A few weeks ago, I stood on the stage of the Bank of Springfield Center, shaking the hands of more than 1,000 University of Illinois Springfield students who earned their degrees this year. Each graduate represents a story of perseverance, growth and achievement. It is a privilege to celebrate those journeys and to see the […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
A common endeavor
As the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding approaches, rather than celebratory peals, millions of Americans will be hearing alarm bells ringing as they witness the daily erosion of traditional American ideals such as freedom, justice and equality. Of course, this country has never fully lived up to these ideals; even so, they have served […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Illinois College to host Camp College
Local middle and high school students are invited to the Illinois College campus this summer for Camp College, a two-day immersive experience designed to introduce students to STEAM projects, college life and career exploration. The camp will take place June 15 – 16 and is open to rising sixth graders through eight graders and rising […]
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From commencement to summer opportunities at LLCC
There are few moments in the life of a college as meaningful as commencement, and Friday, May 15, was a powerful reminder of why our mission at Lincoln Land Community College matters. As I looked out over our graduates – surrounded by proud families, friends and faculty – I was filled with deep pride and […]
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Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah
The Memorial Day weekend is a time when we remember and honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the service of our country. Coincidentally, this past weekend observant Christians and Jews both marked special occasions on their respective religious calendars. Jews, this past Friday and Saturday, observed the festival of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
More than tea: A culture of whimsy
There’s something quite transformative happening inside Whimsy Tea Company; and it has very little to do with the inventory on the shelves. It’s a warmth you can feel the moment you walk in. The walls are lined with local art, each one telling its own unique story. Exotic aromatic teas line the shelves for guests […]
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Have jokes, will travel
Cassandra Simpson has been performing as a stand-up comedian in Springfield for three years. For two of those years, she was the host for The Wakery’s open mic, but that gig came to an end when the venue closed its doors in August of 2025. The end of the downtown venue left aspiring local comics […]
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Sacred faces, sacred voices
The Vatican’s World Day of Social Communications was last Sunday, May 17. Next Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost. There is a lot to think about there. The Sunday before Pentecost was purposely chosen by Pope St. Paul VI in 1967 as the date for this observance when “social communication” meant television, radio and print, and […]
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From India to Springfield
Many social media congratulatory comments posted upon the conclusion of the Naturalization Ceremony at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 13, 2025, were meant for each one of the immigrants who at that time became America’s newest citizens. The congratulations were extended to every one of the nearly 400 people from over 70 countries, including […]
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Women for Women awards $70,000 to area nonprofits
Women for Women awarded a record-breaking $70,000 in grants to three local nonprofits during its 18th Annual Grant Reception on Wednesday, May 13, recognizing organizations addressing some of central Illinois’ most pressing challenges facing women and children. This year’s grants will support programs focused on childhood food insecurity, family support services, and care for children […]
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Hospital Sister Mission Outreach ships $1 million of supplies to Bolivia
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach has shipped a container of medical supplies and equipment valued at $1 million to Bolivia. The 40-foot shipping container of requested supplies left the Mission Outreach warehouse, 4930 Laverna Road in Springfield, on May 5. This is the most expensive shipment since the medical supply and equipment recovery organization was founded […]
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Don’t let the summer slide take hold – reading resources exist right here in our community
Every summer, something quietly happens to young readers. School lets out, routines shift and before long, the books get pushed aside. What follows is well-documented. Research consistently shows that students can lose up to two to three months of reading progress over the summer months – a phenomenon known as the “summer slide” or summer […]
