Sarah McCombs. “Guests are able to experience nature and slow down and connect with loved ones.”
Sarah and Tyler McCombs own and created The Wildflower, a tranquil boutique retreat that offers a blend of luxury and wilderness within a 10-minute drive from downtown Princeton.
Their land features four A-frame glamping cabins on 50 acres with comfortable beds and couches, plus luxuries such as a cozy interior, private deck, gas fire pit, spa amenities, kitchenette, outdoor grill and more. Each cabin can host to four to six people, depending if there are children.
Nature walks, bird watching, stargazing and cycling are among some of the activities guests can partake in at the retreat.
The grounds include about 10 acres of marshland, with multiple flower fields planted throughout the property. Three acres of sunflowers bloom in late July and continue through much of August and September.
“We’ve planted this year about 10 acres of wildflowers,” Sarah said. Throughout the woods, there
are some secret wildflower fields. About two miles of walking trails pass through the wooded hillside areas and the fields.
The retreat is completely screen- and clock-free, so there are no TVs. Each unit has a record player with a record library (guests can connect to Bluetooth as well). WiFi is available.
Minutes away are downtown Princeton, Chapel Hill Golf Course and Hornbaker Gardens, which is a retail garden center, arboretum and botanical gardens in a picturesque country setting.
“My husband and I are from the area and grew up here,” Sarah said. “I had a career in tech for 13 years. We decided we really wanted to invest and build a business in the area, and we were trying to figure out how to complement both of our skill sets.”
The Wildflower has a diverse bird population, including a pair of swans that live on the nearby pond and 200 goldfinches that love the sunflowers and stay in the fall. There are many wild turkeys as well.
“We saw this property and took a leap of faith and decided to try our skill sets and bring something new and unique to an area we both love,” she said.
By Derek Barichello | Photos by Tom Sistak
It’s easy to get lost, if only for a moment, at Choo Choo Farms.
The pick-your-own aronia berry field that neighbors Matthiessen State Park boasts more than 2,000 bushes, some reaching 6 to 7 feet tall and spanning across 37 lanes.
Getting lost among the bushes is welcome by most visitors.
“We’ve had groups of ladies out here, they’re in their 50s or older, and they’re having a small get-together,” said the farm’s co-owner Steven Bakken. “You’ll start to hear them laughing out here, because they’re like, ‘Where are you at? I lost you.’”
Aronia berries, also known as chokeberries, are part of the rose family. The berries, which have a tangy but rich wildberry flavor, are added to smoothies, oatmeal and
yogurt; baked into muffins, scones, cookies and breads; made into jams, jellies, syrups and sauces; and used to create homemade wines, ciders and meads. They are coveted not only for their flavor, but also their health benefits. High in Vitamin K, aronia berries are packed with antioxidants, naturally low in sugar and can support digestion and reduce inflammation, among other qualities.
Bakken said most consumers are familiar with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries – the kinds found in the produce section of a supermarket – but decades ago, the aronia berry, along with elderberries and mulberries, were more commonly used in the kitchen.
Recently, there’s been a trend to revive some of the lesser known berries native to the region. Bakken’s three-acre
field has attracted regular visitors from Chicagoland as winemakers and nostalgic bakers alike get the experience of picking the ripened, dark purple to black berries from the bushes. Children also love running the lanes and helping adults collect the fruit.
Pickers are provided coffee tins at $5 each to fill, and the berries are transferred to a gallon-sized bag. Two coffee tins usually fill a whole bag. For customers who want a larger quantity, they can negotiate a price with the Bakkens.
The best time to pick the berries is late July through early September, with some good berries still to be found into October.
For those looking for something already prepared, Choo Choo Farms makes their own jellies, tinctures and pressed juice with the aronia
berries. The farm also sells a variety of homemade jams and jellies with elderberries and mulberries grown fresh at the farm. Several favorite medleys are the Choo Choo Cherry (aronia, elderberry, cranberry, cherry), the Bakken Berry Blend (aronia, elderberry, mulberry), the aronia berry with apples and the firecracker pepper jelly.
The farm’s co-owner Kylie Bakken bakes sourdough breads (sold by the half and full loaf) and sourdough cookies.
Along with being available for pickup at the farm or for shipping, the products are sold at local farm markets and vendor shows like Ottawa’s Third Friday.
“Ever since I’ve tried the sourdough cookies, I can’t go back,” Steven said of his wife’s homemade creation. “They have a fresher and more dynamic flavor. I encourage anyone to try them.”
The Bakkens refer to the farm as a labor of love. Steven, who works a full-time job at SABIC in Ottawa, said the berry field alone takes about 37 hours of weed whacking to clear the lanes for pickers. Almost all of the ingredients used in their products are from the farm, including fresh
eggs and honey, which also are available for purchase.
“When we go to vendor shows, we can’t hold onto our bread loafs. We’re usually [sold] out by the third hour,” Steven said.
Steven describes the farm as a serene, rural paradise. Along Route 178, just south of Matthiessen State Park, a driveway with a row of mulberry bushes leads visitors to the Bakkens’ home. That same pathway also leads travelers to the former Brightwood Inn. Once a popular bed and breakfast, the three-story house now is a living quarters.
During prime picking season, the farm at 2405 N. Route 178 is open from 8 a.m. to about 7 p.m. or near sunset. The Bakkens recommend allotting about 30 to 60 minutes, or just enough time to get lost in the rows of bushes.
“It’s a lot of fun when you’re walking down the rows, because they just engulf you on both sides,” Steven said. “You kind of get lost in the zone in between and picking berries. It’s kind of fun.”
