Nearly two centuries after his birth, Springfield’s best-known resident remains a revered icon, a leader who bore the weight of destiny to his untimely demise. Born in dire poverty and self-educated, Abraham Lincoln rose to lead our nation during its darkest time. His words inspired Americans during the Civil War, and they inspire us today. […]
Illinois Times Staff
Posted inNews
Get your kicks on Route 66
There’s something about Route 66 that confounds the “more is better” school of thought. It may be Illinois’ biggest tourist draw, yet it’s so small-scale and affordable. You can spend a whole day on the Mother Road and not turn loose even $50. In the process you’ll probably make a friend or two. Almost certainly […]
Posted inNews
quick takes 6-3-04
THE PEACE MEAL Don’t be surprised if the next nun you see is looking a wee bit peckish. Beginning this Friday, and every Friday, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield are joining an international fast for peace in Iraq. “We felt we needed a strong symbolic way to express our solidarity with the Iraqi people,” says […]
Posted inNews
Quirky museums near Springfield
It takes more than a big rock on a ring finger to dazzle the eye — the smaller jewels arranged around it help make an even better impression. So it is with unique museums that surround the capital city. If you’re looking for diversion on roads less traveled, and you have the time, we recommend […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Knoepfle 5-27-04
sandalwood poem #3 when you left you did not tell me how it would be this empty bed was a threshing floor now the wind turns our house around © John Knoepfle 1978, 2004
Posted inNews
quick takes 5-27-04
WHAT COUNTS Some 30 social service leaders and volunteers broke into nine teams last Friday night and spent four hours scouting Springfield’s city limits for homeless people. While the final results have yet to be released, it appears the tally matches almost exactly the findings from last year of slightly more than 400. Rita Tarr, […]
Posted inOpinion
letters 5-27-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com WHAT’S SO FUNNY? I would like to thank Todd Spivak for the […]
Posted inOpinion
letters 5-20-04
Letters policy We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity. Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com KEEP THE KIDS AT HOME I am writing about the situation at […]
Posted inNews
quicktakes 5-20-04
UNION UNITED From the Stratton and Dirksen buildings to the Old State Capitol to several other sites across Springfield and throughout Illinois, thousands of state employees took to the streets during lunch hours on Monday. They gathered to deliver a message to the governor. After five months of stalled negotiations, the American Federation of State, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Earth Talk 5-20-04
Dear Earth Talk: Which are better for the environment, disposable or cloth diapers? — Barbara Fritts, White Lake, Mich. The “disposable versus cloth” debate has raged among environmentalists for years. Non-degradable disposable diapers can sit for decades, even centuries, in landfills and require thousands of tons of plastic and hundreds of thousands of trees to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Earth Talk 5-13-04
Dear Earth Talk: What are some ways to maintain a “green” swimming pool? — Jim Humphey, North Andover, Mass. The primary health and environmental drawbacks to swimming pools are water waste, energy waste, and overuse of chlorine. Chlorine is very irritating to the eyes and skin, and can trigger breathing difficulties by also “stinging” the […]
Posted inNews
quick takes 5-13-04
STUDENT ACHIEVER NO. 1 Liz Moran, a local student activist, has been named one of three “National Raise Your Voice” fellows by the National Campus Compact, a coalition of more than 900 colleges and universities. Founded in 1985, the Compact promotes community involvement by students. Moran, who will be senior in the University of Illinois […]
