AUGUST 2024
Also inside ...
Get a front row bench seat to the movies A Galena business was once sun and done, but now its doing a lot more Shannon gets ready for some homecoming hoopla A brew and a chew — and what a ’View!
Life on the Lake: Reader photos
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ars of jams, a bevy of baked goods, piles of produce and an abundance of arts and crafts: They’re the stock in trade of farmers markets, a sign of summer as sure as the sunshine — and they can brighten your day too: meeting new people, doing some shopping with old friends, and scooping up homemade and handcrafted goods.
Sure, you could hit the road and find a farmers market in just about any town you visit, but you could also just stay right here in Lake Carroll and find one, too.
Lake Carroll’s Farmers Market has been a summer staple in the community, though it’s been in a few different places along the way. Longtime patrons will recall when it was planted in the parking lot at Plumtree Lodge up until a couple of years ago, when it moved to the East Marina, and on July 6, there was another market change.
With a growing number of vendors both from Lake Carroll and outside of it, Lake Carroll Association management moved the market to a grass lot near the Clubhouse, in an area of the community where more than just members can stop by; the public can head to the market, too — and they did. The move brought more people who checked out the nearly 25 different vendor tents, tables and trucks during the four-hour event.
Farmers markets have evolved in recent years. These days they’re more than just a few farmers with bushel baskets. A growing demand for fresh food and handmade crafts, and people looking for a local shopping experience have transformed farmers markets into places where artisans, brick-and-mortar businesses, backyard growers, vendors, and food and drink trucks gather to peddle their wares.
Some even feature entertainment, like Lake Carroll’s, which hosted Aaron Newsome, a singer-songwriter from Pontiac who performed an acoustic set at the market, and even had a few folks dancing.
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A new location this year — in a greenspace near The Clubhouse — helped boost attendance at Lake Carroll’s farmers market. “The setup is really nice for new customers. I’ve seen lots of new faces,” said vendor Sydney Gassman
The larger market and new location was a hit with vendors, including Jacob Lieb of Lake Carroll, who owns Driftless Quality Wear, an online store that sells outdoor-themed clothing and apparel. He’s set up at the market for the past three years, which has allowed him to meet his customers in person.
“It’s a really great opportunity to see the people in my com-
munity,” Lieb said. “It’s nice to have a personal interaction with them instead of just doing online sales, like I normally do. It’s a nice gathering.”
With the previous setup at the East Marina being in a private area of Lake Carroll, the market’s move to a public area helped him get some face time with more people.
“I think the new location is better, just because there’s a lot more people who know what’s going on here, instead of fewer people in the past,” Lieb said. “People who come to the golf course can see it when they come in, and maybe they’ll stop by.”
Those who stopped by met a variety of vendors, from school-aged to senior citizens.
Sydney Gassman of Lake Carroll was one of three younger vendors who set up at the summer market when school’s not in session. She runs Sydney Elizabeth Designs, which makes bracelets, jewelry and hair scrunchies.
Sydney set up under the same tent with her mother, Jennifer, who was selling cupcakes, pastries and Rice Krispies treats.
“The setup is really nice for new customers,” Gassman said. “I’ve seen lots of new faces, but yet I still recognize lots of people. It’s just really nice to talk to everyone and communicate. It’s also really neat to meet new vendors.”
Customers also scoped out Christine Lagattolla’s business, Nature Flow Co., which sells a variety of essential oil products, natural lip balms and some jewelry.
“I like that we’re outside and you can have a beautiful day,” said Lagattolla, of Lake Carroll. “I like meeting people and getting to share my passion for with my all-natural products, and I’m excited when people are interested in it.”
Kari Chrysty has been a vendor at the market for five years, with a business name that’s always on customers’ lips: Forever Lips by Kari, which sells lip care and skin care products. Like other sellers, the Lake Carroll camper enjoyed the new location, especially being able to take paper as well as plastic for payments, thanks to the better internet connection near the Clubhouse.
“I absolutely love this location,” she said. “It’s bright, it’s airy, it’s open, and I have internet, and that’s a huge plus. It’s very inviting, and everyone who drives by on Lake Carroll Boulevard can see us.”
