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RIBS,, RHYTHM BREWS
RIBS,, RHYT
Summer Fun Edition 2015
HOT RIBS, COOL MUSIC AND ICE COLD BE
AUGUST 22ND
RIBS, COOL M 5PM HOT - 11PM
FEATURING BACK COUNTRY ROADS & JOHNNY AND THE BOOME
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WHISKEY ACRES The Spirit of DeKalb W
hen DeKalb farmer, Jamie Walter, looked at expanding his family’s agricultural business a few years ago, whiskey distilling seemed to make the most sense. During his research, Walter discovered that craft distilling was the fastest-growing sector of the alcoholic beverage market. And bourbon, a specialized type of whiskey, was the fastest growing segment of that. Bourbon, by law, has to be made with a minimum of 51% corn.“And what do we grow here in DeKalb County better than almost anywhere in the world? Corn,” said Walter. “That’s what got us interested.” Jamie Walter, his father, Jim, and family friend, Nick Nagele, are now the owners and operators of Whiskey Acres Distilling Company, which was incorporated in August, 2013. After a fairly long licensure process involving federal, state, and county agencies, they were able to distill their first batch of whiskey on December 19, 2014. “DeKalb is known for being innovative when it comes to agriculture. This is the birthplace of barbed wire. It’s the birthplace of hybrid seed corn,” stated Walter. “I’m not grandiose enough to think that a little distillery that we’ve started here is of the same scale, but it’s very much a new thing. It’s something that DeKalb County’s never had before.” While most distilleries buy commodity grains to make their whiskey, Whiskey Acres grows their own corn, wheat, and rye on their property. “All distilleries can make whiskey. We’re the only distillery in Illinois that can grow whiskey,” said Nagele. Because Whiskey Acres Distillery is on a farm, they call themselves an Estate Distillery. They are one of only two farm distilleries in the United States certified by the American Distilling Institute. They grow the grains, harvest them, mash, distill, age and bottle their whiskey all on site – “from seed to spirit,” as their slogan proudly proclaims. “What that allows us to do is to pick the best grains, harvest them at the right time, have total control of the process, and start out with the best ingredients,” explains Nagele. “To build onto that, we’ve got the best equipment that you can have for a craft distillery.” Over the last few years, the State of Illinois has increased the amount of liquor a craft distillery can produce from 5,000 gallons a year to 35,000 gallons a year. These changes in production limits have allowed operations like Whiskey Acres to become profitable and justify the type of start-up investment that is needed. A county zoning dispute almost kept the venture from getting off the ground, but Jamie Walter’s experience as a former attorney and, more importantly, his involvement in the DeKalb County Farm Bureau helped them get a local law changed that enabled their business to move forward. “When we told them what we were planning to do here, we were immediately told that it would require a special use permit, because it’s not agriculture and we’re in an agriculturally-zoned area, and that it was a manufacturing process and a retail sales process,” explained Walter. Walters used to practice as an attorney, so he had some familiarity with the process. He was also the Vice President of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, which helped even more, because he was aware of the plight all commercial farmers in DeKalb County faced when they wanted to do anything besides “moving plows or raising sows.” There were other farmers in the county who were affected by these restrictions that had different associated agricultural businesses, such as machinery repair, or selling seed or drain tiles. DeKalb County ended up adopting language in the definition of agriculture that the State of Illinois has, which included the value-added processing of crops grown on the farm. “For us,
2 | PlanitSave.com | Wednesday, July 22, 2015
making whiskey from the corn we’re growing is no different than you making salsa from the tomatoes you grow or a hog feeder was making hog feed from the grain that they grew,” said Nagele. The county has told them they can’t sell anything they don’t grow, so they are not able to sell branded merchandise to promote their brand. They have had to come up with creative ways to get their branded merchandise out there, such as giving t-shirts away when people buy their corn-based products. “Most everybody who has an inkling of what we’re doing out here is highly supportive,” said Walter. They expect their business will be a great benefit to DeKalb County through tax revenue generated, new jobs created, tourist influx, and a great deal of publicity that surrounds a venture of this sort. Every bottle they sell says, “DeKalb, Illinois,” on it. Since none of the farmers at Whiskey Acres had any experience distilling alcohol, they hired a “whiskey wizard” named Dave Pickerell as a consultant to help them get started. Pickerell was formerly Master Distiller at the premium Kentucky bourbon brand, Maker’s Mark. They utilized his expertise to learn such things as where to source their equipment and what recipes to come up with. He helped engineer their still layout design and oversaw its construction in December of 2014. Pickerell chose to work with Whiskey Acres largely because of the farming aspect. He’s always had an interest in trying to flesh out terroir in whiskey. (Terroir is the concept that wine reflects the character of the climate in which it’s grown.) Most whiskey makers don’t think about such things, because they don’t grow the grain they use; they just source it.
