I do not fancy myself a skilled prognosticator. However, I can make one prediction about 2025 with a high degree of certainty: It will be a turbulent year. Those of us who value justice, equity, racial and religious harmony and the welfare of animals and of our planet will be sorely tried in the struggle […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
The Miracle of the Lights
I begin by wishing those of our readers who celebrate Christmas a joyous and blessed holiday. As we approach the beginning of a new year, I hope that for all of us 2025 will be a time of health, of happiness and of fulfillment and that the new year might witness a lessening of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
United Way plays crucial role in addressing community’s challenges
The United Way of Central Illinois holds a unique and vital position in our community. It serves as a bridge between those who can give and those who are in need, fostering a culture of collaboration, compassion and collective impact. From mobilizing volunteers to uniting local nonprofits around shared goals, United Way plays a crucial […]
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Building trust and community
In central Illinois I like to think we pride ourselves on being a community rooted in hard work, common sense and goodwill to our neighbors. Yet, lately, it seems our shared values have been shaken by the winds of fear and misinformation. This past month, a rumor swept through town like wildfire: “Venezuelan street gangs […]
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Mary reflects what Christmas means
At this time of year memory returns me to Kinesa al-Saa’ – the Church of the Clock – priory church of our Iraqi Dominican brothers in Mosul for more than 200 years. My first encounter with this historically complex edifice was 24 years ago. Over a series of visits, I was privileged to spend many […]
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Mary’s role in the Christmas story
And she gave birth to her firstborn son … Luke 2:7 Mary plays a unique and prominent role in the Judeo-Christian story of a sacred journey. It is Mary who brings God’s son into the world. In her womb she carried the One Christians call Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Mary’s significance […]
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Christmas mysteries
Have you ever noticed the many mysteries that center around Christmas? Children anxiously wonder and anticipate what they are going to get for Christmas. Millions of shoppers wonder how they are going to pay for the gifts they have bought. Others are mystified by the “magical feat” of getting millions of shoppers in only hundreds […]
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Winter Guide 2024
Our annual Winter Guide has tips on the best board games for all ages and stages, what to do when you’re feeling more ho-hum than festive and a look at a questionable Christmas commutation from a former Illinois governor, plus details on all the downtown festivities, an expanded calendar of holiday activities and more. Related […]
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Kansas City in the winter
Stepping onto a glass floor with hundreds of red poppies below, winding through exhibits of artillery and getting a feel for life in the trenches are part of what makes the National WWI Museum and Memorial a powerful experience and a must-see stop in Kansas City, Missouri. So are museums dedicated to art, jazz, Negro […]
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Head downtown for the holidays
The sidewalks of downtown Springfield will be busy again when the excitement of the holiday season returns with a whirlwind of activities and shopping during the Old Capitol Holiday Walks. The festivities begin on Saturday, Nov. 30, during Small Business Saturday. You’ll find downtown storefronts of locally owned businesses, restaurants and bars beautifully decorated in […]
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A Christmas commutation
On Dec. 20, 1900, then-Illinois Gov. John Tanner granted clemency to seven prisoners. Five were boys; four had stolen chickens and one had “attempted criminal assault.” Two were adult male murderers. One was a cop who killed a colleague while arguing about the Spanish-American War over after-work drinks. The other was a laborer who admitted […]
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Family fun for a cold winter day
Winter’s cold and dark days are upon us. All of a sudden, we are temporarily stuck indoors, and kids are complaining of boredom. Before you turn on the television and download yet another streaming subscription service, have you considered breaking out a board game? Board games offer opportunities to teach turn-taking, communication skills, strategy and […]
