Illinois
The quest to visit all Illinois’ state parks and fully enjoy it
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24389747/FreshAirFriendshipWhite_Pines__2_.jpg "The quest to visit all Illinois’ state parks and fully enjoy it")
Stephanie Swieca and Emma Magrady rode the 92 CTA bus down Foster Avenue to and from Northside School Prep, starting as freshman in 2008. That become a seamless friendship.
“There was a gaggle of six of us ladies from highschool who nonetheless hang around,” mentioned Swieca, who grew up in Dunning whereas Magrady was from Jefferson Park.
The half dozen “gal friends” would do yearly journeys collectively to Galena, Door County, Wisconsin Dells, St. Joseph, Michigan, and, most frequently, Starved Rock.
Dealing with Covid restrictions led Swieca and Magrady to broaden these getaways into undertaking Contemporary Air Friendship to go to all Illinois’ state parks.
“Particularly popping out of Covid, we had troubles with psychological well being,” mentioned Swieca, who has lived with generalized nervousness dysfunction a lot of her life.
They sought a technique to get away from “doomscrolling” and located it within the state parks.
“Put the cellphone away and type of get misplaced in nature; it’s been tremendously helpful for us.” Swieca mentioned.
On a sensible stage, they take a look at maps and use the AllTrails app.
“We don’t have too strict of a plan, it’s not the tip of the world if we don’t do precisely what we wish to do,” Swieca mentioned.
They’re hoping to complete all of the parks in 5 years however they “are going with the circulation.”
They got here up with 132 or 135 parks from the Illinois Division of Pure Sources’ on-line itemizing and the Illinois State Parks information. That checklist consists of some State Forests, State Fish and Wildlife Areas and State Recreation Areas.
“So whereas watching “Tiger King,” I began this insane spreadsheet of each single state park in Illinois, probably not considering a lot would come of it,” Swieca wrote on their web site.
Display screen shot of the unfold sheet with the primary 32 visits to Illinois state parks.
Their plan consists of visiting a brewery, vineyard, distillery or different place of curiosity. They provide views by blogs (freshairfriendship.com), Instagram posts/tales (instagram.com/fresh_air_friendship), and TikTok movies (tiktok.com/@fresh_air_friendship).
First was Illinois Seashore SP.
“The primary couple we had no concept what we have been doing,” Swieca mentioned. “Now we’re extra seasoned hikers. What we do now’s wander round.”
On Starved Rock visits, they they loved August Hill Vineyard in Utica.
“We determined so as to add this different half, possibly there are people who find themselves not good at [at hiking],” Swieca mentioned. “I used to be raised very city. I knew the right way to deal with the CTA however was by no means a Woman Scout.
“The primary factor is to encourage everybody. You don’t need to be a rugged outdoorsman. You may simply sit and take a look at the lake.”
Their favourite to this point is Rock Minimize, close to Rockford, with its large lake and rock formations. Weldon Springs is as far south as they’ve gotten of their first 32 parks.
“We’re wanting ahead to going south,” Swieca mentioned. “I’m excited in regards to the Cave-in-Rock.”
“I imagine that given the chance, everybody ought to journey,” wrote Magrady, who has traveled internationally. “And if the chance doesn’t come, native/home stuff might be simply as rewarding with out placing as a lot effort in. I’m hoping to show that true with this undertaking.”
Magrady does the writing and pictures (with a Nikon COOLPIX B500).
“I do the videography, TikTok and Instagram reels,” Swieca mentioned. “We type of have our roles.”
Swieca, 29, earned her bachelor’s in advertising and marketing from the College of Iowa and at the moment substitute teaches. Magrady, 28, earned her bachelor’s in theater design from Columbia School and works logistics.
Speaking to Swieca I felt the world opening when she mentioned, “I wish to discover, strive fishing and I wish to go chook watching and do all of the issues.”
Stephanie Swieca and Emma Magrady visiting Lowden State Park on their quest to go to all of the state parks in Illinois.
SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Authorities have released the identity of the person whose body was found last week in Forest Park in Springfield.
Last Tuesday evening, Springfield Police responded to the area of Trafton Road for a reported body found. When they arrived, they found a woman dead in the area of Camp Star Angelina.
On Thursday, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office identified the body as 56-year-old Joann Garelli of West Springfield.
The case remains under investigation by the D.A.’s office, in conjunction with the Springfield Police homicide unit.
Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have more information as it becomes available.
Copyright 2025. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.