Whiskey Acres is trying to come up with different flavors of whiskey by changing varietals of corn and adjusting the growing conditions of the grain. Their first products, an un-aged corn whiskey and an appleflavored whiskey, hit store shelves in February, 2015. Their first bourbon, which requires aging in new, charred oak barrels, won’t be ready for about another year. They include a toasted infusion spiral with every bottle of their grain whiskey, which gives it a little bit of an oaky flavor. It is literally a piece of charred American Oak. This is a way to give a hint of the flavor of bourbon.
“We don’t want to be a bar. We want to be a place where people can come and enjoy a premium cocktail, featuring a premium spirit – a different experience than they can get anywhere else,” said Nagele.
Once it is ready, bourbon will be their primary product. They will also have a rye whiskey and a vodka from 100% corn (which will only be available at their farm distillery). They are even going to try making a whiskey from popcorn. They have descriptions of their products and drink recipes on their website at Whiskeyacres. com/sip.
“This is upcycle. We have this wonderful stone patio out here that was reclaimed from an old barn in Genoa. We’re doing our best to utilize the resources we have, as well as to sustainably manage the resources that we’re growing every year,” said Nagele.
John McIntyre, Wine and Spirits Manager at Hy-Vee in Sycamore, is proud to have been the first retailer for Whiskey Acres. “I think the product’s terrific, number one. I think they’re terrific people; they’re a wonderful family,” said McIntyre. In a market crowded with literally thousands of whiskeys to choose from, McIntyre thinks Whiskey Acres’ story sets them apart. “To be able to say you grew the stuff. You used your own water. Everything was done on your property. You distilled it on your property. You bottled it on your property. That’s a pretty unique story,” said McIntyre. When you visit Whiskey Acres, you can lounge on their patio and sample their product while you look out over the fields where the grains used to make the whiskey is grown, next to the building where the whiskey is made. On site, you can purchase their whiskey by the glass, as well as by the bottle.
Next to the patio is their tasting room. The tasting room is in a building that was constructed fifty years ago by Jim Walter’s brother. He used the original stone and timber from the family’s dairy barn, and everything inside is made from reclaimed barn siding. The structure was originally used as a picnic shelter. It contains a fireplace that will burn ethanol.
An ideal crowd size for a tour and a tasting would be ten people; however, they can accommodate busloads of people by appointment. A tour will last 30-45 minutes. Tours & Tastings cost $10/person for those over 21 (includes a distillery tour, 3 sample pours, and a free souvenir shot glass). Supervised guests under 21 are invited to take the tour only at no charge. Their anticipated hours are Friday and Saturday from 1-7pm and Sunday from 1-5. They will be open more, if needed, as their business grows. “People drive all the way to Kentucky to go on the Bourbon tour,” points out Nagele. “Why go to Kentucky when you can come here? It’s a lot easier to come to DeKalb than it is to drive to Lynchburg. We want to be one of the first stops on the Illinois Bourbon Tour.”
