I've wanted to do something relevant to the use of local business services for some time. I enjoy living in this area and would like to give something back if I can. I just had a good experience with a purchase and asked for their web site to refer friends to. They did have an email address so As I prepared my thank you note note I got an idea to do something more. No web site, no problem!

They had none. I decided to provide a place, Area217.com, where I could do a little bragging about the people and businesses pleased with. If not particularly satisfied, I wouldn't say much.

Their phone number was in the 309 area code. As I searched for more info, I found an area code map. I saw that area 217 covered the width of Central Illinois. I knew I'd found what I was looking for.

Much of my life has centered in that band from Danville on the east to Springfield on the west. I also have family just across the big muddy Mississippi. The 217 area code is where I live, work, worship and play. A piece of the state relevant to my life, and maybe yours too. I thought for a moment and next came up with the domain Area217.com.

What's the chance a great, short, succinct URL that I wanted would be available? Click, click ... tap! Connected to my GoDaddy account and it was mine in minutes. The name's still warm as I write this. Never before have I moved so fast to get an idea off the ground, or should I say, "onto the information highway", to use the time honored phrase. I've done it for others, but for myself?

I hope to use my personal day to day encounters with various businesses and services to let you know who I have been satisfied with. I do not intend to use this site to criticize those with whom the experience is less than adequate as I cannot be sure it's not just an isolated incident. There was something Mothers used to say when I was a kid. "If you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all." I want to serve others in this way so please drop by now and then to see how this project of mine is going. Maybe one day I can do business with you too.