SI Magazine

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710 North Illinois Avenue P.O. Box 2108 Carbondale, Illinois 62902 618-529-5454 • 800-228-0429 fax 618-529-3774 southernillinoismag.com SIMag@thesouthern.com

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Publisher Bob Williams Ad Director Abby Hatfield Executive Editor Gary Metro Editor Cara Recine Photo Editor Chuck Novara Graphic Rhonda M. Ethridge Designer Circulation Kathy Kelton Webmaster Lauren Siegert Photographers Thomas Barker Steve Jahnke Paul Newton Chuck Novara Stephen Rickerl Alan Rogers

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Contributors Thomas Barker Mary Thomas Layton Becky Malkovich Debbie Moore Les O’Dell Stephen Rickerl Pete Spitler Brent Stewart Les Winkeler

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Southern Illinois Magazine is a publication of The Southern Illinoisan. Contact us at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901, or at P.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL 62902. Also reach us on the web at www.southernillinoismag.com. Southern Illinois Magazine is published four times per year and is distributed free of cost to a variety of businesses and hotels in Southern Illinois. Š 2010 by The Southern Illinoisan. All rights reserved. For more information call 618-529-5454 or 618-997-3356, or visit us online at www.thesouthern.com.

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Letter from the executive editor

Bittersweet baseball memories a World Series game. I saw Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron and many others in their prime. I got the winning hit in more than one softball tournament and collected my fair share of defensive miracles – including stumbling into the path of a sinking liner that somehow ended up in my glove for a game-saving catch. Perhaps you enjoy the game, too. Southern Illinois is a great place for seeing a baseball game, whether you choose a youth game, Saluki baseball and softball or the amazingly fanfriendly confines of Rent One Park in Marion, the home of the Southern Illinois Miners. Les Winkeler takes you out to the game on page 28. Of course, spring and early summer offer more than sports in Southern Illinois. You’ll want to check our coverage of the bustling scene along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail or learn more about our collection of places for eating a fine meal in the great outdoors. We’ve got a lot in Southern Illinois. This issue offers a buffet table of great places to see and fun things to do. Check it out! — Gary Metro

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Gary Metro keeps his eye on the ball.

It is springtime, and the fancies of young and not-so-young boys occasionally turns to baseball or its sandlot cousin, softball. OK, also to young women of all ages. Although it can no longer be called America’s Pastime, our nation’s unique romance with ball yards and battery mates continues unabated. There is nothing sweeter than the smell of new-mown grass from the infield and few sounds more satisfying than the crack of a bat or the slap of horsehide against a leather glove. The game runs so deeply in my life that even when I hate it, I love it. To fully understand, you must consider the bittersweet nature of my baseball memories. My first-ever Major League Baseball game was between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Braves. I rooted for the Braves, so, of course, the Pirates won. To crown the day properly, a bird that obviously had been eating berries took care of its toilet needs while flying right over the left shoulder of my once-clean white shirt. I’ve got good memories, too. I was in the crowd at County Stadium when the Milwaukee Brewers won

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Contents

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Spring 2010

The Travel Issue! Follow the signs

You don’t have to travel far to find adventure; it’s down just about any Southern Illinois highway

photo by ALAN ROGERS

Amy Heinrichs (left) and her sister, Nichole, pose for a photo at Von Jakob Vineyards while celebrating Amy’s bachelorette party earlier this spring. Do you want to get away with your girlfriends? Start with a stay along the region’s wine trail. Page 13.

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Restaurants combine favorites: Eating and the outdoors

Driven to distraction

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Let someone else do the chauffeuring

It’s a hit!

28

Miners continue to thrill fans and families

University Museum

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Chad Morgenthaler is off the hook

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Bringing us the world and all its wonder

Out of hibernation SIUC’s Diane Daugherty has tips for golfers

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Music and mingling: It’s easy to do in Carbondale

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A solemn place that reflects a nation and a region’s history

this issue Natural Beauty Wine Country

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Out & About In Our Backyard

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Festivals Parting Shot

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Dining

Alfresco The Southern File Photo

Restaurants combine two favorites: Eating and the outdoors

Top: SIUC graduate student Christy Stowall eats lunch with her 13-month-old daughter, Alice, in tow while dining with friends Rebecca Dull and Chris Huckabee at Longbranch Coffeehouse’s outdoor patio in Carbondale. Above: The patio of Windows Restaurant at Rend Lake Resort.

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good eats

by Becky Malkovich

After a long, cold winter, all it takes is the hint of spring to spark full-blown spring fever in Southern Illinoisans. And for many, the quickest cure for that fever comes from combining two loves, that of dining and the outdoors. Alfresco dining becomes a popular pastime as soon as warmer temperatures and sunshine take over for cold and dreary, and by the time that happens in late winter or early spring, residents are more than ready. “It’s like we’ve been hibernating all winter,” said Lee Medders, owner of The Buzz in Benton. “We can’t wait to get out and enjoy the warmer weather, breathe the fresh air and sit outside in the sun.” The Buzz, a popular lunchtime hangout on the Benton Public Square, puts tables on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant as soon as the warm weather becomes consistent, she said. Because of the location, peoplewatching is part of the pleasure. “To say there is a lot going on is an understatement,” Medders said,

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Walt’s recently remodeled its patio to include stamped and engraved concrete, flat-screen televisions and will offer live entertainment every other Saturday through the summer. “Our patio is half-covered and half-open,” manager Walter Nieds III said. “We have one of the finest patios in Southern Illinois and it’s definitely the place to be in Marion.” Melange’s patio offers intimate outdoor dining, even in the winter, with a fireplace, individual heaters and central heat, Aaron Ketner of the restaurant said. Additional patio seating is open as soon as the weather is nice. “Our patio is a very popular place year-round, but especially when people want to sit outside and have a nice meal,” he said. Windows Restaurant, located at Rend Lake Resort in Whittington, offers fine dining with a view, resort manager Gena Atchison said. The deck, with seating for about 100, wraps around the restaurant and is directly above the water. “We get a couple of nice days in March and everyone starts lining up to eat outside,” Atchison said. “Our deck is very popular.” The deck is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner service, but Atchison said her favorite time is around 6 or 6:30 p.m. on summer evenings. “Sitting on the deck and having a nice glass of wine on a beautiful summer night — you can’t beat that,” she said.

Some to try The Buzz, 601 Benton Public Square, Benton, 618-438-2899; Jack Russell Fish Co., 106 E. Main St., Benton, 618-439-3474 Windows Restaurant, Rend Lake Resort, 11712 E. Windy Lane Drive, Whittington, 618-629-2211 Williamson County Sao Asian Bistro, 2800 17th St., Marion, 618-993-2828; Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant, 1400 S. 16th St., Herrin, 618-942-8085 Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, 1906 W. Coolidge Ave., Marion; 618-997-0162 Walt’s Good Food Good Times, 213 S. Court St., Marion, 618-993-8668 Carbondale Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar, 1435 E. Main St., 618-529-4686

Susie Phillips (left) and Cynthia Roth laugh while trying to decide what to order for dessert after their lunch at Mélange in Carbondale.

Hunan Village, 700 E. Main St., 618-529-1108 Longbranch Coffeehouse and Vegetarian Cafe, 100 E. Jackson St., 618-529-4488

Mélange, 607 S. Illinois Ave., 618-549-9161 Spinoni’s Pizza and Pasta House, 501 E. Walnut St., 618-457-5544

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Photos by CHUCK NOVARA www.southernillinoismag.com

Franklin County

photo By Steve Jahnke

photo By Steve Jahnke

laughing. “People look at me with awe and ask if there is always so much going on.” People-watching is a plus at Longbranch Coffeehouse and Vegetarian Cafe as well, given its location in the bustling Carbondale Town Square. The business features a deck with seating for at least 50 people, Longbranch’s Andrew Guyton said. “It’s totally weather dependent, which in Southern Illinois can mean 50 degrees in the morning and 80 by noon,” he said. “As we get more consistently nicer weather we’ll be staffing for the deck, but people can always sit outside on our picnic tables.” The deck is so popular that Guyton, who spends most of his time in the kitchen, becomes briefly perplexed when dozens of orders are placed but the restaurant appears empty. “I’ll be in the kitchen and we’re super busy but the front room is empty, then I realize everyone’s on the deck,” he said. Outdoor dining, he said, offers a different experience. “I think, especially when we’re coming out of the winter, the cold and rain, and we’ve been stuck inside, people want to be outside. It’s a human nature thing, I think. We all get cabin fever,” he said. Dining alfresco is more relaxing and there’s a greater feeling of space by seeing the sky, Guyton said. Outdoor dining is taken to a different level at Melange in Carbondale and Walt’s Good Food Good Times in Marion. Both offer partially sheltered outdoor dining so that diners are protected from the elements.

SI

natural beauty

Springing to life

Four spring-fed creeks merge at Bell Smith Springs Recreational Area to supply a seemingly endless source of water that fuels the abundant plant life that thrives there. Water falls, clear rocky steams, bluffs and canyons join in scenic harmony to form some of the most spectacular views in the Shawnee National Forest.

Bell Smith Springs, in northern Pope County, is designated as a national natural landmark. More than 700 species of ferns, lichens and flowering plants — about one fifth of the total number of plants and lichens identified throughout Illinois — can be found in Bell Smith Springs. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps carved a stairway in stone at this site. The manmade steps, molded from nature’s own statuary, compliment the natural bridge that is only 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Spanning 125 feet and reaching up to 30 feet high,

Photo by Les Winkeler

by Mary Thomas Layton

Alexis Bishop (right) and Jade Ratliff of Harrisburg soak up the sun during a field trip to Bell Smith Springs.

Visit thesouthern.com/adventure2010 to find more information.

quick hits

bea u tif u l

spots

Photo by PAUL NEWTON

Bald Knob Mountain

Rocky Bluff trail

It’s hard to pick just one spot in Southern Illinois as the most beautiful, but my favorite is the scenic overlook in Alto Pass that offers a view of Bald Knob Mountain and the inspiring Cross of Peace – preferably on a crisp day in the fall when the tree-covered valley below is a rainbow of fiery red, gold and salmon-colored hues. To get there, take Illinois 127 south toward Alto Pass and follow the signs.

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This Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge trail goes through the woods to a spot on a bluff overlooking a creek. It’s a great place to see spring wildflowers and has many beautiful spots, especially along the bluff. For directions, call 618-997-3344. — Marilyn Halstead, community editor, The Southern

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This rock formation at Bell Smith Springs stands out among the foliage in the Shawnee National Forest.

In Saline County, this out of the way spot is rarely crowded. It looks more like a serene mountain lake than any other spot in Southern Illinois. For more information, call 618-276-4405. — Les Winkeler, sports editor, The Southern

Photo by Les Winkeler

Ferns add a touch of green to the forest floor at Bell Smith Springs.

Restaurant and Cabins

directions

In the Heart of Illinois’ Most Scenic Park

From Harrisburg, take Illinois 145 south nine miles to Delwood. Take Forest Road 402 west four miles to Forest Road 447. Turn south on Forest Road 447 and continue past Teal Pond to Forest Road 848. Turn southwest on Forest Road 848 and continue two miles to the recreational area entrance.