In addition to meeting new customers, vendors got to meet new sellers, too. Chrysty was one of several who found a couple of pockets of time to check out what others at the market had to offer.
“I love the community and I love all of the vendors who are here,” Chrysty said. “Everyone comes together and helps each other out. It’s like a family.”
The July 6 farmers market was one of several Fourth of July week events at Lake Carroll, both public and private. On the holiday itself, Chad and Julia Krogman of Krogman Homegrown Meats, which sells beef and pork from its rural Shannon farm, hosted its own pop-up market at the farmers market site; that event had additional vendors as well as those who were at both markets.
Want to learn more about the vendors who set up during the event’s first weekend this year? Flip through the next few pages and head to the market ... Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
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alk about movies with a big cast. We’re talking thousands of stars.
But most of them aren’t on the screen at a place where people pull up to a ticket booth and drive through a gateway to the past.
They’re in the sky.
For nearly 75 years, The Midway Drive-In has welcomed film fans, families and friends to nature’s auditorium under the stars, where you can see a movie the way people used to when the drive-in’s post-war boom could be heard across the nation and families would hitch their station wagon to the stars for a night of entertainment.
Located about 45 minutes from Lake Carroll — roughly midway between Sterling and Dixon (itself once home to a Hollywood star by the name of Reagan) — the drive-in has managed to weather the storms of nature and movie-goers’ changing tastes to survive into a century where streaming and downloads can deliver films into our hands and homes. But despite all the conveniences of technology, there’s something about seeing a movie on the big screen — the really big screen — that keeps people coming back.
During their heyday of the 1950s and ’60s, nearly 4,000 drive-ins dotted the landscape, beckoning motoring movie-goers to see everything from blockbusters to B-movies on the big screen. Today, only a few hundred remain, which makes the Midway something more than just another place to catch a movie. It’s a slice of Americana pie.
About three miles northeast of Sterling, the Midway gives moviegoers a unique setting to take in the latest feature flick or rekindle memories of romantic dates from decades ago, and though the fad has faded from its peak, drive-ins are still a bright spot in many people’s memories.
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The Midway Drive-In, 91 Palmyra Road in Sterling, opened in 1950 and has been in continuous operation ever since.
Owners Mike and Mia Kerz of Lisle grew up enjoying their own drive-in experiences, and made it a mission to preserve a piece of American history.
“Our goal has been to preserve the drive-in experience,” Mike said. “For myself, some of my fondest memories have been attending the drive-in theater with my family, and there’s something about the drive-in experience that represents American values. Most, if not all, of the drive-in theater owners are independently owned with individuals who have a dream of owning a drive-in theater for the same reasons as us: the fond memories of growing up at drive-ins.”
Located on the historic Lincoln Highway (Palmyra Road), the Midway Drive-In opened in 1950 and is home to the oldest standing drive-in screen in Illinois. The road it’s on once was the major traffic link between Sterling and Dixon, but a four-lane highway (state Route 2) built a decade after the theater opened put the Midway “off the beaten path.”
Midway can accommodate up to 500 vehicles in its 11 rows with as many as a couple thousand people viewing the 90-foot-wide screen. Though unused today, the old speaker poles remain, both to retain that retro vibe and as a parking guide – two cars can nestle between each one of them.
Drive-ins still hold a special place in American culture – seeing the stars under the stars and breathing in the fresh air, stretching out in the back of the pickup truck or van, or snuggling in the front seats. But even as deeply rooted in nostalgia as it is, the drive-in has still kept up with the times. The flicker of film has made way for digital projection, and those clunky speakers hung on windows have been replaced by audio that’s broadcast on FM radio (91.3 at Midway).
The Kerzes have owned Midway since 2007, showing first-run summer blockbuster movies throughout its season, which runs from May to September. Also included among the year’s schedule are classic movie nights and special horror events. The ticket booth opens at 7 p.m., and its spacious gravel lot and grassy infield area give moviegoers an opportunity to unwind a little before the first film.
Noah (top) and Mark Myers of Winnebago play catch during a recent weekend at the Midway Drive-in. The grass infield gives moviegoers a chance to unwind before they watch the night’s doublefeature.
