MAGAZINEFALL2022
2 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Open Daily Noon to 6:00 p.m. •August Hill Winery / Illinois Sparkling Co. •Cajun Connection •Fine Field Pottery •Hegeler Carus Mansion •LaS alle Canal Boat •Ot tawa Visitors Center •Tangled Roots Brewing Company •Starved Rock Lodge Featuring gifts of all kinds from across Illinois, including local favorites Starved Rock Country Welcome Center 248 W. Canal Street; Utica An Illinois Made Gift Shoppe HeritageCorridorCVB.com facebook.com/StarvedRockCountryWelcomeCenter SM-CL2000202
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 3 Fall Into ComfortWith us One Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL | (815) 667-4211 | StarvedRockLodge.com The only Hotel Located Right in Starved Rock State Park Sleep in a cozy room or Soakcabinup some stellar Indulgesights in theEnjoyunplugged our comfort Unwindfood in our indoor pool familyatheCruiseILRiverBoardTrolleyTourCreatetraditions
Helmed by owners Rick and Stephanie Wilkinson, this two-story restaurant and bar is a passion project, sure to attract many visitors to Streator’s beautiful downtown. Named in honor of Rick’s grandfather, who was born is Sicily but spent much of his life in Streator, the Wilkinson’s have set out to honor a riveting piece of local history while bringing a truly original drinking and dining experience to Starved Rock Country.
Located less than a half hour from the gates of Starved Rock State Park, this immaculately restored former bank building has been transformed into an approachable upscale restaurant that captures the spirit and history of the roaring twenties.
Welcome to Gaetano’s Vault, Streator’s newest destination dining experience.
Gaetano’s impeccable roaring twenties decor and theming harkens back to the building’s past life as a bank, and its ties to an infamous gangland era robbery. The Union Bank building of Streator was erected in 1913, then the largest and most prominent financial institution in the region. On May 16th, 1932, a brazen robbery was hatched by one of Al Capone’s top men, “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn – alongside two Dillinger Gang affiliates and two corrupt police officers. After the gang made off with $52K in the hold-up, they were apprehended by law-enforcement and brought to the LaSalle County jail in Ottawa. Less than a month later, while awaiting trail, five armed men sprung “Machine Gun” and his associates –a story featured in newspapers all across the nation.
Today, you’ll find glimpses into this fascinating history all around Gaetano’s Vault – including the two exquisite vault doors that lend the restaurant its name. Housed inside the vault, you’ll find two booths offering a truly one-of-a-kind VIP dining experience. Emblazoned above the enormous cylindrical doors, you’ll find a hand-painted mural depicting a scene from the notorious robbery. The entire main floor of the restaurant was painstakingly designed to resemble a 1930s prohibition styled bar and restaurant. From the casks behind the bar –highlighting beverage partners, like Starved Rock Country’s own Star Union Spirits – to the exposed brick walls and projector screen (playing classic gangster films and popular sporting events), Gaetano’s crafts an immersive atmosphere that’s equal parts visually exciting and instantly comfortable. For more authentic prohibition era fun, the second floor features a speakeasy bar – with a discreet separate outside entrance that sneaks you into this gorgeous art-deco themed space. This intimate and upscale cocktail lounge is lined with gilded plaster wall decor and absinthe green track lighting, sure to make for a memorable photo-op. Across from the speakeasy, you’ll find a matching space that can be rented out for private events and parties. Experience VIP dining in the vault
Specializing in aged certified prime Angus beef steaks, alongside a delectable line of signature gourmet burgers, fresh flown-in seafood and authentic Italian fare, this menu is already receiving rave reviews from bon vivant patrons.
More than just a beautiful atmosphere, Gaetano’s Vault features a modern kitchen lead by Executive Chef Charlie Klinefelter – which is serving up a curated menu featuring only the finest prime cut steaks, burgers, chops, pasta and seafood options.
The space features two more sprawling themed murals, transporting you back to old-world Italy. In keeping with Gaetano’s commitment to honoring and elevating, this nostalgic atmosphere is perfectly paired with a state-of-the-art 20 tap self-serve craft beer and wine wall. This fun and convenient three season amenity is a great way to enjoy your favorite beverage while soaking in live music on the courtyard.
Consider the classic Bone-in Ribeye, a generous 20oz. Stockyard hand-cut Angus steak, seasoned with kosher salt, cracked pepper and char crust –grilled to your desired temperature, and served with your choice of two sides. Looking for something a little lighter? Don’t miss a chance to try the legendary ‘Untouchables’ burger, made with 100% ground short rib blend (the preferred burger served at the Masters Tournament in Augusta), maple smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, smoked cheddar and gouda cheese – served on a toasted seeded brioche bun. You’ll also find vegetarian fare like Pad-Thai Pasta, made with imported rice noodles, edamame beans, celery, carrots, red onions, red and yellow bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini and yellow squash tossed in Pad-Thai sauce.
Speakeasy cocktail lounge Tomahawk
Gaetano’s Vault also features an al fresco courtyard, designed to have a relaxing garden-style atmosphere.
200 East Main Street • Streator, IL 61364 • (815) 822-9000 Garden-style al fresco courtyard
HuckleberryribeyeHooch
Rick and Stephanie Wilkinson, owners, along with General Manager Duaine Hepner and Chef Klinefelter and his team, have surprised the Starved Rock Country region with one of the best new culinary experiences on offer. Beyond their dedication to fresh and high quality ingredients, beyond the detailed decor and passion for the building’s past, this restaurant serves as a beacon to guests visiting the area’s natural amenities and invites them to dine, imbibe and return to Streator’s historic downtown.
6 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Prime steaks • Burgers • Chops Pasta • Seafood • Specialty drinks 200 East Main Street • Streator, IL 61364 (815) 822-9000 Prohibition-themed restaurant, speakeasy bar and event center built inside a 1913 bank STEP BACK INTO THE ROARING TWENTIES
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 7 InsideMUSTSEE10 CALENDAR Live music, outdoor festivals and more — here’s what’s happening in September and October 17 7 SMALL BUT MIGHTY NATURE DESTINATIONS Find outdoor recreation beyond the region’s largest state parks 32 FEATURED ARTIST Gavin Finefield’s pottery is inspired by his Starved Rock Country home ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 36 FEATURED ARTIST Susan Burton specializes in community-based mosaics and sculptures 26 ‘OUR LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN’ Experience nature firsthand at Dana’s Retreat and 2nd Hand Ranch & RescueLODGINGS47 GLASS HALF FULL 5 must-visit tasting rooms and wine bars to try this fall IN EACH ISSUE EDITOR’S NOTE 8 POSTCARD 50 41 ‘THE EPITOME OF CUSTOMIZED’ Launch Kitchen has launched onto the foodie scene of Starved Rock Country with seasonal ingredients and outdoor space DINING & DRINKING Karen Loftus is the creative mind behind the bright sunflower poster featured on the cover Learn more about the vintage poster contest on P� 38� ON THE COVER 231747 23 IN FALL SWING Discover the colors and activities of autumn at these nearby parks 38 VINTAGE TRAVEL POSTERS 18 poster entries from the Starved Rock contest
8 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year Shaw Media 110 W Jefferson St Ottawa, IL starvedrockcountry815-431-401461350com Email photo or article submission queries to hhoffmeister@shawmedia com Copyright 2022 Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited Vol� 10 No� 3 Fall 2022 2022-08/25,000Edition PUBLISHER Dan Goetz EDITOR Hannah Hoffmeister GRAPHICS AND DESIGN Julie Barichello PRODUCTION Rhonda Dillon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Julie HannahBarichelloHoffmeisterStephanieJaquinsRyanSearl CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Anderson JulieTomBarichelloSistakRyanSearl eaders, I have some very exciting news to share with you! Starved Rock Country Magazine won Best Niche Publication in Illinois, courtesy of the Illinois Press Association! The first-place prize is a huge honor. It’s a testament to the magazine’s owners and our team’s efforts to provide interesting stories that keep the reader in mind at every opportunity. Two weeks before this issue comes out, I’ll accept the award in Springfield at the association’s annual convention. Thank you for your constant support; I love hearing your thoughts on what we do. But back to the magazine at hand. At least one feature or photograph per issue seems to call back to a childhood memory, reminding me of events and moments I hadn’t thought about in years. This time, as I edited Ryan Searl’s feature about wine bars in Starved Rock Country (P. 47), I found myself thinking about my grandpa’sGrandpawinery.Hoffmeister’s winery, located about an hour south of St. Louis in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, was always the place to be around this time of year. My family would take a bumpy ride down to the Concord vines, bypassing the white wine grapes for something sweeter. Before the tall, mechanical harvester swept through, we’d get a chance to pick grapes for eating: perfectly circular, dark blue — almost purplish — grapes. When a new friend would tag along, we’d teach them that these weren’t like grocery store grapes: With these, you squeezed the inside out without eating the skin, then spit out the seeds. What felt a bit tedious at first to a newcomer would easily become second nature as they realized what a treat the grapes were. Every late summer/early fall feels like I should be back at the vineyard; it calls to me, and I try to make a stop back home when I can to harvest some myself. Yours is likely different, but I’m curious: What is a flavor that represents this time of year to you? Maybe it’s juicy watermelon, running down your arms, or a Labor Day feast of fried chicken and homemade potato salad or greens. Even taking just a moment to remember what each time of year feels and tastes like may bring us back to happy memories of previous seasons.
