More than 400 colorful quilts, along with other quilt-related items, will fill the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on March 20 and 21. The 2026 “Seam to Shining Seam” show features quilts made by Springfield-area quilters who are part of Q.U.I.L.T.S – Quilters United in Learning, Teaching and Self-Improvement. Now held every two […]
Karen Ackerman Witter
Karen Ackerman Witter started freelance writing after a 35-year career in state government holding various senior leadership positions. Prior to retiring she was associate director of the Illinois State Museum for 14 years. She is the past president of the Kidzeum Board of Directors and is an active volunteer with the Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise, Women for Women giving circle of the Community Foundation, NPR Illinois and other community organizations.
Posted inUncategorized
High school essay winners write from the heart
This year is the 20th annual This I Believe essay contest for high school seniors, sponsored by NPR Illinois. Modeled after the program started by radio journalist Edward R. Murrow in 1951, students are invited to write an essay sharing their personal beliefs. This fall, 210 students from throughout the NPR Illinois listening area submitted […]
Posted inNews
Springfield woman elected president of the National Organization for Women
Kim Villanueva of Springfield is the newly elected president of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She is moving to Washington, D.C., to become the paid CEO of NOW after serving in a volunteer capacity with the organization for decades. She previously worked at the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for 40 years as director […]
Posted inNews
Baby Quest Foundation gives hope to local couple
Amanda and Courtney Pingleton of Springfield hope to have a baby through in vitro fertilization (IVF), thanks to a grant from the Baby Quest Foundation. The nonprofit is based in Los Angeles and works with people nationwide, but the founder has a Springfield connection. Pamela Hirsch, who grew up in Springfield and now lives in […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
STEAM learning opportunities for kids
Scouting America and Illinois State Museum team up for STEAM workshops The Abraham Lincoln Council of Scouting America is partnering with the Illinois State Museum to present a monthly series of STEM workshops with engaging hands-on experiences for boys and girls ages 5–11. Programs will be offered one Saturday each month in September, October and […]
Posted inNews
Creative Reuse Marketplace relocates to White Oaks Mall
Creative Reuse Marketplace has reopened in White Oaks Mall on the upper level next to Malibu Jack’s. CRM is much more than a retail store. It is a nonprofit organization that inspires creativity, provides a place to donate items for reuse, keeps materials out of the landfill and engages in educational programs with art as […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Friday Night Live in downtown Springfield
Downtown Springfield is the place to go on four Friday nights this summer to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and family fun at local businesses. Friday Night Live is a collaboration among downtown businesses and community supporters to bring people downtown and experience all those local businesses have to offer. It was born from a grassroots […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Threads of Truth quilt to be unveiled
The community is invited to the unveiling of a remarkable quilt made by young men from The Outlet in collaboration with the Social Justice Sewing Academy through a partnership with the Downtown Springfield Rotary Club. The quilt will be part of the “Noir V: Resilience” exhibit at the Illinois State Museum, curated by Austin Wells […]
Posted inNews
Protests continue in Springfield
Another 50501 protest, part of a grassroots movement that has been organizing gatherings in all 50 states to protest the actions of the Trump administration, took place in front of the Capitol on Saturday, May 3. The term 50501 refers to 50 protests in 50 states as part of one movement that encourages people to […]
Posted inNews
Feds cut funding for cultural institutions
The Trump administration is dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a tiny federal agency and primary source of federal funding for museums and libraries. Grants help libraries and museums in every state achieve high standards of excellence and serve their communities – through educational programming, exhibits, collections, professional development and library services. […]
Posted inNews
Recognizing the spirit of Abraham Lincoln
The Lincoln Presidential Foundation presented Sam Waterston with its 18th annual Lincoln Leadership Prize at a ceremony in Chicago on April 21. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, received the Foundation’s Wayne Whalen “Charity for All” Award, which is inspired by Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. The Lincoln Leadership Prize is awarded to individuals for a lifetime of […]
Posted inOpinion
Released from prison with nowhere to go
Since retiring from a career in state government I’ve enjoyed freelance writing about an eclectic range of topics, often focused on museums and cultural organizations, natural resources and the environment, health and fitness, community organizations, interesting people and local events. It has become my continuing education and has also inspired me to want to learn […]
