Starved Rock Country Magazine - Winter 2022

Photos by Paula Guttilla Hatchet Canyon Photography

Photo by Tom Sistak

Where Fun Meets Family

Whether you like sinking putts in mini golf or hitting the links, gliding along a river or splashing around pools, catching a family flick or hiking the trail, you’ll find it all (and much more!) at Holiday Inn Club Vacations® Fox River Resort at Sheridan

Did we also mention we have a super splashy indoor waterpark?

And after all that on-site fun, enjoy a spacious villa with all the comforts of home. Visit holidayinnclub.com today.

hat does it mean to be the finest?

This winter issue is different than anything Starved Rock Country Magazine has done before. We asked readers to vote for their favorites in more than 30 categories, and this issue is a reflection of those results. Thank you to everyone who voted in Starved Rock Country’s Finest!

It’s important to us to recognize the local businesses that put their finest foot forward through excellent customer service, dynamic menus, outside-the-box offerings and more. For a complete listing of the winners, turn to our inside photo spread (P. 8-13), which provides a visual look at these award-winning options. These pages alone will show you how local businesses are providing residents with the finest quality of life.

As our winter issue typically does, we’ve dedicated some pages to the upcoming holidays. Ensure you don’t miss any festivities this year by clipping out our calendar (P. 16 and 20) and hanging it on the fridge. And for the creative people in your life, consider buying from a local artist; our featured artists this month offer a variety of handcrafted goods.

Our holiday coverage this year includes many Starved Rock Country’s Finest winners as well.

Interested in giving an experience this year instead of a standard, material gift? Turn to P. 36 for a list of readers’ favorites. (Personally, I think a tour of Ottawa would be my experience of choice!) When you need a break from holiday shopping, a meal at Good Morning Good Day Cafe in Streator would be my suggestion; you can learn more on P. 26.

On another note, I have some personal news to share: This is my last issue as Editor of Starved Rock Country Magazine. I’ve accepted another role, but I will always remember my time with this magazine with the fondest of memories. The past two years have been wonderful; I’ve loved getting to know the area and its readership. I will certainly miss collaborating with the niche products team, but I’m confident I’m leaving the magazine in great hands.

Although I’ll no longer be with the magazine, I won’t be a stranger to Starved Rock Country — especially when it comes to the finest hiking trails in this part of Illinois. Thank you for reading, and an early happy holidays from me to you!

Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year

Shaw Media 110 W Jefferson St Ottawa, IL 61350 815-431-4014 starvedrockcountry com Email photo or article submission queries to jbarichello@shawmedia com

Copyright 2022 Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited Vol� 10 No� 4 Winter 2022 Edition 2022-11/25,000

Goetz

ANNAH

HOFFMEISTER Editor

STARVED ROCK COUNTRY’S

FINEST

Starved Rock Country is home to some of the state’s premier entertainment, dining, shopping and outdoor destinations. In the 2022 Starved Rock Country’s Finest Awards, visitors voted on the finest events, activities, restaurants, businesses and service providers the region has to offer. When planning a trip to Starved Rock Country, this tourist-approved list can be your guide.

Chris Kringle Market

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Event/Festival

FINEST: Chris Kringle Market

ONE OF THE FINEST: Burgoo

ONE OF THE FINEST: Streator’s 4th

Golf Course

FINEST:

ONE OF THE FINEST: The Eastwood

ONE OF THE FINEST: Senica’s Oak Ridge

Live Music

FINEST: Starved Rock Lodge

ONE OF THE FINEST: Red Dog Grill

ONE OF THE FINEST: CatsEye Wine Bar

ONE OF THE FINEST: The 122 Club

Theater

FINEST: Engle Lane Theatre

ONE OF THE FINEST: Stage 212

ONE OF THE FINEST: VIP Roxy Cinemas

Engle Lane Theatre

Pine Hills Golf Club

Starved Rock Lodge –live music on the Veranda

Arts

photos by Tom Sistak and Shaw Media

DINING Beer

FINEST: Tangled Roots Brewing Co.

ONE OF THE FINEST: Lodi Taphouse

ONE OF THE FINEST: Fire On Fifth

Breakfast

FINEST: Hi-Way Restaurant Inc

ONE OF THE FINEST: Country Cupboard

ONE OF THE FINEST: The Ottawa Bakery

Burger

FINEST: Thyme Craft Kitchen

ONE OF THE FINEST: Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Co.

ONE OF THE FINEST: Lodi Taphouse

Cocktails

FINEST: CatsEye Wine Bar

ONE OF THE FINEST: Uptown Grill

ONE OF THE FINEST: A’Lure Aquarium Bar/Restaurant

ONE OF THE FINEST: Star Union Spirits

Coffee

FINEST: Jeremiah Joe

ONE OF THE FINEST: More On Main

ONE OF THE FINEST: Lock 16

Dinner

FINEST: Hank’s Farm Restaurant

ONE OF THE FINEST: B.A.S.H. Burger and Sushi House

ONE OF THE FINEST: Uptown Grill

Fried Chicken

FINEST: Anne’s Hideaway

ONE OF THE FINEST: Rip’s Tavern

ONE OF THE FINEST: Hank’s Farm

Ice Cream

FINEST: Tones Cones

ONE OF THE FINEST: Bruce and Ollies

ONE OF THE FINEST: Starved Rock Lodge Cafe

Kid’s Menu

FINEST: Sunfield

ONE OF THE FINEST: Haze Smokehouse

ONE OF THE FINEST: Hank’s Farm

Lunch

FINEST: The Rootbeer Stand

ONE OF THE FINEST: 9th Street Pub

The Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Co.

