Leave the modern behind and celebrate medieval life with two Renaissance Faires this autumn
GO FOR BINGO!
Have fun with fall events & activities for a chance to win a stay at Kishauwau Cabins. See the SRC Autumn Bingo card on p. 19
Shop embraces the quirky and the spooky with art and decor CHAOS AND CURIOSITIES
A GETAWAY IN THE WOODS
Mini cabins are more than a lodging - they're a vacation experience
THE VINEYARD ON THE HILL
August Hill Winery crafts classic and sparkling wines from vine to bottle
WHERE A MONSTER IS SAID TO ROAM
A rural road sits at the center of 80 years of stories and cryptid sightings
•August Hill Winer y
•August Hill Winer y
•August Hill Winer y
•Illinois Sparkling Co.
•Illinois Sparkling Co.
•Illinois Sparkling Co.
• Fine Field Potter y
• Fine Field Potter y
• Fine Field Potter y
•Hegeler Carus Mansion
•Hegeler Carus Mansion
•LaSalle Canal Boat
•Hegeler Carus Mansion
•LaSalle Canal Boat
•LaSalle Canal Boat
•Ottawa Visitors Center
•Ottawa Visitors Center
•Ottawa Visitors Center
• Tangled Roots Brewing Co.
• Tangled Roots Brewing Co.
• Tangled Roots Brewing Co.
•Starved Rock Lodge
•Starved Rock Lodge
•Starved Rock Lodge
Wake Up With Nature
Pirate Captain Rapier Wit breathes fire at the Marseilles Renaissance Faire� Two Renaissance fairs – one in its ninth year, the other in its inaugural year – are on the calendar this September�
by Tom Sistak
SHOP OF CURIOUS COLLECTIBLES
Browse oddities, spooky decor, quirky gifts and one-of-a-kind artwork at Chaos and Curiosities in La Salle
ONE, COME ALL TO THE RENAISSANCE FAIRE
Two Renaissance fairs celebrate medieval style and a fantastical aesthetic in September
SRC AUTUMN BINGO
How many of these fall activities and events can you accomplish?
DINING & DRINKS
A SEASONAL ICON
Minonk Chocolate Company's caramel apples are a local legend and beloved autumn tradition
UP A CHAIR AT OTTAWA'S DOWNTOWN BISTRO
The French Press delights visitors with its sweet and savory crepes in one of downtown Ottawa's historic row houses
THE VINEYARD ON THE HILL
August Hill Winery grows grapes at its Peru vineyard to produce classic wines and sparkling wines
PERFECT GETAWAY
Small cabins in rural Ottawa offer an escape into the woods and a chance to disconnect from technology
SPOTLIGHT
Jeremy Faivre blends post-impressionism and surrealism in paintings that aim to spark conversation
HISTORY & LOCAL LORE
THE MONSTER IS SAID TO WANDER
The woods of DuPont Road near Seneca are home to multiple stories of a sasquatch known as the DuPont Monster
FOLKLORE
Legends claim a "hatchet man" and a vampire roam the Lithuanian Liberty Cemetery in Spring Valley
THE PEN WAS MIGHTIER THAN THE AXE
A forester bought 80 acres with plans to harvest the trees; a change of heart led to a nature preserve of virgin Illinois woodland
Photo
EXPLORE NORTH UTICA
Come enjoy all our delicious dining options from North to South including Al Fresco dining and drinking on Mill Street. From gourmet treats, wines and unique spices to antiques and specialty gifts. We have it all. Come for a day or the weekend.
LaSalle County Historical Society CANAL MARKET 2024
SCHEDULE
Every Saturday & Sunday June - September 10am to 4pm Handmade • Homemade • Homegrown • Vintage
2024 EVENTS
Sept 21-22 ND VINTAGE ILLINOIS WINE FEST
Oct 12 TH UTICA FIRE DEPT DUCK RACE
Oct 12-13 TH 54th ANNUAL BURGOO
Oct 18 TH WITCHES WALK OF UTICA
Nov 3 RD VETERANS PARADE
Nov 30 TH-Dec 1 ST OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
Photos by Paula Guttilla Hatchet Canyon Photography
| E DITOR’S NOTE |
hen autumn arrives in Starved Rock Country, the trees are the star of the show.
Fall colors throughout the region usually peak in mid to late October. In the weeks leading up to October’s end, I lace up my hiking shoes and hit the trails at local parks and nature preserves.
One of my favorite spots to view fall colors is at Lake Falls in Matthiessen State Park. The bridge over the falls (shown above) is surrounded by golden branches and offers a view of foliage across Matthiessen Lake. Meanwhile, at the base of the falls, colorful leaves perform a water ballet in Deer Creek. In some places, the canyon floor is fully carpeted in browns, reds, oranges and yellows.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the foliage. If hiking isn’t your top choice, consider a leisurely drive on some of the region’s wooded blacktops. Route 71 is a popular choice because it passes through Starved Rock State Park. Two of my favorite tree-lined highways are Routes 26 and 29 near Bureau Junction. Meanwhile, those who take a trip to August Hill Winery’s vineyard (p. 30) on North 2551st Road near Peru can view farm fields to the north of the road and fall colors to the south.
Then there’s DuPont Road. When driving through the densely wooded section southeast of Seneca, keep your eyes peeled for more than leaves. Local legends say the forest is home to the DuPont Monster (p. 40). There have been multiple accounts of sasquatch sightings around the creeks and curves of DuPont Road. Those who try to catch a glimpse of the storied monster should do so from their vehicles only – the surrounding woods are privately owned and not open to the public.
For those who want an extended stay among the trees, the Getaway Starved Rock cabins in Ottawa are a place to unplug and relax in the outdoors (p. 34). The mini cabins provide a glamping experience where guests can spend time in nature, then sleep in a climate-controlled lodging with plumbing and a picture window-view of the woods.
To experience a never-developed virgin Illinois forest, consider a trip to the George S. Park Memorial Woods west of Magnolia (p. 46). Charles Stanley shares the history of the 80-acre forest in this issue. The nature preserve is open to visitors until Sept. 30; it closes for archery and firearm deer seasons Oct. 1 through January.
Beyond the trees, there are plenty more fall experiences. A bingo card full of fall activities, festivals and favorite local experiences is on page 19. Don’t miss a regional autumn staple: a caramel apple from Minonk Chocolate Company (p. 24). And if you’re eager to embrace the Halloween “spooky season,” start with a trip to Chaos and Curiosities in La Salle (p. 8) – the shop is brimming with oddities and eerie decor.
Make this autumn an escape into the woods of Starved Rock Country. It’s sure to add a little color to your life.
JULIE BARICHELLO Editor
Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year
Shaw Media
110 W� Jefferson St� Ottawa, IL 61350 www�starvedrockcountry�com
Email photo or article submission queries to jbarichello@shawmedia�com�
Copyright 2024� Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited�
Vol 12 No 3 Fall 2024 Edition
2024-08/25,000
GENERAL MANAGER
Jeanette Smith
EDITOR & DESIGN
Julie Barichello
PRODUCTION
Rhonda Dillon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Barichello
Stephanie Jaquins
Patti MacMillan
Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Charles Stanley
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Scott Anderson
Chris McGuire Photography Tom Sistak
Curious Collectibles the shop of
| Made in SRC |
CHAOS AND CURIOSITIES
524 First St., La Salle 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday 815-780-8959
Follow on Facebook and Instagram
Chaos and Curiosities embraces the quirky and the spooky with art and decor
By Julie Barichello | Photos by Karli Sarver
Every so often, a person will cross the threshold at 524 First St. in downtown La Salle, glance around the shop and exit shortly after entering.
Shopkeeper Karli Sarver smiles knowingly when talking about the phenomenon.
“We know,” she said. “We’re not their jam. That’s OK.”
Store co-owner Haley Burch laughed. “But you know they’re telling somebody that there’s a really weird store on First Street.”
Sarver and Burch are the founders of Chaos and Curiosities, a home decor store that specializes in oddities, curios, artisan crafts and esoteric collectibles. The shelves are teeming with unconventional items such as coffin nails in glass vials, taxidermied mammals and mummified chameleons, butterflies in bell jars, zombie-like stuffed animals, jewelry made of animal bones and crystal-studded candles.
The owners use a handful of words to describe their wares: Spooky. Macabre. Artistic. Beautiful.
Despite an occasional customer’s quick departure, the overwhelming response to the store has been positive, with both foot traffic and sales remaining steady.
On a Friday afternoon, Sarver and
Burch met with Starved Rock Country Magazine for an interview at their shop. They settled around the Big Creepy Couch, an ornate sofa upholstered in dark fabric and covered in spooky pillows and creepy dolls.
The business is a little over a year old. The duo opened a storefront in Peru in summer 2023 before moving to their La Salle location in spring 2024. However,
Sarver and Burch started crafting and selling their oddities several years earlier.
“We got started by doing farmers markets,” Burch said. “Karli made jewelry for a long time, and then she and I started making weird, kind of spooky stuff.”
Buyers flocked to the oddities they sold. They expanded their sales to craft fairs, then partnered with stores like True North in Morris and Refurbished Treasures in Streator to stock their goods. Both women were working full-time jobs, and it was difficult to keep up with the increasing demand.
“We were running all over the place putting up inventory,” Burch said. Eventually, she posed a question: “Wouldn’t it be nice if there was just one store that sold all the really neat stuff and we owned it?”
“And then we did it,” Sarver said. Their shop’s two front rooms feature cabinets and shelves where buyers can browse. In the back is a reading room where local tarot readers, palm readers, graphologists and mediums can meet with clients. A fourth room is where Sarver and Burch spend their days crafting and creating much of the merchandise.
Whenever the shop’s doorbell jingles, one or both shop owners will leave the workroom to greet customers with a cheerful hello. They welcome questions
Look for the skeletons
The store's mascots – Skeldon, Bona Lisa and Night Mare the carousel horse – help guide pedestrians on First Street's sidewalk to the store. The trio are popular for photos and selfies when customers enter and exit Chaos and Curiosities.
or conversations about their inventory, then leave customers to explore. As soon as foot traffic ebbs, they’re back to devising and designing in their creative den.
Some of their projects include Scare Bears, which are plush Care Bear toys converted into adorable monstrosities, and Adopt a Ghost, which are handsculpted clay ghosts that are painted and accessorized, then stored in a jar. They also make shadow boxes, bone jewelry and their top-selling Mystery Coffins, which are curated boxes of small items such as bones, stickers, crystals, jewelry, pins and more.
Sarver and Burch aren’t the only creators stocking the shelves. More than 30 artists sell their work at Chaos and Curiosities, ranging from wall art to jewelry to taxidermy to table decor.
The shop aims to carry an array of art and decor with
price points to fit multiple budgets.
“You’ll have somebody come in that’s like, ‘I’m going to buy this $150 pig’s foot.’ Or somebody that comes in and says, ‘I’m going to buy that $13 candle,’” Sarver said. “We love to have the pricing where you can come in here and find something affordable. Or if you come in here and want a one-of-a-kind piece of art, you can get that as well.”
Stocking unique art and gifts is a point of pride for both shop owners.
“We had a tattooed pig’s foot once,” Sarver said. “Where else can you go get your girlfriend a tattooed pig’s foot for Valentine’s Day?”
Burch noted that some customers are drawn to the chance of discovering something new or unusual.
“People come in here and they say, ‘What’s the weirdest thing you have? What’s the grossest thing? What’s the strangest thing?’” Burch said.
One of the more unusual
discoveries among their shelves are diaphonized specimens. Diaphonization is a process that makes an animal’s body transparent. Dyes are then added to bones and cartilage to highlight the skeleton.
“The diaphonized specimens were a huge hit,” Sarver said. “Those are really time-consuming [to create]. Diaphonized specimens can take anywhere from six months to a year, especially the bigger specimens. They’re not something you generally find.”
Diaphonized animals sold at the shop have included frogs, octopuses, eels and other fish.
Sarver noted that all bones, preserved animals and insects sold at their store are sourced ethically – many are found during scavenging expeditions in the woods. She sees beauty in giving deceased animals and insects a chance to exist in a new form.
“To have somebody be
able to take that home and appreciate it forever is really beautiful,” she said.
While Sarver and Burch can find beauty in death, they also harbor reverence for life. Two rescue animals call the shop home. While customers browse, they can stroll past reptile enclosures to see former breeder snakes Beetlejuice and Lydia.
Before leaving, check out the shop’s guest book to leave a note or read other customers’ reactions.
“The amount of tourists that come in and say, ‘This is the coolest store!’ is cool,” Sarver said. “My favorite is when people are coming home that used to live here – they’ve moved away since but come home to visit. They say, ‘I would’ve never guessed a store like this would be here.’ And so many people come in who are like, ‘This is the coolest store in our area. There’s nothing like this around.’ We love to hear that.” C S R
Faire Facts
MARSEILLES RENAISSANCE FAIRE
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
• Guthrie Park (baseball diamonds), 655 Commercial St., Marseilles
• Free admission, donations accepted
• For information, follow on Facebook: Marseilles Renaissance Faire, Marseilles, IL
CEDAR CREEK RENAISSANCE FAIRE
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29
• Cedar Creek Ranch, 249 E. Route 71, Cedar Point
• Admission $10; $5 for ages 5-12 and free for ages 4 and younger; cash payment for admission; call ranch for horse riding reservations and campsite information
• For information, visit www.ccrstables.com or www.facebook.com/CedarCreekHorseRanch
to the
RENAISSANCE FAIRE Come One, Come All
TWO MEDIEVAL FESTIVALS ARE ON THE CALENDAR THIS FALL
By Melissa
Whether loyal subjects or curious first-timers, a warm welcome awaits everyone at Renaissance fairs this fall in Starved Rock Country.
For those who consider themselves “Ren Faire” newbies, images of strumming minstrels and fair maidens may seem intimidating, but there’s no cause for anxiety, explains Geoffrey Pyter, who has been attending fairs since his high school days.
“It’s the most welcoming place you can find,” said Pyter, who is serving as the director of the inaugural Cedar Creek Ranch Renaissance Faire. “Everybody is welcome; it’s very inclusive. Whether you dress in costume or come as you are, nobody is going to make fun of you.”
Pyter recalled his first encounter with a Renaissance fair as a part of a class at Wheeling High School in 1989. He was
hooked from the start. Throughout the years, he’s visited countless fairs.
While spending time with his friend Paul Williams, owner of Cedar Creek Ranch, Pyter gazed upon the 60 acres of woods, creek crossings and fields and saw the potential. He knew it would make the
perfect location for a fair.
“I thought it would be a great way to help my community,” Pyter said.
He’s spent months coordinating for the two-day festival, Sept. 28-29.
“We’re hoping to make it an annual thing,” Williams said.
The event features live entertainment on two stages, a variety of food on a stick, artisanal crafters, many of whom are local to the area, as well as games and activities for all ages. Pyter has plans for axe throwing, sword-fighting demonstrations and belly dancers. Visitors are encouraged to come in costumes for the daily costume contest.
