You can find information about almost any kind of history in the small town of Benton. This is where Charlie Birger, the Prohibition-era criminal, was the last person to be hanged in Illinois, as well as the town where the first Beatles record was heard stateside. Come to this southern Illinois hamlet, tour the sites […]
Cindy Ladage
Posted inSpecial Issues
Surprising Greenville
About an hour and a half south of Springfield, meandering down highway 127 to where it intersects Interstate 70, is the town of Greenville. According to the town fathers it has been hailed as “a Norman Rockwell town,” or “a town for all seasons.” With the picturesque square featuring the Bond County Courthouse, a Civil […]
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Isaac Ellwood, Illinois king of the barbed wire
Most of us know the song “Don’t fence me in.” For those in the late 1800s who owned cattle, fencing them in was part of the ever shrinking range mentality and the “stay in your own pasture” one. One Illinois gentleman, Isaac Ellwood, made his fortune in barbed wire. Lucky for us, we can tour […]
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Explore central Illinois
The sun is shining, the sky is blue and it’s time for summer family fun. Pack for a picnic and head out in the car for a fun day under the Illinois sky. Let Illinois Times and a black ribbon of road be your guides. Historic Barns of McDonough County McDonough County, which centers on […]
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Things will be great when you’re downtown . . . Chicago
Remember Petula Clark? She used to sing, “The lights are much brighter there, You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares. So go downtown, things’ll be great when you’re downtown — no finer place, for sure downtown — everything’s waiting for you.” It is fun to kick the dust off your shoes, grab […]
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Visit Missouri’s Hermann and Hannibal for river lore
For a river adventure with a bit of history, fiction and mystery, take a weekend and hit two Missouri landmarks, Hermann and Hannibal. Start with the farthest point and head for Hermann, then catch Hannibal on the way back. The trip will take less than three hours and if you head for Pittsfield and over […]
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Hollywood close to home
Tired of the same ol’, same ol’? If so, maybe it is time to rev up your holidays with a bit of Hollywood glamour, southern Illinois style. Southernmost Illinois has a few connections with the big screen that might be just the trip to add a bit of pickup from the winter doldrums. While everyone […]
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Ripple effect
Maybe it’s time to consider going vegetarian. The recent Midwestern floods, on top of cool, rainy weather earlier this year, are sure to push meat prices higher, Illinois agriculture experts say. Almost like biblical wrath, the waters swirled through the farm fields this spring and summer in torrential downpours and flooding. The water drowned out […]
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Home for heroes
Untitled Document Do you have a little one who loves to tie on a cape and play Superman? If so, head south to Metropolis for the 30th annual Superman Celebration, which will be held June 12-15 in this otherwise sleepy southern-Illinois town near the Ohio River. The superhero fans in your household will enjoy the […]
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Visiting outdoor Chicago
Untitled Document Once the school bell has rung for the last time, parents are ready to schedule a little summer fun for the family. Try a weekend in Chicago, where it’s easy to plan loads of outdoor fun activities that will thrill and amaze. With gas nearing $4 per gallon, the train may be the […]
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Old iron
Untitled Document Andy Shireman of Chapin came to the biennial Half Century of Progress ready for field work. The event, held in Rantoul, was a lead-up to this week’s Farm Progress Show in Decatur — but 1957-style. This year’s show included field demonstrations, a new plowing record set by 48 Belgian horses pulling […]
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No money?
Untitled Document The kids are revved up and want to know what’s planned for the 14 long weeks before they have to be back in the classroom. Even with gas at the $3 mark and showing no sign of coming down, you can still have a great summer on a tiny budget. Sangamon County and […]