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815.739.5555 • zacksjewelryandcoins.com 4 | PlanitSave.com | Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Events in DeKalb August Art Fair & Ice Cream Social Ellwood House Museum August 2, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Over thirty artists from around the Midwest will exhibit and sell their work on the mansion’s front lawn in such media as paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and fiber arts. Later in the afternoon, the DeKalb Municipal band will kick-off their annual concert on the museum’s terrace. For more info: www.ellwoodhouse.org
Corn Fest is one of the last remaining free music festivals among Illinois music festivals and summer festivals in Illinois. Celebrating its 38th year the festival will be held in downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Hwy. between 1st and 4th St. All shows are free to the public and there is a $5 admission fee into the soundstage area. For more information, call (815) 748-CORN.
September Wine on the Terrace Ellwood House Museum September 12, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
DeKalb County Barn Tour August 8, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
The DeKalb County Barn Tour is a one-day driving tour of select barn sites within DeKalb County jointly hosted by the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center and the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association. Tickets are $20 per vehicle
Join us for a fun and enjoyable bike ride through DeKalb and Kane Counties and support the historic Egyptian Theatre at the same time. Your participation in “Ride Like An Egyptian” benefits the Egyptian Theatre, operated by the non-profit organization Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre, Inc., a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. The Egyptian Theatre is a fully restored 1929 Egyptian-themed art deco movie
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The Ellwood House terraces and gardens provide an elegant setting for an evening of wines, excellent appetizers, and music. This major fundraiser has become an eagerly anticipated community event. For more Info: www.ellwoodhouse.org
RIBS,, RHYTHM BREWS Ride Like an Egyptian Egyptian Theatre August 22, 9:30 am start
EE IO FR ISS
Since its inception in 1981, the Corn Fest 10 km Race event has grown to include a 3 km Run/Walk and a Diaper Derby/Toddler Trot. The addition of these two events has made the DeKalb Corn Fest Races a true “family affair” in which three generations comfortably participate! Register Online 2015 Facebook Start Times: 3 km Family Fun Walk/Run - 7:55 a.m. 10 km Race - 8:00 am http://www.dekalbcornclassic.org
DeKalb Corn Fest 2015 Downtown DeKalb August 28, 29, 30
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Debit, Credit, & LINK Accepted sponsored by Castle Bank. The market features local produce, baked goods, wine, coffee, pet treats, cheese, hand crafted items, & more! Stop by the market for lunch and enjoy Tinez Tacos and Mike’s Empanadas. The Live Lunch Music Series presented by the Egyptian Theatre is every Thursday through August 20th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm.
DeKalb Corn Classic August 22, 8:00 am Huntley Middle School
palace and vaudeville house. For more info: http:// egyptiantheatre.org/
AD
DeKalb Farmers’ Market Sponsored by KishHealth System Every Thursday through September, 10-2 in Van Buer Plaza, Downtown DeKalb
(buses extra). Participants will receive a map and Guide Book containing hand-drawn sketches of each barn and the story of each barn’s history, style, and use. Participants will drive to each location, in any order, for a guided tour of the barn(s). Tickets may be purchased in advance. Tickets are also available at any of the tour locations the day of the event. For more information, visit gliddenhomestead.org or daaha.org, email info@gliddenhomestead.org or ordaaha.inc@gmail.com, or call 815-756-7904 or 815.756.8737.
Girls Night Out Downtown DeKalb September 17, 5-8 pm Downtown DeKalb Fall Open House Come Downtown DeKalb to Sip, Shop, and Socialize during the Fall Open House. For more info: www. downtowndekalb.org
HOT RIBS, COOL MUSIC AND ICE COLD BEER
Explore your Sycamore side this summer #onlyinsycamore
AUGUST 22ND
Hot town, summer in the city of Sycamore. The dog days are approaching and Discover Sycamore has the perfect solutions for staying cool. Hot rods, live music, ribs and ice cold beer are on the docket for the remainder of the season.
gardens open at 3:00, and 50’s hop band, The Beaux will take the stage from 7:00 to 10:30! Even if you’re too young to remember the classic years, we encourage you to experience the nostalgic eras during our Cruise Night.
the BBQ sauce with a variety of craft beers in the garden while feeding your earbuds with the sweet sounds of Johnny and the Boomers and Back Country Roads. Extra points received for sporting your favorite flannel and cowboy boots!
