Quantcast
breaking news

Spend time in Our Town Charleston

Updated: August 20, 2012
watch video
CHARLESTON -- There's lots to see and do in Our Town. WCIA-3's Jeff Wagner takes us on a road trip.

First up, downtown. The clock and bell were broken for decades, but last summer, the city raised enough money to restore them. It took several months and more than $30,000.

"We're famous for our babybacks and sauce."

Just off the square you'll find Roc's Blackfront.

"The sauce came from my father-in-law. We named it Norm's, after him. It was his recipe."

The owner, Mike Knoop, has a life-long history when it comes to Our Town.

"We was always in the liquor business, in one end or the other. Had an opportunity back in 1981 to open up a place here on the square."

If you're looking for a town history lesson, just take a glance at the murals displayed all around. Five local artists painted seven of them using the buildings as their canvas. The Tourism Advisory Board felt artwork would beautify and promote Charleston.

"They had wanted to focus on what Charleston used to be, the historical downtown and different things around the area. Several of the murals depict the courthouse through the different stages of the years gone by and also to incorporate Lincoln history into the murals as well."

"What we're trying to learn is how the brain connects with the body."

And, at Dragonfly Dance Studio, that style of teaching is giving kids with autism a new way to open up and strut their stuff on the floor.

"You're very self-aware standing in front of a mirror. You begin to see yourself very socially. Not only yourselves, but the other students."

These few places are just a glimpse of what you'll see on a road trip through Our Town Charleston.

Comments

Readers Feel...

hello
Related Content

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate narrowly approved a bill banning hand-held cellphones behind the wheel....

PONTIAC -- A suspected gas leak caused a school to be evacuated Thursday....

MAHOMET -- A non-profit group in Central Illinois is trying to expand, but could use a helping hand from the community....

ILLINOIS -- People have been trying to help victims of the Oklahoma tornado as much as they can, but there's one plea for help you should stay away from....

ILLINOIS -- A new bill could force you to send your kids to school at an earlier age....

DALLAS -- After months of deliberation, leaders of the Boy Scouts of America made a historic decision....

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS -- The UI's farm stand is back open for business....

The forecast for the next few hours....

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA -- Changes could be in store for bus riders including new routes in the fall. ...

SPRINGFIELD -- Advocates are working to expand Medicaid in the state....

 
More From WCIA News
  • Decision Delayed For FutureGen
    Monday, October 8, 2007 @ 5:49 PM
    Decision From FutureGen Alliance Could Now Come In Late December
    Read More»
  • Springfield Gives Parking Violators the Boot
    Monday, October 8, 2007 @ 2:41 PM
    The City of Springfield is warning people with unpaid parking tickets to pay up or you'll get the boot.
    Read More»
  • Arcola 3-Game Fever
    Monday, October 8, 2007 @ 2:13 PM
    School is out for Columbus Day, yet crowds of fans have take to Arcola High Schools football stands. Its the Purple Riders second game...
    Read More»
  • Football in the Heat
    Monday, October 8, 2007 @ 2:02 PM
    It may be October, but the temperature gauge is flirting with record highs in the 90's. On top of that, there's a varsity football team...
    Read More»
  • Boy Scouts Repairing Homes
    Monday, October 8, 2007 @ 1:17 PM
    Some kids in Neoga are putting their day off school to good use. Theyre repairing a soldiers home while he is stationed overseas.
    Read More»
 
Connect with ciLiving

 
 
 
©1998 - 2013 Illinoishomepage.net
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved