Just in time for Black History Month, a new Illinois radio station has begun broadcasting. “Illinois Soul” is dedicated to the reflection of the Black experience throughout the state.

The station is produced by Illinois Public Media from Urbana, with the station located on the University of Illinois campus. With support and input from leaders within the Black community, the new station’s goal is to transform the media landscape.

Illinois Public Media sought input from many people, with the aim being to understand their preferences for a local Black media service. Illinois Public Media has attended community events with surveys in order to find out what topics the community wanted to hear about. The feedback revealed a need to amplify Black voices and stories, connect communities, and celebrate Black excellence.

As a part of its programming, the station will also introduce a new weekly local affairs program, focusing on issues that are important to black adults in Central Illinois.

You can listen to “Illinois Soul” over the air in Champaign-Urbana at 101.1 FM, or stream the station live from anywhere on IllinoisSoul.org.

Celebrate free museum days in Illinois this year by taking advantage of one of the many museums across the state offering free admission. From modern art to aquariums, there is plenty to enjoy for families or individuals of all ages. Check out a few museums below offering free admission days in February:

• Adler Planetarium, Chicago - every Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m.
• Art Institute Of Chicago, Michigan Avenue Entrance - 111 S. Michigan Ave. – Loop, Chicago - weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays). To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve them online in advance.
• Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe – Feb. 4 – 9, 19. Pre-registration required.
• Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago – Feb. 29
• Chicago History Museum, Chicago – Feb. 19
• Shedd Aquarium, Chicago - every Saturday, Sunday and Monday throughout the month
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Skokie – Feb. 23

You can also enjoy a number of museums that are free all month long:

• Livingston County War Museum, Pontiac
• Northwest Territory Historic Center, Dixon
• Illinois State Military Museum, Springfield
• Karpeles Manuscript Library and Museum, Rock Island
• Ottowa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, Ottowa
• The American Toby Jug Museum, Evanston
• Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum, McLean
• DePaul Art Museum, Chicago

For a full list of free museums in Illinois, visit here.

Over 100 years ago on Jan. 17, 1922, Betty White was born in Oak Park. White led an incredible life. She was the first woman to produce a national TV show, the first woman to star in a sitcom, the first woman to receive an Emmy nomination and the first woman to ever appear on television.

She received the honorary title of the Mayor of Hollywood in 1955 and has been formally inducted into the academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. In 2013, the Guinness World Records awarded White for having the longest television career for a female entertainer.

White was notorious for her love of animals, even passing up a role in the Oscar-winning movie “As Good As It Gets” because of a scene where the anti-hero pitches a small dog down a trash chute.

To honor her and her love of animals, the Betty White challenge began – taking place on her birthday and encouraging people to donate to their local animal shelter.  White is quoted saying, “Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.”

White is remembered for her light heartedness and genius comedic timing. Happy birthday to Illinois’ own!

If you have never heard of the Christmas tradition called the “Christmas Pickle,” you are missing out.

The “Christmas Pickle” tradition is when a decoration or ornament in the shape of a pickle is hidden in a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The person who finds the pickle first receives a special present, gets to open the first gift or gets to hand out the presents for their family to open.

You may be wondering, “why a pickle, and where did this tradition come from?” Many Americans believe this is a tradition from Germany, and the pickle is often referred to as a Weihnachtsgurke, but evidence shows that the tradition did not originate in Germany.

Many families in Illinois celebrate this tradition, and hang a pickle ornament on their tree every year.

One suggested origin is that the tradition came from Camp Sumter during the Civil War in America. Bavarian-born Private John C. Lower had enlisted in the 103^rd Pennsylvania Infantry, but was captured in April 1864 and taken to a prison camp. On Christmas Eve, he begged a guard for a pickle while starving, and the guard provided him with the pickle. Lower credited that pickle and guard for saving his life, and when he returned to his family in Bavaria, he began the tradition of hiding a pickle in the tree each year.

Another suggested origin of the tradition comes from Berrien Springs. It is a Victorian era tale of St. Nicholas saving two Spanish children who were trapped in a barrel of pickles by an innkeeper, but this story also derives from a gruesome medieval legend.

So, what do you think? Is the “Christmas Pickle” tradition something you see yourself doing with your family this year?

For more information on the pickle tradition, visit here: https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/reviews/br/apparel-br/holiday-br/the-christmas-pickle-tradition-does-your-family-do-it/

The legend of Krampus is a centuries old Austrian tradition that emerged as a dark counter part to St. Nicholas. Instead of a jolly old man bringing gifts for children, Krampus is a goat-derived being with red eyes and fangs that frightens naughty children as punishment for their behavior. Krampus night – or Krampusnacht – is celebrated annually on Dec. 5 previewing the St. Nicholas Feast on Dec. 6.

Krampusnacht is widely celebrated in Austria, Germany and other parts of Europe. Modern traditions include street festivals, known as Krampus runs, with people dressed as Krampus chasing festival goers, predominantly children. Individuals in regions across Europe maintain traditional customs by sporting heavy costumes made from real animal hide and wooden hand-carved masks. Folklore states that Krampus, aside from providing children an incentive to behave, would ward off bad winter spirits.

In recent years, Krampus has gained massive popularity in the U.S. and regions across the country have begun adopting their own Krampus related celebrations, including Illinois.

Here are a few events to check out this week to celebrate:

Crystal Lake Public Library- DIY Krampus Ornament
Crystal Lake Public Library is offering children 6th to 8th grade the opportunity to create their own Krampus holiday ornament on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
For more information, visit the library’s website.

Chicago’s 13th Floor Haunted House- Krampus the Fright before Christmas
Chicago’s 13th Floor Haunted House has transformed its infamous space into a Christmas horror fest. For one weekend only, visit the haunted house to see holiday fears come to life. The special event will run from Friday, Dec. 8 to Sunday Dec. 10.
For more event and ticket information, visit the 13th Floor website.

Blue Island- Krampus Market
Blue Island will be hosting its annual Krampus Market from 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10. Be sure to check out dozens of local artist and small business vendors at the event along with mystical tarot readers and Krampus himself.
For more information, visit their event page.

Happy Krampusnacht!