Staying Warm While Having Fun in the Illinois Valley

Not a fan of the cold? Try one of these indoor or in-car activities this winter

Story by Shannon Serpette

If you’d like to hibernate all winter just so you miss out on the plunging temperatures and icy roads, you’re not alone. It can be tough to get through an Illinois winter. But staying inside your home all the time can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, and after a while, you might start to get a serious case of cabin fever.

To help get you through dreary winter weather until spring arrives, here are some activities you can do from the warmth of your car or by heading indoors.

GRAB LUNCH WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Illinois Valley has no shortage of restaurants, so no matter what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you’ll be able to find it. Every village or city in the region has a hidden gem or two, as well as well-known local favorites. If you want to visit a historic restaurant that makes you feel like a kid again, you have several options.

Longtime favorites like Verucchi’s Ristorante in Spring Valley and The Igloo in Peru are excellent stops, with many customers remembering eating there with their own parents when they were children. Verucchi’s has been serving their renowned Italian cuisine for more than 100 years, and The Igloo first opened its doors in 1937.

WARM UP WITH A DRINK

Nothing can warm you up faster in cold weather than a cocktail or alcoholic beverage. And when you’re in a cozy environment with lots of people to talk with, like a local pub or bar, the friendly surroundings can take your mind off the chill outside.

The Illinois Valley has several places you can find conversation and drinks,

FILE PHOTO The entryway into Verucchi’s Ristorante pays tribute to Elizabeth and Battista Verucchi, who founded Verucchi’s Ristorante in 1914. This restaurant has been a favorite for generations of families who stop by for great food and bonding time.

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PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE Above: August Hill Winery in Utica is a great place to stop to buy bottles of local wine or to order a wine flight to share with friends.

PHOTO BY SCOTT ANDERSON Left: The Barrel Society, located in Princeton, can warm you up this winter with a wide selection of your favorite drinks, including an extensive menu of craft beers.

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like the Barrel Society in Princeton, a favorite of locals and out-of-towners. If you’re looking for a drink that will quickly warm you, Barrel Society owner Nick Gorogianis offered some suggestions.

“I would suggest any one of our hand-selected, single barrel whiskeys. Whether it’s bourbon or rye, our selection process is long and meticulous, and we will only put the Barrel Society name on the best of barrels. Bottled at cask strength, and loaded with flavor, our single barrel whiskeys are sure to warm you up, even on the chilliest of days,” Gorogianis said.

If you’re in LaSalle, you’ll find a wide drink menu at 9th Street Pub, a well-known local hangout that features frequent live music, shuffleboard, video poker, jukeboxes, darts, and more.

If local wine is your thing, August Hill Winery is an excellent stop to make in Utica. You can order a wine flight and sit and sip with your friends.

DO A DRIVING TOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES

Things look much different in the Illinois Valley in the winter compared to summer, spring, and fall. The historic Red Covered Bridge in Princeton is one of those spots that takes on a different sort of charm in each season. Take your kids for a drive past the bridge and ask them to share their thoughts about what life was like when this bridge was constructed in 1863. This quiet time in the car might spark some interesting conversations, and it can serve as bonding time for the whole family if you leave the electronics at home.

For parents or grandparents who grew up in the Illinois Valley and no longer live in their childhood home, their children and grandchildren might enjoy driving past that old home. As you drive, you can share some of your favorite memories of living in that house and stories about your other family members. It can help the younger generation feel closer to members of their family they may have never met.

CHECK OUT THE LOCAL HISTORY

The whole Illinois Valley region is rich in local history, and you’ll be able to enjoy several stops during the winter to share with visiting friends or family if you’d like.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle offers tours of varying lengths, and the tales of local history will make you forget the weather outside. The origins of this house begin with German immigrant Edward Hegeler, who settled in LaSalle and began a business, the Hegeler-Matthiessen Zinc Company, with his business partner and friend, Frederick William Matthiessen, in 1858.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that there are artifacts here that rival those in more nationally known museums like The Smithsonian,” Tricia Kelly,

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PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE The Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle will impress onlookers with its sheer size and imposing appearance, and going on a tour there is an informative way to spend a cold winter day.

the tour director of Hegeler Carus Mansion, said recently during an interview.

Reddick Mansion in Ottawa is another local gem. This 22-room Italianate mansion is wonderful to visit all year round.

