Community & Lifestyle

In courtroom wells, they called him judge, or your honor. In casual conversation, it was Schmidy, a man who rarely lost a case and never an election. John Schmidt grew up in Springfield, played center for the Lanphier football team and once figured on becoming a pilot. But, at some point in high school, his […]

On April 24, 2017, Springfield lost one of its greatest treasures, Joseph Raymond Klauzer. In 64 years of life, he touched many hearts. If you knew Joe, you were blessed with an amazing friendship. He acquired many lifelong friends as a young boy who grew up on the north end. His childhood stories included bicycles, […]

“The only good thing about the good old days is they’re gone.“– Dick Gregory Dick Gregory, who passed away in August at the age of 84, had the rare gift of combining humor with social commentary in a way that created understanding and unity rather than division. As a stand-up comedian starting out in the […]

Barbara Dickerman, known as “Babs” to most, had boundless energy and a vivacious personality. She was a crusader for social justice causes in Springfield. Whether it was fighting for fair and equitable housing or speaking at a city council meeting, Babs wanted justice for all people of all races and all religions. She could be […]

Two hundred words is not enough. The impact John had on the lives of those he touched during his short time here will always be remembered. He was a proud father of two wonderful daughters, a beloved brother and son, a loyal friend and so much more. John was a known and well respected Springfield […]

I met Uncle Bill in the summer of 1962 when I was 3½ years old. My parents, older sister and I had made the trip from Springfield to Uncle Bill and Aunt Nan’s home in Connecticut. When we arrived, they were welcoming and loving. I also met my three cousins that day. It was such […]

Jim Forstall just had this twinkle in his eyes and a smile that drew one into him. Whether it was at a meeting of the Chamber’s Business Education Partnership discussing ways business and education could unite for students, or at one of the many community organizations that Jim participated in, he showed a gentleman’s demeanor. […]

Strictly on paper, no one should have given much of a rat about Mary Therese Vann. She was a recovering alcoholic and perpetually late. A person who flitted between jobs and businesses and appointments like a hummingbird on methamphetamine. She held no public office, accumulated no power, was rarely quoted in newspapers and kissed no […]

The day wasn’t perfect. There was wind, with high gusts forcing a 40-minute postponement. And Cambest’s feet weren’t in the best of condition. Can you take a quick lap with the water truck before we start, William “Bill” O’Donnell, the driver, asked. “Yeah, sure,” Joseph “Pete” Morrison agreed. And then history was made. Cambest proceeded […]

Mary Link was born with a song in her heart to parents Fred C. and Myra Fern (Garrett) Brown, both of Springfield, an expression of joy she carried with her all of her 90 years. She was a pianist, a music teacher, a quilter, a ceramics artist and a member of the Red Hat Society […]

Ryan Cannon met his future wife, Lisa, through an online dating site. “That was about three or four months before her cancer resurfaced,” he said. Nicknamed “Lisa Lu” (short for her maiden name, Lukaszewski), Lisa had been a little over two years cancer-free at the time they met. When her diagnosis came, the couple realized […]