OUT & About
FAVORITE GROUNDS
Starved Rock Coffee Co. serves global flavors with a local touch
THEATER WITH MUSCLES
Dreamwave Wrestling brings drama, costumes and action
COLOR & CULTURE
Ballet Folklorico De Colores entertains and educates with Mexican folk dances
AWAKEN YOUR SPIRIT AND EXPLORE THE AWAKEN YOUR SPIRIT AND EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF SPRING AT STARVED ROCK BEAUTY OF SPRING AT STARVED ROCK LODGE LODGE
As the season transforms the landscape, As the season transforms the landscape, discover breathtaking waterfalls, vibrant discover breathtaking waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers, and miles of scenic trails. wildflowers, and miles of scenic trails. Whether you're seeking adventure, Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquility, or a memorable family getaway, tranquility, or a memorable family getaway, Starved Rock is your perfect spring Starved Rock is your perfect spring destination. Indulge in seasonal dining, join destination. Indulge in seasonal dining, join a guided hike, or simply relax in the comfort a guided hike, or simply relax in the comfort of our historic lodge. This spring, let nature of our historic lodge. This spring, let nature lead the way to unforgettable moments. lead the way to unforgettable moments.
Photo by Tom Sistak
THE SWEET SPOTS
Two candy stores satisfy customers of all ages with classic and modern sweets
FLAVORS WITH A LOCAL TOUCH
Starved Rock Coffee Co� sells specialty coffee blends roasted in Starved Rock Country
LOOK FOR A LITTLE MORE
More on Main cafe serves breakfast and lunch with a side of sentiment at locations in Streator and Ottawa
An Ottawa couple restores a Civil War-era home to keep its history and tale alive
Ballet Folklorico De Colores preserves and celebrates Mexican culture in Mendota with traditional dances
Two of the region's speedways deliver action and outdoor entertainment to spectators
Dreamwave Wrestling brings drama, athleticism and professional wrestling to fans
Mark your calendar for an air show, food truck festival, Wild West re-enactment and more
A Utica family's renovation of a historical building creates upstairs lofts for lodgers – and a new chapter for the community
Experience the charm of Princeton’s Historic Main Street, where decorated storefronts and unique boutiques create the perfect shopping destination. Enjoy a meal at a family-owned restaurant, relax at a cozy café or brewery, and unwind with a stay at a charming Airbnb or hotel. Explore historic landmarks, museums, public art, parks in bloom, and local events for a memorable spring getaway in Princeton! ay 2nd-2 t
May 2nd-25th
PRAIRIE ARTS CENTER: Jeanne O’Melia
May 15th
WINE WALK & SHOPPING EVENT
W LK EVE T
May 17th
HISTORIC HOME TOURS
June 1st
Ju e
PRINCETON COMMUNITY BAND OPENER PRINCETON FARMERS MARKET
June 7th THE PRINCETON MILE SHRIMPFEST & BREW HULLABALOO
June 13-15th
OPEN HOUSE & HOSTA WALK Hornbaker Gardens
June 20th
DOWN ON MAIN Street Concert: Mae Estes FESTIVAL 56 SUMMER OPENER - Cabaret Series
June 21st
ZTOUR BIKE RIDE BEEF & A G FESTIVAL
PRINCETO F RMERS M RK Gard s C bare FESTIV L
| E DITOR’S
NOTE |
offee is a big deal in our household.
Much of my husband’s daily routine revolves around coffee. If you quizzed him, he could probably tell you the operating hours of nearly every coffee shop in the region. Many of the baristas know him by name and his order by heart.
Coffee also plays a big role in this issue of Starved Rock Country Magazine. Matt McLaughlin, a co-owner of Starved Rock Coffee Co., talks about the craft of roasting his specialty blends that are named after the local outdoors scene (page 12). Visitors can order a fresh cup of Starved Rock Coffee at three of the region’s coffee shops – Bruce and Ollie’s in Utica, Millstone Bakery in La Salle and AppleJax Creations in Morris – as well as at Thyme Craft Kitchen, a restaurant in Peru.
In this issue, we also highlight More on Main, a cafe and coffee shop in Streator with a second location, More, in Ottawa (page 14). The cafe boasts a nearly perfect 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews, with its lowest rating set at four stars. The high praise comes as no surprise in my household – More on Main is one of my husband’s favorite coffee destinations, and their lunch sandwiches are a regular option for us. (His recommendation is the Italian turkey sandwich; my recommendation is the spicy Italian panini.)
Once you have your coffee in hand for the day, you can check out some of this spring’s entertainment and recreation throughout the area, such as Dreamwave Wrestling’s professional wrestling events every other month in La Salle (page 31) or performances of traditional Mexican folk dances by the Mendota-based group Ballet Folklorico De Colores (page 20).
Speedways in La Salle and Morris open for the season this spring – Grundy County Speedway returns with the annual Spring Classic on April 26, and La Salle Speedway and Events Center revs up May 6 with FloRacing Night in America. Read more on page 24.
Outdoor festivals also return in May with five regional favorites that celebrate morel hunting, World War II aircraft and air shows, food truck cuisine, kite flying and the Wild West (page 37). More events and celebrations are highlighted on the April and May calendars on pages 29-30.
This edition of Starved Rock Country Magazine is only an appetizer on the full menu of places to see and things to do. Come visit to get a taste of everything the area has to offer – once you do, I bet you’ll come back for more.
JULIE BARICHELLO Editor
Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year
Shaw Media
110 W� Jefferson St� Ottawa, IL 61350
www�starvedrockcountry�com
Email photo or article submission queries to jbarichello@shawmedia�com�
Copyright 2025 Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited Vol 13 No 1
Spring 2025 Edition
2025-03/25,000
GENERAL MANAGER
Jeanette Smith
EDITOR & DESIGN
Julie Barichello
PRODUCTION
Rhonda Dillon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Barichello
Stephanie Jaquins
Brandon LaChance
Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Ryan Searl
Charles Stanley
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Gary Middendorf
Kyle Russell
Tom Sistak
Virginia bluebells line the trail to Illinois Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. The bluebell carpet blooms in late April each year.
Photo by Scott Anderson
SWEET SPOTS Hitting the
TWO CANDY
STORES
SATISFY
CUSTOMERS
OF ALL AGES WITH A MIX OF CLASSIC AND MODERN SWEETS
By
Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Tom Sistak
Hey Sweetie owner Stephanie Cato shows one of the many candy selections at her downtown Ottawa shop.
The saying “like a kid in a candy store” isn’t exactly accurate for specialty candy stores. They’re not just catering to children.
“We’re here to make everybody happy. Everybody can be a kid in a candy store. It’s literally our tagline,” said Kevin Orf, who owns Sweet Tooth in downtown Morris with his wife, Tarra. “We’re hoping this is the best time they had all day, that the hardest decision they had to make all day was picking out the kind of candy they want to bring home.”
