Second day of Eagle Watch Weekend events on tap Sunday – LaSalle News Tribune

OUT AND ABOUT

Bald Eagle Watch Weekend
Two-day event offers many programs, activities and exhibits occurring simultaneously at three locations, the Starved Rock Lodge, Illinois Waterway Visitor and the Starved Rock Visitor Center. They are all within a short driving distance or take the trolley which conveniently connects all venues. Hop-on and hop-off with a $2.00 All-Day armband available for purchase on the trolley.
AT STARVED ROCK LODGE: Free tickets for the lodge events will be available starting at 8 a.m. each day in the Starved Rock Lodge Great Hall West — Illinois Birds of Prey, including a live bald eagle presented by Illinois Raptor Center, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free. More than two dozen wildlife and nature-related exhibitors will be set up at the Great Hall West include Ameren Avian Protection Program.
AT STARVED ROCK LOCK AND DAM: Eagle watching with Starved Rock Audubon Society, plus “Feathered Soldiers; Enemies & Allies” presented by Tammy Hanley at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free. (No admission fee for this show, however a ticket is required for entrance. Free tickets will be available on Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m. in the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center for this presentation.) Chris Young, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will host a program on taking great photos with your own camera, 11 a.m. each day.
AT STARVED ROCK VISITOR CENTER: Falconry presented by Rich Escutia, Master Falconer, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. “Who’s Who” owl program by Mark Spreyer, Executive Director, Stillman Nature Center, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free.
Also THIS WEEK & WEEKEND:
David Casas’ magic show, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., Festival 56 stage at Grace Performing Arts Center, 316 S. Main St., Princeton. His cutting-edge performances combine family-friendly comedy, jaw-dropping sleight of hand and plenty of audience interaction. After the show, kids will have an opportunity to “Meet the Magician.” This event is made possible in part by National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. Grace Performing Arts Center is at 316 South Main Street in Princeton and is completely accessible. To purchase tickets, visit www.festival56.com, call the box office at (815) 879-5656, or stop by the theater. Box office hours: noon-2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24; noon–2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 and one hour before the show. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and $12 for kids 10 and under.
Trivia night benefiting Waltham Elementary School, Jan. 25, Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club. Door open at 5 p.m.; trivia at 7. 50/50 drawing. Teams of up to 10 people ($100 per table). Reservations: Call Michelle Doerr at (815) 712-7758.
Poetry and Prose — and the arts: Jan. 31, 5:30-7 p.m., and the last Friday of each month at Prairie Fox Books, 719 La Salle St., Ottawa. The monthly event has expanded to welcome photographers, fine artists, musicians, and more. If you bring in fine art, you can opt to have your art displayed for the month until the next meeting. Free. More details: www.prairiefoxbooks.com.
Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Show and Sale, Jan. 25 and 26, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with new and used guns, ammo and collectible items.
Euchre Tournament, Jan. 30, 6 p.m., Back Door Lounge at Starved Rock Lodge. Utica. Register at 6 p.m. and play begins at 6:30. Join us and bring your friends in the Back Door Lounge for this progressive, individual play Euchre Tournament. Must be 18 years of age or older. Weekly winners: 1st place – $200, 2nd place – $100, 3rd – $50. Grand Prize overall winner wins a travel voucher – amount determined by weekly sign-up. Entry fee: $15. Reservations required.
MUSIC
Recital, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra Young Performers competition — runners-up and honorable mention finishers performing solos at Westclox Fine Arts Factory, 408 W. Fifth St., Peru. Free will offering at the door. Performin will be Virginia Anderson, clarinet, L-P High School, Oglesby; Emily Kmetz, voice, Lincoln Junior High School, La Salle; Gabriel Hawley, violin, home-schooled, Seneca; Erin Daniel, voice, Ottawa High School; Aubrey Garretson, flute, L-P, Peru; Jaidynne Lash, flute, L-P, Peru; William Hawley, violin, homes-schooled, Seneca.
Live Music in the Back Door Lounge, Fridays, 8-11 p.m. Starved Rock Lodge, Utica.
Music at the Princeton Coffeehouse, Tim Grimm and Ben Bedford, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. Open Prairie UCC, 25 E. Marion St., Princeton. Doors open at 7 p.m. $15 admission. Homemade desserts and fair trade coffee available. Info: www.theprincetoncoffeehouse.com or (815) 878-4805.
Bluegrass and Gospel music jam sessions, Feb. 8, March 14, April 11 and May 9. 6-10 p.m., free admission, Ophir Community Building, Triumph. To reserve a spot, call Tom Gerber at (815) 414-8081 or show up early. No alcohol or smoking is allowed. Admission is free, and refreshments are served. Donations got to maintenance and repair of Ophir Community Building, 3907 E. 752nd Road. To reserve a spot, call Tom Gerber at (815) 414-8081 or show up early.
Celtic trio, Blame Not the Bard, live concert, Feb. 1, Bishop Hill Creative Commons, 309 N. Bishop Hill St, Bishop Hill. The show will begin with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. ($10-$20 donation requested), with music starting at 7 p.m., and is open to guests of all ages. A $10-$20 donation is suggested. Dancers from the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance will perform alongside the band. Blame Not the Bard is on a mission: to bring the stories of Ireland alive…and to have fun doing it.
Dueling Pianos, Feb. 3 & 4, 11:30 a.m.. $44, Starved Rock Lodge.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Super Bowl Shuffle Fun Run, Feb. 1, 1-4 p.m. Sign up at the Ellice Dinges Center at 1 p.m.  You can Run/Walk a mile around Sublette Centennial Park.  Then go inside and warm up with free hot dogs and hot chocolate, water or pop.  There will also  be a bonfire on the baseball diamond for those who want to eat and drink outside.
La Salle-Peru Township High School Foundation chicken dinner fundraiser, Feb. 10, 5-10- p.m., The Right Spice, 2102 Fourth St., Peru. Dinner includes chicken strips and fries or spaghetti and garlic bread, dine-in or carry-out. Meals are $10 per person. The foundation supports programs and activities outside of the school’s annual budget. Tickets in advance at the L-P greeter desk 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on school days, or call Bobbi Newell at (815) 220-2769.
Kids Day Out, hosted by the L-P Key Club, Jan. 25, 1-4 p.m., grades 2-5, at La Salle-Peru Township High School. $10 admission donation benefits Children’s Miracle Network. Event includes popcorn, PE games in the gym, activities ranging from coloring to a scavenger hunt. Check it out on Facebook.
L-P Band Parents trivia night, Feb. 8, 5:30-10 p.m. at Senica’s Oak Ridge, U.S. 6 East, La Salle. Tables of 6-10 players — $10 per person. For reservations, call (815) 993-6531.
La Salle-Peru Township High School Foundation fundraiser dinner Feb. 10, 5-8 p.m., The Right Spice, 2102 Fourth St., Peru. Proceeds benefit the foundation, which supports programs and activities outside of the school’s annual budget. Tickets available in advance at the L-P greeter desk 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on school days. Info: (815) 220-2769.
“Nunsations!” Nunsense Vegas Revue, Feb. 7, 8 and 9 and 13, 14, 15 (two performances) and Feb. 16 at Stage 212, 700 First St., La Salle. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Ticket sales begin Jan. 27. For tickets visit the box office 4-6 p.m. Monday or 9 a.m.-noon Saturday or call (815) 224-3025 during the same hours. Or visit www.stage212.org.
Live birds of prey show, Feb. 9: 1:30 p.m. Starved Rock Visitor Center, Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education. Limited seating, first come, first seated. Doors will close when auditorium is full. Free.
French Explorer La Salle in the Illinois Country, Starved Rock Visitor Center, Feb. 16, 1:30 p.m., by Park Historian, Mark Walczynski. Free.
Tap a Tree for Maple Sap, March 8, Starved Rock Visitor Center, by Natural Resource Coordinator, Lisa Sons. Free.