Dinner menu also features STEAKS • PRIME RIB • BARBECUE BISON • FISH • SEAFOOD

From Vienna, take U.S. 45 north to Ozark. Turn east and follow the directional signs to the recreational area entrance.

r e a k f a s t , L unc h & D i n n e r S e rv in g B S Gift hop • Bar • Lounge

million meals s Over 3 Since 1981 erved

Southern Barbeque

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Baby Back Ribs Chicken • Pulled Pork

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Our original lick-um is a spicy vinegar based sauce that’s uniquely delicious

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Friday Night Fish Fry All you can eat

CATFISH Served family style

with; coleslaw, ol’ fashioned fried potatoes, Texas corn & housemade hush puppies

$9.99/$4.99 children

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Glen O. Jones Lake

Art Services

Photo by Les Winkeler

Photo by Les Winkeler

it is the Shawnee National Forest’s largest natural rock bridge. Hikers navigating the eight miles of interconnected trails will see rock formations that include “Devil’s Backbone� and “Boulder Falls.� Becky Banker, public affairs officer for Shawnee National Forest, equates the scenic value of Bell Smith Springs to nearby Garden of the Gods. But, she pointed out that Bell Smith Springs generally offers hikers more seclusion than its more renowned neighbor located only a few miles away. “I’ve hiked a lot at Bell Smith, and the crowds are not usually as large at Bell Smith as Garden of the Gods,� Banker said. “You can get back on the trails at Bell Smith and be pretty much by yourself.� John O’Dell of Harrisburg, a retired school administrator who was involved in organizing the River to River Trail Society, echoed Banker’s comments about Bell Smith Springs’ inherent beauty. “This is one area that you just can’t help but enjoy yourself,� O’Dell said. “There are lots of good, wellmarked trails and good parking close to the areas that are picturesque.�

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profile

Anglingresults for

Southern Illinois fishing expert and tournament champion Chad Morgenthaler is off the hook

Chad Morgenthaler shows off a 4-pound, 14-ounce fish he caught at Table Rock Lake.

by Les Winkeler

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photos provided

When Chad Morgenthaler fished farm ponds around his Tamaroa home as a youngster, he’d pretend to be one of the professional anglers he had seen on television. The charade was fun, but Morgenthaler never took the notion seriously. Now, 30 years later, Morgenthaler is living the life he never dared to dream about. The former Carbondale fireman became a fulltime professional angler in 2003 and has been fishing the B.A.S.S. and FLW circuits since. “It never really crossed my mind,” Morgenthaler said. “It wasn’t an option. It wasn’t a thought. I didn’t really know what was involved with it other than I loved watching it on television. You’d pretend you were different people when you were out there fishing a farm pond, but at the same time you never thought that was a dream that would develop.” The real world awaited after Morgenthaler graduated from Tamaroa High School. He went l i v i n g ,

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Chad Morgenthaler holds up a largemouth bass that he caught on a jig earlier this year.

helped me mature mentally. It settled me down. I wasn’t scatter-brained. It was one of those deals where I knew there was a lot to this.” Morgenthaler might have bombed in his first tournament but he quickly caught on. He qualified for the Bassmaster Classic in 2002, the year before he began fishing the tour full time. In fact, he was a double qualifier, earning a spot through open events and another through tour events. In 2005, Morgenthaler began fishing the FLW as well as the B.A.S.S. tour. He fished the FLW and Professional Angler’s Association events exclusively for three years. “It was the only decision at the time,” he said. “It was based a little more on the financial issues at the time. There were some changes that caused entry fees to skyrocket. Looking back at it now, I’m not unhappy with FLW, but my career would have been better suited on B.A.S.S. The Classic is the big show, and I’d kind of like to go back again.” Morgenthaler is back fishing the B.A.S.S. and PAA tours this year. In his nearly seven years on tour, he has put together an impressive resume. In addition to earning a Bassmaster Classic berth his rookie season, he qualified for the Elite 50 series. He fished that circuit for two years. He has fished three Bassmaster Classics. He’s had three or four fifth-place finishes

and 10 Top 10 finishes on the B.A.S.S. tour. His best showing was a fourth-place finish at Missouri’s Table Rock Lake in 2005. “My first Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, that is probably my biggest thrill,” he said. The decision to turn pro in 2002 looks pretty good right now. “I can’t see myself doing anything else. I really can’t,” he said. “I’m so ingrained in it at this point. It’s still a tremendous amount of fun and it’s still really challenging.” And, it’s also been quite a learning experience. “The realization is it’s a lot of tremendously long hours and hard work,” Morgenthaler said. “It takes a lot to cycle through the highs and the lows, and everybody has them. You have to be able to master that mentally to survive because you’re not going to catch fish all the time.” One of the first things he had to learn was that fishing was just a small part of the game. “The sponsorship and support side of it is critical,” Morgenthaler said. “It’s exceeding the $75,000 mark just to participate now. It’s all about forming the right relationships with stand-up companies and putting yourself in a position to have longterm relationships. “If you decide after the season pretty much winds down it’s OK to take SIMagazine : Spring 2010 11

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to work as an automotive technician at a Chevrolet dealership in Carbondale. Coincidentally enough, he was a transmission specialist. His primary sponsor today is Jasper Transmissions. Morgenthaler picked up some college credits while working on cars and then shifted careers, taking a job with Carbondale Fire Department. In the meantime, he got involved with local fishing tournaments at about age 23. “I think just being a competitive person, period, drove that,” Morgenthaler said. “Once I got into it, it was more about beating the next person than catching a fish.” Success in local tournaments and in B.A.S.S. open events sparked the dream. “Actually, the seed really first started to be implanted when I started fishing a few of the Bassmaster Opens,” Morgenthaler said. “What transpired was, I did OK and fished the full division. The first year I fished the full division, I qualified for the tour. That’s what got me thinking I have a viable chance here.” Still, it was a difficult choice: Stay in a comfortable situation with the fire department or chase the unknown. “It was pretty difficult,” Morgenthaler said. “I was seven years from retiring from the fire department with a full pension, so I had a lot on the line. It was because of my wife, Debbie, that I was able to make that decision.” Friends and relatives thought he was taking a bad gamble. “It was definitely threatening and scary,” he said. “I bombed my first tour event. I had the worst gut feeling that I had made such a terrible decision. Everyone around me, except my wife, was against me doing this. It was just out of the norm; I understand that. There are just a handful of guys that do it. I truly believed if I applied three years of my life to it, I could do it. The thing about it now, some of those same people are my biggest supporters.” Morgenthaler got into the game at the age of 36, not ancient, but definitely above the average. “It is pretty late to get into the game,” he said. “Today, if you’re not 19 or 20, you’re considered an old man. That really helped me, too, though. It

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profile

time off, that’s all well and good, but don’t be surprised to find yourself on the chopping block if an economic downturn comes. It’s a 12-month-a-year job. If you take care of the people who take care of you, things tend to go your way.� The entire experience has left him a bit wiser. “Now, it’s more about not beating myself,� he said. “It’s simply about figuring out the fish at this point. If I do my job and do it well, I usually place pretty well in all the events I’m fishing. Being older and wiser, you realize there is a lot of talent out there. At any given time, 50 percent of the field has the ability to win one of these events.� And, that’s where Morgenthaler finds himself today. “I’m real comfortable with where I’m at,� he said. “Now, it’s about trying to attain one of the major titles in the sport, not about seeking new sponsors. I want to work toward a championship or an Angler of the Year title.�

Chad’s take on local fishing lakes Chad Morgenthaler got his start fishing competitively on area lakes. Here is his take on several local impoundments: Crab Orchard: I like it mainly in the summer time. It is truly at its best in the hot summer months, July and August. The spring time is always the best time to catch the biggest bass of the year, until the end of April. To catch numbers consistently, it is July and August. Lake of Egypt: A power plant lake offers some early season fishing with the opportunity to catch some really big fish. It has tapered off a little bit over the past couple years, but it really has some quality fish in it. Kinkaid Lake: Kinkaid starts getting good in early March and goes through early fall. In the late spring and early fall is when Kinkaid really starts to get good. It’s a little bit different because of the milfoil that is growing in it. That’s what makes it unique and makes it good too. Devils Kitchen: Devils Kitchen is really good early through the end of April. You can really catch a giant there. It’s maybe one of the best big fish lakes, not for numbers, but for size there is. Little Grassy: Through May to June will be really good not only for numbers but size as well. It’s a clear-water lake and it has a lot of numbers in it. It’s not very hard to figure them out. Cedar Lake: Cedar is really phenomenal early, and it stays good out of all of them, probably year round. It’s just because of the grass that’s starting to grow in it, the depth and the clarity of the water.

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Keteri Johnson of Carterville walks across the dock at Crab Orchard Lake on her way to get more bait.

If you’re into fishing or hunting, make your plans with links and lists at thesouthern.com/adventure2010. 12 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

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irlfriend G It’s good to escape with friends, especially when there’s wine and pampering to be had

getaways

Amy Heinrichs (left) unwinds with good friends and good wine at Alto Vineyards earlier this spring. The women enjoyed a day at the wineries to celebrate Amy’s bachelorette party.

photo by ALAN ROGERS

trends

In recent years, some of the most significant growth in the nationwide travel industry has been experienced through the emergence of “girlfriend travel.” The fact that women make most travel decisions for their families is commonly known among tourism professionals. Now, however, women are making those decisions, leaving their families at home and traveling with small groups of other women. Friends, sisters, cousins and high school or college classmates reunite for weeklong getaways where they can energize physically and spiritually. For a few days a year, they leave behind the laundry, carpooling and other tasks associated with being a working or at-home mom. Girlfriend travelers, who are typically in their 40s and 50s, are looking for invigorating, yet relaxing, experiences. According to travel marketing researcher, Peter Yesawich, 87 percent of girlfriend travelers enjoy natural scenic beauty. The Travel Institute of America reports that all travelers are looking for an easy experience, filled with fun, adventure and local flavor.

What does all that mean for Southern Illinois? In 2005, Carbondale Convention & Tourism Bureau launched an extensive marketing campaign directed at girlfriend travelers. Bureau staff created itinerary that included lodging, dining, shopping, golf and spa experiences. What staff learned was that Southern Illinois has most of what girlfriend travel groups are looking for. It’s a safe place to travel; it’s an affordable, value-oriented place to travel; the cultural, heritage and scenic attractions are exactly what girlfriends want; the antique or collectibles shopping experiences are more than available; relaxation through spas and fitness centers is easily found; the preferred bed-and-breakfast lodging experience comes in various styles; and the food and wine provide the local experience girlfriend travelers savor. Plan your trip around a special theme and contact local visitors’ bureaus for ideas about attractions to visit. Here are a few of the most popular: Bed and breakfast and the wine trail: Southern Illinois abounds with opportunities to spend lazy days at

the wineries and to be pampered in a beautiful, often historic, bed-andbreakfast. Chocolate and a camel: Girlfriends love to visit the Chocolate Factory in Dixon Springs, sample the goodies and take a pound or two with them. Girlfriends can eat all the chocolate they want, because they’re going to walk off the calories at their next stop: Garden of the Gods. The hike to Camel Rock is enjoyable, and the incredible views from that peak are always a surprise to visitors. History springs forth: A favorite springtime itinerary is to combine wildflower walks at Giant City State Park with a two-day trek to some popular museums. While there are specifically planned wildflower hiking tours, there are so many varieties that something beautiful is popping up from the forest floor throughout the spring season. Stop at the Interpretive Center and get more information about the best places to hike. DEBBIE MOORE is executive director

of Carbondale Convention & Tourism Bureau.

