Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Ruby is a small incorporated town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States, located about 60 miles northeast of the state capital of Baton Rouge and adjacent to the Mississippi border, and characterized by a quiet rural atmosphere and a deep community culture. Sparsely populated, with fewer than 500 people according to the most recent census, the town dates back to the late 1800s and, with its early rise to an agricultural economy (e.g., cotton and soybean farming), still retains the rustic look of a traditional Southern town. The town's landmarks include a century-old community church and several Victorian-style homes, and the annual fall "Ruby Family Day," which blends elements of local Cajun and Creole culture, has become a shared memory for the surrounding residents. Despite its small size, Ruby epitomizes the serenity of the American countryside with its simple folk and distinctive Louisiana southern flavor.
Located in the western part of the U.S. state of Illinois, Macomb is the county seat of McDonough County, about 160 kilometers southwest of the city of Peoria and about 240 kilometers northwest of St. Louis. This small city of about 18,000 people is centered around Western Illinois University (WIU), which was founded in 1899 and infuses the area with a strong academic atmosphere, with a student body that makes up about a quarter of the city's population. With a history dating back to the 1830s, Macomb grew gradually with the opening of the railroad in the mid-to-late 1800s, and retains a number of late 19th-century architectural features to this day. Economically, in addition to the university-driven higher education, healthcare and service industries, agriculture and small-scale manufacturing in the surrounding area are important pillars. The community is quiet and friendly, hosting annual events such as the Malcolm Arts Festival, and combining the simplicity of a small Midwestern town with the energy of a college town, making it an ideal place to study and live.