Program takes a look at the design behind “Downton Abbey”

If you found yourself captivated by the style of the TV series Downton Abbey or you just enjoy architecture, a program at the La Salle Public Library could be for you.

“The Making of Downton Abbey” Setting the Scene” is the topic at 6pm Tuesday.  Learn about the landscape designers, land ownership patterns, and inheritance laws that produced great estates like Downton, and why radical changes were inevitable.

The program is presented by landscape historian Barbara Geiger.  It’s free.

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Motorcycle run planned for Ottawa Sunday

A motorcycle run Sunday in Ottawa will raise money for Harding Grade School.  The First Annual Paul Miller Memorial Run starts at Muffy’s on West Madison in Ottawa at 11am Sunday.  Registration starts at 9:30am.

It’s $15 per person, $20 a couple and $5 for children.  Proceeds will be split between Hardring Grade School, The Paul Miller Scholarship at Serena High School and St. Baldricks and Operation Claus.

Delays expected for Route 23 Monday morning

If Route 23 north of Ottawa is part of your regular drive you may want to take a different way Monday morning.

Traffic will be stopped for up to 15 minutes at a time while crews install bridge beams about three miles north of Ottawa.  Nine beams need to be placed and every time a beam is brought in the road has to be cleared.

The closures will begin at 7am and should be completed by 12pm.

Festivals continue through the weekend

Want to get the kids out of the house?  That shouldn’t be a problem.  Activities continue in Henry with the Marshall-Putnam Fair.  The tractor pulls are at 5pm and the Cody Calkins Band plays at 9pm.

Summerfest is going on in Ladd.  The food stands and beer garden open at 4pm.  There’s a talent show from 6:30-8pm and music by Slow Tuesday.

Wyanet’s summer fest continues with a handyman auction, queen pageant, charity Texas Hold’em tournament, live music, and a newlywed game.

Kid Rock brings record crowd to Peru

His name is Kid Rock and he brought in the biggest audience ever to Lou’s La Grotto’s “Concerts for a Cause”.  An estimated crowd of around 10,000 packed the Illinois Valley Regional Airport Friday night to see the Detroit rap-rocker.

Rock opened the show just before 9 after opening act Dirty Guv’nahs decided not to play with questionable weather.  About a half hour into his set, Rock played one of his biggest hits in “Cowboy”.  He also played hits like “Picture” and “Bawitdaba” before his encore of “All Summer Long”, “Only God Know’s Why” and “Born Free”.  A big American flag dropped before “Born Free” much to the excitement of the crowd.

During the middle of the hour and 40 minute show, Kid Rock said while he was still trying to figure out where on the map he was, he would like to come back again.