PEORIA MAGAZINE December 2022

Mayor Daniel Aussem stands near the mural “Day of the Great Debate”

One of the many murals on display downtown Ottawa is “Revolution” by artist John Pugh

“When I got elected, I said I wanted to domore things that are kid-friendly and free,” said Aussem. The Kites in Flight Fest, which Aussem helped launch two years ago, is an example. A $4 MILLION GRANT IS EARMARKED FOR NEW FESTIVAL AND CONCERT VENUES ON THE RIVERFRONT One of the most recent additions to the riverfront is the St. Genevieve, a newly renovated and outf itted sternwheel riverboat that began offering sightseeing tours this fall. Partners Gentry Nordstrom and Nathan Weiss — both Ottawa natives and business owners — purchased the 60-year-old, 149-passenger vessel last fall in Cincinnati and brought it home for extensive remodeling. They’re offering weekday and weekend cruises and expect to continue shore-side events through the winter. “We are extremely proud of our hometown and think we have the best riverfront,” said Nordstrom. Not far from the boat landing is the former site of Central Middle School, which was moved to higher ground on the south side of the river. The property is about to get a new $26 million YMCA, bringing even more people and recreation options to the riverfront. Jeff Hettrick, executive director of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, said his organization has expanded

its mandate to promote festivals and local events. Some ask: How does that help our businesses? “When someone comes to town, say to interview for a job, and they see something is happening in town all the time, they say, ‘This is a nice town,’” said Hettrick. “Of course, visitors and new residents bring dollars to spend and support the local economy. That’s good for everyone.” TAKING CARE OF TOURISTS OldTownOttawa iswherevisitorsfind locally owned coffee houses and dining options from sushi and fresh seafood to gourmet burgers, ethnic favorites, pub fare, family-friendly menus, pizza and more — not a national chain in sight. Within a few easily walkable blocks are boutiques and gift shops, art galleries and public art, the Roxy Cinemas, the homegrown Tangled Roots Brewery and Lone Buffalo restaurant, and a bar where you can have “dynamite drinks” with the fishes. Meanwhile, visitors may choose to plummet from the sky at Skydive Chicago northeast of town. For the more earthbound, there are public parks, river walks, and more than 250 acres of open prairie, woodlands and rugged ravines at the Dayton Bluffs Preserve just off Route 71. Some came to Ottawa as tourists and decided to stay. Take Hank and Caroline

Wolf, the owners of Heartland By Hand, for example. In 2010, they built a second home at Heritage Harbor, a nearby resort community and marina on the Illinois River, to occasionally escape their permanent home in Orland Park.

Hank and Caroline Wolf in their gift and framing shop Heartland By Hand

Later, retirement sent them looking for a place where they could “do something we enjoy and I could work with my hands,” said Hank. After four years of planning and renovat ion, Hear t land By Hand opened in May 2021. The unique gift and framing shop is housed in the former Sherer and Gleim Flour and Feed (1903) building on Main Street. The couple and their dog, Lincoln, are now permanent residents. “People here in Ottawa look you in the eye and say ‘hi’,” Hank observed. “Everything here is authentic, including the history … and they invite you to become a part of it.”

DECEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 77