One of the unique aspects of the fair will be the opportunity to enjoy horseback rides along the ground’s scenic trails. Pyter said it’s best to call the ranch in advance to book a trail ride because appointments will be limited.
Rubalcaba Riske | Photos by Tom Sistak
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
Guests can arrange to camp at Cedar Creek Ranch campsite in their own provisions or reserve a spot in the ranch’s tipi.
Pyter is working to create an authentic feel to the Cedar Creek Ranch Renaissance Faire, booking talent through his connections to other festivals. Catch the Tamarind Dance Studio Dancers perform belly dancing, or join in as Angus McHugh performs Celtic music and rousing sea shanties onstage and in the venue’s pub bar and grill. The Great Shandini brings his pirate-themed entertainment, and musician Chickpeazio plays classical instruments. Catch a sword fight performed with Shakespeare dialogues by Two The Point.
For the historical element to the fair, Pyter said it will be
set in the year 1566 and mark the 500th anniversary of King William I (widely known as William the Conqueror) and the Normans landing on English shores on Sept. 28, 1066.
While the Ren Faire at Cedar Creek Ranch is launching its first event, Kathy Kocheri is bustling to prepare for the ninth year of the Marseilles Renaissance Faire. The one-day festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and is filled with stage performances, interactive games and craft merchants.
“It’s just a fun time. It gets better every year,” Kocheri said. She serves as a committee member and organizer for the event sponsored by the Marseilles Tourism and Park Committee.
Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day)
Kocheri spends about nine months a year planning the event, securing the performers and working with crafters across the region, from wool spinners to card readers – and yes, a fire breather, too.
Some of the favorite musical acts are the Harp Twins, Thee Courtesan Bell Weathers and The Cabin Boys. The Renaissance re-enactment troupe Gryphon Poursuivant from Wisconsin is great crowd entertainment, Kocheri said.
The community event includes Cub Scouts and local organizations volunteering to create a fun atmosphere. Admission to the festival is free, but Kocheri said donations are greatly appreciated to help with costs.
“It gets better all the time,”
she added. “It’s just a fun time.”
While period attire and costumes are not required, Kocheri said she’s seeing more visitors arriving in costumes and having fun with dressing up. For women, she said all it takes is big skirt from a favorite thrift shop to create a fun look.
“It’s almost as fun as Halloween when you dress up,” Kocheri said.
Pyter agrees that dressing up can be enjoyable and adds to the jovial atmosphere. Both events are family-friendly with fun, food and entertainment for all ages.
“If you open your mind and open your heart, you’re going to get a lot more out of it,” Pyter said. C S R
Visit Oglesby
Your Starved Rock Adventure Starts Here
14 BOOTS, BREWS & BBW
BY COWBOY COMPANY
James Ghiglieri Memorial Toluca Labor Day Festival “ONCE
UPON A TIME”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2024
FRIDAY AUGUST 30TH
• 5pm – 10pm: Carnival Open – Wilson Family Rides
• 5pm – 10pm: Food Tent
• 7pm – 10pm: Big Guns On Stage @ Sud’s
• 7pm – 9pm: Euchre Night at American Legion –Sponsored by Toluca Rotary SATURDAY AUGUST 31TH
• 10am – 4pm: Toluca Labor Day Boutique & Vendor Fair CHUCK ROLINSKI MEMORIAL BOCCE BALL TOURNAMENT STATE’S LARGEST TOURNAMENT
• 12pm – 5pm: Carnival Open – Wilson Family Rides
• 2pm: Grand Parade – Theme – “Once Upon A Time”
• 3pm – 7pm: Beer Tent - no cover
• 4:30pm: Toluca Labor Day Drawdown at Toluca Labor Day Beer Tent
STARVED ROCK COUNTRY
AUTUMN BINGO
Explore destinations, sample flavors and experience events across the region this fall! Upload photos of your adventures for a chance to win a stay at Kishauwau Cabins. Each activity completed with an uploaded photo counts as one contest entry; completing a bingo earns five bonus entries. For full contest rules and details, visit www.bit.ly/SRCFallBingo
Enjoy a caramel apple from Minonk Chocolate Company
(Read more on p. 24)
Navigate a corn maze at Kane Family Farms in Ottawa or Boggio's Orchard & Produce in Granville
View fall colors at a state park (Starved Rock, Matthiessen, Buffalo Rock, Gebhard Woods or Illini)
Grab a coffee or seasonal drink from a coffee shop or bakery in Starved Rock Country
Try a bowl of bison chili at The Lone Buffalo in Ottawa
Dress up in your best witch costume for a Witches Night Out event in Princeton, Utica or Morris
Apple, caramel, pumpkin ... enjoy a fall-flavored baked good at one of the region's bakeries or coffee shops
Willkommen! Sample German food and festivities at Oktoberfest in Ottawa on Sept. 21
FREE SPACE
Scan QR code to visit contest page
Shop at a farmers market in Starved Rock Country
Sign up for an autumn hike or tour with Starved Rock Lodge
For a list of fall events, www.starvedrocklodge. com/event
Come ye to one of the region's Renaissance fairs
(Read more on p. 12)
Celebrate harvest season and agriculture at the 75th annual Grundy County Corn Festival
Behold autumn blooms at Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton
Switch to a fall wardrobe! Buy seasonal clothing or accessories at a boutique in Starved Rock Country.
Find a fright at a haunted destination
(Insanity Haunted House in Peru, Nightmare Haunted Attraction in Princeton or Haunted Camp at Camp Tuckabatchee)
Visit a pumpkin patch in Starved Rock Country
View scarecrows and participate in family events at Ottawa Scarecrow Fest on Sept. 28
Indulge in a fall staple: an apple cider doughnut from Kane Family Farms or Boggio's Orchard & Produce
Visit an orchard or farm stand for local produce (Such as Donnie Appleseed Orchard in La Salle or Country Kids Produce in Peru)
Visit August Hill Winery's vineyard in Peru for Wine on the Hill, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27
Hike in the woods at any park or nature preserve in Starved Rock Country
Sample a craft brew at Tangled Roots Brewing Co. in Ottawa
Catch a performance of the Hocus Pocus Hags in October
Try a cup of burgoo stew at the annual Burgoo Festival in Utica, Oct. 12-13
September 2024
Sample six local wines during the Cave Tasting Experience at August Hill Winery and vineyard in Peru. Reservations: www.augusthill.vinesos. com/cave-tastings-2024
Minonk Chocolate Company reopens for the season – read about the iconic caramel apple maker on p. 24!
Dine and listen to music during Wednesday Night Live at Bricks & Stones, a former brickyard-turned-eventvenue on the grounds of Camp Aramoni.
Event runs 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday
The Nashville Connection show at Starved Rock Lodge performs songs by country legends like Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and more.
Details and tickets: starvedrocklodge.com
Celebrate and sample Illinois wine at the Vintage Illinois festival at the Canal Market in Utica.
Details and tickets: www.vintageillinois.com
Catch Day 2 of the Renaissance Faire at Cedar Creek Ranch. Read more about local Renaissance fairs on p. 12.
Bring a lawn chair and sit in the middle of Main Street to hear World Turning Band, a Fleetwood Mac tribute, during Princeton's Down on Main concert series.
BUREAU COUNTY HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL
Enjoy some of the area’s best blues bands and savor some legendary barbecue during the BBQ-n-Blues festival, 4-10 p.m. in downtown La Salle.
