Fall 2009, ILFB Partners

FALL 2009

ILLINOIS

FARM BUREAU

速

A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS

ILFBPARTNERS.COM

State ofthe

Arts Local talent shines at Illinois museums

MULLED CIDER MEMORIES

PATCH THINGS UP Find links to Illinois pumpkin farms online

DANGER: DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS

LETTERS

Our Featured Reader

Q

What are some of your favorite agricultural photographs you’ve taken over the years?

DON PEASLEY This autumn, you’ll likely find Don Peasley of Woodstock visiting Illinois apple orchards or admiring the goldenbrown cornfields.

A longtime advocate for agriculture, Peasley has reported and photographed farm news for more than 60 years. He also writes a regular column for the Northwest Herald newspaper and has published a historical book about McHenry County.

ANSWER I enjoyed photographing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson, who served under President Eisenhower, when he visited farms in McHenry County. I’m also proud that I’ve covered 59 of our local county fairs since 1949, which includes taking photos of the county fair queen each year.

Q

What makes agricultural reporting different than other types of journalism?

ANSWER With agricultural reporting, I describe what’s taking place and explain the significance of the event. With fewer dairy and livestock farmers, today’s timely subjects are often agritourism and preserving farmland.

Q

What is something about Woodstock that Illinois residents might not know?

ANSWER Woodstock was originally called Centerville but was renamed by the first settlers from Vermont. The first courthouse in Woodstock burned down in 1856.

Q

In this issue, we have a travel feature about Chicago. What’s your favorite place to visit in the Windy City?

ANSWER I enjoy going to Auditorium Theater to see a stage production, sitting on the first baseline at Wrigley Field, and visiting Shedd Aquarium.

YOU SAW THE STRAW I enjoyed the copy of the Summer 2009 Partners magazine.

I had to laugh when I read the article titled “A (Hay) Field of Dreams” on page 5 of the magazine. The source of my amusement was that while the article was about fresh hay bales, the picture that accompanied the article showed bales of straw being stacked on a wagon instead of bales of hay.

The article brought back memories of my youth when we baled both hay and straw on our family farm in Christian County.

Joe Unser Via e-mail

Editors Note: Good catch! We’ve heard from many of you about our hay error, and we’re glad to know our readers recognize the difference, even if we forget sometimes.

As hay farmer Bob McArdle from Hampshire reminded us, hay is for eating and straw is for bedding. That’s the quick difference.

Dig a little deeper to learn that hay is the product of cutting, drying and baling grass or legumes (alfalfa, clover, etc.), and it’s used primarily for animal feed. Straw is used mostly for bedding and garden mulch (and sometimes for autumn yard decorations), and it’s the product of hollow stalks of grain (usually wheat), cut and baled after the grain has been harvested. Hay is usually a greener color, while straw is yellow.

And as our writer, Joanie Stiers, would tell you from personal experience, pick up a bale of each and you’ll quickly know the difference.

When comparing bales of similar size, hay is much, much heavier.

“With agricultural reporting, I describe what’s taking place and WRITE TO US

explain the significance of the event.”

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E-mail us at ilfbpartners@jnlcom.com. We welcome any feedback, ideas, gardening questions or requests to become our featured reader.

Illinois Farm Bureau

CONTENTS

Features 8 An Air About Them High-jumping Lipizzan stallions date back to royal beginnings

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12 Patch Things Up Pick out the perfect pumpkin at an Illinois farm

18 Deer in the Headlights Autumn presents wildlife collision dangers for Illinois motorists

Every Issue

26 Travel Illinois – Chicago

5 PRAIRIE STATE PERSPECTIVE

When it comes to vacationing, this city is an oldie but a goodie

Mulled cider memories

6 ALMANAC State of the arts in Illinois

17 COUNTRY WISDOM Importance of having a will

20 RECIPES Say hello to salmon

24 GARDENING Building beds of green and brown

30 FALL EVENTS Things to do, places to see ON THE COVER Photo by Ian Curcio Rockford Art Museum exhibit

by Illinois artist Vera Klement

26 MORE ONLINE Watch videos, read stories and browse photos at ilfbpartners.com.

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VOLUME 2, NO. 3

ILLINOIS

FARM BUREAU

®

AN OFFICIAL MEMBER PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU

ILLINOIS PHOTOS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES, BLOGS AND MORE

®

Publisher Dennis Vercler Editor Dave McClelland Associate Editor Martin Ross Production Manager Bob Standard Photographic Services Director Ken Kashian President Philip Nelson Vice President Rich Guebert Jr. Executive Director of Operations, News & Communications Chris Magnuson

Web Exclusive

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Managing Editor Kim Newsom

More can’t-miss Chicago attractions

Associate Editor Jessy Yancey Copy Editor Joyce Caruthers Contributing Writers Charlyn Fargo, Jessica Mozo,Jan Phipps, Karen Schwartzman, Joanie Stiers, Lorraine Zenge Senior Photographer Brian McCord

| FARM |

| FOOD |

| FINDS |

Staff Photographers Jeff Adkins, Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier, Ian Curcio, Kyle Keener Creative Director Keith Harris Senior Graphic Designer Laura Gallagher

Enjoying Fall on the Farm

The Great Pumpkin

An Artful Getaway

Associate Production Director Christina Carden

Autumn is a popular time for agritourism adventures. Tell us your favorite fall farm destinations from pumpkin patches to corn mazes.

Visit our recipe center for new ways to prepare pumpkin and other fall treats.

Plan a visit to an Illinois art museum this autumn. Our links help you narrow down your choices and provide information on upcoming exhibits.