You will find hot ribs, cool music and ice cold beer at the Sycamore Ribs, Rhythm, & Brews Fest on Saturday, August 22. Enjoy lip smackin’ ribs from grill masters all over the region! Who has the best ribs around? We will know at the end of the evening when our panel of judges deems the RR&B Fest champion. Wash down
Let Discover Sycamore entertain you this summer. We develop area tourism through marketing partnerships, web-based campaigns and community events. For a complete list of our events please visit discoversycamore.com.
5PM - 11PM
Hop in your vintage ride and getaway to downtown Sycamore for Cruise Night on Saturday, July 25 from 3:00 to 11:00. Dozens of classic cars will paint the streets with beauty during this historic evening. The beer and food
Wednesday, July 22,THE 2015 |BOOMERS PlanitSave.com | FEATURING BACK COUNTRY ROADS & JOHNNY AND
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1719 DeKalb Ave. • Sycamore • 815-895-2400 www.carpetlandusa.com • Sycamore@carpetland.com Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | PlanitSave.com | 7
Biking
In DeKalb County Biking enthusiasts are working to make DeKalb County more bikefriendly by increasing trail connectivity. DeKalb County offers ideal rides through scenic parks and forest preserves for the family and novice biker, in sites such as Shabbona Lake State Park and the Afton Forest Preserve. Being located in a primarily rural area, there are also many long, lightly-traveled country roads which are great for distance cycling. With DeKalb County having mostly flat terrain, it is ideal for families.
Merry Oaks Path
Chad Ament, Service Manager for North Central Cyclery in DeKalb, says that he uses all the local trails regularly. “You can get around where you need to go with using the bike paths and then some quieter residential streets,” said Ament. He believes that the bike culture in DeKalb County has been improving. “Ten years ago, it was pretty weak, but we’re working every year to make it stronger, by showing people what’s possible, helping people with routes who need them and getting other people to ride with,” said Ament.
This path off North Cross Street near the water treatment facility consists of a half-mile loop around Sycamore Lake, connected to a half-mile path along the Kishwaukee River and through Leon Larson Park.
There are several well-used bike paths in the DeKalb-Sycamore area:
A peaceful, wooded network of trails west of Route 23 (Main Street) in Sycamore near Peace Road. It has endpoints at Emil Cassier Park and North School.
Lake Sycamore and Leon Larson Park Path
Great Western Trail
Beginning at Old State Road and Route 64 in Sycamore, the Great Western Trail is long, expansive, and uninterrupted. The crushed limestone path follows an abandoned railway corridor east for seventeen miles. In St. Charles, the Great Western Trail connects to several other trail networks, like the Fox River Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path.
Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail
The Fox River Trail has endpoints in Elgin, Geneva, Batavia, and Aurora. On the Prairie Path, riders can follow the main branch east to Forest Park near the Chicago City Limits. You can also connect to the Prairie Trail going north up to the Wisconsin Border.
DeKalb Nature Trail
Altogether, it is possible to jump on the Devonaire Subdivision Trail in the southwest corner of DeKalb, ride through DeKalb and Sycamore to the Great Western Trail, and then pedal your way to the Chicago City Limits or the Wisconsin border, all while remaining almost exclusively on paved bike trails.
A 6.5 mile shared bike path that begins at Lions Park in DeKalb and follows the Kishwaukee River north to Hopkins Park, before connecting with the DeKalb-Sycamore Path and DeKalb Nature Trail.
A 1.3 mile shared use path between Route 23 near the western edge of the Kishwaukee Country Club to First Street across from the Bridges of River Mist subdivision. It connects to both the Kishwaukee-Kiwanis Trail and the DeKalb-Sycamore Trail.
