Nestled in a lush, park-like setting in Girard, 30 miles south of Springfield, sits Courtyard Estates, a senior living facility that offers both independent and assisted living and boasts a story that spans 120 years. The origin of Courtyard Estates goes back to 1900, when the Church of the Brethren of Southern Illinois appointed a […]
Jean Campbell
Posted inSpecial Issues
Springfield’s Reisch Beer makes a comeback
Reisch Beer had a long and wonderful history in Springfield. The Reisch Brewing Company was founded in 1849 by Franz Reisch, an immigrant from Germany, on the land that is now occupied by SIU School of Medicine facilities. At one point, it was the longest-running brewery in the country, and the beers brewed were uncontested […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Still jamming after all these years
At age 72, Hank Helton has spent the better part of his life playing and singing in bands. By the numbers…he has performed with 10-plus bands over the years. He owns nine guitars, including acoustic, electric, a hybrid acoustic/electric, a bass and a bouzouki (8-string Irish guitar). He says he also plays a modicum of […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Make your Job Fair experience a success
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Job Fair gives you the opportunity to network with a broad range of employers. You’ll find booths staffed by HR professionals from a cross section of industries, including health care, government, education, nonprofit, IT, insurance, food service and labor. HR recruiters from four organizations participating in the Job Fair […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
This artist harnesses earth, wind, fire and water
Above are the words pottery artist Simon Levin uses to describe himself professionally on his Instagram account. He could easily add Innovator, Clay Lover, Mentor, Teacher, Award Winner and Wood-Firing Kiln Builder. Levin, 55, is a highly skilled and gifted creator of one-of-a-kind utilitarian pottery, including plates, cups, bowls, vases and jars. He explains that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
World-renowned tenor to perform in Springfield
The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space in downtown Springfield will host An Evening with Emmanuel di Villarosa, a famed opera singer, on Dec. 8. This is a rare opportunity for music lovers to experience an incredible talent in an intimate venue. The singer will perform a number of famous arias, including “E lucevan le stelle” […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Always sowing, always growing
Landscape architect Greg Pierceall started designing his “paradise garden” at his home in Springfield after he retired about 10 years ago. A decade later, it is a sight, and a site, to behold. “A stretch of land that goes back 300 feet from my house and was formerly vacant is now filled with hundreds of […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
A blueprint for fall gardening
The end of summer does not mean the end of gardening. In fact, fall provides opportunities for planting vegetables, as well as bulbs and hostas that will ensure a colorful and beautiful garden come spring. Mary Hinkle and Patty Lloyd, who serve as the horticulture committee chairs for the Springfield Civic Garden Club, share their […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A successful first season for The Lincolns of Springfield
If you are a Lincoln history buff or if you simply love musical theater, treat yourself to The Lincolns of Springfield, currently playing at the Hoogland Center for the Arts through July 16. Be ready for songs that will fill your heart, stir your soul and stay with you long after the performance. I experienced […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Spend your summer vacation in Springfield
Summertime is when lots of people plan getaways to explore new cities and sites. But you can also have fun, new adventures and experiences right here in Springfield. Your hometown offers concerts, theater, sports and historical sites without having to deal with the vagaries (and cost) of travel. Here are a few ideas for a […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Silver Sneakers energizes baby boomers
Sydney Herzberger and Barb Nelson are two of about 2,000 Springfield YMCA members who get their membership free through the Silver Sneakers program, a benefit of some Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplemental plans. And they are big fans of the program. Nelson, 87, had stents placed in blocked arteries about 15 years ago. She started […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A new Lincoln musical arrives in Springfield
Terrence and Rebecca Powers Cranert recently relocated to Springfield from California, where they had raised a family and enjoyed successful careers. Terrence Cranert was chief trial attorney for Zurich Insurance in Los Angeles. And Rebecca Cranert held leadership positions in theater, education and business. Their shared dream was to create and produce their own musical […]