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by Debbie Moore

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quick hits

Founded in 1978 in the rolling hills of Union County, Alto Vineyards became the first of several wineries to highlight the Southern Illinois region. Guy Renzaglia brought a family tradition dating back multiple generations with Above: A pair of women talk while relaxing on the deck him as he faced challenges of Alto Vineyards. from naysayers and doubters about the ability for a winery to Right: Bottles of wine sit behind succeed in this area. the bar at Honker Hill Winery. Today, Alto Vineyards remains a prominent and popular locale for those looking to relax, take in the scenery and enjoy a glass of Southern Illinois’ first locally produced wine. Alto Vineyards can be found along Illinois 127 in Alto Pass. For more information, contact the winery at 618-893-4898.

Honker Hill

Visit thesouthern. com/adventure2010 for details on Southern Illinois wineries.

Nestled on 90 acres of land surrounded by Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, one of Southern Illinois’ newest wineries is Honker Hill in rural Williamson County. The winery offers five wines including blush, two types of red, villard blanc and blackberry. The rustic interior of the winery’s tasting room offers a wall of windows looking out on five acres of vines, several ponds and a rolling expanse of land bounded by tree stands on the far edges of the property. Also in sight are an outdoor fireplace and a well made of sandstone from the property. Planks of oak recovered from an old barn were refashioned as a bar and paneling, while decoys and wildlife prints reflect the land’s past as a hunting club, owner Don Lucas said. “Everyone has been so great, especially Gary Orlandini and Alan Dillard,” he said. “I really counted on both for help, but the whole crew along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail has been tremendously supportive and helpful.” He said he hopes the winery can join the trail once it is more established. Until then, the winery, at 4861 Spillway Road, is open from noon to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Photos by Paul Newton

Alto Vineyards

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• Cedar cabin lodging with all the comforts of home • Adjacent to Rim Rock, minutes from Pounds Hollow Lake, Garden of the Gods, Cave-in-Rock, River to River Trail, Glen O’Jones Lake, Ohio River, Kentucky Amish Country and much more • We are on the Shawnee Hills Scenic Byway, The American Discovery Trail and 1/3 mile from The River to River Trail • Two night minimum ÝkÌX@N ÅÌ xÌ@ ÌÅ äkÅÌ@ bÌ­kÎÌx k b à

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The Davie School Inn

OK, girls, where to stay?

Want to be at a B&B? Get all the details you need at thesouthern.com/adventure2010.

Above: The rooms at The Davie School Inn were completely remodeled taking more than five years to go from classroom look to luxury suites. The Inn served as an elementary school from 1910 to 1997.

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for a reasonable fee, everyone can get a manicure, pedicure and massage. And if you’re hungry, that’s not a problem. You can pre-order appetizer trays that will be ready upon your arrival. The inn has two rooms that sleep five people, a fact that has made Davie School Inn very popular with brides-tobe and their entourages. Those rooms are $155 per room, and that includes a full breakfast. If you’re a more private person, the inn also has rooms that sleep two, three or four people, with rates from $100 to $285 for the honeymoon suite. There’s plenty of access to outdoor activities, but among the favorites of the inn’s guests are the winery tours. There are chauffeur services available. For more on this, see Page 16.

photos by TOM BARKER

For more information: Call 618-833-2377

Photos by CHUCK NOVARA

Here’s a B&B we recommend: The Davie School Inn. Located on quiet Freeman Street, this bed and breakfast provides a peaceful stay in one of Anna’s oldest historic buildings. It can also be a great place to have a weekend with the girls, whether it’s just to spend a little quality time together or to celebrate your best friend’s upcoming wedding. The inn, a former school, offers a relaxing environment and plenty of room to spread out. And it’s close to some of the most spectacular outdoor activities in the region. Owners Gary and Andrea Dahmer have gone to great lengths to provide the very best amenities, including rooms with Jacuzzi tubs, king size beds, sitting area kitchenette and your very own temperature control. WI-FI is also available in all suites. “We have a wide variety of rooms that fit the needs of any guest or guests,” says Andrea. The inn is also one of the few to offer regular in-suite spa services. So,

Where: 300 Freeman St. in Anna

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Jessica Pigg and Shanda Nagai step onto an SI Tours luxury van at Alto Vineyards to continue their tour of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail for the bachelorette party of Amy Heinrichs on March 20.

Driven to distraction

Below: Charlie Campbell of SI Tours opens a bottle of champagne for his clients to kick off a tour of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

Get away from it all and let someone else do the driving

by Les O’Dell

In an area known for ruggedness and simple living, luxurious modes of transportation are becoming increasingly popular. Many people are choosing to let someone else do the driving while they enjoy touring the region in the back of a bus or limousine. “For anybody — tourists or local people — it’s a great way to get around,” says Randy Williams, transportation manager for Pinckneyville’s Gottus Limo. “In a 16 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

limousine, you actually have a chance to really take in the scenery, and you don’t have to focus on the road.” Williams’ company is one of a number of area providers of limousine service, offering transportation for weddings, parties, shopping trips and sightseeing. “We’ll do anything you want, whatever you want to do,” says Melissa Ray, manager of Broadway Limo in Carbondale. “It gives you a worry-free time without concerns of how to get l i v i n g ,

there, traffic and where to park. You can enjoy yourself and let the drivers do the worrying.” Ray says limousine rental is based on an hourly rate and not mileage. She says transportation can be arranged for two people or as many as 22. With the increasing popularity of Southern Illinois wineries, several companies specializing in wine tours are leading expeditions to the vineyards. “While we’ve done other things like providing transportation for

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shopping or dinner parties, our primary focus is on the wineries,� says Charlie Campbell, owner of SI Tours based in Carterville. “We offer a designated driver service for groups of up to 12, so friends can all sit together and have a great time.� Campbell says using a tour service has other advantages. “You tell us where you want to go, and we’ll put together the itinerary and make suggestions. We even serve cheese, crackers and grapes along the way,� he says. Heidi Yocum owns Metropolis-based Winery Tours of Southern Illinois. She says tour operators have insight into the region. “Our customers give us ideas and then we put together a proposal for them. We are very familiar with the wineries and the food and entertainment that are available, so we can provide customized experiences.� She says her group often meets passengers at hotels, their homes or other locations. “I’ve even picked up people at cabins inside the wine region,� she says. Jan Olson of Carbondale is looking forward to what has become an annual birthday tradition: a private tour of wineries with friends. “I’ve used several companies and have had really good experiences in safety, reliability, and I love that none of us has to be responsible for the driving,� she says. “What I like is that the companies will often call the wineries, so they’re expecting our group and they have everything planned for us.� Campbell points out that the tour companies allow traveling in style, comfort and safety. “A lot of people aren’t familiar with the roads anyway,� he adds. “And after you visit several wineries, you have no business driving on some of those back country roads.�

SI Tours 618-985-6953 www.si-tours.net Rates vary according to size of group, number of stops, etc. Winery Tours of Southern Illinois 618-564-2524 www.winerytourssil.com Rates vary according to size of group, number of stops, etc. Broadway Limo 618-529-LIMO www.broadwaylimoservice.com Per hour rate depends on vehicle rented Gottus Limo 618-357-2494 www.gottuslimo.com Per hour rate depends on vehicle rented Wrightway Transportation 306 S. Front St., Cobden 618-893-2941 or 618-521-0033 Flat rate for group, can individualize trip

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Photo by ALAN ROGERS

You don’t have to travel far to find adventure; it’s down just about any Southern Illinois highway

by Les O’Dell

Get your motor runnin’ Head out on the highway Lookin’ for adventure And whatever comes our way…. — “Born to be Wild,” written by Mars Bonfire Those looking for adventures in Southern Illinois can find them throughout the region, and as Steppenwolf sang in the 1968 hit, travelers can find plenty to their liking on highways. “You don’t have to get too far off of the beaten path to find a lot of the great things that Southern Illinois has to offer,” says Russ Ward of the Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office. “The area just has so much to offer.” Some, like West Frankfort’s Cheryl Collins, say people from the area tend to forget all that can be found in their backyards. “I have always been proud of my Southern Illinois roots and love to share what the area has to offer. Our area is the best kept secret, which I think is a shame,” she says. “I think 18 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

many that live or have lived here have forgotten how beautiful the area is.” Collins suggests Southern Illinoisans should fill the gas tank and explore everything the region has to offer. Here are some ideas:

Illinois 1 and 146 Running through Gallatin, Hardin, Pope and Massac counties, Illinois 1 and Illinois 146 are part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway, and the route lives up to its name: it is among the most scenic drives in the area. “It’s absolutely beautiful,” Ward says. “It’s very scenic with spots where you can look out almost forever. There are some nice hidden-away areas and some great little communities along the way.” From Rosiclare’s Fluorspar Museum with exhibits about the mineral and mining (just off Illinois 146) to historic sites and getaway cabins, Ward says there are lots of options for travelers. “There’s the history of Fort Massac and the Rose Hotel, all the way to Cave-In-Rock, which is one of the most unique and mysterious places you can go. There’s something for everyone l i v i n g ,

from horseback riders to Superman lovers. You just can’t go wrong on Illinois 1.” The area is rich with antique shops and natural beauty with the highways running through the Shawnee National Forest. Visitors wanting a unique perspective of the sites between Golconda to CaveIn-Rock can even take a three-hour Ohio River cruise on the Shawnee River Taxi. “This part of the state has an abundance of outdoor recreation and scenery as well as history and cultural activities,” says Cindy Cain, executive director of the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau. “This really is the premier area for things like hiking, horseback riding and deer hunting,” she says.

U.S. 45 Running south from Fairfield before arcing through Southern Illinois like a capital C, U.S. 45 goes through a number of scenic areas and sights on its way to the Ohio

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A car travels along a stretch of Illinois 149 west of Murphysboro.

Dewayne Hillman of Hurst steps off the dock into the cool waters of Mermet Springs New Year’s Day. Each diver wears 40 to 50 pounds of scuba gear to maintain air supply and pressure while under water. Below: The State Champion Bald Cypress tree is in the Cache river. This tree is more than 1,000 years old and is the oldest living tree in Illinois. It is also one of the older trees in the United States.

