One of the country's last freestanding Tastee Freez stores celebrates its 75th anniversary this year
Radio-controlled airplane clubs practice their hobby over the fields of Starved Rock Country
Discover wildlife, history and recreation that draw people to the Hennepin Canal
BIG MUSIC ACTS TAKE THE STAGE AT STREATOR FEST AND COUNTY FAIRS THIS SUMMER
Featuring gifts from Illinois artisans, makers and attractions
248 W. Canal Street, North Utica, IL • Open 12:00PM - 6:00PM every day! Located in Village Hall, between Downtown Utica and Clarks Run Antiques.
Explore paths on foot or by vehicle through the annual sunflower field at Green Acres Morris
An August music festival includes a carnival, food vendors, shopping, fireworks and more
ifteen.
That was the final number I settled on while trying to count how many turtles had crammed themselves onto a log alongside the Hennepin Canal.
Two canals and their corresponding trails pass through Starved Rock Country. About 40 miles of the Illinois & Michigan Canal cover the region from La Salle to Morris, and about 21.5 miles of the Hennepin Canal pass through the western side of the region from Bureau Junction to Sheffield. If you’re on a mission to see wildlife, the I&M and Hennepin trails are two of the best places to start.
The I&M Canal State Trail between William G. Stratton State Park in Morris and the Aux Sable aqueduct is full of turtles, herons, wood ducks and muskrats; between Utica and La Salle, it’s easy to spot turtles and fish. Meanwhile, the Hennepin Canal trail afforded my first sighting of a green heron, in addition to regular sightings of great blue herons, egrets and too many turtles to count. (I’m still not certain about my tally of 15 turtles on the log – there could have been more wedged behind or between the others.) The Hennepin is also where I go to view kingfishers – they’ve been frustratingly elusive when I try to photograph them, but they’re easy to watch with a pair of binoculars.
In this issue of Starved Rock Country Magazine, we highlight the Hennepin Canal and its attractions (p. 14). Beyond the wildlife, it’s a fascinating destination steeped in history and iconic scenery – the locks and bridges are photo-worthy destinations that make it worth a tour of the trail by hiking or biking.
For more nature and scenery, visit one of the region’s main summertime attractions: sunflower fields. A well-known field is planted annually at Matthiessen State Park, but another local field is open to the public. Guests can drive or stroll along paths through an annual sunflower field at Green Acres Morris (p. 12).
Summer is a busy season around here. Check out the June, July and August calendars for a sampling of outdoor music, theater performances, festivals and more (p. 29-31).
Speaking of music and festivals, as a proud longtime Streator resident, I invite you to join us for Streator Fest in August. Locals love it for the sizeable carnival and fireworks, and out-of-towners flock to it for four days of live music. This year’s lineup includes heavy metal band Quiet Riot, country music’s Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners, rock band Theory of a Deadman and more. Read about this year’s musical acts and festival on page 18.
If you visit one of the area’s events or parks this summer, we’d love to see your adventures. Use the hashtag #StarvedRockCountry when you share your photos on social media.
And if you spot any turtles on a log, let me know how many you count.
JULIE BARICHELLO Editor
Starved Rock Country Magazine is published quarterly or seasonally four times per year
Shaw Media
110 W� Jefferson St� Ottawa, IL 61350
www�starvedrockcountry�com
Email photo or article submission queries to jbarichello@shawmedia�com�
Copyright 2025 Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited Vol 13 No 2
Summer 2025 Edition
2025-05/25,000
GENERAL MANAGER
Jeanette Smith
EDITOR & DESIGN
Julie Barichello
PRODUCTION
Rhonda Dillon
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Barichello
Ali Braboy
Stephanie Jaquins
Brandon LaChance
Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Ryan Searl
Charles Stanley
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Scott Anderson
Kyle Russell
Tom Sistak
Experience the charm of Princeton’s Historic Main Street, where vibrant storefronts and unique boutiques create the perfect summer shopping destination. Savor patio dining at a family-owned restaurant, sip refreshing drinks at our very own brewery, and indulge in sweet seasonal treats. Enjoy live music, festivals, and outdoor fun while exploring historic landmarks, museums, public art, and scenic parks. Extend your stay at an inviting Airbnb or hotel and make the most of your escape in Princeton. Plan your visit today and create unforgettable memories!
June 1st
PRINCETON COMMUNITY BAND OPENER PRINCETON FARMERS MARKET
une 1 t RINCETON ND PRINCETO RKET
June 7th
THE PRINCETON MILE SHRIMPFEST & BREW HULLABALOO
7 h HE HUL ABALOO
June 13 - 15 th th Hornbaker Gardens OPEN HOUSE & HOSTA WALK MORE IN BUREAU COUNTY SALES
h ornbaker PEN BU EAU C UN Y
DOWN ON MAIN Summer Street Concert Series
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June 20 : Mae Estes th
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July 18 : Dave Matthews Tribute Band th August 8 : Face 2 Face: Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute th September 4 : Electric Avenue-80s MTV Experience th October 18 : Heidelberg German Band - Oktoberfest th
June 21st
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ZTOUR BIKE RIDE BEEF & AG FESTIVAL
FE TIVAL
Restored century-old building becomes a social & shopping destination in
By Julie Barichello • Photos by
On Saturdays in Seneca, The Lumberyard is a busy place. Customers aren’t searching for lumber, though. They visit the red building on William Street for coffee, shopping and social time.
The Lumberyard, opened by owners Dave and Erin Stuedemann in 2024, houses multiple small businesses that lease space and offices inside. The building’s name pays homage to the approximately 110 years the site operated as Graves Lumber, but the location now serves as a destination for recreation and retail. Two star attractions are Refuge Coffee, a coffee shop and gathering place, and The Rusty Rooster, a shop that stocks quirky and eclectic home decor and gifts.
The location’s steady traffic on weekday mornings and Saturdays is a drastic change from the past decade. The 8,000-square-foot former lumber building sat empty for about 12 years and fell into disrepair after Graves Lumber closed the site in 2008.
Erin Stuedemann and her husband, Dave, live in rural Seneca and work in the village, and they eyed the decaying building over the years.
“We were like, ‘Somebody needs to buy that space,’” said Erin, a local broker and Realtor. “I just felt like somebody should do something with this building and thought, ‘Why not us?’”
Dave said they didn’t have a plan in mind when he and Erin bought the building in 2021. The extent of their goal was to renovate the dilapidated structure and have faith they would find a purpose for it. As it turns out, a purpose found them
– a few days after the sale closed on the building, Erin received a call from fellow Seneca resident Alyssa Ugolini, who had spent years dreaming about running a coffee shop at that location.
