Articles - Decatur Magazine

How-To Make the Perfect Cheese Toastie

Decatur resident Jim Friesner recalls ordering a cheese toastie when visiting Chicago a few years back. “The waitress laughed,” he recalls. “(I guess) it’s only called a cheese toastie in Decatur.” While wait staff outside our area may discern you mean a grilled cheese, “cheese toastie” generally requires an explanation or, at a minimum, earns […]

Gin rummy comes with a pretty straightforward set of rules: A 52-card deck; aces played low; and the objective of improving your hand by forming spreads and runs (melds), discarding uncooperative cards (deadwood) and, ultimately, outscoring your opponent. But for one of Decatur’s longest-running cadre of card sharks, the heart of the game is more […]

When I was a kid, I thought my aunt was a witch. Not a broom-riding, cackling, pointy-hat-wearing witch, but a normal-looking witch with special powers. At least that’s what she told me. As a six-year-old, I watched her take out her teeth and make slugs disappear by pouring salt on them. In the days before […]

features Let’s Go ExploringIt’s the perfect time of year to get up and get going, so be prepared to try something new this spring. We did the research to help you gear up for adventure, learn the ropes and have fun in the process. Enjoy! cover illustration by Shani Goss Stand Up SummerThe opening […]

Decatur Magazine April-May 2020 Calendar of Events

SPECIAL NOTICE Due to the alert status of COVID-19 and influenzas in Illinois, events listed on this calendar are changing on a daily basis. We suggest calling ahead to confirm details and cancellations before making plans to attend. Thank you! April / May 2020 Art Concerts, Live Music & Movies Comedy & Theatre History & […]

Here and There April-May 2020 Greenville, NC

Located 85 miles west of Raleigh on what locals refer to as the “Inner Bank,” Greenville has a population of 92,156 and is the 10th largest city in North Carolina. Rated in the Top 50 Most Livable Communities, the largest employer is Eastern Carolina University with a student enrollment over 25,000. Downtown Greenville underwent a […]

features Decatur Icons Webster’s Dictionary defines an icon as a person or place that is revered or idolized – a definition that applies to many during Decatur’s 190-year history. We remember the accomplishments of great men and women whose significant contributions in Decatur have influenced the course of history here and around the world. cover […]

Every year the rankings are released for Best Cities to Work, Best Cities to Attract Millennials, Best Cities to Raise Families, Best College Towns…you get the idea, the lists go on and on. This year Thrillist (the epitome of list makers) came up with a new one – Best Small Towns to Move To (Before […]

SPECIAL NOTICE Due to the alert status of COVID-19 and influenzas in Illinois, events listed on this calendar are changing on a daily basis. We suggest calling ahead to confirm details and cancellations before making plans to attend. Thank you! February / March 2020 ArtConcerts, Live Music & MoviesComedy & TheatreHistory & MuseumsNature & GardensEvents […]