Sweet Tooth caters to the young with TikTok trends and the young at heart with nostalgic candy.
“We have everything from gourmet chocolate to fudge to ice cream – just about any kind of candy you can possibly imagine,” he said.
The Orfs purchased the candy store in 2021, and they had to do their homework on the candy industry and running a small business. Orf’s background is in corporate careers.
“I started looking for (a new job) and took the first family vacation we had taken in a long time. We ended up out
in Wisconsin Dells. We went to a candy shop there, and the experience was less than fantastic,” he said, noting it was during the COVID-19 pandemic when they visited. “We came back into town, went to the Sweet Tooth where we had been many times and saw a sign on the door that said the place was for sale. It was one of those moments where the sun seemed to shine directly on that spot at that moment.”
Sweet Tooth had been open for more than 15 years when they bought it. A few years later, they’ve learned the ins and outs of the business and what brings people through the door.
“We have a wide variety, which is something that attracts a lot of people. It’s basically the best ice cream you’re going to get in town. The best popcorn you’re going to get locally in general. It’s all made on site, it’s all gourmet.
“Plenty of things like that. I really feel like the thing that separates us the most is the customer service you won’t get anywhere else.”
Their sons, 19-year-old Liam and 13-year-old Mason, help with the store when they’re available. Customers come on a daily or weekly basis to
Customers can scoop their favorite candies into candy bags at Sweet Tooth in downtown Morris.
get their favorite goodies.
“We’ve gotten to know a lot of people we would likely otherwise never have met and that have become essentially friends of ours,” he said.
For Hey Sweetie’s owner Stephanie Cato, she’s a little newer to the candy industry. The mother of eight has two daughters who help her in the store, which she wanted to open to fill a gap in downtown Ottawa.
“I absolutely love it, but it is different,” she said, referring to her past working in the boutique business.
She’s sold clothing, home decor and antiques at vendor popups, but candy was new territory, so she did her homework before opening last spring in downtown Ottawa. While summers were slower months for her before, now she’s busy because it’s ice cream season. Her most popular flavors are Tiger King, which is orange-colored cake batter ice cream with frosting and Oreo cookies swirl, and Kryptonite, blue razz ice cream with a vanilla swirl.
While ice cream is popular in the summer months, customers like to stroll the rest of the store and see what they’ll find.
“You could probably walk around slowly and then walk around another time and see something you missed,” Cato said of the selection.
She said every candy store will find its own niche.
“You’ll get the strangest things, you’ll think you’re not sure, and then it sells out like crazy,” she said, citing Dr. Pepper in a glass bottle and Dubai chocolate pistachio bars, a TikTok trend, as examples. A few candy store owners helped her when she was opening,
OPEN IN UTICA!
Gertie, a candied mannequin, greets people at Hey Sweetie.
Sweet Tooth owner Kevin Orf adds popcorn to a display rack. The gourmet popcorn is made at the Morris shop.
so she was sure to pass along the tip about the Dubai chocolate bars.
When she was opening, she said the owners of Candy and Corn in Minooka and Raffy’s Candy Store in New Lenox mentored her. She received advice on how to make chocolatecovered strawberries, among other tips to help her acclimate.
Each candy store is unique, though, and has to find its own niche, and Hey Sweetie has been no different, she said.
She carries a wide variety to have something for everyone. Popular items include salt water taffy, gourmet chocolate, freeze-dried candy, popcorn, specialty soda and nostalgic candy, among other items.
“I want everybody in all price ranges to be able to come in and afford a sweet treat or bring their kid in for a reward, whatever it may be,” she said.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A SWEET EVENT
The annual Utica Sweet Stroll returns with sweets, shopping and entertainment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Participants can buy an admission ticket for eight tastings at participating businesses throughout the village of Utica, including restaurants, wineries and stores. Tickets also include a souvenir bag. The event is an open house format, allowing participants to visit locations at their leisure to enjoy sweet treats and drink tastings.
The Utica Sweet Stroll is open to all ages; however, only people ages 21 years and older are eligible to redeem alcohol tastings. Tickets are limited and available in advance for $25. Additional tasting tickets can be bought for $1.25 each. For tickets and information, visit www.bit.ly/SweetStroll2025.
GLOBAL FL AVORS with a local touch
Specialty coffee roastery calls Starved Rock Country home
By Ryan Searl
The world of specialty coffee roasting is a close-knit one. Beyond the big corporate roasters, the industry is primarily made up of small mom and pop operations sourcing highquality beans from far-flung locales. These independent operations often focus on roasting unconventional blends, experimenting and taking bigger swings, all in the pursuit of crafting a great cup of coffee.
One such roaster among the estimated 3,000 dotted across the U.S. is located in the heart of Starved Rock Country.
“I never did any home roasting, which is probably the complete opposite of how you should do it,” said Starved Rock Coffee Company’s co-owner Matt McLaughlin, with a laugh.
“Jill and I have always been really into coffee, ordering specialty stuff from roasters all over the U.S. We just couldn’t find quite what we wanted in our area, so we figured there was a market. We just dove right into the commercial end and figured out how to do it.”
Matt and Jill McLaughlin’s passion of quality coffee and interest in the industry prompted them to jump into the deep end and start roasting commercially in 2017. Over the past eight years, they’ve used beans sourced from all over the globe to build a line of coffee named after local natural wonders. Now they have a dozen varieties available, ship all over the country, have their products stocked on store shelves
Photos provided by Starved Rock Coffee Co.
and a devoted customer base that wakes up with their premium blends each morning.
The McLaughlins started this journey by reaching out to an industry expert – the late Victor Mondry, a former president of the Specialty Coffee Association of the United States and owner of the iconic Victor Allen’s Coffee in Madison, Wisconsin.
“We met with Victor and got some extensive training on both how to roast and source coffee,” Matt McLaughlin said. The couple started by buying a smaller 3-kilo roaster before upgrading to an industry-standard 12-kilo roaster manufactured by Probat in Germany. Every origin (a geographic location where the bean is sourced, each with its own unique properties) roasts differently, so each new addition to the Starved Rock Coffee product line required careful experimentation. Starting out, McLaughlin sourced beans primarily from Brazil and Colombia, where the crop has low density and sugar content, before venturing into more exotic origins.
Starved Rock Coffee Company features four staple blends: The Rock, Trailblazer, Wildcat and French Canyon. Single origins rotate regularly, with five or six being available at one time – including Sumatra, Colombian and Ethiopian.
The aptly named The Rock blend is Starved Rock Coffee’s signature product. This house blend is a fan-favorite fusion of beans sourced from Colombia, Sumatra and Brazil, resulting in a medium/dark roast with a heavy body and notes of dark cocoa, candied walnuts and molasses. Like most of their coffees, The Rock is available in whole bean, French press or ground. The Rock is also Starved Rock Coffee’s first blend to be offered in single-serving coffee pods, which are sold 12 to a carton.
