2022 Day Trips
Live From the Barn...It's the 70's
 Sunday, April 3, 2022
LIVE FROM THE BARN...IT'S THE 70'S! - THE BARN III, GOODFIELD, IL
THE BARN IS BACK! Since 1975, the Conklin’s Barn (later known as the Barn II) has been hosting generations of theatergoers. In August 2015, the building was hit by a storm and destroyed. Although the old barn could not be salvaged, many pieces of the original barn have been repurposed and can be seen within the new Barn III building. The new barn is built on the same footprint as the old Barn II, but is slightly larger. It has the same look and feel of the old barn with many new, modern amenities. The new building returns with all of the Barn II players back in action, ready to perform for visitors!
Our show takes us back to the 70’s where Johnny Carson was king of late night and Carol Burnett was queen of variety television! This was the decade where SNL was born and Donny and Marie Osmond were EVERYWHERE! We will join the Barn crew on an all-new comic and musical journey and experience their take on wacky variety shows, goofy game show moments and the breezy tunes of the AM Gold...and they won’t forget all those unforgettable sitcom theme songs!
Before the show we will enjoy a delicious lunch full of the Barn’s traditional favorites. A full service cash bar is also available. Take a step back in time with the Vista Club as we enjoy Live From the Barn…It’s the 70’s!
Cost: $70 Per person
Fee includes: Performance, lunch, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Depart Rochelle Petro at 9:00 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 9:40 a.m., LaSalle Flying J at 10:00 a.m. We will depart for home from the Barn at approximately 3:30 p.m., returning to LaSalle at approximately 4:40 p.m., Mendota at 5:00 p.m. and Rochelle at 5:40 p.m.
BARN III COVID 19 PROTOCOLS - We do ask that patrons wear a mask at all times when not actively eating and drinking.
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How to Detect and Prevent Fraud Seminar
 Thursday, April 7, 2022
HOW TO DETECT AND PREVENT FRAUD SEMINAR
Seniors in our country are scammed out of nearly $3 billion a year. This is a growing trend and scams are becoming more elaborate and difficult to detect. Join Vista Club as we partner with Mendota Area Senior Services to present an educational seminar on how to detect scams, avoid fraud and how to report fraud attempts. First State Bank, Mendota Area Senior Services and the Mendota Police Department will all participate, providing real life examples of fraud scenarios encountered in their respective professions, and what to do if you feel like you are a victim of fraud.
Cost: Free
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mendota Area Senior Services/1901 Tom Merwin Drive/Mendota, IL 61342
RSVP: No later than Monday, March 28, 2022
Behind the Scenes at Camp Aramoni
 Monday, May 16, 2022
BEHIND THE SCENES AT CAMP ARAMONI - TONICA, IL
Join Vista Club for an exclusive drive yourself event at Camp Aramoni (pronounced air-uh-MOE-knee), a new boutique campground and event venue that's redefining travel in the Midwest … all while being located right around the corner! Located in the old Ristokrat Brickyard (1870-1981), this unique location was left to deteriorate. In 2017, husband and wife team Tim and Jennifer Bias discovered the abandoned property and restored the remaining structures.
Arriving at Camp Aramoni, we begin our day at the historical event space of Bricks and Stones. The original architecture of this 150-year-old building has been preserved through extensive renovations and now serves as a stunning venue for weddings, corporate retreats and large outdoor functions. The owner of the property will greet us and give us a historical overview of our surroundings.
 Next, we will enjoy a lunch prepared by renowned Chef, Cleetus Friedman. Cleetus started his career in food and beverage when he was just 14 and continued to work his way through the industry. Chef Cleetus developed what would become the yardstick of farm to table dining, The City Provisions Farm Dinner Series. That series was rated "Best Farm Dinner" by ABC and CBS Chicago. During his career, Cleetus has been the Executive Chef at Fountain Head, The Bar on Buena and Fountainhead Market. He worked on the kitchen design and menu of the Northman and oversaw the design and construction of the $7 M Theater on the Lake. The Local Beet "Restaurant of the Year", Chicago Magazine’s "Best Brunch" and ChiTown on Tap’s "Food Industry Professional Doing Most for Craft Beer" are a few of the many accolades Cleetus has received. Other accomplishments include the development of "Crafted by Cleetus", his line of retail food products including an award winning Bloody Mary mix and Bloody Mary Popcorn. In 2018 Cleetus started Authors on the Lake and evolved into Food, Booze and Tunes, a live interview show that hosted guests such as Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, Bill Kim, Greg Koch, Lars Ulrich, Josh Noel, Ina Pinkney and Peter Sagal.
