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Welcome to

The DeSoto Dispatch

January, 2024

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 & February 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 February 29, 2024

Midweek Breakfast Package

Sunday - Thursday

One-night stay

Breakfast for two

$134.00

Courtyard Restaurant Breakfast Menu

Subject to availability

Prices good through February 29, 2024

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 February 29, 2024

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 February 29, 2024

Best Available Rate

One-night stay

Starting at $99.00

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!

Upcoming Events:

Scenic Art Loop's Monthly Art Drive

Friday, January 5, 2024 - Sunday, January 7, 2024

(See downloadable map below for specific times)

Various Artist Galleries

Galena, IL 61036

Drive the hills and valleys of the Driftless Region’s most scenic counties. Take a laid back self-guided tour experiencing art from inception to fulfillment.

Visit talented artists’ in their studios & galleries, while enjoying artisan libations such as food, wine craft brews, and spirits, and discover the region’s hidden talent. Interact and enjoy with unique individuals along your personal tour.

Each month our artists come together to host the Scenic Art Loop by ARRT’s Monthly Art Drive.

Join us on the first full weekend of each month for a new experience. A new map is created monthly to ensure artists’ availability.

For a downloadable map and more information click here.

~~~

Beginners Wood Burning Class - Hanging Owl

Saturday, January 6, 2024

12:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Galena Center for the Arts

971 Gear Street

Galena, IL 61036

This beginner’s 3.5 hour wood-burning class will teach the basics of wood burning. No experience needed.

The instructor will provide everything needed to complete the project: the rough out of the 8” owl, and use of a detailer wood burner with 3 different interchangeable tips.

You will leave with this adorable 7-inch hanging owl for yourself or someone you love.

Class size is limited.

For more information, other classes and to register click here.

~~~

Bonfire on the Bluff

Saturday, January 20, 2024

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve

870 S Pilot Knob Road

Galena , IL 61036

In partnership with the Casper Creek Natural Cemetery, JDCF will be hosting an illuminating experience at Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve in Galena, IL.

Come get warm by the bonfires and experience a magical winter wonderland as luminaria lanterns light up the night overlooking the Mississippi River and through the natural cemetery.

Free (donations gladly accepted) and RSVPs not needed.

Back-up date for inclement weather is January 27, 2024.

For more information click here.

~~~

Chocolate Lovers Stroll

Saturday, February 10, 2024

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Historic Main Street

Galena, IL 61036

Enjoy chocolate treats of all sorts all while strolling Galena's half mile long historic Main Street loaded with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.

Tickets are needed.

Your ticket will include a punch card good for 10 treats (mix and match as you like between the chocolate treat options).

Tickets are $30.

Tickets always sell out 1-2 weeks prior so don't delay!

All ticket holders must check in between 11:00 AM -1:00 PM at Galena Cellars at 111 North Main Street to get your punch card.

Enjoy the stroll!

For more information and tickets click here.

~~~

The Haunted Galena Conference

Friday, April 19, 2024 - Saturday, April 20, 2024

Haunted Galena Tour Company

304 S. Main St., Galena, IL 61036

Join us in one of the oldest and most haunted small towns in the Midwest, for our third annual Haunted Galena Conference!

The conference is held at the historic DeSoto House Hotel.

Embrace the darkness with us...

The Haunted Galena Conference features speakers and workshops on hauntings, dark history, ghosts, mediumship, and various aspects of the paranormal

You will also get to experience specialty exhibitors and vendors.

There are also optional special after hours events (additional registration required), including paranormal investigations with regional research group Transcendent Paranormal Society.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.