For more information on the farm, call or text Choo Choo Farms at 815-408-1416 or message them on Facebook. C S R
Choo Choo Farms is named after Steven Bakken’s grandmother. Growing up, Steven had affinity for trains and his grandmother lived by a railroad track, so he called her “Grandma Choo Choo.” Around the time the Bakkens moved to the farm, his grandmother got sick, so they named it after her.
“She was always really proud of us and loved what we were doing,” Kylie said.
Steven’s grandmother supported their business, always buying honey from them and pushing family members toward supporting the farm.
“Those early years, that’s what really pushed me forward to actually do this,” Steven said.
12 pop-up shops sell artisan goods and foods in newly opened Utica plaza
By Derek Barichello
Utica is no stranger to artisan vendors.
The village at the Interstate 80 gateway to Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks hosts vendors at events and festivals, such as the weekly Canal Market, Antiquin’ Weekend and more than 350 artisan vendors filling seemingly every nook and cranny of the village’s downtown during the October Burgoo Festival.
However, what if a dozen of them settled into a long-term residence on Mill Street from May 2 to Dec. 21?
That’s sort of the idea behind the Market on Mill Retail Plaza.
Housed in air-conditioned and heated 10-by-10-feet huts around a greenspace, a dozen retailers sell everything from freezedried candy, custom-made hats and alpaca wool products to homemade pickles and handmade crochet items, among many other products. The shops are selected to create a diversity of products, making a market where clothing, treats, gifts and decor can be found in one space, along with products for
men, women, children and pets alike.
Market on Mill is modeled after similar mini market plazas, such as the Batavia Boardwalk Shops, Berwyn Shops and McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes. The shops serve as retail incubators in the hopes the businesses will move into larger storefronts, allowing for more retail growth in the community. They also create increased shopping options for visitors to connect with small artisan retailers in an anchored location.
Although Utica’s shops are seemingly small, a variety of items are stocked and shelved on multiple levels to create the sensation of shopping a full store – with each shop showing off its own personality.
The market is built on a lot once devastated by a tornado that also sat on a flood plain, allowing the village to provide more attractions to the north of its downtown area. With the vendors adjacent to the outdoor dining setup on Mill Street, the combination creates a months-long festival atmosphere, minus the massive crowds.
“I like that the shops are diverse and unique,” said Marissa Hazell of Hazell’s Headdress, a custom wood-burned hat store found in Unit 10.
There are yard games, such as cornhole (bean bag toss) and Nerf archery set up on the lawn for families to play, plenty of picnic tables to take a break from shopping or stop for a bite, drinking and container fill-up fountains and public restrooms.
Visitors can stroll the sidewalks of Market on Mill to peruse each of the shops. They are set up in two rows on each side of the greenspace, creating a loop for walkers to see each hut no matter what direction they start. Festive lighting is strung above the greenspace.
The market is open from noon to 4 p.m. (optional hours) on Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
For more information about the Market on Mill, go to www.facebook.com/ marketonmillretailplaza on Facebook or www.utica-il.gov/market-on-mill-retailplaza.
Unit
Unit 10: Hazell’s Headdress
The
By Ryan Searl | Photos by Scott Anderson and Heritage Corridor Destinations
Begin your Starved Rock Country adventure at some of the region’s welcome centers. These popular tourist spots offer free local information, expert recommendations, entertainment for kids and souvenirs. Here are five of the area’s most popular visitors centers.
OTTAWA VISITORS CENTER
1028 La Salle St., Ottawa | www.visitottawail.com
The Ottawa Visitors Center is home to a wide array of area pamphlets, along with helpful staff and a selection of great Ottawa-centric merchandise. While you’re there, grab a copy of Ottawa’s town guidebook. This free publication will take you on a stroll through the city’s turn-of-the-century Old Town, pointing out sites of historical and cultural significance, boutique shops and unique restaurants.
ILLINOIS WATERWAY VISITORS CENTER
950 N. 27th Road, Ottawa | www.tinyurl.com/mwa4rwsc
Located at the Starved Rock Lock & Dam, the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps maintains the lock and dam system along the entire Illinois Waterway from Lake Michigan to Grafton, Illinois, where the Illinois River empties into the Mississippi River. The water system conducts river traffic along 333 miles of waterway that drops almost 160 feet in elevation between Chicago and Grafton, and the visitors center gives guests the opportunity to see the process in action. People will learn about the lock construction, maintenance and operation, as well as the history of water transportation in Illinois. The center also provides up-close views of river barges, watercraft and many migratory birds.
STARVED ROCK COUNTRY WELCOME CENTER AND ILLINOIS MADE GIFT SHOPPE
248 W. Canal St., North Utica | www.hcdestinations.com/SRCWelcomeCenter
Located a block from Utica’s downtown Mill Street, this informational center and Illinois Made Gift Shoppe features a curated selection of items made by Illinois makers and artisans – perfect for souvenirs or gift-giving. Inside, you’ll find artisan-made walking sticks, pottery and greeting cards, all crafted in Illinois or celebrating the region. From children’s toys to New York Times best-selling accounts of local history, there’s no shortage of unique items in store. In addition, you’ll find useful brochures, maps and guide books to plan your time in the area.
STARVED ROCK STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER
2668 E. 873rd Road, Oglesby | 815-667-4726
The Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center is home to interactive educational displays, free videos on the park’s history, hiking maps and a bookstore with Starved Rock souvenirs. While you’re there, be sure to check out Trailhead Concessions and Gifts for a great selection of hiking provisions and snacks. The LaRoche Gift Shop, which sports a variety of souvenirs and local literature, is open most days from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Short 10- to 15-minute movies about the park's history and attractions are available in the visitor center screening room upon request.
LOCK 16 CAFÉ AND VISITOR CENTER
754 First St., La Salle | www.iandmcanal.org/visitorcenter
If you’re looking for fascinating local history, unique gifts and a delicious bite to eat, chart a course for the Lock 16 Café and Visitor Center. The historic brick building serves as the headquarters of the I&M Canal National Heritage Area and features exhibits on the history and lasting impact of this manmade waterway. The Lock 16 gift shop sells a selection of commemorative apparel, souvenirs and educational books for all ages. The Lock 16 Café stocks a variety of beverages, from artisan sodas to a signature housebrewed iced tea, but perhaps most importantly is their full espresso bar. You can order an Americano, flavored latte or even an affogato made with vanilla ice cream.
Sign up for the state's largest bocce ball tournament as part of the Toluca Labor Day Festival. Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. in Toluca. See more festival information on p. 25.
It's Labor Day!
1 2 3
If you have the day off work, consider a trip to Starved Rock Country. One idea is to try the Mega Hike at Starved Rock State Park – read more on p. 28.
Food Truck
Monday Mania is 4-8 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays, MayOctober, on Illinois Avenue in Mendota. Six to 10 food trucks are available for dinner.
Visit Nell's Woodland for Day 3 of Ottawa's Paint the TownEn Plein Air Festival to view artwork, see art demonstrations, participate in activities and more.
Read more on p. 26.
Enjoy music and food while sipping wine during Vintage Illinois Wine Festival, noon.-5 p.m. at the Canal Market, Utica. The Cedar Creek Renaissance Faire adds magic and fun to the weekend. The two-day event runs Saturday and Sunday at Cedar Creek Ranch in Cedar Point.
Take a tour of a 22-room Italianate mansion built before the Civil War. The Reddick Mansion in Ottawa has tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday through Monday each week.
The madcap comedy "Moon Over Buffalo" is onstage at Engle Lane Theatre this week (Sept. 7 and Sept. 9-12).
Tickets and details: www.englelane.org
The four-day Homestead Festival begins in Princeton. Kick off the fun with the Down on Main Street concert series. Tonight is a tribute to 1980s music.
Blues bands and food highlight the BBQ n Blues Festival, 4-10 p.m., downtown La Salle. Come back Saturday for Jazz'n the Street, 4-10 p.m., with fireworks, wine, craft beer, food and jazz.
Big Uproar will wrap up Hegeler Carus Mansion's outdoor music season with Americana, modern and classic rock on the mansion lawn at 6:30 p.m.
Harvest season kicks off the year's biggest party in Grundy County with the annual Corn Festival! Check out the full schedule at www.cornfestival.org.
Art vendors, music, food and live events take over Madison Street in downtown Ottawa during the Third Friday Artisan Market, 5-9 p.m.
Spooky season begins with opening night of Insanity Haunted House in Peru! Visit one of the state's Top 5 Scariest Haunted Attractions, 7-9 p.m. Read more on p. 24.
Sample about 50 breweries at Morris Beer Festival, 2-6 p.m., Goold Park, Morris. Live music and food vendors will be onsite as well.
Enjoy a day of history, fantasy and entertainment at the Marseilles Renaissance Faire, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Guthrie Park, 655 Commercial St., Marseilles.
Visit a fine art festival in a country setting. The annual Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens features about 40 artists selling their work, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Shop more than 250 vendors at the Grundy County Corn Festival Craft Show & Flea Market, 8 a.m.4 p.m. at the Grundy County Fairgrounds.
Celebrate the season with the Ottawa Fall Fest & Parade, noon5 p.m., downtown Ottawa. It's Day 2 of Burgoo Festival in Utica! The namesake burgoo stew will be ready this morning after cooking overnight in a cauldron. Also shop a large vendor market.
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1
Ojibwa author and speaker Kim Sigafus presents the history and impact of indigenous women in Illinois, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Tiskilwa Historical Society, 110 E. Main St., Tiskilwa.
German wine, beer, foods and authentic music by the Duseldorfers German Band are the star attractions at the Oktoberfest Matinee at Starved Rock Lodge. Tickets: www.bit.ly/ OktoberfestMatinee
Enjoy autumn foliage during the Fall Arboretum Walk, 4:30 p.m. at Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton.
Fall colors in Starved Rock Country usually peak between mid-October and early November. Now is the perfect time for leaf-peeping at a park!
Engle Lane Theatre presents "Mystic Pizza," inspired by the 1988 film, five nights this week (Oct. 5 and Oct. 7-10).
Tickets and details: www.englelane.org
Discover the customs and superstitions of the Gilded Age during "The Mansion is NOT Haunted" tour, 6-9 p.m. at Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle. Tickets and details: bit.ly/OctMansionTour
Explore and shop downtown Princeton during the 10th annual Witches Night Out event. Witchy outfits are welcome!
Monster Mash Balloon Bash returns to the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Hot air balloons highlight the event. While in Princeton, catch the Halloween parade at 5:30 p.m.
Looking for frights?
Check out Nightmare Haunted Attraction at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October.
Dress in your best witchy wardrobe and celebrate a girls' night of wine tastings, activities and entertainment during the Witches Walk of Utica. Halloween is a week away ... it's the perfect time to visit the Haunted Camp at Camp Tuckabatchee near Ottawa.
The Civil War returns to life in Shadows of the Blue and Gray, a re-enactment at City County Park in Princeton, 9 a.m.4 p.m. The event continues Sunday.
Moonlight, chilly breezes and the outdoors add to the scary ambience of the Fright Trail at Cedar Creek Ranch, open Fridays and Saturdays in October. Read more on page 22.
