Photographer: Heather Coit

New Year's Eve revelers, of all ages, watch over 500 balloons gradually make their way out of a net as staffers at the Orpheum Children's Science Museum deal with a faulty pull string during the Noon Day Celebration at the museum in Champaign on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. The slow balloon release didn't dampen anyone's spirit as families danced to music, provided by Diane Ducey, of 105.9 WGKC, and rang in the New Year with party hats and noisemakers.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Cousins Kipper Greist, 8, far left, of Villa Grove, Hans Goodmann, 10, right, Pesotum, and Klayton Grove, 10, center, of Urbana, enjoy their noisemakers as they celebrate New Year's Eve during the Noon Day Celebration at Orpheum Children's Science Museum in Champaign on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. More than 500 balloons were released as children celebrated the incoming new year with party hats, noisemakers and dancing.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Twin sisters Abby McKendall, 7, bottom, and Sarah, of Champaign, enjoy dancing with their balloons during the Noon Day Celebration at Orpheum Children's Science Museum in Champaign on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. More than 500 balloons were released as children celebrated the incoming new year with party hats, hula hoops and noisemakers.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Xiaolin Zhu, of North Carolina, and his girlfriend, Yijia Wang, of Texas, enjoy a stroll under a soft snowfall at Hessel Park in Champaign on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. The couple were in the area for the holidays to visit a University of Illinois friend who lives near the park.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Amanda Oppenheim reads while she walks her dog, Luna, in Hessel Park in Champaign, IL. on Friday, December 28, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Sisters Lyla Frerichs, 5, foreground left, and Isabella, 3, background, of Royal, run through the water spray at the Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center as they uphold a family tradition by visiting the pool over winter break on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. The girls were there with their mother, Danielle Frerichs. The pool, which is closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the New Year's holiday, is open to the public today from 1:30 to 9p.m. and normally on Wednesday through Friday from 1:30 to 9p.m. On weekends, the pool is open from noon until 5p.m. and from 2 to 7p.m.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Friends Jade Harms, 10, right, and Taylor Hacker, 11, both fifth graders at Lincoln Trail School in Mahomet, enjoy their winter break alongside little ones on the merry-go-round at First Christian Church in Champaign on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. The Family Life Playground, which is closed this Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, is normally open to the public Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Thursday from noon until 4:30 p.m.

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Jenny Kim works on her Thaumatrope.At the Orpheum Children's Science Museum in Champaign.Children at the smART Camp on friday making Thaumatropes, a toy from 1820 introducing motion. photo taken friday december 28, 2012.

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

l-r- Anna Ginsburg-Sullivan,Samantha Cook and Miranda Burgos play with their Thaumatropes.At the Orpheum Children's Science Museum in Champaign.Children at the smART Camp on friday making Thaumatropes, a toy from 1820 introducing motion. photo taken friday december 28, 2012.

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Public skate at the UI Ice Arena friday. First time skater Ethan Mills,7, reaches for the wall to steady himself. He was there with his sister Lauren, his dad Marc and a friend,Amber Anderson. photo taken friday december 28, 2012.

Photographer: Vanda Bidwell

Public skate at the UI Ice Arena friday. First time skater Ethan Mills,7, reaches for the wall to steady himself. photo taken friday december 28, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Nancy Shi and Qingqi Qin at the South China restaurant at 25 E Springfield in Champaign, IL. on Thursday, December 27, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Azariah Washington, 11 years Champaign, decorates pretzel at the Springer Cultural Center in Champaign, IL. on Wednesday, December 26, 2012. She was at the Champaign Park District's School's Out Holiday Camp.

Photographer: John Dixon

Abby Schimmel, 7, of Champaign, and her little brother, Ryan, 3, tell Santa what they want for Christmas at Market Place Mall in Champaign on Sunday Dec. 23, 2012. Abby asked for gold fish and fish food, Ryan wanted trucks.

Photographer: John Dixon

Grace Wherley, 4, of Tolono, tells Santa what what she wants for Christmas at Market Place Mall in Champaign on Sunday Dec. 23, 2012. Grace asked for an ipad and hair bows for Christmas, but wanted to be sure Santa could get into the basement to deliver the presents.

Photographer: John Dixon

Stand Alone - Children and their parents line up to see Santa at Market Place Mall in Champaign on Sunday Dec. 23, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Rachel Gatewood, 11, of Urbana, a member of Girl Scouts Troop 2222, which serves both Urbana and Champaign, cuts just the right piece of wrapping paper as fellow troop member, Emma Moody, far left, 7 1/2, of Urbana, looks on at Barnes & Noble in Champaign on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. Gatewood, Moody and newer member, Norah Kopolow, 7, not pictured, were primarily there to gather donations for the children of Newtown, CT while helping members of the local chapter of STARFLEET, a Star Trek/science fiction club, wrap presents.

Photographer: Heather Coit

A donations/proceeds jar sits out for customers at the gift-wrapping area at Barnes & Noble in Champaign on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. Members of Girl Scouts Troop 2222, which serves both Urbana and Champaign, gathered the donations while helping with gift wrap.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Ameren Illinois workers repair a down line south of Oakwood Wednesday December 27, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

From left, aspiring entrepreneurs John Hooker, 12, Mya Darling, 7, Sadies Hooker, 10, and Alexis Hooker, 15, carry thier shovels as they walk along Crestwood Avenue in Tilton Wednesday December 27, 2012. The group was going door-to-door in their neighborhood looking for show-shoveling jobs after Wednesday's fresh layer of snow.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Mike Camarata, Danville, walks his dog on Ave F in Danville Monday December 31, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Taylor Ceader, 20, ties the skate of her sister Tannah, 10, both from Westville, while taking part in open skating at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville Monday December 31, 2012. Future open skating dates and times in January; Wednesday Jan. 2 (1 - 4 p.m.), Sunday Jan. 6 (1-4 p.m.), Monday Jan. 21 (1-4 p.m.), Friday Jan. 25 (7-10 p.m.), and Saturday Jan. 26 (1 -4 p.m.)

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Logan Foster, Rossville, lies on the ice after falling while taking part in open skating at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville Monday December 31, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Logan Foster, Rossville, cleans blood off his chin after falling on the ice while taking part in open skating at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville Monday December 31, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

First-time skater Jazlin Ingram, 2, gets help skating from her dad Rich, Georgetown, while taking part in open skating at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville Monday December 31, 2012.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann