Match Day is an exciting milestone in the life of a medical student. Fourth-year med students across the country learn at the same time where they will be going for their advanced training. On Monday, March 14, students were informed by email if they were matched for a residency. The following Friday students find out […]
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 inArts & Culture
Not your grandmother’s quilts
Nearly 500 creative and colorful quilts will fill the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds March 18 and 19. This biennial event features quilts made by members of the Springfield Area Quilt Guild. It is one of the largest quilt shows in the Midwest and is not just for quilters. These aren’t your grandmother’s […]
Posted inOpinion
African American History Museum receives $660,000
Big improvements are in store for the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum, thanks to a $662,545 Public Museums Capital Grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that 36 Illinois museums will receive a total of $19.7 million through the Rebuild Illinois capital program. Kidzeum is the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Blessed in This Mess
More than one in five adults in the U.S. are caregivers, according to Caregiving in the U.S. 2020, published by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. The study also revealed that caregivers are in worse health than five years ago. Lori Schlosser of Springfield has years of experience as a caregiver and understands the […]
Posted inOpinion
Kidzeum picks up STEAM
Kidzeum recently received good news. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded Kidzeum a $355,400 public museum capital grant to transform undeveloped space into a center for STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics). This is funded through DNR’s allocation of $27 million from the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital program for grants to […]
Posted inOpinion
Mobile Museum of Tolerance visits here
The Mobile Museum of Tolerance was in Springfield last week at the request of Senator Doris Turner, D-Springfield. The Simon Wiesenthal Center created the mobile museum to inspire and empower people of all ages and backgrounds to raise their voices and combat anti-Semitism, bullying, racism, hate and intolerance. The bus is adorned with images of […]
Posted inOpinion
Black Lives Matter SPI helps kids
This is the inaugural year for Black Children’s Book Week, to be celebrated globally Feb. 27-March 5. The goal is to ensure Black children see themselves represented in literature. Veronica Chapman, founder of Black Baby Books, launched the initiative to celebrate Black children and the Black-authored books that represent them. Black Lives Matter SPI is leading this […]
Posted inOpinion
Think spring. Buy a tree.
It’s time to get ready for spring. Now through the end of February you can order trees through the Springfield Parks Foundation. Purchase a tree for yourself or donate one for the Springfield Park District to plant. All proceeds from the tree sales will be used by the Springfield Parks Foundation to help fund local […]
Posted inOpinion
Black History Month
Here’s a sampling of Black History Month programs in the capital city. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Alderman Shawn Gregory, are offering creative hike and bike tours. Put on your hiking shoes and join a guide for a 90-minute hike around Oak Ridge Cemetery. Learn about the history of Springfield’s Black community, including […]
Posted inOpinion
Plans for a downtown master plan
A revitalized and resilient downtown is a priority in The Next 10, A Community Visioning Plan for Greater Springfield released in spring 2021. The report identified the need for a downtown master plan that addresses a strengthened connection with the Mid-Illinois Medical District. Downtown Springfield Inc. (DSI) recently solicited proposals for a multidisciplinary planning effort […]
Posted inOpinion
Student art on display
It’s well-documented that participation in the arts has a positive impact on the cognitive development and well-being of children and young people. Local organizations and volunteers are partnering with District 186 and surrounding schools to showcase the creative talents of our youth. Art for the Ages, at the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History […]
Posted inOpinion
Cookbooks are more than recipes
Food is inextricably linked to one’s heritage and culture. Cookbooks are much more than recipes. They reveal life, culture and foodways of the times. Kathryn Harris – local historian, librarian and Springfield’s 2020 First Citizen – has an impressive collection of African American cookbooks. They are now in the “Follow the Recipe” exhibit at the […]