Morris Theatre Guild presents "The Great Beyond," a play featuring sisters, a seance, drama and comedy, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets and details: www.morristheatreguild. org/events
Happy Halloween! Enjoy a safe and fun celebration of the spooky season.
By Stephanie Jaquins X Photos by Scott Anderson
The spooky season is upon us, and we’ve gathered some of the top spots to put you in the mood for all the spooks, ghouls and scary stories a Starved Rock Country Halloween has to offer.
All the jumps and screams of the Fright Trail at Cedar Creek Ranch are outdoors, which can make for some extra scares.
The natural moonlight, chilly fall breezes and the vastness of the outdoors all add to the atmosphere.
This fall will be the ranch’s 14th year offering the Fright Trail, and it’s grown over the years.
“We were always a bit into Halloween as a family. We started out real small doing a small walk, and it just evolved into this big thing on the ranch,” said Paul Williams, owner of Cedar Creek Ranch.
It takes a team of 15 people, some volunteers and year-long planning to put on the all-ages production.
“You walk through each scene and the timber of Cedar Creek Ranch. We have several different
scenes plotted throughout the timber, the woods and then we have actors and characters in each one of those scenes,” Williams explained.
Each year is a different theme –the details of this year’s are being finalized.
“People love it because it’s live acting and the scenes are intense. There’s a plot and theme to each scene,” Williams said.
“It’s the atmosphere,” added Nick Croissant, head captain at Cedar Creek Ranch. “You’re literally walking through a horse trail in the middle of the woods.”
The Fright Trail is the last three weekends in October at the ranch, 249 E. Route 71 in Cedar Point. For more information, visit www.fright-trail.com.
The Nightmare Haunted Attraction at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton is entering its 21st year of startles, scares and screams.
Once the lights go out, barns on the fairgrounds will be filled
By Ryan Searl
Experience the excitement, traditions and suspense of 19th century October nights during the Hegeler Carus Mansion’s limited-time “The Mansion Is NOT Haunted” tours.
Running Oct. 23 through Oct. 25, these immersive ticketed events cover the macabre history of the Victorian era. Costumed guides will introduce you to haunting customs and superstitions from the heyday of the gilded age. Was being buried alive a real cause for fear? Who might you find lurking about in a Victorian cemetery, and why?
Appropriate Victorian dress for guests is encouraged but not required for entry. This is an approximately onehour tour. General admission tickets are $40 a person or $140 for a four pack. Preregistration is required. Persons under 18 are allowed with an adult; the tour is not recommended for children younger than 10 years. For more information or to reserve a spot on the tour, visit www.hegelercarus.org/events/the-
with ghosts, demons, skeletons, clowns and just about anything imaginable to generate a scare. There are plenty of effects – from fog machines to lighting and sound effects – to take visitors to a new scene at every turn. With a combination of animatronics and live actors, guests will be kept on their toes.
• Brick Oven Pizzas
• Subs, Salads & more
• Wednesday through Sunday
• www.fireonfifth.com
• 300 5th Street, Peru, IL 61354
• 815-780-2050
The haunted house is open Fridays and Saturdays in October. Follow the attraction on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Nightmareonfairgroundsroad for updates throughout October.
Insanity Haunted House is 10,000 square feet, and that’s a lot larger than Pete Pavia’s childhood yard where his love of providing scares started.
“There was a haunt near my house as a kid and I just always wanted to do it,” he said. “One day I decided I was going to do it and did a yard haunt, then went from a yard haunt to building a haunt in my garage to me jumping in with both feet to build a haunted house.”
Pavia spent his first two years at a mall in St. Charles and for the last eight years has been located in the Peru Mall, 3940 Route 251 in Peru. The indoor location allows him to work on his builds year-round – which he does.
“I build all year long. I have the next
five years’ builds already planned,” he said.
It also means if you encounter a line, you don’t have to stand outside to wait. He estimates several thousand people walk through each year.
Insanity Haunted House has been named the No. 1 haunted house the last three years for overall experience by HauntedIllinois.com. Last year, it was rated in the Top 5 scariest attractions in Illinois.
“You’ll come into contact with 20 or 30 different actors through the course of your journey,” Pavia said, adding there are different scenes.
The haunt isn’t recommended for children under the age of 13.
For dates, times and tickets, visit www.insanityhh.com.
If you’re a history buff who also likes dark stories, you’ll want to check out the “Graveyard Stories: Heroes, Hobos, and Murderers, Unearthed” tour by Awesome Ottawa Tours.
Owner Tom Aussem launched Awesome Ottawa Tours in 2018, starting with the popular Ottawa Obscura Bike Tour and expanding annually to offer nine unique tours today. The tour company was named a Travelers Choice Award winner by Trip Advisor in 2024.
Aussem spends an extensive amount of time researching his tours.
“Locals don’t know these things about Ottawa,” he said. “I don’t talk about things that are easily found or commonly known.”
This drive/hike tour embarks on a chilling expedition through the annals of Ottawa’s history and the dark and intriguing past of its inhabitants.
Aussem explains the unsettling truth behind the final resting places of the county’s most notorious murderers and dives into the depths of their crimes and the secrets surrounding their demise. Also, he delves into the mystery of a Confederate burial and the compelling tale behind its existence. Guests also will visit the La Salle County Asylum graveyard and hear the stories of those laid to rest there. The journey concludes at the oldest pioneer graveyard in Ottawa, where Aussem laments the stories of those who have nearly faded into obscurity, their legacies preserved amidst the weathered headstones and fading epitaphs, according to the tour’s website.