Web Implementation Director Andy Hartley

All recipes can be printed or e-mailed.

Production Project Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Marcia Millar, Patricia Moisan, Raven Petty Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Project Manager Yamel Ruiz Web Designer Carl Schulz Web Production Jennifer Graves Color Imaging Technician Twila Allen Integrated Media Manager Robin Robertson Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Sr. V.P./Operations Casey Hester Sr. V.P./Sales Carla Thurman V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Editorial Director Teree Caruthers

RECIPES: THREE WAYS WITH BEEF

Production Director Natasha Lorens Photography Director Jeff Otto Controller Chris Dudley

Celebrate fall grilling season with these online-exclusive recipes.

Accounting Moriah Domby, Diana Guzman, Maria McFarland, Lisa Owens Advertising Sales Manager, Custom Division Beth Murphy

1. Beef and Mushroom Kabobs

Distribution Director Gary Smith

2. Ginger-Soy Flank Steak

Illinois Farm Bureau Partners is produced for the Illinois Farm Bureau by Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (800) 333-8842.

All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

3. Beef Tenderloin

WATCH A VIDEO Take a stroll through Belleville, home to the longest Main Street in America.

See this and more Illinois videos at ilfbpartners.com.

Sales/Marketing Coordinator Rachel Matheis

Illinois Farm Bureau Partners (USPS No. 255-380) is issued quarterly by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Ave., P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702.

Periodicals postage paid at Bloomington, IL 61702 and additional mailing offices.

The individual membership fee of the Illinois Agricultural Association includes payment of $3 for a subscription to Illinois Farm Bureau Partners.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices on Form 3579 to Illinois Farm Bureau Partners, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL, 61702-2901.

Member Member

Magazine Publishers of America Custom Publishing Council

Please recycle this magazine

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Illinois Farm Bureau

PRAIRIE STATE PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joanie Stiers, a freelance writer from rural Williamsfield, once accidentally caused her father-in-law to hang, ape-like, from an apple tree.

Going Monkeys Over Cider Memories, goodness pressed with apple treat My father-in-law is a quiet man who primarily only speaks when asked a question. But give him a sip of cider and he tells of the September day he hung like a monkey from an apple tree and then fell like a bird learning to fly.

And he teases that I am at fault. I, on the other hand, blame the incident on an unstable ladder and weak tree branch. But regardless of the true circumstances, the event botched my attempt to blend my apple-picking traditions with my in-laws’.

I married into a family of similar down-home traditions, such as homemade ice cream and hand-pressed apple cider.

So one fall when the apples became difficult to reach, even from a 6-foot stepladder, I offered some seemingly helpful advice from my family’s experience.

“We shake the branch to drop the apples from the tree.

They get mashed up anyway.”

My father-in-law, standing a few rungs high on the stepladder, accepted the advice, grabbed a branch and shook. Apples and a few leaves fell, but so did the ladder, from underneath him.

“I’m OK,” he said, hanging with arms extended from the tree and legs dangling four feet above the ground. Suddenly, the branch snapped as if a Sunday comic writer were penning the scene. He fell back-first onto the stepladder.

Fall 2009

My father-in-law laughed, which relieved the immediate horror that my advice had broken his back or paralyzed him. However, the stepladder needed to be replaced, and the apple tree received an unexpected pruning.

To my credit, we did get the apples.

In each September that Mother Nature produces a healthy apple crop, the family gathers to pick wagons and bushel baskets of apples in the backyard. Within a day’s time, we wash, grind and squeeze the apple pulp with the hand-powered cider press. The result: exhausted crankers ready to take a swig of the 15 to 20 gallons of cider stored in recycled milk jugs.

As a result, our family enjoys home-pressed apple cider all during the fall and winter. In fact, I own enough mulling spices and tall cinnamon stirring sticks to last at least the next three cider seasons.

The warmth and fragrance of hot, spiced cider accentuates the season and tastes delicious with lightly glazed stovetop popcorn.

The 30 minutes of enjoyment is especially heavenly in our two-toddler household’s post-bedtime silence.

Although, it’s a silence that’s inevitably broken with the story of how I unintentionally attempted to paralyze my father-in-law. ilfbpartners.com

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ALMANAC

We Root for Henning’s Get a taste of something different at Henning’s Root Beer Stand.

The stand has become a local favorite in Hoopeston and is famous for its homemade root beer. The restaurant also serves an allAmerican breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu items include chili dogs, burgers and specials a few times a week. The restaurant is wellknown for its famous fish, served on Fridays and Saturdays.

Call (217) 283-5782 to learn more.

State of the Arts This autumn, experience the art of Illinois. Support the state’s artists by attending a local art showcase this fall. Here are a few to consider: A biennial favorite, the Southern Illinois Artists Open Competition and Exhibition, will be held from August to October at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mount Vernon.

In October, the Rockford Art Museum welcomes the “Hollis Sigler: Expect the Unexpected” exhibit, which celebrates the work of Chicago artist Hollis Sigler. The exhibit will be on display through January 2010.

Vera Klement, one of Illinois’ most distinguished artists whose work is featured on our cover, has paintings in numerous Illinois collections, including those at the Art Institute of Chicago and Illinois State Museum Art Gallery in Springfield.

For links to more upcoming art exhibits and information about Illinois artists, visit ilfbpartners.com.

BIKING FOR A CAUSE For the 14th annual Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Bike Ride, cyclists will travel through nine counties in Eastern Illinois – right through the country crossroads of America. The bike ride is a fundraising event to support agriculture, and riders also make stops at schools along the route to educate students on the importance of Illinois agriculture.

