Now that the Old Roads Tour has wrapped up, Monroe St Press is focusing on our next projects and exploring some ideas for the future.... first a recap of our later tour stops.
Toulon
The Old Roads Tour came to West Main Coffee and Books in Toulon, Illinois, on June 6. John had the opportunity to read excerpts from Last Ride On
the Galena Coach Road and Other Tales and from Iron & Ashes: An Epic
Poem in the Homeric Tongue in Three Acts. We had very engaging conversations about writing, small town life
and many other topics with our host, Payton Schott (left) and guests, including Mary (center), who purchased a copy of Last Ride.
Princeville
On June 20 we visited The Vine Coffeehouse and Bakery in Princeville, Illinois. Since this is John's hometown, this was an especially meaningful event. Those who came shared stories, memories, laughter, and a few readings from Last Ride, Iron & Ashes, and recent essays.
One
of the great joys of the day was reconnecting with old classmates,
welcoming one of John's brothers into the gathering, and discovering once
again how deeply the places of our youth continue to shape us. We also stayed in the nearby village of Monica and won half a hog as a raffle prize!
Days like this remind us that books are more
than pages—they are bridges back to people, places, and moments that
still matter.
Bradford
Our next stop was at the Bradford Public Library in Bradford, Illinois on July 9. This event was one of those those reminders that success isn't always measured by the size of the crowd. Wonderful people joined us, and together we spent a delightful afternoon talking about old roads, local history, storytelling, and the places that shape our lives. The conversations were thoughtful, lively, and exactly the sort of exchange an author hopes for.
We were also made to feel incredibly welcome by the library staff, including library director Sarah Boehm (right) and her assistant Kate (left) who greeted us with such kindness and hospitality. They had refreshments waiting for everyone, creating an atmosphere that felt more like gathering with old friends than attending a formal event. Libraries like Bradford's are true community treasures, keeping alive our shared love of books, history, and conversation.
We also visited libraries, bookstores, and businesses in Henry, Princeton, Ohio, Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls, and Walnut, and stayed overnight at the Hungry World Farm (formerly Plow Creek) near Tiskilwa. Along the way we met welcoming folks, sampled great food, discovered fascinating aspects of local history, and enjoyed the natural beauty of the Bureau Valley region.
Thank you to everyone who came, listened, asked questions, and shared their own stories. Those conversations are every bit as memorable as signing books. We left Bradford grateful for your warm welcome and looking forward to the next stop down the road.
Walnut
Our final book signing stop was at Avanti Foods in Walnut, Illinois, on July 31. Many people from the area remember this venue as a cheese factory that hosted tours and field trips. Although the facility no longer produces its own cheese, it is still a well known destination and our host (Jeri Zueger) and visitors shared their memories and history of the area.
Our trip also included stops in Rock Falls, Sterling, and Wyanet, which have their own historic and cultural points of interest, local landmarks and celebrations, some of which are noted in the collage at the end of this post.
The Rail Splitter
There was also another unexpected stop along the way -- The Rail Splitter tavern and restaurant in Mossville, Illinois. We stopped here on three separate occasions during the Old Roads Tour, not for a book signing but to take a break from traveling in heavy rain.
On our last stop, drying off over coffee, we laughingly explained the three stops to our server, Tara, and enjoyed a warm chat over John's memories of the place.
When we got home, John did a little historical research on the location. As it turns out that exact location at 10307 N. State St. in Mossville has a long history of feeding and providing shelter to weary travelers along the Galena Trail & Coach Road stretching back nearly 200 years!
In honor of The Rail Splitter and its Old Galena Trail heritage, John wrote the poem below and put together this keepsake memento from photos to capture the moment.
Thanks to every venue that welcomed us, every reader who took home a book, and friends and family who encouraged us along the way.
The Old Roads Tour may be over, but there are still plenty of stories and roads waiting to be explored just around the bend.
Meet you again soon down the road.....