“The thing that most people are amazed by is how deep and vast
the history of Ottawa is,” he said.
Some of the graveyards are in remote locations and require short walks on uneven ground.
Tours are seven days a week February through December, by appointment. All tours are an hour and a half long, but scheduled in two-hour increments to allow for questions. The van can hold up to 13 passengers. For more information, visit www.awesomeottawatours.com.
In the summer, Camp Tuckabatchee is a youth camp dedicated to outdoor education and connecting children with nature. During the last three weekends of October, it transforms into the Haunted Camp, where guests can weave through the grounds to encounter actors and frightful visions. A not-scary session is available for younger children. For 2025 information and updates, follow Camp Tuckabatchee at www.facebook. com/camptuckabatchee.
Julie Barichello contributed to this article.
Corn Maze Apple Cannons Jumping
FRIDAY AUGUST 29TH
5pm – 10pm - Carnival Open – Wilson Family Rides
5pm – 10pm - Food Tent
7pm – 10pm - Killer Riffs on Stage at Sud’s Bar 7pm – 9pm - Euchre Night at American Legion SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH
8:30am – 1pm - Co-Ed 16” Slow Pitch Softball Tournament
9am – 9:45am - Fishing Derby at Jumbo @ Toluca Coal Mine Site
CHUCK ROLINSKI MEMORIAL BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT STATE’S LARGEST TOURNAMENT
8:30 am– 11:15am - Women’s sign in (starts at 11:30am) 8:30am – 11:45am - Men’s sign-in (starts at Noon)
8:30am – 12:10pm - 13 & under sign in (starts at 12:15pm) 11am – 10pm - Food Tent
12pm – 12am - Beer tent Open
12pm –
11am – 1pm - Kiddie games at Toluca Pool Park 11am – 1pm -Touch A Truck Event 1pm – 3rd Annual Toluca Labor Day Golf Event 12pm – 4pm - Bags Tournament @ Beer Tent
4pm – 10pm - Food Tent 4pm –5pm - Kay Pitt’s Memorial Cake Decorating Contest & Auction @ American Legion Hall
5pm – 10pm - Carnival Open – Wilson Family Rides
6pm – 9pm - Bingo @ American Legion Hall
5pm – 8:30pm - Skazz Band on stage at Sud’s
8pm – 11pm - Beer Tent Open
Entertainment – Craig Gerdes Band SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST
8am – Noon - Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at American Legion Hall
10am – 4pm - Toluca Labor Day Boutique & Vendor Fair
By Ryan Searl | Photo provided by Amanda Weygand Zehr
This fall, Ottawa is rolling out its canvas for a new celebration of the arts.
From Sept. 12-14, the City of Ottawa Arts Committee will host the inaugural Paint the Town: En Plein Air Festival, inviting artists and spectators to experience the vibrant beauty of Starved Rock Country through outdoor painting and community events. The festival includes over $5,000 in prizes for participating artists.
Plein air painting, which derives its name from the French term for “painting outdoors,” originated in the 19th century when artists began leaving their studios to capture natural light and scenery firsthand. This approach allowed painters to work directly from their environment, observing changing colors, weather and atmosphere that may have otherwise
gone unnoticed if they were painting from sketches and notes.
Today, plein air is more popular than ever, thanks in part to artists sharing their painting processes on social media and growing interest in plein air gatherings hosted in scenic locales. With artists often traveling across several states to enjoy unique and picturesque painting spots, Starved Rock Country is primed to be a perfect destination to host an open air painting festival.
Located 80 miles southwest of Chicago, Ottawa is rich with visual inspiration for plein air painting. The city features tree-lined streets, preserved architecture and views of the Illinois and Fox Rivers. From the brickwork of historic churches to the serenity of Nell’s Woodland nature preserve, Buffalo Rock State Park and Dayton Bluffs
Preserve, Ottawa provides a diverse backdrop for all manner of landscape painters.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, Sept. 12, with guided bus and hiking tours designed to spark inspiration and showcase some of Ottawa’s popular plein air spots. Two evening tours beginning at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. will highlight local landmarks, streetscapes and natural gems. For nature lovers, a hike through Nell’s Woodland offers a tranquil introduction to one of Ottawa’s scenic natural spaces.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, registered artists will take to the streets and green spaces of Ottawa for a full day of painting “en plein air.” Participants are free to set up in any public spaces within city limits, turning the entire community into a living gallery of works-inprogress. Paint The Town invites spectators to watch the creative process unfold and wander between painting locations to observe artists craft their next masterpiece.
The event builds to a crescendo on Sunday, Sept. 14, with the Awards Exhibition at Nell’s Woodland. All completed pieces must be submitted by 8 a.m. for judging. Starting at 10 a.m., the public is invited to view the final works, cheer on the winners and shop during the Easel Sales. At 11 a.m., Nell’s Woodland Arts Day kicks off, featuring live art demonstrations, food vendors, guided hikes and family-friendly activities.
Thanks to patrons Bob and Cheryl Nelson, the festival has a sizable prize pool. A $2,000 grand prize tops the list, followed by a $1,000 first-place prize, $600 for second place, $400 for third place and $250 prizes for
standout works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and drawing. This festival is open to artists of all experience levels. Applications must include one to five samples of past work. There is no entry fee. Participants must be present to paint on Saturday, Sept. 13, and must supply their own materials. All artworks must be created in Ottawa during the event and submitted with a visible festival stamp.
Paint the Town: En Plein Air Festival is organized by The City of Ottawa Arts Committee. Their mission is to enrich the community by promoting and supporting the creation, appreciation and accessibility of public art. The committee aims to inspire cultural engagement, celebrate local talent and enhance the aesthetic beauty of Ottawa through a diverse range of artistic expressions.