Hank’s Farm Restaurant

Uptown Grill

Thyme Craft Kitchen

Dining photos by Shaw Media and provided by Jeremiah Joe Coffee and Thyme Craft Kitchen

Pizza

FINEST: Bianchi’s

ONE OF THE FINEST: Iniga Pizzeria

ONE OF THE FINEST: Neapolitana

ONE OF THE FINEST: Sam’s Pizza

Romantic Dinner

FINEST: Uptown Grill

ONE OF THE FINEST: Monte’s

ONE OF THE FINEST: B.A.S.H.

Wine

FINEST: CatsEye Wine Bar

ONE OF THE FINEST: August Hill Winery

ONE OF THE FINEST: Clarks Run Creek

CatsEye Wine Bar

Jeremiah Joe Coffee

FINEST:

ONE

Camping

FINEST:

FINEST:

ONE

Hiking

FINEST:

ONE

ONE OF THE FINEST:

FINEST:

ONE OF THE FINEST:

Water

FINEST:

ONE

PERSONAL

FINEST:

ONE

ONE

Spa/Massage

FINEST:

ONE

ONE

FINEST:

NOVEMBER 2022

We’re looking ahead to holiday markets and parades — here’s what’s happening in Starved Rock Country

Today marks daylight saving time. It also marks True North’s Holiday Party, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Learn more on P. 32.

Exercise your civic right to vote on this Election Day.

Kick off the holiday season at Utica’s Christmas in the Village! You’ll find free trolleys, a strolling barbershop quartet, Santa and more.

It’s national philanthropy day. Have you donated this year to a charity whose mission is close to your heart?

Try your hand at fused glass with a workshop at Open Space Art Gallery & Studios in Ottawa.

Veterans Day honors military veterans. Thank you for your service.

The print issue of Starved Rock Country Magazine hits mailboxes on this day. Thanks for reading!

Have you had breakfast yet at Good Morning Good Day Cafe? Learn more on P. 26.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ottawa’s Chris Kringle Market kicks off on this day; find it on weekends through Dec. 18.

Montage Wine Bar & Spirits commemorates its annual Let’s Get Basted Friendsgiving Tasting! Find tickets online. Streator’s Keeping Christmas Close to Home takes place this evening. Head to Streator early to shop for Small Business Saturday.

Compiled by Hannah Hoffmeister

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

Keeping Christmas Close to Home

How many Christmas lights illuminate downtown Streator during Keeping Christmas Close to Home?

“Thousands, thousands, thousands,” Joe Richard says, his voice trailing. Richard works with Light Up Streator, which partners with Keeping Christmas Close to Home to present the annual celebration, now in its 18th year.

The 18-member Light Up Streator committee spends every weekend in November hanging lights in preparation for the big reveal at the end of the month. They decorate six blocks of Main Street, City Park, City Hall and the Streator Fire Station.

“We’re right up to the last minute getting everything up,” he says.

There’ll be a few new decorations this year made by a Streator High School class. The countdown begins at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 26, followed by the lighted parade at 7 p.m.

The parade is on Main Street, starting on Illinois Street then north on Park Street to the north end of City Park.

Last year, there were more than 40 floats, and Heather Patterson, who coordinates the parade, expects a similar number this year. The lighted floats will be mostly done by community businesses but will include a few rented, lighted floats as well.

You can find two live ice sculpture performances from 2 to 4 p.m. at Heritage Park. One of the sculptures will include an opening for faces for photo opportunities.

Several vendors will be selling a variety of goods throughout the market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors can be found at Park Place, Bruce Township Hall and the Streator Incubator.

“It’s a variety, whatever kind of craft they would like to display,” says Karyn Dzurison, who coordinates the vendors. In the past, that’s included Christmas decor, wreaths, clothes, candy, beef jerky, candles, wood items, Tupperware, Pampered Chef and more.

Dzurison says vendors come from all over to participate, including the Chicago area, Peoria, cities within

Starved Rock Country and one vendor traveling as far as Missouri.

If you’ve never been to the event before, you might wonder about the display of wreaths with names on yellow stars. The wreaths are put on display in remembrance of lost loved ones. The tradition began five years ago when Streator resident Jim Pellino’s 23-year-old grandson Cody Simons passed away.

“We wanted to do something for other people who had lost children or a family member,” Pellino says. “It started off with about 10 (wreaths) and it’s gone up from there.”

Last year there were 30 wreaths, and Pellino estimates they’ll be about 40 this year.

“It’s gone very well, very positive,” Pellino adds. “Some of them have had their wreaths there every year since we started it.”

The event also includes a model train display at the Streator Incubator, food trucks also at the Incubator, carolers and carriage rides. Learn more online at www.streator.org.

Story by Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Shaw Media

DECEMBER 2022

head to www.starvedrockcountry.com! The “Local Events” tab is where you’ll find the calendar.

Compiled by Hannah Hoffmeister

Ride through one of the area’s drive-thru light displays — Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park in La Salle or Northern Lights at the Grundy County Fairgrounds.

Downtown Morris hosts the Winterfest Holiday Market. This is a perfect time to finish your shopping lists.

Christmas is 12 days away! Time to make some cookies.

Starved Rock Lodge hosts a Trolley Trio Progressive Dinner, which includes stops at August Hill Winery, Camp Aramoni and the Lodge.

Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street hosts its Christmas Tree Lighting & Candy Cane Hunt, starting at 6 p.m.

