This year’s tour will be a nostalgic return to Dan Herman’s first Secrets Tour from August 2006 (with minor revisions). Dan has been good enough to guide us through our attempt to repeat one of the best-loved tours.

We will start with the traditional fish fry on Friday night in Pearl City. The Yellow Creek Inn has changed owners and changed the name to Route 73 Brew and Chew. Dinner reservations have been made for 7:00 P.M.

The route will once again return us to the infamous Poopie’s in Savanna, IL for lunch on Saturday where one can be tattooed, pierced and served up a burger all in one convenient stop. Besides the main purpose for the tour, which is the drive, breathtaking vistas, exciting, winding, and hilly roads, the stops on the itinerary this year will include a new distillery, Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.Galena Cellars Winery. Saturday night dinner will bring us to The Rafters Restaurant in Lena for good food and an interesting history. They share the parking lot with the Lena Brewery. A possible stop for a quick tour and tasting at the brewery before dinner is in negotiation. The official driving tour will end on Saturday evening in Lena after dinner.

For those who stay over to Sunday, there will be a list of attractions to visit in the area on your own or form a group to tour with you. A block of 25 rooms are being held at the Country Inn & Suites in Stockton, IL for both Friday and Saturday nights. The rate is $85.50 per night plus tax. Call the hotel directly at 815-947-6060 and mention the Chicagoland MG Club. Alternate hotels in the area will be provided in the event all 25 rooms are filled. E-mail Ray Hansen (ray@bhsuhr.com) to let him know that you plan to participate in this year’s tour and to answer any questions. We need an accurate count for restaurants, tours and route copies. Come and see what made the Secrets of Jo Daviess County Tour one of the highlights of the driving season since 2006.

Hope to see you there, Ray Hansen, Dan Kerkman, and Dan Herman, Consultant

~~Ray Hansen & Dan Kerkman

Midget, and even some “T”-type stuff. We have engine parts and blocks, transmissions, brightwork, axles, suspension stuff, glass, etc. A few MGA body parts.

  Club members are invited to inspect the parts and make a “silent auction” bid on items of interest. Remember our motto: “no bid is too low”. After all, we just want to see this stuff go to someone who can use it rather than put it in the dumpster.

  The club parts locker is located at Thompson’s Grand Rental Station, 21W550 North Ave, Lombard Il 60148. This is about ½ mile west of the I-355 ramp at North Ave (Rt 64); it is on the north side of the street and is sometimes not easy to see. The club has unit D-5, and the start time will be announced when we get closer to the date.

~~Jim Evans