River town of Metropolis. The C must stand for “captivating.” Or maybe “charming.” All along the way are quaint communities with unique names such as Texas City, Muddy and Stonefort. Wilderness recreation areas, state parks and scenic spots abound in the area. Bicycle enthusiasts can ride the Tunnel Hill Bike trail, which stretches 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak, much of it near U.S. 45. The Cache River Wetlands near Vienna is the northernmost cypress swamp in the country. All tourism tastes will find something along 45. “There’s Mermet Springs for recreation and diving, and the conservation area is very popular for hunting and fishing as well as viewing wildlife,” Cain says. For those looking for a different type of wildlife, Metropolis at the southern end of the route has everything from nightlife and gaming to a step back in time. “Metropolis offers a diverse tourism draw for people of all ages and interests,” she adds. “There’s Superman to the casino to Fort Massac, Illinois’ oldest state park.”

These popular north-south roads in Jackson and Union counties have gained new usage as travelers have begun visiting some of the area’s vineyards and wineries in recent years, but the corridor originally gained recognition as one of the most scenic drives in the area. “With the twist and turns around communities like Anna, Alto Pass and Cobden, it’s a beautiful area,” Ward says. “Of course, in spring with all of the blooms and blossoms, it is wonderful.” Natural areas including Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon and the natural bridge near Pomona are prominent attractions. There also are orchards, antique stores and gift shops. Bald Knob is a popular destination, both for the significance of the Cross of Peace and the view from one of Illinois’ highest points. “I remember as a kid, the game we used to play, seeing who would be the first to get a peek of Bald Knob,” Ward recalls. SIMagazine : Spring 2010 19

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Photo by CHUCK NOVARA

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Far left: The Chester bridge into Missouri.

Photo by STEVE JAHNKE

Photo by STEVE JAHNKE

Traffic flows east on Illinois 13 near Carterville. Below: The Thebes Courthouse is a must for lovers of history.

Illinois 3

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The area has become a mecca for wine enthusiasts who can choose to visit and sample the products of several wineries. Because of this, a hospitality sector is taking root. “Lodging continues to develop through the area,” Cain says. “There’s a great variety of lodging available, whether it’s a primitive cabin or a unique bed-and-breakfast.” Collins says even though only few square miles make up the area, it offers a number of attractions. “You can have a lot of different experiences in one area,” Collins says. “The diversity of things to do is amazing.”

As the primary east-west highway across Southern Illinois, Illinois 13 ties together the area’s largest communities. “There are a lot of specialty shops and food outlets, great golfing and recreation and shopping all along Illinois 13,” Williamson County Tourism Director Shannon Johnson

says. “Of course, sports lovers can enjoy everything from Miners baseball to collegiate sports and unique events such as roller derby.” She says diners along the highway can please their taste buds with award-winning barbecue in Murphysboro, unique international cuisine in Carbondale and Marion and family favorites in Harrisburg and other communities along the highway. The eating and retail along Illinois 13 appeal to Carol Hollman of Jacob. “I like the shopping and restaurants throughout the area,” she says. “I do a lot of shopping at the malls.” The Illinois 13 corridor — the area between Marion and Murphysboro, including Carbondale, Carterville, Crainville and Herrin — has become a sort of suburban landscape, Collins says. The route includes major retailers, local shops and a variety of cultural activities including community theater programs in several cities and offerings of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as well as both John A. Logan College and Southeastern Illinois College. Regardless of the destination, local residents and visitors alike often are impressed not only with the area’s attractions and beauty, but also its people. “The one thing that really appeals to a lot of people I’ve talked to who visit the area is the overall friendliness,” Ward says. “Everybody is so warm and friendly. You don’t encounter that in a lot of other places. It’s that ‘comfortableness’ that makes our area unique.” Collins agrees. “The area took my breath away when I moved back. I had forgotten how beautiful Southern Illinois is. It’s really a neat place.”

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The region’s other designated scenic byway includes Illinois 3 along the Mississippi River. “The title National Scenic Byway is a federal designation based upon unique, intrinsic qualities that make the area or highway stand out from just any road,” Cain explains. “Mostly, it’s the natural beauty, the historical significance and the views.” Illinois 3 has all three. The highway winds along the river in Randolph County, through Popeye’s hometown of Chester, down through Jackson, Union and Alexander counties to Cairo. Along the way, there’s a number of small communities, each with a unique personality. “The route is just sprinkled with some really unique stores including antique shops and a number of locally owned stores,” Cain says. The road also traverses both natural and historic areas. “The history begins at Kaskaskia and goes all the way down to Cairo,” Ward says. “There are tons of things to see and do up and down the route, especially if you’re into outdoor recreation.” He says areas such as Larue-Pine Hills, Horseshoe Lake and numerous hunting clubs along the river all attract outdoor enthusiasts.

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Contact: http://midwest.fws.gov/craborchard, 618-997-3344.

Art Services

MAKANDA This former farming and railroad town now is home to a community of artisans and craftspeople who display their wares along the Boardwalk. Makanda sits at the west entrance to Giant City State Park. Look for the smiley face tower and Makanda sign just south of Carbondale on U.S. 51.

Visit thesouthern.com/ adventure2010 to find more.

Site-seeing by bicycle

Tunnel Hill State Trail stretches for 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak continuing on a trail spur for 2.5 miles to Cache River State Natural Area Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad bed. The 45 miles of biking trails include: The 9.3 section between Tunnel Hill and Vienna crosses the River-to-River Trails, which extends from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River; the unmarked American Discovery Trails, which in Southern Illinois follows back roads and some of the River-to-River Trail; the U.S. 76 Bicycle Route, part of the TransAmerica Bike Route; and the Trail of Tears, the primary route the Cherokee Indian tribe took in the winter of 1838-1939 during their forced move from the Great Smoky Mountains to Oklahoma. Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at access areas. Motorized vehicles, horses and hunting are prohibited. Hikers should be advised that there are no camping facilities on the trail; however, there are some located nearby in Shawnee National Forest and state parks. Those include Lake of Eqypt, north of Tunnel Hill; Saline County Conservation Area, southeast of Harrisburg; Ferne Clyffe State Park, west of Tunnel Hill; and Teal Pond and Bell Smith Springs, both southeast of New Burnside. Lake Glendale and Dixon Springs State Park are both about 15 miles east of Vienna. For more information, contact the site superintendent at Tunnel Hill State Trail, P.O. Box 671, Vienna, IL 62995, or call 618-658-2168.

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Check out Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, located west of Marion and south of Herrin on Illinois 148. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge includes 44,000 acres of land and water with a diversity of plants and animals. According to the refuge Web site, it contains 700 plant species, 245 species of birds, 33 mammals, 63 fish and 44 reptilian and amphibian species. The refuge is a major stop for migrating birds along the Mississippi Flyway, with as many as 200,000 Canada geese during peak seasons. The refuge is home to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a wilderness area and wildlife sanctuary with limited public use. Recreational activities include observing wildlife, boating, fishing, hunting and more. The refuge offers educational programs throughout the summer at both the visitor center and campground. In addition, CONWR hosts several guided hikes and tours throughout the year. To reach the visitors center from I-57 in Marion, go west on Illinois 13 about three miles to Illinois 148. Turn left (south) and go 2.5 miles. The refuge Visitor A pair of boats motor across Crab Information Center is located on the left. Orchard Lake in Williamson County. Hours: The visitor center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round. Parts of the refuge are open year round. Passes are required and are available at the visitor center by the year, week or day.

Photo by ALAN ROGERS

Nature lovers

Part of the Boardwalk in Makanda.

KING NEPTUNE’S GRAVE This marker at the northbound rest area on Interstate 57, closest to Illinois 146 in Union County, pays tribute to a pig that became internationally famous during World War II. King Neptune was owned by Don C. Lingle of Anna, a Navy recruiter who decided to sell the pig to raise money so the Navy could buy a destroyer. The pig was sold again and again, with each bidder agreeing to purchase the amount of his bid in war bonds. King Neptune raised $19 million in war bonds before he died in 1950 at the age of 9.

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What to see along the way: Area vineyards, wineries, orchards, antique shops, Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon, Pomona Natural Bridge and Bald Knob Cross.

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Above right: Rachael Lee of Carbondale fed ducks near Southern Illinois University’s Campus Lake. Above left: Dana Carpenter (left), an SIUC student, laughs as she talks to Heather Chitiea of Colorado Springs, Colo., while sitting outside of Rustle Springs Winery.

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What to see along the way: Mississippi River, Popeye’s hometown of Chester, Kaskaskia Island, LaruePine Hills and Horseshoe Lake.

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Top: The sun sets behind the bridge that crosses the Mississippi River into Missouri behind the famed Popeye statue in Chester. Center: A boat passes underneath the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The bridge, which opened in 2003, was built just south of its predecessor, the Cape Girardeau Bridge, which was completed in 1928 and demolished in 2004. Bottom: Mary’s River covered bridge in Chester.

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Left: Campus Lake offers many activities for students including boating, swimming, and fishing. Right: Lines stretched far into the parking lot prior to the first pitch of the Miners’ home-opener at Rent One Park.

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Passengers board the Shawnee Queen River Taxi at Rosiclare on the Ohio river. Jessica Mangus, of Indianapolis, and other passengers watch large carp jumping out of the river near the taxi.

What to see along the way: Tunnel Hill Bike trail, Cache River Wetlands, Mermet Springs, Fort Massac and, of course, Superman! Left: Divers accustom themselves to the chilly waters of Mermet Springs. Wet suits allow the divers to stay dry underwater.

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Crossing borders Activities and attractions are not limited only to Illinois. There is plenty to see and do in the neighboring states of Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky.

Missouri From Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau and Sikeston, communities in southeast Missouri are popular destinations for Southern Illinoisans. The area offers historical, cultural and retail experiences. “We get quite a few folks here from Southern Illinois,” says Shawn Long, who manages the St. Genevieve tourist welcome center. “As the oldest town in Missouri, we get a lot of visitors to our historic homes.” The area is known for its French and German ancestry and is becoming known for an expanding wine industry. To the south, Lambert’s Café and the annual Bootheel Rodeo are two popular attractions in Sikeston. Mississippi River community Cape Girardeau also is a very popular destination. “We get a lot of traffic from Southern Illinois, especially from the southernmost counties,” explains Chuck Martin, executive director of Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A lot of people come here for shopping and for a variety of entertainment options.”

Indiana Popular destinations east of the Wabash River include Evansville and Vincennes, as well as many rural areas. The area is known for rolling hills, caves and other natural attractions as well as opportunities for skiing, fishing, hiking and more. The resort community of French Lick and the Holiday World theme park are popular attractions.

