Lake of Egypt Living Fall 2020

LAKE OF EGYPT

LIVING PREMIER LIFEST YLE MAGAZINE FOR THE LAKE OF EGYPT & SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST

WHAT'S INSIDE:

MARY & ADAM CONNELL A sneak peak into their Lake of Egypt home

THE NEW FACE OF GOREVILLE

Style set in Stone... for the perfect Holiday home!

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Carbondale, IL 618-457-2326

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

The entire Egyptian Hills Resort family wants to thank all

to find our beautiful lake and the Shawnee National Forest

of our lake neighbors and all of our customers who let us

as they have left the cities in search of wide open spaces

share our little slice of heaven with you.

and we welcome them with open arms. As demand to be a Lake of Egypt resident or to vacation here increases, we

Whether you are one of our residents; rented a chalet

at Egyptian Hills are creating new products and services

or boat; enjoyed our delicious food or ice cream; shared

to better serve our customers and give our lake neighbors

a family reunion; celebrated a couples wedding or just

increased ability to enjoy the lake.

watched a beautiful sunset on our patio sipping a bozey shake, we thank each and everyone one of you for making

Lake of Egypt Living will produce special editions next

another season at the lake a blessing for us and we truly

year with a lake toys and home improvement guide in

appreciate you supporting our business.

March of 2021. Also, a huge summer guide issue with all Southern Illinois and tri-state summer fun activities in our

We also appreciate all of our advertisers and our readers of

May 2021 edition. Our magazine and website will continue

Lake of Egypt Living for your amazing support and your

to grow with the lake.

wonderful comments. We really strive to make the lake a tight knit community by bringing our lives together in

The future is bright for our area and as our area grows

knowing each other better.

more and more local lake and Goreville businesses will open and we wish them well and hope you will support

This has been a very different year and the special bond we

them and all the area businesses. We will feature them in

have as lake neighbors was a tangible relief in a very trou-

the pages of our magazine and look forward to serving

bled time. To be able to leave the world with all its stresses

them.

and uncertainties to arrive at our beautiful lake homes and to be uplifted by all of the special people that call our lake

We hope and pray your families are safe, prosperous and

home is one of those special blessings that I would feel

have a joyous holiday season and winter. Until next season

ungrateful if I did not voice.

fair winds and following seas.

The virus and civil unrest has given many people reason

4

-Micah

IN THIS ISSUE 7

THE LAKE SCENE

17

LOCAL TEENS COMPETE

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LAKE HOMES FOR SALE

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LAKE OF EGYPT

LIVING FALL/WINTER 2020

EDITOR TERRANCE GEESE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TYLER COUTY

ADVERTISING SALES MICAH MERRILL

LAKE-TIME TEMPTATION CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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THE NEW FACE OF GOREVILLE

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HIKING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

JENNIE BAER

THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE COPYRIGHT BY

ON THE COVER This issue's cover features Mary and Adam Connell. See their beautiful lake home on page 24.

LAKE OF EGYPT LIVING WITH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ANY REPRODUCTION OR USE OF THECONTENT WITHIN THIS PUBLICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.

75 EGYPTIAN PARKWAY CREAL SPRINGS, IL 62922 618-364-8088

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM

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LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 7

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The Lake of Egypt Team!

Let us put one of these SOLD signs in your yard!

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SOLD!!

385 Marina Circ, Creal Springs

$79,000 2BD/2BA

45 White Pine Cv, Tunnel Hill

$249,000 4BD/3BA

2887 Pheasant Run, Marion

$459,000 3BD/2BA

NG PENDI

75 Dogwood Ln, Tunnel Hill

$175,000 3BD/2BA

260 Marina Circle, Creal Springs

$319,000 4BD/3BA

2205 Kingspointe Dr, Marion

$695,000 5BD/5BA

SOLD!!

