Hi! Who here is planning on entering the SJR's
cookie baking contest? I think this sounds like a lot of
fun.<br><br>Here is some info regarding the contest. This is from
their webpage
at:<br><a href=http://www.sj-r.com/features/food/00/11/08/fb.htm
target=new>http://www.sj-r.com/features/food/00/11/08/fb.htm</a><br>(at bottom
of article)<br><br>If you plan to enter
The State Journal-Register's Homemade Holiday Cookie
Contest, Monday is the day to drop off your entry in the
newspaper lobby. (See contest rules on this page.)
<br><br>For the past six years, we've asked readers to submit
their best cookie recipes in November, and we've
printed those recipes on what we like to call our "annual
cookie page." <br><br>This year, we thought it would be
fun to ask readers for a sample of the real thing, in
addition to the recipe. As an incentive, we're offering
cash prizes. We'll print the winning recipes in an
upcoming food section, plus as many of the other entries
as we can fit in. <br><br>There seems to be quite a
bit of interest in the contest, based on phone calls
and e-mails from readers. Here are the answers to
some of the questions you've been asking.<br><br>1.
Cookies must be on a disposable plate inside a sealed
bag. Don't use plastic wrap, wax paper or wrapping
paper instead of a plastic bag. Don't use a can, box,
ceramic plate or cutting board instead of a disposable
plate. The reason for the uniform packaging is
convenience and fairness. We don't want to have to return
your containers, and we don't want the judges
influenced by fancy packaging.<br><br>2. The word "Holiday"
is in the contest title because the upcoming holiday
season is prime time for cookie baking. Any kind of
cookie can be entered in the contest, however. It's not
limited to "Christmas cookies."<br><br>Happy
Baking!<br><br>-------------<br><br>PS: I added more weblinks here to the club.
Go ahead
and check it out. We now offer 73 weblinks here.

I noticed a few days ago that there was an almost complete circle of mushrooms
around a pine tree on the corner of Stanton and Pickett streets in Laketown.
Pretty neat. Later, Stephen.

Hi Friends! I've been doing some shopping lately.
I found a fantastic tie sale at the Lands End
outlet store (near Best Buy). 85% off on selected ties.
It was in a display in the center of the store,
towards the back. Lands End ties are wonderful. I
purchased two for my hubby and the bill was under $6
including tax.<br><br>While at the Big Lots store last week
I asked the sales clerk about their upcoming move
into the former CVS store next door. (I was really
looking forward to the HUGE LOTS store I heard we were
getting.) She gave me the impression that the move might
not happen for some reason. Does anyone here have
info on that?<br><br>I noticed an ad in the SJ-R
regarding management positions for a Fazoli's restaurant.
Oh, I hope we get s Fazoli's! If it is the same chain
that we've visited in Kentucky, they have fantastic
italian food in a fast food format. In the evening, they
have someone handing out fresh, warm breadsticks. I'm
looking forward to this!<br><br>Any news on cable modems
in Springfield? I spoke with an AT&T truck driver
who said that cable modem demand in Spfld has been
very strong. His guess for my neighborhood to get
cable modem access was for next summer. I'm hoping it
will become available sooner than that. I've been
bugging the local cable dudes for a modem for about two
years now.<br><br>In non-Spfld news, I received a call
from "The Money Machine" show on the Tech Tv network
asking if I would like to ask my question (about the
upcoming Transmeta stock) on their tv show. We'll see what
happens.<br><br>My thanks for the kinds words regarding my photos of
Springfield here on the club. I'm glad you're enjoying them!
I plan on adding more as I get a chance. I'm
looking forward to viewing your images of this fine
city.<br><br>Have a fantastic week everyone!<br><br>Diana

Hello to everyone. I'm a new member here, so I
thought I'd check in and say "hi".<br>Diana, (if I may be
so familiar and call you that) you take some really
beautiful photographs. I only looked at a few and they are
very nice. I didn't know anyone could make this city
look so good!<br><br>Looking forward to talking with
everyone.

