Tag: local

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New Location for 2025/2026 Winter Farmer’s Market

Do you remember when the winter Farmer’s market in Carbondale was at the high school? I have good news from Food Works Winter Farmer’s Market Manager Ellen Esling. The next winter market will be held in Carbondale Community High School’s cafeteria.

Im inserting a link to a throwback video when the market was in an entrance hallway at the school.

Don’t forget to visit the last Food Works Winter Farmer’s Market of this season on Saturday, April 29, inside the movie theater  wing of University Mall of Carbondale. Market hours are 9:00 a.m. to noon. I hope you enjoy the photo sampling of this market season. I have enjoyed being part of it!

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About that App…(and How to Find Southern Illinois Info)

Once upon a time, there was a free app that correlated with info on A Slice of Southern Illinois. Eventually, with the original app development company, it became too difficult too keep up with changing requirements for common app stores. So, I disabled the app–for now. I would eventually like to create a new one, but I am taking my time to jump into that process. 

Meanwhile, I still have pages accessible through the menu on this website for annual events, local  food  things to see, and more. I try to update these from time to time, but they are not likely going to be as current as the Facebook page.

As many of you know by now, my health is somewhat of a rollercoaster ride since covid did a number on me. (Yes, Long Haul Covid is a real thing, and I don’t wish it on anyone!) I am also doing some jewelry-making and crafting  now that are actually therapeutic for me. When possible, I participate in farmer’s markets and other venues. However, I have to do a lot of prioritizing and “energy budgeting”  for my health. With that being said, knocking myself out to keep the events page current as well as other changes can’t be my priority at this time. There is only so much energy, and after the whole near death/ventilator experience, I have a new perspective. Living life is a priority.

SO, I am attempting to make it easier to search on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. Hopefully, a series of hashtag terms (below) will help you to find info by town or type within Southern Illinois. It won’t be perfect (brain fog is real too,) and I may forget obvious hashtags and miss some things, but it’s a start. Even if no one else uses them, it will help me…

This is the link to the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/asliceofSoIL?mibextid=ZbWKwL

This is how you use hashtags in the search bar to seek info or types of posts:

If you are seeking info on a Southern Illinois town, try searching the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page with a hashtag. (Example: #Carbondale )

The hashtags below are to seek out posts with the types of info listed:

SIbreweries breweries

SIclosures closings

SIcares good deeds, service and volunteer opportunities, good news

SIcoffee coffee

SIentertainment entertainment

SIevents regional events

SIeventvenue event venues

SIfurbabies pet related

#SIhistory regional history

SIkids for children

SIlodging local cabins, B&B’s, etc.

SImarket Farmer’s Markets & locally made products

SIshopslocal locally owned shops & businesses

SItastes restaurants, food trucks, food-related

SItea tea

SIthingstosee things to see in our region

SIweather weather-related post

SIwineries wineries

WatermelonFalls (by A Slice of Southern Illinois) handmade jewelry, upcycles, & giftables

These search terms are currently pinned in a post on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. It is always a work in progress…

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It’s That Time Again…

It’s time again for the Southern Illinoisan’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Please make sure to support your favorite Southern Illinois businesses, services, and entertainment.

A Slice of Southern Illinois would also appreciate your vote for “Best Local Website” in the Entertainment category. Please use the write in option if the website is not already listed on the ballot. In previous years, we were thrilled to receive Runner Up and Honorable Mention.

In 2021, we were honored to have readers from 35 different countries! Whether you have lived here forever or hope to visit our corner of the world, we appreciate you all so much. We enjoy being able to share information, events, recipes, and even some DIY about and from this beautiful region.  Hopefully, we are also  helping Southern Illinois locally-owned businesses get the word out to the world about what they have to offer!

Please vote before January 31. Thank you!

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DIY Thoughtful and Unique Advent Calendar

National News has been dropping hints that merchandise may run out before Christmas. Only time will tell if that comes to pass. If commercial items become scarce, perhaps shopping local can help a bit.

Regardless, you can still put together your own Advent calendar with local treats and experiences. It doesn’t even have to be fancy, but if you are creatively-inclined, go for it! It can be as simple as 24 envelopes or small wrapped boxes labeled 1-24, each containing a treat, trinket, or experiences.

Although Advent this year technically started on November 27 and goes through December 24, many people use their Advent Calendars by opening the first box or window on December 1.

The Square in Marion

Southern Illinois is filled with many beautiful Christmas displays, experiences, and unique gifts. Although this post is about Advent calendars, there are many local items that would also make wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas presents.