13387 N Shoreland Dr, Marion

$349,000 4BD/3BA

540 Mallards Landing, Tunnel Hill

$252,000 3BD/3BA

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the LAKE SCENE

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LOCAL TEENS TAKE PART IN BASSMASTER HIGH SCHOOL SERIES

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ongratulations to Brennan Fox and Colin King of Marion, Illinois who participated in the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School 2020 National Championship on Kentucky Lake.

The B.A.S.S. High School Nation is helping shape the future of the sport, one high school club at a time. The High School club members enjoy camaraderie and competition, as well as education and conservation programs.

As part of the B.A.S.S. High School Nation, young anglers can compete in the B.A.S.S. High School Nation Opens and in the B.A.S.S. High School Nation Championship. Teen anglers can also attend the High School Elite Experience, a free opportunity for anglers who live near certain Bassmaster Elite Series tour stops. n LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 17

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LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 19

HOMES FOR SALE ON THE LAKE OF EGYPT

215 Sandy Pt. Goreville Turn key home. Main home is mobile home with vinyl siding, decks, asphalt roof. Frame built cottage with laminate flooring and wooden ceilings, has electricity. WATERFRONT LOT

385 Marina Circ., Creal Springs Adorable Lake home with view of Lake of Egypt. It has a 3 season Sunroom over looking the lake perfect for your morning coffee or reading. Two like new outside storage buildings, and two car carport.

75 Dogwood Ln, Tunnel Hill Kitchen appliances sell with home. This property is selling as two parcel numbers that represent four (4) lots total. Come take a look at this home and enjoy life at the lake. Access to boat ramp in Robinwoods.

2BD/1BA

2BD/2BA

3BD/2BA

$99,900

$79,000

$175,000

1280 Robin Woods Ln, Tunnel Hill LAKE FRONT HOME. Nice cabin like older mobile home with large deck across entire home. Boat dock with deep water cove. Wooded lot that with a little landscaping and cleanup would help in appearance.

2887 Pheasant Run, Marion This Spectacular home that is nestled in the trees just off of 148 HWY is a must see! The newly remodeled kitchen has a walkout deck overlooking your 24 wooded Acres.

1095 Egyptian Hills Dr, Creal Springs Home is on 6 lots total. Fully remodeled 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath full basement new appliances all electric. All new kitchen cabinets ,new central air and heat pump, new laminate and tile floors throughout.

2BD/1BA

3BD/2BA

3BD/3BA

$93,000

$459,000

$115,000

1670 Robin Woods Ln, Tunnel Hill So Beautiful INSIDE & OUT! NOT the Typical Off Water Lake Home. Like Having YOUR OWN RESORT/PARK! A MUST SEE! Customized-Wood Floors, Great Rm w/Wood Fireplace-MUCH MORE!

260 Marina Circle, Creal Springs As you walk in the front door you will walk into a living room/kitchen area that as an absolutely breathtaking view of the Lake of Egypt. It has 4 bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms and two car garage.

13387 N Shoreland Dr., Marion This BEAUTIFUL LAKE OF EGYPT WATERFRONT spacious home is a MUST see. Open Living & Dining Room, Kitchen that over looks the lake, has recently been updated with granite counter tops.

3BD/2BA

4BD/3BA

4BD/3BA

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$179,950

$319,000

$349,000

DO YOU HAVE A HOME FOR SALE ON THE LAKE? MORE HOMES ON THE LAKE 1810 Egyptian Hills Dr., Creal Springs, 4BD/3BA 260 Sugar Creek Rd, Goreville, 4BD/2BA 11606 Trevino Ln, Marion, 3Bd/2BA 425 Janeal Dr, Goreville, 3BD/1BA 13308 N Shoreland Dr, Marion, 3BD/2BA 1167 Lake Shore Dr, Goreville, 4BD/2BA 1415 Lake Shore Dr, Goreville, 3BD/3BA

If you'd like your listing to be included in our print and digital editions of Lake of Egypt Living visit lakeofegyptliving.com and submit your listing for FREE!

