Strawberries are one of my all-time favorite fruits on the homestead. They are easy to establish and maintain and produce a bounty. Don't get me started on their superior taste compared to store-bought. A red, juicy strawberry freshly plucked from the garden after basking in the sun all day is like eating something from another planet

At the edge of the quiet town of Fairview, a bright yellow Volkswagen bug marks the gateway to one of Fulton County's most vibrant local businesses. Behind the walls of three bustling greenhouses, amid the scent of soil and spring, Fairview Nursery is a place where plants, community, friendship, and a whole lot of love grow wild.

The Giving Gardens, a nonprofit organization, and local treasure has taken root in Macomb, IL, and is looking to expand. What started as one garden in the lawn space of a church quickly grew to six different locations throughout Macomb.

"Lands o' goshen, Josiah, you are looking a might peaked!"

"Yes, Miss Hattie, I believe I've got a touch of the epizootic."

"Well, I've got just the thing. Come over to my garden."

A tip left after a cup of coffee may cost only a couple dollars, but at Cole Street Coffee House, those dollars are making a major difference.

Known as "The Jewel of Galesburg," The Orpheum Theatre is evolving under Executive Director Andrew Driscoll. Since his appointment in May 2024, Driscoll has focused on expanding the theatre's programming and community involvement.

The hunt is on—again. Reserve Artisan Ales is bringing back its popular Adult Egg Hunt and Brunch, offering grown-ups a chance to relive childhood excitement with a boozy, prize-filled twist.

Maddy’s Coffee House is turning up the heat again this spring with a creative DIY hat burning event on Sunday, April 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hosted in collaboration with Wildflowers & Barley out of Springfield, the event invites guests to design and burn custom patterns into hats, with guidance from experienced artists.

For McKinley Rexroat, the decision to stay local for college wasn’t always easy. But now, as a rising figure in the pageant world, she’s certain she made the right choice.

A small brick building on South Pearl Street is about to become a place of big impact. The Lighthouse, a new Christ-centered outreach center, will officially open on Monday, April 28, at 239 S. Pearl Street, offering support to individuals in Galesburg who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or simply in need of a safe, welcoming space.

Families across Roseville and the surrounding area are invited to Eldridge Park on Saturday, April 5, for a festive evening of community, celebration, and tradition as the Living Light Church hosts its second annual Easter in the Park.

A compelling chapter of local and American history will come to life as the Western Illinois Museum presents a living history performance of Lucy Pettengill, a station operator on the Underground Railroad.

The 27th Annual Gardener’s Day, hosted by the University of Illinois Extension and McDonough County Master Gardeners, will take place on March 22, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb.

As the sun begins its descent over the beautiful Lake Storey on Saturday, March 29, 2025, the doors of the Lake Storey Pavilion will swing open, welcoming dancers of all levels to an afternoon and evening of rhythm, music, and timeless movement.

Prairie Land Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural habitats in west-central Illinois, is hosting two major events this March: the opening of a new bird sanctuary and its annual meeting, both aimed at celebrating conservation efforts and fostering community engagement.

During a 75-minute talk to Monmouth College's "Midwest Entrepreneurs" class on Feb. 17, local businessman Bryon Robbins gave students plenty to think about.

It’s about that time of year when you go into Farm King and see the cutest little fluff balls you’ve ever seen. And if you’re anything like me, you can’t resist taking a couple or ten. It can’t be that hard, right?

Standing proudly in the heart of Ellisville, the Ellisville Opera House has long been a symbol of resilience and artistic spirit since its construction in 1891.

Some of the parents might have said it themselves when they were younger. It's perfectly natural for a kid growing up out here on the prairie to imagine the great, big world beyond.

The Buchanan Center for the Arts will open its doors on March 15, 2025, for a dual celebration of creativity and community at its gallery space at 64 Public Square in Monmouth.