A recent survey conducted by House Method, an organization that provides expert research on home-service providers for consumers, polled 1,000 American homeowners with experience in home renovations to better understand their sentiments about the renovation process and to learn the details about the overall outcome of their project. The remodeling trends that emerged from the […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
What to do with all those leaves
Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes cooler temperatures, shorter days and plenty of outdoor yard work. I have always loved the occasional crunchy leaf on a sidewalk, but what to do when soggy, unsightly, smelly piles of leaves accumulate? While the temptation to bag and dispose of leaves is hard to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Indoor gardening
Gardening has seen a renaissance over the last couple of years. Prompted by the pandemic, gardening became a way for people to stay occupied at home while keeping stress at bay. The love of getting your hands in the dirt has continued to attract new gardeners this year as well. While the gardening season is […]
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Death of the Dome Building, 1893-1917
The Dome Building was the focus of the Illinois State Fair for over 20 years before it met its fiery end on Aug. 17, 1917. Originally the Horticulture Building at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, known as the Columbian Exposition, the structure was purchased by the Illinois State Fair board in 1894 for $69,000. It […]
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State Fair calendar of events
The Illinois State Fair is a year’s worth of music entertainment, livestock shows, competitions, auto races, exhibitions, side shows and food all packed into 11 days. It’s a compact but vibrant bustle of activity from the moment the gates open on Preview Day until the lights go down for the last time. With so much […]
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Historic Warsaw needs help
Way out in the far reaches of Forgottonia where the Mississippi River flows, lies the most forgotten little town of all. Tucked away in the wooded hills and hollows of extreme western Illinois, Warsaw, population 1,800, exists barely visible in the mist, like fading memories in an aging mind. As the morning sun burned the […]
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DINO-MITE!
New attractions join old favorites at the Illinois State Fair this year, kicking off Aug. 11 and running through Aug. 21. Life-size animatronic dinosaurs in Happy Hollow and the Route 66 Experience near Gate 2 are just a couple of the additions to this year’s fair. Our special fair-focused issue also looks at some of […]
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Something old, something new
Life-size animatronic dinosaurs, a selfie gallery and classic Route 66 neon signs are a few of the new attractions at this year’s Illinois State Fair. They will join old favorites during the Aug. 11-21 run of the fair and Grandstand acts that include Demi Lovato (Aug. 13), Brooks & Dunn (Aug. 14), Willie Nelson and […]
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Reimagining the fairgrounds
Renovating the Illinois State Fairgrounds and putting the facilities to use year-round is one of the goals of The Next 10 planning document released in May 2021 by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln (CFLL). Now a comprehensive plan is being developed for the fairgrounds. The CFLL consulted with the National Association of […]
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Grillin’ And Chillin’ 2022
Our Grillin’ and Chllin’ issue has plenty of ideas to celebrate the holiday weekend, from camping and nature areas around Springfield to short day trips and backyard get-togethers. Related Related Related Stories
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Short trips for mid-summer
If your social media feed makes it seems as if everyone but you is on an exotic vacation, don’t despair. Nearby destinations can bring you a touch of other countries without the cost and hassle. How about marveling at Michelangelo’s artwork just 40 miles from Springfield? Checking out a magnificent basilica that puts some in […]
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Camping in the Land of Lincoln
When I began camping again as an adult, I was not sure what primitive camping meant. Making a shelter with pine boughs? Starting a fire with a bow drill? Foraging for food? In fact, primitive camping simply means camping in a tent. It’s not nearly as popular as RV camping, which means tent campers often […]
