5 things to do in the Illinois Valley: Gospel, history and shopping highlight activities

1 - Listen to some Southern Gospel music Friday in Ottawa. Karen Peck & New River is scheduled to perform 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Heritage Christian Center, 900 Hitt St., Ottawa. Karen Peck Gooch, the lead singer for Karen Peck & New River, is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The group has earned six Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. The group has produced several radio hits on the Southern Gospel Music charts, including 19 No. 1 hits. For information about the event, call HCC at 815-434-0507 or email hcc900hitt@gmail.com

2 - Shop for a cause this weekend at the Peru Mall. The Cops 4 Cancer UNFI (formerly Advantage Logistics) Truckload Sale is scheduled for March 26 and 27 at the former JC Penney store inside the mall. Saturday’s sale is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday is set 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hair care, kitchen, baby, storage, hygiene, grills, vitamins, home, bath and body, face masks, dinnerware, smokers, gym equipment, air conditioners, trampolines, swimming pools, drones, microwaves, essential oils, diffusers, among other products will be sold. Proceeds will benefit Cops 4 Cancer. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/610591990157906/ for more information.

3 - Taste some wine and beer Saturday at Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton. The Bureau County United Way will host its annual beer and wine tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Barn at the gardens. Cost is $25 per ticket and includes six tastings, appetizers sponsored by Park Tavern, Tony’s Butt Shack, Sullivans Foods, L & M Sweets, Cafe Grace, HyVee & Apollo Theaters; live music by 7 Miles South and a silent auction supported by local businesses.

4 - Take in some history Sunday in Mendota. A new exhibit for 2022 at Hume-Carnegie Museum in Mendota will feature the history of Black Bros. Company. Representatives of Black Bros. Co., Evan Carroll and Megan Kneebone, will be in attendance at an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at Hume-Carnegie Museum, 901 Washington St. Museum hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment by calling 815-539-3373.

5 - Get crafty Saturday in Marseilles. The Marseilles Spring Craft Show is set 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marseilles Lions Club, 511 Commercial St. The Lions Club will offer food for sale. Music will be performed by Steve Porter from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters, such as spiritual jewelry and suncatchers , tie dye clothing, beaded pinktopia, home baked goods and cookies, Homemade Jams and salsas, garden bling, glass and mosaic items, wooden porch pals, gnomes, wood burning, crochet items, home décor, Build A Zoo, soaps, scents and hair bows are among the products available.

Would you like your event featured in this weekly feature? The first step is submitting your events to The Times, NewsTribune or Bureau County Republican’s community calendar at starvedrockcountry.com/local-events/ where they are then considered for inclusion in this feature.