Trailblazer is a breakfast blend, a light/ medium roast, with a medium body and notes of chocolate, honey and citrus. Wildcat is a signature blend with a medium/dark roast, a heavy body and notes of dark chocolate, caramelized sugar and plum. French Canyon is an espresso blend, a dark roast with a heavy body, intense flavor and smoky notes of dark chocolate and toffee.
Coffee connoisseurs should try Starved Rock Coffee Company’s Ethiopia Natural Yirgacheffe. This natural coffee is processed by the Halo Beriti washing station in southern Ethiopia. This processing organization specializes in the yirgacheffe varietal, which is widely known for floral and fruity flavors. Coffee drinkers will notice notes of citrus, graham cracker and red grape – perfect for a pour-over or AeroPress.
“You have to be a little adventurous to get into an Ethiopian,” McLaughlin said. “It’s not what everyone expects, especially from a
small town coffee company. We ship that all across the U.S.”
All of their coffee scores higher than 84 on the Specialty Coffee Association rubric, and one variety has earned them a medal at the largest coffee roasting competition in the country. Starved Rock Coffee’s French Canyon medaled in the 2024 milk-based espresso category.
Their fall special roast, Turning Leaves, comes from the Alma Co-op in the highlands of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. They only produce about 20 bags of Grade 1 coffee, and Starved Rock Coffee buys them all. For each bag sold, they donate 5 cents to Habitat for Humanity Guatemala for the Smokeless Stove Program.
“Grade 1 is the best. Other coffee grades have their place. Starbucks coffee is dark and oily and they add cream and sugar to hide the imperfections. Lower grades over-roast for this reason. Most people think they like a dark roast until they try a quality light roast side by side,” McLaughlin said.
Starved Rock Coffee’s full line of products can be found on their website, but they also can be purchased in select stores and by the cup at several local spots. Hyvee in Peru stocks their product line, while it’s the exclusive coffee at Utica’s Bruce and Ollie’s, La Salle’s Millstone Bakery, Peru’s Thyme Craft Kitchen and Morris’ AppleJax Creations Coffee & Cafe.
“Partnering with Starved Rock Coffee has been an incredible experience,” said Millstone Bakery co-owner Kent Maze. “Matt has helped us with picking out the very best espresso machine and high-end coffee grinders to bring out all of the nuanced flavors that come with using his high-quality coffee beans. It’s such a different, elevated coffee experience thanks to Starved Rock Coffee’s beans.”
While their beans may be arriving from thousands of miles away, Starved Rock Coffee Company is committed to working locally. Their boxes are made at Illinois Valley Container; Impact Networking handles their label designs; and Double D Express is trusted with their shipping. Bags of their coffee can frequently be found in nonprofit fundraiser baskets and in coffee machines at local PADS shelters. McLaughlin also trains other would-be roasters from Chicago.
“The roaster community is pretty small, so we try to network as much as possible. The guys up at Ten Drops Coffee in Plainfield had a roaster break down recently, so I let them come out and use our machine for a week,” he said. “Having that sort of community was really helpful early on in COVID. We could help each other source beans, split a pallet or use each other’s machines if anything broke down.”
That sense of community and collaboration is also what makes Starved Rock Coffee stand out, not just as a business but as a cornerstone of local pride. Maze is proud that Millstone Bakery is able to work together with Starved Rock Coffee and serve local blends.
“Our motto has always been to use the best ingredients. We also wanted to use a local coffee roaster. After trying roasters across Illinois, Starved Rock Coffee was exceptional and really shone out as the best – and they roast right here in Starved Rock Country,” Maze said.
C S R
n TO ORDER whole bean, French press, ground or single-serving pod coffee from Starved Rock Country Coffee Company, visit www.starvedrockcoffeecompany.com.
LOOK FOR A LITTLE More
Cafe serves breakfast and lunch with a side of sentiment
By Stephanie Jaquins | Photos provided by More on Main
There’s always room for more. More dreaming. More walks. More shenanigans. More memories. More real food.
Those sentiments and more are emblazoned on the walls of More on Main, a cafe and coffee shop inside the Main Street Market building in downtown Streator. The project was birthed out of the COVID-19 pandemic when employees were asked to contribute words to add to the wall.
This year, the cafe expanded with a second location in Ottawa and decided to add the words that emit joy to their packaging as well.
Its first location opened in Streator in 2018
by Jen McMullen, a former speech language pathologist looking for a new opportunity.
“I was thinking, ‘What is it I like to do?’ and what I like to do is host people and cook for people. I got that idea and then I was like, ‘I think I’m going to open a restaurant.’”
Plans moved quickly after that. She looked at the market in Streator and saw there were limited offerings with fresh food and there also weren’t locally owned coffee shops.
She decided to combine the two and started thinking about the menu. She noticed a gap in the local market – if customers wanted to grab food, it was most likely going to be fast food.
She wanted to be fast, but fresh and from scratch.
“The idea was to have fresh foods, but also traditional things we all really enjoy but maybe don’t make at home all the time,” she said.
Both locations of More serve breakfast and lunch, offering a soup and side salad of the day, paninis, smoothie bowls, sweet potato bowls and fresh baked desserts, among other items.
One of McMullen’s favorites is cashew coffee, which includes fresh brewed coffee, whole cashews, honey and cinnamon blended together.
“That’s my go-to drink,” she said.
The chopped salad – lettuce, spinach, purple cabbage, green onions, ditalini pasta, chicken, bacon and housemade sweet Italian dressing – is a customer favorite. The grilled cheese panini also is a top seller.
“Honestly, the grilled cheese is not your everyday grilled cheese. I think we do it really well. We sell a lot of grilled cheese and tomato bisque. It’s such a traditional food, but I feel like we have such a unique take on both of them.”
Since opening, she has added more items to the menu.
“When I opened, I thought it was going to be me and one other woman and we were going to serve lunch to like 20 people. That is not what happened,” she said with a laugh. “Everybody just really responded well. At the time we served one sandwich a day and salad and soup of the day. Our menu has evolved for sure.”
When she first opened, customers came back for their favorites, but now
a few years later her customers are exploring her menu more.
“We keep an eye on the trends. We see what people are wanting to eat right now. We try some recipes and see what people like,” she said.
A few years into her second career, she is happy she chose something that brings people happiness – both to customers and her staff of 30.
“I’m working here with you guys. Let’s make this as positive as possible. We try to pass that on to the customer,” she said.
In her Streator location, she has a wall of gratitude. People can come in and buy a gift card and write it on the wall. Customers will buy for their child’s teacher, a stranger, the next firefighter who comes in – she said people get creative with it.
“I really try to focus on staying positive. Maybe we’re going to be the bright spot in someone’s day, be it with a drink or a smile.”
