The Olympia Future Farmers of America (FFA) is set to host their yearly plant sale on the Saturdays of May 4 and May 11, from 9 AM to 1 PM, at the high school’s greenhouse.
30°
Clouds
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Hydrant Flushing Scheduled
Beginning on Monday, April 1, 2024, the Village will commence the flushing of water mains through fire hydrants. Residents may experience reduced water pressure, discoloration, and potential cloudiness in the water. The process is expected to take up to two weeks to finish.
Naughton Recognized As a 2024 State FFA Proficiency Winner
Reed Naughton has been honored as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Services. A member of the Olympia FFA Chapter within the Illinois Association FFA, Naughton was recognized for his work-based learning, also referred to as Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). The Illinois FFA acknowledges students in forty-eight distinct areas for their SAEs. FFA members who exhibit exceptional agricultural skills and competencies through meticulous record-keeping, leadership, and academic accomplishments are eligible for this accolade. SAEs provide students with practical learning opportunities, whether through owning and operating an agricultural business, interning or working at an agriculture-related business, or conducting and reporting on an agricultural scientific study. Naughton's SAE is centered around his involvement in his family's auction service.
Funks Grove Country Store: Antiques, Primitives
By
McLEAN, IL –
The Funks Grove Country Store is a store that offers a wide range of antiques spanning decades. The owners of this store are Judi Braid, who I interviewed for this spotlight, and Rey Jannush. In 2018 the two decided to partner up and run the antique store together. When speaking to Judi she said that they “both love antiques and creating, so that was probably the big draw to do it together.”
Gordy’s Garage
By
McLEAN, IL –
Gordy’s Garage is a local small engine repair shop ran by Mike Fuller. The shop is located in McLean and is specialized in repairing all kinds of small engines. Some examples are lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, and other similar items. Essentially anything that has a small engine on it can be repaired by Mike.
Funk’s Grove Maple Sirup
By
McLEAN, IL –
Funks Grove Maple Sirup is located in the heart of Central Illinois. This is a rural area of homes, fields, creeks, trees, animals, and plenty of nature. Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup is owned by the Funk family. They have been running this historic business since 1824.
McLean Depot Train Shop
By
MCLEAN, IL –
Tom Ludlam is the owner of the McLean Depot Train Shop and has been for 11 years. After he retired from the army, he had an opportunity where he could use the Depot building for a train shop, something he had “in the back of [his] mind to be an interesting thing to do for many years”, so he took the chance. The Depot is owned by the village, but he runs it and the Train Shop together. He loves being his own boss and working in a hobby he has an interest in.
Breezy Bluff Riding Academy
By
McLEAN, IL –
Breezy Bluff Riding Academy started in 1983 with 4 neighborhood kids as the customers with only word of mouth to grow the business. The business has grown to 35 to 50 students per week. Betty Broadfield is the owner of the business and she has been instructing since the business began. She is the author of any material provided with the lessons given. At the academy, they teach western to eastern on the flat style, and to use verbal cues and natural aids while riding. The youngest riders are 4 years old, and their oldest student is in her 70s. They can take riders up to 285 pounds, which is more than other stables typically take. They have been in business for almost four decades and Breezy Bluff Riding Academy still has a perfect safety record. Betty would want a potential customer to know that one phrase that describes her company is “safety first”.
DIY Fire Pit
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PEORIA, IL –
With summertime approaching, there is nothing more fun than sitting around a fire pit with your friends or family! Well, maybe a tropical trip! Fire pits are a great way to add some fun to a yard! With a little hard work and some elbow grease, you’ll have one in no time. We put one in at our last home and loved it, I can’t wait to do it again!
How to Make a Dreamcatcher
By
PEORIA, IL –
In Native American culture, dream catchers were believed to catch and trap bad dreams, whilst allowing good dream to pass through the spider-web design, and drift into the heads of the children that lie sleeping below them. Nowadays, dreamcatchers come in many shapes and sizes, and are an incredibly popular bedroom decor choice! If you’re ready for some sweet dreams, why not learn how to make a dreamcatcher?
Baked to Perfection Ziti
By
PEORIA, IL –
The key to creating a perfect Baked Ziti is to keep it from drying out. This classic Italian baked pasta dish is made by layering penne noodles, sauce and cheese. Once it is prepared correctly, however, it will become the only way you make it.
Small Raised Paver Patio
By
PEORIA, IL –
Sometimes you are in the middle of a project and realize you need something else! This happened to me when I was creating my back garden scape. I placed my new Adirondack chairs in there place. They were a perfect fit, if the ground didn’t slope down in the back! I knew I needed to make an elevated bed for them. I had recently found a ton of old pavers in the yard and knew this was the spot for them.
Beyond Disney: a New Legacy
The Secret of NIMH
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
Don Bluth’s departure from Disney was not just a career move; it marked the birth of a new era in animation, evidenced by his groundbreaking project, THE SECRET OF NIMH. This film turned the animation world on its head by introducing mature themes and complex characters, diverging drastically from the shiny, simplified narratives that dominated the genre. With a storyline that embraced the shadows more than the sparkles, THE SECRET OF NIMH challenged viewers to find beauty and depth in the darkness of its animated world.
A Haunting Puzzle in Chicago's Heart
Stir of Echoes
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
In the heart of Chicago, Tom Witzky, played by Kevin Bacon, finds his ordinary life as a lineman turned upside down following a hypnosis session at a family party in STIR OF ECHOES. With his wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) and son Jake (Zachary David Cope) by his side, Tom's initial doubts about anything beyond the norm are shattered when he uncovers dormant psychic abilities. This awakening thrusts him into the center of a chilling mystery wrapped around their seemingly tranquil neighborhood.
Friends Face Fears in Forested Fright
Come Home
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
When isolation turns to fear, the vast, eerie reaches of the Adirondack Mountains provide the perfect setting for a chilling story. COME HOME, directed by Nicole Pursell and Caitlin Zoz, reimagines the classic cabin-in-the-woods horror with a fresh view, injecting modern dread into an age-old genre. While the film boasts a compelling visual journey and a suspense-laden ambiance, it occasionally needs to work on weaving these elements into a coherent whole.
Eccentric Quest Through Prague’s Mystery
Meow!
By
WASHINGTON, IL –
Step into a world that’s hard to explain with a unique debut from directors Michal Vojtech and Ariel De La Garzal, MEOW! revives the lost art of silent film by exploring Prague’s shadowy alleys and historic vistas. The film presents an absorbing narrative featuring Anna Maria, a restroom attendant portrayed by Paige Janey. Anna is drawn into a curious and eerie adventure pursuing her missing cat. This search sets her on a collision course with an array of peculiar characters, with Raphael Ruiz delivering a performance that blends comedic relief with a touch of the sinister.
