The Springfield Park District is transforming former baseball fields into a community garden at Hobbs Park, located south of Bunn Park near the intersection of Fox Bridge Road and Culver Avenue. Building on the success of the Jefferson Park Community Garden, this new initiative will provide a community garden serving the east side of Springfield. […]
KAREN ACKERMAN WITTER
Posted inHome & Garden
Illinois launches paint recycling program
If you have old cans of paint stashed in your basement or garage that you don’t how to get rid of, there’s good news for you. Illinois residents can now recycle latex and oil-based architectural paint products at numerous retail hardware and paint stores, including in Springfield and surrounding communities. This is due to the […]
Posted inHome & Garden
Recycle your household batteries
Illinois residents can now conveniently recycle household batteries. As a result of legislation that took effect Jan. 1, Illinois has a battery stewardship program. Lowe’s in Springfield and Home Depot in Jacksonville are examples of places where people can take household batteries to be recycled at no charge. The Portable and Medium Format Battery […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
A center for STEAM education
In 2025, Kidzeum was voted the Best Family Fun Spot in the Illinois Times Best of Springfield competition. Kidzeum is that and so much more. It is a place where children explore new skills, think critically and engage in hands-on learning. Kidzeum recently received a grant of nearly $150,000 from the National Science Foundation to […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
The many benefits of reading to young children are well-documented. The 1000 Books Foundation promotes reading to newborns, infants and toddlers and encourages parent and child bonding through reading. Its 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple way to do this. Many local libraries promote this initiative and create incentives to participate as part […]
Posted inBooks
The study of awe
The new year is a good time to read Awe – The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, the 2023 book by Dacher Keltner. He pioneered the scientific study of awe and demonstrated that people who find everyday awe are more curious and open to new ideas and the […]
Posted inArts Features
Evening fun at historic sites
This winter, area residents have opportunities to experience the Dana-Thomas House and Old State Capitol through a wide range of evening programs. These sites are popular tourist attractions in the capital city but are also offering programming designed to appeal to locals. Justin Blandford, superintendent of state historic sites in Springfield, told Illinois Times they […]
Posted inRemembering
STUART ALLEN YAFFE
Gentleness that transcended words Dr. Stuart Yaffe practiced medicine for 60 years. He graduated from medical school in 1956 and retired from family practice at Springfield Clinic in 2016 at age 89. Patients were his priority; he did not have patience when others didn’t share his priority. “One keeps practicing whatever they’re practicing until they […]
Posted inReGen
Coach and caregiver connect
Latasha Friarson is a caregiver with Abcor Home Health. For the past several months she’s been assisting Mike Suhadolnik, a health and fitness coach, to be more independent after a fall a year ago. Friarson goes to Suhadolnik’s home Monday-Friday, three hours each day. Having a caregiver does not come naturally for Suhadolnik, and he […]
Posted inNews
“This is what democracy looks like”
A large, peaceful crowd at the Illinois State Capitol shouted that statement, which was also featured on numerous signs during the No Kings protest rally on Saturday, Oct. 18. Although storms were predicted, there was no rain at the protest rally promoting no reign. Springfield was among more than 2,500 No Kings rallies planned across […]
Posted inCulture
Final year for popular annual tree tour
The public will have one last chance to take part in the popular annual tree tour at Oak Ridge Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 18. This year’s tour, from 1-4 p.m., will feature the Grand Valley, a rolling expanse at the south side of the cemetery. There are no graves due to the terrain, providing a […]
Posted inReGen
Pastel artist, lifelong learner and a teacher at heart
Tracey Maras loves to learn. And teach. She is a retired occupational therapist, highly accomplished pastel artist and engaged volunteer at Henson Robinson Zoo. She teaches pastel painting and is a volunteer animal handler with the zoo’s education department. Getting people to experience things they wouldn’t have done otherwise makes Maras happy. That might involve […]
