Artist of the month: Allison Joseph

• Artist of the month
• Poetry

Allison Joseph is an American poet who was born in London, England and grew up between Toronto, Canada, and the Bronx. She is a graduate of Kenyon College and Indiana University, and now directs the masters of fine arts program in creative writing at Southern Illinois University.

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Top 10 fall foodie spots in Illinois

As the weather gets colder, local farmers are gearing up to embrace the fall season with exciting and tasty treats for Illinois foodies. From sugary apple cider donuts to farm-fresh pumpkins and apples, these popular spots have a variety of seasonal items and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Illinois has countless orchards and family farms to visit year-round. Here are the top 10 must-visit fall foodie destinations near you:

1. Eckert’s County Store & Farms – 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville

• • Country Restaurant, Cider Shed, Mr. E’s Donut and Custard Shop, bakery, deli, concessions

2. Kuipers Family Farm – 1 N. 318 Watson Road, Maple Park

• • Orchard Shop Bakery, Farmhouse Kitchen, Tree Top Tap, Smoke House & Grill, Farmyard Bar, Donut Dugout, Corncession Trailer

3. Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm – 4853 US Highway 52, Minooka

• • Heap’s Home Cookin’

4. Prairie Moon Farm – 1467 State Route 97, Knoxville
5. Mariah’s Mums & More – 16727 Airport Road, Clinton

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Morton, Illinois: The Pumpkin Capital of the World

Nestled in the heart of the Illinois River Valley, Morton not only offers some of the best in Illinois living, it is also home to the Nestlé USA/Libby’s plant that produces over 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin market – effectively making Morton “The Pumpkin Capital of the World.”

Opened in 1925, the Libby’s pumpkin plant has exclusively processed pumpkins since 1970. In 1967, the local Libby’s pumpkin plant celebrated the beginning of the pumpkin harvest and canning season with the first-ever Morton Pumpkin Festival. It was not until 1978 that then-Illinois Governor Jim Thompson signed a proclamation declaring Morton the pumpkin capital of the world.

Today, the town continues to celebrate their accolade through the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival, which includes over 30 special events and venues organized by more than 1,500 volunteers. Each year, the festival brings in an estimated 75,000 visitors from around the state and members of the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Pumpkin Festival Advisory Committee all gather to oversee the festival’s activities.

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The 10 best fall hiking spots in the state!

Illinois has plenty to offer – whether it is the rich culture, delicious food or scenery, there is something for everyone. It is no secret that fall is around the corner with the trees starting to turn to beautiful hues of yellows and reds, displaying the natural beauty of our state. This week, we have compiled a list of the 10 BEST hiking trails to visit in the fall months!

1. Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail: Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby)
2. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail: Matthiessen State Park (Oglesby)
3. Garden of the Gods Observation Trail: Shawnee National Forest (Near Harrisburg)
4. Little Grand Canyon Trail: Shawnee National Forest (Pomona)
5. Waterfall Glen Trail: Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve (Darien)
6. Eagle Cliff Overlook and La Salle Canyon: Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby)
7. Sag Valley Yellow Trail Loop: Swallow Cliff Woods (Near Palos Park)
8. Saint Louis Canyon Trail: Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby)
9. Pontiac Canyon, Wildcat Canyon and Beehive Overlook: Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby)
10. Indian Point Trail: Garden of the Gods Wilderness (Near Harrisburg)

Starved Rock State Park has several locations on this list and brings in an estimated 3 million visitors annually from all over the world, cementing its place as one of the crown jewels of Illinois for its beauty. With an impressive 270 trails that total more than 700 miles in Illinois, we hope you have the chance to visit one of these hiking trails and enjoy the nice weather!