“You can come early, sit outside and enjoy a snack, and enjoy the outside with your family and friends moving around and doing what you want.” Mia said. “Then you can relax and enjoy the movie with those same people. Then during intermission, you can go to the concession stand, get some more snacks and do the whole thing all over again. It’s a lot of entertainment at a minimal cost, and it’s a great way to entertain your family and give them all kinds of experiences that they won’t have when you pile in and pile out in 90 minutes at a [regular] theater. It’s just wonderful to see that.”
Much like attending a sporting event, the Midway plays the national anthem before the first feature, complete with images of various people and events in American history.
In another nod to nostalgia, retro-themed messages and promos lead in to each feature presentation. In the concession stand, black-and-white chessboard floor remains squeaky clean and old movie posters and memorabilia grace the walls, including a copy of Midway’s opening week ad; the first film was 1949’s Technicolor “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” starring Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams and Gene Kelly.
The Midway, like many drive-ins in the last 10 to 15 years, converted from film to digital projection. It was costly, but critical, investment as movie studios phased out film. Some drive-ins nationwide couldn’t afford the change — which involved more than $100,000 worth of upgrades — and closed, despite their best efforts to keep them alive.
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In 2014, the Kerzes ran a Kickstarter fundraiser to help with the transition, but that effort fell short of their goals. Despite that, they bit the bullet and dug in to invest in a digital projector. They’ve kept the old 35mm projector off to the side, though, which shows classic horror films at its annual Dusk to Dawn HorrorFests in September.
Midway’s concession stand serves up theater favorites — popcorn, candy, nachos, hot dogs — as well as pretzels, funnel cakes, burgers and pizza, and you can wash it all down with a fountain soda. Midway serves Pepsi products as well as Green River Soda, which originated in Davenport, Iowa. “So many people just love the Green River Soda,” Mike said. “It’s a nostalgic favorite.”
For movie-goers, snacks and a movie go together like candy and a cola, but for drive-ins like the Midway, concessions are the bread and buttered popcorn of their business. Ticket sales often just cover the fees Midway pays to the studios to show their films, so concession revenue chiefly keeps it a profitable venture for the Kerzes.
“The movie studios spend the money making the movies, so it’s fair that they get most of the money from the ticket sales to recoup their production costs,” Mike said. “The concession stand is what keeps drive-in theaters, in addition to regular movie theaters, going.”
However, if customers would rather bring their own food, they can certainly do that through the purchase of a food permit for $10. The nightly permits were an idea stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic when Midway’s concession stand was closed for 2 years.
After converting to digital a decade ago, the investment has paid off and the
Midway continues to survive as one of three movie theaters within a 5-mile drive of one another when including two traditional theaters in Sterling.
“In some aspects, running a drive-in theater is challenging in that we need to pay the bills all year round,” Mike said. “The drive-in is only open for a limited season each year, so that requires some real financial planning.”
Some people like comedies, others romance movies, but if the Kerzes narrowed their favorite genre to just one, there’s no question about it: They’re horror lovers, and they share their fondness for frights each September during the Dusk-to-Dawn HorrorFest, which features four horror movies from various eras. This year saw the addition of a spring event, with a quartet of classics from George Romero. Details on this fall’s event will be announced on Midway’s Facebook page, or sign up for its online newsletter through its website.
“The horror movies have basically been independent films and art films,” Mike said. “People don’t like horror movies because of the blood and monsters, they like them because of the talent that goes into making them. With horror movies, very often they are made independently from the studios, so they can have artists and directors who are able to achieve their vision. There are very specific themes and allegories plugged into these horror movies. They’re very smart films.”
The Kerzes also organize the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention on the first weekend of August at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare-Chicago in Rosemont. The event brings in horror genre celebrities for meet-andgreets, presentations, special showings, and a costume contest hosted by Chicago horror icon Svengoolie. It also is a fundraiser event for the Midway; go to flashbackweekend. com for more information.
“That’s helped us with some of
the major projects we’ve had, such as buying the digital projector, bringing in new electrical and painting the screen,” Mike said. “It’s also our way of honoring the creators of these great movies, and bringing some of them in and giving fans the opportunity to meet them, or get an autograph or photo with them.”