“I had been thinking about this building for a super long time. My husband and I had looked at it and saw the potential, but we also saw how much work there was to be done and knew that was not our forte,” Ugolini said. “When we saw [the Stuedemanns] had bought it, my initial thought was, ‘Oh, the dream’s over.’ My husband said, ‘Let’s not be dramatic. Why don’t you call and see what they’re doing.’”
The Stuedemanns were enthusiastic when they connected with Ugolini.
“[Dave and I] said, ‘We’ll build the space, and you can have the coffee shop.’ From the very beginning, it was two dreams intertwined,” Erin said.
Refuge Coffee became the anchor of The Lumberyard, occupying the west side of the building. The shop serves coffee, tea, smoothies, hot chocolate and baked goods. Ugolini is working on a collaboration with Nan’s Catering & Home Cooking of Morris to offer light lunches. She also collaborates with other small businesses in the area to host special events. One such event collaboration was a Galentine’s Day pop-up market, featuring clothing and jewelry from Oleanders Boutique in Morris and permanent jewelry from Permanently You by Jayden.
The coffee shop has ample indoor seating for socializing and a back room that can be reserved for special events. Outside the shop, Dave built a wraparound deck with bench seating where customers can relax
Refuge Coffee Coffee shop
Monday: 6 a.m. to noon
Wednesday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Lumberyard originally operated as Graves Lumber, which was opened by the Graves family around 1900 and continued operation in their family through the early 2000s. At the turn of the 20th century, the business offered a drive-through lumber service in the area that is now the building’s main entryway. Horse-drawn wagons would pull up to the site, lumber would be loaded into the wagon bed, and then the wagon would leave.
After Graves Lumber ceased operation, it leased the building to another lumber company before permanently closing the site in 2008. Dave and Erin Stuedemann bought the building from retired Graves Lumber owner Bill Graves. They dedicated the building in his honor.
Former Graves Lumber employees and community members have donated a variety of memorabilia from the building's past life as a lumber business. The Seneca Historical Guild also donated historical photos of the site, such as the photo shown above of horse-drawn wagons lined up where William Street now passes in front of The Lumberyard building. The photos and memorabilia eventually will be on display.
in good weather. The deck also provides a prime view of the M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator, a historic landmark along the Illinois & Michigan Canal.
During the three-year renovation, Dave salvaged and repurposed as much wood as possible from the former Graves Lumber business to incorporate into The Lumberyard. The ceiling of the outdoor deck is among the reclaimed wood, and the hardwood floor in Refuge Coffee is original to the nearly 125-yearold structure.
The Stuedemanns made personal touches inside the building as well. The front doors, bathroom mirror frames and the bar doors at Refuge Coffee were crafted by their son, Drake, who owns Drake Woodworking in Seneca. Interior doors and trim were crafted by Nathan Weiss of Ottawa.
In October 2024, The
Lumberyard became home to a second small business when Leslie Condon opened The Rusty Rooster. Condon works a fulltime job in health care, but she dreamed of owning a shop, so the Stuedemanns established space for her in the building.
The Rusty Rooster is open Wednesday through Saturday and sells a range of lawn ornaments, yard furniture and interior decorations – some products are functional, some are humorous or quirky, and some combine all of those elements.
“I have things like hammocks and swing chairs and fountains. I have a sasquatch collection. I have some Amish-made rugs from Wisconsin. It’s such a random list of things,” Condon said of her inventory. “I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say, ‘Hey, come here! Look at this! I have to have that.’”
Condon said customers
discover multiple items that spark excitement as they move farther into the store, and many leave with a new treasure. She summarizes her shop’s collection as “a bunch of things you realized you can’t live without.”
Three expanded shopping opportunities are on the calendar this summer at The Lumberyard. Outdoor farmers markets will take place on the grounds from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 14, July 19 and Aug. 9.
The Lumberyard is easily accessible from the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail –bicyclists and hikers can cross the canal on Main Street and immediately turn west on William Street for refreshments and relaxation. The building also is near Graves Park, which hosts a variety of baseball, softball and soccer tournaments.
The building has become a mixed community of locals and out-of-towners. Erin noted she runs into fellow Seneca-area residents she hasn’t seen in 20 years; Dave likened some mornings to an impromptu high school reunion when he reconnects with fellow Seneca High School graduates. However, he encounters plenty of new faces among the familiar ones.
“You get here on a Saturday and you just see people from all over. People from Newark, Somonauk, Streator, Ottawa, Morris. Everywhere,” he said.
“It makes you want to talk to people. I love coming here and just listening to people talk.”
Talking and socializing is exactly the vision Erin sees for The Lumberyard.
“It’s a place for friendships to build and to connect with people,” she said. C S R
Explore paths through a sunflower field by car or on foot at Green Acres Morris
By Stephanie Jaquins
At the end of each summer, a corner of Green Acres Morris blossoms into a field of vibrant yellow blooms.
The owners began planting their sunflower field, which spans about six acres, about five years ago.
“My husband likes the concept of connecting people to nature, connecting people to agriculture,” said Caroline Cummings, who bought the farm at 3155 School Drive in Morris with her husband, John, in 2018. “People do seem to like to come out and take photos. It allows them to come out to a farm and get a feel for it. It makes them have a better connection with nature.”
The whole farm was established with this purpose in mind, and the sunflower field was another step toward that goal.
Visitors can walk or drive to the field. Most people choose to
walk, Cummings said. The path is smooth enough for a stroller, but probably not a wheelchair.
For a $5 donation, which operates on the honor system, visitors are welcome to take photos in the field. She estimates about 500 people come through a year.
She noted the sunflowers
in the field are a hybrid of oilseed and confection. Oilseed sunflowers are grown for seeds that are rich in oil. Confection sunflowers are grown for their edible seeds — the kind you’d buy at the ballpark.
Neither make great flowers to store in a vase in your kitchen. Another field close by has
ProCut sunflowers, a single-stem, pollenless flower you would buy at a flower market, and those are the flowers visitors can cut and take home.
“For five dollars, they go out, they can take as many photos as they want, and then they come back and we always have someone who can help them cut a ProCut, which is more what you would have inside of your house,” she said.
Visitors are also welcome to head straight to the field of ProCuts if they’d just like to purchase flowers to bring home.
The sunflowers bloom for four to six weeks in late August and early September. Some are more vigorous in size, reaching as tall as six feet in height. Others grow to a height of four feet. Some of the largest heads can reach a diameter of 15 inches.
At the end of the season, the public is welcome to purchase the seeds for bird feed.
Green Acres is 100 acres, with one side of the property used for standard farming and the other side — depending on the season — offering hay, buckwheat, u-pick strawberries, pumpkins, sweet corn, mums, flowers and commercial tomatoes.
Cummings said it’s an organic farm that doesn’t use pesticides or herbicides.
“We’re more like a specialty farm, and every year we add something else,” she said.
Last year, they hosted a Halloween trail, and each visitor took home a pumpkin.
The farm also has an outdoor pavilion and patio available to rent. They have hosted fitness and yoga retreats, showers, a concert and other events.
The Cummings established the farm as a space to relax, enjoy nature, find fresh food and spend quality time with loved ones. It is family owned and opened to the public in 2020.
By Julie Barichello | Photos by Julie Barichello and
For more than 80 years, the Hennepin Canal has been an important part of Gary Wagle’s life.
The octogenarian grew up on the canal’s western leg near Colona. The waterway served as his childhood playground for swimming, fishing and boating. In adulthood, he founded Friends of the Hennepin Canal, which secures grants and donates time for the canal’s preservation in addition to hosting monthly hikes open to the public. Wagle’s love for the Hennepin Canal stems from more than simple nostalgia. He appreciates the many aspects that make it special, from its history and groundbreaking engineering (some of which influenced part of the Panama Canal’s construction) to the abundance of nature found along its path.
“It’s rather unique in that it’s a linear park, 104 miles long,” Wagle said. “It’s loaded with history. Some of the engineering that went into the construction of the canal was noteworthy. There are locks that were quite innovative.”
Fourteen of the canal locks were built with Marshall gates, which were used only on the
Hennepin. It also was the first American canal to use concrete without stone cut facings.
From Bureau Junction to Sheffield, the canal rises 190 feet, requiring the use of locks to raise and lower watercraft that traveled the canal during its operational years from 1907 to 1951. Although no longer functioning, many of the locks still exist and feature small waterfalls, serving as points of interest for hikers and bicyclists.
Wagle also values the nature found along the Hennepin Canal.
“It’s been in existence since 1907. It has developed its own ecosystem,” he said. “You’re surrounded by nature completely. Huge, beautiful old cottonwood trees shelter you.”
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported the Hennepin Canal State Trail is the third most visited state park in Illinois, with 1.9 million visitors in 2023, and is less than an hour’s drive from the state's top-visited Starved Rock State Park. The first 21.5 miles of the Hennepin Canal pass through Starved Rock Country, beginning at Lock 2 in Bureau Junction and traveling west to the Hennepin Canal State Park Visitor Center in Sheffield.
“I think personally the eastern section is the most beautiful portion,” Wagle said of the Starved Rock Country stretch of canal. “It’s just lovely.”
The Hennepin Canal has 29 locks that were used to raise and lower canal boats to different water levels. Twenty-one of the Hennepin's locks are found within a 16.5-mile stretch of the canal between Bureau Junction and Wyanet. A self-guided bicycle tour of the locks can be completed in a three-hour round trip. Pro tip: Park at Lock 3's large parking lot off Route 26. First travel 0.6 mile on the trail to Lock 2 to see wetland filled with waterfowl, herons and egrets before biking back to Lock 3 and continuing to Lock 21.
The Hennepin Canal is home to a variety of wildlife such as muskrats, otters, beavers, turtles, hawks, herons, kingfishers and more. Bring a pair of binoculars while hiking or biking to watch animals along the waterway.
The Hennepin Canal State Park Visitor Center is open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Historical tools and photos detailing the canal's history are on display, as well as taxidermied specimens of wildlife and scenes of plant life found along the canal. Interactive stations for children and adults are available, such as a quiz station about beavers and the Illinois Junior Naturalist activity book. The center also provides free maps and pamphlets highlighting recreation and points of interest along the canal.
Three decommissioned lift bridges remain on the canal at Locks 21, 22 and 26. During the canal's operational years, the bridges raised to allow boats and barges to pass beneath. The lift bridge at Lock 21 is open for motor vehicles to cross.
Several original iron truss bridges still stand along the canal. They can be seen at Locks 11, 14 and 17 as well as immediately west of the Visitor Center.
The main canal path offers more than 70 miles of packed gravel or paved trail surface for biking. The feeder canal provides another 29 miles for cyclists, plus 3 miles along the Milan section.
The canal is open to equestrians from April 15 through Oct. 31 each year unless otherwise posted due to soft ground. Visitors can bring their own horses and ride on the grass trails between Lock 2 and Lock 24.
Explore segments of the canal on foot. Parking is available at most locks, although some have limited spaces. The trail is open 24 hours daily.
The Friends of the Hennepin Canal host monthly guided hikes that include a shuttle service so hikers only travel one way on foot. The Sunday, Sept. 21 hike will take place in the eastern portion of the canal that overlaps Starved Rock Country. The 4.8-mile hike will meet at Bridge 15 at 1:30 p.m.; guests will be shuttled to Bridge 17A to begin the hike. Hikers can park at the Visitor Center off Route 40 near Sheffield. For information about all of the group's guided hikes, follow updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FHCanal.
Fishing is allowed 24 hours daily with a limit of two poles per person. Common fish species found in the canal are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye, crappie and bluegill. Trout fishing is available beginning at 6 a.m. the third Saturday in October at the Visitor Center lagoon.
The canal is open to canoeing and kayaking in Starved Rock Country; however, the main canal from Lock 2 to Lock 21 has 23 portages where watercraft will have to exit the water and be carried over.
Camping is allowed at designated campsites at Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 17, Lock 21 and Bridge 14. Reservations are not available; camping is on a first-come, first-served basis, and fees are collected nightly in person. Toilets are available at campsites, but there is no running water or electricity.
Tucked along the tranquil banks of the Illinois River, Heritage Harbor is more than a destination—it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend, planning a family getaway, or searching for your forever home, this resort-style community in the heart of Starved Rock Country offers the perfect blend of adventure, comfort, and connection.
At the center of the action is our full-service marina, a boater’s dream with over 140 boat slips, fueling, and dockside amenities. Bring your own boat and make Heritage Harbor your home port or explore slip ownership opportunities and secure your spot on the water for seasons to come.
No boat? No problem. Our wide array of rental options —from kayaks, Fiestas and paddleboards to performance pontoons and e-bikes—lets you explore by land or water. For the ultimate convenience and flexibility, Quest Express Boat Club provides unlimited access to premium boats without the hassle of ownership through its boating membership program. Just reserve, ride, and relax.
When it’s time to unwind, Harbor Inn welcomes you with a variety of vacation rentals—cozy cottages, stylish townhomes, and spacious waterfront homes, all just steps from the marina and resort amenities. Soak in the pool, dine al fresco, or catch a sunset on the riverwalk.
Looking to stay longer? With Heritage Select Realty, you can choose from low-maintenance homes or custom builds designed with timeless charm and modern ease. Whether it’s your weekend retreat or your forever home, your ideal river lifestyle is waiting.
Competition to secure musical acts and pyrotechnic professionals was taking a toll on the annual summer festival in Streator, and the members of the planning committee knew something had to change.