13615 Lakeview Dr, Creal Springs, 3BD/3BA

11606 Trevino Ln 13308 N Shoreland Dr 13387 N Shoreland Dr

13615 Lakeview Dr 215 Sandy Pt 425 Janeal Dr

1095 Egyptian Hills Dr

1810 Egyptian Hills Dr 385 Marina Circle

1415 Lake Shore Dr 1167 Lake Shore Dr

260 Marina Circle

1280 Robin Woods Ln 1670 Robin Woods Ln

75 Dogwood Ln

260 Sugar Creek Rd

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 21

2020-08-21_FSB_LakeofEgyptLivingAd_F2.pdf

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LAKE-TIME

TEMPTATION

BY TERRANCE GEESE

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Community Hospitals of Indianapolis and Dr. Mary at Indiana University Hospital.

While Mary is a St. Louis native, lake life was not a mystery to her as her family frequented a lake in Missouri, and she quickly fell in love with both Adam and his childhood home near Lake of Egypt. Dr. Adam, having grown up at Lake of Egypt, never lost his love for the area.

hould you be in search of a modern-day Renaissance man in the area of Lake of Egypt, head for the home of a “lake brat” who has returned home, Dr. Adam Connell.

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Both are professionally very busy people as both are in the medical field.

Dr. Adam has a practice in psychiatry in Metropolis and Dr. Mary’s specialty is internal medicine, practicing at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky.

Connell, like Renaissance men throughout history, has great talent bridging many areas. He is able to do almost every task dreamed up by his wife, Dr. Mary Connell.

The couple met while attending medical school at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. For their residencies, both headed for Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. Adam completed his at

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Adam’s father, a pharmacist in the Marion area, had moved the family to their first Lake of Egypt home in 1980, Adam says. Then, in 1995, the family wanted a larger home and his father wanted a log cabin-style residence.

After a diligent search, the manufacturer of a home that could fulfill the family’s dreams was located in Wisconsin and construction was undertaken. The family moved into the new home, just “down the road” from the original home, in 1985.

When the doctors Connell had the opportunity to buy the homeplace earlier this year, they had no second thoughts. They purchased it in about March.

When they took up residence at the family home, they launched a few updating projects. The first item – and a major undertaking – was the exterior.

The log finish needed some upkeep and the couple wanted it to have a lighter shade. The sandblasting project took a little longer than expected, about eight weeks.

Their entire project was caught in an unexpected situation that delayed a lot of the work. Their projects and COVID-19 were on just about the same track, so all of the interior work wasn’t completed until August, they recall. Of course, at the start the renovations weren’t quite as major a project as they developed to be. As remodeling often does, the scope of work kept growing.

Adam says most of the inspiration comes from Mary and he carries her inspirations to reality. “We redid the floors on all three levels,” he said, “and we redid the bathrooms.”

“We brightened everything up,” Mary says.

After years of being students, the money was finally there to continue, and they replaced the appliances.

Adam recalls the most tedious and stressful work involved the kitchen floor, which is stone. It took a period of learning to come up with the exact texture and color of grout and stone needed to make the floor perfect, he says.

The entire area surrounding the home is very relaxing for Mary as on one side of the residence, she enjoys the beauty and activity of the lake and on the other side, she is able to enjoy the LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 27

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618-997-1802 30

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serenity of the Shawnee National Forest.

While the forest side remained a quiet and relaxing scene, the advent of COVID-19 caused the reverse effect on the Lake of Egypt. The lake side of the home had a good view of a recreation spot that was busy throughout the summer; COVID-19 slowed remodeling for the Connells, but it brought many people to the lake. “It is the busiest it has ever been,” Adam says. “People are enjoying it.”

The Connells don’t dislike the increased level of activity of the lake. “We like how it is now,” Adam said, noting the home is away from the busiest part of the lake.

And he noted the increased activity has been good for businesses around the lake.