The historical comedy and musical "The Trail to Oregon!" parodies the video game "The Oregon Trail." Catch a performance today through Sunday at Stage 212 in La Salle.
Celebrate agriculture and harvest season at the 75th annual Grundy County Corn Festival today through Sunday. Farm fair, craft shows, carnival, music and food galore.
Imbibe from one of more than 50 breweries and grab a bite from food vendors at the third annual Morris Beer Fest, 2-6 p.m. at Goold Park Shop the annual Artisan Market on the scenic grounds of Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton.
Visit Pluto Fest and Streator Food Truck Festival at Streator City Park.
Bratwursts, schnitzel, spaetzle, pretzels, beer, polka! Enjoy German fare and festivities at Oktoberfest in downtown Ottawa's Jordan Block.
Ride in vintage passenger cars during a roundtrip train ride from Bureau to Tiskilwa in Bureau Junction's sesquicentennial celebration.
Ottawa Scarecrow Festival GRUNDY COUNTY CORN FESTIVAL
Downtown Ottawa transforms into a gallery of scarecrows in a local competition. Stroll city sidewalks to view festival entries, participate in family and children's activities, shop vendors and bask in autumn vibes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
October 2024
Barktoberfest, 11 a.m.3 p.m. at Ottawa's Jordan Block. The day includes a costumed pooch parade, canine carnival, video competition for Top Dog and more.
The Civil War comes alive during the Shadows of the Blue and Gray re-enactment at City-County Park in Princeton. Walk through war camps and see mock battles.
National Apple Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 21. Celebrate with a visit to Boggio's Orchard and Produce in Granville, which is home to more than 1,800 apple trees.
Today is International Music Day! Visit a record store this week: Blue Jay Way Records in Princeton, Vinyl Revival in Morris and Veranda Vinyl Records & Artware in Streator.
Performances of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" run today through Thursday at Engle Lane Theatre in Streator.
Fall colors in Starved Rock Country usually peak between mid-October and early November. Now is the perfect time for leaf-peeping at a park!
Book a midweek break and escape into the woods at a Getaway Starved Rock cabin. Read more on p. 34.
Happy Halloween!
The Nightmare Haunted Attraction kicks off its spooky season of haunting the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Open every Friday and Saturday in October.
The terrifying Insanity Haunted House at Peru Mall is open Fridays and Saturdays through October, plus Oct. 13, 20 and 27 and Halloween night!
Spooky season is in full swing in downtown Princeton during the Witches Night Out shopping event, 4-8 p.m.
Get into the spirit of the season while shopping vendors at the Witches Walk Market in Utica, 4-9 p.m.
Check out one of the region's most popular fall events with the return of the two-day Burgoo Festival this weekend. Legendary burgoo stew is ready to serve on Sunday. Camp Tuckabatchee in Ottawa hosts its Haunted Camp, 3-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 11-12, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26.
Don your best witchy costume and shop specials in downtown Morris during Witches Night Out, 5-9 p.m.
The Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past guided hike takes guests on a short tour of the park with tales about characters from the park's past.
Registration opens Sept. 26 via EventBrite.
Mark your calendar for the Wine & Art Walk in downtown Ottawa – immerse yourself in art, sip wine and listen to music from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.
ICON
A Seasonal Minonk Chocolate Company's caramel treats are a perennial autumn favorite
By Stephanie Jaquins
After Labor Day, Minonk Chocolate Company begins its busiest season when the staff start hand dipping about 4,000 caramel apples a day.
You can watch the action from a window in the retail store that lets you peek into the next-door factory at 551 N. Chestnut St., Minonk.
“With caramel apples, there’s a lot of moving parts, so one side of the wall you can look in and we’re inspecting apples, and then on the other side we’re hand dipping into the copper kettles and packaging,” said Zach Meyer, Minonk Chocolate Company owner. “A lot of people like coming in and watching how it’s done.”
Photos by Chris McGuire Photography
The small business gets its apples from another small business – Rendelman Orchard in southern Illinois.
“They have a ton of history, and we love working with them,” he said of Rendelman, which has been family owned and operated since 1873.
The Jonathan apples – plain caramel or hand rolled in granulated peanuts – are the company’s most popular item.
“We get lots of requests year round, but [September and October are] when the apples in Illinois are most fresh. From a quality aspect, we cut it off at Halloween,” Meyer said.
After being packaged, the apples are shipped from the small town of Minonk to grocery stores, gas stations and specialty shops throughout Starved Rock Country.
In addition to caramel apples, Minonk Chocolate Company sells an assortment of chocolates, including whips (caramel on a stick dipped in chocolate), snappers and peanut butter crunch, to name some favorites.
Producing in small batches allows for a high-quality product. The head cook has worked at Minonk for over 20 years.
“She can catch it by the smell or even sight if we cooked something a little too long or it needs to cook a little longer,” he said. “She can almost catch it before anything needs to be tried.”
They still do, though. Taste-testing is one of the perks of the job.
The same supervision is provided by the production staff cooking the chocolate.
“There’s more sets of eyes on it than if it was a fully automated production line. Everything is hand cut, so at some point we feel the texture of the caramel as we’re cutting it with our rollers.”
The small confectionary has a lot of history in Minonk, with a population of about 2,000 people.
The business’ roots go back to 1915 when two Greek brothers, Tom and Nick Paloumpis, opened The Princess Sweet Shop in Minonk. Tom’s son, Hercules, took over the shop until he retired in 1976. The Princess Sweet Shop was a mainstay of Minonk’s main street for over 61 years.
Two Minonk residents, Duane and Ivanel Cunningham, continued to sell the original Paloumpis candies under the name Cunningham’s Candies after Herc retired. They operated out of their home for 17 years and eventually sold the business to sisters, Christie (Ketchmark)
Ruestman and Cindy (Ketchmark) Meyer in 1993. The sisters brought the business back to Chestnut Street and continued to sell under the Cunningham’s Candies name for 22 years. They later changed the name to Minonk Chocolate Company, hoping that including the town’s name would cut down on customers showing up in similar-sounding Minooka – a 75-mile drive away – looking for caramel apples.
In 2021, Meyer bought the business from his mother and aunt.
“I was always very proud of the product they put out,” Meyer said. “I thought it really held up as well as any candy you’d be gifting somebody, and I always thought we had the best caramel apples.”
He'd like to grow the online presence, so the focus in the next year will be expanding the website to increase the shopping experience. He’d also like to grow another product they offer, which is assorted chocolate gifts at Christmas.
“That’s a fun, small piece of Christmas to be a part of,” he said, adding the gifts are their No. 2 best seller behind caramel apples.
One part he wants to keep the same: the location.
“It was something I wanted to make sure stayed in Minonk and continued to be a business here to employ locals, but also have a reason for people to come check out Minonk.”
WHERE TO BUY CARAMEL APPLES
Minonk Chocolate Company's caramel apples are available to buy at several locations throughout Starved Rock Country.
LA SALLE: Illinois Valley Food Center
MORRIS: BP gas stations
OGLESBY: Illinois Valley Community College Cafe
OTTAWA: Handy Foods, OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, The Cheese Shop & Deli, Road Ranger
PERU: Country Kids Produce, HyVee grocery store and gas station
PRINCETON: Road Ranger, Sullivan Foods
SENECA: Seneca Ace Hardware
SPRING VALLEY: Upscale Resale
STREATOR: B&R South, B&R East, Circle K, Mary Lou's Candy Corner, OSF Center for Health
pull up a chair at Ottawa's
DOWNTOWN BISTRO
The French Press delights diners with sweet and savory crepes in historic row house
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske • Photos by Tom Sistak
Friends celebrating a birthday lunch, visitors in town to enjoy a trek and farmers are just some of the faces chef and cafe owner Kathy Gaudette welcomes at The French Press in Ottawa.