You and your family or friends will open a box/envelope for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Of course, one person will need to assume the role of “Advent Calendar Admin” and fill the Little boxes or envelopes the daily surprises. If it is a small trinket, such as a Christmas ornament or bit of candy, it may fit in the box. If it is something larger, such as the experience of visiting a local Christmas Light Display or tree farm, it goes on a little note. Many also include a Bible verse each day leading up to the birth of Christ.

There are many Christmas events throughout our region. Some of these are listed in the “Events” section of this website and the ASOSI app. I’m sure there are many more wonderful ones, such as church and school Christmas programs and dance recitals.

Christmas in Carterville

If you are stumped for gift ideas, L.E.A.F. Food Hub, the online Farmer’s Market, as well as the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market have more than just wonderful food. You can find great gifts like items like lotions, soaps, and even natural loofah sponges and dish scrubbers are great. Gift certificates for locally owned restaurants are also an option. Be creative. Have fun. More importantly, make some wonderful memories with those you love as you celebrate Christ’s birth.

A Few Resources to Aid in Creating Your Unique Advent Calendar:

Bible Verses for Advent https://happyhomefairy.com/bible-verse-advent-cards-free-printables/

Christmas Lights, Sights, & Sounds: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/2020/12/04/christmas-lights-sights-sounds/

Events: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/events/

Local Artisans and Crafters: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/local-artisans-crafters/

Southern Illinois Eats-2021 Christmas Gift Ideas https://southernillinoiseats.com/2020/11/28/2021-christmas-gift-ideas/

Tastes of Southern Illinois: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/tastes/

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12 Gifts of Christmas from Little Egypt

If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, you may have watched “The Twelve Dates of Christmas.” Although it was reportedly filmed in Canada this past summer, the movie highlighted real and some fictional locations and experiences in Chicago.

Guess what. Southern Illinois, a.k.a. Little Egypt, also has many wonderful experiences! Originally, I wanted to write about experiences similar to the ones in the movie that could be found here. However, in the midst of a pandemic when we seem to be moving toward tighter restrictions for the upcoming holidays, that might be difficult.

I do think we can still help each other support and highlight many wonderful Southern Illinois products, services, and experiences. Small Business Saturday is right around the corner. That would be a perfect time to grab some local items to gift or perhaps make a basket full of things to enjoy now and gift certificates for things to do when COVID-19 restrictions lift a bit. Purchasing gift certificates from small businesses is one way to also help them get through this difficult period.

Here are some suggestions to get you started…

A Partridge in Pear Tree:

Southern Illinois wine with aroma of pear

Two Turtle Doves:

Chocolate Turtles or baked items

Turtle candy flavored coffee or scented candles

Three French Hens:

Gift certificate to eat chicken at a local restaurant

Poultry from a local farm

Four Calling Birds:

Gift certificate to a pet store

Five Golden Rings:

Gold or goldtone stack rings from a local jeweler or boutique

Local seasonings and ingredients with a recipe for onion rings

Gift certificate to a restaurant with delicious onion rings

Six Geese a Laying:

Gift certificates for food and a gas card or lodging certificate for a trip to see the geese at areas near Rend Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Carlyle Lake , etc.

Seven Swans Swimming:

Gas card or passes/ tickets to go to areas with migrating Trumpeter Swans, such as West Alton and Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge

A membership or pass to a local indoor swimming pool

Eight Maids Milking:

Products from or a gift certificate to a local dairy, creamery, ice cream, etc.

Nine Ladies Dancing:

Dance class lessons

Tickets to a ballet, ethnic dance event, or other dance performance at a location like Shryock Auditorium or a even a local school production.

Ten Lords Leaping:

Gymnastic or martial arts lessons

Fitness center or gym membership

Bowling Alley gift certificates

Eleven Piping Pipers:

A gift certificate to a local music shop

Tickets to a local performance

A digital download or CD of a local music group or from a local music shop

Twelve Drummers Drumming:

A gift certificate to a local music store or local performance

A digital download or CD of a local music group or from a local music shop

Consider cookies or cupcakes from a local baker to depict each of the twelve days or the ones that stump you. You could also get local artisan made Christmas ornaments or even jewelry to match the twelve days or part of them. Have fun and be creative. Do what fits your budget.

Another possibility is to gift a night or weekend at a Southern Illinois cabin, inn, or lodge with a scavenger hunt list of items to take photos of things corresponding to the twelve days.

The ASOSI app is still free as well as the links on the A Slice of Southern Illinois website to help you find restaurants, artisans, places to see and more from I-70 to the southern state line. The links tend to be categorized by town. It is a continually updating list. Please message or email any that you think if that could be added.