Randy Dominic, president of the Streator Fest Committee and a volunteer with the organization for most of its 39-year history, said it was about four years ago when the committee members decided it was time to move the city’s biggest festival away from its longtime tradition of coinciding with Fourth of July week.
“We had to rebrand, and now it’s always the first weekend in August,” Dominic said. “It’s grown immensely since moving away from the holiday.”
Since moving the festival to August, the volunteer committee has been able to negotiate better pricing for its famous fireworks show and book better musical acts that draw fans across the country to Streator for the weekend.
“We’re getting bigger and better shows moving away from the Fourth of July and a much better fireworks show. For a small community, you’re not going to find anything this big,” Dominic said.
One of Streator Fest’s main attractions is its live music lineup, with headline acts for each night of performances. Quiet Riot, one of the breakthrough heavy metal bands in the 1980s with the first heavy metal song to reach Billboard Magazine’s top five, will take the stage on the festival’s opening night Thursday, July 31. Their album “Metal Health,” which debuted in March 1983, climbed to No. 1 in Billboard Magazine, and Quiet Riot has sold 15 million records worldwide.
Sunday’s concerts.
Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners will headline Friday night’s country music night. Lewis is well-known as the former lead singer of Staind; he left the rock band to establish a solo career in country music with albums such as “Town Line” and “Sinner.”
Saturday will be rock night, featuring lead act Theory of a Deadman, which had four singles peak at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The band 10 Years also will perform. Sunday’s headliners are two country music cover bands: The Eric Church Experience celebrates singer and songwriter Eric Church, and Tennessee Whiskey performs the music of singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton.
Admission to the concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday require tickets. A single-day concert ticket is $10; a three-day concert admission ticket is $20; and a three-day VIP ticket experience, which includes access to a VIP Party Pit, separate restrooms and bar, is $60. Admission is free for
Dominic said this year’s musical acts will represent the biggest budget in planning the annual festival, but the committee has found investing in great music draws the crowds and music fans. The festival relies on proceeds from the previous year, as well as sponsors and a lot of fundraising throughout the year.
“This is the hardest working committee I’ve ever seen,” Dominic said. “Each year it reinvents itself.”
Two other main attractions of Streator Fest are a carnival with more than 25 rides and food vendors. Craft vendors are on site as well. Admission to the carnival, concessions and vendor area is free. Free parking is available at Northpoint Plaza; however, spaces fill up quickly, so a free shuttle bus service to the festival grounds is available.
Dominic said it was important to keep the festival accessible to everyone, including local residents who
relish the summer celebration.
“This is something positive for Streator. People love the festival, and it brings the community together,” Dominic said.
Since shifting Streator Fest to the first weekend of August, the festival’s attendance has skyrocketed, Dominic said. He said last year’s festival drew more than 20,000 visitors over the multi-day event.
“And this year we’re expecting much bigger,” he added.
Dominic said the musical acts draw fans to the area. Last year he and other volunteers chatted with visitors from Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa who traveled to see a band. The festival committee has expanded the marketing for the festival, hoping to draw crowds while promoting the area’s tourism, such as Streator’s proximity to Starved Rock State Park.
“You can come in, go hiking during the day and enjoy the festival at night,” Dominic said.
n RANDY HOUSER IN HENRY
Randy Houser will headline the Marshall-Putnam County Fair concert scheduled 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at the Marshall-Putnam Fairgrounds in Henry. Houser performs hits such as "How Country Feels," "Runnin' Out of Moonlight" and "Like a Cowboy." Timothy Wayne and Brody Vancil also will perform. Ticket information is available at www.marshallputnamfair.org.
n TRACE ADKINS IN PRINCETON
Country music star Trace Adkins will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton during the 2025 Bureau County Fair. Adkins is known for hits such as "Every Light in the House," "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" and "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." Special guest Brushville will share the stage for the evening. Tickets are available at www.bureaucountyfair.com; ticket prices will increase beginning July 15.
By Stephanie Jaquins • Photos by Scott Anderson
Growing up, Mike Fitzpatrick loved to build and assemble models, such as cars.
He was about 22 years old when he met his wife, and her father introduced him to radio-control planes in the early 1980s. It was a natural fit for Fitzpatrick.
“It was pretty awesome to me because it brought together all the skills I have with modeling and my love of it,” Fitzpatrick said. “But, man, to have an actual airplane you could build and then fly by remote control was awesome to me.”
His father-in-law taught him how to build planes.
“At that time you couldn't just go to the store. You had to build your own
plane stick by stick from balsa wood,” he said.
He flew planes with his fatherin-law and his friends in Peotone, Illinois, but eventually Fitzpatrick’s career didn’t leave him enough time for the hobby, and his father-in-law died.
“But I never let go of it. I always thought, ‘When I retire I’m going to get back into it.’”
When he retired in 2016, he began thinking about building and flying again.
“I knew one of the guys that lived close and flew in the Streator RC Flyers club, so on a whim I just hauled off and went to one of their meetings and said, ‘Hey, I want to join. I want to start doing this again,’” he said.
Today he’s the president of the club that flies planes in a field west of Streator and has about 12 planes. He spends four to six hours a day building in the winter. One plane could take him the whole winter.
“(Twelve planes) seems like a lot, but there’s also guys who have 100. We tend to call it a sickness. Once you get started, you just can’t stop. It kind of takes over your whole life.”
Like most club members, Fitzpatrick spends his summers flying and winters building more airplanes and perhaps repairing those that sustained damage in the summer.
For Lowell Beenenga, his schedule looks similar. He flies in the summer and in the winter works on repairs in his basement. Then he hangs his planes in the garage until spring, loads them onto a trailer and takes them out to the field.
He also got started in his youth, but then had to set the hobby aside as he raised a family.
Beenenga, a member of the Deer Park RC Flyers, flies with club members at a
field at Matthiessen State Park. The club has 13 members who fly on about three acres of land near the park’s sunflower field. He enjoys the camaraderie of the group as much as building and flying the planes.
“It’s the friendship with the guys in the club. It isn’t a written rule, but we’ll take turns flying. If someone is up flying and enjoying themselves, the other guys will sit down and wait and talk with the guys in the shelter for a while,” he said.
In recent years, flying drones has become popular. Beenenga has flown those as well, but prefers radiocontrolled planes.
“It’s more like the action of an actual airplane. In other words, on your controller you have up and down, left and right, elevation, speed control. It takes a lot of practice. It’s a lot harder than it looks. I’ve put a lot of planes in the ground,” he said.
There are three clubs in Starved Rock Country. In addition to the Deer Park RC Flyers and Streator RC Flyers, there’s also the Illinois Valley RC Club in La Salle-Peru. Club members often get together at each other’s fields. C S R
Visitors are invited to watch the planes fly when radio-controlled plane members are out.