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Only a few years after the sounds of Al Jolson’s jazz songs in the first full-length talkie (“The Jazz Singer”), the first drive-in opened near Camden, New Jersey, in 1933. Drive-ins’ peak came during the 1950s and ’60s when more than 4,000 welcomed moviegoers, but by the 1970s, the rising cost of real estate, the growing number of more modern indoor theaters — and later, home video — curbed people’s enthusiasm for drive-ins.
The Lincoln Highway, which spans New York City to San Francisco, has nine remaining drive-ins nationwide, including Midway — far more than just the one remaining along historic U.S. Route 66, in downstate Litchfield.
Today, there are only about 325 drive-ins; of those, Illinois has eight. But despite those dwindling numbers, they’ve remained popular destinations for those who enjoy the nostalgic novelty of recapturing some of that movie magic of the past and others who just want a night out of the town. For a younger generation, drive-ins offer a movie-going experience that’s not tied to a TV or tablet.
That’s what keeps customers coming back for more, and that keeps the Kerzes coming back for more.
Mike and Mia serve on the board of directors of the nonprofit United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association. The national organization recently launched the driveinsnearme. com website, which features a guide to drive-ins in the U.S. and Canada and other information. Mike plans to write blog entries on the site featuring drive-in news, events and trends. The organization also has a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and YouTube.
We’re off to the movies
Midway Drive-In is at 91 Palmyra Road in Sterling (between Sterling and Dixon). Find movie dates and times at themidwaydrivein.net, on Facebook or by calling 847-647-3124.
The box office opens at 7:15 p.m. on movie nights, with the first movie starting at approximately 8:45 p.m., with the second to immediately follow. Tickets are $9.50 adults and $4 for ages 3-11, and can be bought at the box office or through Midway’s website (add $1 for on-site sales with credit or debit card.) Concessions are available, or outside food is allowed for a $10 carry-in fee.
Midway’s owners are dedicated to ensuring that drive-ins still have a role in Hollywood’s story, promoting and preserving the atmosphere of the biggest thing in movies and doing their part to keep a piece of American history alive for generations to come.
“The memories that are created at drive-ins through going there with your friends and loved ones are very, very special,” Mike said. “They make drive-ins special, and that’s why we want to preserve the American drive-in theater experience.”
Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
Bring a chair, kick back in the back of your pick-up, or stretch out in your van — and enjoy the movie. CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
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The team at a Galena business may not be able to do everything under the sun yet, but they’re working on it.
The Arrow Group of Galena has been expanding its footprint recently. Now the Arrow that used to just point up at the sun is pointing in other directions — around the house, evolving from a one-stop shop for solar energy projects to a one-stop shop for a host of home and business tech needs.
The business that used to be Arrow Solar has added security systems, WiFi, home theaters installation, and electric work to the services its offers. Now, whether it’s a new build or upgrading an existing property, one call to Arrow Group of Galena is all it takes.
And the Group isn’t done growing yet. The most recent push forward is the expansion into electrical services, president Justin Greibe said, with new services in the works.
“We’re going through a big rebranding right now, going from solar-specific to Arrow Group,” Greibe said. “We’re looking to be an umbrella of trades. Electrical is the next trade that we’re building out, and we’re looking to go out into pools and spas, which are currently in the [research and development] phase. We’ll look at any sort of electrical projects, anywhere from hanging a ceiling fan to wiring a whole house.”
The company announced its rebrand to Arrow Group on social media June 14.
Established in 2016, Arrow Group has helped homes and businesses incorporate solar into their energy systems, and business has picked up in recent years, vice president of operations
Jen Lane said. It’s part of a nationwide trend toward green energy. According to the This Old House website, the sun has been on the rise when it comes home energy needs, with 4.7 million systems operating as of 2023. That’s up 262% from the nearly 1.3 million residential solar installations in 2016. And the forecast for the industry is sunny, with continued growth predicted.
Solar business remains the biggest part of the company’s business, and this year has proven to be a busy one, with a change in Illinois’ net metering energy rules that will take effect next year. In short, existing solar customers can receive oneto-one credits for electricity generated by their panels that is not used; for those who install panels after Jan. 1, 2025, there will be fewer credits for excess. (Go to citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2024/07/01/cub-qa-whatshappening-to-solar-power-in-illinois-in-2025 for more information).
