Oregon and the Rock River Valley Whether you are looking to visit for an afternoon, start a business, or make Oregon your new home, there is much to discover in our backyard. The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to discover our abundant outdoor recreation, annual events, rich artContinue Reading
About the Region There are 285,873 people in the Rockford Region (2016), including the surrounding metro area. Located within Winnebago County, there are several unique surrounding villages and cities that form the Rockford Region, each with its own history, restaurants, and attractions! Explore and learn more about each areaContinue Reading
By Rick Pedersen – As a kid in the 70’s it was common for neighborhood kids on bikes to follow the Township truck that was used to spray mosquitoes. We did not know at the time it was DDT that was being sprayed, let alone a harmful chemical that wasContinue Reading
What made you choose this type of business?When my late wife, Adrianne, passed in 2006, Havencrest Castle became dark and quiet. She had always given wonderful events for our anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas. I don’t have her talent for such things, but when friends encouraged me to open my homeContinue Reading
EXPLORE SAVANNASavanna is a vibrant little river town nestled between the Mississippi River and the Bluffs of the Driftless area in Northwest Illinois. Settled in 1828 by explorers from Galena, Savanna is one of the oldest towns in Illinois. Savanna began as a Steamboat stop for runs between Galena andContinue Reading
About Chestnut Mountain Resort Boasting an impressive array of amenities, accommodations, comforts and activities, Chestnut Mountain is the choice Illinois travel destination. Conveniently located near historic Galena, nestled neatly amongst the hills overlooking the Mississippi, it’s the perfect place to escape the everyday. Chestnut’s over 220 rolling acres and 475-footContinue Reading
By Patrick Shea – Bicycle Touring came into my life during my college years. I attended a small school on Lake Superior’s south shore, where the deciduous and boreal forests meet and mingle. From Northland’s campus in Ashland, Wisconsin, I spent four years in an ever-widening spiral of aimless pedaling.Continue Reading
Galena Country, nestled along the Mississippi River in the upper northwest corner of Illinois, is the second most visited destination in Illinois, after Chicago. The great thing about a trip to Galena Country is that it’s your story to write. Take on an outdoor adventure along the Mississippi River. Spend hoursContinue Reading
The Greater Freeport Partnership One organization. One voice. One mission: To grow Freeport & Stephenson County. What does the Partnership do? The Greater Freeport Partnership promotes Stephenson County and support businesses. We accomplish these goals through workforce development, marketing, beautification, business education and providing data resources. Our history: In JuneContinue Reading
Family Friendly There is fun for the whole family in Freeport and Stephenson County. Enjoy our parks, museums and other indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families. Krape Park Explore beautiful Krape Park, awarded “Outstanding Multi-use Facility” by the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. Heavily wooded Krape Park featuresContinue Reading
By Nolan Arentz – Kombucha … Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. Technically speaking, this simple tasty drink consists of tea, fermentable sugar, a colony of bacteria and yeast working together, and whatever kind of natural flavors one so desires. For ex-Engineer Jake Haneman, and now owner of BootleggerContinue Reading
So, what’s your story? Where were you born? How long have you been here in the Driftless, What keeps you here? Bree and Eric (The B and E of B&E’s Trees) were both born in the Driftless. Although Eric left for college and then a job, the long-term goal, fromContinue Reading
By Keewaydin Farms – If you would have told me I would become a farmer when I was younger (or even live in the country for that matter), I would have laughed in your face. My father can confirm this. Born in Driftless dairy country, I couldn’t wait to driftContinue Reading
Driftless Music Gardens, was created in the fall of 2015. It was created out of the concept of turning a hobby into a possible passionate career.Continue Reading
Sean Brown – Impact CoffeeA Driftless Interview What is your best childhood memory?Canoeing the Upper Iowa or taking the pontoon out on the Mississippi If you had a chance for a “do-over” in life, what would you do differently? That’s tough. I would probably pick a different college besidesContinue Reading
Toppling Goliath Talking with Sarah Hedlund – Marketing Director of Toppling Goliath So, what’s your story? How long have you been here in the Driftless, Were you born in the Driftless, What keeps you here in the Driftless? I grew up in southeast Iowa, went to the Minneapolis College ofContinue Reading
By Matt Schumann – Let’s widen the focus way back before we zoom in on Emma Big Bear. Trying to describe the life of a centuries old Ho-Chunk woman, through a web essay – to generations B, X, Y and Z – is perhaps an exercise in folly. We inContinue Reading
Carl’s earliest memory of being in a canoe was on the Sugar River, near Brodhead Wisconsin sitting on the bottom of his family’s first canoe, just a little in front of his Dad, who was paddling stern. his brother was in front of the center thwart and Mom was paddlingContinue Reading
By Rick Pedersen – Growing up as a kid, I always thought I was invincible and never gave thought to the possibility of contributing to my own demise. As an adult, I think back to past deeds and have second thoughts about invincibility. I consider myself a spiritual person, andContinue Reading