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Welcome to

The DeSoto Dispatch

January, 2023

from

The DeSoto House Hotel

"Illinois' Oldest Operating Hotel"

Since 1855

Come and stay at the DeSoto House Hotel and enjoy the beauty of winter in Galena!

~ Check out our Midweek Packages ~

January Packages:

Midweek Dinner Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

$50.00 Dinner coupon

$159.00

Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through March 30, 2023

Midweek Breakfast Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$134.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through March 30, 2023

Midweek Breakfast & Dinner Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$50.00 Dinner coupon

$174.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Generals' Restaurant Dinner Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through March 30, 2023

History Museum Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

Tickets to the Galena Grant History Museum

$159.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through March 30, 2023

Best Available Rate

One-night stay

Starting at $89.00

Subject to availability

Everyone loves a cocktail or two...

Stay with us Sundays through Thursdays and enjoy a complimentary cocktail from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in one of our fabulous restaurants.

Then join us for dinner!

In addition to browsing through Galena’s 19th-century downtown with more than 100

storefronts, here are some other ways to enjoy our beautiful area:

The Galena River Trail offers 8.0 miles (one way) of scenic hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Galena River Trail

Enjoy scenic outlooks with views across three states at the Horseshoe Mound Preserve.

Horseshoe Mound Preserve

Enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River from Casper Bluff Land and Water Preserve.

Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve

Be sure to visit the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation website for a list of more places to see under the "Visit Our Preserves" tab.

Other great places to visit in addition to our local historic attractions and museums are:

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

The Shenandoah Riding Center

Dubuque Symphony Orchestra

Dubuque Museum of Art

Diamond Jo Casino

Upcoming Events:

Silver Saddles Horse Encounter

Saturday, January 7, 2023

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Saturday, February 25, 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Shenandoah Riding Center

200 N. Brodrecht Road

Galena, IL 61036

Silver Saddles is an interactive horse experience for individuals ages 55+.

The program contains many elements to allow a relaxing bonding experience between the horses and the seniors.

Seniors are invited to brush the horses, groom them, feed them treats, and lead them around the property!

For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Galena LitFest: Creative Nonfiction Workshop

Saturday, January 21, 2023

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Galena Center for the Arts

971 Gear Street

Galena, IL 61036

Stormy Stipe will work with participants to teach them what creative nonfiction is and how and why the personal essay is one form of that (as is the memoir), and introduce them to the epistolary personal essay (an essay written in the form of a letter) and will also work with participants on broaching difficult topics, ones that challenge us and maybe even frighten us a little, like racial bias.

Stormy Stipe, Ph.D. (she/her) holds a doctorate from the Creative Writing Program at the University of Houston and a Master of Fine Arts from the Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches creative writing and literature at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

For more information click here.

~~~

Open Hike Night - a Free Luminaria Walk at Casper Bluff & Casper Creek

Saturday, January 21, 2023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve

870 S. Pilot Knob Road

Galena, IL 61036

JDCF invites the public to an open hike night at Casper Bluff.

Bring the entire family for a chance to experience the preserve and the adjacent Casper Creek Natural Cemetery after dark.

Luminarias will light the trails leading to the Thunderbird effigy mound, the Galena Rotary Pavilion, and through the natural cemetery.

There will also be several communal bonfires burning to keep you warm.

RSVPs are not needed and you are free to arrive and depart at any time during the event.

There is no fee to attend but donations are gladly accepted.

This event is co-hosted by the Casper Creek Natural Cemetery.

For more information and to register click here.

~~~

Horse Play at Shenandoah Riding Center

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Sunday, May 28, 2023

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Shenandoah Riding Center

200 N. Brodrecht Road

Galena, IL 61036

What do horses eat? Do they need special diets or vitamins? What do we do if a horse needs to see the vet? These are just a few examples of things we will discuss during your visit.

Come and join us and get a glimpse into what Shenandoah Riding Center is all about.

This is a perfect experience for families or groups that have kids too young for our trail rides. This is also a great choice for those who want to interact with horses without having to get into the saddle or ride in an outdoor environment.

Over the course of your visit, we will engage in several different horse-related activities, and meet with many horses both big and small. We will groom, tack, and lead the horses around the property.

Our horses absolutely love attention and are a great way to interact with equines for younger or more apprehensive humans.

We will also tour our barn and meet with whoever may be inside that day while learning about the functioning of the farm and what it takes to care for these amazing animals.

For more information and to register click here.

~~~