progress edition ii

Health CareSouthern Illinois HealthcareSt. Mary’s Good Samaritan and CrossroadsLogan Park in HerrinHeartland Women’s Healthcare

Community RevitalizationStreetscapes: Benton and West FrankfortOur changing downtownsSesser’s a bedroom community

Tourism & RecreationWine country / Visitor hospitalityMount Vernon’s new bike trailMarion’s Recreation CenterCasinos / Carbondale’s Splash ParkWorld Shooting & Recreational ComplexThe Beer Trail / Southern Illinois Miners

Public SafetySouthern Illinois Enforcement GroupNew National Guard armoriesNew county jailsUnion County Courthouse

What’s New.What’s Next.A two-part special section focusing on the progressSouthern Illinois is making, from major issues to small townswith big hopes for the future. See how far the region has comein meeting today’s needs and preparing for the future.

Thursday, October 11, 2012 Today, October 18, 2012Education & SchoolsSouthern Illinois UniversityCommunity collegesNew and improved playing fieldsTri-C, Mount Vernon, Perry County

Arts & EntertainmentCedarhurst Center for the ArtsThat’s AgritainmentSI Music FestivalFlood murals in Cairo

Growth & ExpansionTransportation projectsRegional churchesReed Station Road in CarbondaleAmtrakBroadband expansionChanging media portals

AgricultureAdvancementsLocal food movementsGreen movements

Go to wwwwww..tthheessoouutthheerrnn..ccoomm//pprrooggrreessss to read the first half of this special project or purchase a section at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale

HEALTH CARE2E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

There are two kinds of people.Some look at a partially filledglass and label it as half empty.

Others look at the same vessel anddescribe it as half full.

Half-empty folks look at theirsurroundings in Southern Illinois andsee unemployment, crumblinginfrastructure and a standard of livingthat isn’t keeping pace with state andnational population centers.

But those who see the glass as half-full view joblessness as a temporaryand solvable problem and instead focuson the public works and privateenterprise developments that are thefoundation for a stronger region.

Take a good look around, and you’llbetter understand why I’m confidentin predicting better tomorrows.

Health care is a good example of ourregion’s progress. Under the leadershipof Southern Illinois Healthcare,

Memorial Hospital of Carbondale hasevolved into a sprawling medicalcomplex. And SIH is in the process ofdeveloping a $19.9 million multi-faceted cancer center.

Tourism is another good example.We are blessed to live near the manywineries and vineyards of our region,some nestled in the rolling hillsbetween the Ohio and Mississippirivers. Those same attractions andtheir entertainment schedules draw

people from across Illinois andbordering states. Many stay in thecabins that are populating the region;others stay in the inns and B&Bs.

Check out the pages of this specialreport for examples of a region wheremany believe the best is yet to come.

GARY METRO is the editor of TheSouthern Illinoisan. He can be reachedat 618-351-5033 or [email protected].

Plenty of progress is still being made in Southern Illinois

FROM THE EDITOR

GARYMETRO

Logan Parkcentralizeshealth careBY SCOTT FITZGERALDTHE SOUTHERN

More than a decadeearlier, a group ofphysicians including Dr.Thomas W. Davis, anorthopedic surgeon fromCarbondale, saw the needfor a more centralizedlocation to offer medicalspecialty practices.

They combined theirpool of resources topurchase property south ofHerrin off Illinois 13 that isreferred today as LoganPark.

“He (Davis) and hisgroup of four physiciansmerged with twophysicians from Marion.They both saw a need for acentralized location for thepeople of Southern Illinoisin between threepopulation centers whereorthopedic services couldbe offered,” said Dr. Davis’son, Dr. J.T. Davis, whojoined the team in 2006after completing afellowship at the KerlanJobe Orthopedic Clinic.

The Marion andCarbondale orthopedicgroups combined servicesin November 2000 andopened their new jointpractice at 510 LincolnDrive in Herrin.

With the leadership ofthe physicians, the SurgeryCenter is operated inpartnership with SouthernIllinois Healthcare.

Davis said the currentcenter has expanded tobecome a 12-man groupwith the services offered inambulatory proceduresand outpatient surgeries.There are specialtyservices also for the hands,feet and total joints withspine treatment offeredbeginning in 2013.

What Dr. Tom Davis andthe other physicians had inmind when the centeropened was allowingpatients to be seen by aspecialist, receive adiagnostic MRI and evenbe scheduled foroutpatient surgery, all in asingle day.

“It’s one-stop shopping,”said Dr. Tom Davis in anearlier interview.

The importance of whatthe orthopedic surgeonsand doctors were trying toaccomplish and why theychose a centralizedlocation was notoverlooked by economicdevelopment people andHerrin city/civic leaders.

They actively recruitedother medical specialties tothe location that includes anearby assisted livingapartment complex thatbroke ground in November2011.

Herrin Mayor Vic Rittersaid at the groundbreaking,city/civic leaders hadworked more than a decadeto annex more than 300acres of land for Herrin inand around Logan Park toexpand its businessgrowth.

“You need the land. It’san advantage to them (newdevelopments) as they getaccess to city water, sewerand trash collection.People coming in are leeryof taxes going up, butthey’re not. We improveservices for them,” Rittersaid.

[email protected]

BY SCOTT FITZGERALDThe Southern

There have been innovativedevelopments andexpansions of medical

services in Southern Illinoiswithin recent years toaccommodate residents hereand eliminate expensive andtime-consuming travel to otherareas.

The initial arrival of roboticsurgery here nearly two yearsearlier at Good SamaritanRegional Health Center ofMount Vernon keeps SouthernIllinois in tune with the latestdevelopments of minimallyinvasive surgical procedures forexample.

The da Vinci Surgical Systemoffers highly magnified imagesof the patient while seamlesslytransferring the surgeon’s handmovements to the robot.

For patients, there is lessscarring, blood loss, need fortransfusions and a reducedlength of stay.

Within two main populationcenters, Carbondale andMarion, robotic surgery hasarrived also with a wideningarray of surgical proceduresfrom urologic and gynecologicto potential cardiothoracic andgeneral surgery at SouthernIllinois Healthcare andHeartland Regional MedicalCenter.

SIH’s Herrin Hospitalexpanded with a $7 million,11,055-square-foot emergencyward that doubles patientservice capacity.

At Heartland Regional MedicalCenter of Marion, a new12,200-square-foot expandedintensive care unit was finishedbuilding about a month earlier.It offers a new telemetrymonitoring system for highlyadvanced patient care witharound-the-clock monitoringcare performed by highlytrained technicians.

Physicians can utilize thetelemetry system as aworkstation at the bedside topull up digital imaging andaccess patient health historiesand information.

In April during a SIHFoundation Dinner, it was

announced that plans for a localcancer center was under waywith funds being raised for the$20 million project and alocation not yet decided. Thecenter will be designed toprovide centralized care in onefacility and allow cancerpatients to get an array ofcancer treatments instead ofgoing outside the region. Thenews has already spurred someexciting cancer research beingdone in this area that will be abig boon to the 1,100 cancerpatients diagnosed and/ortreated through SIH.

“I’m very impressed with theresponse and collaborativeefforts of those in SouthernIllinois about this project,” saidDr. David Steward, chair of theinternal medicine department atthe SIU School of Medicine inSpringfield.

The project is a two-yearstudy announced in Februarythat will explore disparities inthe treatment of lung cancer inSouthern Illinois. SIH and theIllinois State Cancer Registry isjoining SIU for the projecttitled “Collaboration to ReduceLung Cancer Disparities inSouthern Illinois Delta,” andwill include the 16 mostsouthern counties in this region.

“There is a very high rate ofoccurrence of lung cancer inthis 16-county area. It’s 30 percent higher than

anywhere else in the state. Wewill be working with local healthcoalitions that are active in thearea and learn ways on how tointervene and find out what thebarriers are to earlierdiagnostics,” Steward said.

There are plans also to involvethe SIU campus here in thestudy as Steward said, “It’simportant to have people locallyinvolved.”

The school of medicine willalso work with SIH to support alung nodule evaluation programto ensure that suspicious lesionsfound on CT scans (computer-ized tomography that provides a3-D view of bones and softtissues) get appropriatediagnostic evaluation andtreatment, Steward said.

“We hope the result is that, byfinding lung cancers at an earlystage, these patients can receivetreatment that may cure them,rather than letting some earlycancers spread and become lesstreatable. We’ll be meeting withlocal people and conductingmeetings over the next fewmonths,” Steward said, notingthe proposed area cancer centerlends itself very well for futurecancer treatment in this specificarea.

Another area of cancerresearch — ovarian cancer — isbeing conducted at SIU by DaleBuck Hales, chair of the SIUphysiology department, who is

working with two other facultymembers and a group of 10laboratory people. They areusing a new research model —chickens or specifically thelaying hen — that are naturallysusceptible to ovarian cancer.And the results of some of theirfindings in the way of dietaryintervention, specifically withflax seed could provide newbreak through in preventing andtreating the deadly cancer.

A long-term study involvingthe laying hens found that witha regular flax seed diet theirwhole lives, there was a 30percent reduction of contractingovarian cancer and a 70 percentreduction in thwarting theseverity of the disease, Halessaid.

“We’re partnering with somein the food industry in flaxproducts. There’s not only hopeand prevention of this disease,this gives us a newunderstanding of it. Womenwon’t have to walk aroundfeeling like a walking time-bomb,” Hales said.

The presence of a new nearbycancer center will aid research,he said.

“We’re excited about thebuilding of a new cancer center.This will offer more of a clinicalpresence that we can workdirectly with,” Hales said.

The news about SouthernIllinois being a good location topractice medicine is gettingaround.

Dr. Marci Moore-Connelley,assistant professor of clinicalfamily and community medicineat the SIU Family MedicineResidency Program with clinicsin West Frankfort andCarbondale, said “interest inour program has increased.”

There are six new residentsaccepted every year as 18 totalwork through a three-yearprogram overseen by nineattending physicians.

“A large percentage of thosewho complete their residencystay in the area. They arecoming from all over thecountry,” Moore-Connelleysaid.

[email protected]

Always moving forwardInnovations keeping us safer, healthier

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOEMT Dustin Snellgrove (right) and paramedic Pete Zaleskas wheel a stretcherinto an assisted living home while student Christina Diamond, who isstudying to become a paramedic and registered nurse, follows behind as theyrespond to a call for an individual who was experiencing difficulty breathing.

STEPHEN RICKERL / THE SOUTHERNDr. Nabil Al-Sharif, cardiologist, looks at a sample CT chest scan and left heart cath at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

BY SCOTT FITZGERALDTHE SOUTHERN

David Holland ofSouthern IllinoisHealthcare is not a doctoror nurse. Yet, he is still ahealth care provider inthat what he does as chiefinnovation officer for SIHand chairman for theHealth InformationExchange of SouthernIllinois is vital in the newwave of technology thathas swept over thehealthcare field in allregions of the countryincluding SouthernIllinois.

“I use informationtechnology systems suchas electronic healthrecords to provideinformation to clinicians.The information they haveabout patients includemedical history, labresults, images, X-raysand CT scans that arecritical to the care theyprovide. I improve healthcare by improving the wayinformation is collected,reviewed and movedthrough the healthcaresystem,” Holland said.

Holland coordinates hismission with the otherevolving networks ofhealth informationexchange that is makingpatient informationavailable to just aboutanyone in or anywherewithin the health carefield. He also serves onthe board of directors forthe Illinois HealthInformation ExchangeAuthority of Chicago.

SIH can provideelectronic health recordsto physicians who practiceexclusively in SIHhospitals and those whopractice within SouthernIllinois Medical Servicesthat is an SIH subsidiary.There is work currentlybeing done now toincorporate more SIHrecords within the IllinoisHealth InformationExchange and the Officeof National Coordinator tobuild systems that willeventually give allclinicians access to apatient’s total andcomplete electronichealth record, Hollandsaid.

Some of the rapidtransmission of personalhealth informationavailable in particularsettings such as a patientgetting a checkup from anew doctor for the firsttime, or the dispensing ofmedicines on regimentedschedules or a childgetting hurt at summercamp and being rushed toemergency, enhances a key element in the healthcare field — safetythrough accuracy, Hollandsaid.

“I have a visionsomeday soon, at anemergency room in everyIllinois hospital, clinicianswill have total access to acomplete electronichealth record and medicalhistory for every Illinoiscitizen within seconds ofits need,” Holland said.

There is a cost-savingsto having electronichealth records. Specificpatient testing will not beneedlessly redone becauseclinicians will have accessthrough the healthinformation exchange.

“This could savemillions of dollars inIllinois alone,” Hollandsaid.

And a great deal ofelectronic health recordscould be steered towardprevention to aid andeducate patients thatcould deter expensivemedical treatments andcare down the road, hesaid.

Holland said he isexcited in incorporatingmore of Southern Illinoisinto the electronic healthrecord flow as he presidesover the HealthInformation Exchange ofSouthern Illinois.

Formed in 2009 inpartnership with theConnect SI Foundation,the exchange has initiateda planning process forregional healthinformation exchangethroughout 31 Southern

Illinois counties. Theexchange has been fundedthrough state and federalgrants.

Family practitioner Dr.Dennon Davis of LoganPrimary Care in WestFrankfort has utilized theavailability of electronichealth records for severalyears now and is ecstaticabout its benefits.

“Before I walk in to seepatients, I have theirhistories. I review

everything with the nurse,do my physical, talk withpatients about theirproblems and type out aplan of care for patientsthat will include amedication list, laboratoryorders and dailyinstructions. Our goal isto get away from paper asmuch as possible,” Davissaid.

[email protected]

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 3EHEALTH CARE

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This year has markedrenewal in building a newhospital in Pinckneyvilleafter a major effort to doso two years earlier hit aroadblock in 2010 whenthe Department ofHousing and UrbanDevelopment declined toback financing.

Despite receiving acertificate of need fromthe state of Illinois, theHUD deemed the hospitalunnecessary in their ownstudy.

But, that didn’t stop thePinckneyville CommunityHospital Board ofDirectors from its missionto proceed with a projectthat has been discussedsince 2002.

During a January boardmeeting, directors votedunanimously to pursuecost estimates on revised,scaled-back plans for anew facility. They alsosought numbers forrenovating the currenthospital built in the1960s and expanded inthe 1970s, but soonlearned that complyingwith mandated 2010 life-safety codes would boostthose renovations into thesame neighborhood asbuilding a new hospital.

There was also theproblem of continuingday-to-day work at thecurrent facility during amajor renovation.Pinckneyville CommunityHospital AdministratorTom Hudgins saidrenovation would havehad to include asbestosabatement requiringstringent sealing off thatwould also likely interferewith day-to-day duties.

In March after sometweaking of numbers andmodifications to theoriginal design/plan, theboard voted unanimouslyto proceed with a $20-million loanapplication with U.S.Department ofAgriculture over a 40-yearpayout period with 3.375 percent interest.

The revised plan for anew hospital would retainthe core services of thecurrent 25-bed criticalaccess hospital in the newfacility. Rehabilitationservices andadministrative officeswould remain at theircurrent locations and the

new hospital would bebuilt with expansion inmind for the future onproperty purchased by thehospital district in 2008near the intersection ofWhite Walnut Road andIllinois 154. Originallydesigned at slightly morethan 100,000-square-feet, the new hospitaldesign was scaled back toreduce costs from $34million to $20 million.

The new hospital willoffer more space,consolidate medicalservices under a singleroof and be in keepingwith the latest medicaltrends, Hudgins said.

“In a nutshell, for theprice of a new building,we would be able to solve half the medicalissues we have here,”Hudgins said.

During the Marchmeeting when the boardtook action to proceedwith a new loanapplication to the USDA,it was announcedconstruction time for thebuilding project wouldtake about 16 months —that was a shorter periodfrom 24 months for thelarger plan.

There were some tensemoments this summerwhen hospital officialsand board directors saw acertificate of need for thenew hospital from theIllinois Health Facilitiesand Services Board set toexpire in October. But theboard granted a 12-monthextension.

USDA officials met withPinckneyville hospitaladministrators in lateSeptember to discuss thestatus of their loanapplication.

Hudgins said it was apositive meeting as USDAofficials had somequestions about thehospital feasibility studysubmitted to them.

“We’ve been puttingtogether a set of answersto provide them (USDAofficials) a little more ofthe background to makesure they understandwhere the informationcame from and give thema better feel for how ruralhospitals — especiallythose that are critical-access hospitals — operateand how our cash flowworks,” Hudgins said.

[email protected]

Pinckneyville still waiting,hoping for new hospital

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOPinckneyville Community Hospital sits at the corner ofJackson and Walnut streets in Pinckneyville.

SIH: A leader in local care

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOMemorial Hospital of Carbondale is seen from atop the parking garage.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe front of Herrin Hospital is shown.

HEALTH CARE4E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThere was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Crossroads Community Hospital on Aug. 9 in Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon booming with facilitiesBY SCOTT FITZGERALDTHE SOUTHERN

Crossroads Community Hospital is movingforward with the opening of a new three-storypatient tower Aug. 9, a $23 million expansion thathouses radiology and respirator therapy, alaboratory and admitting area on the first floor.

All private patient care rooms with 57 beds totalare on the second and third floors, said DebiRichardson, Crossroads director of marketing andpublic relations.

“We are looking to recruit new physicians andspecialists,” Richardson said, adding that agastroenterologist, neurologist and nephrologisthave recently been added to the staff. “We feel likewe have a facility to recruit and retain specialists.”

Within the next 18 months, Crossroads hopes toadd a cardiologist, pediatrician, pulmonologist andan ear, nose and throat physician to its staff, shesaid.

The new expansion is part of an ambitiousexpansion plan that began in 1966 as a nursinghome. A new hospital was erected by IllinoisHighway 15 in 1981 with a name change in 1986 thatwas influenced by the crossing of Interstates 57 and64 in Jefferson County.

There was expansion, renovation and newbuilding throughout the 1990s with a new surgicalservices department constructed in 1993. A masterplan was developed soon after and in 1998, amedical office building was erected just north ofthe hospital.

In 1999, the hospital intensive care unit wasrelocated to a larger space and expanded to fiverooms. A new emergency department opened in2002 with expansion of surgical services aroundthe same period, Richardson said.

Surgery expanded again within a 10-year periodand the final step of the master plan called forconstruction of the three-story tower to link mostof the specialty services within easy andcomfortable access.

But, it’s not all building that gives Crossroads itsreputation.

The hospital ranks high on health grade charts forits hip replacement facility and infectious controlstandards. Many patients arrive here from out-of-state to get specialized services, Richardson said.

“It will be exciting to see what is in store in thenext master plan and where Crossroads will takehealth care from here,” Richardson said.

[email protected] / 618-351-5076

Crossroads growing

BY LES O’DELLFOR THE SOUTHERN

When Lauren Craig of Marion first learned she wasexpecting, she was facing a large number of choices —everything from baby names to what type of diapers tobuy. Perhaps no decision was important as whom totrust with her prenatal care, delivery and all-importantcare once her new baby is born this month. For herpregnancy, Craig chose one of the area’s fastest-growingspecialty clinics, Heartland Women’s Healthcare.

From humble beginnings with four physicians and asingle location in Marion, Heartland Women’sHealthcare has grown to include 22 medical providers in14 — soon to be 16 — locations across the region. Thepractice includes physicians, two midwives and six mid-level practitioners.

“We have many different providers from manydifferent backgrounds, which allows almost any patientto find a caring professional they can relate to,” says Dr.Michael Schifano, one of the founders of HeartlandWomen’s Healthcare. “What really makes us different isthat we travel to the outlying communities to see ourpatients instead of expecting them all to come to see us.This has been extremely popular with patients who then

can have procedures done in their own communityhospital. It also has been a win for the communityhospitals to be able to have some outpatient surgeryperformed in their hospital instead of losing the businessto a larger regional hospital.”

Heartland Women’s Healthcare Marketing DirectorAshton Stephens says women appreciate the wideselection of medical providers.

“We have so many female providers; a lot of womenwho have OB-GYN needs want a woman provider to carefor them,” she says. “We now have 17 female providers.”

Craig says the option of having a more naturalchildbirth attracted her to Heartland Women’sHealthcare.

“I liked the idea of using a midwife,” she explains. “Ialso like that there are so many locations, so I can go tothe one that is most convenient for me.”

Those locations stretch from Belleville to McLeansboroand Metropolis to Flora. Even with facilities are insmaller communities, patients can get the full range ofservices.

“Heartland has everything and more for women’shealthcare that you could find in a large city, Schifanosays. “Our expertise includes high-risk obstetrical care,robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, urinaryincontinence surgery and in office procedures forsterilization and abnormal bleeding.”

Services include the latest in technology, he adds.“Our patients experience the best in technology while

staying as personalized as possible. We have modern newoffices with electronic medical records and the bestultrasound equipment, which allows all of our patients toexperience seeing their bundle of joy in 4-D. Everytelephone call to our office is answered by a personinstead of a machine with lunchtime being noexception.”

Craig says that’s exactly what she has experienced.“They have been extremely helpful to me from the

time I walked in the door. They have been there foranything I could ask for. The 4D ultrasound was a reallyneat experience. I loved being able to see what the babylooks like before we get to meet him.”

HEARTLAND WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE22 medical providers including physicians, midwifes

and mid-level practitioners14 locations ranging from Belleville to McLeansboro

and Metropolis to Flora

Heartland Women’s Healthcare earning a stellar reputation


It’s getting exciting for St. Mary’sGood Samaritan, a recipient of the2011 Gold Award winner fromIllinois Performance Excellence forthe health center’s sound andnotable continuous improvementprinciples.

A $237 million Good SamaritanRegional Medical Center buildingproject approved by Illinois HealthFacilities Planning Board more thanthree years earlier is nearingcompletion for visitors’ tours Jan.5-6 with an official Jan. 20 openingdate when patients will be movedinto the new 359,000-square-footfacility.

The new medical campus islocated on Veteran’s MemorialDrive, directly adjacent to the newinterchange for Interstates 57 and64. Two of Good Samaritan’s jointventure projects are already locatedon the site, the Orthopedic Centerof Southern Illinois and the Centerfor Comprehensive Cancer Care.

“We truly are raising the bar forhealth care in Southern Illinois,”said Victoria Woodrow, marketing

and public relations director for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Inc. inan earlier interview. “The wholedesign of the hospital is veryinnovative. It will have the feel of afive-star hotel.”

The new center contains 134private patient rooms designed forpatient safety and comfort. It alsoprovides space for a family area sofamily members and relatives canstay the night with modernconveniences available such aswireless capability for computersand flat-screen television monitors,Woodrow said.

To reduce the possibility ofpatient falls, each room has ashorter distance between bed andbathroom, she said.

In addition to the safety features,there are nature elements as part ofthe interior design and multiplepieces of art work to enhance ahealing environment, greenconcepts to reduce energy usage,room service menus for patients andmore parking, Woodrow said.

“We have 13 commissioned artpieces from regional artists and atwo-story water wall,” Woodrowsaid about the art pieces.

There is a garden level and fivefloors, a new medical office buildingthat includes a surgery center andmore outpatient diagnostic servicesconnected to the hospital. Thedesign done by BSA LifeStructuresof St. Louis/Indianapolis,accommodates a cardiacrehabilitation gym and an expandedcritical care emergency department.McCarthy Building of St. Louis,Lipps Construction of MountVernon and Shores Builders ofCentralia have been projectcontractors usinganywhere from 275to 430 full-time builders andspecialists during the 30-monthlong project.

The new center is expected to be aboon to economic development bycreating many new permanent jobsby 2016. There is a demand for morephysicians and people to fill full-time office jobs.

The increased size of the centeremployment pool is projected tocreate more than $11 million insalaries and benefits, Woodrow said.

[email protected]

St. Mary’s Good Sam honored for workTHE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO

Construction work is shown at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mount Vernon.

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 5EREVITALIZATION

Downtown: The heart of local communitiesBY BRENT STEWART

The Southern

As progress takes place,sometimes old things areleft behind.

But in the cases of entitiessuch as towns, the old thingsmay include areas that wereonce vibrant and are still theheart of a community.

Many downtowns acrossSouthern Illinois were builtaround the turn of the centuryor earlier and feature a numberof architecturally appealingbuildings.

As the years went on, progresstook the retail business thatused to populate the downtownto shopping centers on theoutskirts of town, or to othernearby communities.

As businesses left thedowntown areas, some buildingsfell into disrepair.

Many Southern Illinoiscommunities face a number ofchallenges in revitalizing theirold downtown areas, to bringabout a progress that takes theold and makes it new.

Du QuoinRex Duncan, Du Quoin finance

commissioner, said hisdowntown has remained vibrantbecause many of the people stillregard it as a central businessdistrict and want and hope for itto stay that way.

“I think in an age where a lotof shopping is done online, a lotof shopping is done at malls andbig box stores, at the end of theday even young people still feelan attachment to thedowntown” Duncan said. “Theystill identify that downtown ascentral to their experience ofgrowing up. You don’t seeparades that go down thecorridor of a mall. The flags flyin downtown. People celebratein downtowns.”

Duncan said municipalitiescan support downtowns byproviding for infrastructureimprovements, keeping uplighting and vegetation,ensuring regular police patrolsand helping to facilitate façadeimprovements.

“Those are all waysdowntowns are attractive, safeand a welcoming platform forbusiness,” Duncan said.

Du Quoin is gearing up for anumber of infrastructureimprovements downtown afterthe holidays, installing a newwater line and replacing thesidewalks. Duncan said it’s alsolooking at putting in Internethotspots.

About 20 businesses havetaken part in a façadeimprovement program offeredby the city, Duncan said.

“I think our downtown is stillevolving, but while you still tryto pay attention to the historicalintegrity of your businessdistrict, you still have tomodernize,” Duncan said. “Andthat’s where we’re at.”

MurphysboroMurphysboro Mayor Ron

Williams said the city wasfortunate in that almost everyspace downtown is filled, butconsumers aren’t conditioned tocome there for shopping likethey did 30 years ago.

“It’s just an ongoing battle tokeep the appearance up as bestwe can and have people that dogo in and put in a business andsucceed,” Williams said.

Murphysboro’s downtown hasa number of challenges,Williams said. In addition to anarrow main street that doesnot allow for much parking andsidewalks that are not in goodcondition, many downtownproperty owners are absenteelandlords and buildings are not

always well-maintained.Williams said a project to

replace one of the town’s mainwater lines will likely result innew sidewalks on the north sideof the street. Murphysboro hassome loan monies available tohelp property owners maintaintheir structures.

“It’s not a lot of money, butit’s money available if peoplewant to put money into it,”Williams said. “If you have abuilding in disrepair, you have abetter chance of renting it orselling it.”

AnnaSome local towns are taking

dramatic steps to bringbusinesses and people to theirold downtowns.

In Anna, work has begun onthe first phase of a downtownrenovation plan.

A section of East Davie Street— from Freeman to South MainStreet — along the railroadtracks will be underconstruction that should becompleted in two to threemonths.

Crews are taking out the oldroad bed and reworking utilitiesunderneath, including water, gasand storm sewers. A new roadwill then be built with newsidewalks, street lighting, greenspaces, fire hydrants and withimproved parking and handicapaccess.

“Just really from the groundup, re-doing the entire road andsidewalk,” said Anna CityManager Steve Guined.

That section of Davie Street ishome to businesses such as theOle Skate Barn, The EnchantedGarden and the DepotRestaurant and Lounge.

When finished, Guined saidthe area would have a “periodlook.”

The total cost of the DavieStreet project is $650,000. Thecity is paying 20 percent of thecost. Guined said the rest isfunded by federal and statehighway funds.

Anna is also working onsecuring another grant foranother phase of the downtownrenovation plan — to renovatethe downtown part of SouthMain Street, which is also partof Illinois 146. That phase wouldinclude installing newsidewalks, lighting and greenspaces on that stretch of road.Depending on funding, it willbegin in 2014.

“The city is making astatement,” Guined said. “Wewant to keep a small town feel inour old main street area andhopefully encourage somebusiness development.”

CairoAn ambitious new

revitalization program in Cairochallenges its residents’ — andpotential residents —imagination to see the town’spotential.

More than 60 dilapidated andunsightly structures have beendemolished in a project that

began in Cairo’s downtown andeventually spread citywide.

Eventually, more than 100structures will be demolished inan effort to revitalize the cityand encourage businessdevelopment; improving thetown’s appearance and safety.

Cairo, along with the CairoPublic Utility Company, hasbeen working on the plan forseven years.

To date, the project hasreceived three separate$750,000 grants from theIllinois Department of Economic Opportunity for thepurchase and demolition of

the properties.Mayor Tyrone Coleman said

this program is important forCairo to move forward in anumber of ways, not justeconomically. Coleman saidsome may look at empty lots as aglass half empty, but he see thepotential and looks at it as aglass half full.

“I don’t see Cairo the way it is,I see it the way it can be andthat’s what (we’re) workingtoward,” Coleman said.

[email protected] Twitter: @BrentStewartSI

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOA view from the second floor of Furniture Direct looking north along South Main Street in Anna is shown. There have been recent efforts to coordinate themarketing of the downtown area.

Benton streetscape would feature town’s historyTHE SOUTHERN

BENTON — Benton ishoping a proposed“streetscape” will bringmore people downtown.

The streetscape projectwill, in effect, create a“museum district” byconnecting the Historic JailMuseum and FranklinCounty Garage Museum

with an attractive walkway,Franklin County HistoricalSociety President Robert S.Rea said.

The city received a$394,000 IllinoisDepartment ofTransportationenhancement grant thatwill pay for the majority ofthe project. The 20 percentlocal match will be paid for

out of tax-incrementfinancing district funds.

“We’re using theDowntown TIF for ourshare so nothing will comeout of the general fund,”said Benton Mayor GaryKraft.

“The project will makethe downtown area morepleasing to the eye.”

White & Borgognoni

Architects, P.C. designedthe project that includesnew sidewalks withdecorative pavers,landscaped “green” spaces,trash receptacles, benchesand new street lighting.

Some of the utility polesin the area will be removedand utilities buried andaccessible concretesidewalks, curb ramps and

crosswalks will be built.The project will take in

an area from the front ofthe jail museum on WestMain Street to North MapleStreet; north on NorthMaple Street toWashington Street; east onWashington Street toNorth Main Street andnorth to the garagemuseum fronting North

Main Street.“The area will

complement the BentonPublic Square, echoing thehistoric theme of thestreetscape there,” Reasaid.

The project will go outfor bid as soon as anyrequested changes to plansare made and final approvalgiven.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe Browning Building is shown in downtown Du Quoin.

REVITALIZATION6E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOA sign sits in the vacant lot, which will be the new Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday in Pinckneyville.

Pinckneyville taking control of its destinyBY BRENT STEWARTTHE SOUTHERN

Some Pinckneyville citizens are takingtheir town’s future into their ownhands, instead of waiting on state ornational governments to help.

In 2006, a number of communityleaders — most notably ChuckDobrinick, former president of thePinckneyville Chamber of Commerce —came together to identify the town’sstrengths and weaknesses. TheFoundation for Pinckneyville was born.

From that, a strategic plan wasdeveloped, which was updated again in2010.

“Through the first strategic planningreport, they identified quite a fewinitiatives,” said Tibretta Reiman,general manager for the Foundation forPinckneyville.

