in this issue: June-July 2015
features
ON THE COVER – Musicville –
Decatur is a mecca of live music this summer, with over 20 free outdoor concerts scheduled during June and July. Check our calendar to find out who’s playing; then load up those lawn chairs for the best seat in the house!
Blues Turns 15
Blues in Central Park celebrates fifteen years of bringing top blues bands to Decatur with a nod to the past.
Article Online >
Decatur Magazine’s Blues in Central Park 2015 summer concert line-up >
Specialties of the House
Find out what Illinois politicians are cooking up now. Contributor Zach Shields discovers some hidden talents that extends beyond the halls of congress.
Restaurant Renaissance
Our locally owned restaurants rival neighboring communities in number, and their original menus are on par with anyplace in the country. We boast some award-winners, too!
Out Of The Rough
Faced with declining numbers at public golf courses, the Decatur Park District shoots for new revenue streams by adding innovative novelty games at Scovill and Hickory Point courses.
Tiny House
Her home measures only 493 square feet, but Decatur resident Paula Marley loves “living large” — thanks to creativity and a crew that rebuilt her house from the inside out.
columns
business
Here & There: INDY
We travel 170 miles east to find out how Decatur’s cost of living stacks up to the Circle City – Indianapolis, IN.
Read all of our Here & There articles >
Golden Gateway
When a newcomer to Decatur drives down Brush College Road, he sees what many of us don’t: A 3.8-mile stretch literally lined with gold.
arts & entertainment
Boaters At Play
Its long, lean shape, convenient public boat ramps, multiple basins and appealing coves make Lake Decatur the perfect playground for skippers and their crews this summer.
Well-Crafted
More varieties pack store shelves, and more drafts pour from local taps. Contributor French MacLean gauges Decatur’s current craft beer popularity.
Literary Sparks
Decatur is home to a growing group of writers and poets whose public readings and published works are inspiring fresh forms of entertainment.
home
Lady Landowners
To strategically and successfully manage their acres of farmland, members of this local group in Macon County get by with a little help from their friends.
On The Auction Block
Their chanting prompts us to bid on everything from autos to antiques. But beyond the babble, local auctioneers are skilled in managing sales that please both buyers and sellers.
garden
Digging Deep
Described as “working gardeners,” members of the Garden Club of Decatur celebrate ninety years of getting their hands dirty on behalf of our community.
Just Peachy
If you’re slurping its juices, you know you’ve sampled the perfect peach. Contributor Pam Smith shares her favorite local self-pick spots, along with peach paradise destinations.
departments
CONTRIBUTORS*
HERE & THERE*
PARTY PIX
CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
CHARITY DATEBOOK*
DINING OUT*
REFLECTIONS
*Available Online
