Next week, Illinois’ favorite native son finally turns 200. After days, months, and even years of planning and preparing, Springfield residents will tip their hats to the 16th president in a weeklong celebration of his life and legacy. The party kicks off Feb. 6 with the opening performance of Our American Cousin, the play Abraham […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Grandson of Free Frank, an early inventor with Springfield roots
Many of us have heard about New Philadelphia, the racially integrated town in west central Illinois established by former slave “Free Frank” McWorter in 1836. Free Frank was an enterprising man who bought his own freedom and that of several family members, and developed this town where blacks and whites lived in equality. But few […]
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Life has gotten bleeping crazy
Years ago, when I was new in town and causing trouble, Rich Miller phoned me, out of the blue, and invited me to lunch. As I recall, he gave me something like 15 minutes notice to show up at a downtown restaurant. I figured his real lunch appointment must have canceled and I was a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A housing crisis and its new year’s resolution
This time of year, when you can offend one person by saying “Merry Christmas” and tick off the next with “Happy Holidays,” it’s nice to know you can still count on karma, that spiritual version of what goes around, comes around. Take, for example, Dorothy Milford, first introduced to Illinois Times readers in April 2007, […]
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Memories of Christmases past
Candles and popcorn strings on the tree, and the rare fruit treat in your stocking — they were all part of Christmases past. And they’re so removed from our modern lives, which often feature electrically-lit, artificial Christmas trees and fruit every day of the year. Here, for your enjoyment, are reminiscences of Christmases long ago, […]
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Holiday cacti brighten up your gloomy winter
A holiday cactus in full bloom is a great holiday gift. This easy-to-care-for plant generally lives a long life and will easily bloom year after year. In fact I often hear about holiday cacti being passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom. When selecting a new plant, look for sturdy, healthy green […]
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No, it’s not like this everywhere
I should’ve known there was something sick about this state. After all, this is Illinois; it isn’t Wellinois. Ever since I moved here, two phrases have grated on my ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. One is, “But that’s the way we’ve always done it.” The other is its kissing cousin, “Anyway, it’s like that […]
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Smiles across the miles
My baby Evan has always had a million dollar smile. I’m not saying that because I’m his mom; everybody with normal eyesight notices. It’s not just his perfectly aligned milk-white teeth, set off by his mocha skin; it’s not even the dimples in each cheek. The essence comes from the gleam in his eyes and […]
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The First Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
When the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum opened, it was heralded as the first of its kind. However, there was an unofficial version housed in the Lincoln Home from 1884 to 1893. It was run by Civil War veteran Osborn Oldroyd, a man who was as quirky as the museum he created. When Oldroyd began collecting […]
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Smiling faces of diversity at Obama’s victory rally
As I write this, I have been up all night. My feet are throbbing, my legs feel like they’re made of old recycled tire rubber and my back has seized up so stiff that it hurts to stretch. I just made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich — for breakfast. And I am the […]
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Enjoy the season with autumn gardening chores
Don’t let recent cool temperatures make you think that the gardening season is over. Fall is a great time to get a few last chores done and get a head start on next spring. Here are a few items to add to your fall garden “to do” list. It’s not too late to plant spring […]
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How Sangamon County pols went to the poles in 1844
During modern elections, Democrats and Republicans show their loyalty with lawn signs. In the 1800s, it was tree poles. They were erected on main streets and lawns around the country during rambunctious “pole raisings,” which attracted large numbers of party faithful and faithful partiers. In the 1844 presidential election, which pitted Democrat James K. Polk […]