Mary said the beauty of Lake of Egypt is not lost on members of her family. Her parents frequently travel from St. Louis to Lake of Egypt to visit them. She says she tried to talk them into becoming permanent lake residents, and their answer was ready for her: Why should they move to Lake of Egypt when they have a place where they can stay for free at the Connell home?

With the total remodel of the family home compete, the Connells have not stopped to rest. Aside from rigorous careers, Mary keeps coming up with inspirations and Adam keeps bringing them to reality.

“Work hard, play hard is our lifestyle,” Mary says, and the work and play extend to several avocations.

One avocation, inspired by Adam’s father, is the couple’s love of flying.

“I guess I followed in my Dad’s footsteps,” Adam says. Like his father, Adam got his private pilot’s license and two months later, he followed up by getting his instrument rating. Now, the couple enjoys flights around Illinois and neighboring states and often those flights inLAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 33

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volve a visit involving another avocation.

Destinations for them will include custom brewery operations because Adam is well-equipped with all the gear for making custom beers. And he does. He makes a variety of beers, and it is not a small hobby.

“Sometimes I end up with so much beer, I give it to friends,” he says.

Interestingly, his medical training is a boost to his brewery operations as the basics of chemistry in the brewing operation intertwine with the chemistry background that was required in medical training.

Adam also made wine and all the beer and wine for the couple’s wedding reception were supplied by Smokestack Brewery, the name he has given his hobby operation, honoring the stacks of the generating station at the lake.

Someday, he says, he would like to open a LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 35

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business at the lake featuring his brewery operation.

Of course he will need cheeses to go with beer or wine, and the Connells have that covered, too. They make cheese with a preference for pepper jack.

Adam envisions being able to unveil a shingle on a Lake of Egypt business called Smokestack with a range of barbecue, beer, wine and cheese, all handcrafted by Mary and Adam Connell.

But don’t limit the possibilities to the current avocations; Mary may well come up with another inspiration and multi-talented Adam will carry it to success. n

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 37

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The new face of the city of Go on the shores of the

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Lake

oreville...

e of Egypt

T

here was a time when most would define the quaint village of Goreville, Illinois as a bedroom community. Today, however, Goreville is the only municipality in Southern Illinois with miles of Lake of Egypt shoreline within city limits. And that kind of exclusivity has done wonders for the area.

Some years ago, it was recognized the village was running out of housing space and, to remain a great place to live, some basic service industry – medical, restaurants, and banking, as examples, would be needed if the community were to survive.

Work began to bring those varied needs together.

One thing the community already knew was that under the direction of a Goreville High School graduate, Steve Webb, the school system is on firm footing.

Webb is more than a school superintendent; he is a driving force for the development of the community.

Currently, Webb’s efforts are devoted to a unique advantage Goreville has over many Southern Illinois communities. It can safely brag that the village is the home of the increasingly popular Lake of Egypt.

Goreville is the only city or village that can lay claim to that honor because of the foresight of the community and, at the time, a group of Florida-based

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investors, in annexing about 550 acres of land known as “the peninsula� to the village.

The annexation added a substantial number of lots for above normal scale housing, including some 210 lakeside lots and another 200 non-lakefront lots.

Village Board President Larry Vaughn recalls the development of the peninsula was very slow, even dormant in the early years as the development firm had a series of setbacks in obtaining the capital that was needed.

In 2011, the village began exploring a way to bring re-development to areas that could be considered blighted. One area was selected for a Tax Increment Finance district. Then, suddenly, the original developers at the peninsula again became interested in Goreville and the peninsula area.

The Village Board subsequently designated the peninsula as TIF District No. 2.

Now the peninsula was more than an annexation; as a Tax Increment Finance district, the cost of development was lower because the village could bear parts of the cost, giving a break to the developer, mainly by paying for the hard infrastructure such as roadways and cul-de-sacs. All of that LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 43

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benefits the person buying a home or lot in the area of the peninsula by the developer passing along the cost savings.

