Photos

Rockford has drawn a lot of different labels over the years, some good and some bad, but one thing we've never been known for in our area is being snobby (not that we care what the little people think).

So you want to have a really fun, week-long cruise experience, but you're not really that into the idea of leaving the United States, given the current crazy state of the world.

This week's Hometown Hero is Madison Scarbrough of Belvidere who used creative means to keep residents at Heritage Woods engaged during the COVID pandemic.

As this red truck to your "gotta try it" list. You won't regret it.

As an added bonus, it also is in the middle of southern Illinois wine country.

The attraction is long gone but you can take a digital tour with these photos.

According to the University of Illinois Extension, there are over 150,000 turkeys in Illinois, with populations in every one of Illinois' 102 counties. And, those populations are growing.

It's nice to see that not every bucket list has to be chockful of bungee jumping, skydiving, bull running, or Everest summitting.

So, what do you think happens when you look out your window and see a bear eating out of your birdfeeder and you decide to yell at it to go away?

Years ago, a friend from out of town visiting Rockford during Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days asked me this question: "So, Rockford's idea of a good time is hanging around a parking lot and eating bratwursts during the heat of the summer? Really?"