•July 17, 2024•

It’s Showtime! The theme for the 2024 Illinois State Fair captures the spirit of the fair on many levels - livestock shows, Grandstand performances, circuses, rodeos, diving shows, ice skating performances and much more.

The theme also influences the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade that caravans down Springfield streets and through the main gates, kicking off the 11-day showcase of Illinois agriculture, arts and crafts, food, carnival rides and entertainment. Fair gates open at 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 8 with a full day of events and entertainment, including the annual parade which will step off at 5:30 p.m.

“The Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade is a Springfield tradition,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “This year’s theme of ‘It’s Showtime!’ has so many meanings with the wide variety of activities available throughout the fair. We invite everyone to come out and find their favorite.” Read More

•July 17, 2024•

The month of July has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in July 1924.

• Full-time airmail service begins on July 1. A fleet of airplanes are used to transport mail day and night, and the time to send mail between New York and San Francisco is 35 hours, a reduction of 50 percent.

• A political dispute prompts a sword duel between Álvaro de Castro, the Prime Minister of Portugal, and Flight Captain Teófilo José Ribeiro da Fonseca on July 2. Ribeiro suffers a wounded arm during the duel.

• The Caesar salad is created in Mexico on July 4. Italian-born restaurateur Caesar Cardini is inspired to create the dish by Americans crossing the border into Tijuana to legally purchase alcohol from his eatery during the holiday weekend. Read More

•July 17, 2024•

Resolving to be physically active is an important step towards heart health and overall well-being. Exercise is one of the most effective tools for strengthening the heart and avoiding various illnesses, including high cholesterol, that can affect cardiovascular health, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

Although any exercise can be beneficial, there is a fitness recipe designed to be the most effective for strengthening the heart and helping it to work to its ful potential. Here are the guidelines recommended by the American Heart Association and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Read More

•July 17, 2024•

Sullivan holds some of the biggest and wildest events in central to southern Illinois. Though a hot sport of dreamers, Sullivan is also known to have names in lights from its productions put on by The Little Theatre on the Square. From running full scale broadway productions to summer camps, the theatre keeps active all summer, this summer is no different. School Of Rock: The Musical, based on the hit 2003 film of wannabe rockstar Dewey Finn and his troubles to success, will be running its live production from July 18th to the 28th. Grease, based on the record breaking film starring John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John where the bad boy falls for the new girl in a rebellious satire of high school angst, will be shown live from August 1st to the 11th. Nunsense, a hilarious spoof about 5 nuns and their misadventures while trying to run a fundraiser, will be running from August 15th to the 25th. Tickets for productions can be found on the theatre’s website at thelittlethreatre.org. Seniors over 62 get a discounted price at only $40.00 for a ticket as well as students under 22 who also get a discount for only $25.00.

•July 17, 2024•

There’s no shortage of ways to impart flavor to foods when cooking at home. Smoking food is one method that has grown increasingly popular in recent years. 

Smoking imparts unique flavor to a wide variety of foods. Like other approaches to cooking, smoking involves a learning curve that may include some trial and error. Grilling enthusiasts who want to try their hand at smoking food can keep these tips in mind.

• Remember the mantra “low and slow.” Low and slow is the preferred method among cooks experienced in smoking. The method involves cooking foods at low temperatures for long periods of time. When smoking, unlike with traditional grilling, cooks want to ensure the food is not directly over a flame. Smoking stones can be used to absorb and deflect heat, and similar products can accomplish the same. That absorption and deflection allows foods to cook slowly, which in turns helps impart the smoky flavor people love. Read More