Measuring in at 1 1/2 inches long, with lacy burnt orange wings and red eyes contrasting their black bodies, periodical cicadas will soon emerge from the ground by the millions across Illinois and the Midwest. While the idea of millions of giant bugs crawling from the ground may seem like the start of a horror movie for some, Ken Johnson looks forward to this phenomenon. “I’m kind of an insect person to begin with,” Johnson explains. “As a kid, I’d collect insects, and in college, I took an entomology (study of insects) class that rekindled that interest. That made me want to pursue [it] as a ..read more

  Print Cabbage Hot Dish Submitted by Rosemary Wiley, Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative Servings 12 Ingredients 1 pound hamburger 1 onion chopped 2 tablespoons butter 4 cups cabbage chopped 1/2 cup rice uncooked 1 can chicken with rice soup 1 can mushroom soup Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Preheat oven to 350 F. Brown hamburger and onion in skillet over medium heat on stovetop, about 7-10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Add to the bottom of a 9X13-inch casserole dish. Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat and brown the chopped cabbage slightly, just so ..read more

  Employees of Clay Electric Co-operative in Flora gather to watch the solar eclipse. Southern Illinois proved to be a prime spot to watch a solar eclipse, at least in recent history. For the second time in seven years, southern Illinois experienced a total eclipse on April 8. The path of totality cut through the territories of 12 electric cooperatives in Illinois, with half of those covered 100% by the moon’s shadow. At the center of the two eclipses (the last one in 2017) is the service territory of Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA). Headquartered in Murphysboro, the co-o ..read more

Whether for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Illinois is full of places to see, things to do and people to meet. From the iconic skyline of Chicago to the charm of the small towns scattered throughout the state, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy. Illinois offers rich history, outdoor adventures and unique stops along the way. The opportunities are endless, so here’s a guide to explore the state. Finding a place to go in Illinois is as easy as ABC. A Abraham Lincoln — The Land of Lincoln offers travelers a myriad of opportunities to learn more about our 16th President, i ..read more

Print Asparagus Casserole Submitted by Joan D. Teal, Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative Servings 8 Ingredients 2 cups fresh asparagus or 2 cans, cut into pieces 4 eggs hardboiled and chopped 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/4 can milk using soup can 1 cup American or Velveeta cheese cubed 3/4 cup buttery crackers crushed Instructions Preheat oven to 350 F. If using fresh asparagus, bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the asparagus by adding them to the water for 10 minutes and then placing them into an ice bath. Drain well. In a microwave safe bowl, add soup, milk (measur ..read more

Print Sweet Potato Casserole Submitted by Patricia Pilcher, Clay Electric Co-operative Servings 12 Ingredients 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes 3 eggs 1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup butter melted 1/3 cup whole milk Topping 1 cup light brown sugar 1/3 cup flour 1 cup pecans chopped 1/3 cup butter melted Instructions Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine first six ingredients and mix well. Put in a buttered 9X13-inch casserole dish. Mix together topping ingredients and crumble on top of sweet potato mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Notes Note: Tastes like de ..read more

Shade gardening can be challenging, but don’t let it disappoint you this summer. Few plants grow their best in low-light conditions, and the plants that do often lack gorgeous blooms. If a garden of large-leaved hostas is too monochromatic for your liking, try planting uniquely textured foliage and distinct blossoms offered by shade-loving plants. Instead of a dark, drab space, you will look forward to a shady retreat this summer, thanks to the additions in your new shade garden. When planting your shade garden, consider the type of shade (morning vs. afternoon) and the duration of shade ..read more

Print Summer Squash Casserole Submitted by Janice McNeely, Illinios Electric Cooperative Servings 12 Ingredients 2 pounds yellow summer squash sliced thin with peel 1/4 cup onion chopped 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 cup sour cream 1 6-ounce package chicken-flavored stuffing mix 1/2 cup butter melted 1 small can sliced water chestnuts drained 3/4 cup cheddar cheese grated Instructions Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook squash in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain. Combine soup, sour cream, onion and water chestnuts with the squash. Melt butter and mix in dry stuffing mix and seasonin ..read more

I often hear claims that you’ll never pay an electric bill again if you go solar, but that’s not true. The concept of free energy from the sun is appealing, but solar power isn’t actually free. There are costs associated with capturing that energy for use in your home. Installing a residential solar system doesn’t equate to $0 energy bills. Prices for the solar system and installation vary, but adding solar typically comes with a five-figure price tag. Solar systems only provide power when the sun is shining. You will still rely on your electric co-op for power at night and on overcast da ..read more

We depend on reliable electricity more than ever before, which is why the briefest service interruption can be frustrating. It’s no wonder many homeowners are taking a closer look at the latest battery-powered backup systems in case of an outage. Battery technology has advanced significantly in recent years, with batteries able to hold more electricity even as they shrink in size and cost. As their name implies, battery backup systems are essentially high-capacity batteries that store a set amount of electricity, which you can use to power your home during an outage. S ..read more