Among solar power’s benefits, according to Arrow Group’s website, is a smaller carbon footprint, less reliance on the energy grid and greater energy independence, and lower electric bills. It can also be a positive return on your investment when you sell your home, giving its value boost.
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Arrow Group sales team members took part in Fawn Ridge Real Estate’s Home and Garden Show on June 8 at Lake Carroll. They set up a display to show people the various services they offer, tell them why arranging for solar panel installation is beneficial before the calendar turns to 2025, and to let them know about the company’s rebranding.
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Among the solar panel projects Arrow has taken on are ones in Lake Carroll, such as this one. “Lake Carroll definitely is a focus for us,” said VP of sales Lisa Sproule-Vakharia.
“If a customer comes in with an idea, we help them determine what their true best option is,” Lane said. “They may have something in mind, and we can talk through something else that we offer and get you to a point where you can be happy. We’ll give the pros and cons of options so that customers can make their educated decisions.” They’ll also monitor the set-up to help ensure that customers get the most out of their solar system.
Arrow Group has done a handful of projects in Lake Carroll the past few years, and it’s a market that vice president of sales Lisa Sproule-Vakharia said she would like to see grow. During the Fawn Ridge Real Estate Home and Garden Show on June 8 at Lake Carroll, Arrow Group’s sales team set up a tent to show people what it offers, the benefits of solar panels, and why it would be beneficial to install them before the calendar turns to 2025. They also took the opportunity to get the word out about their rebranding.
“We got some good leads,” Sproule-Vakharia said. “It was a great event, and we’ll be going back next year. Lake Carroll definitely is a focus for us, and we’re looking forward to doing more business there.”
The network part of its business specializes in helping clients stay connected. Arrow can install both commercial and residential systems, hooking up customers with home theater systems, Smart home set-ups, WiFi networks commercial networks and more.
For clients looking for peace of mind, the Arrow Group will help you keep an eye on your home or business, with security systems that use video surveillance, motion detection, facial recognition and remote monitoring. A monitoring team can even contact emergency services when an alert is detected.
Find Arrow Group on Facebook, go to helloarrowco. com, email team@ helloarrowco.com or call 815-580-3142 to find out what Arrow Group can do to add to your home experience.
Along with Greibe, Lane and Sproule-Vakharia, Arrow’s leadership team also includes co-owners Aaron and Capinia Abt and Greg Hart, co-owner and CEO Joseph Mattingley, chief technical officer Jeff West, and chief marketing office Amy Abt. It’s a team that’s recognizing what home and business owners want, both today and going into the future, to ensure that their properties are safe and secure.
“We’re really committed to the community,” Greibe said. “We’re really excited about where things are going. We’re a company that is moving fast and we’re really excited about what we’re able to offer to the public. Rolling out these new things has been fun just to see how we’re able to help.”
Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
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Lydia Sitter, Au.D
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Keeping the Shannon Homecoming Celebration going into its second century takes a strong commitment of community volunteers. Helping lead the efforts are (from left) Tim Ruter, Harry Schryver and Brad and Valerie Woessner.
It was a war unlike any other the world had ever seen, so when the soldiers who fought it finally came home, it was only fitting that they be honored with a celebration unlike any other their hometown had ever seen.
The year was 1919 and Americans were dealing with the aftermath of the Great War (later renamed World War I). On the world stage, players in the Paris Peace Conference hoped to make it the war to end all wars.
Meanwhile, in Shannon, returning soldiers were feted with a parade that brought the city together in a celebration of victory and valor. The end of the war finally brought their boys back home.
More than 100 years later, the city’s patriotic pride is still strong, and what started as a day of homecoming hoopla has grown into the annual Shannon Homecoming Celebration, held each Labor Day weekend to honor those who’ve served to protect their nation and preserve peace throughout the world.
Operated by Shannon’s Lions Club and American Legion, the celebration has become one of Carroll County’s largest annual events, having evolved from a parade to three days of fun, food and entertainment — thanks to the volunteers who work with local businesses and organizations to make the event a success each year, drawing both locals as well as people from throughout the Lake Carroll area.