“Whenever the guys are out flying, the gates are open and spectators can come and view and ask questions,” Mike Fitzpatrick said.
All members who fly planes on the field must belong to the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Both the Streator and Deer Park fields have designated areas for spectators to watch. Members said spectators are prohibited from entering the field. Lowell Beenenga noted the planes could have a malfunction, which could make them difficult to safely land.
Whenever the weather is cooperative, you’ll likely spot the small aircrafts above the fields. The Streator RC Flyers host a Fun Fly in June where other club members use their field and also the War Bird Scrambler in September, which features scale models of planes flown during World War I and World War II. The event draws 50 to 60 pilots.
Join the Old West Regulators as they re-enact the life and times of Starved Rock Country native James Butler Hickok! Wild Bill Days runs May 31 and June 1 in Utica.
Garden and plant vendors will sell their wares at the Canal Market in Utica this weekend during the two-day Utica Garden Club Garden Faire & Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Discover dulcimers and other traditional instruments at Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Festival. Concerts, workshops, vendors and more at Goold Park in Morris.
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Step into a storybook setting at Weber House & Garden, a Tudor cottage with English-style gardens. Tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. More info: www.weber houseandgarden.com
The story of the Radium Girls comes to life onstage in "These Shining Lives" at Engle Lane Theatre. For tickets, visit www.englelane.org. Runs June 15 & June 17-20.
Take a midweek break at the ballpark and catch a Prospect League game at Schweickert Stadium in Peru. The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp host Burlington Bees at 7:05 p.m.
Take a 45-minute guided tour of the Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle.
For tour times and tickets, www.hegelercarus.org/ events
John Cooper will perform a traditional jazz concert, 7 p.m. at Museum on Main in Tiskilwa.
Jumbo shrimp are sizzling at ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo at Rotary Park in Princeton. A range of music from acoustic to punk and ska are coming to fForest Fest at Goold Park in Morris.
Kick back in a lawn chair or dance in Monroe Street during Streator's weekly Jammin' at the Clock music series. '60s cover band Shindig will play 6-8 p.m.
Stroll downtown Ottawa for arts, entertainment and culture during Ottawa's Third Friday Artisan Market, taking place the third Friday of each month May-September.
Listen to the blues, soul, rock and R&B performed by Cadillac Groove during Concert on the Courthouse Lawn, 6:30-8 p.m. in Morris.
Illinois Valley Pistol BaseballShrimp
One of Illinois' biggest Pride festivals begins with a 10 a.m. parade in downtown Ottawa and continues all day. Music, vendor markets, drag performances and more.
Music and food highlight the Rhythm & BBQ Festival, 10 a.m.6 p.m. in Morris The Bureau County Cattlemen fire up the grills at the Beef and Ag Festival, 11 a.m.6 p.m. in Princeton
A Day in the Country Farm, Barn & Ag Tour is a self-guided driving tour to explore a dairy farm, pumpkin farm, centennial barn, museums and more. Tickets: www.bit.ly/AgTour2025
Catch a show of "Hairspray The Musical," 7:30 p.m. at Grace Theater in Princeton. For tickets, visit www.festival56.com.
Runs June 27-July 5.
Shakespeare in the Park returns to Soldiers & Sailors Park in Princeton, 7:30 p.m.
Sundays and Wednesdays in July beginning July 6. Catch "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Visit the Bureau County Fairgrounds for entertainment, food, displays and animals during the Bureau County 4-H Fair, July 10-12.
The rodeo is in town! T & A Bucking Bulls and Rugged Cross Cattle Company kick (and buck) off at 6 p.m. at the La Salle County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Watch a huge WWII re-enactment at the Ottawa Military Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 3277 E. 18th Road, Ottawa. Continues 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Free both days.
Stephen King's horror "Carrie" is adapted into a musical for the 2 p.m. show at Grace Theater in Princeton. For tickets, visit www.festival56.com.
Runs July11-July 20.
Morris Theater Guild performs a matinee of the thriller "On Clover Road" at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.morristheatreguild. org/events. Runs Fridays through Sundays, July 18-27.
Summer Tubafest offers a free outdoor concert featuring an ensemble of tubas and sousaphones. The show begins at 4:30 p.m. at Centennial Park in Peru.
The Land and Water Cruise at Starved Rock State Park takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, JuneSeptember. Register at www.starvedrocklodge. com/activities
Bask in the sound of live music on the lawn of a mansion during the Third Thursday Concert Series, 6-8 p.m. at Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle.
Stage 212 presents the musical "Legally Blonde"at 7:30 p.m. in La Salle. For tickets, visit www.stage212.org. Runs Fridays through Sundays, July 11-27.
Boat races begin at noon for the Lake DePue PRO National Championship Boat Races and continue through the weekend. Food vendors, beer garden and live music.
Music in the Park delivers weekly live music in downtown Ottawa. Bring a chair or blanket and relax under the trees of Washington Square. 6-8 p.m. Saturdays, June 14 - Sept. 13
Drinkin with Lincoln features a variety of beer vendors and live music, noon to 9 p.m. at Washington Square in Ottawa, the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Streator Fest kicks off its four-day music festival and carnival today! The fun happens at Northpoint Plaza in Streator. Read more on p. 18.
Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
Gerald Savage, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, will share the oral history of his Native American nation, 6 p.m. at Richard A. Mautino Library in Spring Valley.
Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners headline Country Night at Streator Fest, 7 p.m. at Northpoint Plaza stage.
The Billy Joel and Elton John tribute band Face 2 Face headlines the Down on Main Street Concert in Princeton. Food trucks at 5 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m.
Taste of the Illinois Valley features food, craft vendors, music (including Pandora's Box, an Aerosmith tribute) and entertainment by Dreamwave Wrestling.
Shop antiques, artisan crafts, produce, flowers and more at the 3 French Hens Country Market, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in downtown Morris.
Hot, buttered and free!
Mendota Sweet Corn Festival starts serving free sweet corn at 2 p.m. Catch the parade earlier in the day at 10 a.m.
Murder, fame and all that jazz hit the stage at Engle Lane Theatre in Streator. Catch the 1920s-set musical "Chicago" this week. For tickets, visit www.englelane.org. Runs July 10 & July 12-15.
Country music star Trace Adkins takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton.
Take a sunset cruise along the Illinois River in the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat. Aaron Kelly will perform live music. For tickets, www.stegenriverboat.com
An art stroll, Creator’s Village for children, live music, dance performances, food trucks and Sip ‘N Shop are all part of the Liberty Arts Festival in downtown Morris.
Spend a day at the Utica Craft Brew Bazaar, a street festival celebrating craft beer from a variety of breweries, on Mill Street in Utica.
