Every January, a representative from my health insurance company calls to schedule my annual wellness visit. Hard to believe? I thought so too, but it’s true. The calls continue until I’m reached and make an appointment or decline the visit. A couple of years ago, two women wearing white coats and stethoscopes around their necks […]
Holly A. Whisler
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Don’t let winter blindside you
The following checklist is in no way a hastening of winter; rather, it’s a stress reducer, because a little time spent preparing your home for winter now will save you a great deal of grief later. Begin with the exterior of your home while warmer temperatures prevail and then move to the interior: Roof Have […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Plan your home improvement projects
Whether it’s adding outdoor spaces for relaxation, adding another room for functionality, changing aesthetics to update the look of your home or making improvements for energy efficiency and savings on utility bills, this is the time of year to get it done. Griffitts Construction and Buraski Builders are both family-owned and operated businesses that have […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Tips for acing your interview
Interviewing can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re prepared. Taking time to prepare will set you up for success and turn the interview into an exciting challenge – the opportunity to show how well your skills and abilities match the position you desire. The following are some tips that may seem […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Prepare your resume to be read by AI
We can all relate to the experience of being the job seeker, but can you relate to those on the other side of the equation? Those on the search committee may have more than 100 cover letters and resumes to review and evaluate with the goal of identifying three candidates to interview to fill only […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ditch the dramatic New Year’s resolutions
Did you set a New Year’s resolution for 2025? Are you still going strong, or have you slipped and already feel like a failure? If so, you can blame the Babylonians, who are thought to be the forerunners of resolutions, and then you can begin accomplishing goals in a manner that seems too easy to […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Become a beekeeper
Bees know how to bee, so just let them be is the philosophy of urban beekeepers Jason and Lauren Baker. Lauren Baker said that she and her husband raise bees a little differently than some. They take a hands-off approach, trusting that bees know how to do the tasks that are inherent to their nature, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Take control of your job search
If you’re a job seeker, you might be looking for your first career position, your next move up the ladder or a complete transformation of your life by embarking upon a different career field. Whichever type of job seeker you are, you’ll find the following job-search strategies useful. First, begin with the end in mind. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Park upgrades planned
Summer is peak time for fun in Springfield parks, and there’s plenty of work going on behind the scenes that the public doesn’t see but is necessary to keep our parks in good working order. The Springfield Park District is tasked with maintaining 36 parks, 23 miles of bike trails, more than 20 recreation facilities […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Master virtual interviewing
If you are actively job-hunting, you’ll need to master the virtual job interview. LinkedIn published statistics summarizing all aspects of working remotely at the close of 2023 and claimed 93% of employers plan to continue conducting job interviews remotely. Employers have found this to be an effective means of conducting initial interviews. There are pros […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Spring cleaning checklist
Ever wondered why we call it “spring cleaning”? According to National Geographic, spring cleaning dates back to ancient times, and the themes of purification, preparation for a new beginning and the celebration of spring’s arrival are central to this worldwide tradition. Before electricity, homes were heated with coal and light was provided by the flame […]
Posted inNews
Give your brain a workout
Neuroplasticity is a big word that simply means when the brain is challenged in a new way, such as making music or learning a second language, it has the ability to change and adapt. This helps protect against cognitive decline as we age. Challenge the brain by learning new information, taking in new experiences and […]
