Some cities sponsor “art hops” where area residents “hop” between various venues on the same night to see a variety of art exhibits. In Springfield the Springfield Art Association (SAA) Collective is offering a multi-week “hop” between two venues to enjoy works by women artists. The two-gallery exhibit – one at the Springfield Art Association […]
Cinda Ackerman Klickna
Cinda Klickna is a former teacher from Springfield and past president of the Illinois Education Association.
Posted inArts & Culture
Dana-Thomas House Foundation
Frank Lloyd Wright, architect and designer of the Dana-Thomas House, enjoyed the occasional nip of bourbon and even has a bourbon drink named in his honor. With that in mind, the Dana-Thomas House Foundation is hosting The Wright Bourbon, Brisket and Blues fundraiser for an evening of sipping bourbon, enjoying a good meal and listening […]
Posted inOpinion
A full pension payment? Don’t be fooled.
Many have reported that the state legislature, in its budget agreement, made its “full” payment to the five state pension systems. While this may be technically true, it is misleading because it ignores the actual contribution that is required to fund the pensions. The state’s action is equivalent to someone paying only the required minimum […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Historic Marbold Farmstead makes a comeback
Doris Marbold Decker, 82, is looking forward to the Sixth Historic Marbold Farmstead Antique Show and Farm Fest on June 22-23. Tears well up in Decker’s eyes – and in all listening to her – as she expresses her appreciation for the work of the Historic Marbold Farmstead Association (HMFA). “It is wonderful to see […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Springfield, the entertainment capital, 1800s-style
Springfield residents are entertained at our various venues: the Hoogland, the Muni Opera and the Legacy Theater. Shows also come to the Bank of Springfield Center, what Bob Hope during a performance there in 1979 called a “gorgeous garage.” But during the 1800s, Springfield was a mecca of theaters, opera houses, halls, saloons and stores […]
Posted inNews
New Salem is getting old again
On May 22, New Salem will celebrate the 100th anniversary of an event that occurred on the same date in 1919, many long years after Lincoln had lived in the village, from 1831 to 1837. It was on May 22 in 1919 that the site was conveyed to the people of Illinois by the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Going to be a grandparent? Get your vaccines.
New or soon-to-be grandparents often comment on how things have changed – the baby equipment, the rules during pregnancy, ways to raise a child. Going shopping for a stroller, baby bed, etc. often leads to surprises about all the new paraphernalia. That was my experience, too, and it carried over into the doctor’s office when […]
Posted inNews
Traveling while black
Imagine taking your family on vacation or traveling to visit out-of-town relatives, but not knowing where you would be able to stop to eat, use the restroom or spend the night. For decades, that was the reality for African-American travelers throughout the United States. Many of them traveled Rt. 66 through Springfield, Illinois. Jim Crow […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Why parents need to read to their children – starting at birth
As a high school English teacher, I often read aloud to students when starting a new book. For my poorer readers, it was understandable why they liked this: their slow pace prevented them from comprehending but by reading aloud to them, they could follow along, learn words and practice pacing. But, when my best, most […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Joy of Movement
It isn’t your typical dance class, but for those who attend it is a time of joy, movement and camaraderie. Called Joy of Movement, the dance classes are specifically geared for those living with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Eve Fischberg, who lives in Loami, started the program in 2016 with one class a week. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Women leaders in the digital world
New Media Futures – The Rise of Women in the Digital Arts is a 300-page, coffee table-size book that highlights 22 women from the Midwest who have made a difference in digital media. Three women artists collaborated as editors: Donna J. Cox, Ellen Sandor and Janine Fron, all innovative digital artists in their own right. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
ANN FORD
ANN FORD July 26, 1941-Sept. 23, 2018 First Lady of Independent Living If you ever wanted to find Ann Ford, chances are you could find her scooting around the Capitol. Ford, who had contracted polio at the age of 5, used a scooter to get around, but that never stopped her from advocating for the […]
