December

Ongoing December

Christmas at the Weber House & Garden
1503 Baker Street, Streator
Visitors to this popular tourist attraction will enjoy special holiday decorations of the historic home. Candles illuminate the house and each room has a unique story to be told. For more information call 815-672-8327 or go to the website at www.weberhouseandgarden.com.
Holidazzle!
Follies Theatre 122 Mill St, Utica Thurs. - Sat. 8:00 p.m. Sun. - 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
A dazzling Las Vegas-style revue that's our hybrid of the glitter of Vegas and the heart-warming holiday warmth of a Christmas card come-to-life. Call box office at 815-667-7008 or visit www.folliestheatre.com for more information.

December 10 - 13

A Hegeler Carus Christmas: 1893
Hegeler Carus Mansion 1307 Seventh St., LaSalle 7:00 p.m.
Relive Christmas in the year 1893 with this reenactment of a holiday party given by the Hegelers and Caruses - and you're invited! Local actors portray important people of the era. An annual favorite! Tickets are $20/person. www.hegelercarus.org.

December 13

Holidays at the Museums
Hume Carnegie Museum 901 Washington St., Mendota 5:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres
6:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided n the Country Chapel at the Breaking the Prairie Museum. Guests may then cross 8th Street to enjoy delectable desserts at the Union Depot Railroad Museum, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10/person. www.mendotamuseums.org or 815-539.3373
Santa's Holiday Open House
Dickinson House Dale Avenue, Oglesby 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages can visit with Santa, munch on Christmas cookies, listen to holiday music and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Downtown Oglesby. This event is free and open to the public.

December 14

Flutes by the Fire
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Christmas carols presented by students of Sue Gillio of OPUS 111 Music Studio. Concert will be in the Great Hall. Open to the public, no charge, no reservations needed.

December 19

Breakfast with Santa
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Join the jolliest man, himself, as well as the Mrs. for a breakfast buffet right here at Starved Rock Lodge. Following breakfast, you'll be treated to Christmas stories told by Mrs. Claus. Children may take turns sitting on Santa's lap to tell him their Christmas wishes and receive a chocolate treat. Adults $11.95 , under 10 $8.95. Early reservations a must. 800-868-7625 ext. 386

December 23

Ottawa Pavilion Christmas Party
2:00 pm
704 East Glover St., Ottawa
815-434-7144
Friends and family members of Ottawa Pavilion residents are invited to come join their loved ones for a Christmas Celebration! Santa will be stopping by to pass out presents and eat some cookies! The event will be held in the Annex Dining Room.

December 31

New Year's Eve Party Only Package
"Around the World" Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Package includes: "Around the World" party favors including hats and tiaras. 6:00p.m. Hors D'oeuvres, Cash Bar, Two free drink tickets per person, photos by the fireplace (additional cost). 8:00 p.m. Buffet dinner, seafood, carved meats, salad, potato, vegetable, and dessert. Live entertainment in the Great Hall from 6:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Champagne toast at midnight, pastries and juice at 1:00 a.m. For reservations call 800-868-7625 ext. 386. $179.00 per couple
New Year's Eve Party- Overnight Party Package
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica
Package includes: Deluxe Overnight Accommodations for two, "Around the World" party favors including hats, tiaras, and a bottle of Champagne in your room upon arrival. 6:00p.m. Hors d'oeuvres, Cash Bar, two free drink tickets per person, photos by the fireplace (additional cost). 8:00p.m. Buffet dinner including seafood, carved meats, salad, potato, vegetable, and dessert. Live entertainment in the Great Hall from 6:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Champagne toast at midnight, pastries and juice at 1:00a.m., New Year's Day Brunch, and a chance to win a trip for 2 ($1000.00 travel voucher) For reservations call 800-868-7625 ext. 386. $375.00 per couple.

January

January 3

Love for Every Season Bridal Expo
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Experience the Lodge decorated in its full wedding elegance, sample cake, talk with our staff, and spend the day meeting the best wedding vendors in the area. Join us for our annual Bridal Expo at Starved Rock Lodge in the Great Hall. Call 800-868-7625 for more details.

January 9

Three Silly Chicks
Book Mouse
820 LaSalle St, Ottawa
10:00am - Noon
Meet children authors, Julia Durango, Carolyn Crimi, and Andrea Beatty, a.k.a. The Three Silly Chicks! Contact Eileen Fesco - bookmouse@sbcglobal.net or 815-433-7323 for more information.

January 10

Sled Dog Demo & Awareness
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica All Day Event
Free Spirit Siberian Rescue hosts this day-long, FREE event with seminars in the LaSalle Room on the fascinating characteristics of Siberian Huskies and their relatives. Sled Dog demos will take place in front of the Lodge throughout the day. 800-868-7625 or www.starvedrocklodge.com for more information.