“A dining room full of people laughing, eating, that makes my day,” Gaudette said.
Since opening last fall, Gaudette said she has enjoyed a warm reception from locals and
visitors who drop in for coffee and a crepe.
Gaudette attended culinary school in St. Louis, and for more years than she can count, she had a vision for launching a small bistro. During her husband’s 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force, it wasn’t possible to settle down while moving to a new city for an assignment every two years.
The couple began visiting
Ottawa as a midway point to meet with a daughter from Galesburg and another daughter and extended family living in Chicago. After a few stops in Ottawa, Gaudette began to consider the possibility of making the city a long-term home base.
“This town is so cute,” she said. “I love it.”
After she and her husband found a home to settle in, it wasn’t long before she found the ideal place for her little bistro in the historic row house at the corner of Columbus and Jefferson streets.
“I absolutely love the building,” she said.
Inside she’s created a French café, where the chairs and tables don’t match and soft music plays in the background. She loves walking through consignment shops, seeking out a new chair or table to add to the restaurant.
Open Thursday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch, Gaudette finds herself smiling as she watches from the window between the dining room
and kitchen as customers drop in for a meal and time with friends.
“It’s very humbling to have people I don’t know wander into [my] establishment. It’s the sweetest thing to think they chose to come here to celebrate a birthday. That makes it all worthwhile,” Gaudette said. “My favorite part is when I get to go out in the dining room and talk with the customers.”
She’s crafted a small menu where the highlight is sweet and savory crepes. She tries to offer a quiche of the day and salads. In the fall and winter, she loves delving into different soups. Gaudette said she tries to remember to post specials on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Her favorite menu item this summer is the croque madame crepe, while she’s heard people love the s’more crepe.
“It’s so delicious. The other day a pair of farmers were eating and said it was the perfect food because you don’t feel too full,” Gaudette said. “I love hearing that people love the crepes.”
The French Press owner Kathy Gaudette prepares a breakfast crepe in the café's kitchen.
Gaudette said she loves to cook. When she was a child, her father and grandmother cooked and shared a love for food.
For the couple that spent years moving around the country, Ottawa is an ideal place for the Gaudettes to lay down some roots.
“There’s such a sense of community that I really like. It’s a great area,” Gaudette said.
On her days off, she finds herself driving on the back roads, getting lost only to discover beautiful gardens and taking the long way to enjoy the scenery.
“And it’s so refreshing not driving through traffic,” she said.
The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce has experienced a very busy and enjoyable summer, and now we’re gearing up for some awesome events this Fall. Our annual Chamber Golf Outing will be held on September 26th at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course. Please plan to form your teams and be ready for outstanding networking opportunities while having a fantastic time golfing on this beautiful course! Our Chamber website will provide the needed information to register for this fun-filled day. (ottawachamberillinois.com)
Our Farmers and Makers Market continues through Saturday, October 12th on Jackson Street near Washington Park in Ottawa. The market begins at 8 a.m. and continues to 1 p.m. every Saturday, highlighting vendors with a wide variety of farm produce, honey, flowers, candles, coffee, baked goods, candy, and many other delicious and creative products from talented individuals in our area. Please plan to stop by and visit one of the finest markets in Starved Rock Country!
While in Ottawa, be sure to enjoy shopping in our unique stores, and take time to dine in one of our incredible restaurants to enjoy some of the best culinary delights in the area! Ottawa has over 40 special events throughout the year, and we invite you to visit our amazing community to see why we consider Ottawa….. “The Middle of Everywhere!”
C S R
Croque madame crepe
MANSION & GARDENS
Dora Flores and Melissa Hernandez, both of Chicago, visit The French Press for breakfast while touring Ottawa.
VINEYARD The on the Hill
Bordered by towering trees, a hillside sits beneath a setting sun. The day’s final rays warm the grapes that grow plumper among their vines. It’s a land that has been cared for and cultivated for more than a century. It’s the land of the Wenzel family.
selection, from whites and reds to rosés and dessert wines.
By Patti MacMillan
The grapes, of which there are several varieties, feature in the libations of August Hill Winery. Established in 2002 by Mark and Teri Wenzel, the winery and vineyard are located in Peru with a tasting room in nearby Utica. The winery’s name stems from Mark Wenzel’s grandfather, August Engelhaupt.
August Hill provides wine drinkers with a considerable
White wines include the semi-dry Vignoles, the sweet and aromatic Niagara and Sweet William. Patrons can also select reds such as the medium-bodied Chambourcin; Ginocchio with notes of licorice and fig; or the black currant-forward Triplicity.
“Our top seller is the table red, Berlyn,” said Susanne Bullock, marketing manager for August Hill Winery and a member of the Wenzel family. “Another favorite is Augie’s Blackberry.”
The port-style wine is especially good as a topping for ice cream, she added.
August Hill also features moscato as well as the
specialty semi-sweet wine Indigo, which carries flavors of tropical fruit and cotton candy and shimmers in a wash of aquamarine blue. Their caramel apple wine is especially popular in autumn. The winery also carries a line of canned wines, with its newest releases Berlyn, Blanc, Mimosa and a sweet blush dubbed Mardi Gras.
August Hill’s tasting room in Utica offers customers the chance to sample various wines with the purchase of a flight. Also on offer are small bites including an array of luscious cheeses. The bread plate bears half a loaf of Italian bread, its thick crust perfectly suited to a side of homemade basil pesto or
Photos provided by August Hill Winery
Illinois Sparkling Wine
Canned Wines
dipping oil, and those with a sweet tooth are hard-pressed to pass up chocolates in flavors such as dark chocolate espresso and milk chocolate salted caramel whiskey.
But it’s the wine that keeps people coming back, and sparkling wines have become something of a specialty for the Wenzels. It was a trip to the Champagne region of France that inspired the pair to found their second business, Illinois Sparkling Company, in 2011.
“One of the things that’s hard about growing in Illinois is the higher acidity of the grapes, but this acidity makes it perfect for sparkling wines,” Bullock said.
The company, ISC for short,
makes a number of wines, including the sparkling rosé known as Brut Rosé De Saignée and the golden-colored Sec with notes of honey and citrus. Customers also can partake in Ensemble, which features citrus notes as well as the more surprising flavors of butterscotch and lime. Ensemble is a collaboration between ISC and Pops for Champagne in Chicago. ISC wines are available at August Hill’s tasting room in Utica. Bullock notes that ISC wines are made using traditional and ancestral methods, with each bottle meticulously cared for by hand. Among the techniques employed is riddling, which requires wine bottles be turned “neck down”
and rotated incrementally to loosen sediment, thus allowing it to collect in the neck of the bottle. It is a practice that dates back to the 1800s.
“It’s a very labor-intensive job,” Bullock said, adding that part of the wine’s appeal is that it can be considered more natural than wines that are commercially produced en masse.
Customers can get a real-life glimpse (and taste) of this ageold process when they enter the wine cave located at the Peru vineyard. The cement structure is dressed to play the part with a striking entrance. Once inside, patrons discover wine barrel tables and a view of winemaking equipment.
“People really enjoy it,” Bullock said. “There are so many things they don’t realize about the sparkling wine process.”
The 45-minute Cave Tasting Experience includes a tasting of six August Hill and ISC wines as well as a tasting glass to take home. Participants also are encouraged to bring a jacket
because the cave is cool yearround.