The Illinois Rural Heritage Museumwas the first project initiated by theFoundation, who purchased its currentsite in January 2008. The ideaoriginated with lifelong Perry Countyfarmer Charlie Greer — who envisionedopening a museum dedicated to farming

and life on the farm.The Foundation provided Greer the

ability to bring it to life.“(The Foundation) is a way to get

these people together, get the ballrolling and then we step back and let it

take off from there,” said Chad Rushing,a member of the Foundation.

In April, the Foundation teamed withthe Engelhardt Family Foundation topurchase the former locations of thePinckneyville Antique Mall and the

Kunz Opera House, located on northeastcorner of the Perry County Courthousesquare, for the Illinois High SchoolBasketball Hall of Fame and Museum tobuild its physical site.

The Foundation has also fronted themoney for designs to expandPinckneyville City Park and have helpedexpand the city’s education foundation.

It was also instrumental in startingthe Friends of Pyramid State Park non-for profit group, formed to increasetourism opportunities in what isIllinois’ largest state park.

Rushing said many small towns inSouthern Illinois have kept the statusquo, but the Foundation is trying topush the boundaries of whatPinckneyville can be.

“The problem is, if you keep it thesame, you die,” Rushing said. “Werealize that. We’re trying to change.We’re trying to make a positive changeand we’re not trying to do ithalfheartedly.”

[email protected] Twitter: BrentStewartSI

PROVIDEDA rendering of the physical site for the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame on the PinckneyvilleTown Square was on display at the IBHOF induction ceremony.

Goreville continues to expand its downtownBY JOE SZYNKOWSKIFOR THE SOUTHERN

Goreville residents are gettingused to hearing the sound ofbreaking ground. The hum ofmachinery and the crashes ofdemolition have beencontinually echoing downBroadway lately, as Gorevillemakes an effort to bolster itsbusiness offerings.

Built in 1926, the building thatserved as the Walker HomeSupply since 1956 was the mostrecent structure to come down.It was demolished to make wayfor a new Family Dollar parkinglot and business, slated forconstruction in the comingmonths.

Within the last five years,Goreville’s downtown has alsoadded a pharmacy, a restaurantand a bank.

And village leaders aren’tdone with the expansion.Thanks to a TIF program passedin 2008, businesses are eager tomove into the tax-friendlydistrict.

“We are also working on aSubway restaurant, and lumberyard and hardware store,” saidGoreville Village Trustee JasonBeckmann. “(Those), along withother businesses to enhance thelives of citizens of Goreville andsurrounding areas.”

Keeping dollars in Goreville isa primary focus during thedowntown development, as ismaking life a little easier onresidents. “It’s great that peopledon’t have to go to Marion foreveryday items,” Beckmannsaid.

And if people from outside ofGoreville drive down Broadway

anytime soon, they may besurprised by the village’sprogress.

“People are definitelyimpressed,” Beckmann said.“We’re working on expandingfrom exit to exit. We want to

become the future home ofpeople who may not want to livein Marion, the same way thatpeople move to O’Fallon to beclose to, but not live in,St. Louis.”

Beckmann said the village has

received overwhelming supportfrom its citizens during theseemingly constant downtownconstruction. He is excited to beinvolved in boosting business inan area known more for itsnatural beauty found at nearby

Ferne Clyffe State Park and Lakeof Egypt.

“We have received verypositive feedback from thecommunity,” Beckmann said.“It’s an exciting time and greatplace to be.”

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTODowntown Goreville is shown earlier this year.

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 7E

JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGEHelping Shape the Future

of Southern IllinoisOne Student at a Time.

www.jalc.edu

One of the Best Educations in the Country

Right Here at Home!SPRING REGISTRATION BEGINS NOVEMBER 5TH

TOURISM & RECREATION8E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

Welcome to wine countryBY LINDA RUSH

The Southern

Like the grapes themselves,their vines seemingly aperfect match for Southern

Illinois’ climate and terrain, theregion’s vineyards and wineriesare growing at a near-exponential pace.

The growth is not only in thenumber of wineries on hillsides;many of the businesses also aregrowing far beyond their humblebeginnings.

Tasting rooms are still thefocus, of course, but wineriesand vineyards now boastlodgings, food service, a widevariety of live music, freeInternet access, gift shops andevent spaces that can be used forspecial occasions year round.

Perhaps the biggest boost tothe burgeoning Southern Illinoiswine industry came fromapproval of the Shawnee Hills asIllinois’ first AmericanViticultural Area. Approval ofthe AVA designation by thefederal Alcohol and Tobacco TaxTrade Bureau in 2006 gives theregion’s products their owntrademark, similar to that ofwines from the Napa Valley orSonoma regions in California.

Winemakers can use the“Shawnee Hills” region name onany wines that include 85 percent or more of theirvolume from grapes grownwithin the AVA.

Ted Wichmann, who workedwith the Renzaglia family at AltoVineyards before founding OwlCreek Vineyard, first submittedthe AVA application in 2001

after researching the characterof the Shawnee Hills soils andmicroclimates with the help ofDr. Imed Dami, who was thenthe state’s viticulturalist housedat SIUCarbondale.

The Shawnee Hills AVA coversabout 2,140 square miles or 1.37million acres between the Ohioand Mississippi Rivers,stretching 80 miles east to westand 20 miles wide north tosouth. It includes portions ofAlexander, Gallatin, Hardin,Jackson, Johnson, Pope, Pulaski,Randolph, Saline, Union andWilliamson counties.

Spared from the glaciers thatflattened the rest of Illinois’terrain, the Shawnee Hills arefrom 400 to 800 feet higher inelevation than the MountVernon Hills to the north andthe Cairo Delta flood plains tothe south, Wichmann noted.

The first Shawnee Hills growerwas the late Guy Renzaglia, whoestablished Alto Vineyards in1984 by planting five acres ofChancellor, Chambourcin, Vidaland Villard Blanc grapes. By thetime the winery released its firstwine in 1987, people were liningup to buy it. Renzaglia’s son,

Paul, and other families now runAlto Vineyards.

In 1991, George Majka andJane Payne opened PomonaWinery after years of makingwines from apples and otherlocal fruit. Their first two applewines were released in 1993.

Wichmann, who was AltoVineyards’ first wine maker,built Owl Creek Vineyard in1994 and released his first winein 1995. Owl Creek is nowowned by the Genung family.

Those three wineries formedthe Shawnee Hills Wine Trail tobetter market their product.

As other wineries opened,they joined; the Shawnee Hillstrail now has 12 wineries asmembers. Another wine trail,the Southern Illinois Wine Trail,was formed and currently listssix member wineries andvineyards, most locatedsoutheast of the Shawnee Hillssites. The winery owners allseem to favor cooperation ratherthan competition; theyperiodically meet to hear guestspeakers or simply to share tipson winemaking.

The business no longer isseasonal, either, as winerieshave added event centers andbanquet rooms as venues forweddings, reunions and othergatherings. Many have giftshops offering items rangingfrom T-shirts to handmadecrafts, artwork, or specialtyfoods. Nearly all the winerieswelcome pets as long as they arekept outdoors and on a leash.Most allow customers to bringtheir own food; some providegrills and wood for thoseplanning a picnic.

Hedman Vineyard in Alto Passhas its own restaurant servingSwedish dishes, includingholiday meals. Some vineyardsare now offering special dinnersto demonstrate pairing of wineswith food, often includingrecipes and other tips. Nearlyall, given a little advance notice,offer guided tours of theirbusinesses to teach customersmore about growing grapes andproducing wine.

[email protected]

Southern Illinois dotted with acclaimed vineyards, wineries

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOShari Russell of Fox Creek Winery pours a sample for a customer during the 13th annual Art & Wine Festival on thegrounds of Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center in Whittington.

SI Wine Trail:Different road,

same terrificatmosphere

THE SOUTHERN

The Southern IllinoisWine Trail comprises sixvineyards and wineries inCreal Springs, Belknap,Muddy, Golconda andVienna.

Bella Terra Winery is at 755Parker City Road, CrealSprings; phone 618-658-8882; bellatwinery.com. Itis open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.year round; amenitiesinclude bocce ball andwashers courts, and visitsby bald eagles and otherbirds.

Cache River Basin Winery isat 315 Forman Lane,Belknap; phone 618-658-2274; crbwinery.com.Winery open 10 a.m.-6p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10a.m.-9 p.m. Friday andSaturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.Sunday. Wineaux’sRestaurant is open 4:30-9p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m.Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m.Sunday. Wineaux’s oftendoes dinner theaterpresentations. A cabin isbeing built at the winery.Geese that live on thegrounds are raising goslings.

Flint Hill Vineyards is at2075 U.S. 45 N. Muddy;phone 618-253-7224.

Hogg Hollow Winery LLC isat 202-4 Route 2, Golconda;phone 618-695-9463; www.hoghollowwinery.com. Thewinery operated by fourgenerations of the Hoggfamily is Pope County’sfirst. It is off Illinois 145near Glendale, betweenDixon Springs andEddyville.

Shawnee WineryCooperative is at 200Commercial St., Vienna;phone 618-658-8400; itoffers free wireless Internet;hours April-December are10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m.Sunday; January-Marchhours 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Monday-Saturday, noon to5 p.m. Sunday.

Windy Hill Winery &Vineyard is at 2955 CrealSprings Road, CrealSprings; phone 618-996-3581; www.windyhillvineyardandwinery.net;email [email protected]. Free tastings 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.Sunday and by appointmentMonday and Tuesday.

BY LINDA RUSHTHE SOUTHERN

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trailnow numbers 12 vineyards andwineries, plus other participatingmembers with businesses alongthe trail.

Members include AltoVineyards, Blue Sky Vineyard,Hedman Vineyard, Owl CreekVineyard, Pomona Winery,StarView Vineyards, Von JakobVineyard, Kite Hill Vineyards,Orlandini Vineyard, HickoryRidge Vineyard, Rustle HillWinery and Honker Hill Winery.

The members now offer WineBucks that can be purchased forpersonal use or as gifts; they canbe used at any one of theShawnee Hills Wine Trailwineries and participatingmembers along the trail. Theycome in $5 denominations andcan be used either for purchasingwine or redeemed for meals orovernight stays along the winetrail. They cannot be redeemedfor cash.

The Wine Bucks can bepurchased directly from the trailwebsite, www.shawneewinetrail.com.

The website also has a list ofother wine trail businesses thatparticipate in the program.