Kentucky “We’re within a short driving distance, and people from Southern Illinois often will cross the river for the day or for a weekend to enjoy the culture and nature of Paducah and western Kentucky,” says Rosemarie Steele of Paducah Visitors Bureau. Steele says not only is the city home to the National Quilt Museum, but also more than 12 art galleries and studios, as well as local and national retailers and restaurants. The Bluegrass State also offers the U.S. Forest Services’ Land Between the Lakes national recreation area, which feature wildlife, a nature center, outdoor activities and a planetarium. Just across the Ohio from Hardin County, visitors can tour Indiana Amish Country, in addition to the town of Marion, Ky. The area is recognized for its general charm, hospitality and antique stores. 24 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

Getting there by ferry Southern Illinoisans driving east, west or south eventually come to a river. On many routes, getting across the water is as simple as traversing a bridge across the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, but in two Southern Illinois locations, travelers must rely on a somewhat older and slower means of transportation. Travelers wanting to span the Ohio River between Illinois 1 near Cave-In-Rock and Kentucky 91 can take advantage of a free ferry that makes dozens of trips each day, says Shirley Lewis, coowner of the ferry. “We average about 90 trips each day, 45 across and 45 back,” she says. “The river’s a little more than a mile wide, and if everything’s good, we can take six or seven cars across in about 15 minutes.” Heavier loads or rough waters can lengthen the trip. Adverse weather can keep the ferry on the river bank, Lewis says. “If the wind’s really blowing or the weather’s really bad, it’ll shut us down,” Lewis says. “We try to run as much as we can, because if we don’t, it makes for a real hardship on folks.” Because the ferry is the only way across the river,

an interruption of service leads to a detour of up to 90 minutes. Lewis says the ferry, which is operated under a contract with both states’ transportation departments, is necessary for commuters and is popular with tourists. “During the week a lot of the people who use the ferry are ones who go back and forth to work or for business, but in the summer, there’s a lot of tourism,” Lewis says. A recent tourist-passenger was Krystal Cooper of Marion. Her family took the ferry across the river and back just for fun in March. “My husband’s family was visiting, and we saw the ferry when we were on our way to Cave-In-Rock,” she explains. “My husband’s little brother wanted to ride it, so we did.” Cooper says the ferry ride was fun for most of the passengers. “It was pretty cool,” Cooper says. “It was fun and we enjoyed it, but our dogs didn’t. There was a lot of barking going on.” But that didn’t affect the experience of riding the ferry, she says. “We just rolled down the windows and watched everything from inside the car,” Cooper says. “The kids

Ferries Modoc Ferry (Ste. Genevieve, Mo.) Where: Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center Hours: Vary by season, runs during daylight hours. Rates: Based upon vehicle size and one way/round-trip; usually a one-way river crossing for passenger vehicles runs $12; a round trip pass is $20. Phone: 800-285-7007 Cave-In-Rock Ferry Where: 100 Main St., Cave-In-Rock Hours: 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., daily, weather and river permitting. Rates: Free Phone: 618-289-4599 l i v i n g ,

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had never been on a ferry before, so I am sure they told all of their friends once they got back to school.� Lewis says Cooper’s family is typical of many of the ferry’s passengers. “A lot of kids love to ride, and many people will go across and then come right back. It’s unique. There aren’t a lot of inland ferries left, so it’s something different,� Lewis says. Just north of Chester is Southern Illinois’ other ferry, called the Modoc, connecting Ste. Genevieve, Mo., with Illinois 3. Operated by the New Bourbon Regional Port Authority, the Modoc Ferry makes regular trips across the Mississippi. “It’s been something that we’ve had for years,� says Shawn Long, manager of Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center. “It’s helped in lots of ways besides just traffic. It’s been important for farming and that sort of thing. It’s worked so well, I don’t think there’s ever been any thought of a bridge.� Drivers on the region’s west side do have other options to get across the river, but like those to the east, those options are somewhat inconvenient. “There are bridges nearby; one about a half hour south at Chester and another to the north, but without the ferry, we wouldn’t have any connection between Missouri and Illinois here,� Long says. Long says it takes the Modoc Ferry a little while to make each crossing, but it’s time that many people — especially tourists — enjoy. “It’s unique, and it’s something that you can’t experience on a bridge,� he says. “With the ferry you really get a chance to take a look at your surroundings. You can even imagine what it was like many years ago before there were bridges.� Both Long and Lewis say riding the ferry is a simple process. “You just drive up to the stop sign on the river bank and wait for the deckhand to guide you to park on the barge,� Lewis says. “You can get out of your car if you want and enjoy the river. If you’ve never done it before, you need to do it. It’s a unique experience.�

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Photo by Becky Malkovich

history

Performing a cannon salute for a Memorial Day ceremony, members of the 1st Illinois Artillery Battery D prepare to fire the first of three volleys.

Mound City

A solemn place that reflects the history of our region and our country by Becky Malkovich

On a late winter’s day, the gray mist settles slowly, enveloping the low-lying land between the rivers and rendering Mound City National Cemetery timeless. Through the gates lie the sacred grounds, telling tales of a country’s call to arms, battles fought, wars past, heroes hailed and generations gone by. The location of the cemetery at the intersection of Illinois 37 and U.S. 51 in Pulaski County is no accident, but a clear indication of the region’s import in the Civil War. The cemetery is situated about one mile south of Mound City, where not only was one of the largest military hospitals in the nation located during the Civil War, but also the shipyards where three of seven ironclads, including the Cairo, Mound City and Cincinnati, were constructed. Mound City Naval Station was established in 1862 and the city of Cairo, south of the cemetery, was the headquarters of Ulysses S. Grant from September 1861 to February 1862.

But perhaps no greater and lasting testament to the sacrifices made in the name of freedom is found than in the row after row of marble headstones in the cemetery established by President Abraham Lincoln as one of 12 original national cemeteries in 1864. The history here is rich, offering a glimpse not just into a region’s past but that of its country. The grounds hold the dead from the battles and wars that defined a nation, from Civil War battles such as those in Cairo, Columbus and Paducah, Ky., and Belmont, Mo., to wars such as the Mexican-American, Spanish-American, World Wars I and II, Korean and Vietnam, as well as the remains of military veterans, their spouses and dependent children. Some 8,300 people are buried in the cemetery, including 2,440 unknown soldiers, according to Randy Watkins of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

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“Veterans from every war from the Civil War forward are buried here,” he said. “The national cemeteries were established to provide a final resting place for those who gave their lives or sacrificed for their country.” The Caretaker’s Lodge provides an historical center for the cemetery. Once targeted for demolition, the building was saved by a group of locals who formed Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission, whose efforts both restored the lodge and secured a place for it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Clay Bierbaum serves on the commission and said the cemetery is a powerful place. “It’s awesome to me,” he said. “I can’t describe the feeling. A lot of people don’t realize the history that is here.” Thanks to the commission, an additional 3.64 acres was recently added to the cemetery, assuring space for burials for another 75 years if continued at the same rate of approximately 75 per year. The cemetery gets about 900 visitors per year and is often the destination for school trips, he said. The commission presents an annual Memorial Day commemoration on the Saturday before the holiday that includes reenactors, a presentation of colors, lowering of the flag, laying of the wreath and a rifle and cannon salute. Vietnam veteran and Cairo native Jack Buie spoke of the cemetery’s importance during a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery several years ago. “We stand at the focal point of reality: indestructible monuments of brass, marble and stone, dedicated to an eternal testament of thankfulness and prayers for all those who have given their service and their lives, so that all Americans can enjoy the wondrous privileges created by our forefathers. These magnificent privileges, forged in the crucible of war, tempered in national struggle for equality of all, engraved in our minds by grateful parents and educators, summed into the single mightiest word of them all: liberty,” he said.

Photo by Becky Malkovich

Mound City National Cemetery Where: Illinois 37 and U.S. 51, Mound City Information: 314-845-8320 Visitation hours: Open daily from dawn until dusk

Mound City National Cemetery.

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History awaits! Go to thesouthern.com/adventure2010 for exhibits and historic places you’ve got to see.

SI

sports

Winning big SI Miners continue to thrill and entertain sports fans and families

Seriously, 600,000 Southern Illinoisans can’t be wrong, can they? In the three years of their existence, more than 200,000 fans have filed through Marion’s Rent One Park turnstiles every year. The Miners set a Frontier League attendance record of 259,392 in their first year of existence, surprising even team officials. “It continues to amaze us,” said Miners Vice President Erik Haag. “We’ve had a really nice offseason as far as our ticket sales go. We can tell by the buzz around the community that people are starting to think baseball.”

Reasons for the Miners’ box office success are varied. However, it starts with the product on the field. The Miners were in the playoff hunt until the final week of their first season. They qualified for the playoffs in year two, and their playoffs stayed alive until the final game of the 2009 season. “I think especially in independent baseball, it’s a little different than affiliated ball. You have to be competitive,” Haag said. “I think during the course of the year (manager) Mike (Pinto) has a real competitive team. In this offseason he’s done a tremendous job of putting together a team.”

Photos by Paul Newton

by Les Winkeler

Rent One Park will host the 2010 Frontier Leage All-Star Game. Above: Southern Illniois Miner Bradley Goldsmith jokes with members of the Cheetahs T-Ball team from the Shetland League, who interacted with Miners on the field.

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Indeed, 2010 looks as, if not more, promising than Southern Illinois’ first three seasons. League MVP Joey Metropolous returns. Metropolous hit .317 last season while belting 31 home runs and driving in 82. He is hardly the only big stick in the lineup. Jereme Milons and Brad Miller both return, and the Miners added Ernie Banks, one of the Frontier League’s premier power hitters, in the offseason. The pitching staff features Ryan Bird, one year removed from being the Frontier League’s Pitcher of the Year. In addition, Ryan Kussmaul, Joe Augustine, Brett Scarpetta and Danny Zeffiro were all reliable starters last year. The bullpen returns stalwarts such as Mike Damchuk, Michael Phelps, Adam Revelette and Jake McMurran. “You just really like what Mike has done in the offseason,” Haag said. There will be an added attraction this year as Southern Illinois hosts Frontier League all-star activities July 12 to14. While the Miners have consistently put a good product on the field, a night at Rent One Park has become a social event in Southern Illinois. “That’s the other aspect,” Haag said. “As much as you want to have a good team, even the Yankees have down years. We want to make sure we have a good program in place so, if and when that happens, there is still a reason to come out and see the Miners. “We want to make it fun. We try to create a different event at each ballgame.” And, there is never a dull moment at Rent One Park. Every half inning features entertainment of some sort, whether it is the now-famous Eyeball Race, kid’s running the bases, or Sumo wrestlers bumping bellies in inflatable costumes. “It’s a place fans feel safe to have their kids run around,” Haag said. “The baseball has really caught on and they’re into that. People really like the entire product; that’s why it’s such a challenge to try to improve it. We hear a lot of different things.”