The Christkindlmarket in La Salle includes mulled wine, hot cider, entertainment, reindeer, shopping and more — don’t miss it.

It’s national maple syrup day — celebrate accordingly with pancakes or a maple-inspired dessert.

Happy Hanukkah! The celebration starts this evening and ends Dec. 26.

Take a ride on Starved Rock Lodge’s Christmas Lights Trolley Tour. Learn more on the following page!

The winter solstice, or the shortest day and longest night of the year, falls on this day. It officially marks the beginning of winter.

If you celebrate, we wish you a very merry Christmas!

Happy Kwanzaa to everyone who celebrates!

It’s New Year’s Eve! How are you planning to ring in 2023?

CHRISTKINDLMARKET

STARVED ROCK LODGE

Holiday Edition

The Lodge offers decor, events that spread lots of holiday cheer

Story by Stephanie Jaquins

Photos provided by Starved Rock Lodge

Bringing the magic of Christmas to Starved Rock Lodge takes a team of around five “elves,” lots of decor items and many, many strings of lights.

Last year, staff switched themes: “There’s No Place Like Gnome.” The decorations were handcrafted by Jane and John Soltis of Streator. The gnomes will be back this year, along with some snowmen.

“We had these little gnomes all over the lodge, so it was really whimsical and lovely,” says Kathy Casstevens, marketing manager at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center. “Our decorations are one-of-a-kind and we are very thankful to our designers and team of elves to carefully set up the holiday displays each year.” Staff decorate the exterior of the lobby and hotel, the Great Hall, main dining room and conference rooms for the holidays. Casstevens and staff take pride in creating a winter wonderland for their guests.

“It becomes a tradition. They feel so at home and we do all the work for them,” she says. “Whether it’s decorating for Christmas or having a holiday meal together, they can come here and enjoy the beauty and go home with great photos.

“That’s why we work so hard to make it look so good, because we want to create family traditions and we want to be a place people congregate during the holidays.” C S R

STARVED ROCK LODGE WILL OFFER THE FOLLOWING EVENTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS:

n Don’t miss Jingle Bell Rock, which starts at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 28 and 29. Rosie and the Rivets bring holiday music favorites in addition to the hits of the 1950s and ’60s.

n Discover the winter beauty and bring the family together at Starved Rock State Park on a guided winter hike, offered Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 31. Dress appropriately for the weather. See the calendar online for January dates.

n Matt and Cynthia Gruel perform holiday hits for Under the Mistletoe, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5 and 6.

n Mark the season with Classic Crooner’s Christmas, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 and 13. Chicago artist Pete Oprisko brings Christmas songs from artists like Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole.

n Join the man of the season himself for Breakfast with Santa, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18.

n Christmas Lights Trolley Tours are a great way to see beautiful lights displays. They are currently scheduled for Dec. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

For more information, visit www.starvedrocklodge.com.

THE RIGHT THINGS RIGHT’

Starved Rock Lodge offers year-round, award-winning entertainment, lodging

Story by Louise Treeny • Photos provided by Starved Rock Lodge

If you think you’ve seen it all at Starved Rock Lodge, think again. There’s always something new given the changing of the seasons — and even those don’t look the same year to year. Fall colors are different given rainfall and climate, temperatures affect the formation of the ice falls, and even the variety of wildlife can look different.

“November is underrated for hiking,” Kathy Casstevens, marketing manager, says. “The days are warm and the leaves linger a little longer to make a hike from the Lodge to La Salle, St. Louis, Wildcat or French canyon a breathtaking way to spend an afternoon.”

The Lodge won finest lodging and live music in Starved Rock Country’s Finest readers’ choice awards. It also won one of the finest retail/shopping options, and the park itself won finest hiking.

“We are and always will be the only lodging in Starved Rock State Park,” Casstevens notes. “It’s all about where you stay for the best experience.”

The Lodge and its surrounding cabins were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. With breathtaking views, areas for hanging out in the Great Hall (particularly next to the cozy two-sided fireplace), a restaurant onsite and proximity to the park’s trails, the Lodge has become a go-to spot for family celebrations, corporate retreats, weddings and more.

Also offered are many family-friendly

activities: everything from live music to guided hikes to ghost tours. Casstevens often fields the question: “Why pay for a guide when we can hike for free?” She points to two main reasons: First of all, you won’t get lost. Second, the guides are passionate about the land and can provide insight on its cultural history, geology and more. “They are a wealth of knowledge,” sums up Casstevens.

Winter is a quieter season at Starved Rock Lodge, offering a sense of peace and quiet for guests. People come for relaxation and that serene feeling of being surrounded by nature, according to Casstevens. “It’s really wonderful to be the first person on the trail” after a snowfall, Casstevens says.

And when it’s time for a meal, head to the dining room for a homemade meal. Locally sourced prime rib is a Saturday favorite, and you can find craft beer on tap any day. Each season, the Lodge unveils new witty, seasonal cocktails. “Here’s Johnny,” for example, is described as, “Johnny Appleseed, that is! Work’s over, so come play with this classic margarita that features Patrón and locally sourced apple cider!”

Casstevens takes pride in the longstanding sense of tradition that you’ll find at Starved Rock Lodge. “There’s always something new to see, but it’s always the same,” she says, referring to the traditions, the views, the ambiance.

“Doing the right things right is very important.”

A Taste of

Good Morning Good Day’s traditional Slovenian and Croatian dishes bring to Streator “the freshest food in the area”

Story by Julie Barichello Photos by Tom Sistak and Julie Barichello

Toni Pettit’s mornings used to begin with the same routine.