This year’s bike ride is scheduled for Sept. 8-10, with short, medium, and long-route options each day. Learn more at www.iaafoundation.org or by calling (309) 557-2230.

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Illinois Farm Bureau

Shape Up Fall is a great time to set an exercise routine in motion and incorporate the outdoors. Head to Horseshoe Lake in Southern Illinois for a 5 1/2-mile hike by the tranquil lake, or if you’re looking for more variety, try Central Illinois’ Rock Springs, which has trails of varying difficulty. Keep these trekking tips in mind along the way.

Start early. The days are shorter in the fall, so begin earlier to maximize every minute.

Be prepared for all kinds of weather, which means bringing raingear and wind-protective clothing.

Most importantly, remember to stay comfortable and wear three to four layers instead of a bulky jacket.

Too Hot To Handle Visitors are sure to get fired up at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum.

The museum, housed in Aurora’s old Central Fire Station, is home to seven pieces of fire truck apparatus, from an 1850s Hand Pumper to a 1995 Aerial Ladder Truck, and thousands of artifacts such as hats, hoses and ladders.

Visitors should be sure to catch one of the museum’s various exhibits and programs. One such program immerses guests in the intrigue surrounding the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and guests can peruse artifacts that survived the fire.

Learn more about the museum at www.auroraregionalfiremuseum.org.

HOME-GROWN SWEET Plant yourself a sweet treat – a sweet potato, that is.

You’ll need to first grow “slips,” vines that sprout from the potato’s buds. Place a sweet potato in a container of water with 1/3 of it exposed by toothpicks stuck into its sides. Keep it in a sunny location, and in a few weeks a vine with several stems should begin to sprout. Plant the vines outside and have a home-grown favorite this time next year.

Fall 2009

Farm Food Get a few tips from some of the best cooks in Illinois –the farm families.

The Illinois Farm Family Cookbook is a compilation of mouth-watering recipes submitted by farm families.

The book is sold through the IAA Foundation, which was developed in 1987 to fund educational, research and charitable activities that benefit Illinois farm families and agriculture. Order your copy online at www.iaafoundation.org or by calling (309) 557-2230.

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With a royal lineage and death-defying tricks, these Lipizzan horses have

Air About Them An

STORY BY

Charlyn Fargo Curcio

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Ian

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Illinois Farm Bureau

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ochen Hippenstiel remembers the moment he rode his favorite Lipizzan horse, Favory VII Andorella, past President Barack Obama in the 2009 presidential inauguration parade.

“I could see the president sitting in his box, and we made eye contact,” says Hippenstiel, head trainer for Tempel Farms’ Lipizzans.

“He was nodding his head. You could almost feel him thinking, ‘What beautiful horses.’”

Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, a northwest suburb of Chicago, is the only place in the United States where the rare, white Lipizzan stallions are bred and trained, then perform.

Tempel Farms was founded in 1959 by the late industrialist Tempel Smith and his wife, Esther, and features training, breeding and dressage facilities. The 4,000-acre site is also home to the largest privately owned herd of Lipizzans in the world.

DID YOU KNOW Lipizzans are genetically a type of gray. Born dark, black-brown, brown, or mouse-gray, Lipizzan horses gradually lighten until the white coat for which they are noted is produced somewhere between the ages of 6 and 10.

Tempel Farms of Wadsworth has raised the rare Lipizzan breed of horses since 1959.

Fall 2009

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See the Horses PLAN TO VISIT TEMPEL FARMS

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n-farm performances are held each Sunday and Wednesday during the warmer months, and their last performance for 2009 is Sept. 6.

During the off-season, farm tours are available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visitors can see the stables, watch as the trainers prepare for the next season, learn about the farm and the horses’ storied history and intricate training, and ask questions of their tour guide.

For more information about farm visits, visit www.tempelfarms.com or call (847) 623-7272.

MORE ONLINE To learn more facts about the Lipizzan breed, visit ilfbpartners.com.

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Illinois Farm Bureau

The horses have performed four other times in presidential inauguration parades, not counting their recent trip to Washington, D.C. And if Chicago gets the nod to host the 2016 Olympics, Tempel Farms is the proposed site of equestrian events for the Summer Games.

“Hosting the Olympics would be a great thing,” Hippenstiel says. “I think the world is ready for Chicago. Having the equestrian events here would be a great opportunity to represent this farm and our country.”

Until then, the horses will be performing for visitors every Wednesday and Sunday throughout the summer months.

The performances are based on an art of riding that has survived for more than four centuries at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The training

begins when the horse is 4 years old and lasts between three to five years.

Upper-level horses are trained according to the classical principles of dressage, (pronounced dre-sazh), a form of ballet on a horse. In recent years, those same movements have been featured on the Olympic dressage test. By the end of the training time, the gravity-defying Lipizzans leap effortlessly through the air just like the white horse that Prince Charming rode in fairy tales.

“The difference between Lipizzans and other warmbloods is that they mature later,” Hippenstiel says. “But they also last longer. These horses are still working in their 20s. We train mostly stallions, while the mares and colts are used for driving.”

“A Lipizzan’s temperament is good – very trainable – and they are hardy

and sturdy horses,” adds Andreanna Stucker, barn manager and assistant trainer. “Lipizzans specialize in airs above the ground – literally leaping through the air. We see those same natural movements from foals. I love the training process.”

Stucker also rode in the inaugural parade.

“There was a lot of waiting,” she says. “But that showed the character of the horse. All of our horses were so well-behaved, even though we had to wait five hours in the cold.”