317 E. Main St., Streator (First floor of Main Street Market building) 815-822-9152 • www.moreonmaincafe.com
818 La Salle St., Ottawa • 815-313-5683 • www.moreonmaincafe.com
A ONE-STOP SHOP
A visit to More on Main can be a dual dining and shopping experience. More on Main is on the first floor of the Main Street Market building at 317 E. Main St., Streator – several boutiques and decor shops are under the same roof. Shopping at Main Street Market includes:
• Three Wishes: Gifts and home decor
• Little Wishes: Children's clothing, toys and gifts
• Charlie Lou's Boutique: Women's fashion
• Legends Men's Apparel: Men's fashion
A bookshelf on the second floor offers a free book exchange where visitors can take a book and/or leave a book for others. If stopping for coffee or a meal at More on Main, feel free to settle in with a book while enjoying food and beverages.
From a Short Adventure to a Lifetime Escape
Nestled along the scenic Illinois River, Heritage Harbor is the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and community. Whether you’re seeking a weekend retreat, a family vacation, or a permanent lifestyle change, Heritage Harbor offers an unforgettable experience.
At the heart of this vibrant destination is the full-service marina, where the spirit of life on the water thrives. Imagine cruising the river in a pontoon or docking your boat at one of the convenient slips. Don’t own a boat? No worries! The marina offers a wide variety of rental options, including tritoon, kayak, e-bike, and more with expert staff on hand to assist with fueling, docking, and ensuring your experience is smooth and enjoyable. Whether you’re an experienced boater or a newcomer to the water, the marina is the perfect starting point for your aquatic adventures.
For even more fun, take advantage of an exclusive Quest Express boating membership. With unlimited access to premium boats, you can enjoy all the river has to offer without the commitment of ownership. Whether you’re fishing, cruising, or simply soaking up the sunshine, Quest Express provides a seamless experience for a summer on the water.
When it’s time to relax, the Harbor Inn vacation rentals are waiting to welcome you. Choose from cozy cottages or spacious waterfront homes, each thoughtfully
designed for comfort and convenience. Every rental is just steps away from the marina, delicious waterfront dining, and a host of scenic activities along the river. Whether you’re here solo, as a couple, or with family, your home away from home is waiting at Heritage Harbor.
The charm of Heritage Harbor extends beyond the water, with a beautiful riverwalk, local dining, and easy access to nearby attractions like Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Your Starved Rock adventure provides access to miles and miles of river, offering breathtaking bluff views and endless exploration. Prefer to stay on land? Rent an e-bike and ride along the historic I&M Canal, conveniently located across from Heritage Harbor. This 63-mile scenic route is perfect for soaking in the beauty of the region at your own pace.
And as you fall in love with the lifestyle, you won’t want to leave. Heritage Harbor offers maintenance-free homes for purchase, allowing you to make this dream destination your forever home. From quaint retreats to breathtaking waterfront properties, the perfect home awaits.
Come for the adventure—stay for the escape. Your journey begins at Heritage Harbor, where every visit feels like a lifetime getaway. Call 815-587-7771 to discover more today!
TO HERITAGE HARBOR
The Story
Old Walls Can Tell
ABy Charles Stanley
stately and historic home in Ottawa recently was restored to its original grandeur by its new owners and residents, Jay and Kim McCracken. Now it is being shared with the public on a limited basis.
THE WALLACE HOME’S PAST
The two-story mansion, dubbed “The Oaks” for the tall trees at the site, originally was the home of W.H.L. Wallace, an attorney and friend of Abraham Lincoln, and Wallace’s wife, Martha Ann. According to a record at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum in Springfield, construction began in 1858 and finished two years later. The house plans were taken from a book on English architecture.
The walls are made of limestone shipped from Joliet to Ottawa by boat on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. After the 40foot square walls were raised, they were left to settle on the site for a year before the roof and walls were added and the interior completed.
When the house was finished and furnished, the Wallaces moved in with their baby Isabel, Martha Ann’s sisters Mary and Maggie, and Tillie Hennessy, a
housekeeper from England.
Wallace, who had served in the Army during the Mexican War, once again donned a uniform during the Civil War, where he rose to the rank of general. He was mortally wounded at the 1862 Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee but lingered long enough to be joined by Martha Ann before he died.
Martha Ann and Isabel remained in the house until they died, and later the property was conveyed to the state of Illinois. It served as a museum until the state decided to sell it in the early 1950s. The house was divided into six apartments, but eventually it
Civil War General W.H.L. Wallace’s home on Ottawa’s north bluff looks very much the same as when it was built in 1858.
Opposite page: Photo by Charles Stanley Historical photos provided by Lorraine McCallister
was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Knutson, who lived in it as a single-family home, making needed restorations to the roof and eves and adding an inground swimming pool.
CARETAKERS OF HISTORY
The McCrackens bought the house in conjunction with their move to Ottawa in 2024, when Jay was appointed as the executive director of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce. McCracken, at one time the mayor of Henry (situated down the Illinois River from Ottawa), also served as a member of Marshall County
Board and now is a member of the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees.
But by profession he has been an educator, serving as a teacher and superintendent. A previous position at the Regional Office of Education in Ottawa regularly brought him to Ottawa.
“That’s when I fell in love with Ottawa,” he said.
When McCracken took the chamber post, he knew he would be moving to Ottawa. And when he learned the Wallace home was up for sale, it seemed like fate that he – a history lover and Civil War buff – and his wife, who had a family connection to Lincoln and an ancestor who served in the Civil War, should become the new owners.
“We really wanted to preserve the history of the home,” he said. “It was a unique opportunity to make sure its history was not lost. And it also was an opportunity to give back to the community.”
There was a year-long restoration led by general contractor Brad Hawk of Ottawa. Evidence of the apartments was removed and the original floor plan restored.
“We sing the praises of the contractors,” McCracken said. “They were very patient while we were making decisions.”
The final result was very expensive but also very satisfying, McCracken said.
“We find that even though it’s an incredibly large house, it also has an incredible cozinesses at the same time.”
Since the completion of the renovation, the McCrackens have begun to host groups from local organizations to visit and tour the home.
“It’s just a wonderful old house,” McCracken said. “We feel privileged to live there and want to share it.”
COLORFUL
Dancers with Ballet Folklorico De Colores perform during the 75th annual Sweet Corn Festival parade in August 2022 in Mendota.
By Brandon LaChance • Photos by Scott Anderson, Tom Sistak and provided by Aurora Arteaga
When Rosa Villa contacted several moms and their children to dance and sing in 2017 to reinvent a Mexican dance group, she only wanted to create an interest for children and families.
She didn’t realize Ballet Folklorico De Colores would become much bigger.
“What started as an activity has grown into a community,” said Rosa Villa, the artistic director of the dance group. “It also provides students exposure to the culture and shows them they can study dance, they can assist other dance teachers, or they can become dance teachers. There are many possible opportunities with Mexican dance and they can be 100 percent involved.”
Villa, 49, has been a student and a teacher of the culture for many years.
