The Lincoln Heritage Museum reopened in April with much fanfare and optimism that the new location and design would draw more visitors interested in Abraham Lincoln to Lincoln and Logan County. That optimism has not been misplaced. Over 2,200 guests have passed through the doors in the Museum’s first three months, which is as many as usually visited the old museum each year.

Photo by Nila Smith     (Click on image for larger version.) 

This year's butter cow is finished and on display in the Dairy Building at the Illinois State Fair.

The massive sculpture, which is made of 850 pounds of unsalted butter, was created by Sharon BuMann of Central Square, N.Y., and inspired by the fair's 2014 theme of "Making Memories." It depicts a doting mother taking a photo of her young son, who is milking a cow at the State Fair for the first time.

The sculpture also includes many "hidden" creatures that fairgoers are challenged to find, such as butterflies, horse flies, a cat and gnomes.

The Illinois State Fair website has a butter cow cam. Fans of the famous bovine can follow this link (http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/webcams/buttercow.php) to catch a glimpse of her.

The butter cow exhibit is a project of the Midwest Dairy Association and paid for by its local farmer members. The Dairy Building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is no charge for admission.

Photo and text provided by the Illinois State Fair  (Click on image for larger version.)

Smokey Bear is pictured in a series of US Forest Service posters (L-R 1945, 1966 and 2007) in this combination of undated handout photos obtained by Reuters August 8, 2014.

REUTERS /U.S. Forest Service/Handout via Reuters       (Click on image for larger version.)

Serena Williams (USA) (right) hugs Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) after their match on day five of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Uniprix Stadium. Williams won 4-6,7-5,7-5.

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports       (Click on image for larger version.)