Winter can feel long and busy, but each year our family looks forward to a few special escapes that make the season feel magical. One of our absolute favorites is driving through Keokuk’s City of Christmas, a breathtaking display winding through Rand Park with 150 glowing scenes. One of the top light displays in the…
Keeping Love Alive in the Busy Season of Family Life In the Quincy area, family life often moves at full speed—between school events, work commitments, sports practices, and community activities, it can feel like you and your spouse are running a nonstop relay race. While the shared responsibilities of raising a family build a strong…
Chocolate Strawberry Birds Ingredients 1 Quart strawberries, fresh, 15 to 20 4 Ounces chocolate, semi-sweet or milk, chopped 40 candy eyes, 2 per strawberry 40 sprinkles, round orange, 2 per strawberry Instructions Wash and completely dry the strawberries with paper towels. The chocolate won’t stick to a damp berry. Put the chopped chocolate in a…
Oreo Dip Ingredients 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup powdered sugar 1 8 oz container whipped topping 20 Oreos, crushed dippers – fruits, additional Oreos, pretzels, etc. Instructions Blend the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.…
Bake Chicken Alfredo Rice Casserole Ingredients 2 cup cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded 1 cup uncooked white rice (long-grain or jasmine) 3 cup chicken broth 1 cup Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade) 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt and pepper, to…
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients VEGETABLES 4 cups broccoli florets DAIRY & FATS 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened 2 tbsp mayonnaise 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese 1/4 cup grated cheese (for topping) MEAT • 1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked chicken…
It started with a candy cane and some Christmas magic. What began with a few twinkling lights and simple décor in 2017 quickly became something more: a way for our family to share the joy of the holidays with others. As neighbors began to stop by and cars started to slow down to admire the…
The Heart of Young Life in Quincy Dim Lighting. Music softly playing. Eyes closed in deep reflection. And then……… BAM, BAM, BAM!!! The sound of a nail being hammered into a 6ft. tall wooden cross. It was shortly after Easter 2025 and all year long the messages had been leading up to this point —The…
How Families Can Avoid the Pitfalls of Running a Business By Kim Herren, Guided Growth Consulting Family-run businesses are the heartbeat of communities like Quincy and the surrounding area. From the small shops within the District to local restaurants, construction crews, and service providers, many of these businesses are built—and kept running—by families. When it…
Every day, families across West Central Illinois write their own stories of love, learning, and growth. Whether it’s a child’s first best friend, a parent’s peace of mind, or a provider’s joy in seeing a child thrive, these stories remind us of the deep impact child care has on our future. At West Central Child…