top Oregon, Illinois  -  Have You Discovered Us Yet?
Issue One
May 2010
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Discover Oregon
Blackhawk....the "Eternal Indian"
Shop, Dine and Stay
Upcoming Events

Fri. May 7th  -  Firefighter's Spaghetti Dinner.  4 - 7pm at the Firestation

Sat. May 8th  -  Flower & Plant Sale sponsored by the Oregon Park District.  8am to 1pm on the lawn at the Nash Recreation Center

Sat. May 8th - 2010 Spring Wine Festival at Pinecrest Grove, Mt. Morris.
5 - 9pm

Saturdays  - June -Sept.
Oregon Park District's  Farmer's Market  -  8:30 - 12:00 noon on the Oregon Coliseum Lawn

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Nature Discovery Walks, sponsored by the Oregon Park District.  On the following Saturdays, beginning at 9am.  Call 815-732-3101 for more information.

May 15th  -  Pine Rock & Beech Cemetary -  "Hidden Wildflowers"

June 19th - Castle Rock State Park - "Prarie Flowers & Plants"

July 17th - Castle Rock State Park - "St. Peter's Sandstone"

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June 19th - 27th
The Fields Project Week

June 26th - MIX IT UP - First annual sidewalk painting event at Mix Park

June 27th - FINE ARTS & CRAFT SHOW

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July 16-18  -  Oregon Trail Days - celebrating Oregon's Native American and Western Heritage

Quick Links...

Chamber of Commerce

Oregon Park District

The Fields Project

Oregon According To Wikipedia

Our Hometown - WIFR

Oregon School District #220

Conover Square Shopping Mall
Watch Us On YouTube

Oregon Tourism Commercial
Join Our Mailing List
Come and Visit !!   Nestled in the scenic Rock River Valley, surrounded by three state parks and a state forest, with unlimited recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities, Oregon is a great place to put on your map.  We look forward to seeing you and getting to know you in the coming months!
Discover Oregon
Oregon Airplane ViewThe constant of recreational opportunities and the legacy of art.......just two of the many reasons to make the trip to Oregon. 

Travel 90 miles west of Chicago on North Avenue (Hwy. 64), 80 miles north east of the Quad Cities 50 miles south of the Wisconsin border or 80 miles east of Dubuque, Iowa, and you enter the serenity of the Rock River Valley and Oregon, Illinois.

Surrounded by Lowden State Park  to the east, Castle Rock State Park to the south and White Pines State Park to the west, and with the Rock River running through town, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Fishing, camping, boating, hiking, hunting and bird watching are just a few of the activities available.

If you enjoy art, join us in June for the Fields Project , follow the Sculpture Trail, or explore the history of the Eagles Nest Art Colony and famous sculptor Lorado Taft.

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Blackhawk.....the "Eternal Indian"
Blackhawk Statue
One of the most picturesque sites along the Rock River is just north of Oregon, where the bluffs are graced with the majestic image of an American Indian gazing over the Rock River Valley.  A tribute to Native Americans, but more closely associated with Chief Black Hawk of the Sac and Fox tribe, the statue was designed and completed in 1911 by sculptor Lorado Taft.

The 48 foot statue suggests a spirit that is unconquered while still representing a conquered race.  Resting 125 feet above the Rock River, "Black Hawk" stands as a proud sentry welcoming visitors to Oregon.  The statue stands on a 6 foot base, weighs 536,770 lbs., and it is said to be the second-tallest monolithic concrete statue in the world.

The statue is located in Lowden State Park.  Legend has it that Chief Black Hawk, as he left the area after the Black Hawk War, talked of the beauty of the area and admonished his captors to care for the land as he and his people had.  Lowden State Park was established not only to care for the land but to allow visitors to share in the beauty as well.

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Shop, Dine and Stay
Pinehill InnThe Historic Pinehill Inn Bed & Breakfast  is the Rock River Valley's most elegant B&B. Graceful, romantic and elegant, the highly rated Pinehill Inn beckons you with the feeling that you are stepping back in time...,.combining modern amenities with historic charm. From the first floor suite with twin beds to the lavish Somerset Room with its king-size, four-poster bed and double whirlpool tub, Pinehill Inn has everything to make your stay memorable. Amenities include cable TV, wireless internet, 7 Marble Fireplaces and much more. You can find Pinehill at 400 Mix Street....call Toll Free at 800-851-0131.

Looking for a place to get a great cup of coffee? Located in Conover Square, 201 N. 3rd Street, Conover Coffees & Chocolates, Oregon's finest coffee house, is celebrating 5 years of coffee. You can choose from 37 locally roasted gourmet coffees, hot, iced and blended coffee beverages, fruit smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, scones, muffins and much more. Lunch and dinner menus include delicious sandwiches, salads, soups and wraps. And, don't forget to try some of their decadent chocolates! They are open 7 days a week, 7 - 5:30 weekdays, 8:30 - 5:30 Sat. and noon to 5 on Sun.

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This email is presented to you by Forward Oregon, which is a volunteer organization in Oregon, Illinois dedicated to promoting the benefits of living, working, playing in and visiting our great community.

Please share this newsletter with your friends. Our website is currently under re-construction, but will be up again shortly. In addition we will soon have a Facebook page.  We will let you know when it is up and running.....we want you to be one of our Friends!

The Forward Oregon Team