50+ Lifestyles

Day Tripping at CASI

Information from the Center for Active Seniors (CASI)

CASI has planned some great day trips for your enjoyment. If interested in any of these opportunities, call (563) 386-7477 or visit the front desk at CASI. 1035 W. Kimberly, Davenport, IA.

John Deere – “Running Green”

Thursday, May 17

8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

(Bus loads at CASI at 8:30 a.m.)

Our first stop will be John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline to learn about the history of John Deere and the State of Illinois: Learn why Deere headed west across the country, the importance of land location, the role the river played into John Deere’s success and the steps he took to help change the world of agriculture. This is a private program just for CASI, and then we will head across the street for lunch at the River House Grill. After lunch, let’s take a visit and see what’s new with a “riding” tour of the Deere Harvester Works located in East Moline. John Deere Harvester Works is the home of Deere & Co.’s largest Combine factory. *All participants must wear closed toes shoes

(no sandals). This will be a private “riding” tour – no walking!

Members $20/ Non-Members $30

(includes transportation, tour and lunch)

**RSVP by May 11

What is the QC Story?

Let’s Jazz It Up! Colorful Characters & Famous Legends of the Quad Cities

Thursday, June 21

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

(Bus loads at CASI at 9 a.m.)

Test your knowledge of the Quad Cities with one of the most interesting historical tours you have ever been on!

We have some very “Colorful Characters” in the Quad Cities – Learn about the ladies around town and the dangerous and famous. The area has also been home to entrepreneurs who were ahead of their time – or are those just ghost tales? Join our “Jump-on the Bus” with local experts and historians – Barb Ickes, John Fuller and other Quad Cities experts for a lot of fun!

Although the days of dining are over at Velie’s Plantation, the building is full of some incredible history. Willard Velie, a grandson of John Deere, built his mansion with the riches he earned as the Velie automaker. Do you know the story of who was shot there? Finished in 1923, the 500-acre grounds stretched south from its perch on the 7th Street bluff all the way to the Rock River. It is now privately owned by QCR Holdings, who is hosting us for lunch in a special room at the Plantation. Then let’s hit the bus for more stories.

There is a great deal of history to squeeze into the trip!

Members $35/Non-Members $45

(Includes transportation, lunch and tours)

*RSVP by June 15th

Cities Rock Island Arsenal History Museum Tour and Ghosts of the Colonel Davenport Home

Tuesday, July 17

8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

(Bus loads at CASi at 8:30 a.m.)

Let’s start the day at the Mississippi Visitor Center run by the Corp. of Engineers. A step-on tour guide will then be joining our bus and sharing the vast history of the Rock Island Arsenal. The bus tour will include the National and Confederate Cemeteries, tanks, artillery, and many if the other buildings that were built from native limestone. We will be stopping at the museum, which features the additional hsitory of the island with exhibits and a premier collection of small firearms.

We will be having a buffet lunch at the 119 year old Rock Island Golf Course Clubhouse.

Our afternoon stops will be at the Rodman House – the 2nd largest home (federally owned) and the Colonel Davenport House which was built in 1833-34 for George Davenport and his family on the island.

Davenport was a businessman who branched into other businesses: fur trader, keel boat operator, lead mine operator, and postmaster – making his mark in the future or the QCA.

Members $20/Non-Members $25 (includes transportation, tours and lunch) **RSVP by July 13th

LST 325 WWII Landing Ship Tank Tour & Lunch

Friday, August 31

10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Bus loads at CASI at 10 a.m.)

Living history will be docking in the Quad Cities for a few days this summer. A fully restored WWII Landing Ship Tank will be at the Isle Casino Hotel Marina in Bettendorf. LST 325 is the only WWII Landing Ship Tank in the United States that is fully operational and has been restored to its original condition.

The ship was known as LST 325 during WWII. USNS LST-325 during its arctic operations in the 1950s, and later L-144 (A/G Syros) while it wa sin the service of the Greek Navy.

It was acquired by the USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc. in 2000 nd caught considerable public attention when the veteran crew with an average age of 72 brought it on a 6,500-mile journey from the Greek island of Crete to Mobile, Alabama. Today this ship is permanently docked in Evansville, Indiana. Once a year it travels to destinations throughout the United States for people to board and tour. WWII veterans are being admitted for free.

We will be stopping at The Barrel House in Davenport for lunch on the way back to CASI.

Members $20/Non-Members $30 (includes transportation, lunch and ticket) **RSVP by August 24th