When she was 17, she was teaching dance in Mexico while also being a student. She earned the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in traditional Mexican dance at a college in Mexico when she was 21.
COLORFUL CULTURE
HEGELER CARUS MANSION
the Hegeler Carus Mansion. The Mansion is an 1876,
Second Empire, National Historic Landmark (2007) by architect W. W. Boyington and interior designer, August Fiedler, showcasing intricate parquet floors and handpainted ceilings. The mansion played a pivotal role in industry, philosophy, publishing, and religion locally, nationally, and internationally.
TOUR DATES AND TIMES ARE LISTED ON WEBSITE
1307 7th St., LaSalle, IL
10 minutes west of Starved Rock 815-224-6543 * hegelercarus.org
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
In 2010, she started teaching classes in Mendota. After a hiatus, reinstalling Mexican dance and culture seemed to be the right idea.
“When I thought about doing it, there wasn’t a set vision,” Villa said. “It was more about getting young kids to do something, and this was my way of doing it.”
All four of Villa’s children are tallied in Ballet Folklorico De Colores’ 27 members, as well as friends and community members. The average membership count is 25 but it has been in the 30s.
Similar to most activities or groups, the number is higher in the summer compared to the winter.
perform as many as four times. Then the schedule expands through December with different showcases of their talent. Each year they travel to unique locations compared to the previous season, except in November when Mendota High School and Ballet Folklorico De Colores partner for Día de Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) and in December when the group partners with Northbrook School for its Christmas celebration.
Ballet Folklorico De Colores takes a month off in January but resumes each February. The first three months of the new season – February, March, and April – are full of practices and establishing a dance routine before the first yearly performance during Cinco de Mayo.
During Cinco de Mayo – the annual celebration of Mexico’s victory over the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla – the Mexican dance group could
“Mendota schools, both District 280 and District 289, have always been big supporters of ours,” said Aurora Arteaga, the group’s event coordinator. “They allow us to use their gyms, they cohost events with us, and they’ve always been very open to the group. It took some time to get there, but now, we have a great alliance. When we have shows in other towns and the kids are in school, the schools are accommodating about letting them leave with permission slips.”
Mendota school districts are not the only place the group has partnerships – it also has connections with the cities of La Salle, Spring Valley
Ballet Folklorico De Colores dancers perform during a Cinco de Mayo celebration hosted by the Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council at a Mendota school.
and DeKalb as well as the University of Illinois.
As with any talented and experienced group, awards and recognition come along the way for Ballet Folklorico De Colores.
They have performed twice in a contest at Colorado State University Pueblo, winning best duet and best soloist, while being selected for the closing ceremony, and twice in a contest at Wayne State University in Detroit, in which they won young soloist, team duet and group performance.
“For me on a personal level,
it’s very rewarding for my students,” Villa said. “It’s not that it’s not rewarding for me, but it’s better to see the kids get recognized. I know the value of what I’m doing, but it’s all for them. To see their performances reach high levels and receive awards, it’s rewarding to me.”
n FOLLOW BALLET FOLKLORICO DE COLORES on social media. Find them on Facebook at www.bit.ly/ FolkloricoDeColores and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ballet_ decolores.
1
June 28
RACESOFF TO THE
Start your engines! The 2025 racing season is about to get the green flag at pair of local speedways, promising plenty of thrills and fun for the family.
For La Salle Speedway and Events Center, it’s a return to racing after the track closed operations in 2021. Raceway
President Tony Izzo Jr. said he is ready to welcome back fans to the speedway, which his family has owned and managed since 1992.
“Racing was always in our family,” Izzo said, explaining that thanks to his new partners, Justin and Genna McCoy, he’s able to reopen the speedway. “Racing, it’s in your blood, and I’ve missed it every day since.”
He grew up around racing.
His father, Tony Izzo Sr., was a nine-time track champion at the old Sante Fe Raceway in Burr Ridge where he raced his No. 66 and went by the nickname Shaggy. In 2016, Izzo Sr. was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.
Izzo Jr. said he spent some time behind the wheel as well, but these days he is focused on the speedway relaunch and watching drivers around the quarter-mile dirt track. He’s been able to witness younger drivers incorporate more technology and science in their vehicle designs, reducing wind and promoting safety.
The first race of the season is Tuesday, May 6, and one of the track’s highlights will be
By Melissa Rubalcaba
| Photos by Gary Middendorf
the Illinois Valley Showdown on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31.
In addition to racing, Izzo said he is trying to bring some events to the dirt track, such as a feature for Monster Trucks and a rodeo. The grandstand can seat 4,500 and the speedway located along U.S. Route 6 includes 55 acres of land.
“We are trying to bring more entertainment to the area,” Izzo said. “Our hearts are 100 percent in racing, but if we’re going to be a successful business we have to look outside of the box.”
Longtime race fans know the races are entertainment for all ages. Izzo said he’s proud to have a family-friendly show.
“There’s always time before and after to fully access your
favorite drivers. We run a family-oriented show,” he said.
Family fun is a priority for the racing team at the Grundy County Speedway on Route 47 north of Morris as well. Managed by the Grundy County Fair Board, the speedway features the last remaining asphalt short track in Illinois, said Steve Bechtel, a Grundy County Fair Board member and event promoter.
Drivers have been pushing their vehicles to the limit at the Grundy County Speedway since 1971, and before the racing moved to its current location, race fans gathered at the Mazon Speed Bowl, built in 1947 and known for the high-banked, asphalt-paved quarter mile.
Riske
With the closing of the Rockford Speedway in 2023, the organizers for the Grundy County Speedway stepped up to host some of the popular races and bring them to the area, including an often chaotic Figure 8 School Bus Racing and the Figure 8 Trailer Race of Destruction.
“Last year we put a figure eight inside our oval,” Bechtel said, noting the race included plenty of collisions and excitement.
The Grundy County Speedway hosts racing nearly every week in the summer, including special races and events during the Grundy County Fair, running Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 this year with a fireworks show,
a Stars & Stripes 250 Enduro and Demolition Derby. One of the biggest races of the season for Grundy County Speedway is the annual Bettenhausen 100, which is set for Saturday, Sept. 13.
Race fans know it’s best to arrive early, providing time to walk the midway full of food options including grill favorites like hot dogs and burgers to pork chops and pulled pork. Fans can visit their favorite or the newest drivers in their pits as they prepare for each race.
“We open the gates and we invite fans to visit the drivers, who are just great,” Bechtel said.
The race drivers hail from throughout the Midwest, and with each race there’s young talent and seasoned drivers
behind the wheel.
In addition to the vehicle races, Grundy County Speedway hosts car shows and events for children, including an Easter egg hunt and an October costume contest and candy scramble. Fun promotions include the Kids Power Wheel Races, where children can compete to drive battery-powered ride-on vehicles. Bechtel said the speedway also supports initiatives to help children, from bicycle giveaways to providing school supplies.