The fall issue features a hearty emphasis on the outdoors as we savor these last bits of warm weather. Whether that looks like an adventure in search of fall color (P. 23) or a retreat to a glamping unit located on a wildlife rehabilitation facility (P. 26), save some time this fall for being outdoors. You won’t regret it!
Thank you, as always, for reading! H
EditorHOFFMEISTERANNAH | E DITOR’S NOTE |
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 9 2022 EVENTS September 17 & 18 TH VINTAGE ILLINOIS WINE FEST October 8 TH CAR DUCKSHOW/RACE October 8 TH & 9 th 52ND ANNUAL BURGOO October 20 th NIGHTWITCHESOUT November 6 TH VETERANS PARADE November 26 TH & 27 TH OLD CHRISTMASFASHIONEDINTHEVILLAGE utica-il.gov The Village of North Utica • PO BOX 188 • Utica, IL 61373 • 815-667-4111Photos by Paula Guttilla Hatchet Canyon Photography 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 2022 SCHEDULE Every Sunday June - September 10am to 4pm Handmade • Homemade • Homegrown • Vintage SM-CL1999168 – ILLINOIS –
Story by Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Scott Anderson and provided by the theaters
AT THIS STAGE
Don’t miss these 7 shows, performed this fall at local theaters | Must See | C S R
The theatre has three shows planned this fall: n “Wait Until Dark” is about a con man and two ex-cons who are looking for a valuable doll at the apartment of a woman who is blind. According to the theatre’s description, “The men hatch a plot to recover the doll, but she uncovers their charade. When darkness falls, she sets a trap so her assailants must maneuver in the darkness with her until the game’s shocking end.”
10 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country s the nights grow colder, there is plenty of entertainment to be found indoors on the stages of Starved Rock Country.
Showtimes are 2 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 through Sept. 9. n “Get Smart” brings back many of the characters and cliches of the television show. Shows are scheduled Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 4-7. n “Fun Home,” a Tony Awardwinning musical, traces lesbian author Alison Bechdel’s experiences growing up as she is struggling to write her autobiography, told in a graphic novel format. She thinks particularly about her relationship with her father, a closeted gay man and the owner of the family business, the Bechdel Funeral Home (or “fun home”). According to the theatre’s description, “As she watches her father’s self-loathing consume him, Alison recognizes her own experience of discovering and ultimately embracing her identity.”
FESTIVAL 56 316 S. Main St., www.festival56.comPrinceton Festival 56 is welcoming G.I.T. (Guys in Ties) Improv at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8. G.I.T. Improv got its start in the late ’90s in Rock Island and has since provided countless hours of interactive entertainment in the Quad Cities and nationwide. Festival 56 also is hosting a Halloween movie night with a showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The interactive screening is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22. Costumes are encouraged!
MORRIS THEATRE GUILD 516 W. Illinois Ave., www.morristheatreguild.orgMorris
This fall the Guild will be performing “The Odd Couple.” Felix Unger is newly separated from his wife and looking for a place to stay. Hilarity ensues when the clean freak and slob Oscar Madison decide to room together. Showtimes are Oct. 21-30.
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ENGLE LANE THEATRE 1012 Columbus Road, Streator www.englelane.org
Showtimes are Nov. 17-20.
Check out these seven!
STAGE 212 700 First St., La www.stage212.orgSalle “Farce of Nature” is the fall production at Stage 212, running on weekends from Nov. 11 to Nov. 20. The comedy depicts one day in the life of an Arkansas family at their fishing lodge, the Reel ’Em Inn. Described by Dramatists Play Service as a “deliciously funny romp” with a “delightfully chaotic climax,” this show is guaranteed to win you over.
Catch HarvestatOrcharddonutGrab—new-to-youcheckingoutdoors.daySundaypreviousmoreUntilweekendopeningof“WaitDark.”Discoverdetailsonthepage.isaperfectforsometimeWesuggestoutastateparklearnmoreonP.17.anappleciderfromBoggio’sandProduceitsPumpkinCraftShow! Day with family It’s positivenationalthinking day. It’s going to be a great day!
Enjoy Labor
Celebrate the long weekend with Streator’s Roamer Cruise Night and Car Show, which also features music from the 1950s and ’60s. La Salle is the place to be — theSaturdayreturnforJazz’NStreet,which includes fireworks. North Utica hosts the Vintage Illinois wine festival, complete with Canal Market vendors and more!
The Streator Walldogs Food Truck Festival is scheduled 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in City Park.
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 11 SEPTEMBER 2022
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 CLIP THIS PAGE OUT and hang it on your fridge so you can experience all that September has to offer! Please check online ahead of time for more details. happeningandaheadWe’relookingtolivemusictimeoutdoors—here’swhat’sinStarvedRockCountry Compiled by Hannah Hoffmeister VINTAGE ILLINOIS HARVEST DAYS PUMPKIN HARVEST CRAFT SHOW CORN FEST
Grundy County Corn Fest marks its 73rd year — head to Morris for an impressive lineup of downtown events. Hop on Route 66 and head to Dwight, where you’ll find Harvest celebrationsDays galore. BBQ-n-Blues, held on First Street in downtown La Salle, will feature live music, lots of food and even a rib cook-off.
a
gathering, picnic or barbecue!
ColumbusPeoplesIndigenousmarksDayandDay.HappyHalloween!
The Reddick Mansion channels spooky season with “Ghosts of Ottawa Past.” Head to Festival 56 in Princeton for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 7:30! Start October off right by celebrating national homemade cookies day with a batch of something Forsweet.the fourth year, Princeton hosts the Halloween Parade, starting this year at 5:30 p.m. Fall Colors Weekend is a
12 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country OCTOBER 2022
Don’t miss the 52nd annual course,FestivalBurgoo—and,ofabowlof the its famous stew. Starved Rock Lodge’s annual Oktoberfest dinner falls on this day, starting at 5 p.m. This day
Catch a performance of “Get Smart” at Engle Lane Theatre in Streator. Camp Aramoni in Tonica hosts Pizza & Burger Night with Live Music. This night’s guest is Amber Berg!
Let the 1840s replica boat the “Volunteer,” pulled by mules, give you a unique tour of the canal. Register online.
forFollowSaturdayoutdoorsFarmers’Streatoractivities!pageOttawa.andforMarkRockofspectacularcan’t-missdisplayhuesatStarvedStatePark.yourcalendarsWitchesDay—Night—OutinSeethenextformorewitchyDowntownMarketisforitslastin2022.onFacebookmoredetails. SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT for the Starved Rock Country Magazine calendar? Reach out to us on our Facebook page or via email at [email protected]! Compiled by Hannah Hoffmeister Mark yourcalendars in advancefor Nov. 12, the daythe winter issue of themagazine publishes! It willfeature the winners of theStarved Rock CountryFinest Awards. GHOSTS OF OTTAWABURGOOPAST FESTIVAL
2. A wicked shopping event is planned for Princeton from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7, complete with “sales, treats and potions,” according to the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street. Participating businesses will be open extended hours, and treats and beverages will be available. According to organizers, traveling by broom is optional.
