Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove imposes sudden layoffs

The Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove, Illinois, imposed sudden layoffs and shut down its visitors center last week, shocking volunteers and former staff members. Sugar Grove Nature Center consists of over 1,000 acres of preserved forest, the nature center just off Route 66. It regularly hosted field trips and programs about Illinois history … Continue reading Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove imposes sudden layoffs

Route 66 Bikeway in Illinois lands grant for extension

The Historic Route 66 Bikeway in McLean County, Illinois, this week won a $1.92 million grant from an Illinois Department of Transportation program to extend the bicycle path another 1.1 miles. According to a document from the agency, the grant aims to extend the bikeway from south of Shirley, Illinois, to Funks Grove, Illinois. The  the … Continue reading Route 66 Bikeway in Illinois lands grant for extension

McLean County in Illinois extends Route 66 Bike Trail

The board of McLean County, Illinois, this week voted to extend the Route 66 Bike Trail another 3.25 miles from Shirley, Illinois, to the hamlet of Funks Grove. The current trail runs from Towanda, Illinois, through the Bloomington-Normal metro area to Shirley. The new extension will bring its total length to nearly 19 miles. According … Continue reading McLean County in Illinois extends Route 66 Bike Trail

Warmer weather decreases sap harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup

An unseasonably warm winter decreased the annual sap harvest by a third at Funks Grove Maple Sirup near Shirley, Illinois. The co-operator of the fabled Route 66 business also said climate change may mean a permanent change in when maple sap is harvested at the nearly 200-year-old farm. I recently saw a report a warmer-than-usual winter led … Continue reading Warmer weather decreases sap harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup

Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails

The Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday awarded $2.16 million in grants for bicycle and walking trails along Route 66 in Williamsville and McLean County. The two projects were part of 33 statewide that received grants from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, slated for "biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification work and other projects designed … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 gets $2.16 million for trails

Funks Grove Maple Sirup featured on Illinois Made series

The Illinois Office of Tourism features Funks Grove Maple Sirup near Shirley, Illinois, as one of eight businesses in a new Illinois Made series. According to an article in the Bloomington Pantagraph, Illinois Office of Tourism director Cory Jobe said Illinois Made contains videos, exclusive web content and travel ideas. “Travelers really want to travel to a destination or … Continue reading Funks Grove Maple Sirup featured on Illinois Made series

Illinois county seeks another expansion of Route 66 bicycle trail

McLean County, Illinois, is seeking a federal grant to help add seven miles to a Route 66 bicycle trail outside of the Bloomington-Normal metro area. According to WJBC radio: The McLean County Board is expected to apply for federal funds to add a 4-mile stretch of the trail between Lexington and Towanda and a 3.25-mile … Continue reading Illinois county seeks another expansion of Route 66 bicycle trail

Longtime operator of Funks Grove Maple Sirup dies

Steve Funk, a longtime operator of Funks Grove Maple Sirup along Route 66 in Funks Grove, Illinois, died at age 90 at his home on June 21, according to an obituary in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Funk served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and met his wife, Glaida, when he was … Continue reading Longtime operator of Funks Grove Maple Sirup dies

Bridge near Funks Grove soon will be closed until late October

A stretch of Route 66 that goes near Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup and the Illinois hamlet of Funks Grove will be closed through late October because a 1950s-era bridge will be replaced. According to a brief in the Bloomington Pantagraph, a 4 1/2-mile stretch of Route 66 north of U.S. 136 will be closed … Continue reading Bridge near Funks Grove soon will be closed until late October

Maple sirup and blue whales

Since vacation, I'm getting caught up on KC Keefer's latest videos on his Genuine Route 66 Life series. One that I missed was an interview with Glaida Funk, matriarch of the historic Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup business on Route 66 in Funks Grove, Illinois. https://youtu.be/cFCctA-vUS4 The second is an interview with Linda Hobbs, a … Continue reading Maple sirup and blue whales