Central Ill. OK, I see it now.
There are several hammer Ins and shop visits coming up in 2011, although you might have to drive a few miles to get to them. Arkansas has some, Alabama has a good one at Tannehill, as well as others.
I am working on a Arkansas Knife Maker's Association shop visit for the weekend of March 12, 13 2011 at UALR in Little Rock in their art dept. It should be a nice one. They have a great blacksmith shop. No shortage of hotels and eateries
Then there is the Spring Piney Woods Hammer In in Old Washington, Arkansas. It's an ABS function.
If we can help with anything, just holler. Lin