January 15

Artisan Showcase Weekend
August Hill Winery 106 Mill St., Utica
Meet the new Illinois artisans featured in our Tasting Room Gallery. For more information call 815-667-5211 or www.augusthillwinery.com.

January 23 - 24

Flock to the Rock: An Eagle Watch Weekend!
Enjoy winter fun in the Starved Rock State Park area with Eagle Watch Weekend January 23rd and 24th, 2010 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center. Experience LIVE birds of prey demonstrations, including a bald eagle, at 10, Noon, 2 and 4 sponsored by the World Bird Sanctuary, limited seating. Listen to free lectures and view exhibits on "Birds of Prey" hosted by the Illinois Audubon Society. Watch bald eagles soar over the Illinois River at Starved Rock or the Illinois Waterways Visitors Center.

February

February 5

Wine & Chocolate-Lovers Celebration
August Hill Winery 106 Mill St., Utica
Celebrate the world of wine and chocolate by joining us for a weekend showcasing Gayety's chocolate paired with August Hill Winery's award-winning wines. Friday 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information call 815-667-5211 or www.augusthillwinery.com.

February 6

Winter Wine Walk
August Hill Winery 106 Mill St., Utica
Join August Hill Winery and other Utica businesses for the Winter Wine Walk. Food and wine tastings will be available at each business. Fill up your passport by stopping by each business and you will be entered in a drawing to win grand gift baskets. For more information call 815-667-5211 or www.augusthillwinery.com.

February 14

Second Sunday's Lecture Series - TBA
Hegeler Carus Mansion 1307 Seventh St., LaSalle
Donations gratefully accepted. www.hegelercarus.org.

February 19

Music at the Mansion - Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra Youth Honors Recital
Hegeler Carus Mansion 1307 Seventh St., LaSalle 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Sue Gillio, Instructor. Donations gratefully accepted. www.hegelercarus.org.

February 21

Sled Dog Demo & Awareness
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica All Day Event
Granite Siberian Rescue hosts this day-long, FREE event with seminars in the LaSalle Room on the fascinating characteristics of Siberian Huskies and their relatives. Sled Dog demos will take place in front of the Lodge throughout the day. 800-868-7625 or www.starvedrocklodge.com for more information.

February 28

2nd Annual "Artists of the Valley" and Native American Drum Circle
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica 1:00-4:00 p.m
Ojibway tribal songs and stories with a guest speaker. There will also be an exhibit of outstanding Illinois Valley artists in the Starved Rock Room of the Lodge from 11:00-4:00p.m. Open to the public, free admission. 800-868-7625 or www.starvedrocklodge.com for more information.

Ongoing for February

Bald Eagle Trolley Tours
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center Rt. 178 & Rt. 71, Utica
Be mesmerized by the beautiful bald eagles at Starved Rock. Ride the trolley to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center for eagle viewing and an educational program. Includes lunch during the week and Brunch on Sunday in the Main Dining Room. Dress warmly, bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras. Mon, Wed. & Sat.- Adults $24.00. Sun. - Adults $29.00 Children 10 and under $5.00 less. For reservations call 800-868-7625 ext. 386.

March

March 7

Music at the Mansion - Northwestern Strings
Hegeler Carus Mansion 1307 Seventh St., LaSalle 2:00 p.m.
Stacia Spencer, Instructor. Donations gratefully accepted. www.hegelercarus.org.

March 14

Second Sunday's Lecture Series - TBA
Hegeler Carus Mansion 1307 Seventh St., LaSalle 4:00 p.m.
Heather Plaza-Manning, Executive Assistant, Society of Architectural Historians, will present "Mummies, Sphinxes, and Scarabs, Oh My!" Donations gratefully accepted. www.hegelercarus.org.

March 20

March Into Spring
August Hill Winery 106 Mill St., Utica
Join us for a "March into Spring" celebration from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information call 815-667-5211 or www.augusthillwinery.com.

March 21

Tourism Day
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
LaSalle County is a great place to live, work, and visit! We have many activities to offer, museums to see, and entertainment to enjoy. Come and visit with the area's best attractions. Located in the Starved Rock Room and the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge. No charge open to the public. For more information call 815-220-7386.

March 30

2010 Breast Cancer Fundraiser and Style Show
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center Rt 178 & Rt 71, Utica
Clothing & accessories will be presented by Cattails and Starved Rock Lodge Gift Shops. Come see what is new for the 2010 season. Enjoy wine tasting, dinner and style show. For tickets please call 815-667-4211 ext. 386