1. Witches Day Out, an artisan market, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Pitstick Pavilion in Ottawa. This free indoor/outdoor event will feature psychic readers, jewelry, fine art, fiber art, candles, authors, crafts, story globes, gourmet popcorn, magical gifts, junk journals and more.
3. Fly into your favorite store from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 20 for the village of Utica’s Witches Night Out. More details are brewing for this event and can be found at Utica Business Association’s Facebook page.
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 13
Witches Night Out runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at the same Ottawa location. This event cost $45 per person and includes a DJ, fiddlerock by Casey McGrath, Hocus Pocus Hags dancers, best hat and best costume contest, psychic readers, cash bar, appetizers, dancing, 50 “bewitching door prizes” and free hag bags to the first 100 witches. Tickets can be purchased at Your Interior Motives in Ottawa or online
G rab your pointed hat and your best ghoulish girlfriends. You’ll find Witches Night Out festivities all over Starved Rock Country, including these four can’t-miss events:
Learneventsmore about 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue on P. 26! C S R
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RanchProjecteventbrite.com.2022witchesnightoutstarvedrockcountry.atProceedsbenefitPetofLaSalleCountyand2ndHand&Rescue.Witchywearisrequired.
4. Downtown La Salle businesses are preparing to host a night for your inner witch. For a date and more information, check back to Downtown LaSalle Events on Facebook.
Story by Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Shaw
A guide to distinguishing between Starved Rock Country’s witches-themed
14 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Lush plantings and butterfly gardens line streets filled with boutique shops and modern eateries. Come spend the day with us! Downtown Ottawa Over 50 YEARS of Deliciousness 1219 Fulton St. • Ottawa • 815-433-0478 HOURS: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm SM-CL2000345 719 LaSalle Street, Ottawa • (815) [email protected] Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Sun. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. LaSalle County’s Favorite Independent Bookstore seeCometheuniqueshopsdowntownOttawa SM-CL2000400 JOBST MONUMENTS & GIFTS 402 W. Main Street • Ottawa Across from Knights of 815-433-0310Columbus OTTAWA’S BEST KEPT SECRET UNIQUE INDOOR & OUTDOOR GIFTS Open Mon. - Fri. 10:30AM to 5PM Sat. 10:30AM to 3PM
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 15 Gifts That You Will Love For a Lifetime! Spouse, hostess, baby or dog, we’ll help you find the perfect gift for any occasion! We Specialize in Handmade Gifts, Art and Custom Framing plus a great selection of greeting cards and chocolate Come Browse Our Store or Shop Online with Curbside Pickup We Offer Custom Framing and Shadow Boxes Heartland By Hand Gifts and Framing 231 W. Main St. • Ottawa. 815.324.9298 www.heartlandbyhand.com Heartland by Hand When you walk in the door, at Heartland by Hand, everyone greets friends. It’s a charming gift shop with an amazing variety of treats and treasures, collected with a priority on goods that are made in America. There is something for almost everyone and for every gifting occasion. With online shopping, and curb service they make buying locally easy. The workshop of Heartland By Hand is actually bigger than the store and is occupied by the custom picture framing and wood shop. Hank Wolf, the framer will make you feel confident that your treasure is in greatHankhands.andCaroline purchased 231 W Main Street in 2016. It was a boarded-up storefront with a 114 year history. Over the next 5 years, while working at corporate jobs during the week, they gutted and 700 LaSalle St. in Downtown Ottawa • 815.313.5553 Globally inspired coastal cuisine, flown in fresh fish, oysters, crab & prime steak See our complete menu at BeachHousegrille.com SM-CL2000389 615 LaSalle St. • Ottawa 815-433-5683 310 E. Main St. • Streator 815-672-2614 www.vanduzerjewelers.com FIND THE PERFECT RING FOR YOUR LOVE STORY. SM-CL2000399
16 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Come exploreAtown full of activities for all ages and interests! Relaxation and Wellness in the Heart of Starved Rock Country Full InfraredSpectrumSauna HydrotherapyDry Ionic Foot Detox MassageMigunBed Whether you live in Starved Rock Country or are here for a visit, remember to take time to hike, go eagle watching, find an adventure, or just RELAX ! A visit to SaltTreeYoga will provide you with the relaxation and harmony you need to balance your life. Try a YOGA CLASS and SHOP in our unique gift shop before or after you relax! 310 ½ W. Main St. Ottawa, IL • 815.343.2751 SaltTreeYoga.com SM-CL2000391 JJ’SSPORTSPUB&GRILL Monday - Friday 11am-2am • Sat 11am-3am • Sun 11am-2am 104 W Main St • Downtown Ottawa • 815-431-1816 WednesdaysCheapChickenafter5:00PM5951/4Dark951/4LightChicken Wide Selection of Draft Beers 9 ScreenBigTV’sForAllYourSportingEventsOUTDOORDININGAVAILABLEComeenjoythebeautifulweather Watch the Games • Good Times • Good Food Screen TV’spurchaseBurgersTuesdays$350after5:00PMwithofbeverage
SMALL BUT MIGHTY NATURE DESTINATIONS
PRAIRIE
GEBHARD
BUFFALO
Photos by Tom Sistak and Julie Barichello
• Fall 2022 | 17
Story by Julie Barichello
Find outdoor recreation beyond the region’s largest state parks
Starved Rock Country
LA SALLE LAKE MAZONIA SOUTH UNIT WOODS LAKE
GOOSE
S tarved Rock Country is home to two of Illinois’ premier state parks: Starved Rock and Matthiessen. Both destinations receive top billing for their bluffs, canyons, waterfalls and spectacular scenery. However, the region encompasses three more noteworthy state parks as well as several state wildlife areas and natural areas. Venture out to something new this fall! ROCK STATE PARK
GEBHARD WOODS STATE PARK 401 Ottawa St., Morris 815-942-0796
18 | Fall 2022 •
Starved Rock Country STATE BUFFALOPARKSROCK STATE PARK 1300 N. 27th Road, Ottawa 815-433-2224
SM-CL2000959
ILLINI STATE PARK 2660 E. 2350th Road, Marseilles Illini815-795-2448StatePark hugs the south bank of the Illinois River, with a view of the city of Marseilles on the opposite bank. The mostly wooded, 510-acre park features campgrounds, a boat ramp, a loop trail and multiple picnic areas, including two shelters with fireplaces. The shoreline park is a prime spot to kick back and watch the river, including frequent barge traffic.
BUFFALO ROCK STATE PARK
There’s plenty to see at Buffalo Rock.
The star attraction is a trio of bison — Pebbles, Cocoa and Hope, who live in an enclosure a short stroll away from the parking lot. The park is situated on the north bank of the Illinois River about 4 miles from downtown Ottawa and is a neighbor to Starved Rock State Park.
This 30-acre green space is nestled within Morris city limits and less than a five-minute drive from downtown. The Illinois & Michigan Canal Trail borders the southern length of the park, and hikers can be as ambitious as they wish in walking the 61.5-mile trail that stretches from La Salle to Rockdale. The park also is home to campgrounds with grills, fire pits and picnic tables. Fishing enthusiasts can visit one of Gebhard Woods’ three ponds. Mid-October is a prime time to visit because the park’s many maple trees burst into bright hues of red and orange.
Hikers can follow a trail along the park’s bluffs to reach overlooks that offer views of the river and its islands. Buffalo Rock also claims one of the region’s most unique attractions: the Effigy Tumuli, a series of earth sculptures fashioned after Indigenous nations’ effigies and burial mounds. The effigies include a 2,070-foot-long snake, 140-foot frog, 770-foot catfish, a water strider and a turtle.
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 19 STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREAS Many of the wooded and/or marshy state fish and wildlife areas are rugged and used primarily by hunters during designated game seasons, but a few offer additional recreational activities for casual weekend visits and day trips. Be aware that most close in mid- to late fall for hunting seasons. Watch for posted site closures. HEIDECKE LAKE 5010 N. Jugtown Road, Morris 815-942-6352 Originally built as a cooling lake for the shuttered Collins Nuclear Generating Station, Heidecke Lake is a prime location to fish for award-winning bass, among multiple other fish species. Anglers can try their luck on the lake from 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Boats are allowed for fishing and waterfowl hunting, but ILLINI STATE PARK ILLINOIS & MICHIGAN CANAL TRAIL ALONGSIDE GEBHARD WOODS www.TheLoneBuffalo.com815.324.9549 808 LaSalle Street, Ottawa, IL Join Us FOR GHOSTS OF OTTAWA PAST FRI. AND SAT., OCT. 7TH & 8TH 7:00 PM AND 9:00 PM SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS O ne of the most expensive and ornate private homes in the Midwest when 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. ReddickMansionandGardens Mansion Tours: FRIDAY-MONDAY | 11 AM and 1 PM Please call for other arrangements & group tours 100 West Lafayette St. | Ottawa, IL 61350 815-433-6100 | reddickmansion.org
20 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country other forms of water recreation (swimming, wading or skiing) are prohibited. Fishing closes shortly before waterfowl season, at which point the location is open for waterfowl hunting. For hunting and fishing information, visit www.bit.ly/HeideckeLake.
