Welcome to the second edition of The Forgottonia Times™! Last month, we launched our free monthly publication with hopes and aspirations to engage with our fellow Forgottonians and build the support required to sustain a paper dedicated to serving the people of Forgottonia.

Nestled in the heart of Canton, Hannam's Dairy Dream is more than an ordinary ice cream parlor; it’s a cherished local institution brimming with history and sweet treats that have delighted generations.

On Saturday, July 13th, several students from Bushnell-Prairie City Schools had the thrilling opportunity to sing at the Cubs/Cardinals game at Busch Stadium.

The largest and most interactive Monopoly game to date debuted on May 9th. In the heart of Macomb’s downtown square are oversized sculptures of spinning dice, a gameboard, a stovepipe hat, and a statue of the creator herself.

Local father-daughter band “JustUs” gears up to perform at the Illinois State Fair on August 14th.

Gavin Gerard, a Carl Sandburg College student, won the bronze medal in masonry at the SkillsUSA Championships held in Atlanta. This remarkable achievement made Gerard the first student in the school's history to secure a national medal in this prestigious competition.

A significant transition quietly took place at Snowman's Reindeer Farm last month. After nine years, the picturesque winter wonderland, which springs to life each November and December, is now under new ownership.

For the fifty-one campers attending Camp Kidz this summer, the six-week program run by Thrive is much more than just a typical summer camp.

Have you wondered where that delightful smell and lively music has been coming from every month this summer? Don't miss out! Seminary Street will come alive one last time to wrap up summer with First Fridays on Seminary Street.

The 75th annual Avon Fat Steer Show will be held Thursday, August 15th through Saturday, August 17th. This is a wonderful community summertime tradition in Avon with a weekend full of family fun, activities and great food.

Fulton County is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Picton as the new Camping and Recreation Area Superintendent.

In an effort to invigorate Galesburg's cultural landscape, the Galesburg Orpheum has unveiled its ambitious "Summer FUN-raiser Series," a lineup designed not only to entertain but also to secure vital funding for future programming.

The Fuller Center Bike Adventure (FCBA) has a storied history of combining the love of cycling with a profound mission to help those in need.

Logan Corzatt was recently announced as the Security Savings Bank Academic Scholarship recipient. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one qualified student each year and is renewable for four years at an academic or technical college.

Singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo recently presented his latest project, a theatrical, multi-media show titled “Forgottonia,” an intimate portrait of rural Illinois. Vallillo drew on 35 years of original material to create a show that tells the story of West Central Illinois, an area that, for years, its inhabitants have lovingly referred to with that very name.

As temperatures rise, the Bushnell Community Pool is ready to help residents cool off and enjoy the summer. Established in 1960 by dedicated VFW members, this local treasure has been a cornerstone of the community for over six decades.

Residents can drop off storm debris at the oversized brush and limb drop-off, located at 636 Pickard Road. The drop-off site will be open for extended hours for the next two weeks, operating from Wednesday through Sunday each week (July 17 - 21 and July 24 - 28), with hours from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Friday - Sunday. Additional information on the oversized brush and limb drop-off site can be found on the city's website.

This summer, Western Illinois University (WIU) hosted its eagerly anticipated series of Summer Band Camps, drawing young musicians from across the region to its Macomb campus.

The City of Macomb has launched a project to revitalize its historic downtown area through the Downtown Facade Grant Program.