WORK OUT

During the winter months, it’s easy to become more sedentary than you are the rest of the year. It can be so cold and dreary outside that you’d rather watch a movie than go for a walk or run outside. But with access to one of the area’s several gyms, like the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru or the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton, you can get top-notch workouts inside in the warmth. And once you start moving around, you naturally feel warmer.

Newcomers are always welcome at both places, where they can take advantage of all the equipment and group fitness classes.

“Warm up in our sauna and jacuzzi area, swim laps in our six-lane pool, enjoy open swim time or one of our morning water fitness classes,” said Nick Davis, Assistant Director and Superintendent of Recreation for the Princeton Park District/Bureau County Metro Center.

“We offer a number of group exercise classes in the morning and evening time that fit many different schedules. Our 52,000-square-foot facility houses a cardio room, weight room, and functional training room. We have equipment and space to fit all fitness levels,” Davis said. “We offer many different membership options and day passes for non-members. We’re open Monday-Thursday, from 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please stop by our family-friendly facility to warm up this winter season.”

GO TO THE LIBRARY

There are several libraries throughout the Illinois Valley, and they all offer much more than just books. Many of them offer an interesting mix of programs and events that are geared toward people of every age. Give them a call or check out their websites to learn about any special programs coming up.

If you’re already feeling the financial strain of holiday spending, this will be a cheap option for some entertainment.

ADVERTISEMENT Q and A: How Sculptra is an Effective Way to Replace Your Lost Facial Collagen

As we age, we lose one teaspoon of collagen in our face every year. Collagen is the main protein in our skin that gives us a youthful look. By the age of 35, we have lost 15% of our facial collagen, by the age of 45 you can expect to have lost 25% of your facial collagen and by the age of 55, we have lost 35% of our collagen. Collagen makes up around 75% of your skin and replacing what we have lost is a key component to a younger-looking countenance.

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As with other cosmetic procedures that promise to turn back the hands of time, we asked Dr. Norris at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, Illinois to weigh in on Sculptra and its anti-aging effects.

Do you use Sculptra at your medical spa and how exactly

does it work? “Sculptra is an FDA- approved injectable collagen biostimulator that works deep in the skin to improve its inner structure. Sometimes I describe it to my patients as a fertilizer for collagen production. It is not a filler and it always gives a natural result. I like to use it in key areas of the face where collagen loss is most apparent like the cheeks, temples, lower face and jaw line. It does a great job of not only lifting sagging areas of the face, but also improving fine lines and the overall skin appearance. Often patients comment on their postSculptra glowing skin.”

How many treatments are needed and when can a person

expect to see results? “The active ingredient in Sculptra, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a plant-based material proven safe for decades and is mixed with sterile water. I like to inject 1-2 vials at a time and recommend 1 vial for every decade of life. For some patients it may take 4 sessions or up to 6 vials of Sculptra to get the correction that they need. I usually wait 8 weeks between sessions and tell patients they will not see a result until at least 8-12 weeks after each treatment. Our own bodies create collagen slowly, and unfortunately, the older we are, the slower the process.”

Are there side effects and who is a good candidate?

“Sculptra is typically injected into areas of the face with a needle, so there is a risk of bruising with the procedure. If a patient is allergic to suture material, it is not a good idea to have Sculptra, as PLLA is often found in the same material used to sew cuts in the skin. Immediately after having Sculptra placed in the skin, there is some swelling of the areas injected because of the sterile water component. This puffy look resolves in a day or two, but any bruising can take 10-14 days to resolve. Anyone who is aging and is bothered by the appearance of falling cheeks, jowls, and overall loss of a youthful appearance is a good candidate. Patients who have autoimmune disorders or who are ill are not good candidates as their bodies will likely not produce the collagen expected.”

How long will the results last? “The clinical studies on Sculptra were carried out for two years and 100% of patients were happy with their results at 24 months. However, we know that Sculptra creates Type 1 collagen which has been shown to last 5-10 years depending on a person’s habits like smoking and sun exposure. Sculptra gives natural looking results that gradually reveal themselves. It is a great anti-aging procedure on its own or used in conjunction with other anti-aging procedures (i.e. peels, lasers, microneedling), dermal fillers or Botox. I strongly encourage my patients to do procedures that replace the collagen that they are losing every year. This is the best way to look naturally rejuvenated, prevent the signs of aging, and not need as much filler or cosmetic surgery procedures down the road.”

If you are interested in learning more about Sculptra or other anti-aging procedures, call Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa for your personal consultation with Dr. Norris at 815-780-8264 or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.