Not much stands still when Doug Knight is involved. The tall, suntanned, jovial Knight lives a life that takes the energy of a marathon runner, the focus of a circus juggler, and the courage of a day trader. Springfield resident Knight co-owns and operates Knight’s Action Park on the south side of Springfield, has supported […]
DiAnne Crown
DiAnne Crown is a longtime freelance writer based in Springfield and former editor of Springfield Parent Magazine.
Posted inSpecial Issues
Traveling with Timi
Timi’s travelers are a loyal bunch. Some have traveled with Timi since she formed Timi’s Tours in 2006. Retired transplants happily fly back to central Illinois, just to ride somewhere else on one of Timi’s motorcoaches. And this trusting, enthusiastic crowd rushes to sign up for Mystery Trips as soon as seats open. These fun-loving […]
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Seasons senior living starts with Z
Z is for … the owners of the Seasons active retirement residences just off Koke Mill Road on Conifer Drive in Springfield. Z stands for Zaubi, as in the family built-owned-operated Seasons Pine Creek and Seasons Under the Oaks. For the residents, Z clearly stands for Zest, as in zest for freedom and independence. It’s […]
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Reborn at 170 years old
Just about 30 years after settler John Kelly built the first cabin in Springfield in 1820 at what is now Second and Jefferson streets, Virginian Hiram Walker purchased land for $210 from city founder Elijah Iles a few blocks south and east. There he built a two-story, gable-roofed, provincial Federal-style brick home and carriage house. […]
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A steady diet of encouragement
A little less food, a little more exercise, pounds come off. Right? It’s science. But even for people who commit to that simple formula, sometimes it just doesn’t work. Or doesn’t last. For many, the missing ingredient is encouragement. That’s the TOPS recipe for success. TOPS – Take Off Pounds Sensibly, not-for-profit support group – […]
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Happily ever after
Dreams do come true, eventually. For Brenden Gardens residents Patsy Stivers Ciaccio and Nick Ciaccio it took 40 years. The two met in Springfield in the late 1970s when Patsy was working at Orange Julius in White Oaks Mall. “I would go in and flirt with her,” Nick says, reminiscing about their early days. “I […]
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People prefer pickleball
The fast-growing sport with a funny name, oversized paddles, short rallies and small courts arrived in Springfield in 2010 and just keeps growing. In fact, says Jack Handy, Springfield Pickleball Club president, “We need more courts.” In the past five years, Handy says, the number of pickleball players in the U.S. has increased from 2.5 […]
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In tune
Piano tuner and technician Dwight Denzer of Riverton found his career lane early in life and has enjoyed it ever since, most of that time with friend, partner and wife, Veronica Denzer. “We’ll celebrate 300 months together on Oct. 18.” It’s that daily spirit of appreciation, a balance of work and recreation, healthful nutrition and […]
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Not your father’s hearing aids
The clunky, screeching, analog hearing aids with replaceable batteries and tiny controls of years past are now inconspicuous, digital, smartphone friendly, rechargeable models with high-fidelity sound. But, although hearing aids are smaller, better and easier to manage than ever, the World Health Organization estimated last spring that only 17 percent of persons who would benefit […]
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Ready, set…school?
Parents can smooth the way back to school by helping students know what to expect in advance and getting organized before school starts. This will be more challenging in 2020. Your attitude counts – big time. Going back to school creates a powerful mix of emotions. This year, our youngest new students may actually have […]
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Should we use a wedding planner?
Every couple’s wedding is special in a different way, but there’s one person who can help make everyone’s wedding wishes come true: the professional wedding planner. Miranda Davis and Julie Schumann own Simple Elegance Events & Entertainment, a full-service event and design consulting firm based in Bloomington. They believe weddings of all sizes need a […]
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Backpacks 101 for back to school
Many families’ back-to-school shopping list will include a new backpack this fall. Don’t buy the cheapest one you can find, advises Dr. Paul Venturini, a Springfield chiropractic physician. Correct backpack design, size and usage help keep children’s backs, shoulders and necks properly aligned and pain free. In fact, “A 2016 study on back pain published […]
