Children offer lemonade for Oklahoma tornado relief

VALPARAISO | As lemonade stands go, it was a resounding success, generating more than $200 in just two hours. But Wednesday's effort wasn't a typical kid's beverage sale, and it's now snowballed into a much larger relief effort for those affected by the tornado strike in Oklahoma.

SLICE OF LIFE: Shattering Powerball dreams

Seven minutes. I was seven minutes late to buy my chance at hundreds of millions of dollars.

SLICE OF LIFE: A kid at heart in a grown-up world

In just over a week, I'll turn 33 years old.

SLICE OF LIFE: Living a Pinteresting life

Hello. My name is Vanessa, and it has been 22 minutes since I last logged in to Pinterest.

SLICE OF LIFE: Living life in automatic drive

I'm starting to hate little modern conveniences.

SLICE OF LIFE: Glitter, flashing lights and the sounds of Christmas

Adults are no fun.

2013 And Beyond

SLICE OF LIFE: Be on the lookout for memories in the making

It happened.

Veterans return home to fight 'invisible' war

For veterans, the puff of diesel exhaust from a passing bus or a song on the radio can bring them back to their military vehicle in the battlefield.

SLICE OF LIFE: The wheels on the bus go straight to Hell

I have seen Hell.

Butcher offers great product, advice

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. | Wally Tenhoopen was asked to help bag chickens one day while working as a bagger in a grocery store in Arlington Heights. He liked the atmosphere and the guys working in the butcher shop, so he hung around more. That was 40 years ago. Now, Tenhoopen is the owner of …

Chicago's famed Charlie Trotter's serves last meal

Award-winning chef Charlie Trotter, right, listens as his staff delivers a pre-dinner briefing at his restaurant in Chicago as his wife, Rochelle, looks on.

Chicago's famed Charlie Trotter's serves last meal

Award-winning chef Charlie Trotter, left, talks to former protege chef Reginald Watkins at Trotter's restaurant in Chicago. Trotter is closing his iconic restaurant after 25 years to return to college and study philosophy. The final service at Charlie Trotter's was Thursday, followed by a so…

Chicago's famed Charlie Trotter's serves last meal

CHICAGO | Award-winning chef Charlie Trotter is closing his iconic Chicago restaurant after 25 years, setting out on a new path as bold and surprising as many of the dishes he served to the world of foodie fans he helped foster.

Wedding vows renewed at old insane asylum

Rob Conovar, a paranormal investigator, and his wife, Alisa, share a kiss at the conclusion of renewing their wedding vows July 7 on the porch outside the abandoned Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville, Ill., once known as the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane.

Wedding vows renewed at old insane asylum

BARTONVILLE, Ill. | Many probably would look to renew their wedding vows in a holy place, but there is nothing holy-looking about the building once known as the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane, the abandoned Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville.

Wedding vows renewed at old insane asylum

Rob Conovar, a paranormal investigator, checks his watch as his wife, Alisa, smiles July 7 after they renewed their vows on the porch outside the abandoned Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville, Ill., once known as the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane.

Mission marks 30 years of feeding hungry

DECATUR, Ill. | When leaders from First and Grace United Methodist churches, as well as First and Westminster Presbyterian churches founded the Good Samaritan Inn in 1982, their mission was simple, director Brenda Gorrell Pyatt said.

Mission marks 30 years of feeding hungry

From left, dishwasher Torrence Harris, coordinator Donna Scott and head chef Eric Drake cheer as fellow Good Samaritan Inn employees are recognized during the observance of the soup kitchen's 30th year in operation in Decatur, Ill.

Mission marks 30 years of feeding hungry

Good Samaritan Inn board members, from left, Pam Poland, Judy Ford and the Rev. Randy McGeehon serve birthday cake and ice cream to visitors during the observance of the soup kitchen's 30th year in operation in Decatur, Ill.