The group, working under the auspices of the city of Ottawa, aims to foster collaboration, creativity and inclusivity while preserving the unique heritage and character of the region. For more information or to apply, visit artist.callforentry. org/festivals.php and search
“Paint the Town - Plein Air Festival,” then click Apply and create a user account if you do not already have one, or contact the organizers via email at arts@cityofottawa.org. The deadline to enter is Monday, Sept. 1. C S R
Explore the full trail system of Starved Rock State Park in a 13-mile round-trip hike
Starved Rock State Park attracts more than 2 million visitors a year, but only a small percentage tackle the park’s most adventurous trek:
The Mega Hike.
“I did that once myself,” said Kyle Petersen, co-founder of Starved Rock Hikers, a community of local experts and hiking enthusiasts who promote the park. “That was the only time I’ve actually gone from one end of the park to the other.”
The Mega Hike is about a 13-mile, self-guided round-trip tour across the park’s trail system. Highlights along the way include canyons, waterfalls, Starved Rock Lodge, the Starved Rock Visitors Center, bluffs overlooking the Illinois River and trails through woodland.
“Personally, my favorite canyon is La Salle Canyon. I think it’s one of the most beautiful hikes into a canyon, and it’s one of my favorite waterfalls,” Petersen said. “It’s a nice halfway point of the hike, too.”
The Starved Rock Hikers share a recommended route at https://bit.ly/MegaHike. Petersen, who helped develop the route, said his hike lasted about seven hours.
“Someone could probably get it done in five hours if they were quick,” he said. “If you did a lot of stopping and sightseeing, it could be upwards of eight, nine hours. It depends on your age, your fitness level and also how much you want to stop.”
Petersen said spring and fall are excellent seasons for the Mega Hike because temperatures are less extreme. He also recommends that hikers bring more water than they think they will need, especially on days with high temperatures.
Scan the QR code at right to access the Starved Rock Hikers' self-guided hiking route across Starved Rock State Park.
“Bring a good amount of snacks to have along the way, and maybe think about bringing a lunch,” he added.
The Starved Rock Hikers share 33 hikes on their website of varying distances and with ratings of easy, moderate or difficult. The Mega Hike is rated difficult due to distance and elevation changes. The route includes multiple staircases descending into canyons and ascending to the top of bluffs.
When hiking from one end of the park to the other, hikers either have to arrange transportation or double back on foot to the trailhead where they parked. Petersen scheduled a friend to pick him up at the end of his hike and return him to his vehicle. Other hikers who travel in pairs or groups have parked a vehicle at one end of the park, then traveled together to the other end to have a vehicle at both the starting and ending trailheads.
A one-way hike is about 6.5 miles; a round-trip excursion is about 13 miles.
“What’s nice about this hike is there are options. Let’s say you’re getting a little bit tired and you’re halfway through, and you want to start speeding up the process,” Petersen said. “You don’t have to go all the way into La Salle Canyon, don’t have to go all the way up to Starved Rock or go in the Visitors Center. [Our route] gives you recommendations for things to see on the way, but if you want to go quicker, you can pick and choose.”
For those who don’t want to attempt a self-guided hike across the park, Starved Rock Lodge hosts a select number of guided Mega Hikes each year. The final guided Mega Hike for 2025 is Sunday, Sept. 7. The Starved Rock Trolley will depart from the Lodge that morning to take hikers to the east end of the park, where they will begin an approximately 7.5-hour tour that concludes at the Lodge. Pre-registration is required. The $45 fee includes trolley transportation, tour guides, a boxed lunch and a shirt. Limited spots are available. For information or to register, visit www.starvedrocklodge.com/events/category/ guided-hikes/special-hikes.
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Discover more hikes and useful information at the Starved Rock Hikers website, www.starvedrockhikers.com. The website includes overviews of Starved Rock, Matthiessen and Buffalo Rock state parks as well as recommended hikes, a downloadable map of Starved Rock, park rules, parking information, the Trail Talk blog with timely tips and updates, an online souvenir shop and more. Scan the QR code at right to download the park map.
Article and photos by Charles Stanley
It’s a small marker, but a big claim.
Northwest of the village of Ohio in Bureau County, there is a small roadside boulder engraved with this message: “In memory of Abraham Lincoln who spent the night of May 12, 1832 at Dad Joe Tavern. Erected by the Woman’s Club May 30, 1907.”
The 75th anniversary marker is across the road from the former Dad Joe Tavern.
The year 1832 was the time of the Black Hawk War, a conflict in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin between
the United States and Native Americans led by Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk Tribe.
On April 21, 1832, responding to a call for soldiers, future President Lincoln was among 68 militia volunteers from New Salem, near Springfield. The men elected him their captain.
By May 10, the New Salem men were part of a larger force that burned an abandoned Indian village on the Rock River before making a 30-mile forced march northeast to Dixon’s Ferry. Lincoln’s unit was one of four companies in Brigadier General Samuel Whiteside’s Brigade of Illinois Volunteers.
Records have Lincoln arriving with his men at Dixon’s Ferry – now Dixon – on the Rock River by 10 a.m. on May 12. But they don’t indicate whether Lincoln’s company traveled via Dan Joe Tavern, located about 20 miles straight south of Dixon’s Ferry.
“I have not been able to find anything substantive to either confirm or reject this contention,” according to Dr. Daniel E. Worthington, director of The Papers of Abraham Lincoln at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. However, he said, “It is possible
that the brigade was spread out and Lincoln’s company may have been at Ohio.”
