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The State Journal-Register

partner publisher · 14.3K followers
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Annual squirrel bloodbath in Carlinville needs to stop | Opinion

Chicago has squirrels on the brain. Lincoln Park residents worry about a billionaire feeding luxury nuts to squirrels , but instead making for fat rats, while the intended recipients (so called rats with fluffy tails) gorge on macadamia nuts. Downstate squirrels have it much worse. Every winter Carlinville hosts a wildlife killing contest called “Squirrel Bowl.” But as of October, Carlinville has a new claim to fame as Hallmark has named it America’s “Merriest Christmas Town .” Hallmark celebrities descended on Carlinville for the surprise announcement. In addition to bragging rights, a Hallmark holiday movie will be filmed there in 2027. This will bring economic benefits to the region. However, it’s unlikely that Hallmark knew about the "Squirrel Bowl" when choosing Carlinville as “merriest.” More: Carlinville named Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town Carlinville’s annual wildlife killing contest occurs before Super Bowl. It began in 2016, growing significantly with hundreds of hunters entering. Competitors hunt in teams. Youth and adult hunters participate. Squirrel Bowl awards prizes in categories based on criteria including dead squirrel weight. Prize categories include “Big Fox Squirrel winner” and “Big Gray Squirrel winner” for youth and adult hunters. The event raises money for charity. Squirrel Bowl isn’t unique.

Carlinville, IL · 3d

takingthekids.com

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The Secret Illinois Buffet That Locals Try To Hide From Outsiders

A truck stop restaurant that started in 1928 as a garage selling sandwiches is still serving an all-you-can-eat buffet today. That alone deserves a second look. The buffet starts at 6 AM. Breakfast favorites, comfort-food classics, and rotating dishes fill the line, with a soup and salad station waiting nearby.

Illinois · 4d
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everafterinthewoods.com

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This Old-School Illinois Butcher Shop Still Cuts From Hanging Cattle And Makes Over 80 Sausages

A carved wooden pig head hands out your number at the door. That’s how your visit starts at one of the most beloved butcher counters in Illinois. The kitchen behind the counter turns out more than 80 kinds of sausages and brats. A smokehouse adds more than 10 kinds of homemade bacon to the lineup.

Chicago, IL · 4d
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takingthekids.com

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Most Of These Old-School Steakhouses Closed Years Ago, But This Illinois One Still Serves T-Bones And A Full Buffet

A 16-ounce T-bone and an all-you-can-eat buffet still share the same menu at one Illinois interstate stop. Plenty of families thought that combo vanished along with the restaurants of their childhood. The chain behind it once dotted highways across the Midwest. Most of those locations closed years ago, so finding...

Illinois · 1d
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The State Journal-Register

partner publisher · 14.3K followers

Meet the man behind the popular 'Grazing Guse' account in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, IL – If you're on a social media app, you may have seen the "Grazing Guse" posting about the food scene in central Illinois and in Springfield. The popular social media account has amassed close to 200,000 followers across Facebook , TikTok , Instagram and YouTube with over 1.8 million likes alone on TikToK. If you have never heard of the "Grazing Guse," you may have still seen the impact from the videos. The popular social media account's videos on The Lumpia House and Mel-O-Cream have both garnered close to or over one million views online. The Guse's video on the Twisted Pasta food truck during the Illinois State Fair helped lead to lines curve around Main Street. More: Two new food vendors share top prize at Illinois State Fair The man behind the account is Seth Ragusa, whose last name often led to him being called "Guse" as a kid and inspired the name of the account. The concept of the videos is a simple one: Ragusa samples food and then provides a rating for the food, something he didn't think was happening enough in Springfield. “Everybody else I ever saw videos (trying food) was Chicago, Chicago, Chicago,”

Springfield, IL · 6d

familydestinationsguide.com

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These 7 Illinois Restaurants Serve Mexican Food So Good You’ll Say “Ay Caramba”

Ready to find the best Mexican food in Illinois without leaving the state?. These 7 restaurants serve bold flavors and satisfying meals that’ll keep you coming back for more!. 1. El Tragón Taquería (Chicago) The name “El Tragón” roughly means “the big eater” in Spanish, and honestly,...

Chicago, IL · 2d

capitolcitynow.com

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Woo Hoo! ‘Simpsons’ writers to talk Saturday in Springfield — yes, THIS Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – “Is Springfield America?” The answer could be found this Saturday, in this Springfield, thanks to three of the writers of “The Simpsons” — one of whom is a presidential candidate. Writers Bill Odenkirk, Josh Weinstein, and Dan Greaney...

Springfield, IL · 1d

fastfoodclub.com

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Ask Your Grandparents About These 7 Small-Town Illinois Taverns Still Pouring Beer And Frying Tenderloins

Ask anyone who grew up in Illinois about the best tenderloin they ever had, and the answer usually points to a corner tavern in a small town. These are the places where the sandwich hangs off the bun, the booths have seen a few decades, and the bartender probably knows your uncle.

