On March 7, 1929, visionary Harriet Knudson, known as Mrs. T. J. Knudson, hosted a meeting of Springfield residents at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel to establish a club dedicated to creating beauty and conserving the city’s wildlife and natural resources. By the end of the month, a new garden club with the motto “A More […]
DiAnne Crown
DiAnne Crown is a longtime freelance writer based in Springfield and former editor of Springfield Parent Magazine.
Posted inSpecial Issues
Never stop learning
There’s plenty going on for area seniors these days, with more all the time. Every month, hundreds of active, imaginative seniors meet to eat, explore interesting places in and around Springfield, play sports, travel and much more. They are the members and friends of Lincoln Land Community College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.), and they’re […]
Posted inNews
Studying for 77 years
Seventy-seven years ago on a cold winter night in February, seven African-American women met in a home on Williams Street to form a study group that would continue to this day. Known as the oldest black book club in Springfield, the James Weldon Johnson Study Guild meets bimonthly for programs of “discussions, Negro accomplishments, book […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Life in focus
Professional photographer David Beatty has used a 4×5 Speed Graphic camera since he began his career in 1945. He is shown here in his Fifth Street studio, circa 1979. Hardworking, faithful, and resilient in the face of what others might call setbacks, professional photographer Dave Beatty has enjoyed a career photographing corporate jets and entertainment […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Clean slate
Photo from metrocreativeconnection.com The start of a new school year signals the start of a footrace for busy families with work, school, sports, music lessons and more. To make sure homework, healthful meals, adequate rest and family time get their due, get organized before the first day of school. Jane Blickhan, retired teacher, and Susan […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Reading, writing and baseball
Rod Buffington, trip coordinator for Rotary Family Day at the Ball Park, is third from left. Pictured with him are Hector Luna, Richard Robinson and Fredbird. PHOTO BY JIM HERREN PHOTOGRAPHY Soon area baseball fans will head south for local Rotary clubs’ 14th annual literacy fundraiser baseball games in beautiful Busch Stadium. Springfield-based watercolor quilt […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Gift giving
PHOTO metrocreativeconnection.com Ever since Alternative Celebrations launched its radical (as in root), gift giving approach in the 1970s, thoughtful authors have offered tips, craft instructions and recipes to make holidays in general, and gift giving in particular, less materialistic and more meaningful. I welcome their voices on the subject. The kind act of expressing affection […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Parents and children playing together for 40 years
Christie and Levi DeFrates enjoy Funshop. PHOTO BY DIANNE CROWN In January 1976, visionary child-and-family advocate Dr. Georgia Davis opened the doors to Funshop in a Springfield church. It was designed to be a safe haven where overscheduled parents and children could enjoy the rare gift of time to talk and play together, just for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Springfield, the staycation destination
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers fresh exhibits to try to lure locals back for another visit. PHOTO BY DAVID CARSON/TNS May 1-7 is National Travel and Tourism Week, and Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Gina Gemberling wants Springfield-area residents to join in the fun right here at home. “We are […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Keep to the code
PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM It’s my yard, I’ll do what I want – right? Maybe, and maybe not. Before breaking ground for a new garage, planning your first pool party, going into the egg business or working on your cousin’s car, make sure you’re up to date on Springfield’s building and zoning rules. Zoning administrator Matthew […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Home appraisal survival guide
PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM The useful life of an appraisal is just one year, so any sale, refinance or home equity loan will likely require a new appraisal ordered by the financial institution, conducted by a qualified appraiser familiar with your area, and filed in your permanent record. State-certified residential appraiser Henry Helton of Springfield offers […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Your beautiful garden
PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM If landscaping goes in cycles, where every few years there’s a wildly popular new thing you suddenly see everywhere, followed by a few years of refinements until the next new splashy thing, this is one of the quiet years, according to Green View landscapers Pamela O’Neill and Becca Trace. This year, there […]