Stucker also does the breeding at the farm and says that five to 10 foals are born each summer on the farm.

“I delivered my first foal last May,” she says. “It was an amazing experience, especially considering it’s a tradition that was started over 50 years ago on this farm.”

Tempel Farms trainer Linda Leffingwell works with the horses daily to prepare for the on-farm performances and special events.

Fall 2009

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Illinois Farm Bureau

Enjoy a wholesome family getaway at an Illinois

Pumpkin Patch STORY BY

Joanie Stiers Ian Curcio

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

J

ean Coon enjoys monitoring the growth of her returning families as much as the growth of her pumpkin business.

Thousands of families every fall flock to Coon’s 16-acre Great Pumpkin Patch in Caledonia for farm-grown pumpkins, a corn maze, private-label jams, farm animals and musical entertainment.

And with all that, the most popular photo spot is a wood display titled How Tall Is Fall?

Returning families pause from their activities to check the height of their kids and snap a shot for the photo album.

“More than anything we try to provide

families a place to go that is clean and safe,” says Coon, who is in her ninth season. “They can be out in the fresh air and experience some things they don’t normally get to do or be around.”

Select farm families throughout Illinois find their ways into photo albums of their urban counterparts as they open their farm to the public. With more than 50 pumpkin patches and more than 100 orchards and youpick farms registered with the Agriculture & Tourism Partners of Illinois Association, most families can find one of these wholesome entertainment venues close to home.

DID YOU KNOW 90 percent of all “pie” pumpkins are raised in Illinois, and Morton is known as the pumpkin capital of the world.

Many Illinois farms sell pumpkins in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures, along with other fall treats.

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“Agritourism is one of those things that lends itself nicely to that family getaway,” says Bonnie Heimbach, secretary of Agriculture & Tourism Partners of Illinois and executive director of the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office. “It allows our visitors to come to our rural communities and rural settings and get a first-hand experience on the farm.”

Creating a day of memories on the farm can fit any budget, depending on the farm activities and amenities available. Most farms offer free admission to browse the products, take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch or pet farm animals. From there, the family’s budget can dictate the quantity of pumpkins, apples, cider donuts and

mums they take home.

These pumpkin patches and orchards naturally appeal to families because families usually operate them.

For example, Coon’s husband, Mark, and their three children have served significant roles at The Great Pumpkin Patch.

And in Spring Grove, three generations of family operate the World’s Largest Corn Maze and other attractions at The Richardson Farm.

Farms such as these become traditional fall outings and daytrip destinations for families. The farm owners combine their homegrown products with a petting zoo, wagon rides, corn maze, lunch stand, specialty shops, bakeries, campfires

and playgrounds, Heimbach says.

The Great Pumpkin Patch offers a 7-acre corn maze, family-friendly haunted shed, pony rides, petting zoo, giant inflatables, Halloween candy and more. The weekends are filled with pumpkin launching, music, wagon rides, face painting and walking

“Agritourism allows our visitors to come to our rural settings and get a first-hand experience on the farm.”

Jean Coon, owner of The Pumpkin Patch, says that an Illinois pumpkin farm is a great weekend destination for families. Her farm, located northeast of Rockford near the Illinois-Wisconsin border, offers numerous activities for children to enjoy.

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Illinois Farm Bureau

characters like the Pumpkin Patch Gorilla. The business has grown significantly since its start 27 years ago as a pumpkin stand in Frank and Sue Fiorello’s front yard.

Meanwhile, the fun disguises the educational facet. These farm visits bring together growers and

Fall 2009

consumers who engage in conversations about production and processing methods. The weekdays are filled with school tours and visits from moms with preschoolers. The weekends promote family time, education and entertainment.

“People who come out to

something like this as a family are very happy,” Coon says. “It’s a nice day, and it’s a way to celebrate fall.”

Just remember the camera.

MORE ONLINE Find links to more fall agritourism destinations at ilfbpartners.com.

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A-maizing Mazes Satellites, artists team up to create farm attraction

MORE ONLINE Find links to more Illinois corn mazes and photos at ilfbpartners.com.

Global-positioning satellites, artistic talent and a touch of corn-plowing willpower combine to turn ordinary corn fields into destinations throughout Illinois.

“Basically, corn mazes are a giant picture that people navigate through,” says Carol Richardson, a maze operator at The Richardson Farm of Spring Grove.

Giant, indeed. This farm family operates a corn maze that includes 11.1 miles of walking trails in four sections across 28 acres, earning the “world’s largest” designation from a children’s magazine.

1. The maze-planning process each year begins with selecting a pattern, Carol says.

2. Next enters a corn maze designer, who inputs the image into a computer and determines trails.

3. Meanwhile, the farmer plants corn in two directions to create a much denser stand than in a traditional field of corn.

4. When the plants reach 10 inches, the maze designer arrives with a tractor and tiller equipped with a GPS unit.

5. The designer uses the satellite-guided device to remove corn and blaze miles of trails within a day.

6. Farm owners remove weeds and widen paths as needed. By late summer, they have installed posts and checkpoints to prepare for thousands of visitors, who spend an hour or more navigating trails amid 10-foot-tall corn.

– Joanie Stiers

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Illinois Farm Bureau

COUNTRY® WISDOM ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lorraine Zenge, ChFC, is a senior advanced planner for COUNTRY Financial. Visit COUNTRY on the web at www.countryfinancial.com.

Where There’s a Will…

There’s a record of how you want your property divided When you hear the saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” you may reflect on a time when someone gave you some wise advice to keep pursuing a goal.