She and her brother would greet their mother with, “Good morning, Ma.” Their mother would reply in Slovenian, “Dobro jutro dober dan, vsako jutro vsaki dan.”

The phrase translates to, “Good morning good day, every morning every day.”

These days, Pettit’s mornings have a different routine. Tuesdays are spent in a kitchen preparing Slovenian salads, pastries and desserts. Wednesdays through Saturdays are spent cooking breakfasts to order at her recently opened cafe in downtown Streator.

But one detail hasn’t changed. Her morning still revolves around her mother’s greeting, which is the inspiration behind the name of Good Morning Good Day Cafe.

Diners who step through the green, gold and burgundy storefront on Main Street shouldn’t expect the usual American array of breakfast food at the cafe.

GOOD MORNING GOOD DAY CAFE

417 E. Main St., Streator • 815-510-9603

Facebook: Good Morning Good Day Cafe

“My goal is not to sell anything that anybody else sells in Streator,” Pettit says. “You can’t get a breaded tenderloin, you can’t get a cheeseburger, you can’t get french fries, you can’t get hashbrowns and toast. It’s not on the menu.”

Instead, Pettit’s restaurant is a unique addition to the Starved Rock Country dining scene. It serves traditional Slovenian and Croatian dishes paying homage to her immigrant parents. The menu features items such as palacinke, thin, crepe-like pancakes rolled around a filling; žganci, similar to polenta; Kranjska klobasa, a Slovenian sausage; cevapi, grilled sausage with a blend of meats; and more.

Many recipes crossed the Atlantic Ocean with Pettit’s parents when they fled the Yugoslavian dictatorship of Marshal Tito in the 1950s.

“My parents, separate of each other, decided to leave Yugoslavia and come to the United States,” Pettit says. “My dad left Croatia with two friends, and they crossed the Alps in Austria and entered into Germany where they went to a refugee camp just outside of Nuremberg. My mom took the same route with her cousin and her uncle, and she ended up in the same camp he was in.”

Her parents were married in the refugee camp in 1954, and her brother was born there. In 1956, the family immigrated to the United States, where Pettit was born and raised on a diet of traditional central European cooking.

Pettit credits her mother with being an exemplary cook. She used to tell her mother to open a drive-thru window from her kitchen. Their dream was to open a restaurant.

“After she passed, I had an opportunity to do that dream, her dream,” Pettit says.

Many of the menu items at Good Morning Good Day are authentic to Slovenia and Croatia. The cevapi are Pettit’s family recipe and are prepared at a packing plant southwest of Streator. Pettit drives

to West Peoria to pick up the farm-to-table sausages weekly. The Kranjska klobasa are prepared in New Lenox; she travels to collect them as well. Other authentic foods include Slovenian potato salad with oil and vinegar dressing and a cucumber salad with onions and a tangy vinaigrette.

Other dishes are moderately altered, such as the grits. In Slovenia they are served slightly dry, but Pettit makes them creamy for the standard American palate. The menu also includes items more familiar to Midwestern taste buds, such as baguette sandwiches with bacon or a chicken salad sandwich.

One of the cafe’s hallmarks is fresh ingredients in every dish.

“We don’t have a freezer, and I don’t have any deep fryers. Everything we make is fresh,” Pettit notes. “Tuesday is our prep day for the rest of the week. We prepare potato salad on Wednesday morning and

The cevapi are seasoned and grilled pork and beef sausages

completed in 1858, the Mansion was built by businessman, politician, and philanthropist William Reddick. Home to the Reddick family for nearly 30 years, the mansion anchors Washington Square, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate.

SUNNY, SEASONAL DESSERT

Be on the lookout for specialty menu items around the fall and winter holidays — particularly the Slovenian krof, a traditional yeast donut rolled in sugar. It is notable for its yellow interior because it is rich with egg yolk.

make it again on Friday morning. Our potato salad is only here for two days before it’s gone. We don’t want to throw food away.

“We have what is probably the freshest food in the area. Our stuff couldn’t be fresher unless I raised it myself.”

Her philosophy is to let those fresh flavors stand out instead of muting them with multiple seasonings.

“It’s all about balance,” Pettit continues. “It’s a balance of flavors. We don’t need to add a lot of spices to enhance the food because if you put the right products together, they complement each other and it’s great.”

Another philosophy she carries through Good Morning Good Day is to reuse and repurpose materials to reduce waste. The cafe uses cloth napkins that can be washed rather than disposable paper napkins.

Owner Toni Pettit

More than 95% of the decor and fixtures in the cafe are repurposed — like the flooring, which originally functioned as a portable Oktoberfest dance floor in Germany. The colorful kaleidoscope of table linens was bought at secondhand shops, and the glass tabletops were cut from the storefront’s original windows when Pettit had them replaced.

Since opening this summer, the cafe has attracted a variety of diners, including several Slovenians who travel from nearby counties to get a taste of home. The restaurant has acquired several devotees, including a central Illinois couple who

discovered it on a road trip. Despite living about 60 miles away, the couple has returned twice since their initial visit.

“We’re getting a lot of out-of-towners,” Pettit says. “It’s a unique and different menu. I think that’s what’s drawing people to us.”

For all who are drawn through the cafe’s double doors, a special greeting is stenciled on the dining room’s south wall. These words are the legacy of Pettit’s mother.

“Dobro jutro dober dan, vsako jutro vsaki dan.”

“Good morning good day, every morning every day.”

