New Central Illinois Video Series Puts Two Curious Puppies on the Trail of Local Stories, Businesses and Adventures
Sadi & Bernie’s Little Questions introduces a new way for viewers to discover the people, places and stories that make Central Illinois interesting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CENTRAL ILLINOIS - October 22, 2026 — What happens when two curious puppies start asking questions about the world around them?
They discover that even a little question can lead to a much bigger adventure.
That is the idea behind “Penelope Earlybird Presents... Sadi & Bernie’s Little Questions,” a new short-form video series being introduced as part of the Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge (CIChallenge).
The series follows Sadi and Bernie, two young puppy hosts with very different approaches to curiosity. Sadi, the older sister, tends to think about her questions before asking them. Bernie, her younger brother, is more likely to ask first and think about it afterward.
Together, they have one important job:
Ask the little questions that help everyone discover something new.
Sadi knows a little. Bernie knows less. The guest knows the subject.
That simple idea is at the heart of the series.
Sadi and Bernie aren't experts pretending to know everything. They're curious hosts who want to understand how things work, why things happen and what makes people, places and activities interesting.
And when they don't know the answer, they find someone who does.
Their conversations may take them almost anywhere—from local businesses and community organizations to sporting events, historical locations, creative projects and unusual Central Illinois stories.
The setting changes with the subject.
A business episode might take place inside the business. A sports episode might happen on the field. A conversation about history might take place where that history actually happened.
The goal isn't simply to interview people.
It's to discover something.
Meet Penelope Earlybird
Helping connect those discoveries is Penelope Earlybird, the blue social superbird and guide who has become a central character in the CIChallenge experience.
Penelope doesn't have to be the center of every conversation. Sometimes she may simply appear, fly through the scene or quietly observe what's happening.
But she's there for a reason.
Penelope represents the idea behind CIChallenge: Central Illinois is filled with things worth discovering.
Through the series, viewers can follow Sadi and Bernie as they encounter people, businesses, places, stories and experiences they might not otherwise have noticed.
The first Little Question
The series launches with “Meet Penelope Earlybird,” the first episode of Sadi & Bernie’s Little Questions.
In their first conversation, the puppies want to know who Penelope is and, more importantly, what she does.
Her answer introduces the larger idea behind both the character and the series: helping people discover interesting things.
And that is exactly what Sadi and Bernie intend to do.
Future episodes will explore a wide range of subjects, including Central Illinois businesses, activities, people, sports, stories and other unexpected discoveries.
More than watching. It's about discovering.
Sadi & Bernie’s Little Questions is being developed as part of the larger Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge, an initiative designed to encourage people to get curious about the region around them.
The challenge combines discovery, activities and participation, giving residents and visitors another reason to look a little closer at Central Illinois.
The videos provide the story.
The discoveries provide the opportunity to explore.
And Sadi and Bernie provide the questions.
Because sometimes you don't need a big question to begin an adventure.
Sometimes you just need a little one.
Watch the first episode
“Sadi & Bernie’s Little Questions: Meet Penelope Earlybird” is now available online.
YouTube: Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge
Facebook: Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge
Additional episodes will be released as Sadi and Bernie continue their journey through Central Illinois.
About Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge
The Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge (CIChallenge) is designed to encourage residents and visitors to discover Central Illinois through activities, challenges, local businesses, places, stories and experiences. Participants can explore, complete challenges and collect points and badges while discovering more of what the region has to offer.
Media Contact:
Ron Wallace
Central Illinois Discovery Experience Challenge
email: news@cichallenge.com
web: start.cichallenge.com
