Carl Sandburg College has reopened its Student Center following an extensive renovation project that marks a major step forward in the institution’s long-term campus master plan.

A once-in-a-lifetime celebration is coming to Canton, Illinois, as the city marks its bicentennial with a weeklong festival from June 20 to June 29, featuring historic tours, concerts, and community events that highlight the city's rich past and vibrant culture. Here are just a few of the highlights to look forward to:

As warmer temperatures and signs of spring begin to awaken the landscape, local residents are invited to give back to the environment by participating in a volunteer clean-up event at Lakeview Nature Area and Center on Friday, April 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Spring will arrive in full bloom at the Centennial Events and Wedding Venue on April 26 as the center hosts its inaugural Spring Market, a one-day festival featuring local artisans, food vendors, and the official launch of its beautiful U-Pick Flower Fields.

The Fulton-Mason Crisis Service (FMCS) Annual Fundraiser Dinner and Auction will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Spoon River College Multi-Purpose Building in Canton. This year’s theme is “Sunshine and Sunflowers, in honor of Jessica” so wear your sunshine and sunflower-inspired attire and join us for an evening of fun!

The Ellisville Opera House may be small, but it is far from quiet. Up next on their busy schedule of events is their annual Ellisville Sassafras Festival on April 26, a celebration that, like the trees, will bring the town to life. 

As spring arrives, the Warren County Public Library is inviting the community to celebrate the season with creative, hands-on events. With a focus on crafts that accentuate the joy of the season, the library is hosting a Spring Yarn Bunny Craft in April, followed by a Mother’s Day Craft Bonanza in May.

Strawberries are one of my all-time favorite fruits on the homestead. They are easy to establish and maintain and produce a bounty. Don't get me started on their superior taste compared to store-bought. A red, juicy strawberry freshly plucked from the garden after basking in the sun all day is like eating something from another planet

At the edge of the quiet town of Fairview, a bright yellow Volkswagen bug marks the gateway to one of Fulton County's most vibrant local businesses. Behind the walls of three bustling greenhouses, amid the scent of soil and spring, Fairview Nursery is a place where plants, community, friendship, and a whole lot of love grow wild.

The Giving Gardens, a nonprofit organization, and local treasure has taken root in Macomb, IL, and is looking to expand. What started as one garden in the lawn space of a church quickly grew to six different locations throughout Macomb.

"Lands o' goshen, Josiah, you are looking a might peaked!"

"Yes, Miss Hattie, I believe I've got a touch of the epizootic."

"Well, I've got just the thing. Come over to my garden."

A tip left after a cup of coffee may cost only a couple dollars, but at Cole Street Coffee House, those dollars are making a major difference.

Known as "The Jewel of Galesburg," The Orpheum Theatre is evolving under Executive Director Andrew Driscoll. Since his appointment in May 2024, Driscoll has focused on expanding the theatre's programming and community involvement.

The hunt is on—again. Reserve Artisan Ales is bringing back its popular Adult Egg Hunt and Brunch, offering grown-ups a chance to relive childhood excitement with a boozy, prize-filled twist.

Maddy’s Coffee House is turning up the heat again this spring with a creative DIY hat burning event on Sunday, April 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hosted in collaboration with Wildflowers & Barley out of Springfield, the event invites guests to design and burn custom patterns into hats, with guidance from experienced artists.

For McKinley Rexroat, the decision to stay local for college wasn’t always easy. But now, as a rising figure in the pageant world, she’s certain she made the right choice.

A small brick building on South Pearl Street is about to become a place of big impact. The Lighthouse, a new Christ-centered outreach center, will officially open on Monday, April 28, at 239 S. Pearl Street, offering support to individuals in Galesburg who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or simply in need of a safe, welcoming space.

Families across Roseville and the surrounding area are invited to Eldridge Park on Saturday, April 5, for a festive evening of community, celebration, and tradition as the Living Light Church hosts its second annual Easter in the Park.

A compelling chapter of local and American history will come to life as the Western Illinois Museum presents a living history performance of Lucy Pettengill, a station operator on the Underground Railroad.

The 27th Annual Gardener’s Day, hosted by the University of Illinois Extension and McDonough County Master Gardeners, will take place on March 22, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb.