Articles - Decatur Magazine

Small Town Rebuilds

A supplement to the story Small Town Rebuilds from the Oct/Nov 2020 issue of Decatur Magazine. A Closer Look at Laurel, Mississippi Laurel is charming, but not all shiny and made-for-HGTV. It’s a tourist attraction due to the show Home Town, but not at all touristy. It’s Mayberry. We scored premium accommodations during our […]

Decatur Magazine October-November 2020 Calendar of Events

SPECIAL NOTICE There may be changes in state guidelines due to the pandemic, so events may be changed or cancelled. Please call ahead before attending. October / November 2020 ArtConcerts & Live MusicHistory & MuseumsNature & GardensEvents for Children & FamiliesSports, Health & FitnessExpositionsSpecial Events Charity Datebook ART As I See It – […]

features Anything But Normal There are times when every day feels like the day before, even though our entire lives have changed. And playing by the rules has taken on a whole new meaning. Since Midwesterners normally don’t shy away from a challenge, how do we adapt to life during a global pandemic? In this issue, […]

Decatur Magazine August-September 2020 Calendar of Events

SPECIAL NOTICE Due to the alert status of COVID-19 in Illinois, events listed on this calendar may change. We suggest calling ahead to confirm details and cancellations before making plans to attend. Thank you! August / September 2020 ArtNature & GardensEvents for Children & FamiliesCharity Events ART Decatur Airport Exhibit – AugustDecatur Airport, […]

By Jan Mathew | Photography by Kathy Locke Visit the Hieronymus Mueller Museum and you’ll step into the rich story of a man heralded as a creative genius, prolific inventor and community champion. Chapters, as viewed through Mueller Company’s lens, are historical snapshots only Decatur can share. Within this panorama, the angle that Museum Director […]

SPECIAL NOTICE Due to the alert status of COVID-19 and influenzas in Illinois, we do not have a calendar for June/July 2020 events. We will post events as they become available once again. Thank you!

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, […]