The Friends of the Hennepin Canal will be sponsoring its monthly Hike the Hennepin Canal outing on                Sunday, May 19.    This month’s hike will be from Bridge 62 to Lock 22 on the canal. We will meet at Lock 22 at 1:30 pm, where we will be shuttled to Bridge 62 to begin our hike. Directions to Lock 22 are to take Route 6 west of Sheffield approximately 3 1/2  miles or Route 6 east of Mineral approximately 1 1/2 miles, then turn north (watch for the Lock 22 signs on route 6) on county highway 300E.  This portion of the “Hike the Hennepin” is 4.9 miles...

STERLING – A man who loved the Hennepin Canal in childhood, then devoted his career to preserving the 105-mile national landmark, has retired after 3 decades of working to transform the abandoned shipping route into a recreational state park. Steve Moser grew up along the canal banks in Kewanee where he fished the Hennepin with his grandfather. He retired Thursday after 28 years as superintendent of the Hennepin Canal State Park. “I was a fan of it from being a little guy on up,” said Moser, 60, now of Sterling. “I was lucky enough to get the [superintendent] position, and I fell in love with...

Nicole Murphy Reporter 12:52 AM CDT, June 13, 2009 SHEFFIELD, Illinois – A 100-year-old historical site could be a source of new money for the Quad Cities. Friends of the Hennepin Canal envision boats being able to transport tourists up and down a 50 mile stretch of the canal between Geneseo and Rock Falls. There are three locks along this section that need repair but Cathy Foes, member of the Friends of the Hennepin Canal, said they are 95% in tact. “An estimate we’ve been given, just a pie in the sky, $300,000. So you’re only talking three canals. It’s only...

CHICAGO – December 30, 2008.  Lt. Governor Pat Quinn presented the 2008 Environmental Hero Awards to 26 individuals, schools and groups in recognition of their commitment to environmental health and protection. “The citizens here today are truly environmental heroes,” Quinn said.  “I am proud to salute them for the hard work they have done to show us that when it comes to making the Land of Lincoln a cleaner, better place – we can all make a difference.” The 2008 Illinois Environmental Hero Award recipients include local groups: Friends of the Hennepin Canal ...

By Anonymous Star Courier Posted Jul 24, 2008 @ 08:05 PM Sheffield, Ill. — Friends of the Hennepin Canal is among four organizations to receive Volunteer of the Year awards from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The awards go each year to individuals and organizations for exceptional volunteer service to the department and the people of Illinois. IDNR officials said the award for the Friends of the Canal was for their work on observing the centennial of the canal last year. “It appeared not much would be celebrated until a group of volunteers stepped forward,” according to an...