Springfield offers a wide range of venues for your wedding ceremony – from beautiful churches to lovely outdoor parks, from museums and historic sites to banquet halls and clubs, from formal to casual, large to small, and intimate to expansive. A popular place for outdoor weddings is Washington Park, with its colorful formal and informal […]
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 inSpecial Issues
Picking a venue and staying on track
Location, cost, size, ambiance and amenities are all factors in selecting a venue for the ceremony and reception. In addition, it’s important to understand how much you will need to do versus what the venue will handle for you. Most people are planning a wedding for the first time and don’t fully appreciate the many […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Wedding advice from a pastor
One of the most important decisions a couple must make in planning the wedding is determining who will conduct your ceremony and where it will be held. Will it be in a church, conducted by a member of the clergy? Will it be in another location but officiated by a clergy member? Or, will it […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Using an officiant to lead
Weddings in Illinois must be “licensed, solemnized and registered.” Couples often choose to have their wedding “solemnized” by someone with whom they have a personal relationship. For many, this is their pastor, priest, rabbi or other clergy member. Others may not be affiliated with a church or may not currently have a personal relationship with […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
All calories are not equal
Food guidelines may sound challenging at first – no processed food, no sugar, no grains and no dairy. No snacking in between meals, and finish eating two hours before bedtime. All calories are not equal, and the combination of foods is important. Meals should be balanced with 30 percent protein (meats, fish, fowl, eggs), 30 […]
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Living in the fast(ing) lane
Walk into CrossFit Instinct, and you will see people doing high-intensity workouts. However, CrossFit Instinct Coach Mike Suhadolnik is the first to say that losing weight and getting in shape involves 20 percent exercise and 80 percent what you eat and drink. People may spend an hour in the gym, but what they do the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Morton, the pumpkin capital of the world
For a fun fall outing about an hour’s drive from Springfield, take a trip to Morton – the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Ackerman Family Farms, LLC, located at the eastern edge of Morton, is the perfect place to purchase pumpkins, fall décor and local products in a family-friendly setting. Fourth generation farmer John Ackerman […]
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Living memorials
Memorial. What a fitting middle name for Lincoln Memorial Garden. The founders of this gem on the shore of Lake Springfield envisioned a living memorial to honor Abraham Lincoln and his association with Springfield. They succeeded in creating a garden reflective of the landscape that would have been familiar to Lincoln, and many generations of […]
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Trump slashes budget for museums and libraries
Medicaid, education, the environment and social services are some of the high-profile issues affected by the Trump FY 2018 budget proposal. There are many additional impacts on small federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). If you have visited the children’s Play Museum at the Illinois State Museum or checked out […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Abe’s army of volunteers
Museums of all types and sizes rely on volunteers for a myriad of activities, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is no exception. ALPLM has a robust volunteer program with 540 active volunteers. Jeremy Carrell, director of volunteer services, says the number, quality and passion of volunteers far exceeds early expectations. Volunteers […]
Posted inNews
Carillon Festival concludes Friday
The carillon in Washington Park is not only a familiar icon to Springfield residents, it is also known internationally as one of the world’s largest and best carillons. The final two nights of the 56th annual International Carillon Festival are Thursday and Friday. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy an evening of music. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
International Carillon Festival begins Sunday
The carillon in Washington Park is not only a familiar icon to Springfield residents, it is also known internationally as one of the world’s largest and best carillons. From June 4 to 9, renowned carillonists from The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Michigan and Texas will be in Springfield for the 56th annual International Carillon Festival. Begun […]