In the financial sense, this phrase takes on a different but equally important meaning. It means, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way… of knowing how you want your assets to be distributed after you die.”

FOLLOWING YOUR WISHES It is truly important to have a will so that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes after you die. Perhaps you have jewelry or family heirlooms that you want to go to specific people after you die. Without a will, your handwritten note or verbal instructions may not be followed.

SIMPLE DIVISION Although each state has laws of intestacy that control who receives your property after your death, this plan of distribution may not be in accord with your wishes. For example, the laws of intestacy of Illinois mandate that the property of a decedent who has no will, but was married and had descendants will be distributed one-half to the spouse and one-half to the surviving descendants. Even if the decedent had wanted all of his separate property to Fall 2009

pass to his surviving spouse and subsequently pass to his children following the spouse’s death, this will not occur unless he had a validly executed will.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS There are other reasons to execute a will rather than having a written plan of distribution following death. For example, you may nominate a guardian for your minor children and include trust provisions to defer children’s distributions until they’re the age that you have specified.

You also may choose who will serve as the executor of your estate. If you have a large estate, your will can be structured in a way that minimizes estate taxes.

Each state has its own requirements for a legal will.

Generally, these include being of sound mind and over the age of majority. The will must also be signed, dated and witnessed by a specific number of people, as required under state law. Although not required, it may be a good idea to have your attorney draft your will so you know that it is properly written and executed.

By executing a will, you gain peace of mind knowing that you made settling your estate easier for your loved ones. Please take this important step in providing financial security for your family. ilfbpartners.com

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An autumn danger for many Illinois motorists –

Deer in the

Headlights STORY BY

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Martin Ross

Illinois Farm Bureau

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any of us have experienced it – the heart-pounding moment when a deer crosses the road just ahead of your vehicle and a collision is barely avoided.

Roughly 800,000 white-tailed deer call Illinois home, and autumn is an especially dangerous time for Illinois motorists – encounters between drivers and deer are at their peak from late October through December.

Fortunately, Illinois deer/vehicle collisions have leveled off during the past few years, even as statewide deer numbers have remained stable, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesman Chris McCloud.

But motorists can’t afford to be complacent while cruising the interstate: An interaction with one of Illinois’ big bucks can cause significant damage to your vehicle or even your health.

Country Financial insurance company alone reported 8,604 Illinois deer/vehicle incidents in 2008, paying out nearly $23.3 million in claims at an average $2,707 in estimated damages per incident. That’s compared with 9,521 incidents in 2004.

In addition to vehicle property damage, deer cause several thousand dollars a year in crop damage.

“The most popular places for animalhuman contact to occur are either the places with the most humans or the places with the most deer – not necessarily both,” McCloud relates. “For example, there’s a high rate of deer/vehicle accidents in Cook County, which seems odd to many people. Why? There certainly are quite a few deer up in that area, but there’s also two-thirds of the population of the entire state in Northern Illinois. If you have a lot of cars, you’re going to run up the chances of contacting a deer.”

He adds, “In the converse, if you go to an area in Central or Southern Illinois where

there aren’t nearly as many people as in Cook County, there may be a lot more deer. There, you’re also going to run up the risk of running into a deer.”

McCloud notes collisions occur most frequently during the period known as the deer’s “rut,” when the hooved herbivores essentially have only two things on their mind – food and finding a mate. That cool-weather imperative distracts them from potential hazards within their immediate environment, including speeding cars.

“They move with purpose, and they move with intent,” McCloud explains.

Caution is key to minimizing ill-fated encounters with deer. Slow down in areas that deer are known to inhabit or where they may be prevalent, such as near open spaces, forested areas, harvested farm fields where deer may feast on crop residues, or creeks where animals may stop for refreshment.

“If you’ve seen them in a place once, chances are you’re going to see them again,” McCloud says. “Most of us take the same route or maybe just a couple of different routes between home and work. During the rut, those are the most crucial times – at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.”

TIP Follow these tips to help avoid a deer-related collision this fall: • Be aware that deer may cross a roadway and double back across.

Make sure deer have moved completely away before proceeding.

• Several other animals may follow a single deer near or across a road.

When one deer is spotted, slow down and make sure it’s alone.

• Avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road if deer are on the roadway. Instead, slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along.

• Drivers encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their headlights from bright to dim or honking their horn to encourage deer to move on.

Deer grazing in fields adjacent to roadways present significant danger to motorists. PHOTO BY BRIAN M CORD C

Fall 2009

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Illinois Farm Bureau

Create an autumn meal based on plank cooking – a unique American Indian method

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lank cooking, a technique American Indians developed centuries ago, is a method that adds a distinct flavor to fish and meats.

The aromatic wood – be it cedar, red oak, maple, alder or apple wood – imbues the food with a subtle smoky taste while keeping it moist and tender.

Using a plank actually makes cooking seafood easier, and it’s a popular method for grilling fish. Our recipe for Cedar-Plank Roasted Salmon actually takes the method indoors to your oven and adds roasted vegetables to the mix.

Pair this aromatic and delicious entrée with our flavorful Wild Baked Acorn Squash, stuffed with rice, pecans and Gouda cheese. For dessert, try Gingerbread with Caramelized Apples – a tasty and unexpected way to use this sweet fall fruit. Enjoy!

Fall 2009

BUY LOCAL Find links to an apple orchard near you at www.urbanext.illinois. edu/apples.