MAZONIA SOUTH UNIT
Mazonia’s South Unit is a must-visit location for fossil hunters of any experience level. Visitors can obtain a day permit for fossil collection through Sept. 30 at the park office, then explore the area for 300 million-year-old Pennsylvanianage fossils. Animal and plant fossils — including jellyfish, shrimp and ferns, among others — are preserved in nodules that you can collect and break open. Mazon Creek also is where the uncommon Tully Monster fossil was discovered. After fossilhunting season ends, the site is still worth a visit for hiking or fishing. Mazonia’s north and south units feature a series of narrow lakes where anglers can cast their lines. Next door to the Mazonia complex is Braidwood Lake, the cooling pond for Exelon’s Dresden Generating Station, which is open for fishing.
STATEMAZONIA-BRAIDWOODFISHANDWILDLIFE
LA SALLE LAKE 2651 N. 21st Road, Marseilles 815-640-8099 La Salle Lake is a manmade body of water adjacent to Exelon’s La Salle County Nuclear Generating Station. The 2,058acre lake, which serves as a cooling pond to the station’s two nuclear reactors, is open to the public for fishing from 6 a.m. to sunset through Oct. 15. The lake is open for boat fishing, but all other forms of water recreation are prohibited. Shore anglers also can set up their poles along the rock riprap and enjoy the water’s view from one of the site’s multiple picnic tables. A fishing pier at Ivy Point is accessible to people with disabilities.
NATURAL AREA GOOSE LAKE PRAIRIE STATE NATURAL AREA 5010 N. Jugtown Road, Morris (adjacent to Heidecke Lake) 815-942-2899 Goose Lake Prairie is a window into Illinois’ past. Seven miles of grassy or packed gravel hiking trails wind through preserved tall-grass prairie and marsh that is home to a vast array of flora. The prairie still bursts with blooms in late summer and autumn. “Autumn is a lovely time on the prairie — some say it’s the prettiest season of the year,” the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says of Goose Lake Prairie on its website. New England aster and goldenrod bloom in September, and the prairie grasses turn shades of bronze and gold in the fall. Informational signs about the prairie are available at intervals along trails. Hikers also have a chance to encounter a variety of wildlife, including crayfish, turtles, snakes, frogs, deer, coyote, foxes, rabbits, beavers, muskrats, badgers, dozens of bird species and more. In addition to nature, the family-friendly destination features a reconstructed 1830s pioneer cabin, a metal windmill, a replica pioneer wagon, a prairie observation deck and a butterfly barn.
AREA Route 53 and Huston Road, Braceville 815-237-0063
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 21 22-ROP-504028 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. Where Fun Meets Family
WHEN SHOULD I PLAN MY TRIP?
STARVED ROCK STATE PARK
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Discover the colors and activities of autumn at these nearby parks
estled along the tree-lined Illinois River, Starved Rock Country is home to some of Illinois’ top-rated destinations for experiencing fall colors. From scenic drives under colorful canopies to picturesque guided hikes that explain the science behind this jaw-dropping seasonal transformation, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities awaiting you on your next road trip!
Story by Ryan Searl • Photos by Tom Sistak
n Allen Park, Ottawa: With room to walk (and play), this park is along the Illinois River near downtown Ottawa; plaques denote the different tree types you’ll see reflected against the water.
n Warnecke Woods, Princeton: More than 30 acres, with a stunning mix of trees in a traditional floodplain forest, include black oaks, black maples and photo-worthy seasonal wildflowers.
n Spring Lake Nature Park, Streator: The recently restored nature park features twin creeks, a natural waterfall, a 200-year-old cottonwood tree and your choice of a dozen scenic wooded trails.
n Lake Kakusha, Mendota: Shelters and trails surround the manmade lake in northwestern Starved Rock Country; this is a true hidden gem just a short drive from Mendota’s historic downtown.
n Snyder Grove Park, Mendota: The 104-acre preserve offers wooded trails, shelters and picnic areas. For morestate parks andnature areas withgreat views,visit P. 17!
Start your adventure with a drive through Starved Rock State Park. This popular park sports one of Enjoy Illinois’ topranked scenic drives for experiencing the fall colors. Route 71 is a wonderfully winding road that takes you from a serene riverfront lane to the sparse prairie outside the park, before snaking over several canyons and past towering, tinted trees. As Illinois’ most popular state park and one of the best nature destinations in the Midwest, Starved Rock’s notoriety is well earned. The park boasts 18 beautiful canyons, 13 miles of trails catering to all levels of experience, panoramic views of the Illinois River and a historic lodge and dining hall.
WHERE SHOULD I VISIT?
This picturesque park takes you from wildflower-lined prairie trails to the depths of Ice Age-era dells, complete with rushing waterfalls and mossy canyon walls. Matthiessen’s otherworldly trails include options for both novice and experienced hikers, allowing all park patrons to enjoy views of the grand Cascade Falls and Giant’s Bathtub. You’ll likely see more than just fellow hikers on these trails — Matthiessen also features some of the best horseback riding paths in the Starved Rock area.
Running through three counties (Will, Grundy and La Salle), the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail is one of the most historic and picturesque parks in Starved Rock Country. A popular biking and hiking trail, this tree-lined mid-19th century waterway also serves as a great spot for enjoying fall colors. A flat, graded gravel path makes for an easy and accommodating sightseeing trip.
n Dayton Bluffs Preserve, Ottawa: Featured are gorgeous wooded and prairie trails, running parallel to the Fox River. The lesser-known park is conveniently located near Interstate 80.
Fall color season can be difficult to predict, with many weather conditions factoring into colors arriving earlier or later than anticipated. On an average year, Starved Rock Country experiences peak fall colors sometime between the second and third week in October. Before you plan your trip, be sure to bestgivingcolorsInstagram.Starvedwww.StarvedRockCountry.comconsultorfollowRockCountryonFacebookandWe’llbepostingupdatedfallreportsthroughouttheseason,youanideaofwhenitwouldbetoplanyourroadtrip.
MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK
I & M CANAL
9 MORE GREAT PLACES TO ENJOY FALL COLORS Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 23
n Hopalong Cassidy River Trail, Streator: A short trail along the Vermilion River is surrounded by a multitude of diverse trees.
n Carlson Nature Preserve, Lowell: Hidden on the west side of the Vermilion River near Lowell, this preserve is a destination spot for rugged hiking and captivating views.
SWINGFALLIN
The 15-mile stretch of canal that runs from Ottawa to La Salle is an excellent bicycling destination. You’ll pass three historic towns and astounding fall scenery. Best of all, you no longer need to bring your own bike to explore the trail; simply reserve a rental bike outside La Salle’s Lock 16 Visitors Center and in Utica. Learn more on the next page.
n Catlin Park, Ottawa: Fourteen trails of all lengths and sizes weave through this heavily wooded and scenic park, which is equipped for cookouts and group picnicking.
n Guided hikes: Both Starved Rock Lodge and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources offer a variety of guided hikes led by experienced naturalists. Starved Rock Lodge’s hikes depart from the Lodge lobby every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. The expert naturalists will take you to some of the best fall color photo-ops throughout the park on these one-hour group hikes. For a full list of hikes and to reserve your space, www.starvedrocklodge.com/events.visit
n Fall color trolley tours: Trolley tours are one of Starved Rock Lodge’s signature events — and one of the best ways to experience the diversity and beauty of the park’s fall colors. These special seasonal tours include lunch at the Lodge’s restaurant and a short guided hike to Council Overhang and Ottawa Canyon. These all-ages tours are held aboard buses with modern climate-control systems, ensuring you’ll have a comfortable ride, even in the crisp fall weather.
