Articles - Decatur Magazine

in this issue: June / July 2020

features Together, six feet apartAs we navigate our way through the effects of COVID-19 one thing is certain – the only constant is change. This issue documents the incredible moments that are making history in Decatur. Take care and be well. cover illustration by Shani Goss Portrait of a PandemicImages capture the essence of […]

Beyond merely utilitarian function, WPA projects are aesthetically pleasing constructions that were built to last. Many of these gems are still in use today, although residents often fail to appreciate their historic significance. Before the dawning of “economic stimulus packages,” Grandpa had to put in a full day’s work before Big Brother would spare him […]

The Manhattan Project, so named because the first plan originated in that “district,” was America’s top-secret mission to harness nuclear energy into a massively powerful bomb and end World War ll. The mission’s leaders were Dr. Leo Oppenheimer on the science side, and General Leslie Groves on the management/military procurement and coordination side. The rest, […]

When talking to Decatur resident Karen Hurley about the April 19, 1996, tornado she and her family survived, the key word is obvious: “Survive.” Yet after the dark eerie clouds, blinding rain, and devastating winds passed, the initial reaction was an odd sense of denial. Both Hurley and fellow local survivor Brad Storm didn’t grasp, […]

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 […]