Doris Kearns Goodwin, the renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is returning to Springfield June 11 to share insights about her recent book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s. The Lincoln Presidential Foundation is hosting the event at 7 p.m. at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The format will […]
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 inMusic
Relax your ears
Joel Styzens grew up in Springfield surrounded by music and started drum lessons at the age of nine. A part-time job in sales at the House of Music led to him teaching drums when he was 15. He went on to a professional career in music and has taught at the renowned Old Town School […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Periodical cicadas will emerge in droves
Throngs of people flocked to Illinois to witness the solar eclipse on April 8. Central Illinois will experience an even rarer phenomenon this spring, although it won’t attract as many tourists. In May or June, dependent on temperature, the 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas will emerge concurrently for the first time since 1803. This won’t […]
Posted inNews
Springfield YMCA celebrates 150 years
On March 25, YMCA officials, local dignitaries and Springfield citizens gathered in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary at Seventh and Capitol streets to celebrate 150 years of the YMCA serving Springfield. In the same building on that same date in 1874, a group of young men met to discuss forming a YMCA in Springfield. Federal, […]
Posted inNews
History of the Young Men’s Christian Association and Springfield YMCA
The Young Men’s Christian Association was founded in London in 1844 as a refuge for young men. The first U.S. YMCA opened in Boston in 1851. A group of young men met on March 25, 1874, at the First Presbyterian Church, Seventh and Capitol Streets, to discuss forming a Springfield YMCA. The impetus was to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PILLSBURIED: Art, artifacts and curiosities from the former Pillsbury site
For a unique and immersive experience, head downtown to 413 E. Adams St. from 6-9 p.m. March 28 or 29 and see a one-of-a-kind, massive art installation inspired by the rich history and subsequent decay of the Pillsbury Mills site. Over two tons of artifacts, building remnants and other curiosities from the former Pillsbury site […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Diversify your workouts
Everybody knows exercise is good for you, during all phases of your life. Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength as we age. Cardio workouts, balance exercises, and strength and resistance training are all part of many exercise regimes to help fight sarcopenia and maintain mobility, strength, endurance and balance. Any form of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Pastel Society gives back
The Illinois Prairie Pastel Society (IPPS) will present an exhibition of paintings by members at the Springfield Art Association (SAA) March 1-30, with a public reception on Friday, March 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The show will be judged by Aline Ordman, a nationally known pastel artist from Vermont, who will also conduct a three-day workshop for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Springfield native back home at the Hoogland
Jacob Seidman, 33, grew up in Springfield where theater and dance were a huge part of his life. He now lives in Los Angeles where he is focused on writing, acting and producing. He was a member of the Springfield Ballet Company (SBC) throughout high school and spent countless hours at the Hoogland Center for the […]
Posted inNews
Honoring Springfield native Julius Rosenwald, America’s first social philanthropist
Give while you live. That was the mantra of Julius Rosenwald. He amassed a fortune as the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. He used his wealth to create a remarkable legacy, providing a lead gift to found the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and funding schools for African Americans throughout the South. […]
Posted inNews
New “Lincoln’s Springfield” exhibit
Developing an exhibit targeted at schoolchildren has been in the Lincoln Home National Historic Site master plan for over a decade. “This exhibit never would have been completed if it had to depend on federal funding,” said Timothy Good, superintendent of Lincoln Home NHS. The Lincoln Presidential Foundation led the project, hired the exhibit designer […]
Posted inNews
Lincoln’s new neighbor
Lincoln Home National Historic Site (NHS) now has a new exhibit targeted at the many students who visit each year. This is the first youth-oriented exhibit within the Lincoln Home NHS and the first new exhibit in 20 years. “Lincoln’s Springfield” is the result of a partnership with the Lincoln Presidential Foundation and a gift […]