You may also comment with gift suggestions on the Facebook page post of this article. We would love to know about Southern Illinois small businesses that have product available through national sites like Amazon and Etsy. Locally owned services offering gift certificates are another welcome suggestion.

To make it easier to see what is shared, please use the hashtag #12SIGiftsofChristmas and maybe which Days of Christmas/Gifts of Christmas correspond to the suggestion, such as #11PipersPiping

Be safe, have fun, and support local small businesses. Merry Christmas!

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Falling into This Vlog Thing…

Im not sure if it is technically called a mini episode, introductory vlog post, or channel trailer, but it is now up on the A Slice of Southern Illinois YouTube channel!

The first vlog post features the crunching sound of fall leaves and a bit of the beautiful autumn scenery in Southern Illinois. Crafting with pine cones and leaves is discussed. There is a glance at the Events, Lodging, Shopping, Sites, and Tastes sections of the ASOSI app. An easy Pizza bread recipe starts the episode.

There are people, including friends and family, who read the blog from all over the world. I really wanted to share with people in climates that do not experience our four seasons a glimpse at what we sometimes take for granted.

I hope you enjoy the video. Please feel free to subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the link.

www.youtube.com/watch

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Local Home Shopping is Here!

Most of us are familiar with the home shopping channels on TV. I’ll even admit to shopping and using them from time to time. Let’s face it, they do have some good things. Many years ago, after I was in a car wreck, and getting around was painful, they were very helpful to me.

Fortunately, some of our local shops and boutiques in Southern Illinois are offering a shop at home option in response to the current pandemic and its associated restrictions on businesses.

Local favorites Perfectly Posh and Splitting Image Boutique, both in Marion. are doing live shows on Facebook similar to those the national shopping channels but on a much smaller scale. People can comment that they are purchasing an item and specify if they will pick it up or have it shipped to them.

The Rusty Nail in Salem, a craft and gift shop, has a personal shopper option. People set up a Facetime appointment to have someone walk through the store and help them to shop.

Hopefully, many of the local shops we know and love will be able to keep business going with some of these options until we get on the other side of this COVID-19 thing. Please remember that although these may not be the traditional ways of shopping, we still have some options to shop local and support our friends and neighbors.

Please visit the links below to locally owned shops, markets, and more in Southern Illinois. You can also access these via the ASOSI app or the menu of this website. Ones that have recently been known to offer some type of shopping access during this pandemic are notated with an (*)

Please let us know any ones we have missed so that they may be added…

Local Shops http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/local-shops/

Markets https://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/markets/

Artisans https://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/local-artisans-crafters/

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Calling Local Small Businesses…

It happens. You plan and prepare. You anticipate. Then life intervenes. That happened to me a weekend ago. I had been looking forward to attending the Southern Illinois Made Expo since I first saw it advertised. Unfortunately, my body needed rest after maintenance chemo on Tuesday and trying to push through my regular schedule. Consequently, I spent Friday night in the ER and missed church, the farmer’s markets, and the expo… So I did not fill up my business card pages with info as I had planned to do.

I had high hopes of putting names and faces with products made in Southern Illinois that might fit well into some of the gift sets that I am creating. Specifically, I will be looking for small quantities of wholesale pre-packaged Southern Illinois items like teas, snacks, serving dishes, spices, non-alcoholic beverages, and possibly some locally authored books. I am open to other suggestions. Please email me at asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com if you would be interested in this type of exposure for your product.

Another mission I had for the expo was to meet with people interested in being part of the inaugural Slice of Savings Passport Program. The Slice of Savings Passport is designed to be a win-win situation for both customer and the business. It is inexpensive advertising in the form of coupons and will be accessible via the ASOSI app and this blog/website.

There seems to be a lot of evidence out there that people are more inclined to try something new if they have an incentive, even small, such as a percentage or flat amount off of a purchase. Others just like the sport of couponing.

Still, there is no need for that to leave the business with a loss. It is possible to offer a deal that is a win for both the business and the customer.

If you have a locally owned (roughly, South of I-70) small business that would like to participate or know someone who does, please email asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com

(If you use a marketing agency, it can appoint someone to be your authorized representative to place your coupon ad. A Slice of Southern Illinois is not an advertising agency but is offering a simple, inexpensive tool meant to be accessible to small, local businesses. We would love to work with them as an additional tool they might utilize to better serve you and our community.)

See the mock Savings Slice ad for an example:

https://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/savings-pass/