To track Robert Moore’s life and career is to study one person’s successful journey in the Great Migration of the 20th century. To see this Springfield man’s connections to other major events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Civil Rights Movement adds a personal dimension that makes history feel more real. Born in […]
Ed Wojcicki
Ed Wojcicki has been freelancing since 1979 while working as a journalist, higher education administrator and association executive director. He has degrees in journalism and political science and is the author of three books. Born and raised in St. Louis, he has lived in Springfield, Illinois, since 1985 and has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Posted inArts & Culture
Chatham Strong Fest
A daylong family-friendly music festival featuring six performers will give people an opportunity to pay tribute to the April 28 accident victims in Chatham and raise money to support them. Billed as the Chatham Strong Fest, it will run from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at the Chatham Community Park, 711 S. Park […]
Posted inNews
A bridge builder and waymaker
This is the citation for the Dr. Kenniebrew Award, presented to Sunshine Clemons Feb. 13 at the annual Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew Lecture, sponsored by HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Memorial Health System and the SIU Foundation. Dr. Kenniebrew was the first African American physician in the United States to build and operate a surgical hospital, the […]
Posted inNews
Sunshine
Last summer, a group of people attempted to disrupt a popular Levitt AMP concert on the Y Block in downtown Springfield. They were angry about the recent murder of Sonya Massey, and the scene grew tense, with Springfield police moving in. Someone called Sunshine Clemons, co-president of Black Lives Matter SPI, who was leaving a […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
NAACP president seeks partnerships
Austin Randolph, Jr., knows that some people may be surprised by the initiatives he is taking in his new role as president of the Springfield Branch of the NAACP. He took the top position last year when Teresa Haley stepped aside. He and other officers were formally installed Jan. 30 at a ceremony downtown. One […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Catching up with Debbie Ross and her band
Debbie Ross has sung for three U.S. presidents, a vice president and for more brides and grooms and bar patrons than she can remember, and she plans “to do something musically” after retiring later this year from a long career in state government. By day she is still a librarian at the state prison in […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Sunshine
Sunshine “We’re just trying to make Springfield better” – Sunshine Clemons, co-president, Black Lives Matter SPI PROFILE | Ed Wojcicki Last summer, a group of people attempted to disrupt a popular Levitt AMP concert on the Y Block in downtown Springfield. They were angry about the recent murder of Sonya Massey, and the scene grew tense, […]
Posted inNews
Former ambassador talks Panama tensions
A sold-out audience packed the Illini Country Club meeting room Feb. 26 to learn about and discuss the hot-button topics of Panama and tariffs. More than 100 people began with a meal of Panamanian food and another 40 arrived for a presentation by former Ambassador Edward O’Donnell at the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois […]
Posted inArts & Culture
How the 1908 Race Riot led to the NAACP
We commonly hear that the terrible Springfield race riot of 1908 led to the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but not much is generally known about how that happened. Information from the national NAACP, the Sangamon Valley Collection at Lincoln Library and the Sangamon County Historical Society help put […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
GAIL LORENZINI Aug. 7, 1952-July 4, 2024
Gail Lorenzini was an educator, an entrepreneur and a business owner who immersed herself into the community and took advantage of her varied points of contact to support area causes. Gail did nearly all of this in partnership with her husband, John, before she died unexpectedly July 4 at the age of 71. Gail and […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
WILLIAM “BILL” HOLLAND Nov. 22, 1951-Aug. 10, 2024
Bill Holland arrived in Springfield modestly but stayed for almost a half-century and became a revered public servant, mostly out of public sight. What brought him here was a one-year internship after graduating from Seattle University in 1974 with a degree in public affairs. He was hired on full time by the House Democratic staff […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Route 66 Festival to be held downtown Sept. 27-29
Route 66 Mother Road FestivalDowntown SpringfieldFriday, Sept. 27, 6-10 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.Sunday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The 23rd Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival, presented by Recon Techs of Springfield, will include its annual cruise through the city, live music, celebrity guests and the downtown show of classic cars. Some […]
