I was talking to some friends who have lived for quite a while in Champaign-Urbana and was very surprised to hear that they have never been to Monticello, Ill. “What? How can this be!” I exclaimed. Not only is Monticello a great little town with all sorts of fun things to do, but it’s where the wonderful Allerton Park is located. Home to an amazing glassworking studio, an independent record store and great restaurants, Monticello is definitely the place to visit this summer. And by the way, I’ve heard that Monticello puts on the best Fourth of July fireworks display in all of East Central Illinois (being held this year at Lodge Park north of Monticello at dusk on July 3).