Hi Friends! Saturday's SJR included an ad
informing us that the Hastings store on MacArthur Blvd was
having a store closing sale. I spent a few minutes there
hoping I could still rent the new Jackie Chan movie (no
success) and checked to see if they were selling their
rental videos yet.<br><br>As it turned out, the local
Hastings store held a staff meeting that morning to let
the employees know about the store's lack of an
extended future.<br><br>They didn't seem to have "a game
plan" as yet on how to price the rental items or the
closing sale items.<br><br>A price check on an old rental
video (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) was priced at
$14.99. Yeah, I think I'll wait on that one. New it sells
for under $20.<br><br>I was told that they will not
be selling the DVD's or DVD rental players, since
those can be transferred to other stores. The rental
videos will be for sale, and I imagine that the price on
those will go down from week to week until the store
has fully closed.<br><br>I am disappointed that this
store is closing. I thought that it had a great concept
and that it would thrive in this town. Where else
could you rent 4 movies for a dollar? Okay besides the
Lincoln Library (free rentals) which has a nice video
collection.<br><br>Web links for this
company:<br><br><a href=http://www.gohastings.com
target=new>http://www.gohastings.com</a><br><br>Company description
<br><a href=http://www.zdii.com/profile.asp?ticker=HAST
target=new>http://www.zdii.com/profile.asp?ticker=HAST</a><br><br>Stock info,
quote and
news<br><a href=http://www.zdii.com/industry_list_new.asp?ticker=HAST
target=new>http://www.zdii.com/industry_list_new.asp?ticker=HAST</a><br><br>Who
else enjoyed this store? Where do you plan on
shopping for these items once they close?<br><br>I look
forward to hearing from you.<br><br>Diana

Hi Friends! This weekend we had an enjoyable time
in Central Illinois!<br><br>Yesterday my family
dined at the Habitat for Humanity's annual Chicken and
Ribs BBQ. The meal was delicious and where else can
you have your meal served to you by the Mayor!<br>(I
hope to add a photo of that moment to the photo
gallery here soon!)<br><br>Also present at the BBQ was
Spfld's Animal Protective
League.<br><a href=http://www.springfield-illinois.com/apl/
target=new>http://www.springfield-illinois.com/apl/</a><br>They brought along a
collection of puppies and
kittens. I was delighted to get in "my daily dose of
cute".<br><br>{On a personal note, my 16 year old dog ran out of
heartbeats last week. She was a fantastic companion and a
contant presence in my life over the past 16 years. I
will miss her. Our vet's care was fantastic. In
addition to taking care of...well, you know and taking the
time for the talk on pet's lifespans, they also sent
me a card signed with personal messages from their
staff including three of their vets, along with a book
on pets and grief.}<br><br>On Saturday we took our
other dogs to the park. The Washington Park tennis
courts were hosting a Junior College Tennis tournement.
<br><br>After realizing that this was an unusually warm day for
October, we headed to the lake to get in another chance at
a ride on the jet-ski before winter sets in. The
sky was beautiful and the sun made for some really
interesting sunbeams on the lake. More photos coming your way
soon!<br><br>Oh, yes - the water was chilly. I wrapped my feet in
plastic wrap to keep them dry. I mentioned the cold h20
to my brother who boats in Wisconsin. He spent
Saturday on his boat too, but he has to swim out to his
boat. BRRRRRRR!<br><br>Friday night we went to a hay
ride in the country! This was a lot of fun. If you
ever get a chance to go to one, get out
there!<br><br>Hey, I look forward to hearing from you. To post to
the club, simply click on POST to get
started.<br><br>You will need to join the club (it really is
painless) and sign in to be able to post to the list and to
view the photos. I hope you'll join us here on the
club.<br><br>Have a fantastic week
everyone!<br><br>Diana<br><br>PS: I'm always adding new web addresses that I
think
you'll find useful in the LINKS section here. I hope
you'll check them regularly and enjoy the information
available to you.

Hello everyone .I just want to let you know we
have <br>opportunity to win a Mint Libearty Beanie
Buddy free in Springfield. No purchase necessary to
enter or win any contest. Winners chosen at random. We
give a Free Beanie Baby away monthly! <br>Check this
out at <a href=http://www.ilovespringfield.com
target=new>http://www.ilovespringfield.com</a><br>Thank you
very much.have fun!!<br><br> <br><br>We give a Free
Beanie Baby away monthly! <br>Check this out at

Hi! I just found out that a friend of ours that
lives on Springfield's East side has lost their dog
Princess. She's been missing about 10 days or so now. I put
her photo in the PHOTOS section here. Please take a
look and see if you recognize her. My friend has been
visiting the pound every other day checking for his dog
with no success.<br><br>This is the same dog whose
puppies were featured on the website
at:<br><br><a href=http://go.to/cutepuppies
target=new>http://go.to/cutepuppies</a><br><br>Please, please contact me at
Springfieldphotos@...
or call the number listed with the photo if you
think you've seen this
dog.<br><br>Thank-you!<br><br><a
href=http://clubs.excite.com/photo/inspector?cid=.eN-D5rje7UN&aid=21&subject=no&\
auth=&oid=3656379&poid=3656102
target=new>http://clubs.excite.com/photo/inspector?cid=.eN-D5rje7UN&aid=21&subje\
ct=no&auth=
&oid=3656379&poid=3656102</a><br><br>Photo of Princess (if this can handle
really long urls)