Omaha (Neb.) Millard South offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern has committed to Illinois.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Von Seggern was in Champaign over the weekend. He chooses the Illini over the likes of Iowa, Kansas and Kansas State.
Von Seggern becomes commit No. 4 for head coach Bret Bielema and his staff. Offensive line coach Bart Miller was the lead recruiter and was on him hard since offering in September.
“The coaches, the feeling of having Coach Bielema as my head coach for my college career is a different feeling,” Von Seggern told On3. “Knowing that he has sent the most linemen to the NFL in college football, and that being my final goal gives me a huge push towards my decision.
“And I love the way Coach Miller coaches. The way that him and I were talking football, it felt like I was already on the team and we were getting ready for the next game.”
Von Seggern felt very comfortable with the culture at Illinois as well.
“From the religious aspect, I want to thank the Lord for helping me on making my decision,” he said. “I have known the team pastor since I was young.
“The best thing about Illini is how they represent family. Most schools have players just playing for themselves. But Illinois has players not declaring for the draft to come back and play with their team. And that has a big impact on me, having that feeling that I have the same chance to do that with my future teammates.
“I have found my family and I am here to stay!”
As a junior Seggern helped Millard South to a state championship. He’s tabbed by On3 as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Nebraska and the No. 46 interior offensive line in the country.
A look at what the Illini have in the fold already.
Illinois has added to its family with a 2026 commitment. Omaha (Neb.) Millard South offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern announced his commitment to the Illini on Wednesday.
The Nebraska native visited Illinois on Jan. 11 and couldn’t have been more impressed with the visit.
“It was great, the thing that stood out the most to me was the hospitality,” Von Seggern said.
“The coaches were talking to me and treating me as if I was already a part of the team and the atmosphere was crazy at the basketball game. They have a very nice fan base and that is what made me want to be a part of the famILLy!”
Von Seggern selected Illinois over the seven scholarship offers that he holds. He took visits to Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas. But being in Champaign gave him the feeling that its where he needs to play college football.
Another thing Illinois had going for it was his relationship with coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Bart Miller. Bielema’s history with offensive linemen speaks for itself but Von Seggern has built a quick rapport with the pair.
“The relationship has grown very well,” Von Seggern said. “Especially for me only being up there three times. It felt like they had been my coaches already. I’m just super excited to get to work with them.”
Now the lineman’s college decision is out of the way and he can enjoy his senior year with his friends and family without worrying about where he will commit.
“The thing I’m looking forward to most about being part of the Illini is the atmosphere and the relationships between the coaches and players,” Von Seggern said. ‘FamILLy is a big thing at Illinois but they don’t just say it, they act upon it and live by it!”
Ohio GOP chairman says 'confusing voters' was the party's 'strategy' on ballot measure
Owasso’s Bella Nelson named 2024-25 Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Cross Country Runner of Year
How to watch Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Oregon State Beavers: TV channel, live stream WCC men’s basketball game
Body camera video shows Pennsylvania police officers rescue 2 dogs trapped in frozen pond
14 things to know about McKee’s proposed $14.2B FY 2026 budget • Rhode Island Current
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Donation Scams Compound Suffering for Wildfire Victims
ICE says it will needs massive funding hike, tens of thousands more beds to implement Laken Riley Act
Romania sets May date for new presidential election
‘Criminal, you belong to ICJ’: Antony Blinken heckled by journalists on Gaza policy during his last conference
As Governor, Burgum Promised to Manage Conflicts. They Still Cropped Up.
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25822586/STK169_ZUCKERBERG_MAGA_STKS491_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg "Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech")
Technology1 week agoMeta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech
-
Science5 days agoMetro will offer free rides in L.A. through Sunday due to fires
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25821992/videoframe_720397.png "Las Vegas police release ChatGPT logs from the suspect in the Cybertruck explosion")
Technology1 week agoLas Vegas police release ChatGPT logs from the suspect in the Cybertruck explosion
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Review: Thai Oscar Entry Is a Disarmingly Sentimental Tear-Jerker
-
News1 week agoPhotos: Pacific Palisades Wildfire Engulfs Homes in an L.A. Neighborhood
-
Business1 week agoMeta Drops Rules Protecting LGBTQ Community as Part of Content Moderation Overhaul
-
Politics1 week agoTrump trolls Canada again, shares map with country as part of US: 'Oh Canada!'
-
Education1 week agoFour Fraternity Members Charged After a Pledge Is Set on Fire