Tickets for races at the La Salle Speedway & Events Center and the Grundy County Speedway are available at the speedway websites and on-site during race days.
n LA SALLE SPEEDWAY
578 U.S. Route 6, La Salle 815-228-8736
www.lasallespeedway.com
Season opens May 6 with FloRacing Night In America presented by Kubota Illinois Valley Showdown: Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31
n GRUNDY COUNTY SPEEDWAY
8890 N. Route 47, Morris 815-942-5958
www.grundycountyspeedwayonline.com
48th Annual Spring Classic returns Saturday, April 26
Cabin Fever Season Opener, May 3; First Responder Night, May 9; Spring Fling Enduro 200, May 10; Armed Forces Night, May 16; $5 Family Fun Night, May 23; Pure Stock Special, May 30
Downtown Ottawa
• SIGHTSEEING TOURS
• LOCAL FOOD PARTNERS
• PRIVATE EVENTS
FOR TICKETS & EVENTS:
MANSION AND GARDENS
MANSION TOURS: FRIDAY-MONDAY | 11AM &
OSee the historic Illinois River Valley like never before! Join Us for Our Annual Golf Outing, Sat. June 14th, Pine Hills Golf Club, Ottawa, IL. Visit our website for other events.
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. This ornate 22-room mansion is open for tours. Tours are offered at 11 am and 1 pm.
April 2025
Enjoy dinner and an evening of acoustic music with Harbor Stories: Unplugged All Stars at Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar in Ottawa, 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets: www.bit.ly/ HarborStories040625
Starved Rock Lodge will host a special 75-minute yoga class followed by a 3-mile hike to St. Louis Canyon, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register: www.starved rocklodge.com/event
The Easter bunny will kick off Easter Sunday at Skydive Chicago by jumping out of a plane. See the jump at 11 a.m., then kids can hunt for eggs at 11:15 a.m. Open to public; no registration
Enjoy spring weather with lunch outdoors at Washington Square in Ottawa! It's opening day for Aussem Dogs hot dog stand at the southwest corner of the park, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sail On, a Beach Boys Tribute, will take the stage 7 p.m. at Central Intermediate School in Ottawa.
Sponsored by Ottawa Concert Association; limited tickets available at door
The first Wednesday of April is National Walking Day. Hike one of the region's many state parks or natural areas. Today is UNESCO's World Book Day! Visit one of the region's bookstores: Next Page Book Store in Morris, Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa and True Leaves Bookshop in Princeton.
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2
The Starved Rock Visitors Center will host two sessions of Amazing Animals, a live animal program, at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets required; free at Visitors Center front desk.
Stage 212 in La Salle will perform "The Miracle Worker" at 7:30 p.m. More showtimes available April 5-6 and April 11-13. Tickets: stage212.csstix. com/events.php
Use flowers and herbs grown at Nettle Creek Lavender Farm to create floral artwork during the Botanical Art Workshop. Register at www.nettlecreek lavenderfarm.com/ workshops-and-events
Sign up for the Rough Road 100, a longdistance bicycle race across mixed terrain in rural Grundy and La Salle counties. Register online at www.roughroad100.com
Watch big personalities enter the pro wrestling ring at Dreamwave Wrestling's April show, 6 p.m. in La Salle. Read more on p. 31. Advance tickets required
Explore the beauty of spring wildflowers on a guided hike at Dayton Bluffs Preserve in Ottawa, 10 a.m. to noon. Register online at go.illinois.edu/ WildflowerDaytonBluffs
Cupcakes, wine, shots, popcorn, candy, ice cream and more are part of the Utica Sweet Stroll, 11 a.m.5 p.m. Tickets include eight tastings. Tickets: www.bit.ly/ SweetStroll2025
Share your adventures
on social media with the hashtag #StarvedRockCountry when you visit destinations and attend events in the region.
May 2025
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
Prairie Arts Center in Princeton will host an opening reception for artist Jeanne O'Melia, 6-8 p.m. O'Melia works in watercolor, acrylic, cyanotypes, sculptures and giant parade puppets.
2 3 4 5 6
Music
Suite 408's
flute ensemble will perform a free hourlong show at the 32nd annual Spring Flute Fling, 2 p.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Peru.
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Read about Starved Rock Country's Mexican folk dancers, Ballet Folklorico De Colores, on p. 20!
Racing season officially opens at La Salle Speedway! Grandstand gate opens at 4 p.m. Read more about local speedways on p. 24.
Happy Mother's Day! Families can celebrate with the Mother's Day Buffet at Starved Rock Lodge. Morris Theatre Guild brings to life the ghostly story of murdered brides in "The Drowning Girls," 2:30 p.m. in Morris. Information and tickets: morristheatreguild.org/ events
Communities across the region will host Memorial Day observances. Visitors also can view the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles.
Catch one of five performances of "The Wedding Singer" at Engle Lane Theatre in Streator, May 18 or May 20-23. Tickets: englelanetheatre. csstix.com
Embark on a waterfall and canyon tour at Starved Rock State Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The guided hike includes a lunch. Register at www.starved rocklodge.com/event
Treat Mom to a paint 'n' sip class at Camp Aramoni to celebrate Mother's Day weekend, 6-8:30 p.m.
Register online at www.camparamoni.com/ occasion
Get up close to WWII and other military aircraft during the 10th anniversary of the TBM Avenger Reunion and Salute to Veterans, May 1617 at Illinois Valley Regional Airport.
It's $5 Family Fun Night at the Grundy County Speedway! Stands open at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Read more on p. 24.
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp face the Normal Cornbelters in the prospect league team's home opener, 7:05 p.m. at Schweickert Stadium in Peru.
The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra concludes its diamond anniversary season, 7 p.m. at Illinios Valley Community College. Tickets: www.ivso.org/ may-2025-concert
Run 26.2 miles of scenic roads in the Starved Rock Country Marathon! To register: runstarvedrockcountry. net/races
Food trucks throughout Illinois will return to Streator City Park for the annual Food Truck Festival, noon-7 p.m. Shop a vendor market, try your hand at plein air painting and more.
Join the Old West Regulators as they perform the life and times of Starved Rock Country native James Butler Hickok! Wild Bill Days runs May 31 and June 1 in Utica.
Dreamwave Wrestling brings drama, athleticism and professional wrestling to fans THEATER WITH MUSCLES
By Julie Barichello | Photos by Kyle Russell
Tears were shed in the audience during Dreamwave Wrestling’s “Famous Last Words” show in February.
A line of youths stood against a railing that circled the pro wrestling ring, engrossed in the fight between Joe Alonzo and Vic “Ice Pick” Capri. During the scripted match, the referee was hit and temporarily stunned, causing him to turn his back to the wrestlers. The children watched as Alonzo took advantage of the referee’s distraction and brought a folding chair into the ring to attack his opponent.