I know a number of people that have that cable
modem and they love it..but there are few points to
note about it if you want the details...I will tell
you. Also..this area is not easy to find...but
FINALLY!!!!! an AREA THAT talks about Illinois that does NOT
include the name Chicago! LOL... The global internet
needs to know there are other cities in this
state...LOL esspecialy the one that is the Capitol! LOL

Hi Friends! I'm curious, does anyone here use a
cable modem to surf the web? If yes, please post a
reply and let us know what you think of the
service.<br><br>I've been watching the "moles" dig around Springfield
lately. I'm guessing that they're installing fiber optic
lines for cable modems.<br><br>-------<br><br>I've been
out at the lake the past week trying to sneak in as
many days on the jetski as possible before it gets too
cold. Sunday offered rather strong waves for Lake
Springfield. I stayed off the boat that day and photographed
the windsurfers instead. I'll have those photos up
soon. I also saw the search and rescue crew out at the
lake this week. I wonder how well their scuba suits
protect them from the rather chilly water out
there?<br><br>Yesterday on the lake was fantastic! Very smooth glassy
water and warm weather. The view of the water took on
different qualities based on the sun's position. I'm
looking forward to seeing the photos from that
day.<br><br>The SJR has an article today about an upcoming
project at the lake:<br><br>City to get a piece of the
action at marina complex <br>Council approves 1 percent
tax on 'net operating income' <br><br>By JASON
PISCIA, STAFF WRITER
<br><a href=http://www.sj-r.com/news/00/10/04/j.htm
target=new>http://www.sj-r.com/news/00/10/04/j.htm</a><br><br>----<br><br>Any
thoughts on this article? Share your opinions
here! If you're signed in and have already joined this
club, just click on POST.<br><br>I look forward to
hearing from you!<br><br>Diana<br><br>PS: You're welcome
to use the INVITE feature here to tell your friends
about this club.

Hi Friends!<br><br>I added more photos here to
the Lake Springfield and Funny photos section and
started the "Photos from a Jetski" category. Please check
them out and let me know what you think!<br><br>If
you're just visiting (haven't joined yet) you'll want to
join so that you can participate in discussions here
and view the many photos available here.<br><br>Be
sure to run thru the 30+ web LINKS offered here. I'm
sure you'll find something there that you'll
appreciate.<br><br>----<br><br>To Tex: Yup, I'm a Whovian. My family also enjoys
Star Trek (have you seen the Trekkies movie yet?) Star
Wars (saw Episode One the second night it was out!),
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Red Dwarf and
more.<br><br>Recently, we've been watching the Chronicles of Narnia
videos (CS Lewis). It was not easy getting to watch this
set of videos. One set I bought on Ebay, another at
an online bookstore (www.chrbook.com) and the final
one we rented from Blockbusters on Stevenson. (I had
heard online that Blockbusters carries these videos, so
I checked and was delighted to find it!) <br>So,
have you seen The Silver Chair, The Lion, The Witch
and the Wardrobe or Prince Caspian
?<br><br>-------<br><br>Who here is watching the Olympics? <br><br>What are
your favorite events? <br><br>-------<br><br>Any music
fans here? I've been watching a bunch of the archived
concerts at hob.com (House of Blues) My favorite so far is
the Petra
concert.<br><br><a href=http://www.hob.com/live/concerts/000623petra
target=new>http://www.hob.com/live/concerts/000623petra</a><br><br>The lead
singer for Petra, John Schlitt, is from Mt.
Pulaski. Back when I worked at Best Buy, I chatted with
his brother who was shopping there. Before John was
in Petra he was in the band Head East, which some of
you might also know.<br><br>-----<br><br>The other
night my family went to Ned Kelly's for supper.
<a href=http://www.nedkellyssteakhouse.com/
target=new>http://www.nedkellyssteakhouse.com/</a><br>If you fill out their
survey, you'll receive a
coupon in the mail for a free cookie sundae. Let me tell
you, that is SOME sundae! They bake a fresh cookie and
then add the ice cream and fudge and lots of whipped
cream on it. It was more than enough for two. They have
an early bird special too (before 6pm weekdays)
which is worth doing.<br><br><br>Have a fantastic
weekend everyone!<br><br>Diana

Uh oh, looks like we have a Who-head in our midsts. I thought I was a big old
geek for being a Trekee. Hey Diana, "we are not alone" Later, Stephen.