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Erected in 2015 by The American Legion, The Shannon Veterans Memorial honors the men and women who’ve served their country. It is located at the northwest corner of state Route 72 and Shannon Route on the west side of town. Illinois is home is home to a number of World War I monuments. Go to landmarks.org/worldwar-one-monuments/ for a searchable list.
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Brad and Valerie Woessner of Shannon lead a group of volunteers from both clubs, as well as other dedicated helpers throughout the community, tasked with a variety of responsibilities: lining up the parade, arranging special performances, cooking and serving food, and facilitating the fun that’s drawn countless numbers of people through the years, creating memories that have lasted a lifetime and served to inspire new generations of volunteers.
“I’ve grown up with it, having been here my whole life,” Brad said. “I’ve probably been to every one of them within my lifetime. When I was a little kid, it was all about riding the rides and eating yourself sick. Later on, I learned about why it was Homecoming with all of the veterans, and you don’t see that all of the time.”
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The first Shannon Homecoming Parade was held in 1919, nearly 9 months after the armistice that ended World War I. The event would later morph into the Shannon Homecoming Celebration.
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When Johnny comes marching home again, hurrah, hurrah!
The Shannon Homecoming Celebration's "Johhny Races" are a popular event. This year's will take place on the third day of the festivities, Sept. 2, in downtown Shannon.
The highlight of the event is the homecoming parade that honors area veterans past and present. The parade is one of the oldest annual hometown festival parades in Illinois, with the first one held in 1919 to honor soldiers returning from World War I, nearly nine months after the armistice was signed to end the fighting. It will be led by this year’s grand marshals, Alan and Sherry Flack of Shannon.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2, and will consist of floats and tributes to veterans, and of course, plenty of candy tossed to the kids.
“When you come to the parade, you bring two bags — there’s that much candy,” Valerie said.
As with any event that’s got more than a 100 years of history behind it, Shannon’s Homecoming hasn’t been without its changes and challenges. Like many big events in small towns, finding enough volunteers can be difficult at times, especially as memberships in both the Lions and Legion has decreased through the years. In addition, some longtime celebration mainstays have had to be mustered out, like the carnival rides.
But those challenges haven’t stopped those who still report for duty from making it an event to remember. The homecoming committee keeps finding ways to keep their event alive and thriving, with an increasing amount of competitive games and live music helping fill the voids.
Even the purpose of homecoming has evolved: While a salute to service is still a big part of it, the event has become a homecoming for those who’ve left town but still return to the area to spend their three-day weekend with friends and family.
“I like seeing all of the people come back,” festival committee member Tim Ruter said. “There’s a lot of people born and raised in Shannon who come back once a year, and it would always be Labor Day weekend, to see family and friends. We have a nice turnout.”
“Once a year, it’s almost like a Shannon reunion,” Woessner added. “There are people you haven’t seen for 20 years who come home.”
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The Sidewalk Chalk Contest at the Shannon Homecoming Celebration is one of its popular activities. The best drawings are judged with prizes awarded; register at shannonsidewalkchalkart@gmail.com by Aug. 31 to reserve a spot.
The event has also welcomed special guests through the years. Samantha Elliott of Freeport, who was 2023 Miss Illinois, stopped by last year for a meet-and-greet after the parade.
Concession stands serve up both traditional and regional fare, highlighted by two items that Lions and Legion members are particularly proud of: the elephant ears and cheese curds.
The elephant ears were first served in the 1980s. “They’re a big seller,” festival committee member Harry Schryver said. “People line up to get those elephant ears.”
This year’s fun begins Saturday, Aug. 31, with the first event, a craft show, starting at 2:30 p.m. and concluding at 7 at the fire department, 14 S. Hickory St. The show will continue Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday.
The festivities continue at 4 p.m. Saturday with the opening of concession stands, bounce houses for the kids and the first round of Bingo. The first day also will feature the announcements of the year’s Homecoming Queen and Little Miss, and Little Mr. Firefighter and Junior Mr. Firefighter.
