Milk Ad My father wrote this milk ad when his son’s family came to visit Beloit: “Perhaps the high point of the visit was a canoe trip down Turtle Creek From the Shopiere Dam to Colley Road. Turtles, Carp, Little Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Kingfishers, Cedar Wax Wings and Ducks galore! A wilderness area […]
Special Issues
Posted inOpinion
America at 250
When I was in high school, I would regularly hitchhike home along a seven-mile trek through Florissant, Ferguson and Jennings in north St. Louis County. On any street, I would walk to the curb, mindlessly extend my right arm straight out and point my thumb up, watching every car go by. It never took long […]
Posted inHistory
Fourth of July celebrations in the 1800s
Today in Illinois and elsewhere, the Fourth of July is a holiday for boating, barbecues and fireworks. More than 180 years ago, the celebrations were more scripted and formal, though fireworks were always a constant. Back then, revelry on July 4 was an all-day affair, complete with processions, bands and a multitude of speakers. The […]
Posted inHistory
Drive-in movie theaters
On a warm summer night in the 1960s, long before Netflix and HBO, I would hop in a car with family or friends and head to the Harvest Moon drive-in theater. Once there, we would crank down the driver’s window, hook a speaker over the glass, grab some snacks and settle in for movie night […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Magical marinades
A well-made marinade makes all the difference when grilling and can transform an otherwise lackluster meal into a stellar spread. Marinades and dry rubs perform two main functions to achieve this, first by allowing salt to penetrate thoroughly and evenly, resulting in a juicy, well-seasoned dish. Second, the acids and enzymes in many marinades can […]
Posted inArts & Culture
1776: More than a musical history lessonÂ
They say history often repeats itself. For director Gus Gordon, who has performed in or directed 1776 a half-dozen times, in this case, it’s about bringing back the perfect show to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing. “I’m old enough to remember our nation’s bicentennial and how emotional and exciting that […]
Posted inSummerguide
Summerguide Calendar 2026
ONGOING Moonlight MarketFirst Wednesday of every month, 6-9pm. Through Sep. 3. Moonlight Market highlights local crafters, artists and makers from around the Central Illinois area. Event is held on Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery, 500 S. Sixth St., 217-522-3123. History Comes Alive – Ice Cream SocialsWednesdays through Aug. 6. […]
Posted inSummerguide
Summerguide 2026
Our annual Summerguide has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for local theater, musical performances, outdoor activities or family-friendly events – many of them free of charge – we’ve got all the details. Plus, there’s an expanded three-month calendar of activities to help you keep track of everything. The International Carillon Festival is being held […]
Posted inSummerguide
“Exquisite Creatures”
“Exquisite Creatures”is a unique and inspiring exhibition where nature becomes art, now on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum through Aug. 9. Christopher Marley collects beetles, butterflies, seashells, snakes and other creatures from all over the world. He preserves and assembles them into mesmerizing artistic displays intended to spark curiosity and an appreciation of the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Peoria’s America 250 Exhibition with Ken Burns
There are two stories about an exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum (PRM), which honors America’s history from before Europeans arrived through the Civil Rights era. One is how a museum in central Illinois got renowned American history filmmaker Ken Burns to be a guest curator – his first time doing so anywhere. The other […]
Posted inSummerguide
New Route 66 exhibits
If you aren’t able to literally make the drive to “get your kicks on Route 66,” you can still experience the famous road at the Illinois State Museum’s exhibit Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66, opening May 23. The exhibit will highlight what it was like to travel, eat, stay and work along the […]
Posted inSummerguide
“Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad”
In 1906, when it was no longer dangerous to talk about those who helped enslaved people seek freedom, Jacksonville resident Julia Carter, whose family were local abolitionists, gave a speech about the town’s extensive Underground Railroad (UGRR). This was the network of helpers and “safe houses” freedom seekers used to reach safe locations, such as […]