Alto Vineyards is at 8515 Illinois127 North in Alto Pass; phone618-893-4898; [email protected]. HoursApril through November are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Decemberthrough March, hours are 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday andnoon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Pomona Winery is at 2865Hickory Ridge Road in Pomona;phone 618-893-2623. HoursApril through November are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m.Sunday. December throughMarch, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday andnoon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Owl Creek Vineyard is at 2655Water Valley Road, Cobden;phone 618-893-2557. HoursMarch through December arenoon to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon to 6 p.m. Friday,10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday andnoon to 6 p.m. Sunday. InJanuary and February, it is opennoon to 6 p.m. Friday andSunday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Saturday and by chanceMonday-Thursday.

Von Jakob Vineyard is at 1309Sadler Road, Pomona; phone618-893-4500. Von JakobOrchard is at 230 Illinois 127 N.in Alto Pass; phone 618-893-4600; email www.vonjakobvineyard.com. It offers a freeweekend music series everySaturday and Sunday, rain orshine, all year long. It also has abed and breakfast with fivesuites, and offers Friday nightdinners by reservation only.

Hedman Vineyards is at 560Chestnut St., Alto Pass; phone618-893-4923, email

www.peachbarn.com. Wineryhours for April-December are 10a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Friday and Saturday and noon to5 p.m. Sunday. For January-March, check the website. Caféhours May-October are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday,noon to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturdayand noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Thereis a Scandinavian gift shop andthe café serves Swedish cuisine.

Blue Sky Vineyard is at 3150 S.Rocky Comfort Road, Makanda;phone 618-995-9463; emailblueskyvineyard.com.

Hours March 1-Jan. 1 are 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. orsunset Friday, 10 a.m. to 7:30p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m.Sunday. From Jan. 1 to March 1,open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to6:30 p.m. Sunday. Two suites forrent; pavilion and gazeboavailable; gift shop.

StarView Vineyards is at 5100Wing Hill Road, Cobden; phone618-893-9463; www.starviewvineyards.com. Open noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Extended hoursduring summer. Gift shop, artgallery and banquet room.

Kite Hill Vineyards and Winery isat 83 Kite Hill Road, Carbondale;phone 618-684-5072, www.kitehillvineyards.com. Hours March-November are noon to 5 pm.Sunday-Thursday, noon to 5 p.m.

Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.December-February open noonto 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Orlandini Vineyard is at 410Thorn Lane, Makanda; phone618-995-2307. Hours April-November are 10a.m. to 5 p.m.Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.December-March hours are noonto 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Hickory Ridge Vineyard andWinery is at 1598 Hickory RidgeRoad, Pomona; phone 618-893-1700; hickoryridgevineyard.comor email [email protected]. Open 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to6 all other days. Open Friday-Sunday in winter, Wednesday-Sunday in spring, summer, fall.Closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Eve and Day, and NewYear’s Day.

Rustle Hill Winery is at 8595 U.S. 51 in Cobden; phone 618-893-2700; www.rustlehillwinery.com. Open all year 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.Friday-Sunday. Site includescabins, restaurant andamphitheater.

Honker Hill Winery is at 4861Spillway Road, Carbondale,phone 618-549-5517. Hours arenoon to 6 p.m. Friday throughSunday.

Information was taken fromthe Shawnee Hills Wine Trailarea map and guide for 2012-13.

[email protected]

Take a ride on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOKeira Gould (left) and Katrina Taxis open bottles of wine for guests during the 7th annual Benefit Concert in memory of Elise Ryne Rochman to raise moneythe ongoing research needed to find treatments and a cure for Tay-Sachs Disease at Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda.

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 9ETOURISM & RECREATION

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe VIP Tasting Room at Walker’s Bluff features the longest continuously poured concrete table.

Walker’s Bluff: Wine and so much moreBY LINDA RUSHTHE SOUTHERN

A multi-faceted entertainmentcomplex, Walker’s Bluff nearCarterville was created in 2008 andhas been growing ever since. Thevenue has brought big-nameentertainers to Southern Illinois andhas served as the site for a variety offundraising activities.

Owners Cynde and David Bunchacquired land that had been in herfamily since 1934, initially intendingto build a vacation retreat forthemselves with land for David toexperiment with winemaking. Theybuilt a small gazebo on the riverbluff as a site for family reunionsand weddings. Soon local familieswere visiting to enjoy the scenery,fish and visit.

The owners welcomed the visitorsand soon began thinking aboutcreating an entertainment complexon the property.

Walker’s Bluff currently boastsamenities ranging from fine diningrestaurant Legends, to The GeneralStore, a gift store that features acafé-bakery offering breakfasts,sandwiches, salads and desserts, toThe Gazebo, a family-centered areafeaturing light music, children’sactivities and a varied food andbeverage menu, to the newestcreation, The Tasting Room andWine Cave, a one-of-a-kindmanmade grotto that offers cavetours, a full-service bar and lounge,and light appetizer plates.

And that’s only Phase One, theowners promise.

Phase Two plans call forconstruction of a large event center,lodge/spa and what they call “glamcamping” beginning in 2013.

Performers who have taken thestage at Walker’s Bluff include bluesmusician Rory Block, country iconsCharlie Daniels, MontgomeryGentry, Sheryl Crow and Heart.Most have drawn large crowds of

fans to the site.Walker’s Bluff provides jobs for

more than 200 people, in addition toother local vendors and artists,allowing the owners to give back tothe community that welcomedthem.

Family-centered activities havedrawn more visitors to the Gazebo,which offers a great view of the lakeand more than 4,000 grapevinesgrowing on the hillsides thatformerly were 10 acres of cowpasture.

The six varietals of grapes will beused in making wine. The Gazebo isopen May through October, from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m.Sundays.

Legends offers gourmet diningand an elegant décor; its menuincludes Kobe beef, prime blackAngus and seafood flown in fromSeattle.

The General Store includes afilling station with retro pumps. Itoffers visitors a variety of gifts,souvenirs, snacks, jewelry and toysand staff can create custom gift

baskets for shoppings. It servesbreakfasts and salads, sandwichesand desserts.

It is open seven days a week, from10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays throughWednesdays, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.Thursdays through Sundays.

The Tasting Room and Wine Caveoffer tours of the cave as well asbeers, light appetizer plates andwhat the website calls “the largestselection of both local and nationalwines in the area.”

It is open from 5 to 11 p.m.Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m.to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, andnoon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

There’s one more goal for 2013.Walker’s Bluff expects to befeaturing its own wines in 2013.

The complex is at 14400 MeridianRoad, Carterville; phone 618-559-4893. Corporate office is at 326Vermont Road in Carterville, phone618-956-9900.

For photos, menus and directions,visit www.walkersbluff.com.

[email protected]

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOSheryl Crow performs for her fans June 22 at Walker’s Bluff.

Breweriesmaking

their markBY JOE SZYNKOWSKIFOR THE SOUTHERN

As the wine industrycontinues to takeSouthern Illinois bystorm, craft beer iscarving out a nichewithin the region, as well.Breweries are rapidlydotting the landscape,and passionate beer-makers are sharing theirproducts with the rest ofus.

Festivals and brewerytours have helpedadvance the goals ofthose focused onreinstating what oncewas a hops hotspot. Oncesuch event, the BigMuddy Monster BrewFestival, is set to takeplace Oct. 20. The thirdannual installation of thebrewha will feature craftbeer tasting from morethan 25 Midwesternbreweries, live music,local food and variousactivities.

Here’s a snapshot oflocal breweries to visit onyour trek throughSouthern Illinois’unofficial beer trail.

Big Muddy Brewing,Murphysboro: Big MuddyMonster and all, thisMurphysboro mainstaybegan production in2009 to end the town’s50-plus year brewerydrought. Kincaid Wheatis offered on tap and bybottle across local bars,restaurants and liquor

stores, as is the amber-style Saluki Dunkel Dog.

Von Jakob, Alto Pass:Another regionalpowerhouse, Von JakobBrewery offershandcrafted brewsranging from the crispAmerican Pilsner to therich Stout.

To help you choose, thebrewery offers a flightfeaturing all of its uniquebeers.

Scratch Brewery, Ava: Anew microbrewery is onpace for a fall opening,when it will officiallybegin selling its seasonalbeers and local foods.Scratch specializes in thecombination of uniqueplants and spices to driveits non-traditionalbrewing techniques.

Little Egypt Brewery, Ava:This newcomer locatedbehind The BluffsVineyard and Winery,was opened earlier thismonth. From the stout tothe seasonal, Little Egyptwill offer crowd-pleasingbrews. Its brewerycontains a large brewingsystem, four fermentersand 96 kegs.

Kaskaskia Brewery, RedBud: A little off thebeaten path, KaskaskiaBrewing Company wasstarted in early 2011 as asmall microbrewery. Thecompany opened itsdoors to the public earlierthis summer, and alsodistributes to many localrestaurants and bars.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOA taster samples a beer at the Big Muddy Monster BrewFest in Murphysboro.

No shortage of lodging in Southern IllinoisBY LINDA RUSHTHE SOUTHERN

Finding a place to stay whilevisiting Southern Illinois iseasier than ever, with a varietyof inns, cabins and bed andbreakfast businesses to meetjust about any taste.

Staying in a treehouse is nowan option, as is staying in anauthentic log cabin, evenspending the night in a barn.You can even find a cabinequipped with pinball machines,jukeboxes and pool table.

Cabin by the Pond just southof Carbondale offers a choice ofthree cabins and what ownerTom Egert said is the onlyprivate sand beach around.

One of his cabins iscompletely handicapped-accessible. “My sister has MS(multiple sclerosis),” Egert said,“and she loves to visit with the

family. They come here everyyear.” To accommodate her andother visitors in wheelchairs, thecabin has a wheelchair ramp, liftchair, a transfer seat for the tuband other amenities. The entirefirst floor is wheelchairaccessible, he said.

But each cabin also featuresunique furnishings — vintagepinball machines and jukeboxes.“Most people have a Jacuzzi; Iprefer pinballs,” said Egert, alongtime collector of vintageitems. One cabin also has a full-size pool table, he said. Hismost-rented cabin has fourbedrooms and two baths andcan accommodate a large group.

Cabin by the Pond is onDakota Road, just off 4760Springer Ridge Road south ofCarbondale; for details, seewww.cabinbythepond.com.

Some of the earliest cabins canbe found at Giant City Lodge in

Giant City State Park. Ownerssay many are reserved long inadvance, especially by formerSIU students returning forHomecoming or otheroccasions. For details call thelodge at 618-457-4921.

The Olde Squat Inn inWilliamson County, which gotits name from a former countrychurch, offers the ultimate incabin living and recycling. Eachcabin is an abandoned log cabinJim Grisley found, brought tothe site and restored.

