FUNKS GROVE - Dan and Angelica McCullum were on their way from St. Louis to Chicago and decided the Funks Grove Rest Area would be the perfect place to stop for lunch.

Not far from where the couple was enjoying a snack, an official with the Illinois Department of Transportation was awarding the rest area, maintained by the Bloomington-based Occupational Development Center, an award for being the best rest area in the state.

"You are our ambassadors and you're doing a great job," said Craig Mitckes, roadside maintenance manager with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Mitckes said there are 30 rest areas in the state and the Funks Grove Rest Area not only got best overall but best in the high use category (over 1.2 million visitors a year.)

The McCullum's were impressed.

"There are a lot of nice trees and shade," Dan McCullum said.

The rest area also is educational.

Near McCullum was a bulletin board featuring pictures of Illinois snakes, moths and butterflies and endangered birds.

Inside the air conditioned rest area, there are historical displays about Abraham Lincoln and Route 66.

Charlie Farris is among the ODC workers helping keep everything inside and outside spic and span.

The New Holland resident waters flowerbeds, cleans restrooms and picks up trash.

He's been doing this for 4 1/2 years and enjoys interacting with the public.

Because of the efforts of Farris and others, the rest area beat out 29 others for the 2005 award presented Friday. The next awards won't come until 2007.

Mitckes said the state inspects the rest areas, which get 40 million visitors a year, unannounced.

"We're very excited about the award. It's a great deal," said Becky Wilson, communication and development manager for ODC, Bloomington.

ODC, which provides comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities, maintains three rest areas and will soon take on a fourth.

Rest areas it maintains besides Funks Grove, are Limestone Rest Area in Pontiac and the Mackinaw Dells Rest Area. It will soon take on the Farmland Rest Area in the Farmer City area.

Besides grounds maintenance, watering and picking up litter, ODC workers clean restrooms and mop floors.

Revenue from this maintenance work, the amount of which wasn't available, helps supplement state, local and federal grants.

Amenities at the Funks Grove Rest Area:

- toilets

- drinking fountains

- vending machines

- emergency telephones

- picnic tables

- historical displays on Abraham Lincoln and Route 66

- Bulletin board displays on Illinois snakes, moths and butterflies and endangered birds

Compiled by Bob Holliday