While a TIF district provides a break for development, it most often does not harm the community’s finances. An area that was under-assessed becomes valuable land, and even with the TIF break, the community moves on as a winner.

In fact, when the development is for housing, it is a win, win, win situation – benefiting the developer in the initial development by taking over the cost of the roadways, sidewalks, etc. The property buyer is relieved from paying the high cost of that basic infrastructure and the taxing bodies benefit because the assessed value of the property has increased.

The only taxing body that often gets short-shrift is the school district, but that is not the case in Goreville.

Village Board President Larry Vaughn recalls when the board originally discussed forming TIF districts, a consul-

tant warned of that downside. That warning would have been the end of the plan, had they not been able to divert more than normal to the schools, he recalls.

Vaughn, who had been a member of the board for many years – he now is in his 12th year as mayor, with another 20 years before that as a board member – knew a successful community must have excellent schools and the Village Board opposed anything that would harm education. With the addition of an increased allotment to the school system, the first two districts came to reality in 2011.

The result, as Webb describes it, is “all positives; no negatives.”

The designation of the peninsula has met expectations.

TIF No. 2, the peninsula, according to filings with the state Comptroller, had an Equalized Assessed Value, or EAV, of about $63,000 in 2011 and by 2019, the last available reporting year, the EAV was $5.9 million.

In short, a TIF is a method of financing the development LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 45

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or redevelopment of an area by using future tax revenues to pay for necessary public improvements. For the life of the TIF, the additional tax revenue goes into a fund to pay for public improvements and at the end of a TIF’s life, all goes to the taxing districts.

The added tax income to the TIF fund should rise considerably because there is plenty of space on the peninsula for more development, which will result in a higher EAV. In return for the taxes diverted to the TIF fund, the village has been able to add a street network on the peninsula that exceeds the mileage of the village proper. The village streets are 10 miles, Vaughn said, and the mileage in the annexed peninsula is about 12 miles. As homes are built and the population grows, the village will get more money for road maintenance as Motor Fuel Tax distributions are based on population. The village saw a small increase from the fiscal 2011 distribution of $23,567 to the fiscal 2020 distribution of $24,547.

Webb says he believes the population has grown about 300 with the efforts of the village. If that holds true in the current Census count, the village could get a financial boost.

Growth in the peninsula area would mean additional enrollment in the school system, but Webb says that is not a problem.

“It is a good problem to have,” he says. “If you are not growing, you are dying.”

Growth in the Goreville schools is not unusual, Webb says. He has experienced 11 additions to the schools and has 40 more students this year.

“I would love families to move in,” he says.

Evidencing his pride in the district, Webb says, “The school has one of the Top 10 agriculture programs in the nation, designated a Future Ready School for their 1:1 technology program where all students K-3 receive LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 47

www.myfsb.com 48

an iPad and students in grades 4-12 receive a Chromebook and all instruction involves the technology and portals to communicate with students and their families. “Goreville has one of the top honors programs offering over 30 college credit hours to students through their dual credit program with Shawnee College. “In addition, the Blackcats athletic program have won three high school state championships and finished in the top 10 in state 12 times in the past 10 years.�

Vaughn said the major expense to the TIF fund has been the streets. While

a part of Goreville, the peninsula is not supplied water by the village. That infrastructure is part of the Lake of Egypt Water District. The District also is the source for Goreville, but the peninsula customers are individually served.

Sewer service in the peninsula annexation is handled by property owners with trickle systems.

Maintaining the streets of the peninsula has not strained the village budget and there has been no problem providing emergency services.

Vaughn describes Goreville as a unique area with most residents employed in Marion or Carbondale.

However, the village wanted to have good services close at hand. Through the three TIF districts, those services have been attracted to the village. A good grocery has been allowed to expand to meet needs, a lumberyard has been directly connected with development and an assortment of other stores and service station and a bank now serve the residents of the community of 2,000-plus.