Hi Friends! Who here is watching the Olympics
?<br>Feel free to share your thoughts on the events or tv
coverage of the Olympics.<br><br>I noticed the full body
swim suits that some of the swimmers are wearing. I
wonder if any of their teammates have been tempted to
dye their faces blue to complete that Smurf look
???<br><br>I noticed that the cameras seem to show the
bodysuit swimmers mainly from the waist up. I wonder if
they look like naked smurfs
otherwise?<br>&lt;/humor&gt;<br><br>Do you know of any Central Illinoisans
competing in
any Olympic events?<br><br>---<br><br>Did you smell
smoke yesterday ? Evidently there was a farm fire
behind Knights Action Park. I was surprised that it was
just a mention in today's SJR. It was a major story on
channel 20 news. Perhaps 20 had pictures and the SJR
didn't.<br><br>---<br><br>Does anyone know where I can find a Doctor Who pinball
machine here in Springfield ? I'd love to get a chance to
play it again. I added photos of it (click on PHOTOS)
to show you the game I'm talking about. Hey, if you
notice that Doctor Who is on tv again, PLEASE post here
and let me know!<br><br>Thanks!<br><br>Diana

Yesterday I found a red fox (Velpes fulva)
den<br>very close to my home here in Springfield Illinois.
I<br>have always know that fox are very adaptable and
can<br>live quite well even in close proximity to humans.
I<br>was however suprised at some of the bones that
I<br>found around the den. There were no fewer than
eleven<br>species that I could identify. Among the ones you
might<br>expect to find were American robin, grey and
red<br>squirrel, muskrat, cottontail rabbit and various
rodent<br>bones. There were also bones from two species that
were<br>suprising and interesting to me. For one there was
an<br>almost complete skull of a young grey fox
(Urocyon<br>cineroargenteus - from memory... how did I do?). They are
pretty<br>uncommon around here to start with and I thought it
odd<br>that a red would prey (is 'predate' a real word?) on
a<br>grey. I also wonder if the two species have ever
been<br>know to cohabitate together. The other bones
of<br>interest were from a weasel (probably a longtail weasel)
-<br>knowing the vivatiosness and stamina of the two
species<br>that would have been a battle to see. Thinking of
the<br>disposition of weasels I wonder if the meal was worth it
in<br>the end? All this interesting stuff from a vacant lot
behing a car dealership on Dirkson Parkway. Later,
Stephen.

Hello Curt,<br> Did I have more than one
photograph uploaded? Or did you simply refer to the one of
both of us? That one was taken a few years ago. We are
now approaching our 50th wedding anniversary and look
a wee bit older (well I do). I can't say that my
wife does though or I might get into trouble!
:-)<br><br>Floyd

Your photographs are great to see. You have truly captured the heart of central
illinois. Kee them coming. Thanks<br><br>Curt

Hi Friends!<br><br>I added some photos to the
photo gallery here. If you're a member, go ahead and
click on the PHOTOS option to view them. Included are
photos from Lake Springfield during the drought, photos
from Fit Club's grand opening, winter photos and more.
<br><br>If you're just visiting here, please click on the
JOIN option so that you can access all of the features
available here. <br><br>I also added some additional
weblinks to the LINKS area. There are now 30 links listed.
Cruise thru them to see what interests you.<br>New
additions include computer info pages, ZDTV's web site,
concert video web sites, Lake Springfield water level and
quality reports, Lincoln Library's site (where you can
renew your books without visiting the library!) and
more.<br><br>FYI, ZDTV (or TechTV as they're called now) is a
really kewl cable tv channel that I'd like to see
available via Springfield cable. I've been watching it
since day one via a satellite dish.<br><br>Oh, I also
added some geek web pages and cartoon sites that you
might enjoy.<br><br>Is anyone here interested in Stock
Investing?<br>I know of some online stock investing games that
are free to play and offer prizes. This is a great
way to test out your stock ideas before spending
actual money on your ideas.<br><br>Let me know if any of
you are interested in an online competition for such
a game. <br><br>SNAKE UPDATE!<br><br>A friend of
mine is in my back yard picking tomatoes. So far, he
hasn't found "Sally" the snake.<br><br>Have a fantastic
weekend everyone!<br><br>Diana

Hi! Thanks for sharing that web link.<br>I found
a snake (eeek!) in my tiny backyard last week. I'm
not sure, but I think it looked something like this
one:<br><a href=http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/species/ag_contort.html
target=new>http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/species/ag_contort.html</a><br>\
<br>I hope it went far, far away. :)<br><br>BTW, I
added some photos to our club the other day. Feel free
to click on PHOTOS and check it out.<br><br>Feel
free to share your comments on the
photos!<br><br>Diana

I look like big dufus... here is the link I posted on earlier and forgot to add!
<a href=http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/herp.html
target=new>http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/herp.html</a> Once again,
enjoy, Stephen.

