Some people start the New Year with gusto, resolutions firmly planted, determined to make big changes. Often the goals relate to health and fitness. Some prevail. Many do not. If that is you, go for it. But, if New Year’s resolutions aren’t your thing and you aren’t totally committed to what seems like a lot […]
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
Sugar and the American diet
Sugar was first domesticated in New Guinea 10,000 years ago. Sugar cane spread to Asia and Europe, but was initially only available to the wealthy. Christopher Columbus first introduced sugar cane to the New World during his second voyage in 1493. Sugar cane grew well in the hot, humid conditions in the Caribbean. Native peoples […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
DR. TOWFIG MIR ARJMAND June 4, 1929-Aug. 23, 2019
“Towfig Arjmand always bore himself with dignity. He even bore i ndignities with dignity,” says Rabbi Michael Datz of Temple B’Rith Sholom. A resident of Springfield for more than 50 years, Arjmand was born in Kermanshah in western Iran. He came to work at St. John’s Hospital in 1966, which was the beginning of his […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
GUERRY SUGGS Nov. 1, 1938-April 9, 2019
Guerry Suggs always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eyes and was quick to tell a joke. First Citizen of Springfield, philanthropist, volunteer, friend, mentor, champion, servant leader and avid baseball fan are a few descriptors of this beloved community leader. Suggs graduated from Cornell University and had an MBA from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Metropolitan Opera magic comes to Springfield
It is a well-kept secret that you can watch a live performance of New York City’s Metropolitan Opera right here at our local AMC Springfield 12 movie theater. The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series brings the magic of the Met to movie theaters in more than 70 countries worldwide, including here in Springfield. The […]
Posted inNews
Illinois State Museum gives cultural artifacts back to Australian Aboriginal peoples
For over 75 years, cultural items handcrafted by Australian Aboriginal peoples rested quietly at the Illinois State Museum (ISM), cared for by museum curators. Last Wednesday marked the beginning of their journey home. They will play a dynamic role in revitalizing Aboriginal traditions and culture. Many of the objects were made with simple tools 100 […]
Posted inNews
Illinois State Museum returns artifacts to Australia
The Illinois State Museum is making national news in Australia. The Australian government recently announced that 42 culturally significant objects will soon be brought home from the United States. They include secret/sacred, ceremonial and secular objects. The ISM is the first institution in the world to return culturally significant objects as part of the Return […]
Posted inNews
Study abroad changes lives
“I learned so much about myself and discovered how to deal with situations in a different way,” says Maia Ojugbele, a Rotary Youth Exchange student who spent a year in Taiwan. Maia, Mandy Lynn and Yasmin Martinez-Powell are all Springfield High School students who traded a year at SHS for a year overseas. Mandy went […]
Posted inNews
Bringing farmers and eaters together
The Illinois Stewardship Alliance promotes eating local, wholesome foods and supports local food producers. The Buy Fresh, Buy Local Central Illinois campaign – to connect farmers with eaters – is just one example of how the organization works to connect local farmers with community members, restaurants and retailers. Proceeds from the group’s annual Harvest Celebration […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The art of the fair
Mention the Illinois State Fair, and things like corn dogs, lemon shakeups, the giant slide, concerts in the Grandstand, animal barns, dizzying rides and all types of food on a stick come to mind. But a professional art exhibition is also a stalwart of the Illinois State Fair. There has been a professional art exhibition […]
Posted inNews
Women who go the distance
Women runners and walkers are encouraged to turn out in force on July 13 at Washington Park to celebrate the 40th annual Springfield Women’s Distance Festival (WDF). The first was July 26, 1980. Why is a two-mile race called a distance festival? Debbie Huffman, who codirected the first WDF with George Anne Daly, explains that […]
Posted inNews
2019 Women’s Distance Festival
Whether you are an avid runner, a walker or have never thought about participating, this is a great year for women to sign up for the race. Everyone who registers gets a race shirt and swag bag with goodies and is entered to win door prizes. Previous race directors are invited to attend and be […]