Tours run Saturdays and Mondays through October, departing at 9:30 and 11 a.m. n Autumn on the river cruises: Enjoy a leisurely lunch off a special menu at the Starved Rock Lodge restaurant before hopping aboard the Eagle I cruise boat for a narrated sightseeing tour. This popular river cruise gives guests a unique perspective on the area’s fall foliage. Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through October, you’ll be treated to local legends, history and botanical facts as you ride up the Illinois River.
n Alfresco dining: Some of our favorite Starved Rock Country restaurants offer comfortable, open-air outdoor dining well into the fall season. Consider trying the waterfront restaurant Red Dog Grill. This seafood and American fare establishment has been wowing visitors with its brews, views and delicious food since first opening its doors in 2015. Nestled inside the Heritage Harbor marina resort community, the restaurant is perhaps best known for its large bay windows, sprawling covered patio and expansive view of the marina, a perfect spot for enjoying a nice breeze and admiring the leaves.
GIVE US A CALL OR VISIT AT WOODHAVENASSOCIATION.COM | 815-849-5209
n Boutique shopping: La Salle County offers wonderful boutique shopping opportunities to get you out and about during the fall, like Ottawa’s tree-lined shopping district and historic downtown Streator. La Salle’s shopping district is located just a short walk away from the I & M Canal, while Utica is just a stone’s throw from Starved Rock State Park. n Bike rentals: It’s now easier than ever before to take a fall colors bike ride along the I & M Canal, thanks to a new app-based bike sharing system developed in partnership with the Canal Corridor Association, the Illinois Office of Tourism and several local communities along the canal. Now anyone 18 years or older can rent a bike at convenient self-service kiosks. Before you head out on your trip, visit www.iandmcanal.org/bike for a full list of those locations. Once you’re there, simply click a link to download the app, then follow a simple registration process. Once you’re in proximity to a bike station, you can use your rental wheels to explore the trail and canal towns during one of the most beautiful times of the year.
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24 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country WHAT FALL COLOR ACTIVITIES ARE THERE?
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 25
All of these scenarios — and more — can be experienced at Dana’s Retreat in ruralThePrinceton.12-by-12-foot glamping rental cabin can accommodate four guests on its 10 acres of timber. Almost as soon as the location opened this summer, proprietor Nancy Johnson-Timmons’ guest calendar started filling up.
‘OurHeaven’SliceLittleof
“People were booking like crazy,” Johnson-Timmons says. “I didn’t think there would be that big of a turnout forGuestsit.” should note that the Airbnb lodging is listed as a camping rental, not a house. The cabin has no electricity or plumbing, although battery-operated LED lights are provided, as well as an
Photos by Julie Barichello and provided by 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue Lodgings
readingPerhapsgetaway.itinvolvesonacabin’sporch while sunlight filters through a leafy canopy. Maybe it’s hiking wooded trails to view fall colors during the day, then strolling to the edge of an open field to stargaze at night. It could be a cozy gathering around a campfire, sharing s’mores. Or maybe it’s being lulled to sleep by the sounds of nature in the chilled night air.
26 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Imagine your ideal weekend
Experience nature firsthand at Dana’s Retreat and 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue Story by Julie Barichello
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Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 27
“I want to teach people there’s somebody behind the something,” she says. “As fun as it is teaching people about wildlife, it’s fun teaching them about the cow.”
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
The lodging shares the property with 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue, a wildlife rehabilitation facility operated by Nancy and her husband, Randy Timmons. Despite the proximity of the animal rescue, guests will find full privacy in the cabin atop a wooded hill. The only hint of 2nd Hand Ranch is the occasional bleat of a goat or the latenight yips of the resident foxes.
“There was nothing like that around here for people to come and visit,” Johnson-Timmons notes. “That’s why I started doing this.”
28 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country T he retreat is named in honor of Dana Deutsch, a friend of Johnson-Timmons’ who died in 2018 of Likecancer.her friend, Deutsch displayed a passion for animals. She served as an animal control officer and animal warden in the Chicago area and also founded Ralphie’s Place Animal Rescue. After Hurricane Katrina, Deutsch volunteered on a pet rescue mission for five months. She did so again when Hurricane Harvey made landfall.“Disaster response was her passion,” Johnson-Timmons writes in a tribute on the ranch’s website. “Never doubt that one person can make a huge impact on the world. Dana inspired every human she met and saved every animal she encountered.”Thecabinis
As a bonus, Dana’s Retreat guests can venture down to the rescue from 5 to 6 p.m. each evening to meet and help feed the animals. The ranch houses an array of animals, including beavers, woodchucks, raccoons, possums, foxes, squirrels and pigeons, plus farm animals like horses, donkeys, pigs, chickens and a cow. A guineafowl named Nod also roams the Johnson-Timmonsproperty. has operated the animal rescue for more than a decade. As a child, her mother volunteered at Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo in Minnesota, where she first was introduced to wildlife care and rehabilitation. As an adult, she wanted to pay forward the opportunity to assist wildlife and educate others.
In Memory of Dana
Visit for a day Once a month, 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue hosts free open houses. Visitors can explore the ranch, meet the animals and gather around a bonfire for free hot dogs, chips and s’mores. Remaining open houses this year are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 3, Oct. 8, Nov. 19 and Dec. 4.
While the resident wildlife is one of the main attractions, people who visit the ranch are equally excited about meeting the livestock. Johnson-Timmons says the majority of Dana’s Retreat guests have never encountered farm animals up close. All animals have personalities, she explains to visitors, including animals traditionally considered meat sources, such as Albert the cow, who was rescued from a veal farm.
the first legacy project of Dana’s Heart to Hands, an organization headed by Deutsch’s friends that fundraises for animals in need. All proceeds from Dana’s Retreat go toward animal care at 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue. outdoor handwashing station and modern outhouse. Three of the four walls at Dana’s Retreat have sliding screen doors and windows so guests can experience the outdoors from the comfort of indoors.“Atnight, when you open the windows, you feel like you’re outdoors,” Johnson-Timmons says. “You have nature around you.”
Theup.”headlamps
starvedrockhouseofjerky.com WILDEXOTICBEEFGAMEVEGAN 723 S CLARK ST UTICA BLACK RIFLE FRAG OUT Take some Jerky on your next hiking adventure to Starved Rock State Park GI DRHOTJERKYSAUCESQUATCHBBQSAUCERUBS 779-237-6063 PET TREATSSM-CL2000736 SM-CL1999521 Located on Route 6 & Bucklin Streets in Lasalle, behind Nick’s on 6 (815) 202-3149 launch-kitchen.com Make this GetawayUnique
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 29 ESCAPE INTO NATURE Dana’s Retreat offers encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat.
Johnson-Timmons recommends going for a nighttime hike. “There’s all of these trails here. It’s the guests’ private park,” she says. “We have headlights for them to wear. There’s flying squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, deer, raccoons. When you put the headlights on, it reflects the eyes of the animal, so you can see there are lots of flying squirrels if you look also reflect spider eyes, which look like drops of dew on plants and trees.
Memorials among trees During your stay at Dana’s Retreat, turn your eyes to the trees on the path leading to the cabin. Metal sculptures of birds and squirrels are attached to trunks as memorials to people who have died of cancer.
The majority of Dana’s Retreat guests are city Johnson-Timmonsresidents.underscores the importance of spending time outside and retreating into nature. When she lived in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, she valued escapes into rural settings.
Dana’s Retreat provides a blend of rustic with comfort. Despite the lack of electricity, Nancy and Randy offer several amenities to let guests choose how much to unplug, including a wireless hotspot and a Jackery battery with outlets and USB ports. Other items available to guests include a welcome basket with supplies for s’mores, fire pit and bundle of wood, grill, furnace, art supplies, nature books, bug spray, citronella candles, binoculars, a first-aid kit, flashlights and a zip line for dogs. Pets are welcome for an additional fee.
Johnson-Timmons hopes guests can relax and make memories in all seasons — and possibly discover inspiration.“Thisplace attracts a crazy amount of good energy,” she says. “You can just stop, unplug, just be creative. You can sit down on the floor, do some art, (write in a) journal. Just find something in your soul. … “This is our little slice of heaven.”