Ticket prices, which range from $4 to $8, have not risen since Rent One Park opened three years ago. Haag said the team has also held the line on core concession prices. “It’s a great way to be together as a family and inexpensive too,” Haag said. “Every year we re-evaluate our program to make sure it is a fun and enjoyable night for families.” Rent One Park is also fan friendly, from the abundance of good seats, to lawn seating to general cleanliness. “It really is,” Haag said. “When I look at some of the other parks I’ve worked in, it makes you very thankful to come to work here. It’s clean. We take great pride in that. Our commissioner, Bill Lee, says we’re a dinner theater. When you go to places like that you want to make sure your rest rooms are clean and the concourses are clean.” One thing the Miners have tried to do during the past couple years is expand their market. They created a Miners radio network with Withers Broadcasting last year. “We’re in Cape, Paducah, Mount Vernon and Harrisburg with our network,” Haag said. “That’s helping us expand our brand, and enticing people to come out to the games.” And, with the turf field at Rent One Park, fans know that games will be played and they will normally start on time. Actually, starting time is a relative term in the Frontier League. Games are scheduled to start at 7:05, but pre-game festivities usually last until about 7:15 p.m. “I think over time people have become accustomed to the fact that we’re going to play,” Haag said. “In three years, we’ve had two rainouts. That’s pretty good. If it’s not raining, we’re playing.” That consistency makes for a solid fan base. “Season tickets, our base has pretty much remained the same,” Haag said. “What we’re tracking is our 1-2-3 times a year ticket buyers and where they’re coming from.” For the first three years, more than 600,000 of them have come from Southern Illinois, northern Kentucky and eastern Missouri. The Miners begin the 2010 season against River City on May 20.

season ticket benefits

l Same seating location for all home games l One parking pass per contracted ticket holder l First right of refusal on all playoff games and other events held at the ballpark l Souvenir store discounts l Unused season ticket exchange program l Invitation to 1st Pitch Luncheon l Batting Practice event during the season l Nightly stat sheets and game notes l Special in-game services l E-newsletter subscription

Box and reserve seat benefits

l Same seating location for all home games l First right of refusal on all playoff games and other events held at the ballpark l Souvenir store discounts l Unused season ticket exchange program l Invitation to a meet the team event l E-newsletter subscription

Prices (per seat per year) 3 Year Club Seat: $552 5 Year Club Seat: $528 Box Seat: $360 Reserved: $264

Southern Illinois fans gather on the infield of Rent One Park and watch the fireworks display. The fireworks are a Friday night tradition at the Marion ballpark.

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Club seat benefits

Photo by Paul Newton

In addition to being an excellent way to entertain clients, employees, family, and friends, season tickets also provide you with many perks.

SI University Museum SIUC

photo by Paul Newton

Bringing us the world and all its wonders

The University Museum is located inside Faner Hall at SIUC.

University Museum Where: 1000 Faner Drive, SIUC Phone: 618-453-5388 Web site: www.museum.siu.edu Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Admission: Free, donations welcomed; some special exhibits have an entrance fee

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by Brent Stewart

For many people, the work of Ansel Adams only exists in books or posters. His stark depictions of the west are iconic images that have defined that part of the country for generations. If you’ve never actually seen the jagged terrain of New Mexico or the rugged beauty of Yosemite National Park in California, Adams’ photographs put you right there—in the middle of the desert in the moonlight or towering over Snake River. This spring, the University Museum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale gave area residents an l i v i n g ,

opportunity to see the work of a master and experience the landscape of the west through Adams’ unique eyes by hosting “Ansel Adams: The Man Who Captured the Earth’s Beauty,” on loan from the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, N.C. An exhibit such as this not only gives Southern Illinoisans the opportunity to look at work by one of the most important artists of our time, or even to view a land they may never have seen, it also inspires the young to go west and see and create for themselves. This is the place of the University Museum in Southern Illinois and its

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importance to its residents. “It brings the world here,” said Lori Huffman, curator of collections at University Museum. “We’re able to bring real things, real objects, things people might have seen on TV or read about in a book and we have them. They get to go to an exhibit and see those things.” “There’s not another place that really does what we do, right here in this area,” said Nate Steinbrink, Curator of Exhibits at the University Museum.

A ‘community museum’ The University Museum has a long history with the people of Southern Illinois. It opened its doors alongside the college in 1874. Since then, the museum has been an important outreach to the community, not only in education and exposing the region to artists whose work area residents may only see in larger metropolitan areas, but in the preservation of local history and culture. “There’s a long tradition, from the beginning, even when they were collecting pieces for the museum, they were going to people in the community to ask for things,” said Dona Bachman, museum director. “So it’s always been a community museum in addition to being an academic museum where we have collections professors have gathered in the course of their research. But we have a tremendous amount of artifacts from the greater Southern Illinois community.” The University Museum has more than 118,000 pieces in its collection, the majority of which reside in storage. Within those archives is a wide variety of objects, each having its own artistic, scientific or historical significance,

from the collection of gowns of opera star Marjorie Lawrence, who taught voice at SIUC, to military uniforms of Southern Illinoisans from almost every conflict the U.S. has been involved in, to tools, to fossils, to a Civil War drum, to a collection of artifacts from New Guinea, considered to be one of the most extensive in the country. There are a large number of cameras that were donated by a collector from Herrin and model airplanes from a collector in Decatur. In the museum’s fine and decorative arts collections, there are more than 3,600 objects, and the science collection contains 26,000 geological specimens. The humanities collection has more than 95,300 artifacts that reflect history, world cultures and the archaeological past. The historic collection focuses on regional and general American history. The anthropology collection includes material culture from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Oceania and the Americas; and the archaeology collection contains artifacts from Southern Illinois, Mexico, and Central and South America. One of the museum’s most prized collections is of WPA models of furniture, housing and transportation constructed at SIUC during the Great Depression. There are some of the dioramas on permanent display in the museum and others undergoing restorative work at the archive building. “Our mission statement, our vision of what we are as a museum, is really a service agency,” Bachman said. “With such a varied collection — with a historical collection that relates specifically to Southern Illinois, with an excellent art collection that represents worldwide artists from virtually all periods and styles and with a science collection that is based primarily in Southern Illinois geology — we have a lot to offer people in the region.”

Exhibiting the past and present Each semester’s exhibits are determined by many factors. Ideas routinely come from a mix of staff, faculty and alumni or just by chance. SIMagazine : Spring 2010 31

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photo by Paul Newton

Jennifer Hanley, a teacher at Rainbow’s End Daycare at SIUC, looks at an exhibit with a student, Christopher Hexmoor, at the University Museum.

SI

SIUC

A few exhibits to consider Through Aug. 1: Masters of Photography; 25 master photographers and 30 images illustrate the range of photographic styles and subjects from the social realism of Jacob Riis and Dorothea Lange to a celebrity photograph of Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen, from urban documentation by Berenice Abbott, Walker Evans and Helen Levitt to imaginative landscapes by Henri Cartier-Bresson and W. Eugene Smith. The earliest photographer represented is Jacob Riis (1849-1914); the latest include Bruce Davidson (b.1933), Jerry Uelsmann (b. 1934), and George Krause (b. 1937).

June 16 to July 9: Sense of Place/Sense of Space: “Landscapes of Personal Meaning by Southern Illinois High School Students;” photography from AnnaJonesboro, Elderado, Elverado, Harrisburg, Pinckneyville and ZieglerRoyalton, curated by Bob DeHoet, museum education director.

photo by Paul Newton

March 30 to May 9: Antarctic Dreams; in December 2008, Gary Kolb, photographer and SIUC dean of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, and Jay Needham, a sound researcher in the college, traveled to Antarctica. They share their experiences both visually and audibly in this exhibition.

Inspiring the next generation

Barbara Lesar views some of the artwork of John Medwedeff at Faner Hall.

June 16 to July 12: Richard Walls Retrospective; Richard Walls, formerly a Chicago native who now resides in Ava, is a self-taught, accomplished artist who won a Chicago award that sent his artwork to be displayed in New York City in 1969. This exhibit will be a retrospective of his work in watercolor, woodcarvings, screenprints and brasswork. June 16 to Aug. 1: Giant City Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps, in conjunction with the recently published book by Kay RippelmeyerTippy titled, “Giant City State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps: A History in Words and Pictures,” published by the Southern Illinois University Press, 2010. July 23 to Sept. 5: Fire, Light and Things You Haven’t Seen: New Work by Jan Smith and Cameron Smith; Jan and Cameron operate the Do U Hot Shop in Murphysboro, a partnership of artists exploring the possibilities of glass. They work in the only non-academic glassblowing shop in Southern Illinois. Reception: 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27.

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“We try to have a lot of areas covered, so it’s not just all contemporary art exhibits and it’s not just all history exhibits,” Steinbrink said. “So, we’ve got a little history, a little contemporary, we have some modern art and we try to reach that balance. Within that, we do sometimes have themed areas. This academic year, we’ve had a lot of photography going on. That’s something that just kind of came about. It’s almost something that’s organic.” As curator of collections, Huffman is excited by the possibilities in bringing together items from different cultures that may seem disparate in nature. One of Huffman’s favorite exhibits was called “Containers from Around the World,” which featured items such as ancient pottery, antique soda cans and a child’s casket — anything that could have been used to put something in. “Well, you know how they say a light bulb goes off, that’s pretty much how it is,” Huffman said. “I’ll be walking through or thinking about what we have and then all of a sudden an idea will come. Sometimes they’re very simple ideas and other times, I’m bringing together very diverse collections.”

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In the midst of the virtual realities offered by computer games and television, one of the ways the University Museum tries to inspire the natural imagination of children is with the Completely Free Saturday programs. Primarily for ages 7 to 14, this spring’s programs included making photo dioramas, multimedia sculptures, photo mash-ups, stencils and stamps, and accordion books based on a favorite museum object. Bob DeHoet, director of education at the museum, said programs like this are part of a museum’s mission as a service organization. “We try to bring people into the museum and give them something that they can take away that they wouldn’t have been able to have otherwise,” he said. “If we can get them in here, they’re usually stunned

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Bringing the world to Southern Illinois Steinbrink, curator of exhibits, spends much of his time bringing in work from artists from in and out of the area, which is another important facet of the museum’s work. “I feel my job is to serve the community, to give them things

they can’t find or are hard to find,” Steinbrink said. “People come see local artists or even artists from around the world that they wouldn’t get to see otherwise.” The Ansel Adams exhibit is only one example of many exhibits the University Museum is able to bring in of national and worldwide significance. Recently, the museum received a gift of 50 works of art from the Herb and Dorothy Vogel Collection from the National Gallery of Art. The Vogels, two longtime collectors from New York City, had amassed such a number of pieces that the National Gallery decided to bestow parts of it to a museum in each of the 50 states. The University Museum was chosen out of all the museums in Illinois. Next year, another important exhibit will finally open. The museum received a large donation of 156 original Polaroid and gelatin silver photographs by legendary pop culture icon Andy Warhol in 2008. The University

Museum was one of 183 institutions in the country to receive the gift, from a collection of 28,000 prints. The photographs contain celebrities such as Truman Capote, Sylvester Stallone, Bianca Jagger and Wayne Gretsky.

Making it work With national and local exhibits, educational programs, as well as the task of preserving pieces of Southern Illinois history, there’s a lot going on at the University Museum. Bachman gave her staff credit for the quality of presentations the museum is able to bring in and create. “There are only four professional people at the museum. That’s for a collection of 75,000 objects and a museum facility and an archive facility,” Bachman said. “That’s an incredibly tiny staff, but I tell you I have one of the hardest working museum staffs in the country. And I’m not exaggerating.”