Speaking of wildlife in Illinois, here is a
really interesting link to the Illinois natural histury
survey for the reptiles and amphibians of Illinois. It
has clickable maps and lists so you can search by
species or by county. It seems like I am constantly
seeing differences in the information I see here and
what I see in the wild. Just a few weeks ago I found a
very large fox snake - Elaphe vulpina - right here in
Sangamon county behind the Department of Transportation.
According to the INHS page they are not listed for Sang.
co. enjoy, Stephen.

Seems like that perticular vantage point is about
the most photographed in Illinois. Rightfuly so, it
is a beautiful area. I was down there in the Spring
and it always seems like I see something entirely new
down stretches of road I have traveled many times.
Truly an Illinois adventure. The wildlife is
unparalleled anywhere in the state and the scenery and history
are the best offered almost anywhere. Good day,
Stephen.

Hi Friends!<br>I know that the official name for
that area is "Garden of the Gods" but I prefer to call
it "Garden of our God". My church group in
Carbondale (SIU) has an trip out there every year. It is a
lot of fun. A beautiful place to be. Did you see the
picture of it in the SJR last week? It looked like their
photographer was in about the same place that I was to take a
picture of camel rock.<br><br>Have a fantastic weekend
everyone!<br><br>Diana

Where she was is called "Garden of the Gods", not
Garden of our god. Until I looked at the pictures, I
thought there was someplace with a similiar name. It's a
very popular place now. I can't count how many times
we have been hiking there to take a break from
studying. It was the bright spot in that area-even though
we had to drive far.

The Chickasaw name for the bluffs in some of what
is now Shawnee National Forest was ne-esh-no-wey
(feneticly) - 'land of stone giants' or 'where stone giants
live' - depending on the translation. stephen.

Hey Springfieldphotos, did you know that the
place in the Shawnee where you took those photos is
Garden of the Gods, not Garden of our god? Thought you'd
like to know. I hiked there many times as an undergrad
at SIU. Beautiful place, but it has become inundated
with people as of late. But it is still fun.

What a beautiful day this was. The best I can
remember. High of eighty-two, a few clouds and a cool
breeze. It feels like fall. This is my favorite time of
year. Waiting for the leaves to turn, the immense
flocks of migratory birds that cloud the sky and the
first flakes of snow. I know, i'm getting ahead of
myself. Enjoy, stephen.

I have never considered myself as such but I
guess that is what the title would be:
'Springfieldian'. Hmm. Sounds off. Any suggestians? <br> My name is
Stephen and although Texas is part of my net-name, I am a
Springfieldian. I have lived in Springfield most of my life and
one day I will move to where my passions lye, the
Southwest, but Illinois will always be home.<br> Thanks for
the invite Spfld.photos, I'll be around often to see
the progress of the club. I will probably act in the
capacity of 'outdoors corespondent' as I am deeply
interested in natural history and nature. I'll put in my two
cents with 'Wild Illinois' updates. Sound good? Later,
stephen.

Hi! Do you use a Sprint PCS phone? A cellular
phone?<br><br>Which service do you use and where does it succeed and
where does it fail your expectations?<br><br>Do you
experience dropped phone calls?<br><br>Long distance calls
that won't go thru?<br><br>No calls will go
thru?<br><br>High prices?<br><br>Share your view of what you
purchased and how it has served you.<br><br>I look forward
to hearing from you!<br><br>Related newsgroup:
alt.cellular.sprintpcs

Hi Friends!<br><br>Welcome to the Yahoo Club for
Springfield, IL.<br><br>Feel free to look around the club and
see what it has to offer. The LINKS section is set
where you can pretty much find almost anything online
regarding this city.<br><br>I've added some photos here and
plan on adding more. I think you'll enjoy my images
from this city.<br><br>Feel free to post notes, news,
share weblinks, etc. regarding this fine city.

Hi Friends!<br><br>Welcome to the Yahoo Club for
Springfield, IL.<br><br>Feel free to look around the club and
see what it has to offer. The LINKS section is set
where you can pretty much find almost anything online
regarding this city.<br><br>I've added some photos here and
plan on adding more. I think you'll enjoy my images
from this city.<br><br>Feel free to post notes, news,
share weblinks, etc. regarding this fine city.