ILLINOIS™ COUNTRY LIVING

September 2000 Volume 58 Number 4

Published by Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives www.aiec.org John Lowrey Editor Jack D. Halstead Senior Editor Nancy R. Nixon Catrina McCulley Associate Editors John Broux Photographer/Associate Editor Sandy Wolske Advertising Coordinator Michelle Reed Administrative Assistant Kara Henning, Cheryl Howard & Erin Weller Graphic Designers Derek Squires Graphic Technician/Designer Angie Bingenheimer Circulation Coordinator Illinois Country Living is a monthly publication serving the communications needs of 21 locally owned, not-for-profit Illinois electric cooperatives. More than 160,000 families receive the magazine as part of their electric cooperative membership. Monthly columns and stories provide information about topics and issues that affect the quality of their lives. Illinois Country Living (USPS number 258-420) is published monthly and is the official publication of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, 6460 South Sixth Frontage Road, Springfield, IL 62707. The cost is $2.40 plus postage per year for members of subscribing cooperatives and $5 per year for all others. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, Illinois 62708. COOP MEMBERS: When requesting an address change, please include the name of your cooperative. Telephone: (217) 529-5561 Advertising and editorial inquiries should be directed to Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787. Springfield, Illinois 62708. National advertising representative; The Weiss Group, 14826 North 54th Place. Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (602) 482-8844. Acceptance of advertising by ICL does not imply endorsement by the publisher or the electric co-operatives of Illinois of the product or service advertised. Advertisers are screened by the publisher and every effort is made to protect the subscriber, but ICL is not responsible for the performance of the product or service advertised. EDITORS: Articles appearing in Illinois Country Living may be reprinted upon consent of the editor. For permission phone (217) 529-5561 or write to John Lowrey, editor, Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708.

COVER STORY 10 The future of the past: Heritage tourism offers rewards in terms of cultural preservation and economic development. On the cover: Holly Goldsmith, an artist from Greenville, takes a rubbing from the ruins of Illinois' first state penitentiary, which stood about a block east of the Alton riverfront. More than 11,000 confederate prisoners were held by the prison during the course of the Civil War. Right is the former Monticello Women's Seminary, a stop on the Underground Railroad and now Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey. DEPARTMENTS 4 ILLINOIS COMMENTARY Keith Ryan, manager of the Farm Progress Show, says technology continues to change the rural landscape. 6 ILLINOIS CURRENTS Find out why cooperatives give consumers more power, or find out about Illinois' plans for a virtual high school. 14 SAFETY AROUND YOUR HOME Brian Anderson, safety instructor for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, stresses the importance of reminding. 16 YOUR YARD AND GARDEN Find out why this is the best month to care for your lawn. 18 TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY AND YOU Find an alternative to noisy window air conditioner units. 22 ILLINOIS' FINEST COOKING Kick start your Labor Day weekend with Red Hot Salad from the recipe collection of Calvary's Women in Mission of Washington. And try Pasta Broccoli Salad from the recipe collection of Archway, Inc. of Carbondale.

SEPTEMBER 2000 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 3