May 2007

May 5, August 4, September 29
Photography Workshop
Starved Rock Lodge, Utica
Interested in photography? We will cover camera
operation, photographic theory and composition while hiking the trails of Starved Rock. All types of cameras and photographers are welcome. For more information, contact Mike Bessler at (630) 667-5174.

May 5-6
Wildflower Weekend
Starved Rock Lodge, Utica
Enjoy the variety of wildflowers at Starved Rock. Guided hikes leave from the Visitors Center at 9am
and 1pm. For more information, call (815) 667-5356.

May 6
Sweet Corn Classic Golf Challenge
Mendota Golf Course, Mendota
8:00am Shotgun Start
A 4-Player Scramble, mixed teams welcome.
For more information, call (815) 539-6507 or
email mendotachamber@yahoo.com

May 6
JC Whitney Car Show
761 Progress Parkway, LaSalle
Free Registration 9am - Noon
30 car, truck and motorcycle classes. Participants judged with ballots handed out at noon. Trophies to top 3 in each class with cash prize and trophy for Best of Show.

May 11-13
Heritage Days Celebration
Streator City Park
Carnival, flea market, vendors, food and parade. Sponsored by Streator Historical Society.

May 12
August Hill Winery, Utica
10am to 8pm
Meet the six new Illinois artists currently featured
in our Tasting Room Gallery.

May 18
Hegeler Carus Mansion – Concert Series
5:45pm - 6:30pm
For more information, call (815) 224-5891.

May 18-19
Planet Pluto Expo
Streator
Informative workshops, interactive displays and
educational seminars. Dedicated to Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Planet Pluto in 1930 and a native of Streator. For more information, call (815) 672-2055
or visit www.streator.org

May 18-20
Midwest Militia Wakeboarding May Days 2007
The Busted Prop, 948 East Main St., Ottawa
Come out and check out some new boats, demo new gear and kick off the season right. For information, visit www.midwestmilitia.net

May 19
Earlville Cruise Night
Downtown Earlville • 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Enjoy classic cars as a spectator or a participant.
The first 150 cars to register will receive dash plaques. Free pictures to 25 cars at random. Door prizes, music by 3D Sound, 50/50 raffle. Cruise night T-shirts
available. For more information, call (815) 246-8822 or (815) 246-9545.

May 19
9th Annual Kid’s Fishing Expo at Baker Lake
Airport Road, Peru • 9am - 2pm • Free Admission
Fishing instructional program for children ages 6 and up. Sessions will start every 15 minutes. For more information, visit www.better-fishing-assoc.org or call (815) 223-3671.

May 19
Utica “Ride In” Motorcycle Show
12 - 4pm • Downtown Utica
Registrants will pay a $5 entry fee, receive a pin and be eligible to win one of 5 plaques or trophies.

May 19
Illinois department of Boating Safety Class
Illinois Waterway Visitors Center
Dee Bennett Road, Ottawa • 8:15am - 5pm
Admission is free. This 8-hour course includes equipment requirements, navigation rules, legal requirements, handling accident situations, the weather, trailering, visual distress signals, personal watercraft and specialty topics. There will be a final exam! For information, call (815) 667-4054.

May 19-20
3rd Annual Honor the Eagle Pow Wow
Starved Rock State Park Boat Ramp Area
Saturday 11am - 9pm • Sunday noon - 9pm
Admission: $6 adults $4 seniors (62+) and children (6-12)
Enjoy Native American dancing, drumming, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, raffles and tipis. For more information, call (773) 585-1744 or visit www.midwestsoarring.org

May 19-20
Starved Rock Nature Art Show & Sale
Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center
9am - 4pm
An exhibition of fine art by the best nature artists in the region, including outstanding nature art with an Illinois theme and the photography of James Krancic.
For more information, call (815) 883-9905.

May 20
Blessing of the Bikes
Starved Rock Lodge East Parking Lot
12:00 Noon & 1:30pm
Have your motorcycle blessed by local clergy in one of two ceremonies. The blessings remind us that life is a journey and we need to ask for God’s protection.
A great kick-off to biking season. Open to all.

May 20
Ottawa Firefighters Memorial
Ottawa Fire Dept.
301 W. Lafayette St., Ottawa • 10am
Ceremony honors fallen firefighters and the
firefighters greet the public during an open house.

May 20
Cemetery Walk, Earlville
1pm – Earlville School
A review of 175 years of Earlville history will be
presented with tours leaving the Earlville school. Local citizens will present the lives of veterans from six wars, starting with the War of 1812, at the grave sites in Precinct Cemetery. Donations of $5.00 are requested with any profits to support local educational programs. For more information, call (815) 246-8411.

May 20-26
“Blythe Spirit”
Comedy at Community Players of Streator’s Engle Lane Theatre. For more information, call (815) 672-4066 or visit www.englelane.org

May 26
“Movies at the Mansion”
Hegeler Carus Mansion, LaSalle • 7pm
Classic and foreign films for all to enjoy.
Call (815) 224-5891 or (815) 224-5895 for movie title.

May 26-27
Water Safety Weekend
Illinois Waterway Visitors Center
Dee Bennett Road, west of Ottawa • 8:30am - 5pm
Start your summer activities and celebrate National Safety Week by visiting the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center for a holiday weekend of water safety fun for children and adults. Join us and learn how to be safe when you are swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, canoeing, or involved in any other type of water activity. To help you learn about water safety fun, be sure to pick up free color books, posters and stickers. We’ll have videos to view and life jackets to try on. Admission is free. For more information, contact (815) 667-4054.