Following lunch, we will receive a tour of the property from the site’s General Manager. In addition to being a beautiful location for weddings and events, this camp also serves as a luxury campground, the first of its kind in Illinois. The 96-acre property offers fully immersive experiences including lavish safari-style tents, all inclusive meals and on-site activities in the lush forests along the Vermillion River.
We will then return to Bricks and Stones for a completely customized small plate cooking demonstration and wine pairing by Chef Cleetus. We have given Chef full creative freedom to cook whatever he would like to, and we are sure he will get his creative juices flowing!
Join us for this truly unique, one of a kind experience at an amazing hidden gem location right in our own backyard!
Cost: $125 Per person (a minimum of 30 participants required for event)
Time: 11:00-11:15 Arrive at the meeting location of Camp Aramoni, Bricks and Stones Event Space, 809 N. 2199 Road, Tonica, IL
Fee Includes: Lunch, tour, cooking demonstration with wine pairing and sampling, all associated taxes and tips. Transportation is NOT included.
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS: Camp Aramoni follows the current CDC guidelines
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Steel Magnolias
 Wednesday, June 15, 2022
STEEL MAGNOLIAS - DRURY LANE THEATRE
Steel Magnolias follows six women over the course of three years as they face life’s challenges together and find comfort in one another. Embracing both laughter and tears, this story celebrates the power of female friendship.
In Chinquapin, Louisiana, Truvy’s salon is the go-to place for a beauty fix with a hearty side of gossip. Along with her overeager assistant Annelle, Truvy pampers her small-town clients with hairdos, manicures and all kinds of unsolicited ad-vice. Anybody who’s anybody is a regular there. There’s the doting M’Lynn and her soon-to-be-married daughter Shelby, the moody Ouiser and the well-to-do widow Clairee. Through witty banter and wisecracks, this hodgepodge group of women form friendships as strong as steel, which they are forced to lean on when tragedy strikes. This funny, marvelously amiable, and truly touching play is America at its best…and all at the corner hair salon!
The included lunch prior to the show will consist of a freshly baked bread, mixed green salad, your choice of Mahi Mahi, Grilled Chicken Breast or Vegetable Linguine Pomodoro, and a mixed berry sheet pie for des-sert. The main course will also include the chef’s choice of accompaniments. Please be ready to make your meal selection when you call to register for the trip.
Join us for this heartwarming show about the power of friendship!
Cost: $95 Per person
Fee includes: Performance, lunch, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Depart LaSalle Flying J at 9:00 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 9:20 a.m., Rochelle Petro at 10:00 a.m. Return to Rochelle at approximately 5:00 p.m., Mendota at 5:40 p.m. and LaSalle at 6:00 p.m.
DRURY LANE COVID 19 PROTOCOLS - To ensure the safety and to uphold the individualized care of all our guests, we adhere to the mandates by the CDC and State of Illinois. Face coverings are required for every guest age two or older when inside Drury Lane facilities. Face coverings are to be worn over the nose and mouth. They may be removed temporarily while seated and dining in Lucille or enjoying a drink in The Lounge. All Drury Lane Productions employees are required to be fully vaccinated, and we regularly test our artists and staff to ensure their safety and yours. Our facility is cleaned and sanitized on a regular schedule following CDC guidelines to assure a safe, clean environment for all.
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What Happens in Vegas
 Wednesday, July 13, 2022
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS - FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE
For over 70 years Las Vegas has been the entertainment capital of the world. Just about every great entertainer has appeared in Las Vegas over the last seven decades. The world’s best singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians have flocked to this city where dreams become reality. Now The Fireside will pay tribute to many of those legendary performers in an all new live band show featuring Steve Watts and the celebrated Fireside Band. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Barry Manilow, Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Bette Midler, Cher, Olivia Newton John, Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, and Lady Gaga are just a few of the great stars who have dazzled audiences in Las Vegas showrooms. The Fireside will feature the work of some of these great artists and many others in the most spectacular band show yet.
Of course, the other great features of the Fireside are their wonderful gift shops and fantastic meals! There will be time to browse the shops, pick up a few items at the bakery and enjoy a delicious lunch before the show.