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 49

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A major development for having well-rounded family living is the addition of the Goreville Medical Clinic, part of the network of Rural Health Inc, headquartered in Anna. The organization describes itself as a “private, notfor-profit organization, committed to providing quality medical, dental, and psychiatry care to residents of the area.

“The Rural Health team of administrators, physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, dental hygienists, physician assistants, nurses, health educators, and support staff are dedicated to caring for our patients’ health clinic with respect, dignity, and confidentiality.”

Both Webb and Vaughn look at the annexation of the peninsula as a plus LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 51

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for the community. Vaughn indicated he would not rule out the possibility of adding more area around the lake to the village.

Attractive recreattion is a no-brainer for those looking at the community as a potential new home as Goreville residents have close access to Lake of Egypt and the community is home to one of the best parks in the state, Ferne Clyffe State Park.

Webb and Vaughn point out the community is close to two interstate highway exits, on I-24 and I-57.

Vaughn eyes expanding the borders of the village to include the I-24 and I-57 exits with the possibility of bringing development with TIF districts and, he says, there is some interest in that idea.

Vaughn sees the future of added housing in Goreville making the village a place where visitors come back again to retire. He says most residents really do not want the village to grow too much.

steady growth now for the past 10 years because it offers a safe place to raise a family, great schools, a state park, and a national park surround us, and the Lake of Egypt is one of the greatest fishing and recreational lakes in the Midwest,” he says.

“If you want to go back in time to a place that truly believes in looking out for one another, come live in Goreville and see for yourself why we are growing.” n

Webb views the community as a great place for families. “Goreville has seen LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 53

24/7 KEY ACCESS

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4,800 sq. ft. of Equipment Cardio Machines Free Weights Group Fitness Classes and More

The Fitness Center also has their own “Spa room” providing massage therapy and facials. Dustin Allard is a highly rated licensed massage therapist and Jill Fehring is an exceptional aesthetician who offers facials, eyebrow/eyelash tinting, eyebrow/lip waxing. Members and Non-members are enjoying the “Spa room”.

Additionally, there are two functional medicine trained dietitians that specialize in improving the health of people with chronic disease, inflammation, weight control, GI problems, joint pain etc. They use integrative concepts to look at the root causes of symptoms to determine an individualized diet plan, lifestyle, and targeted professional grade supplements.

Let Lake of Egypt Fitness assist you with all your health and wellness goals.

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HIKING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Some of the most invigorating and peaceful times of your life can be spent hiking the trails of Southern Illinois.

GARDEN OF THE GODS More than 320 million years ago, the wind and rain patiently started to chisel away at large deposits of sedimentary rock located in what is now, Shawnee National Forest . Over the years, the elements have sculpted some of the most stunning and extraordinary rock formations known to man. This garden of sandstone sculptures and vast untouched wilderness was fittingly named Garden of the Gods.

DIXON SPRINGS STATE PARK The main trail at Dixon Springs State Park has a split personality. It starts off as Pine Tree Trail, changes into Oak Tree Trail, and finally calls itself Bluff Trail. It doesn’t take a Rhodes scholar to figure out what hikers pass through on this route, but you should know it’s geared for folks with intermediate trail experience. Mosquitos and ticks can be bothersome here, but it’s nothing a little diligence can’t handle. The many, many wildflowers and the late-October leaf display are what you’ll come back for.

FERNE CLYFFE A splashing waterfall, intermittent and

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majestic at 80 feet high, is one of the soul-refreshing sights encountered at Ferne Clyff State Park. To view it at its best, take either the easy Big Rocky Hollow Trail at 1 mile or the moderately difficult Waterfall Trail at 0.75 mile. Because Ferne Clyffe is known for its unusual rock formations, it’s nice to know some of the more impressive ones can be seen from the park’s 10 trails. HawksCave Trail, an easy 1-mile hike, goes past a shelter bluff, which is the largest in southern Illinois. Those with more experience might want to attempt the mile-long Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail.

