A Grandparent’s Love is Forever

PHOTO BY SCOTT ANDERSON Two-year-old Bennett Ebener, his mom Abby Ebener of Galesburg, and his grandmother, Carol Ebener of LaSalle, played at the Splash Pad in Peru recently. Abby is originally from Peru and comes back to the Illinois Valley to see family. She loves that her son has close ties with all of his grandparents.

Local activities provide opportunities for bridging the generation gap and creating memories

Story by Shannon Serpette

TTo establish a tight bond between a grandchild and a grandparent, there needs to be plenty of interaction. Shared activities are a great way to make memories and create tight ties, despite the difference in years.

Abby Ebener, originally from Peru but now living in Galesburg, comes back to the Illinois Valley as often as she can to see family and to help her son, Bennett, who is 2 and a half years old, establish a close connection with his grandparents.

“We are so fortunate that all of Bennett’s grandparents live in the same area we grew up and are only 1.5 hours away,” Abby said. “It’s

Annie’s Little Pots in Princeton offers grandchildren and grandparents a place where they can come together to paint pottery while having conversations.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON SERPETTE

incredible how much Bennett remembers and how often he talks about his grandparents. I love how much they are a part of his life and am excited to see their relationships grow in the upcoming years.”

The Illinois Valley is home to many places that make excellent settings for nurturing a close relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. But what interests one child will bore another one. The following activity categories will help grandparents find a location that will be a home run with their grandchildren – no matter what their interests are.

FOR THE CRAFTY KID

Not all children love sports and physical activity. For grandparents who have a craft-loving kid in their family tree, there are plenty of bonding opportunities for exploring creativity in the Illinois Valley.

One of the gems that should interest various generations is Annie’s Little Pots in Princeton. Owner Ann Crosby loves that her shop can provide a place to explore a shared love of painting and crafts.

“I have enjoyed seeing grandparents paint pottery with their grandchildren,” Crosby said. “Not only is it a creative moment, it is peaceful and encourages discussion. I’ve been blessed to see many of these young children grow up over the years and see the love between grandparents and grandchildren.”

Grandparents with an aptitude for sewing can pass on that skill to their grandchildren. With a few simple tools and materials, plus some lessons from their grandparents, grandchildren will be able to cherish their sewing lesson memories for the rest of their lives.

The Illinois Valley has top-notch places to buy sewing materials, such as Quilting in the Valley in LaSalle. With so many fun fabrics to choose from, grandchildren will be entertained getting to pick which material they want for an easy-to-make pillow project or

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whatever other lesson their grandparent decides to teach them.

FOR BOOK LOVERS

Reading is an activity that can be enjoyed at any age, and it’s an important skill for children throughout school. Grandparents can help encourage their grandchildren to develop a love of reading and do better in school by reading to them or sharing their favorite books.

The libraries in the Illinois Valley offer an opportunity to find suitable books for every age group. If you’re not sure which newer books are popular with kids, librarians are a wonderful resource for that. Plus, the libraries in Peru, Spring Valley, Putnam County, Princeton, and LaSalle always have activities for kids to go to with their grandparents. Many offer story hours geared toward young readers.

Children also can earn fun prizes through various library programs, such as Peru Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, which can be exciting for them and inspire them to read more than they would normally.

FOR A SWEET TOOTH

Ice cream is a near-universal kid-pleaser, and the Illinois Valley has many spots to stop for a cone or treat. Some excellent places to take grandchildren locally – although not an exhaustive list – include the Tastee Freez in Spring Valley, Grandma Rosie’s Sweet Treats in Spring Valley and Princeton, The Rootbeer Stand in Oglesby, Sisler’s Ice Cream shop in Princeton, and Bruce & Ollie’s ice cream shop, which is located in the old Bickerman Hardware building in Utica.

FOR STAYING ACTIVE

Bowling is a sport that can unite various generations, and if a child can’t avoid the gutter, you can request bumpers. Both the Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru and Ladd Lanes are excellent places to introduce children to how much fun it is to knock over some pins.

If your child is fascinated by the water, swimming and water fun can be found in several spots locally. The indoor pool at the YMCA in Peru lets your child get some swimming in, rain or shine.

Peru’s Splash Pad is a favorite spot for children and is a place of inclusivity for children with disabilities. With hundreds of water jets spraying, make sure to bring a towel or a change of clothes before heading back in your car at the end of the day. And remember to pack a camera to catch those priceless expressions of joy and delight on your grandchild’s face.

Abby Ebener, her grandson, and one of his grandparents, Carol Ebener of LaSalle, recently went to the Splash Pad and had a great time together.

“This is the first time we have been to the Splash Pad in Peru and everyone loved it,” Abby said. “The Splash Pad is accessible, safe, and fun for all ages, including grownups, and this will likely be a repeat stop when we are in town.”

FOR MOVIE FANS

If there’s one activity people of all physical capabilities can agree upon, it’s movies. You might not have the same taste in flicks, but a family-friendly blockbuster is usually a safe bet, especially if you’re taking grandchildren of different ages to the movie theater.

Movies do more than entertain – they can inspire children to tackle challenges they never dreamed possible. It also gives them a place to explore their wildest fantasies or see their favorite book characters brought to the screen.

The Apollo Theater in Princeton has been used for more than a century to entertain people, as a movie theater, opera hall, and vaudeville stage at different points in its existence. If a grandparent went to movies as a kid at the Apollo, it can be a great starting point for a conversation with their grandchild about how things have changed, from the movies that were shown to the concession snacks that were offered.

FOR NATURE APPRECIATION

Kids may spend a lot of time indoors these days, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like being outside. The Illinois Valley has some gorgeous spots to take in the great outdoors and is lucky to be home to both Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Park. If you have a young hiker on your hands, a walk through either of these natural areas may be a big hit.

For outdoor play activities and a learning opportunity, Boggio’s Orchard in Granville has plenty to offer families.

“Our orchard is a place where grandparents and their grandchildren can make wonderful memories together year after year with our many classic fall activities for all ages,” Denise Boggio, the owner of the orchard, said. “From the petting zoo, barrel train, and corn bin for the little ones to the corn maze, apple cannon, and jumping pillow for older children, along with family activities such as hayrack rides, apple and pumpkin picking, there’s fun for everyone.”

Boggio’s Orchard sets the stage for a daylong adventure because it offers all kinds of food, so children can recharge their bodies before heading back for more fun.

“There’s also plenty of opportunity for grandparents to spoil their grandchildren with our famous cider or pumpkin donuts, homemade kennel corn, fresh-squeezed apple cider, cider slushies, and other treats,” she said. “We also have a food stand with homemade chili, hot dogs, burgers, brats, and more, and also have various food trucks visit the orchard throughout the fall so grandparents and their grandchildren can make it a full-day trip.”

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