The tavern’s namesake was Joseph “Dad Joe” Smith, one of the area’s earliest settlers. Dad Joe has been described as a thick, heavyset man of remarkable physical power. He received the nickname Dad Joe to distinguish him from his son, Joe.
Born in Maryland in 1786, Dad Joe’s family moved to Kentucky in 1798. He served in the War of 1812 and the Creek War in 1813.
By 1823, he was in Peoria and served on the first county
board there. In 1825, he and his family moved on to Galena and then in 1829 to a grove about two miles northwest of present-day Ohio, Illinois, where he built a cabin and began farming. The spot came to be known as Dad Joe Grove and was near the PeoriaGalena stagecoach trail.
One day a hungry mail-carrier stopped at the cabin to see if he could get breakfast. It was prepared by Dad Joe’s wife, Katherine, the only woman –other than the Smiths’ daughters – around for miles.
The satisfied mail carrier told Dad Joe he would always stop there rather than the tavern on the stagecoach trail if he could have his meals cooked by a woman, and the Dad Joe Tavern was born. The stagecoach trail was adjusted to go past the tavern.
In a 1926 written account, Dad Joe’s granddaughter, Ella Smith Young, said when the Dixonbound army arrived at Dad Joe’s on May 12, he and his sons joined the soldiers. Dad Joe’s wife and daughters already had been taken to Galena for safety, and he did not return until the war ended.
After the war, Dad Joe built a second cabin connected to the first cabin with a common roof but an open breezeway between them in what is known as the “dogtrot style.” Later, the entire structure was enclosed. Still later, a second floor was added.
Dad Joe’s wife died in 1835. The next year he sold his property and moved farther south in Bureau County. Dad Joe died in 1852. Both are buried in the Corss Cemetery north of Princeton.
The tavern continued to operate for several years. As late as 1852, one room in the tavern reportedly served as a school. Today the tavern is a private home, as it has been for many decades.
In 1928, Dad Joe’s old well, where travelers could get water located next to the Lincoln boulder marker, was dedicated as a public attraction. The monument is made of the stones from the property’s old coach house.
HIDDEN HISTORY takes a closer look at interesting but lesser known moments in Starved Rock Country’s past. Research assistance provided by the Bureau County Historical Society Museum and Library.
Go to the village of Ohio on Route 26, about halfway between Princeton and Dixon. On the north side of town, turn west on Long Street. At the end of Long Street, turn north and travel about a mile and a half. The marker is on the east side of the roadway.
The city of Streator has a history deeply rooted in multiple industries, such as coal mining, glass manufacturing and brickmaking. Another industry that made an imprint on the city's identity is transportation. Three murals pay homage to Streator's connections and contributions to transit by air, rail and car.
The first plane to fly coast to coast across the United States stopped in Streator. In 1911, Cal Rodgers flew one of the Wright Brothers' early model biplanes across the country in an
attempt to win a cash prize offered by William Randolph Hearst to the first pilot to succeed in 30 days. Rodgers christened his plane the Vin Fiz Flyer in honor of a grape soda also named Vin Fiz. The soft drink was produced by Armour and Company, which sponsored Rodgers' flight.
During Leg 12 of the flight, Rodgers landed in Streator at the site now home to Anderson Field Golf Course.
A mural commemorating the visit of the Vin Fiz Flyer is on display at 101 W. Main St., Streator. A historical marker also stands at Anderson Field Golf Course, 1901 N. Bloomington St.
The city's role as a railroad hub began in the late 1860s with the construction of the C. B. & Q. railroad's Fox River Division, with more rail companies flocking to the city in the following years. Streator's early coal industry helped draw the railroads, and the railroads helped build other manufacturing industries.
Multiple rail lines pass through Streator and are operational today, such as Illinois Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway and BNSF Railway. The shuttered Streator Santa Fe train depot still stands in the 200 block of
North Illinois Street. Next door is a statue commemorating the World War II canteen, where Streator citizens served free food and drinks to more than 1.5 million military service members passing through the city on trains.
A mural honoring Streator's railroads is on display at 125 S. Park St.
One of the earliest sport touring cars, the Roamer, was produced in Streator by the Barley Motor Car Company, formerly known as the Streator Motor Company. In the 1910s, Barley wanted to bring the luxury features and safety amenities of
European cars to the American market for a lower purchase price. The result was The Roamer, with ornate Rolls-Royce style grills, a stable chassis, luxury engines like the Rutenber six cylinder and an electric clock.
The first Roamer was produced in Streator in 1916 and billed as "America's Smartest Car." However, the car's production in Streator was short-lived. After a 1917 labor strike, Barley relocated manufacturing to Kalamazoo, Michigan.
One of Streator's signature events still bears the Roamer name. Each year, Roamer Cruise Night is scheduled
the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Thousands of car enthusiasts visit downtown Streator for the car show and to drive the designated cruise route. One of the highlights of the event includes a Streator-manufactured Roamer on display. A mural of the Streator Roamer also can be viewed any time at 101 E. Main St., Streator.
MORE THAN 40 pieces of public art are on display in Streator, including the three murals listed here, which are part of a collection of 18 murals painted by the Walldogs in 2018. For more information about the city's outdoor art, visit www.streatorpublicart.com.
C ompleted in 1858, the Reddick Mansion was built by businessman, politician, and philanthropist William Reddick. The Mansion anchors Washington Square, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Per Reddick’s wishes after his death in 1885, the home then served Ottawa as its public library from 1888-1975. Now restored back to the Reddick
When a customer re-enters
Julie’s Cheesecake Cafe shortly after they exited, Julie Chatton assumes they left something behind. More often than not, they’re returning for more of her namesake cheesecake.
