Illinois winemaking on the rise

More than 100 years ago, Illinois was the fourth largest wine-producing state in the nation. Now the Treasury Department holds Illinois responsible for just a fraction of the 40 million gallons bottle

Slavery in the shadow of Lincoln

Presidential Museum commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with Flight

Playwright Charlayne Woodard has something in common with her characters. Like Oh Beah, Mercy, Ezra, Alma, and Nate – the five slaves in Flight’s ensemble – Woodard is compelled to t

Springfield’s Mature Mob is back

Veteran performers host annual show to benefit Senior Services

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that members of The Mature Mob – Springfield’s over 50 singing and dancing troupe – are a little more “hip” than average senior citi

The ‘Angry Atheist of Champaign’

TV documentary examines local case that successfully challenged the First Amendment

More than 60 years ago, a landmark ruling established a precedent that would permanently alter the relationship between religion and public education in America. And it happened right here in central

Onstage, a vet tells it like it was

A Long Way Home depicts the struggle of coming back from war

When Springfield resident Tom Jones reads about or meets a young veteran returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, something deep within him stirs. Jones remembers well the difficulties of adjusting to life

Autumn is showtime

The season’s guide to theater in central Illinois

As many Springfield residents look forward to the weather finally cooling down, fans of locally produced entertainment can’t wait for the theater season to heat up. It might seem counter-intuiti

Footeprints

New Salem production brings Foote’s last play to life

When Horton Foote died last year at the age of 92, America lost one of its most prolific and endearing dramatists. Foote, who was still writing until his last days, completed more than 60 plays and sc

Taste of Downtown

In celebration of local food and good music

Visitors and residents hungry for good music and good food in Springfield are sure to find some of both this weekend at the 11th annual Taste of Downtown. The popular event is presented this year in c

Raise a glass to nearby winemaking

More than 100 years ago, Illinois was the fourth largest wine-producing state in the nation. Now the Treasury Department holds Illinois responsible for just 72,000 of the more than 41 million gallons

The legacy of Brother James Court

Eighty years of ministry to men in Springfield

Brother Anthony Joseph came to the St. James Trade School from Syracuse, N.Y., in 1967 to join the Franciscan Brothers in running the school. The Springfield school on the northeast side closed in 197