Enjoy the chaos of a Figure 8 Demolition Derby, starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Bureau County Fairgrounds.
Classic cars, food, music and cruising downtown Streator are the main attractions at Roamer Cruise Night, 5-10 p.m.
By Ali Braboy
Photos provided by Heritage Harbor
What started as a longdistance relationship turned into a longterm love story for one couple at Heritage Harbor, a resort community built around a vibrant marina on the Illinois River in Ottawa.
Every month, the couple would reunite, choosing Heritage Harbor as their meeting point. Over time, they didn’t just fall in love with each other — they fell in love with the place, too. Now cheerfully married and no longer separated by distance, they still come back often for weekend escapes, carrying the memories that brought them together.
It’s a storybook ending that Heritage Harbor officials enjoy sharing.
An amazing story and journey are awaiting you, too, with Harbor Inn’s vacation rentals at Heritage Harbor. Short-term rentals include villas, cottages, condos and waterfront homes.
There are over 75 homes in the rental program that can accommodate a range of one to 15 people.
“Our homes are perfect for families,” said Jackie Davidson, marketing manager for Harbor Inn.
Summer is a popular tourism season for the Starved Rock Country region, so July and August rentals get booked quickly. But it’s also the ideal destination if you’re thinking of a spur-ofthe-moment trip — Harbor Inn needs only 24 hours notice to book a rental.
Each rental has a charming and unique name, such as BunkiesOld Salt, which is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom rental with 282 square feet. The dwelling is described as “airy, cozy and downright adorable.”
There’s the Last Call Never abode with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms that can accommodate eight people with 1,950 square feet of space. “With its sliding glass doors and covered deck, this walkout basement gives you a perfect view of the harbor,” the rental website states.
With Chicago about 80 miles away, the location offers a great escape for those trying to get away from traffic and enjoy the Illinois River.
Vacationers will never be bored at Heritage Harbor with a lengthy list of amenities available. There are multiple pools to swim in. Guests also can rent boats, kayaks and pontoons for harbor and river recreation, as well as golf carts, cruisers, fat tire bikes and e-bikes. Trail access to the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail is available across the road from Heritage Harbor’s entrance.
The community includes a dog park and a harbor walk, pickleball courts and a volleyball court. Every Saturday there’s a free 5K race.
Bluegill Boathouse and Marina Bar is a harborside restaurant in the community where guests can dine and imbibe. Visitors also are welcome to bring their own food to their rentals or opt into Harbor Inn’s grocery delivery service, which provides pantry items, refrigerated products, produce, meat, snacks, frozen foods and beverages. Harbor Inn offers the option for breakfast to be delivered every morning through Bluegill Boathouse’s Breakfast at Home packages, offering fresh pastries to hearty classics.
One of the most memorable and
enjoyable parts of the experience is how walkable and close renters are to other people. Heritage Harbor offers a great opportunity for families or friends who are having a reunion to be close to one another.
Multiple people come back season after season to enjoy rental spots at Heritage Harbor. There are also families who have enjoyed the rentals and then decided to permanently buy a home at Heritage Harbor.
Heritage Harbor is a five-minute drive or a 20-minute bike ride from downtown Ottawa, which hosts weekend events throughout the summer and is home to a multitude of restaurants, shops and activities. The Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail provides guests a direct route via bicycle to nearby communities with beautiful downtowns and parks, such as La Salle, North Utica, Marseilles, Seneca and Morris. C S R
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UNION DEPOT RAILROAD MUSEUM
783 Main St., Mendota www.mendotamuseums.org
Union Depot Railroad Museum is housed in a restored portion of Mendota’s original railroad station, built in the late 1880s and torn down in the early 1940s. The museum houses many railroad artifacts, an HO model railroad depicting Mendota in the 1930s and 1940s, an extensive railroad history library and many displays. Part of the building is a waiting room for Amtrak passengers.
OTTAWA HISTORICAL AND SCOUTING HERITAGE MUSEUM
1100 Canal St., Ottawa www.ottawahistoricalscoutingmuseum.org
Head to the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum to learn all about the history of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the city of Ottawa. You’ll find more than a century’s worth of Scouting artifacts and the largest collection of English Scouting memorabilia in the U.S., as well as rare artifacts from the famed Lincoln-Douglas debate.
HEGELER CARUS MANSION
1307 Seventh St., La Salle www.hegelercarus.org
Designed by W.W. Boyington, the famous Chicago Water Tower architect, La Salle’s Hegeler Carus Mansion has remained virtually unaltered since its completion in 1876. The 16,000-square-foot mansion features 56 rooms across seven levels. The interior is as stunning as the exterior, with intricate parquet floors and hand-painted ceilings.
100 W. Lafayette St., Ottawa www.reddickmansion.org
Reddick Mansion, one of the most expensive and ornate private homes in the state built before the Civil War, stands at the corner of Columbus and Lafayette streets in Ottawa, overlooking the first Lincoln-Douglas debate site. The more than 150-year-old, 22-room Italianate structure was meticulously restored after decades of being used as the city’s public library.
LA SALLE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
101 E. Canal St., Utica www.lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org
The La Salle County Historical Society campus is home to interpretive displays and relics from the region's history, as well as a canal warehouse that hosts artisan markets, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop and an original barn dating back to 1875. Popular exhibits include The Radium Girls of La Salle County and Looking For Lincoln.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
109 E. Elm St., Streator www.streatorlandmuseum.com
Celebrate historic Streator at this riveting museum filled with thousands of artifacts, photographs and records dedicated to telling the story of the community. Some exhibits include artifacts from the local coal mines, glass factories and railroad industry, as well as Pluto discoverer and native Streator son Clyde Tombaugh.
HIDDEN HISTORY takes a closer look at interesting but lesser known moments in Starved Rock Country’s past.
By Charles Stanley
It’s easy to miss Vermillionville. A little town established before the Civil War, today it is a cluster of about two dozen homes along County Highway 8, a mile east of Route 178.
When War of 1812 veteran Isaac Dimmick and his wife Clarissa first visited La Salle County in the spring of 1833, they were looking for a new place to call home. They came at the right time – the Black Hawk War had ended the previous year and the area was considered safe for new residents.
The Dimmicks liked what they found. Isaac returned to their home in Pennslyvania, packed up their children and possessions and brought them back to La Salle County.
The Dimmicks weren’t alone. As settlers poured in, land sales exploded; in Illinois some 1,000 new towns were founded within a couple of years. Typically, a land speculator would buy cheap public land and divide it into city lots that he hoped to auction at a profit.
Dimmick founded Vermillionville in the same way, but without the auction. The location north of the Vermilion River was along the Chicago to Peoria stagecoach route and made sense for development.
But he took a pass on quick profits from a land auction.