CHART A TO TRUE

This Morris destination is home

Story by Ryan Searl | Photos provided by True North

This holiday season, give the gift of vintage — courtesy of Starved Rock Country’s own True North! Conveniently located on U.S. 6 in Morris, just a short drive away from Interstate 80 and Route 47, True North is a lauded destination for impeccably curated vintage, antique and oddity items.

This superstore, which first opened its doors in 2014, has expanded numerous times over the years; after a recent expansion the store now boasts more 100 vendors across 10,000 square feet of sprawling retail space. With a growing cavalcade of fans, countless awards and write-ups from some of the most prestigious vintage and antiquing magazines out there, True North has established itself as more than just a premium vintage store: It’s a tourist attraction for shoppers, offering an expansive selection of gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

“The whole idea at True North is that the entire family can come here, relax, see something cool ... just have a unique experience and still feel no pressure to buy anything. There’s really something for everybody to do, for all ages,” says Stacey Olson, the owner and visionary behind True North.

The layout of True North is a fusion of the classic antique mall formula mixed with the curatorial eye of modern pop-up shopping experiences. Each vendor space is uniquely themed and designed, with the merchandise often informing the aesthetic. These shops-within-a-shop reward repeat trips, as their stock is constantly being updated. In the newest wing of the store, you’ll find Instagram-worthy windowed vendor rooms, fully decorated and themed for the holidays, packed with plenty of seasonal decor and gift items. “We can’t wait to see what our vendors do with these spaces come Christmastime,” Olson says.

True North specializes in what are called smalls, a term you may have picked up if you’re a fan of History Channel’s “American Pickers.” This subcategory of vintage pieces favors the eclectic and compact over the large and sober pieces many think of when they first hear the word “antiques.” These inexpensive, highly collectible, conversation pieces are rapidly becoming the hottest things in the world of vintage, and they just so happen to be True North’s forte.

“We don’t have huge 12x12 booths filled with tables — we have small booths filled with tons of exciting smalls. … On any given day we’re selling hundreds of items,” notes Olson. “It comes as a surprise to a lot of people, but the average cost of an item at True North is just $5.”

If you’re a fan of vintage clothing, you should start planning your trip ASAP. True North has always been known for old-school apparel, but they now feature a staggering 1,000-plus square feet of recycled clothing. The selection has also grown to include vintage children’s clothing, so the style and philosophy of upcycling can now extend to your children’s wardrobe.

“Not only do we have cool jean jackets, patches and pins, flannels and recycled T-shirts, we also have recycled kids clothes,” Olson says. “We know that parents don’t want to spend a ton of clothes for quickly growing kids, so why not wear something that’s gently worn in like-new condition?”

True North knows big shopping trips with kids can be challenging, especially when you’re planning on spending an hour or two in a sprawling shop like theirs. To keep the little ones entertained, True North has added a “Little Movie Theater” complete with vintage seats. This minicinema always has age-appropriate films playing for kids,

giving you some much-needed time to explore the store.

The shop has also doubled the size of its existing arcade area, adding classic games like Centipede, Galaga and Asteroids, sure to appeal to kids and kids at heart.

“Our average customer used to be in here for an hour. We’re now seeing that the average time spent in True North is about an hour and half or two hours. It’s the type of place where people can just sit down and have some fun,” Olson says.

If you’ve been to True North before, the store will feel at once familiar and brand-new. So, whether you’re a card-carrying member of the fan club or just a novice vintage shopper scouting for your next destination, look no further than one of the most exciting stores in Starved Rock Country.

C S R

Fall FLAVOR into

McRibb & Fall Holiday Menu Are Back!

Hurry as they are available Oct. 26-Nov. 20

the store, then turn in a found feather to win prizes, cash, discounts or deals.

n Dec. 16-18: Discover complimentary gift wrapping! The staff at True North will wrap anything within reason that’s purchased during this limited time event. If it fits in a gift bag, they’ll make it festive with red tissue paper, a bow and gift tag. If it doesn’t fit in a gift bag, the folks at True North will wrap it up for you at no extra charge. Looking to bundle some items? You can also put together a gift basket, and they will wrap that as well.

PUMPKIN Pie

Spring Valley • Mendota • Princeton

Locally Owned/Operated by Paul & Mary Breznay

NOW HIRING FULL AND PART TIME / EOE

IN STARVED ROCK COUNTRY

Experience Give an

Skip the wrapping this holiday season with these 6 adventures

Story By

ooking for a unique gift that won’t risk being delayed in the mail during the holiday rush? Consider purchasing your loved ones an authentic experience in Starved Rock Country. From delectable dining to terrific tours, we’ve assembled a convenient collection of award-winning small businesses that offer unforgettable, local experiences.

Ryan Searl • Photos provided by Pine Hills Golf Club, Hank’s Farm Restaurant, Awesome Ottawa Tours, Uptown Grill, CatsEye Wine Bar and Balanced Spirit Wellness Center

GIVE THE GIFT OF GOLF AT PINE HILLS

Voted finest golf course

This 18-hole semiprivate course is located on the southern end of Ottawa. Pine Hills Golf Course was designed by the famed Thomas Bendelow, known for laying out such courses as Medinah Country Club and Olympia Fields, and opened its doors in 1924.

Pine Hills is also home to a popular restaurant offering the largest gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly menus in the area. This dining room is serving up award-winning pizzas and delectable dinner rolls using homemade dough, alongside made-to-order dinners, sandwiches and sides. Best of all, at the Pine Hills Restaurant you’re treated to a stunning panoramic view of this gorgeous golf course.