Her son, Steven Collins, calls them “instant repeat customers.”
“They’ll take a slice to their car, eat it, come back in and get a slice to take home,” Collins said. “[My mom] would see them come back and say, ‘Oh, they must’ve forgotten something.’
I say, ‘No, they want another slice.’”
Collins operates the small cafe on Liberty Street in downtown Morris, where he reinvented his career after 24 years as a carpenter. Now he bakes and sells his mother’s specially crafted cheesecake, which she developed after being dissatisfied with other recipes.
“She wanted to start her own flavor, and she did a great job. A really great job,” Collins said.
By
That family recipe is now the basis of 21 flavors of cheesecake that guests can order fresh by the slice or preorder with at least 24 hours advance notice.
Several options are available to guests who visit the cafe. Round mini cheesecakes are bite-sized, hand-held treats that are ideal for picnicking and parties. Wedge-shaped slices also are available in two standard flavors, vanilla or chocolate, with dozens of flavors (some seasonal) available as toppings.
“People are always ordering the caramel apple. That’s one of the most popular,” Collins
Regular flavors include: Vanilla
walnut
Chocolate marble
Blueberry
Caramel apple
Strawberry rhubarb
Raspberry
Turtle
Cheesecake of the Month
Special order* or seasonal:
Banana chocolate
Black Forest
Chocolate mint
Easter
Lemon
Chocolate chip
Key lime
Pumpkin
White chocolate peppermint
*For special orders, sugar-free and/or gluten-friendly are available upon request.
said. “Another one that’s really popular is the turtle. That’s our No. 1 seller.”
The cafe is a frequent destination for customers of all backgrounds, from a group of seniors who enjoy a morning slice of cheesecake, to downtown employees who treat themselves during the workday, to long-distance bicyclists who venture off the nearby Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail.
Limited seating is available inside, with a few counter seats facing the window along Liberty Street, as well as a small table. In the back of the store is a gift shop with items such as honey, household goods and artisan crafts.
Fresh cheesecakes will
continue to be Collins’ focus through 2025 and early 2026, but the business model will change March 1. The business will shift its focus to frozen cheesecakes that can be shipped anywhere in the United States.
“It’s been our project plan from the very beginning. Our plan was to serve fresh to the public for a little over three years,” Collins said.
The expansion to selling and shipping frozen cheesecakes means customers can order any flavor. Because of the lengthy baking and cooling process required for a perfectly textured cheesecake, only certain flavors are prepared to serve fresh each day at the cafe. Some flavors, such as
pumpkin or white chocolate peppermint, have been seasonal. Frozen orders will allow any flavor, any time.
“We can just ship off a pumpkin cheesecake if someone wants a pumpkin cheesecake,” Collins said.
Shipping also will allow Julie’s Cheesecake Cafe to reach out-of-town customers who crave their desserts but are unable to visit Morris regularly.
Collins said the future of fresh by-the-slice servings at the cafe is being decided – the shop’s operating hours may change with the launch of the frozen cheesecakes in March, but he will continue to serve fresh cheesecake at local events such as monthly Cruise Nights (second Saturday of the month, June through October in downtown Morris).
Ultimately, his goal is to share his mother’s cheesecake as widely and joyously as possible.
“I just wanted to give my mom’s cheesecake a voice and get the word out,” he said.
“It’s really heartwarming to see the public enjoy it so much.”
taste the tradition of a
What started as a small community homage to a pioneer dish has transformed into one of Illinois’ most celebrated fall festivals. Returning to downtown Utica for its 55th year, the Burgoo Festival pairs Midwestern hospitality, artists, artisans, antiques vendors and live entertainment with giant cast-iron pots of scratch-made burgoo stew.
The two-day event attracts more than 40,000 visitors annually. This year's festival is scheduled 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, held rain or shine.
The star of Burgoo Festival is, of course, burgoo. The thick stew, which pre-dates the Civil War, is a hodgepodge of freshly harvested vegetables, local meats and flavorful herbs and spices. Similar to regional dishes like Irish and Mulligan stews, scholars and historians debate the exact origin of the stew and its name. However, they agree it was a communal meal that incorporated multiple meats and whatever ingredients were on hand.
Nowadays, the slow-cooked dish is a staple of fundraisers and benefits in Midwestern and Southern states.
Utica's burgoo is simmered in massive cast-iron pots over an open fire, stirred all day and overnight Saturday by diligent cooks armed with wooden paddles the size of canoe oars. Seeing these hardworking volunteers stir the legendarily thick stew is an iconic part of the festival.
To try a bowl of burgoo, arrive early on Sunday, Oct. 12. Servings are sold beginning at 9 a.m. and continue until it runs out. Stew is available Sunday only.
Burgoo Festival also includes one of the region's largest vendor shows featuring more than 375 booths selling handmade, homemade, homegrown and vintage items. Entertainment includes free live music, children’s entertainment, blacksmithing demonstrations and more.
The event is sponsored by and benefits the La Salle County Historical Society and its projects. The museum campus, located on the banks of the historic I&M Canal, consists of six locations including the canal warehouse, a heritage center, a one-room schoolhouse, a working blacksmith shop and an original barn dating back to 1875.
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n Ryan Searl and Julie Barichello contributed to this article. Photos by Scott Anderson.
This pooch was one of the winners in the canine costume contest at Bill's Barktoberfest – not because the dog appears to walk on two legs, but because of the scarecrow outfit. This year's Barktoberfest will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Washington Square in Ottawa. The event raises funds for the local dog park. Learn more about the dog-centric festival at www.facebook.com/ billsbarktoberfest.
Photo by Tom Sistak