Equestrians use some of the 15 miles of hiking byways, but you’re welcome to hoof it along with them.

GIANT CITY STATE PARK Giant City State Park It makes sense that a beautifully rugged place like Giant City State Park would have a few rugged trails, but how does more than 20 miles sound? The granddaddy of them all is Red Cedar Hiking Trail, clocking in at 16 miles. Several shorter trails, such as the mile-long Giant City Nature Trail, are great to hike when your time is limited. Trillium Trail, 2-miles-long, is a self-guiding nature hike with the spotlight on wildflowers.

A blacktopped surface makes the Post Oak Nature Trail wheelchair accessible, and at one-third mile, seniors like it, too. Geology buffs love the bluffs,

carved by nature from Makanda sandstone and towering up to 100 feet above the forest floor.

LAKE MURPHYSBORO STATE PARK Is there anything as stunning as a mature forest reflected in a quiet lake? Whether you hike during the green of spring and summer or in the gold of autumn, Lake Murphysboro is a beautiful setting. The park’s only trail, Walk-away, starts at the campgrounds and stretches in a northwesterly direction for 3.5 miles. The trail is classed as a moderate, with one stairway having 50 or so steps. Watch for shore birds, like sandpipers and wood ducks, along a short section of the trail and enjoy the wealth of plant and animal life that characterizes the whole of Lake Murphysboro.

MERMET LAKE Two interpretive nature trails are tucked into the waterfowl refuge known as Mermet Lake. The Mermet Swamp Trail is a half-mile in length, and a brochure accompanies the Mermet Faltwoods Trail, which is 1 mile long. Both trails are easy enough for family hikers to tackle. Fifteen trees are identified on each trail, and many types of waterfowl can be seen along the way. Eagles have been known to nest in the area in the fall. Because both trails are in a waterfowl area,

they are closed during fall hunting season. Herpephobes should watch their step snakes just love swampy areas like this.

PYRAMID STATE PARK Pyramid State Park With its large Canada goose and beaver populations, Pyramid State Park is a natural for wildlife enthusiasts. The park features a long, interconnected system of trails for both hiking and equestrian use.

A portion of the 16.5-mile system is called Rugged 10-Mile Trail, but before you think you need to be a tri-athlete to attempt it, you should know it got its name for its length rather than its severity. It’s actually rather moderate. Keep in mind trails are closed during firearm deer season.

Trails are closed to equestrian and biking use October 15, April 15 each year. Pyramid’s forested hills and scenic lakes may leave you doubting this is a reclaimed strip mine area. Once you take to the trails, you’ll know why this is such a popular place.

CAVE-IN-ROCK STATE PARK Few natural formations are as awe-inspiring or intriguing as a cave. The deep, dark recesses immediately conjure up images of adventure and mystery.

At Cave-In-Rock in southern Illinois, atop the high bluffs overlooking the scenic Ohio River, the heavily wooded park is named for the 55-footwide cave that was carved out of the limestone rock by water thousands of years ago.

In addition to the natural splendor of the cave itself, the park contains hiking trails of moderate difficulty for exploration and appreciation of tranquil forests and inspiring views.

There are three developed playground areas for children and shaded picnic areas situated throughout the park provide tables and grills. Four large picnic shelters are available for group gatherings.

A pond is available for fishing, and the Ohio River provides excellent fishing, boating and water sport opportunities. The river can be accessed directly from two boat ramps.

BELL SMITH SPRINGS Bell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and an abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois. The trail system consists of eight miles of interconnected trails featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil's Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna.

nee Hills Natural Division and high quality swamp and floodplain forests typical of the Bottomland Section of the Coastal Plain Natural Division.