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enough by what’s on display and what they didn’t expect or didn’t really have any idea of what was going to be here, that they just are excited to come back again.” Through his interaction with area schools and other community groups, DeHoet gets plenty of feedback on what programs children are interested in. “You try to rely on your community as much as possible,” he said. “To a certain extent, the exhibits we have here at the museum are going to be some of the basis for that as well.”

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out and about

Roger Hubbard of Cave-In-Rock pauses with his Palomino for a good look at the horizon from the pinnacle of Rocky Top Trail. The pair were on a trail ride through the Shawnee National Forest. Rocky Top is near One Horse Gap.

On thetrails

Horseback riding offers a closer look at Southern Illinois

Whether city-slicking newbies or seasoned enthusiasts, people of all ages are discovering a more intimate way to experience Southern Illinois’ natural beauty: on horseback. From the Mississippi River bluffs to Garden of the Gods, opportunities to explore Southern Illinois’ most beautiful natural areas are endless and horseback riding is a popular activity among tourists and locals alike. “You get to see a lot of places you wouldn’t see otherwise,” said Ramona Twellman, owner of Giant City Stables in Makanda. “I think just being out in the nature and in the woods with the horse, it’s just peaceful and quiet, and it’s very beautiful.” Many places across Southern Illinois offer horse rentals for trail riding, including Giant City, where anyone can rent a horse for the day or even purchase a month’s membership. Some stables are only open on a seasonal basis, but others offer rentals year-round. Equestrian trails bring outdoor tourists closer to Southern Illinois’ land formations, flora and wildlife than do roads and designated hiking trails, giving riders a more personal

Justin Rucker leads a group of riders through One Horse Gap, which is in the Shawnee National Forest.

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experience with the region’s widely popular natural attractions. “There’s all kinds of sights out here to see,” said Sonya Kirkland, owner at Shawnee Trails End Stables in Herod. “It’s a lot of beautiful Shawnee National Forest country.” Kirkland said trail riders are given plenty of time to stop at scenic areas along the trails for taking pictures or climbing on rock formations. That way, she said, it’s an enjoyable experience tourists never forget. w o r k i n g ,

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1(:(67 +27(/ ,1 $5($

stables Giant City Stables Makanda 618-529-4110 www.giantcitystables.com Shawnee Trails End Stables Herod 618-264-8064 www.shawneetrailsend.com Lake Glendale Stables Golconda 618-949-3737 http://www.lakeglendalestables.com/ Honey Bee Stables Cobden 618-638-8059 Trail of Tears Lodge & Sports Resort Jonesboro 618-833-8697

Before heading outdoors, start indoors at thesouthern.com/ adventure2010.

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Cindy Cain, executive director at Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, said horseback riding is one of the Shawnee National Forest’s most popular outdoor activities that brings millions of dollars into the area every year. “From the back of a horse is still the best way to see the Shawnee National Forest and the trails are in very scenic areas,� Cain said. “There’s just a multitude of opportunities for horseback riding and it’s the best way to enjoy a wide variety of topography, fauna and flora.� Cain said many places across the region that offer horse rentals are near affordable lodging areas, so tourists can make a weekend out of Southern Illinois’ trail rides, staying in cabins or lodges in the forest. One major event, she said, is the 9-Day Trail Ride conducted every year in Pope County. “You can be up-close and personal with wildlife and yet, at the same time, be away from all the traffic and motors,� Cain said.

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Photos by STEVE JAHNKE

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entertainment

Music and

mingling

The Southern File Photo

It’s easy, even for the busiest of us, at Carbondale’s Brown Bag Concert Series

Larry Dilliard sings an Elvis tune warming up the crowd during a High Noon concert in Murphysboro.

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Murphysboro, SIUC have noon concerts, too

Brown Bag Concerts aren’t the only noon-time music and lunch events in the area. The “Noon Tunes” series, hosted by Special Programs and Center Events at Southern Illinois University Carbondale takes place from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., once a month during the school semester, at the university’s Student Center Roman Room. You can bring your lunch or grab a bite from the many restaurants inside the Josh Plemon of Anna tunes his guitar before performing Student Center. at one of the Carbondale Brown Bag concerts hosted by The Jackson County Carbondale Main Street. State’s Attorney’s Office and the city of your lunch, but it is also provided, Murphysboro sponsors for less than seven bucks, by a the “High Noon” concerts at noon different eatery each week. on Fridays in Smysor Plaza in The proceeds of the lunch Murphysboro. This is a fall series, benefit the Crime Victims’ which runs the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks Emergency Fund, which provides immediate necessary funds for of October. Some benches are available, but crime victims in Jackson County. The line-ups for both of these attendees are encouraged to bring series are still to be announced. their own seating. You can bring

Brown Bag concerts May

August

May 5: The Ivas John Band

Aug. 4: The Blues Bandits

May 12: The Ole Fishskins

Aug. 11: Big Larry

May 19: Etherton Switch

Aug. 18: Wil Maring

May 26: Christine Bauer

Aug. 25: The Black Forties

June

September

June 2: The Natives

Sept. 1: The Dorians

June 9: The Swamp Tigers

Sept. 8: Tomcat Hill Social Club

June16: Hot Sauce

Sept. 15: Carter & Connelley

June 23: The Parsley and Sagebrush Band

Sept. 22: Derren Raser Sept. 29: Bill Harper

June 30: The JW Brown Trio

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The coming of warmer weather and sunshine in spring means one thing — a chance to get out of the house. After being cooped up for months, the last thing you want to do is stay inside. Unfortunately, during the week, getting out is sometimes hard to do. It’s sometimes a challenge to get up the initiative to pack up a picnic basket and head out to the park to enjoy a nice lunch. Some days, there’s just too much going on to have time to drive out to one of the wineries to sit and take in the fresh air. For those of us who aren’t retired or are in school, work will often keep us cooped up at our desk, only enjoying the sight of sunlight from a distant window. Despite these obstacles, there are still ways to easily enjoy the outdoors whether you’re at work or just plain busy. And one of the best ways to do it is to pull up a lawn chair and enjoy live music. For 14 years, spring has traditionally meant the beginning of the Brown Bag Concert Series in Carbondale. These free concerts were begun by Carbondale Main Street as a way to encourage foot traffic in the downtown area, but they have become a yearly institution for folks of all demographics and ages. “For employees who are already downtown, the concerts offer a great midweek break and for stay-at-home parents or retirees, a midday concert is a wonderful way to spend the lunch hour,” said Meghan Cole, executive director of Carbondale Main Street. In season, every Wednesday at noon, a band performs under the town square pavilion. Picnic tables are available, or you can spread out a blanket or bring your own chair. If you want to bring your lunch, that’s fine, but many downtown eateries also offer special take-out deals. “I love to play there, and it is always delighting to see so many people showing up for it,” said Mark Stoffel, of the bluegrass band Etherton Switch. “These concerts are unique because we only book local musicians, and you don’t have to pay a cover or enter a bar or restaurant to experience the music,” Cole said. “You are downtown, seeing your community in a different light. These are the most family friendly concerts in Southern Illinois, in my opinion. I’ve often had people of all ages say that, besides the music, one of the biggest draws to the concerts is watching children dance and sing.”

The Southern File Photo

by Brent Stewart

SI

in our backyard The scenic overlook in Alto Pass offers a picnic shelter with a grill and fireplace and a view of Bald Knob Cross.

What a

by Stephen Rickerl

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon picnic in a state park with all the amenities or a spontaneous yet scenic roadside spot, Southern Illinois has numerous options when planning a picnic. Between Giant City State Park, Ferne Clyffe State Park and the Shawnee National Forest, there are dozens of unique locations where picnickers can enjoy the geological wonders of Southern Illinois. Many parks offer picnic shelters close to trailheads for easy access to park features. At Ferne Clyffe State Park there are seven picnic areas, one of which can be reserved for large gatherings. Bill Reynolds, site superintendant at Ferne Cylffe, said all the picnic areas except the lake-view shelter are first come first serve. Open year-round and attracting more than a quarter million visitors per year, Reynolds said Ferne Clyffe is a popular destination for picnicking, hiking and camping. “Ferne Clyffe State Park has some nice picnic areas. Historically it has been a popular place for a picnic for a long time,” Reynolds said. He said the state park is especially popular and accessible for young families because many of the unique trails are close to the park’s picnic shelters, which he said have open areas that are good locations for a Frisbee toss or ball game. “Some of the more unique trails are shorter, making them popular for young families. The trails offer a safe hike to go 38 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

Photo by Stephen Rickerl

great place for a picnic to some of the most unique geological features in the park, such as Hawks Cave,” Reynolds said. Like Ferne Clyffe State Park, the Shawnee National Forest has several picnic areas close to its geological attractions that make for popular picnic destinations. Garden of the Gods, Little Grand Canyon, High-Knob Lookout Picnic Area and Winters Pond Picnic Area are a few of the popular destinations within the more than 270,000 acres of the forest. Becky Banker, public affairs officer with the Shawnee National Forest, said Garden of the Gods is the most popular location for a picnic because of the scenery. “It just has beautiful scenery and rock formations up there. There are a number of nice rock formations like Camel Rock,” Banker said. Banker said the trail from the picnic area is short and relatively flat, so access to the views is an option for most picnickers. For those looking for a more spontaneous picnic experience away from state parks and national forests, the scenic lookout park and picnic area in Alto Pass offers a unique picnicking experience. Located on Skyline Drive, the picnic shelter offers grills, a fireplace and a scenic view of Bald Knob Cross. The park sits high atop a stone cliff, which does not have guard rails but offers uninterrupted views for miles. l i v i n g ,

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quick hits

Pack the basket with local foods

Keep it safe

by Debbie Moore

Always keep your picnic basket clean and ready to go. Keep it filled with the essential plates, cups, flatware, napkins, table covering, paper towels, anti-bacterial wipes, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew and plastic storage and trash bags. Keep gel packs in the freezer all the time, so you are always ready to load up the food, family and friends and visit the beautiful scenic areas of southern Illinois! Practice good food safety, when packing a picnic. Remember to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot and don’t fear the use of mayonnaise. Just make sure you keep that slaw and potato salad cold. Remember that outdoor temperatures have an impact on foods that don’t require refrigeration, like icing on cakes or chocolate bars. Never place foods in the sun and always keep foods covered so insects don’t join your party!

The perfect picnic basket isn’t one that is extra large. It isn’t one that is thermal lined. It isn’t an antique, and it isn’t a brand new stainless steel or Lucite box. The perfect picnic basket is the one that is always packed and ready to fill with whatever foods make you happy. The perfect picnic planner probably creates a theme and menu well in advance of the event. Never let it be said that this cannot be done spontaneously, though. This Murdale Shopping Center Picnic can be put together in less than an hour and features a menu filled with Made at Home ingredients. Begin your shopping trek at the west end of Carbondale’s Murdale Shopping Center in west Carbondale.

What: Foods and ingredients with international flavor; you’ll find things here you won’t find anywhere else in Southern Illinois. Recommendations: Break our locally made rules because the shop has two things that are picnic perfect: healthy fruit-juice drinks and chocolate. Grab the dark chocolate bar filled with chili peppers and cherries or the one filled with crystallized ginger.