The vineyard offers wine drinkers the opportunity to view scenic surroundings while listening to live music
Tasting Bar – Utica Location
during weekly Wine on the Hill events. Both offerings take place weekends May through October.
Those who can’t visit the tasting room or vineyard in person are invited to find retailers by using the online wine finder tools on the August Hill and ISC websites. To learn more, visit www.augusthillwinery.com and www.iscbubbly.com.
the perfect
GETAWAY
When Amy Van Aelst visited Starved Rock Country from the Chicago suburbs, she took a hike, sat by the fire with a glass of wine and kayaked on the Illinois River. The activities were all quiet and relaxing, and her chosen lodging was just the same.
She stayed at a Getaway cabin – the mini glamping sites are known for their tranquility and immersion in nature.
Van Aelst said she loved the location of the cabin and the view from its large windows.
“I woke up early and drank my coffee outside. Deer were literally right in front of me. So beautiful,” she said. “I found nature, relaxation and, most importantly, myself.”
Getaway’s cabins are around
140 to 200 square feet and are intended as an opportunity to reset and unplug. Wi-Fi is not an offered amenity.
Getaway Starved Rock cabins, which feature tall picture windows, are in Ottawa. The one- and two-bed lodgings come with typical amenities, such as queen beds, linens, kitchenettes equipped with stoves and refrigerators, heat and air conditioning, and full bathrooms. Each cabin also has its own outdoor space with a fire pit, picnic table and chairs.
All of the buildings have a landline for calls to the Getaway team or to 911 in case of an emergency.
The houses are stocked with the essentials, and Van Aelst said it was all she needed.
“I loved the actual cabin that was thoughtfully mapped
out, not missing any detail,” Van Aelst said, adding there was a bottle opener, lighters, lantern, a few books, cards and snacks. Her stay was an elevated
glamping experience, she said. For Van Aelst, Getaway locations possess the consistency of a hotel, but with seclusion and privacy.
GETAWAY
Try Our Frozen Drinks!
By Stephanie Jaquins
by Scott Anderson
“I want to get away from people and busyness,” she said.
The Starved Rock Outpost opened in 2022 and includes 58 cabins spread across 251 private acres – they range from 40 to 150 feet apart. The company's outposts are located within a two-hour drive of major cities.
“Starved Rock State Park is a favorite destination for folks who live in Chicago, so we thought it made sense for our second location outside of Chicago to be a destination close to all that the state park has to offer,” read a statement provided by Getaway. “Along with the state park, we like to be able to provide our guests suggestions for other local attractions near the cabins, and Ottawa has a lot to explore –from restaurants and breweries to local shops.”
Getaway reports 70% of
its guests are millennials.
Nationwide, the company has 784 cabins across 19 outposts.
Val Aelst traveled from Skokie with her daughter. Val Aelst’s friend, two daughters and two dogs stayed in the cabin next to theirs. When they first arrived, they took a long walk.
“The area is so pretty and quiet,” she said. “Coming from the city, it is nice to sometimes see the unobstructed horizon.”
They also went hiking at Starved Rock State Park, ate lunch at Starved Rock Lodge and later rented kayaks.
“I would say it was a success. But next time, I’m going alone and staying an extra day for relaxation.”
Photos
JEREMY FAIVRE Artist SPOTLIGHT
Local artists invigorate the community with thoughtful, creative pieces. Each issue, Starved Rock Country Magazine and Starved Rock Country Community Foundation are partnering to highlight artists and their work.
eremy Faivre wants to ignite conversation.
The Ottawa-based artist uses his paintbrush to make visual commentary about current events. Each brushstroke is his way of contributing to the dialogue on social and political issues.
“I believe art is a visual commentary of the times we live in,” Faivre said. “Similar to how comedians give commentary on events happening around the world, artists do the same thing, but in a visual sense.”
One of Faivre’s most recent paintings, “The Unseen Hypocrisy,” is his surrealist commentary about political leaders wearing a facade in public while being unethical or immoral behind the scenes. Although he knows his art and his views could be controversial, he wants to open public discourse, no matter how uncomfortable or unpopular the subject. He believes that is part of his duty as an artist.
“I really value an artist whose work really makes a statement on something and starts a discussion,” he said. “Even if it’s an uncomfortable discussion about something messed up happening in the world.”
Faivre’s style is a blend of postimpressionism and surrealism. Early in his artistic journey, he was heavily influenced by post-impressionist Vincent Van Gogh –Faivre was in second grade when he learned about Van Gogh in his elementary school art class. The paintings caught his eye and continued to hold his attention for decades.
Catching the eye is intrinsic to Faivre’s own work. His paintings are specifically crafted to grab attention from a distance with bold contrasting colors, harsh brush strokes and fine highlights.
“I design my art similar to how tattoos grab your attention from far away,” he said. “Utilizing the harsh contrasts in my artwork, this gives my art a popping effect, which
draws the viewer in closer where they then notice all the details and highlights scattered across my work that couldn’t be seen from afar.”
Faivre is mostly self-taught. In the same art class that introduced him to Van Gogh, he engaged in a friendly rivalry with his best friend to earn a coveted spot in the art teacher’s glass display case. He began drawing daily, establishing a habit that continued through high school and led to his first art commission at age 16, when a teacher connected him to an author who wanted paintings of her book covers. The commission led to his first experience painting on canvases.
Today, Faivre works primarily with acrylic paints, oil paints, soft pastels and oil pastels on canvas.
While much of his work is rooted in discourse and commentary, other pieces tell stories and share experiences inspired by his life. One of Faivre’s most ambitious paintings, “Walk With Me,” is a 36-inch by 48-inch acrylic portrait of Jesus Christ extending his hand to the viewer.
“I painted this piece after I overcame a very dark chapter of my life involving abuse, where I was able to find myself again through Jesus Christ,” Faivre said.
The painting “’11 Homecoming,” which features two bluebirds sitting together on a branch, was created in memory of a person Faivre knew as a teenager who later died. He also captures emotional experiences in his work – “3,149 Days” captures the inner turmoil of being in a harmful relationship, while “Parrot Portrait!” is a tribute to happiness.
Every painting is a method for Faivre to share a viewpoint, an experience or a story. Each one is his side of a conversation.
“It’s called an artistic voice for a reason,” he said. “So speak it through your work.”
DETAILS OF JEREMY FAIVRE'S ARTWORK
Jeremy Faivre's artwork is regularly on display at the NCI ARTworks gallery in Peru and on Ottawa Art League's gallery wall at Jeremiah Joe Coffee in Ottawa. To view or buy his art, visit www.jeremyfaivrearts.com. Follow on Facebook at Jeremy Faivre Arts or on Instagram @ jeremyfaivrearts.
1. Parrot Portrait!: Oil paint on canvas, 20x24, $600
2. 3,149 Days: Acrylic on canvas, 18x24, $450
3. ’11 Homecoming: Acrylic on canvas, 11x14, $200
4. The Unseen Hypocrisy: Acrylic on canvas, 20x24, $600
5. Lens Of The Mad Artist: Acrylic on canvas, 30x40, $1,000
6. My Universe: Acrylic chalk paint on canvas, 16x20, $400
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jeremy Faivre is an Ottawabased artist pioneering an art style that merges postimpressionism with surrealism. He launched Jeremy Faivre Arts in March 2023. He believes art gives a voice to the voiceless across all cultures. "As long as we embrace diversity in the art community and embrace what makes us all unique and different, we can create a culture of acceptance, integrity and beauty."