The 1,861 acres are divided into three units: Heron Pond-Wildcat Bluff, Goose Pond, and Boss Island-Boulder Slope Woods. Special features of the area include a portion of the Cache River floodplain bounded by steep bluffs on the north and by lower sandstone bluffs on the east and west. The swamps are dominated by water tupelo and bald cypress, some of which are among the oldest trees in Illinois.

There is critical habitat for Illinois threatened and endangered species and federally endangered species, a heron rookery and the presence of many other plant and animal species limited to the Coastal Plain Division.

This preserve is a good place to see black vulture, red-shouldered hawk, barred owl, Acadian flycatcher, parula warbler, yellow-throated warbler and Kentucky warbler. n

HERON POND The area has extensive stands of high quality upland forest and limestone glade communities representative of the Lesser Shawnee Hills Section of the Shaw-

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Solar Goes Big in Little Egypt

BY SHARIFF SHAKIR

I

t has been a tough year to be an American business, but AES Solar continues to make strides and offer the best solar experience in Southern Illinois. We are blessed and grateful to work in a thriving industry, and to be able to do our work in a safe and socially distant way with little to no change to our process. Over the last several months we have beefed up that process with some exciting new developments.

Last year Aur earned his FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot's License, and Sales Manager Shariff Shakir was recently licensed as well, putting us in a unique position to offer hi-tech site scouting and documentation. This service extends beyond our own projects as well. For example, Aur was recently contracted to document the massive new solar installation at John A. Logan College in the way only a licensed drone pilot can.

AES is committed to installing quality systems and staying up-to-date in a cutting-edge industry. We are proud to now hold five in-house certifications through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Our three Technical Sales Professionals are able to design expert systems, and our Founder and Chief Tech, Aur Beck, holds two more certifications with NABCEP; Certified PV Installer and Inspector. Being able to handle so much in-house also means a more streamlined experience for our customers, which translates into dollars saved.

With all of this know-how, certification, and experience, we are able to pick up where other solar installers have left off. If an installation was left incomplete by a company that is no longer in business, or if it was installed by someone else and needs to be tuned up, AES Solar can handle the job. With schools lining up for installations through the Illinois Solar Schools program, a new initiative to help non-profits save money by going solar, and many megawatts left to install, it's sure to continue to be an eventful year for AES Solar. Find us on Facebook or visit aessolar. com to stay up-to-date and learn more. n

LAKEOFEGYPTLIVING.COM | 61

W H AT E V E R the summer forecast, WE PREDICT COOL TEMPERATURES. Make sure your system is ready to beat the heat. Fowler Heating & Cooling will keep you cool by maintaining your current system or by installing a new energy-efficient BryantÂŽ cooling system. We have been serving our friends and neighbors for over 41 years and we proudly provide same day service.

Our experienced service staff is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Schedule an appointment today.

(618) 997-5288 423 South Court Street | Marion | Illinois Solar | Generators | Fabrication 62

boat rentals cabin rentals SINGLE & DOUBLE CHALETS

8 & 10 PERSON PONTOONS

The Resort offers quality, comfortable pontoons that you can reserve. Availability on weekends and holidays can be limited, so be sure to schedule your boat in advance!

NO LICENSE REQUIRED!

If you’re a novice boater we’ll provide instruction and maps to help you navigate the Lake of Egypt waterway.

The Resort offers both single and double chalet models to accommodate your whole family. Chalets include a fully furnished kitchen, bathroom, living area, wood deck with grill and boat dock.

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1 - 6 Guests

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Full Size Bedroom

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2 Loft Bedrooms

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1 Bathroom

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Non-Smoking

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A/C Unit

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Dogs Allowed

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Free WIFI

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Towels & Linens

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Oven & Stove Top

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Microwave

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Refrigerator

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Deck with Grill

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Boat Dock

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Cable TV

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Cookware

RESERVE YOUR CABIN NOW!

Visit egyptianhillsresort.com to take a virtual tour of our cabins, view availability or make your reservation.

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Boat Rentals starting at just $250 for 8 Hours

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