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COVER STORY

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Country Christmas Shopping -
A whole new rural Illinois shopping experience
... 10
On the cover: Ruth Wilson, owner of Country Lace Shoppes in Divernon, says that people love her rural shop because it is very warm and inviting.

Published by Association of
Illinois Electric Cooperatives

www.icl.coop

John Lowrey ..............................................................................Editor

Nancy R. Nixon, Culrina McCulley, & Michelle McNeal ................................................Associate Editors

Sandy Wolske.............................................. Advertising Coordinator

Erin Weller, Kara Henning & Kathy Feraris ............Graphic Designers

Derek Squires.......................................Graphic Technician/Designer

Connie Newenham....................................... 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 quatlity of their lives.

Illinois Country living (ISSN number 1086-8062) 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.

CO-OP 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. 9414 San Salvadore Dr. #226. Scottsdale. AZ 85258 (480) 860-5394 Fax: (480) 860-5396 Toll Free: 1-877-WEISSGP. Acceptance of advertising by ICL does not imply endorsement by the publisher of the electric cooperatives of Illinois of the product or service advertised. 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.

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Touchstone Energy®
www.touchstoneenergy.com

ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING


December 2004 ....Volume 62 .... Number 8

DEPARTMENTS

ILLINOIS COMMENTARY .........................................4
Co-op employee disaster team — When disaster strikes it's nice to know you have friends.

ILLINOIS CURRENTS................................................6
The National Agriculture Expo expects to generate $10 million in Illinois.

SAFETY AND HEALTH............................................. 14
The warm before the storm - Are you prepared for the dangers of winter?

YOUR YARD AND GARDEN .....................................16
Gardening tool gift ideas - Ask Santa for ergonomic gardening tools this year.

TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY AND YOU..........................18
New dishwashers offer energy efficiency and less noise.

GRANT MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS .......................................20

WHY OUTAGES HAPPEN EVEN ON BLUE-SKY DAYS...............21

ILLINOIS' FINEST COOKING...................................22


Chocolate Popcorn

Other recipes include:

• Carrot Salad
• Deep Dish Burrito
• Cranberry Meatballs
• Cranberry, White
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
• Pizza Bread
• Southwestern Chicken Corn Chowder
• Strawberry Soup

ILLINOIS IS AMERICA'S GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH................... 24

DEER AND CAR COLLISIONS ARE ON THE RISE......................27

IS THE MEDICARE DRUG DISCOUNT CARD RIGHT FOR YOU.....28

ILLINOIS DATEBOOK..............................................29


Festival of Trees

Others include:

• Murder Mystery Theater
• Holiday Craft Sale
• Home For The Holidays
• Christmas Love
• Country Christmas Fair
• Silver Bells and Diamonds

December 2004 | www.aiec.coop | 3


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