Fifth
Annual Dinner
It just seems like
yesterday that it was spring and we were
having our fifth annual Galena Trail
meeting in Polo. Now here it is fall, the
leaves are beginning to change and we are
planning the sixth annual meeting. Let us
reflect back on that warm day at the Polo
Historic Wedding Chapel after we had such
a winter of ice and snow.
It was April 19, 2008 and
people started with a lovely tour of the
newly restored 1857 Presbyterian Church
by owners, Jim O’Connor and
Christina Lee-Grogan. They have turned
the church into a beautiful wedding
chapel for weddings and other events such
as our Galena Trail annual meeting.
Julie Kessinger, of
Blackhawk Waterways and president of
Galena Trail & Coach Road Society,
welcomed around 100 members and guests.
She spoke about new mugs, clings on hand,
rack cards that soon would be coming and
a GPS tracking system that the board is
working on presently. We need help in
counties along the way so if this sounds
interesting to you, call Julie at
815-946-2108.
A newsletter for members
of the trail is another idea that will
hopefully keep members more informed of
events, ideas and plans up and down the
trail in each community. John Rutherford,
vice president of the board, spoke of the
history of the trail and the need for
more members.
Dennis Schultz from IDOT
told of the trail and how safety issues
are being looked at in view of people
driving the unfamiliar trail. Signs will
be coming soon.
After a delicious lunch,
a program by Del and Phyllis Tedrick of
Winnebago and Polo Drama Club entitled
“Presenting Memories of Abraham
Lincoln” was given.
The group then toured
Aplington House where Lincoln visited in
Polo and the new Polo History Museum. It
was a great spring day to be walking in
the sunshine.
By Betty Obendorf
Signs
Are Going Up
The first sign went up at
Peoria and someone commented, “I had
to turn around and go back to look at it.
It is lovely.” One went up in
Carroll County at Route 78 and Meyers
Road. It was instantly noticed by
interested Galena Trail people. So watch
for the signs along the trail in various
places. Someone asked, “Who is
putting them up?” IDOT is handling
them by county and township officials it
seems. Right now it is rather difficult
to follow the trail by signs because they
are all not up on the roads. Also
construction at Brookville and Route 52
adds to the confusion. Be patient.
2009
Annual Meeting
The next
annual meeting will be at Princeton on
March 28, 2009 at the Elks Club. The
Princeton Library will be hosting the
Smithsonian Exhibit “Between The
Fences” from March 7, 2009 until
April 16, 2009. Galena Trail & Coach
Road Society has been asked to be a part
of this great display. This is why we are
having our annual meeting back in this
community so Galena Trail people up and
down the trail can see this exhibit on
the day of our annual meeting. This will
be on our agenda for all to see. Keep
that date in mind.
By the end of March we will be ready to
get out and have some place interesting
to go and Walnut may be a spot to stop on
the way down the trail. Walnut House has
evolved from a 100% craft store to a full
service florist with gifts, antique and
collectibles. They have Don Marquis
memorabilia on display. Also selections
of his books are for sale. This is one of
those quaint and unique stores people
enjoy visiting. Hours: Tues., Wed., Fri.,
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thurs. &
Sat. 9:30 a.m.-12:00 o’clock.
Photo courtesy of Bob Glaser
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Summer Thoughts and
Ideas
Did all life time members get their
mugs? If not they are at Blackhawk
Waterways and you have two choices so
stop by if you are a life time member for
your free one.
Rack cards are finished and they are
lovely. Someone traveling the trail
stopped by Polo History Museum and when
given a Galena Trail rack card, asked,
“Where is that covered bridge?”
Of course the answer was,
“Princeton!” If you need some
for a business, just let us know and we
will get some to you.
Big
Day At Apple River Fort
On June 28th over 400
Elizabeths gathered at the Apple River
Fort on the Galena Trail in Elizabeth,
IL. The secretary of Galena Trail &
Coach Road Society was one of them. Her
name of Elizabeth has come down in her
family for many generations. It was only
natural that she headed for the fort on
that bright sunny day with her daughter
and granddaughters. They were two more
generations of the name Elizabeth and it
was indeed an exciting day at the fort
celebrating the fort’s 175th
anniversary.
This “Gathering of
the Elizabeths” attempted to break
the world record of the most Elizabeths
in one place. They also were there to pay
homage to the three Elizabeths who
defended the fort during the Black Hawk
War of 1832. Everyone who registered had
a matching Elizabeth shirt for the
picture taken and there is talk of making
this a yearly event.
Photo courtesy of The Galenian
Fall/Winter
Upcoming
Events and Festivals
For a full listing of
each area’s events and festivals
please contact the information centers
listed.
Galena/Jo
Daviess
877-464-2536
Ryan Mansion Tours
Nov 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-Dec 2,
5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 (10 am-3:30
pm) An entertaining tour of
Victorian life in 1876. Meet the butler,
maid and cook as they show you a spirited
backstairs view of the upper crust. Start
times vary. Fee $10 per person. Ryan
Mansion, 11373 Hwy 20 W, Galena
815-281-0408.
Blackhawk
Waterways
CVB Region
800-678-2108
Scrooge the Comedy
Nov 28-29, Dec 4-7, 11-14, 18-21 (6
pm) This wacky, zany audience
participation comedy, now celebrating 20
years of performances on the White Pines
Stage. The show is best summed up as
– A Christmas Carole meets Saturday
Night Live! Appropriate for all ages but
littered with double entendres- this is a
must see! Fee. White Pines Inn, 6712 W
Pines Rd, Mt Morris. 815-946-3817 today! www.whitepinesinn.com
Dixon Christmas Walk
Dec 5 (6 pm) This community wide
holiday event includes carriage rides,
story teller, and breakfast with Santa,
refreshments, fireworks, and
entertainment galore! Dixon Main St.
815-288-2308 www.dixonil.com/mainstreet
Princeton
815-875-2616
Charles Dickens’
“A Christmas Carol” Dec
5-21 Wed-Sat (7:30 pm) Come
share the Christmas spirit by
experiencing this new musical adaptation
of perhaps the most loved Christmas story
ever told! Fee all seats $15 per person.
Festival Center, 316 S Main St,
Princeton. 815-879-5656 www.festival56.com
Peoria Area
800-747-0302
Silhouettes of Lincoln
Nov 28-Dec 7 Fri & Sat (6 pm-8 pm),
Sun (2 pm-4 pm) Christmas
candlelight tour of the historic
Pettengill-Morron House. Costumed
interpreters will delight you with
stories as you pass from room to room in
the grand Moss Avenue home.
Pettengill-Morron House, 1212 W Moss Ave,
Peoria. 309-674-1921 www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org
Please contact
us with information of your or your
communities’ upcoming events.
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