Benjamin Vogt, author of Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design, answers questions on his scholarly influences, discoveries, and reader takeaways from his new book. Q: Why did you […]
Q&A with Benjamin Vogt, author of PRAIRIE UP
Tag: midwest
Conference on Illinois History Virtual Exhibit
Visit University of Illinois Press at the Conference on Illinois History in Springfield, IL, October 6-7, 2022 for special sales, author signings, and more! Use the promo code CILH22 for […]
Q&A with Cynthia Clampitt, Author of Destination Heartland
Cynthia Clampitt, author of Destination Heartland: A Guide to Discovering the Midwest’s Remarkable Past, answers questions on her historical influences, discoveries, and reader takeaways from her book. Q: Why did […]
Flammulina velutipes, the space shuttle mushroom
Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer Edible, but tough. Despite appearances, the commercially produced “enoki” mushroom found in many grocery stores is a cultivated form of this mushroom. One of the best-known […]
Entoloma salmoneum, an attractive fungus
Entoloma salmoneum (Peck) Saccardo Entoloma salmoneum can be found growing alone or scattered in leaf litter under hardwoods, or in moss under conifers; frequently on rotting, moss-covered conifer logs. When […]
On Mutinus elegans, a mushroom both naughty and smelly
Mutinus elegans (Montagne) E. Fischer Usually at least partially submerged in the ground; appearing like a whitish to pinkish or purplish “egg” up to 4 cm high; when sliced, revealing […]
Volvariella bombycina, a silky-haired and stately mushroom
Volvariella bombycina (Schaeffer) Singer [The cap is] oval at first, becoming bell-shaped to broadly complex or nearly flat; whitish or tinged yellowing to brownish in age; the margin not lined; […]
Release Party: The Loyal West, by Matthew E. Stanley
A free region deeply influenced by southern mores, the Lower Middle West represented a true cultural and political median in Civil War–era America. Here grew a Unionism steeped in the […]
In search of good cornbread
Tonight Cynthia Clampitt continues her barnstorming book tour of the Midwest with a reading a book signing in Winfield, Illinois. (Seven p.m. at the Public Library.) To celebrate, the blog […]
Release Party: Barns of Illinois
Finally available in a full-color paperback edition, Larry Kanfer’s Barns of Illinois showcases the Illinois photographer’s much-praised images of the Midwest’s iconic structure. As a state abounding with broad farmlands, Illinois has […]
Throwbacklist Thursday
The month of June brings countless pleasures to the Midwest. Few exceed the overwhelming presence of fresh produce at semi-affordable prices. At last, we can put aside the beyond-tired apples […]
Throwbacklist Thursday: The Stories We Tell
Humanity has undoubtedly told stories since forever. Possibly our ancestors acted or danced them before speech found its way into our brains. Writing brought religious texts and Gilgamesh but even […]