Grisley said he currently has23 log cabins and barnsaltogether, but “most of themare stacked” and awaitingrebuilding one day, he added.Six are restored and available forguests. Grisley and partner KatyLockwood serve breakfasts toguests in a lodge, in front of asandstone fireplace. Somecabins also have kitchen

facilities as well. Visitors cantour herb and flower gardens,see Jim’s collection of old toolsand machinery, or enjoy the 2.5-acre lake on the property. OldeSquat Inn is at 14160 LibertySchool Road, Marion; the phoneis 618-982-2916 and the websitewww.oldesquatinn.com.

Anyone who has regrettedgiving up a childhood treehousecan have the option ofvacationing in the treetops inHardin County. Timber RidgeOutpost near Karbers Ridgeoffers two modern log cabinsand a pair of treehouses.

The treehouses are about 20feet up in the trees, giving agreat view of birds in the forestcanopy. They have heat and air-conditioning, baths,kitchenettes and otheramenities. For details, visitwww.timberridgeoutpost.comor call owners Marty and

Elizabeth Canfarelli at 618-264-9091.

Lodgings in Pope Countyrange from cottages overlookingthe Ohio River to Golconda Dam#51 Houses, four separate unitsthat once served as housing forthe dam workers. They rangefrom one to three bedrooms andall are perched on the dam itself.For details, call 618-683-6246.

Some of the newestaccommodations along theSouthern Illinois and ShawneeHills wine trails have been builtby the wineries themselves. Thelodgings range from suites in theHedman Vineyards Peach Barnin Alto Pass to the luxury of theTuscan-themed Blue SkyVineyard in Makanda and a newfive-suite bed and breakfast atVon Jakob Orchard in Alto Pass.

[email protected]

TOURISM & RECREATION10E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

Sparta is centerof the world

of trapshootingBY LES WINKELERTHE SOUTHERN

The World Shooting &Recreational Complex inSparta is hardly anovernight success.

Without question it isone of the finest shootingfacilities in the world.Despite the instantcredibility the venuereceived when it landedthe Amateur Trap-shooting Association’sGrand American in 2007, it took shooters awhile to warm up to thevenue.

The Grand Americanhad called Vandalia, Ohio,home for eight decades.At first, it was easy to findfault with the WSRC — itis difficult to get to, shadeis a precious commodity,it’s too spread out.

Those complaints werequite common the firstcouple years the Grandcalled Sparta home.

Slowly, but surely, thatall changed. Last year, theATA and IllinoisDepartment of NaturalResources signed a 10-year extension for theGrand American.

Now, if comparisons tothe Ohio facility are heard, shooters complainabout the crampedconditions and lack ofparking at the Grand’sprevious home.

The WSRC got another

boost earlier this yearwhen it was announcedthat the NationalTrapshooting Hall ofFame will be built on site.It had previously beenannounced that the Hallof Fame would move toSparta, but now it iscertain — the hall of fameis coming to the WorldShooting andRecreational Complex.

“We voted three yearsago to move to Sparta,”said Jim Bradford,chairman of the NationalTrapshooting Hall ofFame’s board of directors. “We’veaffirmed it on severaloccasions. As far asSparta was concerned, itwas whether or not wewere going to bedowntown. We are goingto be at the facility.”

Bradford is happy withthe decision to locate themuseum at the WorldShooting andRecreational Complex.

“I’ve always been aproponent of that,” hesaid.

“I believe the museum shouldaccompany the GrandAmerican.”

The Hall of Fame isexpected to be open bythe 2014 GrandAmerican.

[email protected]

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOJessica Self shoots a target as she competes in the $50,000 Ladies Grand Challenge during the final day of shooting at thisyear’s Grand American at the World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta.

Spectators fillthe grandstand

to watch the$50,000

Ladies GrandChallenge andthe $100,000

GrandChallenge

during the finalday of

shooting atthis year’s

GrandAmerican at

the WorldShooting &

RecreationalComplex in

Sparta.

THE SOUTHERNFILE PHOTO

Bald Knob Crosswatches overentire region


Standing 111-feet tall atop one of thehighest points in Southern Illinois, theBald Knob Cross of Peace has long been afavorite spot of many people both whomlive in the region as well as those whotravel through the area, regardless of faithor affiliation.

Bald Knob is a popular spot forautumnal sight-seeing, a special place forweddings, family reunions and specialevents as well as a destination for tourists.Whether people visit for the spectacularviews or for the Christian aspects of thecross, there is just something about BaldKnob that attracts people.

“The intent at the beginning, however,was not tourism. It was built as a symbolof faith and it was put where it is and wasbuilt to the size and stature so peoplecould see it. It wasn’t intended to be atourism destination, but it has becomesomething that people do come out to seein huge numbers,” says D.W. Presley,president of the cross’ volunteer board ofdirectors. He is the grandson of WaymanPresley, who co-founded the efforts toconstruct the monument, which wasinitially completed in 1963.

A complete restoration of the structurewas finished in 2010, bringing newattention and visitors to Bald Knob.

“There are so many different reasons wehear from people as to why the come toBald Knob, but everyone seems to take apersonal piece of ownership. That’s whatmakes it so special. The project alwayshas been ground-breaking and itcontinues to be bringing people together,”Presley says.

Fundraising efforts are under way nowto raise $80,000 for improvements inelectrical service at the site with the goalof again lighting the cross. Improvementsare expected to include the installation ofLED light fixtures, electricalinfrastructure improvements and theinstallation of security cameras.

“Our current focus is to get the lightsback on,” he says. “Now that the structureitself has been restored, we’re working tobring the lights back.”

Other planned improvements includenew paver and concrete walkwayssurrounding the base of the cross as wellas new plantings. All of the improvementsare designed to not only enhance thevisual appeal of the cross and grounds,but also to make visiting the site moreenjoyable. Presley estimates more than10,000 people visit the cross each year.

“Bald Knob Cross has been a tourismicon in the region for many, many years,”explains Cindy Cain, executive director ofthe Southernmost Illinois TourismBureau. “With all of the upgrades andrenovations that have been completed,the cross is going to be able to offervisitors more amenities in addition toenriching the experience and naturalscenic beauty that has always been part ofBald Knob.”

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOA boat explores the waters on Rend Lake this summer.

BY LES WINKELERTHE SOUTHERN

It’s official: The new Rend LakeVisitor Center is a hit.

The center, on Rend City Road, justwest of the Rend Lake Dam, openedMay 5, 2011. In the first five months itwas open, the new center drew nearlythree times as many visitors as it hadthe previous year.

“It (the old center) was past itsprime,” said U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers park ranger Dawn Kovarik. Itwas a temporary facility when it wasbuilt in the early 70s, temporarymeaning they would replace it whenmoney was available.”

The new visitor center is moreaccessible, larger and more attractivethan the old facility. The old center waslocated on a point on the east end of theRend Lake Dam.

The displays inside the new buildinginclude live critters —snakes, fish and aworking bee hive, realistic wildlifescenes, static displays and a movie. Onewildlife scene depicts a pair of skunkspeeking out of a hole beneath an oaktree with a small fawn nearby and abarred owl looming overhead.

A second scene, which includeswildlife sounds, shows wood ducks, abullfrog and snapping turtle in a smallwater hole surrounded by cattails.

“We worked with Taylor Studio out ofRantoul,” Kovarik said. “It was a lot ofblood, sweat and tears to get themwhere there are.

“We gave them ideas. We sat down ata meeting and discussed what wewanted. We had a prospectus thatspelled out each thing we wanted at thenew Visitor Center. We worked on it forabout two years from planning tocompletion.”

The center strikes a satisfying balancebetween entertainment andeducational.

“We tried real hard,” Kovarik said.“We tried to get a lot of hands-onthings. Interactive hands-on things costmoney, so we had to have more readingand more static things than we wanted,but we do have several hands-on thingsfor kids and adults.”

And, some of the displays cross theline between educational andentertaining. A small wooden bridge islocated adjacent to the wood duckdisplay. When visitors step on thebridge, raccoons start chattering,bullfrogs start croaking and the woodducks whistle.

It can be startling.“That’s pretty cool, isn’t it?” Kovarik

said with a grin.And, there are plenty of other

displays, from mounted animals, to furs

and even a small tunnel for children tocrawl through. A surprise awaitsyoungsters brave enough to crawlthrough the tunnel.

“We’ve had really, really goodfeedback, how it’s interesting and howthey’re going to bring back their uncle,their aunt or their grandkids,” Kovariksaid.

The center also includes a smalltheater that shows an eight-minutefilm.

“It’s a history about the people of thearea, not no much the history of thearea,” Kovarik said. “It’s eight minuteslong. Even if you don’t like the hardbench you can sit through it.”

The center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays until early April. Thecenter is open daily during the summermonths.

[email protected] / 618-351-5088

Visitor center brings more people to Rend Lake

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOGary Wyant of Benton and his grandson, Asher Wyant, 8, work to properly put a line on afishing pole in the South Marcum Campground at Rend Lake.


Bike trail projects are benefitting Mount Vernon’s cycling communityBY JOE SZYNKOWSKIFOR THE SOUTHERN

As Mount Vernoncontinues to plan andimplement variouscommunity enhancementinitiatives, the city’s long-running bike trail projectsare pedaling right along.

The city’s Bike TrailCommittee, formed tooversee the projects’ manyspokes, recently

spearheaded constructionon the Casey School Trail,and has executed thecompletion of many “share the road” trailsmarked off by signsdedicated by the city forbicycle traffic.

“We’ve had a verypositive response to thesteps we’ve taken so far,”said Ron Neibert, MountVernon’s city manager.“Cyclists tell us they feel

safer on the road now thatthey have a defined area toride.”

There was a strongcommunity interest inexpanding Mount Vernon’sbiking opportunities backin 2007 when the bike trailplans were established.

“There really was a desirethere for more in terms ofcycling,” Neibert said. “Thecommittee has done a goodjob planning, while the

council and city areimplementing theconstruction.”

Among the trail projects’highlights are theCedarhurst Leg, whichruns from 24th Street andRichview Road behind the(United MethodistChildren’s Home) propertyto the reservoir toStrothman Field and endsat the Casey Middle Schoolparking lot.

A trail is planned toextend from Lincoln Parkto Veterans MemorialDrive, west to WellsBypass. Cyclist safety andenjoyment are paramountto the city’s projects.

“The signage shows theexisting sidewalks andjoint-use areas,” Neibertsaid. “Mile markers helpshow people how far theyhave traveled, too.”

Neibert is excited to see

the bike trails’development taking shape,along with all of the otherprojects he is driving as citymanager.

