BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO SPRINGFIELD THIS YEAR

Scheels Outfitters 3801 South MacArthur Boulevard, 546-5903 Best of voters are keen on Springfield’s newest sports store. Scheels, one of the first anchor tenants in the Legacy Pointe Town Center on the south end of MacArthur Boulevard, made headlines throughout the spring as anticipation built for its June 2011 opening. Two stories chock full of balls, bats, boats and more, the destination store also hosts a children’s play area, gift shop, aquarium, faux mountain, Ferris wheel, airplane and cafeteria. But retail wasn’t all IT voters were glad to see this year. Though not as popular as Scheels, Springfield PRIDE, the area’s new roller derby team and the new bike trail on the city’s west side all received respectable vote tallies. Runner-up: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s conviction, with Springfield’s change in mayors close behind

BEST-KEPT SECRET

Free knife sharpening at Schnuck’s 1911 Sangamon Ave. E., 744-2012 2801 Chatham Road, 698-2980 Sorry, dear readers, but perhaps you did not understand the question. Much as we loved the place, Caitie Girl’s, the top vote getter, was not Springfield’s best-kept secret, given that the proprietor gave cooking demonstrations on television. And what kind of secret is will-we-ever-get-a-Chick-Fil-A’s? We’ll take the credit/blame for the winner here, which we picked all by ourselves. They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, which is probably true, but you can get your kitchen knives sharpened for free, no strings attached, by taking them to the meat counter at Schnuck’s, limit of three per visit. They promise a 24-hour turnaround. A razor-sharp knife in the kitchen is one of life’s simple, but essential, joys – kind of like getting new windshield wipers each fall. So, go ahead, treat yourself today. You have nothing to lose.