DeKalb-Sycamore (Peace Road) Trail
A six-mile-long paved trail that goes from Pleasant Street in DeKalb, along Peace Road, and connects to a bike route through residential neighborhoods to Sycamore Community Park.
8 | PlanitSave.com | Wednesday, July 22, 2015
For those wanting even longer biking adventures, there is the 100-mile long Hennepin Canal Parkway out west near Sterling that goes almost to the Iowa border near the Quad Cities. The Illinois and Michigan (I & M) Canal State Trail runs for 77 miles from Lemont to Peru, IL. And the Great River Trail begins in Savanna, IL and follows the Mississippi River for 60 miles to Rock Island. These trails were all developed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy, which transforms unused rail corridors into recreational trails.
PedalPal is a free service that gives businesses a decal to post on their storefronts in order to indicate they are bicycle-friendly establishments. By posting the PedalPal decal, the business indicates that a passing cyclist can use the washroom, get a drink of water, and use a phone in the case of an emergency.
While DeKalb and Sycamore are linked via bike trails, other communities in DeKalb County do not share the same level of connectivity. If you want to get from Sycamore to Genoa, for instance, the best route would be on streets such as Five Points Road.
Trail Buddies
“This was my idea of trying to raise connectivity without spending major infrastructure dollars,” said Haji-Sheikh.
Pedal Pal
Misty Haji-Sheikh of DeKalb is an avid biker. She and her husband, Michael, use their bikes regularly for both recreation and transportation. In fact, they twice biked across Europe with their children for their summer vacation.
PedalPal was launched in May of 2014 with Downtown DeKalb as their pilot site, and they are now trying to expand throughout the county. The Oak Club of Genoa
Bike Clubs Knute Olson, Jr. Forest Preserve
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Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | PlanitSave.com | 9 TCHARD RD
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more influence in improving bike connectivity. There are at least two active groups in the area who are bike-centered: The Kishwaukee Bike and Rec Club and AxleTree. Between those two, there are rides of every level. The AxleTree rides tend to be more avid, while the Kishwaukee Bike and Rec rides are generally more casual, according to Chad Ament of North Central Cyclery. The Kishwaukee Bike and Rec Club meets monthly at Kishwaukee Hospital, with as many as forty biking enthusiasts turning up. The group is very active. They have bi-weekly group rides and outdoor recreational events several times a month. They often pair up bike rides with other recreational activities, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, caving, or picnicking. According to members, the herd mentality on group rides leads to more safety and makes longer rides more enjoyable.
Cycling Apps
Finally, no discussion of any activity these days would be complete without mentioning useful mobile apps. Here are several of the most popular biking apps: • Strava – records distance and time, and also has a social component. • MapMyRide – provides route mapping and tracking using GPS. • Cyclemeter – makes your smartphone a fitness computer, with maps, graphs, splits, intervals, training plans and more. • Google Maps – A convenient way to get from one point to another. It’s very up-to-date. All the bike paths pop up in green when you click the cycling tab. Also, quiet streets that are extra wide for cyclists are marked with dotted green lines.
Toney Xidis, long-time cyclist and one of the leaders of the Kishwaukee Bike and Rec club, says that the group’s activities can be summarized as “Fitness, Fellowship, Fun, and Food” [they often stop somewhere to eat on their rides]. According to their website, Axletree is “a non-profit created by North Central Cyclery to host great cycling events, support local bike advocacy, and promote a community of awesomeness.” Their rides typically leave from North Central Cyclery on Lincoln Hwy. in DeKalb. They currently host Saturday morning open road rides and a gravel night ride on Wednesdays, where cyclists are advised to “bring lights and tights.” There are also large biking events in the area that are a great way to be a part of the cycling community. The Biking with Beanzie ride event in July, put on by the Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club and sponsored by Kishwaukee Community Hospital, consists of routes of various lengths, from 25 to 101 miles. It begins with a family community bike pathway ride.
