The final curtain hasn't fallen on small town community theater across the nation. That's the case in Polo, where performers of all ages and experience levels come together for a few shows a year to entertain and amaze local crowds.

Lake Carroll's annual Mr. and Mrs. Club Championship brings out the best in teamwork to come out on top, and there's a strong bond among the teammates – they're spouses.

Sometimes a trip off the beaten path can give people more things to learn and talk about. Take a drive from Mount Carroll to Scales Mound, and there's something for everyone.

Cameras roll, meters hum, a Savanna family hunts for what the living cannot see. Armed with ghost-hunting gear, 2 a.m. Paranormal in Savanna searches for stories the living can’t explain.

Drag racing and Arnie Beswick were born around the same time – one on the dry lake beds of California and the other in Morrison – and they’ve both found fame through the years, with drag racing attracting legions of fans and “The Farmer” becoming a legend in his field.

A Mount Carroll craftsman is happy when he’s in his own neck of the woods, having the run of his Mill and creating hand-crafted pieces made with tools that have some history behind them and more work ahead of them.

What was once a beacon to Sterling's founding Brink now is reminder of local church history and a helping hand to the community he started, and its pastor and congregation are carrying on traditions more than 185 years later.

The preservation of natural areas has become a winning mission in Winnebago County, where there are more than 40 places to get away and enjoy the flora and fauna thrive – in forests, wetlands and along the county's winding rivers.

Taking care of their community isn't just a job for a Rock Falls couple, but a passion that goes beyond that: making sure hungry bellies are full during the holidays and giving teenagers a chance to explore their hands-on skills.