Hank’s Farm 2973 Route 71, Ottawa • 815-433-2540 • www.hanksfarm.com

DINNER IN A FORMER DAIRY BARN

Voted finest dinner, one of the finest fried chicken and one of the finest kids’ menus

For fans of one-of-a-kind dining destinations, consider getting a gift card to Hank’s Farm in Ottawa. The restaurant is housed inside a former dairy barn, surrounded by 20-plus acres home to roaming peacocks, chickens, ducks, turkeys and sheep.

Pine Hills Golf Club Bar and Restaurant 1665 N. 2501st Road, Ottawa 815-434-3985 • www.ottawapinehillsgolfclub.com

Illinois’ longest operating lumberyard continues to thrive along Peru’s historic riverfront. Maze Lumber has been providing top quality building materials to Illinois Valley contractors and homeowners for 174 years, still owned by the founding fathers (Maze).

Located in a 15,000-square foot showroom and office, we offer building materials for the modern home as well as a full line of the traditional lumber items used in home building, commercial construction, and industrial applications. Our experienced sales staff takes pride in their ability to provide knowledgeable assistance along with prompt delivery at reasonable prices.

Hank’s has been lauded for its elaborate brunch buffet that takes place every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bountiful smorgasbord includes salmon, fried chicken, eggs Benedict, French toast sticks and 14 feet of fresh desserts.

TAKE

WITH AWESOME OTTAWA TOURS

Voted finest adventure

Prepare to have your perception of Ottawa altered forever. Starved Rock Country native Tom Aussem provides fascinating and informative tours, detailing the town’s storied past. Over the course of the trip, you’ll hear tales of crime, liberation and perseverance that all played a part in shaping the beautiful riverfront town.

A gift certificate from Awesome Ottawa can be redeemed for

ENJOY FINE DINING AND LIVE MUSIC AT UPTOWN GRILL

Voted finest romantic dinner, one of the finest cocktails and one of the finest dinners

La Salle’s Uptown Grill is renowned for their polished take on classic dishes, often lauded as being one of the best places to grab prime rib in the Chicagoland area on Friday and Saturday nights. These charbroiled steaks are cut and aged in-house, and the seafood, shellfish and oysters are prepared fresh every day. In addition to offering great food and a full-service bar and lounge (complete with an extensive list of over 100 wines and 12 craft beers on tap), Uptown Grill is also home to one of the most exciting music venues in Starved Rock Country. On select nights, the stage at Uptown Grill’s Playlist Theater hosts popular touring acts. Past guests have included Alejandro Escovedo, Robbie Fulks, The War and Treaty and Loudon Wainwright III.

ENJOY A WINE TASTING AT CATSEYE

Voted

and one of the finest live music

Located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, CatsEye has fused together urban-vintage style and an eclectic array of drinks to create one of the most comfortable drinking destinations in Starved Rock Country. With an ever-changing roster of wines from around the globe, frequent live music, food truck events and local artist spotlights, CatsEye will provide a novel drinking experience every time you return. Pull up an antique chair,

GIVE THE GIFT OF RELAXATION AT BALANCED SPIRIT WELLNESS CENTER

Voted finest spa/massage Nestled in historic downtown Streator and less than a halfhour southeast of Starved Rock State Park, Balanced Spirit Wellness Center is an all-in-one relaxing retreat that aims to align your physical, emotional and mental well-being. Since 2017, Balanced Spirit has been offering rejuvenating massages, transformative Reiki sessions and deeply relaxing Himalayan salt room experiences to visitors and locals alike.

Balanced Spirit is also home to a tranquil yoga studio on-site. These classes can cater to anyone from the experienced yogi to first-time student, perfect for anyone passing through the area or vacationing in Starved Rock Country.

Gifts

FOR THE WHOLE GROUP

Shop local in Starved Rock Country for your holiday presents this year

Story by Stephanie Jaquins Photos by Scott Anderson, provided by A Mess of Things and Starved Rock Lodge

There’s a reason Francie Skoflanc calls her store, which includes clothing, jewelry, home decor, bath and body items, and vintage finds, A Mess of Things.

“If you can’t find something in our store, you’re not going to find it,” Skoflanc says with a laugh.

This year and every year, Skoflanc and her staff seek out unique items for the Christmas season for the downtown Ottawa store.

For 2022, this will include items to keep you warm in winter, including gloves, hats, scarves, slippers, candles and trendy items such as Christmas gnomes.

Vintage items are a customer favorite, she says, noting she and her staff dedicate time to curate a nice collection. They find vintage ornaments, ceramic trees with lights and other decor.

“People love that because when they come shopping they’ll see it and it reminds them of something in their childhood or something that a grandmother or an aunt or a mother, father had or made and so they want a piece of that nostalgia to bring home with them for Christmas,” she says. “Myself and the other vendors have scoured, we go all over looking for these kind of items we can bring here to the store.”

Vintage glass and barware also are popular items for the holidays, she says.

Vinyl records are another piece of nostalgia shoppers can bring home. Skoflanc recently welcomed a new vendor to her store: Val’s Halla Records of Oak Park. Her store will carry a selection of vinyl records from the popular

Starved Rock Lodge

suburban record store.

Other A Mess of Things vendors include Janine Irene Jewelry, custom, hand-stamped jewelry; Kristine’s Shower, bath and body items; Prairie Center Alpacas, gloves, socks, hats, and stuffed animals made from alpaca wool; and funny Christmas T-shirts.