1100 S. Annie Glidden Rd. DeKalb, IL (815) 758-1550 riverheightsgc.com
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10 | PlanitSave.com | Wednesday, July 22, 2015
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HOPKINS POOL
Fun Summer
Day Trips You don’t need to travel to a faraway locale to have fun this summer. There’s plenty to do near DeKalb County that will keep you and your family entertained for just one day, or an entire weekend.
SHABBONA LAKE Shabbona Lake State Park is perfect for outdoor adventurers. With plenty to do from hiking to fishing to boating, there’s something for every nature-lover. The park features several scenic hiking trails, the longest being seven miles. Of course, fishing is a very popular activity at the park, and you’ll find a wide variety of species in the lake, including walleye, catfish, muskie, bluegill and bass fishing. Fisherman can also stop by the park’s own bait and tackle shop before they hit the water. The park has several types of boats available for rent, for fishing or just an enjoyable cruise on the lake. They even rent out one-person kayaks and two-person canoes. Molly Haseman, office coordinator at the park, said camping is also one of their most popular activities. The park has 150 campgrounds, and all have electricity, water, and a dump station. “We’re very popular, we do fill up every weekend, so it’s a good idea to make reservations,” Haseman said. The park features a full-service café, Pokanoka’s, that will even deliver to your boat during the summer. Haseman said the park is very family friendly, with kid-friendly hiking trails and a playground. “This park is a great way for just getting outdoors, and what’s particularly nice about us is there’s something for everyone to enjoy, so we just welcome everyone to come out and experience the park,” Haseman said. For more information about the park, call 815-824-2106, or visit shabbonalake.com.
Here are a few not-too-far destinations that are worth checking out for a summertime adventure.
STARVED ROCK STATE PARK
Located in Utica, IL, Starved Rock has been called Illinois’ greatest treasure, and one of the most beautiful places in the state. Summer is the perfect time to bring the family for a hike along one of the park’s several trails. Marvel at the beauty of one of many waterfalls in some of the trails’ towering canyons. Start your day at Starved Rock’s Visitor’s Center, where you can learn more about the history of the park, how it got its name and the legend of Lover’s Leap, displays of tools used by area Native Americans, as well as other educational exhibits and park maps. Starved Rock Adventures offers canoe and kayak rentals for an adventure on the Fox River. For those who’d like to extend their stay longer than one day, consider the Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, a 69-room hotel that features an indoor pool, a restaurant, live music on the patio (seasonal), a gift shop and trolley tours for those who’d prefer not to hike. The Starved Rock Marketplace is also home to Cattails, a gift shop that features a wine room where guests can sample award-winning Illinois-made wines.
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Jolyn Wise, Natural Resources Coordinator, said the scenic beauty is the main draw to the park, which saw a record 2.3 million visitors in 2014. “When people drive here, there’s nothing but cornfields, but when you get to this part of Illinois, you get overlooks and canyons and rock formations,” Wise said. “It’s nice because you can hop in the car, be here in an hour or so, and spend three or four hours hiking and be home the same day.” Visit starvedrockstatepark.org to plan your day trip to one of the most beautiful locations in Illinois. Starved Rock State Park also hosts weddings and corporate meetings and retreats.
GALENA
Galena, a tucked-away jewel in northwest Illinois, offers visitors a chance to step back into Civil War-era times and visit the location where Ulysses S. Grant once worked and lived. Galena, located in Jo Daviess County along the Galena River, is rich in 19thcentury architecture and history. It earned a place on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “American’s Dozen Destinations” list. Belvedere Mansion and Gardens, also known as the “Downton Abbey” of Galena, was built in 1857. It’s a 22-room mansion where visitors can walk through Civil War era Galena on a guided tour. Galena’s oldest house is the Dowling House, which was built in 1826 and made of limestone. It was once the only trading post in the city and hosted many fur traders. Galena is also home to several wineries, where adults can taste several award-winning regional wines. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or fishing on the Mississippi River. Visitors can also take a Galena Trolley Tour, which are daily tours of local historical attractions, and the city’s many art galleries, boutiques and antique stores. Galena boasts several day spas, so visitors can relax with a massage or facial, while golfers can hit the links on one of the area’s 10 courses. Find out more about this charming city at visitgalena.org.