Just as Vic Capri snatched the chair from Alonzo, the referee recovered and faced the wrestlers again. Alonzo flopped to the mat, pretending Vic Capri hit him with the chair he himself brought into the ring. The deception led to Vic Capri’s disqualification, Alonzo’s victory and
outraged shouts from the audience.
One young girl abandoned her post at the railing and weaved through the crowd to her parents. Through tears, she said, “Mom, it’s not fair! [Vic] didn’t hit him!” She asked her parents to report Alonzo’s misdeed and seek justice for Vic Capri, repeating, “That wasn’t fair.”
An emotional response to the show is exactly what Jay Repsel, owner of Dreamwave Wrestling, likes to see.
“We want to pull emotions out of people,” he said. “Excitement, laughter, crying.”
Dreamwave Wrestling is a professional wrestling company based in La Salle. The shows are a form of entertainment Repsel describes as “theater with muscles,” combining the drama of a theater production with the athleticism of sport.
The ongoing stories and conflicts between Dreamwave wrestlers take center stage during the productions, such as the feud between Dreamwave champion Connor Hopkins and former champion Christian Rose. The story started with Rose mentoring and training Hopkins – the pair wrestled together on the team Those Damn Coyotes, until Hopkins turned on Rose and fought him to steal the title.
At its core, each match is a story of good versus evil, Repsel said.
“There are all these tropes that are intertwined into it. There are all these stories woven into it that make it so much more enjoyable and authentic and passionate,” he said. “It’s an emotional thing. We’ve got people in the crowd crying if their person doesn’t win. It’s quite the cinema.”
The predetermined outcome of wrestling matches is an open secret these days, but Dreamwave wrestler and defending champion Connor Hopkins said that doesn’t reduce the value of the show.
“A lot of times people ask, ‘Oh it’s fake. Why should I be interested in that if it’s not real?’ I feel like people sometimes lose sight of the point of wrestling,” Hopkins said. “The art of it isn’t necessarily in making people believe it’s real all the time, but it’s in suspending their disbelief. While we know that you know that what we’re doing is predetermined, that doesn’t make what’s happening any less real. That doesn’t make the emotion any less real. If it makes you feel something, then that’s real.”
He also said the physical nature of pro wrestling is authentic.
“The physicality is incredibly real. I can’t count on two hands the number of injuries that I’ve received just in seven years of being a wrestler. I’ve had sprained ankles, broken fingers. I’ve broken teeth, hyperextended elbows, all on top of bumps and bruises and cuts.”
Dreamwave hosts eight shows a year at the Knights of Columbus
Young fans interact with Sean Logan during his match against Channing Thomas at Dreamwave Wrestling's "Famous Last Words" event in February.
Hall in downtown La Salle. The company also is home to an all-women branch of wrestling, Uprising: Women Athletes, which features three to four shows a year.
The two-story brick hall at the corner of Second and Gooding streets is the longtime home of Dreamwave events. Hopkins said he doesn’t consider many places to be holy spaces in wrestling, but the La Salle K of C hall is nearing sacred ground status. Several up-and-coming athletes as well as major names have wrestled in the building. Current WWE champion Cody Rhodes wrestled a match for Dreamwave Wrestling in 2016.
It’s a five-sense experience on the packed second floor of the Knights of Columbus hall. There’s the spectacle of costumes and athleticism performed by the wrestlers. The emphatic bang of bodies slamming against the mat followed by the cheers and jeers of the crowd. The vibration through the floor as fans stomp in support of their favorite wrestler. The smell and taste of a giant slice of Lou’s LaGrotto pizza – the local Perubased pizzeria is a 2025 sponsor.
“You walk into the Knights of Columbus and there’s a certain aura to that building,” Repsel said. “You walk up the stairs and you see the lights and the banners hanging from the ceiling of the wrestlers and [hear] the music playing. … People really feel like they’re a part of something, and they are.”
Repsel is proud of the variety of fans who attend Dreamwave shows, which draw dozens of children and families in addition to die-hard wrestling fans. A growing demographic in the fanbase is elementary and junior high schoolaged girls.
“Our crowd is full of young girls. We’re breaking ceilings with who’s paying attention to the product,” Repsel said. He noted the wrestlers with Uprising: Women Athletes are a leading draw for young female fans. “It’s not like it was in the ’90s where it’s girls with lingerie in the ring doing pillow fights. These are world-class athletes that these young girls in our crowd can admire. It’s awesome.”
Dreamwave Wrestling hosted its first women’s championship between Zayda Steel and Brittnie
Come Visit
Joe Alonzo enters the ring against Vic "Ice Pick" Capri in February.
Brooks in October 2023. At the time, it was the company’s most-watched show three times over, Repsel said. It gave him a clear message about women’s wrestling: “We saw the audience was there.”
Each Dreamwave event strives to balance family-friendliness with quality wrestling. Even though the show is appropriate for children, that doesn’t mean the action is tame.
“I think Dreamwave has found the right middle ground in not having to compromise the things that make it specifically a good pro wrestling show while also making it accessible to everyone who shows up,” Hopkins said.
Repsel compares Dreamwave’s wrestling standards to broadcast television standards – wrestlers in the ring won’t invoke any language or situations that wouldn’t pass FCC regulations for public TV. The crowd, however, may unleash a few profanities during the show.
“Dreamwave is fun and friendly for everybody. There’s enough scary things going on in the world that we like people for three hours to just be able to leave their problems at the door,” Repsel said. “It’s like watching a good movie or watching a good play or reading a good
SEE A SHOW
Dreamwave Wrestling performs bi-monthly shows in front of a packed house. Ticket sales are competitive – usually selling out in four to five hours, with a record-setting sellout of 95 minutes for the 10th anniversary Dreamwave X show on April 12 – so it’s important to buy them early when they go on sale.
Tickets for the Uprising: Women Athletes 5 show on Friday, April 11, are available at www.dwtix.net. Online sales for the Saturday, June 14, Dreamwave show will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, April 14.
For more information, visit www.dreamwavewrestling.com. Follow Dreamwave Wrestling on Instagram and Facebook for updates and to follow ongoing stories between wrestlers.
book. It’s another entertainment media that I hope people will check out and not judge it just because it’s wrestling. We try to blow those stereotypes out of the water and hope everybody will give us a chance.”
Masha Slamovich (right) kicks Sierra during their match at Dreamwave Wrestling's "Famous Last Words" event.
5 Festivals to attend this spring
MIDWEST MOREL FEST
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3
Jordan Block (100 block of West Main Street) Downtown Ottawa
The Midwest Morel Fest celebrates its namesake: morels, a wild species of mushroom known for its meaty texture and a nutty, earthy flavor revered in the culinary arena. The one-day festival in downtown Ottawa features a botanical market and morel market, where visitors can buy morels. The day's events include a 30-minute Morel University session to teach foragers how to identify morel mushrooms, followed by a guided morel hunt that lasts about two and a half hours. Limited spaces are available in the guided hunt; register at www.visitottawail.com/midwest-morel-fest. Awards will be presented in the afternoon for the most exceptional mushrooms found during the hunt.