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Cedar-Plank Roasted Salmon 1

8-ounce fresh salmon steak

1½ teaspoons fresh dry rub seasoning (recipe below) 3

red potatoes, blanched and cut in half

1

pound medium red onion, cut into wedges

½ yellow squash, cut into wedges ½ teaspoon seasoning salt

½ red bell pepper, cut in wedges

1

tablespoon olive oil

6

2

lemons

mushrooms, halved

1. Soak plank in water for at least four hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Toss together potatoes, bell pepper, mushrooms, red onion, squash and

zucchini with seasoning salt and oil.

3. Coat both sides of salmon with the dry seasoning and place on center

of cedar plank. Add vegetables around salmon and squeeze juice from one lemon over the top.

4. Place the plank in the oven for 8 minutes, then remove from oven and

turn salmon over. Roast for an additional 8 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 120 to 130 degrees. Remove plank; garnish with lemon slices and serve.

TIP Make your own dry-rub seasoning for multiple fish recipes, including this one. In a food processor, combine 2 teaspoons of lemon pepper with 1 teaspoon each of granulated garlic, dry tarragon, dry basil, paprika, kosher salt and light brown sugar.

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Illinois Farm Bureau

Wild Baked Acorn Squash

Gingerbread With Apples

3

large acorn squash, halved and seeded

½ cup sugar

2

tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup water

1

small onion, minced

3

2

cloves garlic, minced

½ cup each unsalted butter, brown sugar

apples, peeled and diced

½ cup apple brandy

1

cup honey

¼ cup apple cider

3

eggs

3

cups cooked long-grain wild rice

3

cups all-purpose flour

2

egg yolks

1

tablespoon each ground ginger

1

cup toasted pecans

2

teaspoons ground cinnamon

1

cup grated Gouda cheese

1

teaspoon each ground nutmeg, baking soda

1

tablespoon fresh sage

1

tablespoon diced candied ginger

1

tablespoon Dijon mustard

1

cup each of sour cream, ground toasted pecans

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash in a large

1. Combine sugar and water in a large sauté pan and

baking dish.

cook over high heat until sugar turns golden. Add apples and cook until tender, about 4 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add

onions and garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and add brandy and cider. Set pan over high heat and reduce until mixture is nearly evaporated, about 4 minutes.

2. Combine butter, brown sugar and honey, mixing well on high speed. Add eggs one at a time. Add cooked apples and mix well. Set aside.

3. Remove pan from heat and let cool. Transfer

cinnamon, nutmeg, candied ginger and baking soda.

Add half of flour mixture to egg mixture. Add sour cream and mix well. Add rest of flour and the pecans.

cooled mixture to a large bowl.

4. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well.

5. Divide stuffing among prepared squash. Bake until

squash is tender, about an hour. Serve warm.

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3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, ginger,

4. Mix well and pour into a buttered 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes.

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GARDENING

Layering It on

Thick

Lasagna gardening is organic, earth-friendly, and most importantly, incredibly easy

A

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jan Phipps farms, gardens, writes and podcasts near Chrisman. She’s been a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener for 10 years.

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utumn is a great time to prepare your yard for a new garden for next year, but how do you remove the turf? As many of you know, sod-busting is not easy, even though there are multiple options.

You can rent machines, but they are expensive and often difficult to use.

Slicing off the grass with a sharp spade is doable if you are fairly fit. This method avoids the use of chemicals but removes a lot of organic matter.

Tilling retains the organic matter and is faster and easier than digging. However, it can destroy the soil structure and wreak havoc on beneficial soil-aerating worms. Another disadvantage is that tilling divides perennial weeds and creates the potential for each piece

to develop a new plant.

Applying herbicide is fast, but waiting for the grass to die isn’t. If you choose this method, be sure to wear protective clothing and apply on a calm day.

Finally, there is the smother method.

Cover the area with newspaper, cardboard or plastic that is weighted down and then wait for six weeks. Plastic will kill the beneficial organisms in the soil, so I suggest using something that is biodegradable.

One smother method that really works is lasagna gardening. While the name may sound strange, the method works well. Lasagna gardening is a way to build a new bed without removing the sod, and it is both fast and beneficial to the soil.

Illinois Farm Bureau

ASK AN EXPERT

Q

What blooms in the fall besides mums and asters?

ANSWER Try these plants: goldenrod (Solidago rugosa “Fireworks”) and Sedum “Autumn Joy.”

Q

Is it better to spread compost in the fall or spring?

As with the pasta dish, you make a lasagna bed by building layers; in this case, alternating nitrogen (green) sources and carbon (brown) sources. The first layer is a green – the existing grass. The next is a brown in the form of sections of wet newspaper. Keep building 2- to 3-inch layers, alternating between greens and browns.

Fresh grass clippings, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds and manure are good greens. Browns include fallen leaves, sawdust, shredded paper and straw.

Finally, top the whole thing with a layer of compost or soil so the wind doesn’t blow away your effort.

Keep the bed moist until the ground freezes. It is particularly important not to let Fall 2009

that bottom layer of newspaper dry out. By spring, you will have an enriched bed that is ready to plant. You can mix up the layers with the underlying soil (provided the newspaper has fully decomposed) or plant it as is.

If you need time to stockpile the different layers, the lasagna bed can be built in the spring. You can plant right into it, but it will require a lot more watering because the layers will not retain moisture as well as the soil.

Keep in mind that if you use manure for one of the green layers, it should be well composted or it may burn the plants.

Transplants work better than seeds in a spring- or summer-built lasagna bed.

For more information about this type of gardening, visit ilfbpartners.com.

ANSWER Actually, both if you have enough. If not, finished compost (fine texture) is good for spring. Not quite finished compost (a little rougher) is good in the fall because it will continue to break down over the winter.