DIXON
Located about 35 miles down I-88 is Dixon, the petunia capital of Illinois, and perhaps more notably, the boyhood home of President Ronald Reagan. Reagan’s former home is restored to the 1920s era when he and his family lived there. Visitors can take a guided tour, and then visit the Dixon Historical Center, which was once a school that Reagan and his brother attended. The Loveland Museum also features Reagan memorabilia, including movies, posters, and rare photographs. Dixon’s First Christian Church, where Reagan was baptized, also offers an exhibit devoted to him. History buffs won’t want to miss the Old Settlers Log Cabin, which was built in 1894, or the Historic Dixon Theatre, which was built in 1922. Just a short 10 miles north of Dixon is Grand Detour, IL, which is home to the John Deere Historic Site. The site features Deere’s restored pioneer home that was built in 1836, plus a working blacksmith shop and gift store.
Nature lovers won’t want to miss Lowell Park Nature Center. The park is located on the banks of the Rock River, and features swimming, boating, and native plant exhibits. Reagan actually worked as a lifeguard at the park, and saved many lives during his time there. Dixon is also home to The Next Picture Show Fine Arts Center, which is located in a renovated building that was constructed in 1854. The non-profit center features many art exhibits, workshops, classes, and other special events. Check out the Midway DriveIn Theatre, one of only 20 remaining drive-ins in Illinois. Dixon’s famous Petunia Festival runs from July 1-5. Visitors can enjoy live country music, arts and crafts shows, fireworks, a carnival and plenty of mouth-watering food. For more information visit petuniafest.com. For more information on events and attractions in Dixon, visit discoverdixon.org.
NAPERVILLE
Naperville has long been known as a suburban hot-spot, with a gorgeous downtown Riverwalk, a historic museum, as well as plenty of upscale shopping and unique dining experiences. Visitors can stroll the five mile Riverwalk along the DuPage River and check out several gazebos and covered bridges, as well as admire art work and sculptures that are placed along the walk, which goes directly through downtown Naperville. The Millenium Carillon Tower, which is a 153 ft. bell tower, is also a stop along the Riverwalk. Downtown Naperville also features Centennial Beach, which is an old quarry. The Naper Settlement is a 212-acre outdoor history museum near downtown Naperville that features re-creations of 19th century villages. The settlement has more than 40,000 historic objects and includes a Victorian Mansion. New this year is a playground and splash pad for children. Shannon Kunicki, employee of Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said there are some exciting new restaurants and shops in the downtown area. “Naf Naf Grill is a new fast-casual restaurant, and we also have a new artisan pizza restaurant called Fiamme Pizza, and for dessert we have Frost Gelato, which is also new,” she said. “Some new downtown stores include J. Crew, Anthropologie, and Evereve, which is an upscale women’s clothing boutique.” Kunicki said while Naperville has a very busy nightlife scene with “tons of bars,” the city still retains its small town charm. “It’s a big city with a small town atmosphere, and just a great place to shop, dine, play and even stay the weekend.” Thrill-seekers will definitely not want to miss iFly, an indoor skydiving experience. If you’ve driven east on I-88, no doubt you’ve seen the building that reads “Indoor Skydiving.” Visitors can enjoy free-fall conditions without a parachute or jumping out of an airplane. Children age 3 and over are able to fly, so it’s a perfect place to bring the entire family for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For more information and pricing, visit Chicago.iflyworld.com. For more information about downtown Naperville attractions, as well as dining and hotel options, check out visitnaperville.com.
12 | PlanitSave.com | Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Look for our next issue in
August!