Pere Marquette State Park Bald Eagle Days, Grafton, through March 6, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Owl Prowl, Hoo Haven, March 14 & 15, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Starved Rock Lodge. Utica. “Hoo” Haven Wildlife and Education Center from Durand will be here with their owls for a presentation. Reservations: $5 for adults, $3 for children. Call (815) 220-7386 to reserve.
Starved Rock Lodge Walkers Club, 9 a.m. each Thursday. Meet in the hotel lobby. Free.
Films at the Factory, Feb. 8, 4 p.m., at NCI ARTworks, in the Westclox building, Peru: “Cinema Paradiso,” the story of a young boy who develops a love of film in a movie house in war-torn Sicily.
MUSEUMS
Hegeler Carus Mansion — La Salle. Mansion tours Wednesday-Sunday. Noon-3 p.m. starting on the hour. All tours: $15 for adults. $5 for K-12 students, and free for Children under 5 years. www.hegelercarus.org. (815) 224-5892
Lock 16 Center/La Salle Canal Boat, La Salle. Center includes exhibits, visitor information, gift shop and café. Open year-round. Canal Boat operates May-October. (815) 223-1851
Westclox Museum — Peru. Located within a portion of the historic Westclox building. Displays of clocks, watches, military products, photo displays, reference and research materials, Tick Talk magazines and more. (815) 200-8604. Free admission. www.westcloxmuseum.com
Spring Valley Historical Museum — REOPENS March 7. Tours of the museum may still be arranged by contacting (815) 664-2178. Featuring items related to John Mitchell, coal mining, area businesses, sports, music and schools. For all ages
La Salle County Historical Society Museum Complex — Utica. Nov. 10-Jan. 23. Special tours during this time by call (815) 667-4861. Schedule resumes Jan. 24 noon-4 p.m. Friday. Saturday and Sunday.
Reddick Mansion — Ottawa. Reddick Mansion, built in 1858, is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. During January and February, tours Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. On Sundays, the mansion will be open 11-a.m.-2 p.m.; the other three days, hours will be 11-a.m.-3 p.m. (815) 433-6100
Owen Lovejoy Homestead — Princeton. Former station on the Underground Railroad. Open May-October; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. (815) 879-9151
Cherry Mine Museum and Library — Public library, Cherry. Summer hours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Features include a large, highly detailed model of the mine prior to the 1909 disaster. To arrange a tour at an alternate time, call DeAnn Pozzi at (815) 894-2977. Admission free, and various history books are available to purchase.
Bureau County Historical Society Museum — Princeton. Tour of Clark-Norris Home (1900) and Newell-Bryant House (1853); Lincoln and Civil War displays; Native American artifacts; Immke photo collection. Open March through November; Wednesday through Saturday. (815) 875-2184.
Bureau County Genealogical Society-Family History and Research Library —Princeton (815) 879-3133.Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday and the first Saturday of each month 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Other times by appointment. Free library specializing in county and area records for genealogical purposes, as well as online resources.
Putnam County Historical Society Pulsifer House — This “Jewel of the Prairie” on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours/information (815) 925-7560. Open mid-March through mid-December.
Breaking the Prairie Agricultural Museum — Mendota. (815) 539-3373.
Earlville Historical Society Museum — Downtown Earlville in the old hardware store. Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays; noon-2 p.m. Sundays and anytime by appointment. (815) 246-9778. Sports memorabilia, manufacturing and agricultural exhibits, local history displays.
Hume-Carnegie Museum — Local history. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday March 1-Dec. 13. (815) 539-3373 for more information (office open during week.) mmhsmuseum@yahoo.com
Union Depot Railroad Museum — Open Saturday and Sunday noon-4 p.m. (815) 538-3800 or 539-3373
Magnolia Township Preservation Association—History and artifacts of township villages, families, and farms. “Preserving the Past to inform the future.” Open March through November. (815) 257-0707
Charles Perdew Museum — Henry. Open every Sunday through Sept. 29. 2-4 p.m.
Museum on Main — Tiskilwa. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday. (815) 646-4016 for an appointment. Features six galleries of hands-on experience with Tiskilwa’s past. Virtual tours www.tiskilwahistoricalsociety.org.