The fire department will kick off Sunday’s lineup of fun with a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon., followed by a car and motorcycle show until 6 p.m. at the intersection of Badger and Walnut streets northwest of downtown. P&C Little Rascals of Chadwick will set up its traveling petting zoo from 1 to 5 p.m. downtown at First State Bank. Eastland Feed and Grain on the northeast side of town will be the site of an antique tractor pull.
Sunday’s bingo, concessions and inflatables open at 1 p.m., which is also is the start of the Sidewalk Chalk contest, with prizes are awarded for the best drawings (register at shannonsidewalkchalkart@gmail.com by Friday, Aug. 30, to reserve a spot). The fun continues with remote control car and truck races from 2 to 5 p.m. downtown — bring your own RC systems. A ping pong tournament follows at the firehouse, with registration beginning at 2:15 p.m. with the first matches at 3.
Live music joins the fun and festivities Sunday. The Alleluia Quartet will perform Christian- and vintage-themed tunes at 4 p.m.; Daniel Ball, former lead singer of the Ball Brothers, will perform along with The Gibson Girls from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Performances will be rain or shine, moving to the fire station in case of rain.
Monday’s bingo, concessions and inflatables open at 9 a.m. After the 10 a.m. parade, a pork chop dinner will be served by Lions and Legion members from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the village park, 306 S. Chestnut St. Cricket Florence Crickets’ 4H critters will stop by First State Bank for a petting zoo starting at 11 a.m.
Missed Sunday’s music? Don’t worry, there’ll be more Monday with No Worries playing country, bluegrass, rock and gospel music from noon to 2:30 p.m. Activities continue at 1 p.m. with the Kiddy Tractor Pull at 1 p.m., followed by water fights for the kids at 2 p.m., both in front of the fire department. The competitive events end with the Johnny Race — in which racers sitting on a toilet atop a cart are pushed by their partner — at 2:30 p.m. downtown. Festivities conclude at 3:30 p.m. with raffle drawings for around 20 different prizes.
The Shannon Homecoming festivities are from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, highlighted by a downtown veterans parade on Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. Go to facebook.com/ShannonHomecoming for additional and up-to-date information. Want to volunteer? Email shomecoming1919@gmail.com for more information.
Raffle prizes, and additional events and updates will be posted on the Shannon Homecoming Celebration Facebook page.
Festival organizers are looking forward to a successful celebration this year — and it won’t take much for them to declare victory. All they need to see are plenty of smiling faces.
“When you stand on the street and you see the kids have a blast, it just makes it all worth it,” Woessner said.
By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media
hen they’re traveling Illinois’ Great River Road, travelers and tourists like to keep their eyes peeled for all the river views along the Mighty Mississippi.
But when they find themselves a bit off the beaten path between Savanna and Thomson, and they’re hungry, it’s the Riverview they look for.
About a mile west of state Route 84/Great River Road, Riverview Lodge serves up dishes and drinks for both the adventurous and foodies alike. It should be easy to remember where it’s at — just remember its name; that’ll tell you the road its on and the nearby riverfront subdivision its named for — the one with the river views.
Scott Miller is in charge of the kitchen, leading his cooks in the task of preparing meals for patrons with a wide variety of favorite foods, everything from pizza to prime rib, salads to sandwiches and a lot more.
Miller donned his apron at other restaurants in Carroll County before coming to Riverview last year to work for his friend and owner Jay Legel.
When it comes to the menu, Miller gives frozen food the cold shoulder.
“Fresh is the way to go,” he said. “Everything is fresh and homemade. I make it all. I make the salads from scratch and all of the soups, hand-dip all of the chicken breasts, cut our own rib-eyes, make our own prime rib. We don’t do anything frozen.”
The restaurant’s signature sandwiches are the Jersey Jays, all designed by Miller and named after his boss. They consist of a choice of roast beef, Italian sausage or chicken, topped with green peppers, onions and sautéed mushrooms, and smothered in Swiss cheese and served on a hoagie bun; chicken varieties are teriyaki, barbecue and buffalo. The sandwiches are about eight inches long and weigh around a pound.
“We used to sell a lot of Italian beef, so we threw in some sautéed mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and some Swiss cheese over the top,” Miller said. “We got into that, and then thought: Why don’t we do that with chicken? So we have teriyaki chicken, buffalo chicken and barbecue chicken all done the same way.”