“It’s a busy time, butthese are the types ofopportunities that any citymanager hopes for,” hesaid. “It’s great to have acommunity that is ready tomove forward andwelcomes all of the positivechanges.”

Recreation center just the latest project planned in Marion’s rapid developmentBY JOE SZYNKOWSKIFOR THE SOUTHERN

What once was a landmark forcommunity health will soon bethe spot for a similarly spiritedcomplex, as planning for arecreation center in Marion is infull swing.

The proposed center will beerected upon the same groundthat held the former MarionMemorial Hospital. Pendingapproval for a $2.5 million stategrant, groundbreaking isanticipated in the spring.

“The plan and design of therecreation center is nearingcompletion,” said Marion MayorBob Butler. “When that is done,we will compare the estimatedcost with the anticipatedavailable funds. If they do notmatch, it will be necessary toreview and revise the plans.”

In June, Marion’s city councilapproved a finalized plan for the72,000-square-foot, multi-level facility at the corner ofWest Main Street and SouthVicksburg Street.

The city-owned and operated

center is being designed forpeople of all ages, withpromotion of individualphysical wellness through avariety of programming optionsand personal services. It willcontain leisure pool areas and acompetition pool, a warm waterexercise/therapy pool, a multi-court gymnasium, awalking/running track, fitnessareas, locker rooms, acoffee/juice/snack bar and ayouth center.

The project is expected to cost$10 million with $2.5 million

coming from a grant usingfederal dollars through the Parkand Recreational FacilityConstruction program andadministered through theIllinois Department of NaturalResources.

Up to 10 people could be hired full-time, with 10 to 15 part-time positions available.

The center is just one of themany recent initiativesundertaken by Butler and hiscity in an effort to enhanceMarion.

“Such a facility has beenvisualized for quite a while,”Butler said. “The $2.5 milliongrant from the state makes theproject feasible.”

Butler sees the centerfacilitating a long-lastingimpact on Marion’s citizens.

“The recreation center willserve a dual purpose,” he said.“Not only will it provide anappropriate venue for recreationnot otherwise available, it willhave available functions forhealth and therapeuticactivities.”

BY SCOTT MEESTHE SOUTHERN

It may have taken a little longer thanexpected, but the Southern IllinoisMiners finally claimed the big prize thisseason.

In its sixth year of existence, theSouthern Illinois franchise slipped intothe playoffs on the final day of the regularseason. That’s when the Miners started toplay some great baseball.

The team finished undefeated on theroad in the postseason and won theFrontier League championship in justseven games.

“It was certainly the culmination ofeverything we put into place going backsix years ago,” said Miners manager MikePinto. “We’ve had some really good teamshere, and for some reason, this one founda way to do it. It was surreal. I went backand watched some of the celebrationvideo, and honestly didn’t know somethings went on.”

The Miners have been a good teamevery year they’ve been in the FrontierLeague. They’ve had more talent,particularly on offense, in the past.

The 2012 squad became frustrating towatch for fans, players and coaches attimes this season because of its inabilityto score runs and produce key hits.

It was a little bit of a relief for Pinto towin this championship.

“What I didn’t want to be was the guywho could get teams to the playoffs, butcouldn’t get any further,” Pinto said. “I

had a friend say if it felt like a monkey wasoff my back. And I said it felt like his armswere unwrapped from around my neck.”

There’s no doubt Traverse City featuredthe best team in the league during theregular season. The Beach Bums won 64games, which is seven more than anyother club.

That didn’t stop the Miners fromsweeping them in the opening rounds ofthe playoffs.

“Traverse City went through this yearwhat we went through in 2010,” Pintorecalled. “We won 64 games and won 20straight games that year. We thought wehad a really good team. But the key is toget in and to be hot when you get in.”

Pinto feels fortunate to have workedunder Erik Haag, the franchise’s formerexecutive vice president and chiefoperating officer, for six years. Haagresigned late in the season, and Pinto saidhe’ll be missed.

“I can’t ever thank Erik Haag enoughfor entrusting this job to me,” Pinto said.“That’s really what it was. He entrustedme to build the baseball operations here.He basically allowed me to set up the wayeverything is done on the baseball side ofthings.”

There have been plenty of organizationswhere an executive has tried to meddle inthe affairs of the on-field team. It cancause a rift and usually doesn’t work out.

That never happened when it came toHaag or the team’s owner, JayneSimmons.

“In six years, there has never been asingle question to me about a playermove,” Pinto said. “I know that there areowners out there that are involved withthe decision-making when it comes toplayers. I know of a couple places wherethe owner sends down the lineup to themanager. That’s not the case here.”

Pinto and the Miners will begin theirquest to repeat at Frontier Leaguechampions next May.

[email protected]

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOCoach John Lakin autographs a baseball for a fan before the Miners’ game against the Slammers at Rent One Park in Marion.

Southern Illinois Miners: Hometown champions

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe Southern Illinois Miners play a game against the Slammers at Rent One Park in Marion.

12E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012


THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOHarrah’s Metropolis is more than just a casino. It’s also home to one of the region’s best entertainment venues.

Harrah’s, other casinos help local economyBY LES O’DELLFOR THE SOUTHERN

The presence ofriverboat casinos onIllinois waterways has notonly given local residentsa different form ofentertainment, thegaming centers —including Harrah’s inMetropolis — have givenlocal economies a shot inthe arm.

Since 1994, Harrah’s,which features more than1,000 slot machines plus

gaming tables, fiverestaurants and a 252-room hotel, has beena staple along theMetropolis riverfront andhas been beneficial to thecommunity.

“It’s enabled us to donumerous projects —things like new police andfire stations, a new library,new substations andinfrastructure projects —and be able to pay cash forthem, not borrow or usebonds,” Metropolis MayorBilly McDaniel says.

He adds that revenuefrom the hotel-motel taxgenerated by the casinohelps to fund numerousspecial events that bringin tourists and tourismdollars. He saidhappenings such as theannual SupermanCelebration, theencampment at FortMassac, archerytournaments, quilt showsand other events are allsupported by the tax.

The effects of theseevents and the casino

itself as well as all of thevisitors each attractsripple throughout theregion.

“Harrah’s MetropolisCasino has been a positiveforce for economic growthin Southern Illinois,”Cindy Cain, executivedirector of theSouthernmost IllinoisTourism Bureau reports.“It continues to attractvisitors from all over theMidwest.”

Cain says that herimpression is that a large

percentage of visitors tothe casino are from theNashville and other partsof Tennessee. She sayshaving those visitors inMetropolis is good for allof Southern Illinois.

“Of course, some ofthem come solely forHarrah’s and just staythere throughout theirvisit, but others get outand enjoy the rest of theregion’s shopping, dining,wineries and more,” sheadds. “We often work withmotorcoach tour groups to

plan itinerariesthroughout SouthernIllinois in addition tostops at Harrah’s.”

Other visitors may becoming to different partsof the region once thearea’s second casinoopens soon as work isnearing completion on theIsle of Capri’s new $135 million dollar casinoin Cape Girardeau. Thenew casino, which isexpected to employ 450people, is slated to openNov. 1.


A longtime dream of manyCarbondale residents for anoutdoor aquatic facility iscoming closer to a reality. Plansand fundraising for a $3.4 million community splashpark, which will featureswimming pools, a floatingcourse and water slide, arecontinuing in hopes to open inMay 2014. The facility isplanned to be similar to similarto water parks in Paducah andCape Girardeau.

A majority of the funding forthe splash park — $2.5 million—will come from a federal grantadministered by the IllinoisDepartment of NaturalResources. The CarbondalePark District is conducting acapital campaign to raise atleast $625,000 in order toqualify for the grant. The cityhas pledged $100,000 towardthe project, which will belocated at the eastern side ofthe Superblock recreation area.

“This is something we’veneeded,” Kathy Renfro of theCarbondale Park District said.“It’s been a long-awaiteddream and now the opportunity to finally build it ishere.”

The city’s Human RelationsCommittee mandated in 2003that a group be developed tostudy the feasibility of amunicipal swimming complexand ultimately make plans forsuch a facility.

Plans call for the Splash Park to have several waterfeatures.

“It will have a lap pool, acompetition pool and a leisurepool with a zero-dept entry anda lazy river. The facility will becomplete with a water slide anddiving boards,” Renfroexplained. “We hope to be ablewith the different areas tocreate a place for teens, a placefor families and a place foreveryone. Programmatically,we’ll be able to do a variety ofthings from competitions to

water safety and wateraerobics.”

The completed facility isexpected to attract swimmersfrom a wide area.

“The city will benefit asmuch as the park district fromthe center. Hosting just onethree-day swim meet can bringin $506,000 to the

community,” City Councilmember Lee Fronabarger saidat the Sept. 11 council meeting.“This is about tourism andinvesting in our owncommunity.”

Renfro said that since theland to be used for the SplashPark is part of the Super Block,no new parcels will need to

be purchased.“What a great continuation

of the joint efforts that theSuper Block is,” she said.

“In many ways the SplashPark will be a gift that we’regoing to give each other.This is really an importantthing for Carbondale and theregion.”

Carbondale splash park nearing reality

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOChildren and adults enjoy the Splash Fest activities at Carbondale’s Attucks Park.

DETAILS$3.4 million facility to include

pools, lazy river and waterslide$2.5 million coming from a

federal grant administered byIDNR

Location: Carbondale SuperBlock

PUBLIC SAFETY14E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

SIEG: The front line of the war on drugsBY D.W. NORRIS

The Southern

The Southern IllinoisEnforcement Group hashad a well-defined, if

sometimes difficult, mission.Founded in the late 1970s,

SIEG’s task is to stanch the flowof illegal drugs in Williamsonand Jackson counties. The groupis comprised of officers from theIllinois State Police, countysheriff’s offices and municipaland university policedepartments. SIEG investigatesand arrests dealers of traditionalstreet drugs such as marijuana,cocaine, methamphetamine andheroin, but it has also seenincreases in the misuse ofpharmaceuticals and aburgeoning trade in syntheticdrugs sold at retail locations.

“If we could get a kid in a barwith a gram of coke to stop,wonderful, but our goal is thedealer,” Master Sgt. Dave Fitzsaid.

SIEG’s task is a large one, andFitz said the group makes arrestsevery week.

SIEG gets tips frominformants, arrested suspectsand concerned citizens. Moretimes than not, somebody ends

up in handcuffs after aninvestigation is opened.

From 2009 throughSeptember of this year, SIEGmade 872 arrests in 1,185 casesand seized tens of millions ofdollars worth of product. Morethan 9,000 grams of cocaine,about 450,000 grams ofmarijuana, more than 11,000marijuana plants and more than200 guns have been taken offthe streets.