E-mail your gardening questions to Jan at ilfbpartners@jnlcom.com.

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{Travel Illinois}

Chica

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Illinois Farm Bureau

go

When it comes to vacationing, this city is an oldie but a goodie STORY BY

Jessica Mozo Ian Curcio

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

S

ure, you’ve probably been to Chicago a dozen times. But the so-called Windy City has so much to see, the savvy traveler can easily make it a new experience every time.

Fall is a fantastic season to visit, when the weather is crisp but not too cold, and the trees are brimming with radiant foliage. Read on for some of our top picks on places to see and things to do in Chicago in the fall.

FALL IS IN THE AIR Celebrate Halloween, Chicago-style, with Chicagoween, an annual citywide festival that brings decorations and activities to every corner of the city, from its parks and buildings to its streets. Costumed kids can march in the State Street Halloween Happening Parade (slated for Oct. 24) and then enjoy trick-ortreating, high-flying aerial acts from the Midnight Circus, and a costume contest at Daley Plaza. Downtown also features a Haunted Village and pumpkin decorating.

The vibrant fall colors at the Chicago Botanic Garden are sure to take your breath away. The peaceful English Oak Meadow overflows with fall-blooming flowers and Enjoy a breathtaking view from the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower.

Fall 2009

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Willis Tower Skydeck

TOP MUSEUMS • The Art Institute of Chicago • Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum • DuSable Museum of African American History • Chicago Children’s Museum • Chicago Cultural Center • Chicago History Museum • Museum of Science and Industry • Museum of Contemporary Art

Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park

several varieties of oak trees, and 100 acres of woods present a spectacular fall display.

If the brisk autumn weather has you longing for warmth, grab a chair by the cozy fireplace at Uncommon Ground, a local restaurant famous for its bowl-o-cocoa. It’s an actual bowl of rich hot chocolate topped with steamed milk, fluffy cream and omanhene chocolate, and it’s big enough to hold with two hands.

INTO THE OUTDOORS Millenium Park breaks the mold when it comes to parks. It’s not just a downtown green space where you can soak up the serenity of nature – it also features award-winning architecture and landscape design, including the giant stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture, known to locals as “The Bean.” The 24.5-acre park hosts world-class concerts in its Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and the interactive Crown Fountain is a big draw for kids and adults alike.

Grant Park is another must-see downtown attraction. Named for Ulysses S. Grant, the park is commonly referred to as Chicago’s

“front yard” due to its prominence and beauty. The park’s centerpiece is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, and it’s the site of three popular museums – the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium.

And, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can still enjoy a bit of the outdoors.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory brings the outside in, with tropical palms, ancient ferns and thousands of plants grown for use in local parks. Stroll through the conservatory’s four display houses, showcasing palms, ferns, orchids and annual flower shows.

THE WOW FACTOR Check out the view from the 103rd floor Willis Tower Skydeck – you’ll never feel more on top of the world. Voted one of the “7 Wonders of Chicago” by Chicago Tribune readers, the Willis Tower Skydeck (formerly known as the Sears Tower Skydeck) offers the best view of the city from the tallest building

CALLING ALL SPORTS FANS Chicago has twice been named the Best Sports City in the United States by The Sporting News, and for good reason.

Five professional athletic teams– the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks– all play in the Windy City.

With so much going on in the athletic sector, it’s no wonder the International Olympic Committee has selected Chicago as one of four candidate cities for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

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Illinois Farm Bureau

LOCAL FLAVOR

You Gotta Love Lula’s CHICAGO CAFÉ SERVES UP IMAGINATIVE, ORGANIC CUISINE STRAIGHT FROM THE FARM

S

Lincoln Park

in the Western Hemisphere. In mid-2009, the Skydeck plans to unveil new window boxes made entirely of glass that will allow visitors to look down through the floor at the street more than 1,300 feet below.

Want to get an inside peek at the stock exchange? The Chicago Board of Trade’s Visitor Center opened in 2007 in the lobby of the exchange’s historic building at Jackson and LaSalle streets. Learn about the impressive and influential landmark through interactive displays on risk management, commerce development, technology and trading. You can also explore artifacts showcasing the Board of Trade’s history, videos and a retail store.

If all those numbers have you yearning for the simple life, visit the Museum of Science and Industry’s Farm Tech Exhibit, where you can challenge friends to a milking contest with a faux cow, climb on a tractor and put yourself in the driver’s seat of a real combine.

This cool exhibit lets you see how farmers are using cutting-edge technologies that make farming more efficient and eco-friendly.

ampling produce and meats from area farms is as easy as dining at Chicago’s hip and trendy Lula Café, a cozy eatery at Logan Square.

Decorated with twinkling lights, vintage modern furnishings and artwork, Lula Café specializes in seasonal organic produce from local growers, wild-caught fish and naturally raised meats and poultry.

“Our menu changes all the time, even daily, because we always use what’s in season from local farms,” says Robby Sexton, Lula Café barista.

“We might feature duck crepes or ricotta pancakes with lemon curd.”

Lula Café has been voted Best Breakfast by readers of Chicago magazine, thanks to its unusual, tasty specials such as peaches and mascarpone-stuffed brioche French toast, and strada, or fluffy eggs layered with artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes and caramelized onions.

One of Lula’s trademarks is Monday Night Farm Dinners, held year-round from 6 p.m. to close.

“We pull together resources from local farms to prepare the meal, and the menu is posted online the same day. There’s always a set price for a three-course dinner,” Sexton says. “It’s a very popular event – we’re always packed by 8 p.m., and we usually run out before the night is over.”