Illinois · 5h

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Illinois Bakery Inside A Historic Mansion Is Perfect For A Chilly Winter Afternoon

A French bakery fills an entire Italianate mansion in Illinois, and the garden entry even has swings built into it. That detail alone made me smile. The house once stood on a stretch of town nicknamed Aristocrat Hill. Today it serves croissants, quiche, and a flourless chocolate cake that helped make the bakery famous.

Springfield, IL · 2d

TheDailyPour

partner publisher · 2.8K followers

THC Drinks Are Set to Be Removed From Illinois Liquor Stores This Week

Hemp-derived THC beverages containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will be pulled from liquor stores and other traditional retail outlets in Illinois beginning Nov. 12, following the passage of a new state law that places tighter restrictions on intoxicating hemp products. The Illinois Hemp Act, signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in […]

Illinois · 1d

unearththevoyage.com

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This Tiny Illinois Bakery Serves Flaky Danish Pastries So Authentic You’ll Swear You’re In Copenhagen

Some of the best bites in Illinois hide in places you would drive right past without a second look. I walked into a small, quiet bakery expecting a quick donut and walked out with a box of buttery Danish treats and a new weekend habit. The kind of flaky layers...

Burr Ridge, IL · 3d

everafterinthewoods.com

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Swedish Meatballs And Lingonberries Still Fill Plates At These 6 Illinois Old-World Restaurants

Lingonberries show up in lemonade and salad dressing at one of these spots. That tart little red berry clearly refuses to stay politely on the side of a pancake. I love that detail. Swedish meatballs and lingonberries are still on the menu across Illinois, from a historic prairie village to busy Chicago neighborhoods.

Illinois · 1d

fastfoodclub.com

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Seven Illinois Pizza Taverns Have Been Cutting Squares For Regulars Since The 7s

Ask anyone who grew up around Chicago how pizza should be sliced, and there is a good chance they will say squares, not triangles. Tavern-style pizza, with its cracker-thin crust and party-cut pieces, has been a neighborhood staple across Illinois for generations, and a handful of family-run spots have been serving it to the same loyal crowds for decades.

Chicago, IL · 1d

everafterinthewoods.com

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Walk Beneath Historic Air Force Planes For Free At This Illinois Aviation Museum

A Boeing 367-80 tanker, a relative of the famous 707 prototype, sits on a grassy lawn in Illinois, and you can walk right under it. No ticket booth. No turnstile. No base badge required. The neighbors are just as impressive. A C-141 Starlifter and a C-130 share the same neat...

Illinois · 2d

967 The Eagle

partner publisher · 14.4K followers

Belvidere To Champaign, Illinois Barbecue Rivals Texas And Memphis

Illinois has some seriously good barbecue tucked away in small towns and Chicago neighborhoods, but most people don't realize it's even there.

Belvidere, IL · 6d

takingthekids.com

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From Cozy Tea Service To Historic Charm, This Illinois Church Hides A Special Tea Room

Lunch arrives on a three-tiered tower of real china, and the stained glass windows above your table once watched over a church congregation. That’s the setup at one little lunch spot in Illinois. The building is more than a century old. Old church benches still serve as seating, and...

Illinois · 3d

Animal of Things

partner publisher · 22.3K followers

Woodcock Hunting Season in Illinois: Dates, Limits, and Rules

Explore amazing animal stories – visit Animal of Things Now and follow us! Woodcock hunting season in Illinois is short, statewide, and easy to miss if you are focused on pheasant or deer. The 2026-27 season runs from October 17 through November 30, which gives you roughly six weeks to find these migratory birds as they pass through young forest and damp thickets. Because woodcock are federally regulated … This article, Woodcock Hunting Season in Illinois: Dates, Limits, and Rules , appeared first on Animal of Things . Discover more animal wonders – VISIT Animal of Things NOW AND FOLLOW US FOR FRESH UPDATES! Related Posts: • 76 Days of Pheasant Hunting in Missouri: Nov. 1, 2026 to Jan. 15, 2027 • Migratory Bird Hunting Laws in Kentucky: Season Dates, Licenses, and Rules Every Hunter Must Follow • Found a Pheasant Hunting Spot in Texas? Only 37 Counties Have a Season

Illinois · 1d

fastfoodclub.com

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These 6 Illinois Family Steakhouses Still Toss A Salad Bar In With Every Steak

Remember when a steak dinner came with a trip to the salad bar, and nobody had to pay extra for it? That tradition is still alive in a handful of Illinois towns, from Peoria to Pinckneyville. The six family-friendly steakhouses below pair real grilled steaks with salad bars you can...

Peoria, IL · 2d

WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM

partner publisher · 37.3K followers

12 Illinois Restaurants Land On OpenTable's Top 100 In America For 2026

Twelve Illinois spots landed on OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2026, and every one of them sits right here in Chicago.

Illinois · 1d

takemetotn.com

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This Small-Town Illinois Fabric Shop Draws Quilters From Across State Lines With Its Huge Selection

One shopper drives all the way from Louisiana to buy fabric here. Another fabric fan’s husband has hauled her from northern Wisconsin to Foley, Alabama, hunting for shops, and he says none beat this one. That’s a bold claim for a little store in rural Illinois. Still, the shelves...

Illinois · 2d