“They wear them around to their Christmas parties. They wear them to family get-togethers, when they’re shopping for Christmas. It gets them in the Christmas spirit,” Skoflanc says of the T-shirts. This year, the shop also will have personalized Christmas ornaments depicting Christmas happenings in downtown Ottawa.

If you’re shopping for a nature enthusiast, Starved Rock Lodge has you covered. Starved Rock Gift Shop, located just off the Great Hall near the restaurant, is your spot for souvenir sweatshirts, handbags, jewelry, women’s clothing, toys and backpacks, among other items.

“What’s better than a family reunion with matching shirts?” says Kathy Casstevens, marketing manager at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center. “They have funny things like Sasquatch, and funny souvenirs along with really cool stuff that is tie-dye.”

A MESS OF THINGS

726 La Salle St., Ottawa

STARVED ROCK LODGE 1 Lodge Lane, Oglesby

VANDUZER JEWELERS

615 La Salle St., Ottawa and 310 E. Main St., Streator

SASSO JEWELRY AND GIFTS

629 First St., La Salle

There’s also items you can collect, such as jewelry, books, stones and kids toys, she notes. Starved Rock Cafe offers Illinois-made beer and wine, retro candy from your childhood and kitchen gadgets. The Starved Rock Visitors Center also has a book selection with field guides for hiking and flowers, Casstevens says.

If you’re looking for a gift that shines, VanDuzer Jewelers, with locations in Ottawa and Streator, carries everything in fine jewelry. Owner Dave VanDuzer says diamond earrings, pendants and bracelets sell well for holiday gifts. He’s also seeing an increase in lab-grown diamonds.

“(They’re) a little less expensive and getting very popular because of the price point and quality,” he says. “They’re still diamonds.”

For those looking for engagement rings, he says oval-cut diamonds are popular and white gold remains popular, but another type of metal is gaining popularity.

“Yellow gold is coming back pretty strong,” he says. “It was nonexistent for years, but it’s coming back big time.”

VanDuzer also notes that when buying local, VanDuzer takes care of everything they sell, providing the service after the sale.

Denise Bernabei, co-owner of Sasso Jewelry and Gifts in La Salle, agrees: Yellow gold is growing in popularity for engagement rings. A round diamond remains the most popular cut, but oval and emerald cuts are popular as well, she says.

For those looking for jewelry as a gift, Bernabei says Kendra Scott and Enewton are brands that sell well.

“Dana Rebecca does everyday diamonds and they are one of the most popular things we have in the store today,” she says.

In addition to jewelry, Sasso also will have ornaments and Christmas decorations, among accessories and houseware items. C S R

Here’s where you can find the shops mentioned in this story!

Small Town ChriSTmaS

wiTh a Big hearT EXPERIENCE PRINCETON THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Christmas Walk Weekend

Friday, November 18th

Shop Princeton to have first looks at this year’s new holiday merchandise!

Saturday, November 19th

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Visit with Santa at the Prouty Building and interact with his reindeer and elves visiting with him from the North Pole! Hot chocolate and cookies will be served!

HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES on South Main St

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Friends of Stray Bake Sale at the Prouty Building

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Train & Farm Toy Show at the Bureau County Fairgrounds

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT OPEN PRAIRIE CHURCH

FREE Gingerbread Houses for Kids, International Cookie Market, Traditional German Lunch, and Homemade Candies.

EVENT IS INDOORS & FREE ADMISSION.

Sunday, November 20th

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Visits with Santa at the Prouty Building Hot Chocolate & Cookies will be served.

Trolley will be running on Historic

Main Street!

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 26th

Make a big impact by shopping small and supporting our Princeton business owners!

Thank you! to the Chamber Ambassador Club and all of our generous sponsors for your support throughout the holiday season. These events are all made possible because of you!

Home for the Holidays Christmas Light Drive Thru at the Bureau County Fairgrounds Kicks off on Friday, November 25th and will run for 5 consecutive weekends!

Fridays & Saturdays 5:00pm - 9:00pm Sundays 5:00pm - 8:00pm

The last evening will be on Sunday, December 25th.

ENTER through the Main Fair Entrance on Route 6/Peru Street and EXIT on Crown Street. No admission fee or tickets required. DONATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED.

Friday, December 2nd

6:00 pm

Santa arrives in Princeton for the LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE at Veteran’s Park across from City Hall Come for hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn by the Princeton Lion’s Club!

7:00 pm

Candy Cane Hunt at Soldiers & Sailors Park

Saturday, December 3rd

9:00 am

Breakfast with Santa at The Cliff Event Center

Tickets available for purchase at the Prouty Building. Santa & Live Characters will be present at this event along with a whole lot of fun for the kiddos!

1:00 pm

Princeton Lion’s Club presents Small Town Christmas with a Big Heart Christmas Parade. Parade will start at the corner of Marquette and North Main.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Let Princeton, Illinois be your destination to visit Santa this holiday season!

Saturday, November 19th & Sunday, November 20th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Visit Santa at the Prouty Building

Saturday, November 26th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Visit Santa at the Prouty Building

Friday, December 2nd Santa will be present during the annual community tree lighting & candy cane hunt

Saturday, December 3rd

Visit Kris Kringle at Breakfast with Santa (tickets required), Jolly Saint Nick will be part of the Christmas Parade down Main Street and will be present at the After Parade Activities at the Bureau County Fairgrounds!

Saturday, December 10th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Visit with Santa at Someone’s in the Kitchen

Saturday, December 17th & Saturday, December 24th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm | Location TBA

After Parade Activities for the kids at the Bureau County Fairgrounds.