Chicken sandwiches also are popular; they are about the same size as a Jay and come grilled or breaded and deep fried. The pork tenderloins are just as big, and the BLT sandwich is a double-decker. Those, and just about anything else on the menu, carry some weight and look as good as they taste.
“Presentation is everything. You really want it to stand out” — and all while keeping prices within reason, Miller said. All dinners come with a trip to a salad bar, with salad choices including potato, Amish broccoli and cucumber, all made from scratch.
Pizzas come in thin or hand-tossed crusts, with the usual gamut of toppings available, as well as specialty supreme, chicken bacon ranch, buffalo chicken, garden, and bacon cheeseburger. For those who’ve settled the debate about whether pineapple belongs on a pizza, that’s a topping option as well.
Riverview’s chicken fingers are served with its own blend of house sauce, named after Miller’s granddaughter, Jaycee.
Daily specials are also offered: tacos on Monday, pastas on Thursday and seafood on Friday. Periodic specials include a prime rib and the southern Illinois favorite horseshoe (Texas toast topped with fries, hamburger or chicken, and covered in cheese sauce). Featured items and specials can be found at its Facebook group, “The Riverview Lodge specials,” well as its Facebook page (find “The Riverview Lodge Inc.”).
The food isn’t the only thing that’ll make you feel at home at Riverview.
The atmosphere “feels homey,” Miller said. “It feels comfortable with comfort food. Most people know each other, for the most part. It’s a nice place to hang out. It’s not too high class, not too low class, it’s your everyday people.”
CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Miller prides himself on making everything fresh, from the pizza to the prime rib. “We don’t do anything frozen.” Miller says. Above, waitress Alleigh McGinnis serves up prime rib and shrimp with fries. McGinnis helps kitchen manager Miller and owner Jay Legel create a friendly atmosphere at Riverview.
“It’s rustic, kind of like a log cabin in here,” Miller said. “It’s different. It kind of blends with the whole vibe around here. We have a lot of cabins and cabin-type homes that are along the river here.”
The bar and restaurant is just one part of the Riverview experience: There’s also a campground and a bed-and-breakfast, both of which are good fits for travelers and tourists exploring the Great River Road and the river it’s named for.
Riverview also has free seasonal giveaway drawings. The prizes during its “Summer Chill” drawing from June 20 to Aug. 1 included a pair of American flag-themed zero gravity chairs and a 70-quart Igloo Trailmate cooler.
It’s nice that the place is “out in the middle of nowhere,” Miller said, with plenty of fishing and boating opportunities nearby along the river. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the Big Slough Recreation Area boat launch one mile north of the restaurant, as well as Thomson Causeway Recreation Area three miles south.
“It’s a beautiful area right here along the river,” Miller said. “There’s all kinds of river sports to do and a lot of parks to visit, too. There’s so much to do here. There’s some kind of sport that’s going on every season, and the change in the seasons can feel real cool when you’re around here. There’s just a lot to offer.”
River travelers have made the place a stop on their vacation itineraries, and locals love it, too. As Miller likes to say, “You can come in like a stranger, and they’ll treat you like you’ve been here 20 years.”
“The community’s cool, and everybody gets along. It’s one of those tight-knit communities where everybody’s friendly. It’s a great place.”
Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
Riverview Lodge, 5403 Riverview Road, north of Thomson, is open 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The kitchen opens at 4 p.m. each day. Find “The Riverview Lodge specials” on Facebook or call 815-273-0289 for more information.
When does five plus four equal a fourth? When five family members from four generations pose for a patriotic picture for the Fourth, during the Buettner family’s annual Independence Day get-to- gether at Lake Carroll. Pictured are Ashley Nell (Buettner) Taylor, great-grandmother Arlene Schamberger, Winston Taylor, Maryann Buettner (25-77), and Halle Taylor. Maryann has shared photos of the family’s fun in the sun with Lake Lifestyle since the magazine started back in 2020. They’ve appeared in the August issue each year and were featured on the cover in August 2020.
Thanks again, Maryann, for sharing a picture of life on the lake!