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING.... ... and Cruise on down to the 2nd annual CAR SHOW! Saturday August 15th we will be shutting down Main Street for car enthusiast everywhere to show their stuff. We are excited to offer food, music, raffles and numerous activities throughout the day. This year is sure to be just as successful as last year with over 1000 visitors and 150 cars and motorcycles. Over 30 trophies will be awarded to the winning entries in 10 different categories. Crusin’ to Genoa is fun for the whole family! There will be free face painting, photo booth opportunities, 50/50 raffles and Down town businesses will be open for business! Don’t be left in the Dust! Come out to Genoa on August 15th! Crusin’ to Genoa is sponsored by Alan Browne Chevy and the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information or to register your vehicle go to www.genoaareachamber.com
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Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | PlanitSave.com | 13
Local racing team cares about kids’ health The GPM Racing Team is determined to have fun, be competitive, and to promote childhood health and safety messages. The GPM Racing Team was established in 2014 to assist Genesis Pediatric Medicine (of Sycamore) attain its vision to be a known community asset respected for its determination to provide an exceptional medical home for all of its patients and their families. The team races on Saturday nights in the late model division at the Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park. The number 33 team car is driven by rookie Dr. Mark Regnier, who is also a pediatrician at Genesis Pediatric Medicine.
Beyond racing, the GPM Racing Team promotes positive, family focused health and safety messages in person, in print and via electronic means at and away from the track. The importance of each topic is paralleled to racing and everyday life. This season’s messages include car seat, helmet, burn, and hearing safety. For more information, visit the team’s website at www.gpmracingteam.com.
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14 | PlanitSave.com | Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Forge
Brew House SYCAMORE – JD Heinrich was sipping his first beer in 10 years when he decided he might have what it takes to brew his own.
JD Heinrich said having more than one business like his in the area is likely to attract out-of-town visitors to DeKalb County.
After seven years of research and mastering the craft, Heinrich and his wife, Lisa, opened Forge Brew House, a craft brewery and pizza restaurant, Monday at 1330 E. State St. in Sycamore.
For years, JD Heinrich and his wife have been traveling to other suburbs to sample different brews. They hope what they have created at Forge will draw beer lovers from all over northern Illinois.
“A buddy of mine gave me a beer he brewed and it was wonderful,” JD Heinrich said. “I said, ‘Wow, I need to learn to do this.’ ”
“It’s not a novelty to the suburbs, but it is a novelty here,” Lisa Heinrich said.
Forge Brew House offers five craft beers and handmade pizzas with ingredients picked from Chef Jim Smith’s garden. Additionally, the owners plan to serve iced tea and homemade root beer on tap in the coming weeks.
Mac MacCulloch, one of Forge Brew House’s first customers, said the business’ proximity to his home and work was one of its greatest appeals to him.
At an unofficial opening Saturday, the brew house drew more than 60 customers, which Heinrich said is proof the community needed another local place to relax. Heinrich said he does not feel threatened by similar businesses opening in the surrounding areas, including Cademon Brewing and Prairie State Winery in Genoa, and Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. in DeKalb. “It’s not a threat at all,” he said. “I wish there were three more.”
“The one in Genoa, Goose Island, New Glarus in Wisconsin – they’re all far,” he said. “This is perfect.”
Forge Brew House A new brew house in Sycamore that serves craft beer and pizza
1330 E. State St., Sycamore IL, 60178 (815) 991-9760, www.Forgebrewhouse.com
Lisa Heinrich said their largest foreseeable competitor would be Cademon Brewing, although the two businesses have never felt competitive. “When we get down to the nitty gritty, it’s the difference between us and Genoa,” she said in reference to Cademon Brewing. “The big difference is in our licensing. We can serve food and [Cademon] cannot.” Unlike Cademon Brewing, the Heinrichs said they have no intention of distributing their brews. “Right now, we’re just like the local restaurant that makes its own beer.”
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 | PlanitSave.com | 15
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