During these winter months, it is hard to get outside. That’s why the featured park of the month has it all, and Starved Rock State Park showcases the best of nature that Illinois has to offer. Right outside Utica, many trails give visitors the opportunity to see natural habitats and beauty during these cold winter months, and with less people coming to the park, the noise pollution decreases and allows for wildlife to flourish.

Walking along the Illinois River, you will see massive sandstone bluffs with many wooded trails perfect for hiking. Some lead to scenic spots like a massive frozen waterfall. Don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars because this is the prime season to spot bald eagles, turkey, deer, and many other animals that inhabit the Illinois wilderness.

Starved Rock State Park continues to be one of the state’s most popular natural attractions. With more than 2.4 million people visiting the park last year, it continues to provide examples of the beauty that lies within Illinois. While 68% of the parks visitors are from May to October, the winter months prove to be just as breathtaking to explore and discover on your visit to Starved Rock State Park.

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Did you know the Illinois is home to a top-ranked and two-time Olympic steeple chaser? Evan Jager, an Algonquin native, is the current American record holder and reigning four-time USA champion in the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase, which is foot race that includes ditches and hurdles the runners must clear.

Born on March 8^th 1989, Jager attended Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. During his high school career, he won three individual state championship titles and one relay title.

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On this day, January 24, in 1949, the famous comedian, actor and musician John Belushi was born in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Belushi grew up with his Albanian American parents before he started his own successful comedy troupe called “The West Compass Trio.” Belushi would go on to perform at The Second City comedy club in Chicago and would eventually go on to be one of the seven original cast members for the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL).

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Golden Apple is a leading Illinois’ based nonprofit committed to recognizing outstanding educators across the state. Last year, Peoria local and principal of Charles A. Lindbergh Middle School, Susan Malahy was awarded the 2019 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership recognizes a performance in school leadership that creates a consistent and positive impact in the school where the award winner is based. Malahy was given the award for promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusion of all students and educators in the school.

Susan Malahy has been the principal of Charles A. Lindbergh Middle School for nearly six years now. She worked to increase professional development for teachers, which helped further connect with their students.

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