Physical and emotional burdens drive compelling Weight On April 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102. This step toward righting the floundering U.S. economy dictated “the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion and gold certificates” over the amount of $100 was now forbidden. The reasoning behind that was this act was leading […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inBooks
The much-maligned Mary Lincoln – revisited
Fans of Mary Todd Lincoln, rejoice! What? You are not a fan of Mary Lincoln? There are no Mary Lincoln fans? In fact, Mary Lincoln has had bad press since the mid-19th century. Much of this can be traced to half-truths and outright lies promulgated by Abraham Lincoln’s third law partner, William H. Herndon, other […]
Posted inIT Picks
Learn more about Pillsbury Mills
As Pillsbury Mills continues to be demolished, interest remains strong in the complex that employed thousands of Springfield residents. Here’s a chance for local residents to learn more. In this event hosted by the group Moving Pillsbury Forward, curator and artist Robert Mazrim will sign souvenir copies of his new book, Pillsbury Abandoned: Art & […]
Posted inPoetry
Solution
We were loaned a lovely temporarily vacanthome for our stay out west, but we addlepatedadults had forgotten to retain the key, so we werelocked out. Rather than break a door or a double-glazed picture window we tried this solution: wesent our three-year-old, well instructed, crawlingthrough the cat hole. We watched as he emerged,found his way […]
Posted inArts & Culture
We the people should see this production
Attending a tech rehearsal of the compelling play, What the Constitution Means To Me by Heidi Schreck, I, and a handful of other invited guests entered the penumbra of a dimmed theater space, in the midst of final tech week adjustments, and emerged profoundly impacted. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, not being familiar […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Mary Lincoln biographer to headline Conference on Illinois History
A complicated first lady, enslaved people starting new lives, women fighting for fair housing, even actors performing on horseback – all those stories and more will be told Oct. 1 and 2 at the Conference on Illinois History, presented by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The highlight of the first day will be […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
“Okies,” Angela Davis, hope and humanity
I recently re-read John Steinbeck’s deeply researched classic historical novel The Grapes of Wrath. I was reminded of a phrase often misattributed to another author, Mark Twain: “History may not repeat itself but it often rhymes.” It’s the story of families from across the U.S. in the 1930s who became economic migrants in their own […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Downtown YMCA to host Mobile DMV
The Secretary of State Office will be hosting a Mobile DMV and Vehicle Services event at the Downtown YMCA in Springfield, 601 N. Fourth St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. The following services will be available: • Renewing your driver’s license• REAL ID• State ID (free for seniors 65+ and homeless individuals […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Kidzeum presents first For the Kids Awards
Kidzeum hosted its inaugural For the Kids Awards at a sold-out fundraising dinner at the Inn at 835 on Sept. 10. The event was created to shine a light on people whose commitment, leadership and service are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across central Illinois. Community members nominated 24 […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Preparing for the journey
Not to be morbid, but have you thought about death lately? I’ve had plenty of opportunities to do just that recently, having said good-bye to three close Baha’i friends, a nephew and an admired acquaintance since May. That’s quite a tsunami of death, so there was no way for me to avoid thinking about it, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Free ‘Citizen City Learning Series’ begins Sept. 19
Children will be able to learn what it means to be good citizens and good neighbors in a new program offered by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as a prelude to its upcoming “Citizen City” exhibit. The “Citizen City Learning Series” consists of six sessions of stories, problem-solving and hands-on activities designed for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Honor Flight veterans receive a warm welcome home
Throngs of people stood, clapped and cheered to welcome home and thank 92 veterans and their guardians when the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight returned to Springfield’s Capitol Airport around 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 1. After a long and hot day in Washington, D.C., the veterans walked the length of the airport with people standing […]
