Getting ‘A Taste of the Region’

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Katelyn McFadden of Valley Bar and Grill in Spring Valley displays a copy of “A Taste of the Region.” The book, available at the restaurant and other locations in Spring Valley and Princeton, includes information and recipes from businesses along the Illinois River Road. (BCR photo/Barb Kromphardt)

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If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, maybe the way to a tourist’s heart follows the same path.

Visitors along the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway can now get “A Taste of the Region,” a book featuring recipes from 60 businesses from 18 communities along the Byway.

In September 2005, the Illinois River Road — Route of the Voyageurs was announced as a National Scenic Byway.

The Illinois River Road covers 271 miles between Ottawa and Havana, and includes much of Routes 26 and 29 on each side of the river. In Bureau County, the byway enters the county on Route 6, just north of St. Bede Academy. It runs through Spring Valley, and once west of the city, switches onto Route 29, moving through the communities of DePue and Bureau.

Princeton is also part of the Illinois River Road, although it is not directly along the Illinois River. Because of its financial support, Princeton was designated as a gateway or spur community, and the scenic route pathway loops through town.

“A Taste of the Region” also includes architectural drawings by artist David Alan Badger of the 60 businesses, most of which are housed in historic structures, said Debb Ladgenski, Spring Valley economic development director and a board member for the Byway’s commission. There are also pages of interesting facts about the region throughout the book, and all gateway and portal communities are featured along with a complete list of Byway sites.

One of the reasons the Illinois River Road received its Byway designation was because of the strong natural qualities of the area. Nature-based tourism is not just watching wildlife, but anything that connects people with the outdoors, and is the fastest-growing tourism market segment.

Ladgenski said “A Taste of the Region” is a way to draw attention to businesses along the Byway, and the mission of the Byway includes working with businesses for economic development.

“This is the first Byway to tie together nature-based tourism and economic development,” she said.

“A Taste of the Region” is now available for $18 at various sites along the Byway. Locally, books are available in Princeton at Bruce Jewelers, Sweetie Caramel Creations, Annie’s Little Pots, Hoffman’s Patterns of the Past, Kirby Henning Pharmacy, Beetz Me!, Aspen Ridge Furniture, the Lovejoy Homestead and the Bureau County Historical Society. The books are also available in Spring Valley at the Richard A. Mautino Memorial Library and Valley Bar & Grill.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

For more information about the Illinois River Road, visit www.illinoisriverroad.org.

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