During the performance a few weeks later, tribute artist Denny Diamond announced that there was a special request from Dale to sing “Play Me” to Dale’s date, Donna. It was time to pop the question. Dale calmly walked to the microphone and told the audience that he had been blessed to know Donna Parish, saying he’d been given a second chance at love, and then he askedher, “Will you marry me?”

The entire room lit up and applauded his valiant and public proclamation. Donna said yes and the wedding is set for late June. All of this was caught on video by Lodge’s Marketing Director who happened to be in the Great Hall at that moment.

Love was in the air for another couple last month, too. In mid-April, Raymond Harris proposed to his girlfriend, Patricia, when the couple went on a guided hike with Starved Rock’s trailmaster, Geology Joe. Patricia had been to Starved Rock many times and said Eagle Cliff was her favorite spot in the park. And so it was there that Raymond bent down on one knee to ask a very big question. Patricia said yes, and the couple plans to marry later this year at Starved Rock.

This time a photo was coincidentally taken by the Marketing Director who came to capture a few “Take a Hike & A Lunch” promotional photos.

The third proposal of the month happened at Lover’s Leap (a favorite spot for such a special event). The newly engaged couple shared their news while aboard a Starved Rock Trolley on their way to one of the Lodge’s Wine & Shopping Tours.

Starved Rock is and always has been a special place for people of all ages to celebrate life’s special moments. The big difference is that the Lodge is taking notice and sharing the news!

“We’re so proud that so many people come to Starved Rock for proposals, weddings, anniversary celebrations and more,” said Kathy Casstevens, Marketing Director, “When I’m lucky enough to be there with my camera, I will print a photo for our guests and then ask if I can share their news on Facebook or in our newsletter.” Collectively, the Lodge has over 13,000 likes on their nine Facebook pages and over 14,000 newsletter contacts. For more information, visit the website at www.starvedrocklodge.com.

The post Love Springs Eternal at Starved Rock appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

Trails may be muddy, and appropriate hiking attire should be worn. Park officials warn that anyone who encounters a trail that is not passable should turn back.

Matthiessen State Park also is open with the following exceptions: Lower dells area trails are closed along with the mountain bike and horseback trails.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources conservation police will issue citations to any hiker found walking in closed sections of either park. (The Times, Thursday-May 8, 2013)

The post Most Park Trails Reopen appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

Hikers: please stay off the closed trails, as they are dangerous. Local law enforcement are issuing tickets for failing to comply.The Starved Rock Photography Club will still meet at 9:00 am in the Hotel Lobby.  The Star Gazing event at Fox Ridge on Sunday, April 28th is still a go for Sunday and so is the Patsy Cline Show.

Events that have been canceled:

-The Starved Rock MegaHike, scheduled for this weekend, has been canceled due to flooding. This event has been re-scheduled for June 1 and 2, 2013.

-Starved Rock Lodge’s “Take a Hike” guided hike for this Saturday and Sunday have both have been cancelled due to flooding.

-Starved Rock Lodge’s Waterfall and Canyon tour for Saturday has been cancelled due to flooding.

-Starved Rock Trolley tours for Sunday have been cancelled due to flooding. (This Tour goes to the Lock and Dam and Starved Rock Visitor Center, both of which are inaccessible).

The post Flooding Closes parts of Park appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

The post Festival Celebrates Migratory Birds appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

Have you ever wanted to pull back a bow and shoot an arrow?  How about the proper way to saddle a horse?  This is a 3-day fun-filled weekend where women from all over will gather and learn untraditional skills in a nonthreatening environment. The list of things to do is quite long and you can select the skills you’d like to learn about. Workshops that will be offered:archery, basic fishing, wildflower floral arranging, backpacking, garden mosaics, geological walk of Starved Rock State Park, basic horsemanship, native tools & plants, photography, outdoor cooking, principles of fire making,  medicinal plants, women with power tools, edible plants, basket weaving, electricity.  Electricity?  That’s not outdoors.  Well, let’s say it will be a useful skill to learn about so you can spend more time outdoors.

Now here’s the fun one to consider.   On Saturday only I’m gong to be at Starved Rock Lodge to show my group how to clean and cook fish.  I’ll be covering some local fishing tips and cover the basics of fishing.   I’ll have whole fresh fish on hand so each participant can grab a fillet knife and give it a try.  Once the fish are cleaned, I’ll show you a couple ways that I like to cook fish on a camp stove.   Right now it looks like I’ll be offering a morning and afternoon session. Each will be 2 – 2 1/2 hours long.

In addition to the workshops, 6 meals and 2 nightly activities (includes zip-lining) and transportation to all workshops are included.  Advanced sign-up and registration is necessary and there is a fee for this event.

For more information please call Edna at 815-220-7386. By Don Dziedzina, Illinois Outdoors

The post Outdoor Woman’s Workshop Offered appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

The post Singers Wanted for Showdown 2013 appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

spring and summer at Starved Rock Lodge!

Find it all in our 2013 Spring POW WOW Newsletter!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 2013 Spring POW WOW

The post Spring POW WOW Newsletter appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

The post Kayla Magnifici Wins Rock Star 2013 appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

The post Photo Contest Winners Chosen appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.

A packed room filled with laughter as several birds of prey flew over spectators’ heads, back and forth across the room. The raptor awareness program presented by World Bird Sanctuary near St. Louis, Mo., took place at Starved Rock Lodge and featured many raptor birds from the United States and two from Africa. Visitors got to see the birdsclose up through flight or carried around the room.“Watching the raptors being able to fly is amazing to me,” said Kevin Horvath, who came from Joliet to attend the event. “It’s so up close and intuitive for the kids.” Tom Clay, executive director of Audubon, said the show is very popular. “This room holds 275 people, and we will fill it four times today and four times tomorrow,” Clay said Saturday.

The day was filled with other activities including Native American dancing and seminars about falconry and the history about the Illinois Valley. Kids also could enjoy special activities like crafts and face painting. Several conservation and nature exhibitors had booths to educate and inform visitors about different projects and practices.Visitors also could go to the north side of the river to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center near Starved Rock Lock and Dam and view eagles in their natural habitat as they perched in trees and swooped across the river. Guests with cameras and binoculars crowded the viewing area trying to get a glimpse of the birds in action. Katie Zink brought her children from Aurora for the third year in a row to watch the eagles from the dam. “It’s an amazing thing to see,” said Zink, adding they had seen five eagles so far. Clay said that the biggest part of the day was awareness and education, because 200 years ago 100,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles were in the United States. In 1963, that number fell to 400 and today there are 10,000 nesting pairs. “It’s because of programs like this,” said Clay. “People become aware that it is our responsibility.”Teri Graves, a trainer from Word Bird Sanctuary, said education was the key to saving endangered birds like the bald eagle.“Once you learn about something you gain appreciation for it,” said Graves. Graves said she likes using live bird shows because of the impression it leaves on the audience. “Having a live bird of prey fly right over your head leaves a lasting impression that stays with you, whether you are 4 or 40.” Clay said the program brings in 4,000 to 5,000 people each year from across the country and even internationally. There is no cost to attend the event, but the Audubon Society does except donations. Visitors included first-time attendees and regulars who return every year. “It’s been a great event for a lot of years. It keeps kids and adults entertained and it’s just a beautiful time to be out at the park,” said Horvath. He said he started by bringing his children but now brings his grandchildren.

Here’s a link to News Tribune reporter Alicia LeGrand’s story: http://newstrib.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=29&ArticleID=26133

Alicia LeGrand can be reached at (815) 220-6931 or svreporter@newstrib.com.

The post Raptors Delight Visitors at Starved Rock appeared first on Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center.