FREE TO THE COMMUNITY!

Please consider donating a non-perishable food item and/or paper product to benefit our local Bureau County Food Pantry.

For more information please visit us at our Chamber website: www.princetonchamber-il.com, follow us on Facebook: @PrincetonILChamber or call (815) 875-2616.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

Please come out to Princeton this holiday season for a whole lot of family fun and fabulous holiday shopping to help complete those Christmas lists!!!

Window Display Competition, Elf Hunt on Main, Gingerbread House Contest, Chamber Ambassador Club Christmas Ornament Fundraiser, Light Up Princeton, Live Music on Main Street, Christmas Photo Booth, Face Painting & Balloon Twisting…

All these things and so much more happening in Princeton, Illinois!

And don’t forget that the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce offers Gift Cards, which also make a wonderful gift or stocking stuffer for those loved ones on your list!

Bruce Jewelers, Jan Milles, Gary & Hope Browning, Dr. Timothy Puhr, D.D.S., Freedom House, The Princeton Closet and Flo’s on Pulaski

Artist SPOTLIGHT

RACHEL BRISBOIS

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.

1

achel Brisbois may be relatively new to the Starved Rock Country arts scene, but she is no stranger to neither the area nor the arts. Brisbois has lived in Starved Rock Country nearly her whole life. To her, the area is “an excellent place for an artist to park their easel,” adding, “I recommend a visit in every season because the changing landscape promises a new adventure every time … The area never ceases to inspire my work and imagination.”

As a college student, she fits her artwork around her studies. Joining local art leagues has helped increase her exposure; for example, you can find her pieces on the Ottawa Art League gallery wall inside Jeremiah Joe’s. You can occasionally find her work at Open Space Art Gallery & Studio’s gallery shows as well as local art shows. “It has been an exciting journey, but it is still only beginning,” she notes.

She notices a connection between people and art, a relationship that changes over time. “Children are constantly testing and experimenting, and art happens to be the perfect tool to let them utilize their natural curiosity,” she says, adding she herself was drawn to art from an early age. “Finally, as we grow into adults, maintaining that creative process from childhood continues to be an outlet from stress and a healthy form of expression.”

Brisbois works mainly with acrylic and oil paint. Charcoal and graphite factor into her pieces, too. She describes her work as “an erratic mixture of impressionism, realism and surrealism.”

What is not erratic, though, is her unwavering belief in the ubiquity and importance of art.

“Everything you own is designed by an artist. It enriches our lives at every turn. It is omnipresent and often underappreciated,” she says. “Art is everywhere, on purpose, because it is such an integral part of the human experience.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist SPOTLIGHT HEATHER PURSLEY

1

f you pay attention to social media or the news, chances are you’ve heard of Wordle.

The internet game, in which you have six chances to guess a five-letter word, took off in popularity this year. So did Heather Pursley’s Wordle-inspired amigurumi, or crocheted doll.

“I’ve been creating pop-culture-inspired amigurumi patterns for years, and some of them have been more popular than others. It’s getting more and more challenging to be the first to create something in the cultural zeitgeist, especially an amigurumi,” the Starved Rock Country artist notes.

She created what she calls a “silly little anthropomorphized Wordle buddy” and shared the pattern on her online crochet account, Ravelry. “My design has been shared on multiple major news and entertainment websites and more across the globe. It was so heartwarming to hear from other crocheters sharing the stories behind why they made their own and who they were gifting it to,” Pursley says. “Being able to create and

share something that brought so much joy to so many people, however silly it is, is really where I want to be as an artist/maker.”

Pursley is the owner and artist behind Post and Prairie Design Studio and Ham and Eggs. Post and Prairie Design Studio specializes in commercial graphic design, producing everything from social media to web design and more. Ham and Eggs is where Pursley posts her crochet patterns, which she has been designing since 2009.

“I create work in a variety of mediums, from amigurumi (crocheted dolls), fine art prints, linotype, photography, and, honestly, whatever medium I’m interested in pursuing at that particular time,” she says.

Pursley originally planned to be a photography professor, but her career pivoted to graphic design, where she has been for nearly 20 years. Her more traditional artwork can be found at Open Space Art Gallery & Studios.

“Whether we’re the ones making it or the ones viewing it, art feeds our souls and enriches our lives,” she says.

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.

DETAILS OF HEATHER PURSLEY’S WORK

To purchase or learn more about her creations, visit www.postandprairie.com or her social media pages (Ham and Eggs Crochet, Post and Prairie Design Studio).

1. Wordle: amigurumi mixed media, 5x4, pattern listed for free through artist’s Ravelry account: www.ravelry.com/stores/ham-and-eggs-crochet

2. Witch’s Ball: glass, 5.5x5, not for sale

3. Hosta: photography, 8x8, $150, available by contacting the artist directly

4. Ice Falls: art print, 18x24, $275, available by contacting the artist directly

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Heather Pursley is a graphic designer who also experiments with fine art, photography, glass, crocheted dolls and more. “I am happy to go where creative inspiration leads me,” she summarizes. Learn more at www.postandprairie.com or on Facebook at Ham and Eggs Crochet.

Most have a tendency to hunker down and stay inside when the deepest part of winter arrives. For those who do dare to wander out in Starved Rock Country and embrace the cold, there is so much waiting to be seen. As the early setting sun begins to turn out its light, an icicle forms on a barn just south of Starved Rock State Park.

Sistak

Starved Rock Country

Photo by Tom