Where the is said to wander
80 years of stories tell of a creature in the woods along Dupont Road
By Julie Barichello • Photos by Scott Anderson
It’s been almost 30 years since Steve* and his friend Roy* were driving home from Morris on a low-traffic country road, but the night is sharp in his memory.
They were teenagers in the fall of 1995 and living in Seneca, a village of about 2,500 residents. They had spent their evening in nearby Morris, keeping an eye on the clock to be sure they made it back before Roy’s 10 p.m. curfew.
About 3.5 miles south of Morris is DuPont Road. The first seven miles heading west from Route 47 are a striped county highway before passing through land now owned by H.B. Fuller, a manufacturer of adhesives. Unstriped pavement continues past the factory, eventually leading to a hill where dense woods crowd the road’s shoulder and the route begins to wind.
The boys followed DuPont Road toward home that night. The sun had set long before they descended the hill and started to drive around the curves.
“We get down to the bottom of the hill and [Roy] stops,” Steve said. Confused, he asked what was wrong and started to look around. It wasn’t long before he spotted the reason his friend had braked.
“I look up, and right in the headlights is the DuPont Monster.”
*Names have been changed
DuPont Road connects Route 47 in the east to Route 170 in the west. Locals regularly use the route when traveling between Morris and Seneca.
STARVED
ROCK COUNTRY’S CRYPTID
Stories of the DuPont Monster date back to the 1940s, when the site of the H.B. Fuller factory and the surrounding woodland was still owned by the E.I. Du Pont Company that manufactured explosives. Legends and eyewitness accounts say a sasquatch roams the woods south of the Illinois River near Seneca.
Descriptions of the DuPont Monster match typical bigfoot reports: 7 to 9 feet tall and covered in hair that ranges from gray to dark brown.
David Hatcher Childress has spent years researching cryptozoology. Childress is an author and the founder of Adventures Unlimited Press and Bookstore in Kempton, about 45 miles southeast of Seneca. He also is well-known as a recurring guest on the History Channel series “Ancient Aliens.”
Childress made several trips to Seneca in 2005 and 2006, when a handful of bigfoot
sightings were reported along DuPont Road. During his visits, he collected stories from local residents about their encounters.
“One of the stories I was told when I was in Seneca goes back to the late 1940s,” Childress said. The account tells of a man who worked for the E.I. Du Pont factory. Part of the man’s job was to visit bunkers where dynamite was stored on the property’s wooded acres. He would collect the dynamite needed for blasting roads and other projects in the pre-dawn hours before the workday began.
“It was 4:30 in the morning,” Childress said. “He was going into the bunker to get some dynamite, and suddenly he encountered the DuPont Monster. The bigfoot is standing there looking at him, he’s looking at the DuPont Monster. [...] You see bigfoot, and everything freezes. You are uncontrollably frightened. It’s like you’re meeting the boogeyman. He then jumped in his cart and he went back to the Du Pont factory, and he was visibly shaken. He told them he would never go out there
again while it was dark.”
Although the factory worker’s account was told secondhand, Childress heard several firsthand encounters. One account came from a hunter who had permission to hunt on wooded acres near DuPont Road and glimpsed an unnaturally tall figure in the distance. Another came from two brothers who were camping one night – one brother accused the other of consistently flinging pebbles at him until they realized the stones were coming from an unknown person or creature concealed in the dark.
Many other sightings were reported from drivers traveling along the road.
“There are certain towns that are famous for bigfoot sightings, like Seneca. They tend to be from people who are driving or doing something late at night,” Childress said. “They’re in a remote area, and suddenly they see a bigfoot standing by the road or crossing the road. They’re often in their car.”
That’s the experience Steve and Roy had in 1995.
‘I STARTED TO PANIC’
When Steve first glimpsed the creature in the headlights, he said it stood slightly hunched on the right side of the road before straightening to its full height. He estimated it stood about 7 to 8 feet tall. Its hairy appearance matched the typical description of a bigfoot.
Steve acknowledges the story seems incredible, but he’s convinced of what he saw.
“We were within 150 feet. Close enough that you would not confuse this for someone in a cheap costume,” he said. “If this was someone in a costume, it was a really, really good costume. You could see muscle movement.”
Steve said for several seconds, the DuPont Monster stared at their car and the two boys stared back. Roy seemed frozen behind the wheel.
“I started to panic,” Steve said. “I’m literally yelling at [Roy] from the passenger seat, ‘Go, go, go! What are you doing? Go!’”
When the car started moving again, the creature moved away from the road and out of sight from the headlights.
The story is one Steve shares sparingly, confiding mostly in close friends and family. He is reluctant to attach his name to the narrative publicly, citing concerns about people questioning his honesty or soundness of mind. He agreed to share his account with Starved Rock Country Magazine on condition of anonymity –his and Roy’s names have been changed.
Childress said that’s a common occurrence with bigfoot sightings.
“People are naturally reluctant to tell these stories,” he said. “They don’t see an upside of telling people they’ve seen bigfoot.”
BIGFOOT IN ILLINOIS
25th Annual Pumpkin Harvest Craft Show
Bigfoot’s moniker originated in the 1950s in northern California, and stories about the cryptid are commonly associated with the forests of the Pacific Northwest. If the elusive cryptid exists, would it really live in Illinois?
Stan Courtney would answer that question with an emphatic “yes.”
Courtney has been affiliated with the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization since 2004, when he first joined the group on a sasquatch expedition. In the 20 years since, he has collected and filed eyewitness reports throughout Illinois for the BFRO database. He also conducts regular field excursions to search for bigfoot.
Courtney is a staunch believer that Illinois is prime habitat for bigfoot. He reports four bigfoot sightings of his own across the state – including one of the DuPont Monster.
“I don’t believe this animal is rare,” Courtney said of bigfoot. “Illinois has 78,000 miles of wooded streams and rivers. It’s not beyond me to think maybe there’s one animal for every 10 miles. If you do the math, you quickly realize that’s almost 8,000 animals.”
As for the rarity of the sightings, he likens sasquatches to animals like bobcats or cougars. They exist, he says, even if they mostly stay out of sight.
Both Courtney and Childress said bigfoot sightings most commonly occur in forested areas with a nearby water source such as rivers and streams – a description that fits DuPont Road.
The landscape around DuPont Road has large patches of privately owned woodland with minimal human traffic. Multiple water sources also are nearby, with the Illinois River to the north and three creeks – Hog Run, Armstrong Run and Deadly Run.
For DuPont Monster sightings, Courtney points to the stretch of pavement between Hog Run and Armstrong Run.
“If you look on a map, DuPont Road crosses a little stream and it makes a curve, and that’s where all the activity has been seen,” he said. C S R
If you go looking
The woods along DuPont Road are privately owned and are not open to the public. Travelers driving DuPont Road should remain in their vehicles and not obstruct traffic.
The most recent DuPont Monster sighting filed on the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization website was in August 2015. Sightings have been reported in both daylight hours and overnight.
Stan Courtney of the BFRO noted several other locations have reports of bigfoot encounters, such as state parks. He collected one person’s statement about an October 2014 sighting at Buffalo Rock State Park in Ottawa. Railroad tracks through wooded areas also are places where sightings are reported. He said sasquatches use the railroads as trails through woodland, and it’s easier to see the animals near tracks because rail lines provide a gap in the vegetation.
Bigfoot seekers also can try their luck by booking a campsite at a campground. Courtney said campgrounds can sometimes lead to reports of bigfoot sightings from people who stay awake long enough.