Neighborhood Food Co-Op What: Locally grown produce and meat, in-store made products, locally made products and organic products. ) Recommendations: Buy a sandwich filling, a few side salads and a loaf of bread made in store. Browse the cheese counter; you won’t find a cheese made in Southern Illinois because it doesn’t exist; you will find Ropp Jersey Cheese, made in Normal. Choose cheddar with basil, chipotle cheddar, bacon ranch cheddar and a mild Colby. You might need another loaf of co-op bakery bread. Try the crusty bread studded with olives.

Larry’s House of Cakes What: Local bakery Recommendations: The red velvet cupcakes are wonderful, but the unique blueberry cupcakes are even better. If you prefer a whole cake, try the Italian Cream or the German Chocolate.

Fresh Food Market What: Fresh fruits and vegetables, plus local honey and Miller’s jams, which are made in Ava. Recommendations: For this picnic theme, pick up a jar of Miller’s Jalapeno Conserve. It’s easy to pack a tasty and healthy picnic with food from the Neighborhood Co-op.

Photos by Debbie Moore

International Grocery

Westroad Liquors What: Carries local wine and cold bottles of beer from Murphysboro’s new Big Muddy Brewing. Recommendations: The dark amber Dunkeldog and the Kinkaid Wheat are both fantastic choices. If you need ice for your cooler, you’ll find that at Westroads, too.

SIMagazine : Spring 2010 39

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The Murdale Shopping Center Picnic

SI clubs and your skills out of recreation

Get your

hibernation SIUC golf coach Diane Daugherty helps sharpen golfing skills

by Pete Spitler

It’s time to get the golf clubs out of winter hibernation and prepared for another season on the links. Depending on your level of enthusiasm for the sport, the clubs may not be the only thing that has lain dormant for the winter; your golf skills might have suffered a bit, too. Whether it is swinging the irons, tapping the putter or chipping out of bunkers, bad habits always seem to arise with the coming of warmer temperatures and lush greens. “Hitting a ball straight is kind of a miracle,” said Diane Daugherty, Southern Illinois University Carbondale head women’s golf coach. “I tell my kids it’s amazing that we have as much control over the ball as we do,” Daugherty said. “It’s not how good your good shots are, but rather how good your bad shots are.” Daugherty knows a thing or two about golf, having coached it for 23 years at SIUC. As a part-time touring professional, she won the LPGA Senior Division Midwest title in 2006 and 2008 and was named the Missouri Valley Conference’s All-Centennial coach for the league. Among her contributions to the sport, Daugherty has served as a summer clinician for Golf for Women magazine and with that much experience, she is more than willing to share her advice on being successful in the sport. “The key is patience,” Daugherty said. “You can score pretty or you can score ugly. Sometimes we get caught up in how pretty the ball looks flying through the air and then someone else hits a worm burner right next to the hole. 40 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

‘If you really want to improve your score, practice your short game.’ — Diane Daugherty, SIUC golf coach

And your shot ends up in the bunker.” The plethora of courses in Southern Illinois — whether it be Kokopelli, Jackson County Country Club, Hickory Ridge, Stone Creek, Crab Orchard, Green Hills, Franklin County Country Club or many others — offer many options to the weekend golfer. But Daugherty said one of the simplest ways to practice can be accomplished during a single one-hour lunch break. see Daugherty / page 42 l i v i n g ,

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Hickory Ridge: They call it home

SIUC women’s golf head coach Diane Daugherty pumps her fist when talking to SIUC’s assistant director of facilities Andy Pettit about the team’s new indoor hitting facility that is being built at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale.

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Photos by Steve Jahnke

With the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference tournament fast approaching, Southern Illinois University’s women’s golf team members were asked to pick their favorite courses and holes throughout Southern Illinois. It was no surprise that most of the players preferred Carbondale’s Hickory Ridge, as it is the home course for SIU and offers a wide range of difficulties packed into 6,683 yards — from the longest tees — of golf with a par score of 72. “When you get out there the first time, you think it’s going to be hard because it’s a little narrow,” said SIUC freshman Shaina Rennegarbe. “The first time I came out there I was scared of it.” Designed by William J. Spear, Hickory Ridge opened in 1993 and has hosted either the IHSA Class 1A or 2A girls golf state tournament for the last four years. Rated as a four-star course by Golf Digest, it features rolling hills, a variety of fairways and a lake that comes into play on several holes. “Hickory Ridge has a good mix of difficult holes and easier holes that keeps it interesting,” said SIU assistant coach Samantha Sambursky, who said that No. 15 is her favorite. “It has some holes where you have to hit pretty good shots in order to score on it.” Two of the course’s most difficult holes are Nos. 15 and 16 on the backside of the course layout. The tee shot is critical on No. 15, as the hole runs downhill into a ravine before a sharp uphill climb on a tiered fairway to the green. “Try making it a three-shot hole unless you’re at the bottom of the hill,” Sambursky said. “The farther left you hit your tee shot, the longer it makes your lay-up shots. “Hit your tee shot toward the mound on the right side of the fairway and if you clear that, you’re good to go.” Sambursky also said that Nos. 6 and 7 on the front nine presented a challenge. “No. 6 is a placement hole,” Sambursky said. “You need to be thinking of where your next shot should be. No. 7 is really pretty with the water and the fountains and the drive is probably the most important shot.” SIUC sophomore Alisha Matthews also said that the course’s flaws make Hickory Ridge what it is. “You’ve got to take it for its flaws,” Matthews said. “There’s a few holes where you’re on the tee box and look up and wonder what (the designers) were thinking. “Nos. 15 and 16 can make or break a round and I think that’s an example of a good golf course.” Southern Illinois offers different kinds of opportunities for the golf professional or golf amateur. Stone Creek, located in Makanda, Marion’s Kokopelli Golf Club, Murphysboro’s Jackson County Country Club and Carterville’s Crab Orchard Golf Course all have their share of individual flavor. “We’re just blessed to have so many good courses in Southern Illinois,” said SIUC head coach Diane Daugherty. “Hickory is the one to go to if you want to work on uphill, downhill or sideways. Kokopelli is a course with a lot of sand. Jackson is good for the short game. Crab Orchard has great greens, and Stone Creek has a little bit of wind.”

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recreation

Daugherty: On golfing “If you really want to improve your score, practice your short game,” Daugherty said. “Sixty-six percent of your score comes from less than a full shot. If you have an hour during lunch, the best thing you can do is chip and putt. The short game will save you and is by far the best way to shave off strokes.” Daugherty is also known for her “Diane-isms,” which are phrases the coach uses that include hidden meanings about golf. They have become popular with SIUC players and have given Daugherty a Zen-like presence. “Last year when I was a freshman, she would say things, and I would think ‘What is she talking about?’” said SIUC’s Alisha Matthews. “She always tells us to get our ducks in a row. Sometimes I don’t know where my ducks are or if they are frozen to the pond.” Daugherty said she has a saying for every occasion, and that her team could probably write a book on them. Among her favorites are “When it’s breezy, swing easy.” “Don’t swing as hard as you think you can,” said SIUC assistant coach Samantha Sambursky. “Keep your

swing compact. Most of the time, people overswing and we have our girls practice a 3/4 swing because it is easier to make contact.” Golf, like any sport, has its share of myths and misconceptions. Among those is Daugherty gives her team a pep talk before starting practice at Hickory Ridge how to properly Golf Course in Carbondale. correct a slice. Bad mechanics can be deeply ingrained in a golfer’s swing, which makes it tougher club, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money if you find a club you like. to correct. “If you find a club that you hit well “Your typical weekend golfer has a and you like, stick with it,” Daugherty big slice,” Daugherty said. “One of the said. biggest misconceptions is that if you The driving range and the golf course aim to the left that it will correct it. “But the more you aim to the left, the are two separate teaching tools and more it opens your stance. If you aim to must be treated as such in order to be successful, according to Matthews. the right, it closes your stance.” “I have been to the driving range Club selection has also come a long hundreds of times and I use it to fix way. Graphite clubs are lighter and a lot easier on a player’s joints. Daugherty flaws in my swing,” Matthews said. “Use the course to lower your scores said that the weekend golfer would because you’re not going to be able to want more weight on the sole of the lower your score on the driving range.” For all the technical advice and the in-depth analysis of golf, the simplest answers are often favored over the more complex. Ready to take a swing? Get a comprehensive list “It doesn’t matter the quantity of of Southern Illinois courses and the details you your practice; it matters the quality,” need at thesouthern.com/adventure2010. Matthews said.

Photo by Steve Jahnke

from page 40

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local events

The Superman Celebration is a longstanding festival that is always on the second weekend in June and attracts comic book fans from all over the globe. Besides featuring special guests, the celebration includes Man of Steel exhibitions and contests, an amusement park, live music and a $1,000 Superhero Costume Contest.

HerrinFesta Italiana You don’t have to be Italian to have a great time at HerrinFesta Italiana. You do have to like to have fun. The festival, which is May 27 through May 31, is a celebration of the Italian heritage in Herrin, a town of 10,000, which hosts the annual Memorial Day weekend festival featuring great Italian food, family fun and entertainment. You’ll find plenty of music, including Killer Pimps and Hairbangers Ball (Thursday, May 27); Crossroads, Southbound and .38 Special (Friday, May 28); Against the Tide, Solovus and Theory of a Deadman (Saturday, May 29); the Colgate Country Showdown,

Emily Risen, Wild Horses and Luke Bryan (Sunday, May 30); and the LoCash Cowboys and Randy Houser (Monday, May 31.) The Piazza is the entertainment venue at HerrinFesta Italiana. Located behind Herrin Civic Center, the piazza houses Quality Connection Piazza Stage and Piazza Beverage and Wine Gardens, where you can enjoy your favorite adult beverages. HerrinFesta’s midway features great food, a carnival and a variety of vendor booths. Entry into the midway is free and open to all ages. And we can’t forget one of HerrinFesta’s premier events: The annual bocce tournaments.

Visit thesouthern.com/adventure2010 for the region’s upcoming festivals.

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The Southern File Photo

This year’s Metropolis Superman Celebration will feature a whole cast of special guest speakers, including the renowned mega-producer Ilya Salkind. Salkind’s movie productions include “Superman,� “Superman II� and “Superman III,� all of which were worldwide hits. Salkind will be the featured special guest at the Metropolis Superman Celebration, which is June 10 to 13. The producer will speak about his unique experience with the “Superman� movies and will be available to answer questions from fans. Other special guests to be present at the celebration are “Smallville� actors Laura Vandervoort and Sam Witwer, and the “First Lady of Metropolis� Noel Neill, who first portrayed Lois Lane in the television series “Adventures of Superman.�

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Photo by Steve Jahnke

Superman Celebration

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parting shot

p.s. photo by Steve Jahnke The Southern

44 SIMagazine : Spring 2010

Gulls rest on pilings from an old dock on Crab Orchard Lake.

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