“All we do is drugs. That’s it,”Fitz said. “There are always theconstants. Cannabis is rampant,it’s everywhere. Cocaine iseverywhere. Those are our maintwo. Recently, there’s been aresurgence of meth and heroinin this area.”

Although there are somehome-grown marijuanaoperations in the area, Fitz saidthe majority of illicit materialcomes from cities with a fewhours’ drive from SouthernIllinois.

Fitz said the number of

weapons seized by SIEG agentswas troubling.

“I’m not going to say thateverybody that had a gun has acriminal intent,” he said, “butwhen you start seeing thesekinds of numbers with drugs,there’s a reason for that — eitherto keep drugs from being stolenor to take them off the nextperson.”

Fitz said there has been anincrease in property crimes as aresult of drug addiction in thearea.

Methamphetamines were amajor issue for SIEG a few yearsago, and when added to the largenumbers of other druginvestigations, the group had tokick most investigations to theIllinois State Police.

“We are so swamped withother things that the methbecame overwhelming,” Fitzsaid.

Large-scale methmanufacturing operations havetaken a hit, but one-pot, single-

serve production has risenrecently, Fitz said. One-potmeth makers are usually addictsproducing the drug for personaluse.

Former SIEG Director TomMcNamara, now a consultant,predicted the next large wave ofdrugs to be dealt with by thegroup.

“Let me suggest that in thenext 10 years it will be the worldof synthetic drugs,” saidMcNamara, who has providedexpert testimony on the subjectto Attorney General LisaMadigan.

“There are so many syntheticdrugs out there that they can’tbe counted.”

McNamara said there areseveral concerns associated withsynthetic drugs, among thembeing their easy purchase at“sleazy” retail locations and onwebsites.

Fitz said synthetic drugs beganpopping up in January 2011.Cities such as Marion,

Carbondale and Murphysborotook steps to make selling orpossessing the drugs illegalthrough city ordinances.

“At the very least, if you have acity ordinance violation on thebooks and a business in thattown is selling, it gives us anopportunity to further thatinvestigation because it gives ussomething to work with,” Fitzsaid.

However, Fitz said legislationhas a hard time keeping up withsynthetic drugs becauseproducers change an ingredientor two and it’s no longertechnically illegal. The drugs areoften produced overseas andshipped to the U.S., which makesthe distribution network toughto crack.

“There’s become a wholenetwork of these people and it’shard to beat that, to be quitehonest,” Fitz said.

McNamara was confidentSIEG and lawmakers wouldeventually be able to strip theveneer of legality from the drugs.

“There is no question we willput it underground,” McNamarasaid. “It will be a drug just likecocaine or heroin.”

[email protected] / 618-351-5074On Twitter: @DW_Norris_SI

‘All we do is drugs. That’s it. There are always the constants. Cannabis is rampant, it’severywhere. Cocaine is everywhere. Those are our main two. Recently there’s been aresurgence of meth and heroin in this area.’

MASTER SGT. DAVE FITZ

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe front facade of Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail in Marion is shown.

THE SOUTHERN

MARION — WilliamsonCounty Jail has come along way since its firstincarnation as a log cabinin the 1840s.

It took almost five yearsto go from planning tocompletion, but thecounty now boasts a71,000-square-footfacility on the cutting edgeof health and safetystandards.

The $21.8 million jailreplaced a 40-year-oldcorrectional centerteetering on the brink of ashutdown because of itsfailure to meet IllinoisDepartment ofCorrections and nationalstandards.

Sheriff Bennie Vick saidthe new jail is “a perfectexample of what happenswhen everybodycooperates for thecommon good.” He alsosaid the facility is“healthier and safer forinmates and staff alike.”

The new jail has amedical unit with atreatment room, offices

for a physician and nurses,and a pharmacy. Medicalcells also feature negativeairflow, an exhaust systempumping foul air outside toprevent airborne illnessesfrom spreading the jail’spopulation.

Williamson County Jailhas room for 240 inmatesand is technicallyadvanced. All doors areelectronically controlled.Monitors in the bookingarea can be used to pull upthe jail’s floor plan, scanthe perimeter of thebuilding and zoom in closeenough to read licenseplates in the parking lot.

Correctional Officer JoshDunnigan touted thefacility’s improved design,with cells arranged in aperimeter for greatersupervision and improvedsafety.

“The old jail was a lineardesign; officers couldn’tsee into the cells from theirstations,” Dunnigan said.

In addition to doublecells, the facility has two24-bed units, one of whichis dedicated for femaleprisoners. The dorm units

have video visitationstations, a wall-mountedTV and skylights fornatural lighting.

The jail also has room forexpansion.

Construction wascompleted in late February,

and the jail was fullyoperational in March. Theproject was funded byfederal Build America and

Recovery Zone EconomicDevelopment Bonds thatoffered up to 45 percentinterest subsidies.

Williamson County home to top-of-the-line facility

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe crowd filled two floors of a day room cell block during the opening and dedication of the new Williamson County Sheriff’sOffice and Detention Center in Marion.

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 15EPUBLIC SAFETY

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOConstruction continues Aug. 14 a Jackson County jail in Murphysboro.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOA new Armed Forces Reserve Center was opened adjacent to Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOThe aging Union County Courthouse is shown on the right Oct. 3 as the new courthousetakes shape behind it in Jonesboro.

New Jackson CountyJail coming along

THE SOUTHERN

A 64-bed addition toJackson County Jail isahead of schedule andwithin its budget.

Jackson CountySheriff’s Lt. Jeff Whitbecksaid the project would befinished before the end ofthe calendar year, whichputs it months ahead ofan expected springcompletion date afterinitial cost snags. Cellsare installed, the roof isfinished and brickwork onthe addition’s exterior is99 percent complete,Whitbeck said.

The addition, located onthe west side of thecourthouse, is expected togive Jackson Countyenough room to house anexpanding local prisonerpopulation and give spaceto continue housingcontract prisoners fromthe U.S. Marshals Service

and Union County.The additional five

dozen beds are expectedto generate more than$600,000 annually to beused to pay debt serviceon the bonds.

“Between the two, theprisoner revenue is payingthe note on the bonds weused to pay for theseadditions,” Whitbecksaid.

Jackson County sold $3 million in recoveryzone bonds to fund the

construction andimprovement projects.The county was left withroughly $2.8 million afterclosing costs and otherexpenses.

The Jackson CountyBoard in March approvedFager-McGee CommercialConstruction ofMurphysboro as theproject’s generalcontractor. Hurst-RocheEngineers Inc. of Marion is the project’sarchitect.

DETAILSWhat: Jackson County Jail expansionWhere: MurphysboroJackson County Jail is adding 15,000 square feet and

64 revenue-producing beds as part of roughly $2.8million in improvements to the jail and the countycourthouse. The county originally hoped the expansionwould be complete by the middle of the year, but costissues delayed the finish date. Dry weather and quickconstruction moved up completion from early 2013 tothe end of 2012.

THE SOUTHERN

Union Countyresidents are going tohave a new courthouseopening soon.

Most courthouseoffices are expected to bemoved in by December.The sheriff’s office is setto move into the newbuilding this month.Other offices areexpected to move in inearly 2013.

At 43,000 square feet,the new building will bemore than double thesize of the county’scurrent courthouse,which was built in 1885.

The project may costup to $14.5 million, with$12.5 million comingfrom construction bondssecured by a voter-approved 1-percent salestax increase. Alternativefunding methods may beused to make up thedifference.

As with any oldbuilding, the currentcourthouse has struggledto meet the county’sneeds and comply withmodern building codesgoverning handicapaccessibility.

Stairs are the only wayto access the secondfloor.

The new building willhave an elevator andincreased space foroffices, including thosecurrently off thepremises.

The probation and

circuit clerk’s offices willbe located near the frontentrance, which isexpected to moreefficiently move traffic inand out of thecourthouse.

Union County SheriffDave Livesay said thenew courthouse wouldalso be more secure. Thesheriff’s office anddispatch will be locatedin the basement. Therewill also be room tohouse 16 inmates inholding cells, up from thecurrent four.

Union County setfor new courthouse

DETAILSWhat: Union County CourthouseWhere: JonesboroThe new Union County Courthouse is close to

completion and the Sheriff’s office is set to move inthis month. The 43,000-square-foot facility will replacethe county’s more than 120-year-old courthouse. Theproject may cost up to $14.5 million, but it providesmore space and meets modern building codes. It alsooffers a central location for several offices currentlylocated outside the courthouse.

THE SOUTHERN

A new Illinois National GuardArmed Forces Reserve Centeropened in Carbondale in 2011,just one project at or near anexpanding Southern IllinoisAirport.

The 58,000-square-footfacility cost $11.4 million tobuild and replaced the city’sformer armory, which was builtin the 1930s. The new armorywas dedicated in June of lastyear.

In addition to housing twoNational Guard units, the

armory is also home toCompany C, 33rd BrigadeSpecial Troops Battalion;Detachment 1, 1344thTransportation Company; 347thAdjutant General ReplacementBattalion of the U.S. ArmyReserve; and the 825th AdjutantGeneral Replacement Companyof the U.S. Army.

The new armory featurescomputer rooms, modernkitchen and shower facilities, alarge gym with fitnessequipment, and training areasincluding a simulated shootingrange. There is also an

operations center and space forequipment storage.

The Southern Illinois AirportAuthority donated a 15-acretract for the facility, located justnorth of the intersection of NewEra and Airport roads. Groundwas broken in December 2009.

The city of Carbondaleextended water and sewer linesfor use at the armory.

Several local contractorsworked on construction,including Fager-McGeeCommercial Construction ofMurphysboro for generalconstruction; Litton Enterprises

of Marion for plumbing work;W.J. Burke Electric ofMurphysboro for electricalwork; HSG MechanicalContractors of Carterville forheating and air conditioningwork; and, Hock Mechanical ofMillstadt, which installedventilation.

Other recently completedprojects at the airport includethe $62 million SIUTransportation EducationCenter and a $2.7 millionemergency operations building.There are also plans for a high-tech zone at the airport.

DETAILSWhat: National Guard Armed

Forces Reserve CenterWhere: Southern Illinois

AirportA new National Guard Armed

Forces Reserve Centeropened in June 2011. At acost of $11.4 million, this58,000-square-foot facility ishome to two Illinois NationalGuard units and ArmyReserves. The new armoryreplaced a facility built in the1930s.

Armory another cog in expanding Southern Illinois Airport

16E THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012

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