“They’re curious. [Bigfoots] want to see us without letting us see them,” he said. “After the fires burn out, when it’s 2 o’clock in the morning and they feel safe, they’ll go through the campgrounds.”
1st & 3rd Saturday of Every Month for mouthwatering Prime Rib!
Taco Tuesday!
Every Wednesday Wing Night
Special Pricing!
Every Friday Night - Blue Gill , Fried Chicken & Pasta specials
Thursday - Saturday Nights
BBQ Ribs, Steak, Fish & Pasta Specials
The Lithuanian Liberty Cemetery outside of Spring Valley is home to the Massock Mausoleum – and some say it’s also home to a ghostly “hatchet man” and a creature that resembles a vampire.
Established in 1914, the cemetery is the resting place for many Eastern European immigrants and has fewer than 20 tombstones, many written in Polish, Lithuanian and other Slavic languages.
As the final resting place for the three Massock brothers – believed to be prominent members of the community and, of course, butchers – the mausoleum also has been home to whispers of a “hatchet man” who guards the grounds. He threatens all who dare enter the cemetery at night. (Editor’s note: The grounds are not open to visitors at night.)
Local legend claims the hatchet man may even hide in the ruins of the old Massock home, not far from the cemetery grounds. He is
believed by some to be the ghost of the Massock estate’s former caretaker, who murdered his wife with an axe.
Another tale is one of “something weird and mysterious resembling a vampire.” According to Rosemary Ellen Guiley’s book “The Complete Vampire Companion,” in the 1980s, a Vietnam veteran from Spring Valley visited the cemetery one night expecting to find nothing.
“To their astonishment, they suddenly saw standing before them a ghastly figure. It was gaunt and pale and seemed to radiate a sensation of horrendous evil,” Guiley writes.
The story claims the veteran fired five bullets at the figure without effect. Guiley said a reporter from Chicago later came to the cemetery to investigate. He poured holy water on the vents of the crypt and heard “painful groaning” from inside.
A 2002 article in The (Ottawa) Daily Times recounts other tales of strange happenings
at the cemetery. One woman said she placed fresh flowers at the Massock mausoleum, but upon her return an hour later, the flowers were inexplicably dried. Another woman said a yellowish-orange shape latched onto her fiance’s pickup truck one night near the mausoleum and remained attached until the vehicle exited the cemetery gates.
The mausoleum became a target for vandalism in the 1960s, including instances of damaging the caskets and desecrating the remains. In one case, the skull of Anton Massock was stolen. The persons responsible were apprehended and prosecuted.
The Massock family eventually ordered the mausoleum to be sealed. The local police department regularly patrols the area for violators.
n THIS ARTICLE originally was written by Maribeth M. Wilson for the Shaw Local News Network series "Haunted Folklore," published in October 2023. It has been edited for Starved Rock Country Magazine.
"Ghost stories are as old as human life itself. Academics today tend to dismiss these stories as unimportant, but they reveal much about our history and our communities. Some of the stories are based on real events. [...]
"Ghost stories also offer a focal point for growing up. For instance, when teenagers first learn to drive, they drive up to the Lithuanian Cemetery at night and dare each other to walk up and touch the Massock Mauseoleum."
— MICHAEL KLEEN Author and historian of Illinois folklore, in a 2010 interview with The Times newspaper (Ottawa/Streator)
The George S. Park Memorial Woods
By Charles Stanley
Photos by Charles Stanley and Julie Barichello
Township due to its high-value species of white oak, hard maple, red oak and black walnut. In the rugged woods, a creek flows through steep hills and deep ravines.
Bryan already had an interest in the adjacent 40 acres of farmland and wanted to build a saw mill there to harvest the forest.
The forest originally was bought from the government by George Sheperd Park (1811-1890). Born in Grafton, Vermont, by 1835 Park was a volunteer in the Texas War of Independence. At the Goliad Massacre in 1836, where more than 400 prisoners of war of the Texian Army were massacred, Park was one of a handful of men who survived by pretending to be dead. Park moved on to Missouri where in 1844 he established Parkville near Kansas City and donated the land for Park College, now Park University.
Park also established a newspaper. Although a slave owner,
Park was thought by some to be an abolitionist. In 1855, a pro-slavery mob threw his printing press in the Kansas River.
After that, Park moved to Magnolia Township in Putnam County where he made a quick fortune in real estate. He moved back to Kansas before finally returning to Magnolia in 1874 and establishing a stock farm. He died in Magnolia but was buried in Parkville.
Despite many offers, Park’s family declined to sell the 80 acres until 1961, when a state forester reported some of the trees were dying and needed to be harvested.
So, a sale deal was made with Bryan.
Pleased, Bryan decided to camp in the forest for a few nights and found himself encountering birds, squirrels and foxes.
“This abundance of wildlife in the forest got into my mind, and I began to wonder if it would be right to destroy their home among
The George S. Park Memorial Woods are named after George Shepherd Park (shown above), who previously owned the 80-acre land where the preserve now stands.
Photo courtesy of Fishburn Archives Photographic History Collection, Park University, Parkville, Missouri
these trees that were hundreds of years old,” Bryan wrote in his book. “As I walked back to the camp, I was followed by a doe and her two spotted and awkward fawns. … Right then I decided that I had been guilty of destroying too many woods and animal habitats.”
With the Times-Press editorial in mind, Bryan returned to the forest’s property manager with a new proposal: The owner should donate the 80 acres to the state for protection.
The owner – Park’s granddaughter Rebecca Lowrie of Galesburg – agreed. The Putnam County Board declined to accept the property, but the Illinois Conservation Advisory Board felt otherwise.
After an opening presentation from his attorney, John Berry of Streator, Bryan gave his own pitch. He admitted to having destroyed many forests “all in the name of progress and profits.”
But, he said, “this is the finest tract of virgin hardwood that I’ve ever seen” and said he had discussed the loss of profits with his wife and two daughters.
“We have decided that it is more important to preserve this forest for our children, our grandchildren and their grandchildren – and for yours, too.”
The offer was approved by the state on Oct. 26, 1961, and the following day there was an editorial in the Times-Press titled “Native Forest Preserved” that praised Bryan.
“Instead of promoting his own interests … he became interested in the forest’s preservation,” the editorial said.
Although the forest is state property, it is overseen by the Putnam County Conservation District.
On the neighboring farm, George Mattern, 64, remembers Bryan, who had hired his father to farm Bryan’s nearby property.
The forest still teems with wildlife – including coyotes.
“We’re getting pretty overrun by deer,” Mattern said. “We used to walk it all the time, but not since they started allowing deer hunting.”
The preserve is open to archery and firearm deer seasons. No other hunting is allowed on the premises.
VISITING THE FOREST
To get to the George S. Park Memorial Woods from Streator, travel 24 miles west on Route 18 from its downtown intersection with Route 23. As Route 18 curves south, turn right at Putnam County Road 100 North. There is a small sign at the turnoff that says “State Forest Reserve.” About one mile down the road are signs about the forest. Parking is along the road. Visitors should pull off the road as far as possible in the roadside ditch without entering the preserve.
Visitors are welcome to explore the preserve; however, because the grounds are undeveloped virgin forest, there are no trails. All natural features in the preserve are protected by law. Foraging is not permitted and nothing should be removed from the forest.
The preserve is closed to hikers beginning Oct. 1 through late January. During this time, the area is open to deer archery season and deer firearm season.
A harvest moon – the full moon closest to the date of the autumnal equinox – shines brightly over a farm's pond a few miles southwest of Ottawa. The 2024 harvest moon will be Tuesday, Sept. 17.