TBM AVENGER REUNION & SALUTE TO VETERANS
Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17
Illinois Valley Regional Airport
4251 Ed Urban Drive, Peru
Warbirds will descend on Illinois Valley Regional Airport for a ground display, air show and celebration of veterans during the 10th anniversary of the TBM Avenger Reunion and Salute to Veterans. The twoday event celebrates veterans and military aircraft, which will be on display for visitors to view up close.
The weekend includes Friday night and Saturday air shows that will feature the TITAN Aerobatic Team performing a four-ship aerobatic routine in T-6/SNJ Texans and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon VIPER Demo Team. The TBM Glow and fireworks will take place Friday night.
Saturday's Salute to Veterans includes a parade and funeral flag procession. All veterans are welcome to join the parade and procession. Veteran families can bring loved ones' funeral flags for the "Walk of Honor" procession and have the flags flown in the TBM Missing Man Formation.
For more information, visit www.tbmreunion.org.
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17
South side of City Park, Streator (200 block of Hickory Street)
A variety of cuisine and flavors roll into Streator for the annual spring Food Truck Festival. Food trucks park at the south side of the four-square-block City Park to serve lunch and dinner. Guests line up for meals, snacks, beverages and desserts and dine in the fresh air. On-site seating fills quickly at the park's shelters, picnic tables and benches, so organizers recommend bringing a folding chair or blanket to ensure seating.
Proceeds from the Food Truck Festival go toward Streatscapes, a fund for public art and beautification. Streator is home to more than 40 pieces of public art, including 17 murals painted by the Walldogs during the 2018 Murals and Milestones Festival.
Coinciding with the spring Food Truck Festival is a plein air painting event hosted by Streatscapes. Artists are invited to paint in the open air under the towering trees of City Park. To register for the plein air event, fill out the form at www.bit.ly/ PleinAirRSVP.
Photos by Scott Anderson and Derek Barichello
KITES IN FLIGHT
4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18 Peck Park, 1510 State St., Ottawa
Families can watch professional kite-flying demonstrations featuring larger-than-life creatures and objects during the annual Kites in Flight event. The weekend begins with an evening kite flight at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, followed by a daytime event on Sunday. Families can bring their own kites to fly during the event or buy kites on site. Vendors and family activities also will be available at Peck Park both days. Additional details will be released closer to the event date. Kites in Flight is hosted by the Ottawa Visitors Center. For more information, visit www.visitottawail.com.
WILD BILL DAYS
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 Downtown Utica
The La Salle County Historical Society celebrates the life of one of Starved Rock Country's most famous native sons: James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, born in Troy Grove in 1837. Hickok is a folk hero of the Old West. The twoday celebration includes an eight-scene re-enactment (one performance each day) of Hickok's life and exploits, performed by the Old West Regulators troupe.
More of the Wild West comes to life with Buffalo Bill's Best of the Wild West Show, an 80-minute live arena performance on Saturday and Sunday featuring numerous horse acts, rolling stock and trick shooters. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/WildBill2025.
Welcome To Streator
SECOND STORY
A Utica family’s renovation of a historic building creates upstairs lofts for lodgers – and a new chapter for the community
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
They call it a place for families.
That’s how Matt and Jen Cetwinski advertise their beautiful loft rentals in the historic Bickerman Building in downtown Utica. It seemed a fitting description since the Cetwinskis have called the area home to their family for more than 20 years and wanted an opportunity to share their community and love for the outdoors with others.
“We always talked about building something new, but then there was this old building for sale that needed to be rehabbed,” Jen Cetwinski said.
Matt Cetwinski runs the family construction business that focuses on new home construction, and Jen is a former teacher who has found a new career managing Bruce and Ollie’s, a deli and ice cream shop housed in the historic building’s ground level.
The passion for their projects is their love of the community. Matt grew up in Oglesby and Jen grew up in Peru. They chose to live and raise their two children in Utica, a small town where some of the state’s best trails are just outside their doorstep.
“We as a family just love hiking Starved Rock [State Park] and biking along the canal,” Jen said.
The project wasn’t easy, but with experience remodeling older homes as well as new home construction, they were ready to tackle the Bickerman Building. They tried to preserve the original wood and beams. Each loft-style condo offers bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. There’s a cozy indoor fireplace and comfortable vibe in the space.
“It was a challenge,” Jen said. “We really loved being able to restore. It was kind of like a puzzle to solve.”
In May 2021, Matt and Jen
unveiled the building’s renovation and the opportunity for weekend and week-long rentals in the two renovated lofts in the upper level of the Bickerman Building.
Historical records show the two-story Italianate building was constructed in 1874 by James Clark. Clark was a contractor working on the I & M Canal, arriving in the area in 1837. Records show he purchased a cement company in 1845, and he would go on to become president of North Utica.
The original uses of the building were storefronts on the first floor and a second story theater, known as Clark’s Hall.
The name Bickerman refers to the family that owned and ran a hardware store in the property from the mid-1950s through the early 1990s, but the building’s history extends back much further. Frances Bickerman purchased the building in 1956
the
Utica. To book your stay, visit www.thebickerman.com. 166 Mill St., Utica 815-691-8034 bickermanbuilding@gmail.com
STORY
and took on a large rehabilitation after it had been vacant almost 10 years.
“We kept the Bickerman name,” Jen said.
While it isn’t a historic landmark, the couple has done their best to provide a history on the building, logging the businesses that have used the address. They invite guests staying in the rental loft to share their story as well, becoming a part of the building’s legacy.
Names are important to the family, which decided to name their café on the first floor Bruce & Ollie’s, a nod to the family’s dogs and a logo designed by the couple’s daughter, Oliva.
The first-floor cafe and deli is a great space for loft visitors to grab a meal as they start their day or an ice cream to close a great day visiting the area. In the morning Bruce & Ollie’s serves coffee, including traditional and
specialty drinks, as well as sweet cinnamon rolls and breakfast sandwiches. The deli is a prime spot for lunch, with favorites including sandwiches, salads and soups. A favorite dessert is the Capannari Ice Cream along with fresh cookies.
Bruce & Ollie’s also offers guests a picnic pack with sandwiches, sides and dessert, perfect to take along for a day of hiking and biking.
The lofts look over Mill Street, which is closed to traffic during the summer and turns into an outdoor dining patio for multiple restaurants on the block. A variety of restaurants, shops, a microbrewery and a wine tasting room are within short walking distance for guests.
Whether it’s in the deli or welcoming guests at the lofts, Jen said she enjoys meeting the visitors to Utica and is grateful for the local support as well.
"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do." As spring arrives and temperatures warm, this field of daisies a few miles south of Starved Rock State Park seems to answer to the lyrics of "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)," a song from yesteryear.
Photo by Tom Sistak
Rock Country