30 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country
n TO BOOK A STAY, go to bit.ly/DanasRetreat. For information, visit www.2ndhandranch.com/ danas-retreat.html or Dana’s Retreat on Facebook. Take home more than a memory Check out the gift shop in the 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue office. Handmade gifts and products raise funds for animal rescue and rehabilitation. “Maple mobiles”
“I know what it’s like to live in the city and then take a reprieve into the countryside to see stars, see fireflies, listen to frogs,” she says.
are a popular product — they’re made from wood chewed by Maple, the rescue’s resident beaver. Uncork A Great Time At Clarks Run For Upcoming Events and Live Entertainment Schedule, like both locations on Facebook! Wine & Beer Tasting Room, Live Music. Now Serving You At 2 Locations! Clarks Run Antiques 215 N. Division St., Utica • 815.667.7190 Quality unique crafts, antiques, and gifts. TASTING ROOM & OUTDOOR PATIO Enjoy our wonderful wine and beer selection. Tues - Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm, Closed Mon Clarks Run Creek Wine & Gifts 143 Mill St., Utica • 815.691.8049 Utica’s Best Kept Secret Gifts & Wine, Bourbon, and Specialty Drinks Rent our upstairs room for special events. Bachelorette Parties, Birthdays, or Showers Mon, Wed, & Thurs 12-7pm, Fri & Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm, Closed Tues FacebookCheckforMusicScheduleGaming.Available! C S R
As a complimentary service, guests’ luggage and coolers are delivered to the cabin so they don’t have to hike their belongings up the hill. The retreat is open year-round.
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 31 It’s All Right Here in Downtown Morris Located just 60 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago, downtown Morris, Illinois offers the amenities of its more metropolitan suburban neighbors along with small-town hospitality and charm. Come to downtown Morris and enjoy a fun day shopping for unique gifts, enjoying our restaurants and tea room, and enjoying outdoor activities. Make memories and have fun with your friends or your family as you shop, dine and enjoy! SM-CL2000404 TRUE NORTH 539 Bedford Rd. • Morris. 815-705-0161 Open 7 days a week until www.shoptruenorth.com7PM 10,000 square feet of fun! Antiques, vintage, makers, salvage, gifts, arcade, recycled clothing, movie theater & record shop. APPLE BUTTER AND SHUGIE’S 309 N. Liberty St. Morris (815) 942-5093 Sat. Oct. 22nd. Our Muggles Market opens at 9 am. OUR HARRY POTTER DEPARTMENT IS MAGICAL. Cloaks, trading cards, beanies, scarves, drink ware, t-shirts and BUTTERSCOTCH BEER!!!!! Don’t annualMorris’miss2ndMagicinMorris. SM-CL2000403 701 LIBERTY STREET / MORRIS / CHOPSHOPGRILLE.COM815.710.5006 CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR HOURS OF OPERATION Our passion is real, fresh cooked food. We cook all of this great local beef, poultry & pork over a wood burning grill & rotisserie giving a natural smoke and char distinctive to cooking over live fire. SM-CL2000406 • Bagged Coffee • Baked goods • Teas & Lemonades • espresso drinks • drip Coffee • daiLy soup 312 Liberty St., 815.710.5000Morris
“The whole process gives me a great sense of joy and respect for the world around us.”
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.
GAVIN FINEFIELD
1 | Arts & Entertainment | Artist SPOTLIGHT C S R
“Withwheel.only a basic education of clay works from high school, I was surprised to discover that I was able to create fun, functional pieces of art,” he says. Finefield sold his first pieces of pottery in December of that year and has found wild success since then, selling more than 10,000 pieces.
avin Finefield’s life changed in the spring of 2012 when he was offered a kick
“These two aspects, wild and cared for, have become the muse for my art,” he says. “Hands wedge, shape and mold the clay into beautiful vessels. It is when the glaze is added, and the piece is fired, that the artist loses control; nature takes over. Temperatures well over 2,000 degrees make it impossible to shape and modify how the glaze will flow. Gravity and thermodynamics dictate how glaze will make it a piece of art.
Finefield makes sure his artwork is accessible.“Idonot sell $10,000 bowls and vases; instead, my art is meant to find its way to your dinner table and to be used,” he notes. “I love seeing people sharing meals while passing one of my bowls. There, my art becomes part of their living history. It is part of their family traditions.”Whilecreating these dishes, mugs, coasters and more, this Starved Rock Country artist has been busy elsewhere. After losing his public studio space during the pandemic, he is looking for a new ceramic art studio where he can create and sell his work. Being located in Starved Rock Country, which he describes as being both wild and farmed, has had an enormous impact on how Finefield views his work.
32 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 33 DETAILS OF GAVIN FINEFIELD’S WORK To purchase or learn more about his creations, visit comFineFieldPottery,www.etsy.com/shop/www.finefieldpottery.orhissocialmediapages. 1. Handled Casserole Dish: red sea glaze, 10x4, $65 2. Large Hand-carved Pasta Bowl: red sea glaze, 12.5x4, $70 3. Pasta Bowl: ancient oak glaze, 10x3, $55 4. 2Qt Serving Bowl: earth glaze, 9x4, $60 Gavin Finefield started making pottery in 2012 and has since sold more than 10,000 pieces. His art is available online and in three Illinois brick-and-mortar shops; learn more at www.finefieldpottery.com. ABOUT THE ARTIST 32 4
Starved Rock Country
Crafting everything from a life-size couch to an enormous cupcake, Burton believes “Each collaboration becomes … a historic destination that will outlive us all. A strong sense of pride and ownership are developed when a person lovingly places mosaic pieces on a sculpture.”
36 | Fall 2022 •
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.
SUSAN BURTON
A lifelong artist, Burton specializes in interactive community art. “My artwork is created on the ‘Art Farm’ in Marseilles,” Burton explains. Her website elaborates on the 10-acre farm: “Outfitted with all the tools and resources sculpture and mosaic artists require, visitors can experience sand casting pits, hot carving tools and her own personal sculpture garden, along with a bevy of playful farm animals.”
Burton’s materials of choice are concrete, metals and mosaics. “As a perpetual student she explores the creative relationships between history and environments,” she writes on her website. “Reiki, mandalas and archetypal studies influence her work.”
The Rockford Women’s Suffrage Sculpture, commissioned to honor the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s ratification, took two years to complete. More than 200 people worked on the threesided mosaic, along the way learning about history and the mosaic art form.
“My greatest joy is working with public spaces and community members,” Burton says, summing up a life dedicated to art that does just that.
f you’ve been to the downtown areas or public parks of Princeton, Ottawa or Rockford, chances are you’ve seen a work pioneered by Susan Burton.
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Artist SPOTLIGHT
2. Delicious: polydam substrate and mosaic, 3x3, $5,000 budget, located on Madison Street in Ottawa. “Making a sculpture look delicious was an experience in itself,” Burton writes.
4. Prairie Dreams: polydam substrate and mosaic, 4x3x3 (chair) and 3x3x7 (sofa), $14,500 budget, located along Mary Uthoff Walkway in Princeton. “The hand-sculpted mosaic furniture utilizes the picassiette (French for broken dishes) style,” Burton writes. “Exposing the community to the mosaic picassiette style using their own family china as part of the art made the project even more personal.”
Starved Rock Country
To learn more about her creations, visit www.artexplorations.com.
5. Rockford Women’s Suffrage Sculpture: mosaic, located at Rockford Women’s Suffrage Plaza along the YMCA riverfront. Learn more at www.rockfordsuffrageplaza.com.
2 3 4 DETAILS OF SUSAN BURTON’S WORK
Susan Burton is a commission-based sculptor and mosaic artist. She is well known for her work on public art, particularly works that involve the whole community in creating them. Learn more at www.artexplorations.com.
3. Pollinator Pillars: polydam substrate and mosaic, 10x2, $3,800 budget, located on Canal Street in Ottawa. “This set of themed sculptures are meant to raise awareness of species that are threatened by our environment,” she writes.
• Fall 2022 | 37
ABOUT THE ARTIST 5
1. Rainbow Flower: polydam substrate and mosaic, 4x4, $5,000 budget, located in Allen Park in Ottawa. More than 500 people, ranging in age from 2 to 90, worked on this bigger-than-life sculpture, writes Burton.
38 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country Starved Rock Kari Matuszewski Explore Bob Johnson
The contest, in its third year, invited innovation, and local artists responded with fantastic vintage travel posters.
Thank you to
In addition to the winner, featured on our cover and chosen by Starved Rock Country and the Arts of Starved Rock Country, here are the 18 runners-up in no particular order. the talented artists who participated!
“Submit your own interpretation of a classic WPA travel poster inspired by your favorite site, location or event in Starved Rock Country.”
TRAVEL POSTER CONTEST Bluebells at Starved Rock State Park Téa Lamboley Look Up at the Rock Sara Duchon Adventure in Bloom Nathan Stein Sunrays and Sunshine Téa Lamboley St. Louis Canyon Karen Loftus Matthiessen State Park Kathleen Soto 2022
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 39 STARVED ROCK STATE PARK OGLESBY, ILLINOIS ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Ice Falls Heather Jarmusz St. Peter Sandstone Perry Paliga Starved Rock Lodge Karen Loftus Eagle Watching Karen Loftus St. Louis Canyon | A Winter Wonderland Mary Jean Dzurisin St. Louis Canyon Remie Marshall Majestic View Janice Williams Call of the Wild Julia Petterson Starved Rock Eagle 1 Grace Newman Lake Falls at Matthiessen Téa Lamboley
40 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country SM-CL2002237 October 8th & 9th, 2022 CITY-COUNTY PARK Princeton, www.shadowsbluegray.comIllinois Like and Visit Us On Facebook For Updated Info! Coupon required, limit one coupon per customer per visit, not valid with other offers and expires 10/31/22. Spring Valley • Princeton • Mendota Locally owned/operated by Paul & Mary Breznay Now Hiring/EOE with the purchase of a cheeseburger FREE CHEESEBURGER SM-CL2002256 2022 MAIN STREET CONCERT SERIES TWO GREAT CONCERTS LEFT! Thursday, September 8th Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute Bureau County Homestead Festival Saturday, October 1st Paloma German Band Oktoberfest held at Rotary Park More details to follow... Princeton Tourism Invites You To Our... NAMED #3 WITHIN PUREWOW’S TOP 10 MOST CHARMING SMALL TOWNS IN ILLINOIS! VISIT PRINCETONCHAMBER-IL.COM TODAY! SAVE THE DATES! Fri-Sun, Sept. 9-11 51st Annual Homestead Festival Fri, Oct. 7 Witches Night Out Shopping Event Sat-Sun, Oct. 8-9 Shadows of the Blue and Gray Sat, Oct. 22 Scarecrow Festival Fri-Sun, Nov. 18-20 Annual Christmas Walk Shopping Event Sat, Nov. 26 Small Business Saturday & Home for the Holidays Light Show Fri, Dec. 2 Christmas Tree Lighting & Candy Cane Hunt Sat, Dec. 3 Breakfast with Santa & Christmas Parade SHOP PRINCETON! Recently Named #3 Within Purewow’s Top 10 Most Charming Towns in Illinois
If you order fish and chips at Launch Kitchen, it won’t be fried. Instead, you’ll be served house-made potato chips coated in truffle powder with fish baked in Cajun seasoning alongside homemade tartar and cocktail sauces.
Fall is one of his favorite times of year when his customers are getting out and trying to soak up that last bit of nice weather, he says. “We really try to encapsulate that into the things we do for fall,” he says about their fall entree and drink menus, which in the past included a pumpkin pesto pasta and an Old-Fashioned with cinnamoninfused maple syrup.
Pyszka’s love of food and entertaining is felt throughout every detail of his new restaurant, from Launch Kitchen has launched onto the foodie scene of Starved Rock Country with seasonal ingredients and outdoor space
The restaurant’s menu changes regularly to reflect the use of seasonal ingredients and to try out new dishes.
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 41
Story by Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Scott Anderson and provided by EricLAUNCHPyszka
KITCHEN 328 Third St., La Salle www.launch-kitchen.com815-202-3149
| Dining & Drinking | ‘THE EPITOME OF CUSTOMIZED’
Over the summer, Eric Pyszka says he went through cases of fish for that one“Wedish.wanted to marry the idea of elevated food with more everyday items,” says Pyszka, owner of the La Salle restaurant. “We want to take it to that next level. We want to put our own twist on it.”
FRIDAY 11:30 - 2:00 SATURDAY 11:00 - 2:00 SUNDAY 11:00 - 1:00 R i p s Tav ern
SERVING
42 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country 253 9th Street • LaSalle, IL 61301 • 815.223.8960 • [email protected] 9thstpub.com Rock in’ St arv ed Rock Cou nt ry fo r 45 ye ar s! Live Music 3 Days a Week. Over 70 beers and 10 wines available. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner 8 am till 9 pm Home of the Cheeseburger in Paradise LIVE Video Gaming Slots & Poker We Deliver 815-223-8960 SM-CL2001225
OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY LUNCH
the small, intimate dining area to the comfortable, inviting Barrels and Bottles room. “No matter what I did in life as a career I always liked to bartend and I always liked to cook, just as a passion,” he notes. “I ended up majoring in environmental science then I became a health inspector for many, many years. I was still working in the food industry, just in a different aspect of all of it.
“One day I was like, ‘You know, I was always happiest in the bar; I was always happiest in the kitchen. Let’s chase after that dream.” Pyszka traveled for work in his younger days, spending time in Miami and the Caribbean, influencing his dishes in La“EvenSalle. when we were 18, 19 years old, we were foodies,” he says. “We loved going to dinner at different places. It wasn’t just the flair. We always tried to chase after what’s new and unique.“Wereally wanted to bring that type of restaurant to life here in the Illinois Valley and I think we’ve hit a real stride with what we’re doing.” Repeat customers tell him they are excited to try what’s next. Groups come in and order one of everything to share with the table. “That tells me we’re doing something correct,” he says. Each chef or line cook has at least one dish on the menu they“Wecreated.wantthem to be creative,” he explains. “We don’t want this to just be a job. We want it to be a creative outlet for them.”
Pyszka says it’s not uncommon to see two couples come in together, with one heading to Nick’s on 6 for a Miller Lite and Captain and Coke and the other couple going to Bottles and Barrels for a lager, a glass of wine or a cocktail.
“We’re all for that,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about.”
“It really all comes together, because you have the best of three worlds,” he says. “You have really good food, escalated cocktails and craft beers, and with Nick you have your more traditional sports bar element. It’s just something for everyone here.”
complement to the kitchen is Bottles and
Launch Kitchen is part of the Gateway to La Salle project, which includes the neighboring business, Nick’s on 6, and an outdoor space with tables and artificial turf. On the weekends, they have live music outside.
which offers
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 43 SM-CL2000852 UPTOWN GRILL FULL MENU EVERYDAY • SERVING LUNCH THRU DINNER KITCHEN & BAR SERVING LATE CUT & AGED STEAKS IN-HOUSE • FRESH SEAFOOD & OYSTERS GOURMET BURGERS & SANDWICHES CRAFT BREWS • LARGE WINE SELECTION PRIVATE BANQUET ROOM • LIVE MUSIC KID FRIENDLY FOOD • PATIO DINING • DOGS WELCOME 815.224.4545 • 601 FIRST STREET • LASALLE UPTOWNGRILL.COM • AMERICAN CUISINE WITH THE MOST EXTENSIVE MENU STARVED ROCK COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER SATISFYING APPETITES SINCE 1985 polished. modern. casual.
The Barrels, a list classic cocktails. Launch Kitchen offers nine Illinois craft beers and liquor by Star Union Spirits, a craft distillery in Peru. Pyszka says he buys local as often as he can. “I think it’s absolutely awesome I can sit here and make a from-scratch cocktail for you that was brought to life here and literally distilled less than half a mile away,” he says. “You cannot get more unique than that. It’s the epitome of customized.”
of
“Everyone mixes and mingles back and forth,” he says. “It works really well.” Families enjoy bringing their kids and dogs to the outdoor green space.