The Monday Night Farm Dinners are always different, but past menus have included items such as salt cod croquettes, pancettacrusted sturgeon and dark chocolate popovers for dessert.

When the weather is nice, Lula Café offers alfresco dining with bright green chairs that summon passersby for a weekend brunch. But it’s just as inviting to dine inside, where the atmosphere is laid back and diners can gaze at a variety of artwork, from photography exhibits to abstract art.

GET MORE ONLINE Find links to more Chicago restaurants at ilfbpartners.com.

CULINARY CLAIM TO FAME When it comes to cuisine, Chicago is most famous for its deep-dish pizza – thick, doughy crust loaded with chunky tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese and plenty of meat and veggies. The beloved knife-and-fork pizza has been a Chicago tradition since 1943.

These days, you can find great deep-dish pizza all across the city, but don’t expect to get your order in 15 minutes – traditional deep-dish pizza can take as long as 45 minutes to bake.

Fall 2009

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FALL EVENTS

Comfort Food SEPT. 19 GOLCONDA Enjoy a true taste of the South at the Golconda Shrimp Festival. The event features a farmers’ market, arts and crafts tables, live music, and, of course, all the shrimp you can eat.

At noon, culinary experts and novices alike offer up their best shrimp recipes and compete for the title of Best in Show.

Guests can have a deep-fried Oreo or Twinkie for dessert, and those 21 and up can stroll through the beer garden.

Other events include water and taxi rides, a Little Miss Shrimp pageant, and live music and dancing in the streets.

Visit www.mainstreetgolconda.org to learn more.

GET MORE ONLINE Submit your event for future inclusion at ilfbpartners.com.

This listing includes a few events to add to your calendar in September and October from around the state.

Dates were accurate at press time but are subject to change. Please check with the contact listed before traveling long distances to attend.

Additional information on Illinois events also is available online through the Illinois Bureau of Tourism’s website, www.enjoyillinois.com.

A Taste of History SEPT. 26-27 CLINTON Get ready for some good old-fashioned food and fun at the DeWitt County Museum Association’s annual Apple N’ Pork Festival.

The event, held on the Victorian-era C.H. Moore Homestead, began in 1968.

Locals say the event, marked by the aroma of apple butter and smoked ham, kicks off the autumn season.

In addition to the more than 30 food

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booths, visitors can peruse the flea market and craft show or even listen to a Civil War-style band.

Proceeds from the festival go toward maintaining the house and barn. Find out more at www.chmoorehomestead.org.

Oh, the Scarecrows OCT. 9-11 ST. CHARLES Ever wonder how your scarecrow stacks up? Find out at the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival.

The annual fall festival began in 1985, and in 2007, it was voted one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association.

During the festival, more than 100 scarecrow displays are entered into various contests to see which will take home first place in various divisions, with entries from both children and adults.

In the past, top honors have gone to a “Cher-crow,” modeled after the famous diva, and a re-creation of the Wizard of Oz scarecrow. Guests are invited to get involved and test their skills by making their own scarecrows.

In addition to the scarecrow events, the festival also hosts the Fox Arts & Crafts show, which has more than 200 crafters on site.

Other activities include a farmers’ market, carnival and live music all weekend long. Learn more about the festival at www.scarecrowfest.com.

Illinois Farm Bureau

Honoring October OCT. 3 GALENA Celebrate the month of October at the 3rd annual Galena Oktoberfest. Enjoy polka lessons and dancing, nonstop live music, a bounce house and games for the children and lots of food and drinks. A popular event is the wiener dog racing competition. In 2008, the race featured 42 Dachshund dogs, hailing from all over Illinois and bordering states.

Another activity to check out is the Oktoberfest bike ride, hosted by G.O.A.T.S. (Go Out And Tour Somewhere) Bicycling Club of Galena. Choose from three ride options – a 69-mile ride, a 30-mile ride and a shorter, family-focused ride.

For more information on the bike ride, visit www.goatscycling.com.

To learn more about Oktoberfest, visit www.galenaoktoberfest.com.

Fall 2009

A Trip Down Memory Lane OCT. 10-11 KAMPSVILLE Take a step back in time and into the life of early Illinois residents during the Old Settlers Days in Calhoun County.

Through recreations, demonstrations, and activities, guests are able to experience the workings and happenings of the early Calhoun County settlers.

The weekend event is held on the banks of the Illinois River and features displays of primitive shelters and trade fairs, as well as black-powder shootings, carriage rides and a fiddle contest. It’s a history lesson that kids can enjoy along with pony rides and other activities.

Food and live entertainment are provided throughout the weekend.

For more information and to plan your trip, call (618) 465-2114.

An Epic Landing OCT. 16-17 MAKANDA When fall descends on Makanda, so do the vultures.

Every October the town throws a festival, accurately named the Vulture Fest, in honor of the notorious bird.

The tradition began when it was noted that the small town had a big population of vultures, and it’s believed that the vultures called the area home because of the abundance of trees and cliffs found in the region. As a result, local residents and visitors from all over celebrate the vulture during this weekend festival.

During the event, visitors can discover the local treasures of Makanda, and, of course, celebrate the world’s most underrated bird. The oldfashioned festival also has booths devoted to arts and crafts, tasty treats and live entertainment. ilfbpartners.com

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ILLINOIS IN FOCUS

AN ILLINOIS FARMSCAPE in McLean County presents a perfect backdrop for a breathtaking sunset. STAFF PHOTO

SEE MORE PHOTOS For more photos of Illinois, visit ilfbpartners.com.

Fall 2009

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