George King and Dick Bilinsky didn’t know each other until they and their wives moved into Concordia Village around the same time in 2023. The couples happened to join each other at dinner one night and, as George says, “We just clicked.” Bilinsky adds, “I knew we were going to be friends when George revealed […]
Cinda Ackerman Klickna
Cinda Klickna is a former teacher from Springfield and past president of the Illinois Education Association.
Posted inNews
Mysteries of central Illinois
Sports, mystery, intrigue – two local authors have recently published novels that have similar ingredients but different themes. Mitchell’s book, Theory Markspurn, takes readers deep into the world of volleyball. Those who know little about the sport will quickly learn terms and rules. Mike Stutz, in his novel Murder in Athens (pronounced Ay-thens), spins a […]
Posted inNews
The 1842 Condell House
Sitting back from Fourth Street in Springfield, tucked next to the Mansion View Inn, sits a house with a long history. The home of John S. Condell for 55 years, it had several owners since his death, then sat empty for over 30 years, came close to demolition, was listed as one of Illinois’ most […]
Posted inUncategorized
Echoes of yesteryear
The annual Sangamon County Historical Society’s cemetery walk, Echoes of Yesteryear, will make for a great Sunday outing on Oct. 5. It takes place from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave. The last tour begins at 3 p.m. Susan Helm, co-chair of the cemetery committee, said, “This year’s Cemetery Walk […]
Posted inNews
Former King’s Daughters Home to house nurses
Yolanda Rice, a Springfield investor and entrepreneur, plans to purchase the former King’s Daughters Home and create apartments for nursing students and traveling nurses. “This has been a long journey,” Rice said, “but I have been met with great support from the city, the Historic Sites Commission and many others to make this a reality.” […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Preserving Black history
The Allen Chapel African American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Lincoln is on the Landmarks Illinois 2025 list of most endangered historic sites in the state. The church has a storied history from the formation of a congregation in 1868 to the construction of a building in 1881 until the chapel’s closure in 2012. The […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Summer Shakespeare
“To be or not to be… that is the question.” Hear this famous line from Hamlet at three Shakespeare events in three separate venues this summer. Travel to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington, Shakespeare in the Park in St. Louis, or stay right here in Springfield for Shakespeare in Enos Park. Maybe hit all […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The Muni celebrates 75 years
People arrive early with their picnics and bottles of wine, setting everything out on blankets or at picnic tables, enjoying a summer evening before the opening of a play at the Springfield Municipal Opera near Lake Springfield. This summer marks the 75th year that the Muni has been wowing audiences with tremendous performances. Casts have […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Hymnody of Earth
A hammered dulcimer, a cappella ensembles, percussion, a 72-member choir, bird songs, nature walks – all will come together May 30-June 1 in a three-day, three-venue festival of music called Hymnody of Earth, a series of musical numbers composed by Malcolm Dalglish. Sponsored by the Springfield Choral Society, in partnership with Lincoln Memorial Garden and […]
Posted inOpinion
A history steeped in faith and advocacy
A historic 1840 bell will peal forth loudly from the tower of Westminster Presbyterian Church on May 18, calling parishioners to gather in celebration of the church’s 190th anniversary. Inside, starting at 10 a.m., a festive service will include trumpets, three special anthems – including one from 1835 (under the direction of Dale Rogers) and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Historic Bunn Farm gifted to Refuge Ranch
Introducing horse care and riding to traumatized children has been proven to be effective therapy. The Refuge Ranch in Rochester utilizes that strategy and will now be able to expand its work due to a generous donation from Glennon and Jan Paul of a seven-acre historic farm in Springfield. Refuge Ranch, started by Stephan and […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Memories of Myers Brothers
When it was announced last month that Springfield’s iconic 98-year-old Myers Building would go up for auction, it sparked memories of the old Myers Brothers Department Store that brought many years of Christmas season bustle to downtown. Here is a remembrance of department store days gone by. For decades, downtown Springfield was a hustling, bustling […]