Food Truck • Pumpkin Painting Slides • Games • Train Rides Bounce House • Straw Maze Visit Us in Utica on Weekends 426 S. Clark St., Utica Welcomes you to 4TH ANNUAL FALL FEST 4301 Plank Road Peru 1 Mile North of Peru on Plank Road (across form the airport entrance) October 1, 2022 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All ages welcome DailyOpenUntilHalloween! PumpkinsMums
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1012 Columbus Rd., Streator, IL englelane.org815-672-358461364William C. Schiffbauer Center for the Performing Arts at Engle Lane Theatre FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT ENGLELANE.ORG OR EMAIL US AT [email protected] MUSICALS: $20 • PLAYS: $15 • YOUTH 12 AND UNDER: $10 PROVIDING QUALITY LIVETHEATRECOMMUNITYFOR65YEARS! 2023 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON! Welcome To Explore - Experience - Enjoy Downtown Streator Bromley & Brown BOUTIQUE 308 E. Main St. • 815.672.4772Streator Open Tuesdaybromleyandbrownboutique.comSaturday
212 EAST MAIN STREET STREATOR 815.822.1466 HOURS TUESDAY 10AM-6PM WEDNESDAY 10AM-4PM THURSDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-5PM SATURDAY 10AM-3PM ACCESSORIES JEWELRY PURSES WOMEN'S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE CARRYING SIZES SMALL-3XL Shop the 200 BLOCK Of Streator Come shop our unique boutiques to dress yourself and style your home The Queen Bee 212 E. Main St. • shopatthequeenbee.comStreator One stop shop for all of your gift, home goods, and décor needs. – Mother and Daughters Operated –Wild Hearts Boutique Gypsy Soul With a Cowgirl Spirit 214 E Main St | Streator, Illinois | 815-674-7558 facebook.com/yourwildhearts Tues-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-3 Thank you for voting Wild Hearts Starved Rock Country’s Finest Women’s Boutique! SM-CL2002808
46 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country | Breakfast Served All Day | Daily Specials | Delicious Soups | Homemade Desserts TheCountryCupboard 124 S. Vermillion Street | Streator | 815.672.5885 Carryouts and Delivery Available Open 7 Days A Week | Mon-Fri 6-6 | Sat & Sun 6-2 AFavoriteNeighborhood Go Where the Locals Go To Eat LunchBreakfast,ServingandDinner Come visit us at our 2 locations VENISONTURKEYBEEFSHARKSALMONPYTHON 105 ARMORY CT STREATOR ELK 815-674-2500 BUFFALORABBITCAMELGATOR 723 S CLARK ST UTICA OSTRICH 779-237-6063 WILDLAMBBOAR Authorized Retailer of CATSWORDFISHDUCKTROUTKANGAROOHOTSAUCERUBSTREATS streatorhouseofjerky.com DOG TREATSSM-CL2000328 Explore Streator 10% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER Must Present This Coupon! Expires 11/4/22 617joespizzastreator.comE.MainSt.Streator Sun-Thur: 4pm - 9 pm Fri & Sat: 4pm - 11 pm 815-672-2204
Nearby sister store Clarks Run Antiques is a must-see for wine aficionados. The antiques store also hosts a beautiful upscale wine bar, complete with rustic seating and sprawling wine rack. Enjoy a glass or two while listening to live music on the patio, then cap off your visit with a shopping trip around the antiques portion of the store. You’ll find a keenly curated selection of vendors, many specializing in home decor and hard-to-find collectibles — and a great selection of Starved Rock-centric souvenirs and apparel.
August Hill’s commitment to quality ingredients and traditional winemaking methods also carries over to its sister brand, Illinois Sparkling Co. All of ISC’s grapes are grown at a vineyard in Starved Rock Country, creating a line of authentic, locally crafted sparkling wines. August Hill’s evergrowing lineup has earned them a legion of committed fans who eagerly await the craft grower’s latest releases. Check out August Hill’s calendar for a full list of live music, special mimosa events and interactive classes.
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Located in the heart of downtown Utica, August Hill’s sophisticated tasting room offers a selection of awardwinning, locally produced wines for all seasons. Soak in the relaxing atmosphere while you enjoy a glass of its acclaimed Berlyn red, share a wine flight on the beautiful patio, or even purchase a case of your new favorite to enjoy with friends and family later.
CLARKS RUN CREEK AND CLARKS RUN ANTIQUES, GIFTS & WINE 143 Mill St., North Utica 215 N. Division St., North www.ClarksRunCreek.com Utica
Story by Ryan Searl • Photos by Shaw Media and provided 5 must-visit tasting rooms and wine bars to try this fall Provided by August Hill Winery
Experience the viticulture of Starved Rock Country! Plan a fall road trip to five of the best wine bars and wineries the region has to offer. From Morris to Ottawa, Utica to Princeton, amateur sommeliers will be surprised at all the hidden gems they find during this wine sampling excursion.
The Clarks Run Creek wine store stocks an impressive and eclectic selection of wines from around the world. You can enjoy a glass while listening to some live acoustic music in its cozy upstairs lounge, or take your favorite bottle to-go for a picnic. The store stocks a variety of Illinois-grown favorites, such as Prairie State, Spirit Knob, Blue Sky, Kickapoo Creek and Pheasant Hollow. You’ll also find a selection of quirky seasonal gifts and a craft beer menu.
AUGUST HILL WINERY TASTING ROOM 106 Mill St., North Utica www.AugustHillWinery.com
48 | Fall 2022 • Starved Rock Country MONTAGE WINE BAR & SPIRITS 307 Liberty St., Morris www.montagewinebar.com
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aProduce d ueducod 12087 Hyw 71 •Granville,IL 815-339-2245 Fall activities open weekends only! COR NM AZ E PO NY RI DE S AP PL EC AN NONS RATR AC ER S BOU NC IN GP IL LO W CA RM EL TH EC AM EL BO UN CE HOU SE WA GO NT RA IN S PE TT IN GZ OO HAYRA CK RI DE S TU NNE LS OF FU N PL AY GRO UND CH IL DR EN ’S GA ME S PUMPK IN PUN CH MA ZE BA RRE LT RA IN PED AL CA RR AC ET RA CK AN DM UC HM OR E PO SS IB LE CO VI D RE ST RI CT ION S Annual Pumpkin Harvest Craft Show | Sat 9am-6pm Sun. 9am-5pm Fresh Vegetables Picked Daily Fresh Fudge Bakery - Corn Maze - Winter Squash- Fall Decorations$8 person 23rd SM-CL2002252 Sept. 24th & 25th Provided by CatsEye Provided by Montage Wine Bar & Spirits
The beautiful building, located in historic downtown Morris, now features an outdoor patio area where you can also enjoy a plate of charcuterie. Frequently, Montage plays host to live music, mimosa and whiskey flight events and other seasonal specials.
For more than 15 years, Montage has been eastern Starved Rock Country’s signature wine bar, offering a cozy and inviting atmosphere along with an impressive selection of domestic and imported wines. This curated offering of bottles will appeal to any connoisseur, while the bar’s small-batch craft spirits, signature cocktails and craft beer menu are sure to cater to any non-wine enthusiasts tagging along on your trip.
CATSEYE 724 La Salle St., Ottawa Facebook: CatsEye CatsEye wine bar in downtown Ottawa has fused together urban-vintage style and a wonderfully eclectic wine menu to create one of the most comfortable drinking destinations in Starved Rock Country. With an ever-changing roster, frequent live music events and monthly local artist spotlights, CatsEye provides a novel drinking experience every time you visit. Pull up an antique chair, order a charcuterie plate and enjoy an evening of good company and great wine. If some of your party members aren’t wine aficionados, don’t fret. CatsEye also features a full menu of cocktails and regional craft beers.
Starved Rock Country • Fall 2022 | 49 BEETZ ME! 952 S. Main St., Princeton www.BeetzMe.com Inside an 1850s hardware store complete with working ladders, original fixtures and a gorgeous tin ceiling, Beetz Me! is a diverse shop and home to one of the region’s best wine bars. An excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of shopping in downtown Princeton, Beetz Me! features a fully stocked wine bar, where you can enjoy a glass along with a freshly made chocolate confection. 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 172 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. BU IL D IT ON CE BU IL D IT RI GHT FIREPL ACES BATHROOMS EX TERIOR DOORS CABINETRY& COUNTERTOPS WINDOWS STONE, SIDING& ROOFING KITCHENS DECKING& FLOORING INTERIOR DOORS ma ze lu mb er .c om Wa te r St re et , Pe ru | 81 5- 22 3- 17 42 Office • Residential • Hospitality • Retail • Restaurants • Entertainment Welcome to the City of Peru www.developperu.comwww.peru.il.us
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