In his sale ad in the June 8, 1836, issue of The Chicago Democrat, Dimmick explained why: “The proprietors do not intend to throw into the market by public auction, their object is not so much for speculation as for public benefits.”
Soon there was a tavern for locals and stagecoach passengers, as well as a post office, school, wagon shop, two blacksmiths and a graveyard.
There also was a church, but funding for it lagged. Construction started in 1838 but didn’t finish until 1842. In the meantime, services were held in the log school. When the church finally opened with its unfinished interior and plank seats, it was nicknamed “God’s barn.” Originally a Baptist church, it became a Congregational church in 1857. Services ended in 1885 and in the 1920s the building was torn down.
Vermillionville “promised well for a time,” according to the 1877 “History of LaSalle County” by Elmer Baldwin, another settler. “But like many other towns of that day, refused to grow faster than the surrounding county.”
The sure road to prosperity, Baldwin noted, was for a railroad to come through. And, as it
turned out, that was a possibility for Vermillionville.
Dimmick, who served as a county commissioner, became friends with William Reddick, an Ottawa businessman who served as county sheriff. Later, when Reddick was a state legislator, he told Dimmick he thought he could arrange for the newly created Illinois Central Railroad to lay its track through Vermillionville.
Dimmick declined, saying the railroad would be detrimental to the community’s tranquility. Instead, the train line was routed through Tonica.
Rare for its size, Vermillionville had its own physician, Dr. James Bullock. He was another early settler and practiced in town for 40 years. When he died in 1875 he was succeeded by his son, Frank, who died in 1883 at age 34. Both are buried in the Vermillionville
Cemetery along with more than 300 others. That includes brothers Joseph, Orville and William Moorhead, who died while serving the Civil War. There also is the grave of freed slave Henry Capler, a wellrespected local handyman. His inscription reads: “Henry Capler, born a slave in N. Carolina, in 1821; escaped from slavery in 1845; died a free man May 11, 1879.”
Not buried in Vermillionville were Isaac and Clarissa Dimmick. In their final years, they lived with a daughter in Ottawa.
Isaac died in 1873 at age 91, and Clarissa died in 1879 at age 82. They were buried in the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Isaac gets a second listing in the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery on a plaque honoring the nine veterans of the War of 1812 who are buried there.
It only takes a couple of minutes to drive through Vermillionville in La Salle County – unless you decide to stop at the tiny town’s only retail business: Sammi & Juan’s Concrete Garden.
Approximately 2,000 cast concrete statues, benches, birdbaths and memorials are on display for purchase. Official hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. But if you stop other times to browse and Sammi or Juan are available, they will check with customers. The business maintains a Facebook page under Juan’s Concrete Garden. The phone number is 815-673-6269. Sales are cash only.
By Ryan Searl
Beat the heat this summer by visiting a trio of artisan breweries in Starved Rock Country. Join us as we pay a visit to Coal Creek Brewing Co. in Princeton, where a passion for agriculture and craft beer collide; the hidden gem of Ginger Road Brewing Company located off Utica’s Mill Street; and the flagship Tangled Roots Brewing Co. taproom in downtown Ottawa. While all of these businesses share the same trade, you’ll find three wholly unique takes on the craft and diverse taplists that reflect the culture and flavors of the region they call home.
430 S. Main St., Princeton • www.facebook.com/CoalCreekBrewing
On the western side of Starved Rock Country in Princeton’s charming and historic downtown, Coal Creek Brewing Co. serves an innovative and wide-ranging selection of artisan craft beer for locals and visitors alike. Housed in a historic storefront that dates back to 1873, this locally owned brewery offers more than great beer — it’s a place where a passion for craft beer and a commitment to local agriculture combine.
The business’ four owners – Mike Grieve, Trevin Kenedy, Justin Stange and Danielle Bender – all have direct ties to farming in the Starved Rock Country region, with two growing up on family farms and two who still farm in addition to the brewery venture. This agricultural legacy finds its way into their line of beer, with many items on their tap list featuring botanicals from around the Midwest and some Princeton-area produce.
Whether you’re a fan of light, refreshing lagers or prefer a beverage with a little more bite, Coal Creek has something for everyone, such as their popular Captain Swift (a 5.5% abv orange vanilla wheat beer) or Regal (a 5.4% abv English mild-inspired ale) or Heat Lightning (a classic 6.7% abv hazy IPA). All are brewed in-house in the back of their building. In addition to their beer selection, Coal Creek Brewing Co. offers a welcoming, familyfriendly environment perfect for relaxing with friends or family.
The brewery frequently hosts live music, food trucks and community events – the brewery becomes a hub of activity during Princeton events like the Homestead Festival in early September. After a day of exploring the nearby historic Lovejoy House or shopping the arts district of downtown Princeton, Coal Creek Brewing Co. provides a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a craft beer experience steeped in local history and agricultural tradition. Follow Coal Creek Brewing Co. on Facebook to learn about upcoming events and to see what’s on tap today.
• Brick Oven Pizzas • Subs, Salads & more • Wednesday through Sunday • www.fireonfifth.com
300 5th Street, Peru, IL 61354 • 815-780-2050
166 Mill St., Unit G, North Utica • www.gingerroadbrewingcompany.com
While Ginger Road may be one of the smallest breweries you’ll find in Illinois, the flavor profiles and varieties of beer on offer are expansive. Helmed by Dan and Amy Stash, this seasonal nano-brewery is a passion project that offers ample patio seating, perfect for enjoying the summer weather with a cold glass of handcrafted, small-batch beer.
Located a short drive from Starved Rock State Park, Ginger Road Brewing Co. is just off Utica’s historic Mill Street, behind Bruce and Ollie’s Ice Cream, Specialty Coffee & Deli. Ginger Road is known for its distinctive red tile-lined taproom and for offering a diverse tap list with revolving small-batch experiments.
Patrons can expect to find new favorites in the mix, such as the Back Porch Lager, a 5.2% abv brewed with bloody butcher corn for a distinctive look and flavor. Also on the horizon is a hotly anticipated red wine cask-aged saison farmhouse ale, brewed with notes of ginger, set to debut later this summer. Returning favorites include the Rare Blue-Eyed Ginger (a 4.5% abv blueberry lemon wheat beer), Day Walker (a 5.5% Mexican-inspired lager) and R & O (a non-alcoholic root beer fit for all ages).
The brewery's laid-back, pet-friendly patio space also hosts occasional live music during special events – be sure to check their website and social media accounts to see the latest menu and to learn about upcoming events.
812 La Salle St., Ottawa • www.tangledrootsbrewingco.com
Spread across several locations in Northern Illinois, Tangled Roots is one of the Midwest’s favorite brewers of innovative craft beers. Their flagship brewery and restaurant at The Lone Buffalo in downtown Ottawa is three blocks away from the Illinois River and one block from the site of the first LincolnDouglas debate. The restaurant and brewery is in an immaculately renovated turn-of-the-century department store. While the relaxed but modern atmosphere is enough to draw a crowd on its own, it's the fan-favorite line of core beers and limited-run experimental batches that keep customers coming back.
Whether you’re a serious beer Cicerone with a passion for hoppy IPAs, a lover of dark stouts and porters, or someone who simply likes crisp, light refreshment, you are sure to find a quality brew to suit your taste. Among the many craft beers offered by Tangled Roots are Sunkissed Wheat, the Vibes Sour Series (a rotating series of kettle-soured, Berliner-style Weiss beers) or Black Forest Bedtime Story (crisp black lager inspired by the storied traditions of Germany’s enchanting Black Forest region).
Dine beneath The Lone Buffalo’s twin copper brewing kettles, and enjoy high-quality, chef-created dishes. In addition to these award-winning beverages, you’ll find decadent burgers, generously portioned soups and salads and a sprawling selection of entrees. While you’re there, consider booking an exclusive brewery tour led by Awesome Ottawa Tours to learn more about how your favorite Tangled Roots Beers are crafted. For more information, and to learn about new limited-time beers, follow The Lone Buffalo and Tangled Roots on social media.
By Brandon LaChance • Photos by Julie Barichello and Brandon LaChance
The Abraham family was bringing home their new bundle of joy from the hospital in 1980.
Instead of going straight home, they made a stop to share their daughter, Annie “Abes” Abraham, with their friends who owned a business next door.
The establishment was Tastee Freez, located at 309 E. Dakota St. in Spring Valley.
“Apparently when I was born, I didn't go straight home after I left the hospital. I came to the Tastee Freez to meet Carl and Judi Adrian, the owners,” Abraham said. “They bought Tastee Freez in 1975, so they had already owned the Tastee Freez for five years. They knew my parents very well.”
The ice cream shop is still in the same location, and Abraham is still part of Tastee Freez – she became the owner in 2013.
“As a little kid, I was at the Tastee Freez multiple times a day lying about what I was getting and who I was getting it for. I had a little charge account. I would pay it off the next day. My dad, Bob Abraham, would say, ‘The prices are getting so high.’ But I was paying off my debt from the day before and getting more ice cream.”
She helped at the ice cream shop as a child and became an official member of the staff as soon as she graduated eighth grade.
Once she graduated Hall High School in 1998, she studied nursing and massage therapy before becoming a professional. Although her education and career
direction were important, she still made time for Tastee Freez and her family friends, Carl and Judi.
“Carl and I got into a couple of arguments, and he fired me a couple of times. But then he’d hire me back a week later,” Abraham said. “I’d always come home on the weekends and I’d work for Carl. Judi passed away in 2005 and I helped Carl even more.” Abraham eventually took charge as the ice cream shop’s manager for 10 years under Carl Adrian’s ownership; she later bought the business in 2013.
“Remembering me as a kid, I always thought it would be fun to own the ice cream stand and eat ice cream all day long. But, now that I own it, I don't eat the ice cream.”
Spring Valley’s Tastee Freez was built in 1949 as a pilot store and had its grand opening in 1950 under Charles Keyser. Keyser – a “huge man” according to Abraham – knew her father, Bob Abraham, because he also lived next door to Tastee Freez.
The Adrians bought the ice cream shop in 1975 and met newborn Annie Abraham five years later. Now Abraham is celebrating the shop’s 75th anniversary in 2025 as its third owner.
During her 12 years as owner, she has created a couple of menu items, such as “Yo Adrian” named after the Adrians and “Peace Out Girl Scout” named for Sylvester Stallone's famous line in the movie “Rocky.” Her ice cream creativity and passion has made her famous with children.
“Kids know me everywhere I go. It’s kind of scary because they'll call me out. I was at Verucchi’s [Ristorante in Spring Valley] in the winter a couple of years ago, and I must have had six kids jumping on me,” she said. “It’s cool. One of my favorite things is the innocence of the children. It brings me back to my childhood. I absolutely love it.
“How many kids get to have an ice cream stand in their home town and then have all of those memories as you grow up?”
Throughout the years, there have been challenges such as economic fluctuations and rising costs, but Abraham does her best to maintain the legacy of Tastee Freez, one sundae at a time. She is no longer a massage therapist and only uses her nursing license on occasion; her tasty treat business is her No. 1 priority.
“Unfortunately, the prices of so many of our toppings and supplies continue to rise. […] Honestly, I wonder if we’ll still be here in 10 years with the way things are going.
It’s sad to say that. It’s literally a special treat to come get ice cream, and some people eat it every day.”
Nevertheless, she’ll try to find a way to continue as long as she can.
“I tell everyone, we serve ice cream to make you happy and to cheer up your life a little bit. Enjoy it,” Abraham said. “I feel guilty on Tuesdays when I’m closed or when I’m not here. I feel a sense of a community obligation. Tastee Freez being open is a sign of the spring, the summer and nicer weather. It’s a sign for the kids that summer break is almost here.
“Tastee Freez has been here for so long, and there is so much history. It’s changed in 75 years, but not too much. People resist change, so we try to make sure people come back to get the same tasty sweet treat they got five, 10, 15, 20 years ago.
“I’m glad I get to relive my childhood, and I’m glad I get to make people feel better about their day through ice cream at Tastee Freez.”
In 1950, Leo Moranz of Joliet invented a new soft-serve pump and freezer which revolutionized the industry and far surpassed the equipment of the day. His invention allowed for faster service and a better quality ice cream. He formed a partnership with entrepreneur Harry Axene and together they marketed what was destined to become one of America’s favorite destinations for fast food and frozen treats.
Expansion was rapid throughout the ‘50s. According to its online history, there were 315 locations in 1952. By 1957, the number of locations had grown to 1,800, and Tastee Freez was, from then on, forever linked with 1950s Americana.
Like many other institutions, Tastee Freez struggled through later decades, and many stores closed or evolved into other businesses. Those which survived often did so by evolving into complete fast food operations. Today, many Tastee Freez locations are incorporated into Wienerschnitzel and Hamburger Stand restaurants.
Four standalone Tastee Freez locations remain today, with one in Anchorage, Alaska; one in Milton, Florida; one in Harvey, North Dakota; and one in Spring Valley, Illinois.
— Excerpt from June 22, 2015 article "Frozen Nostalgia" by Dave Cook, published by Shaw Local News Network; updated by Julie Barichello
It's always cooler by the falls. When summer temperatures are sweltering, there's no need to worry if you're in Starved Rock Country. There are a number of waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park where visitors can beat the heat. This duo enjoys the cool mist at St. Louis Canyon's waterfall at Starved Rock State Park.
Rock Country
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