What happens in Vegas won’t stay in Vegas. It will be here for all to see on the stage of The Fireside Theatre! WAIT LIST ONLY.
Cost: $100 Per person
Fee includes: Performance, lunch, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Depart LaSalle Flying J at 8:00 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 8:20 a.m., Rochelle Petro at 9:00 a.m. We will depart for home from the theatre at approximately 4:20 p.m., returning to Rochelle at approximately 5:35 p.m., Mendota at 6:15 p.m. and LaSalle at 6:35 p.m.
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Clue - The Musical
 Wednesday, October 5, 2022
CLUE - THE MUSICAL - CIRCA 21
We begin our day by visiting the Chocolate Manor, a family owned chocolate shop located in the Quad Cities, where they have been making hand crafted artisan chocolates and treats for over 20 years. We will enjoy sampling choc-olates, learning about the history of the Chocolate Manor and a little bit of the history of chocolate itself. Then we will head back to the kitchen where the chocolatiers will show you how they create one of their confections.
Next, it’s on to Circa-21. A sumptuous plated lunch will be served in the beau-tifully restored 1920’s theatre (on the National Register of Historic Places). Your wait staff — the Bootleggers — will perform a pre-show musical revue, and then watch as the stage comes alive with the magic of professional theater by performers from across the nation. You can also choose to have your delicious dessert served after lunch or during intermission!
Following lunch, it’s time for Clue—the internationally popular game is now a fun-filled musical that brings the world’s best-known suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room, and with what weapon. The audience will receive forms to help them deduce the solution from clues given through-out the fun-filled show. Three audience members choose from cards representing the potential murderers, weapons, and rooms; there are 216 possible solutions! Only one hard-nosed female detective is qualified to unravel the merry mayhem. Comic antics, witty lyrics, and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room. Even after the culprit confesses, a surprise twist delights the audience.
Join Vista Club as we solve the mystery and enjoy an afternoon with friends!
Cost: $100 Per person
Fee includes: Performance, chocolate tour, lunch, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Depart LaSalle Flying J at 7:30 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 7:50 a.m., Rochelle Petro at 8:30 a.m. Return to Rochelle at approximately 5:10 p.m., Mendota at 5:50 p.m. and LaSalle at 6:10 p.m.
CIRCA 21 COVID PROTOCOLS - We are following the mask mandate from the state of Illinois which requires that everyone wear masks when indoors except for when at your dining table.
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It's Fall, Ya'll! (Spirit of Peoria Cruise)
 Thursday, October 20, 2022
IT'S FALL, YA'LL! - PEORIA, IL
Join Vista Club as we enjoy the splendor of the fall season! Sit back and relax while the Spirit of Peoria cruises between river valley bluffs brimming with fall color. The 2 hour cruise will feature a hot lunch buffet, live entertainment and the best view of Illinois’ fall colors. The Spirit was built in 1988 and is a true paddleboat, actually using its paddlewheel for propulsion, unlike some modern riverboats with purely cosmetic wheels.
Next, we will make a stop at J Draper Glass for a narrated glass blowing demonstration. The team of J Draper will take us on a journey and share their passion for this hot molten medium as they skillfully pull blobs of glowing glass from a furnace of 2150 degrees, then shape it into vases, bowls or sculptures. The glass blowing technique was discovered by the Romans around 50 BC and many techniques and tools used by glassmakers today are thousands of years old. Watching this ancient skill, you will gain an appreciation for the hot glass medium.
Finally, we will make a stop at Cunningham Candies to view the staff dipping caramel apples, one of their trademark confections. Cunningham’s traces its roots back to 1915, when two Greek candy makers immigrated to Minonk, Illinois. They brought their old-world recipes with them and quickly became the area’s premier chocolate confectioner. They continue to use their original recipes and traditional, “hands-on” processes to craft the finest and freshest confections available today. In the tradition of its artisan founders, Cunningham’s Candies is unique among today’s candy makers because they refuse to use additives and preservatives. You will definitely want to pick up a few items to enjoy on the way home!
Spend the day with your Vista Club friends, enjoying all things fall!
Cost: $100 Per person
Fee includes: Lunch cruise, glass blowing demonstration, transportation, taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Rochelle Petro at 7:50 a.m., Mendota Civic Center at 8:30 a.m., LaSalle Flying J at 9:00 a.m. Return to LaSalle at approximately 5:10 p.m., Mendota at 5:40 p.m., Rochelle at 6:20 p.m.
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