Started by World War I Veterans and members of The American Legion in 1935, the Legion’s annual pilgrimage to the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery is in its 92nd year. The wreath-laying ceremony that is part of this long-standing tradition was held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Lincoln Tomb in […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Heart and soul: A legacy built on love
February holds two truths at once: It’s a month where we pay homage to Black history. We honor the names, the hands, the kitchens and the legacies that our ancestors have shaped. It’s also a season devoted to the essence of love. Many times, the most powerful love stories aren’t written in cards. They are […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
“Teach them diligently”
A non-Jewish acquaintance, who grew up knowing very few if any Jews, recently confided in me that he had been taught by his father to admire the Jewish people because of our reverence for and pursuit of knowledge. The Jewish respect for knowledge and appreciation of its value has ancient roots going back to the […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Save one life at a time
“Whoever saves a single life is considered by scripture to have saved the whole world.” (Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a). These words were among the scriptures quoted last Friday at an interfaith prayer vigil held at First Presbyterian Church by Faith Coalition for the Common Good (FCCG) – an emergency gathering in response to the state-sanctioned violence […]
Posted inUncategorized
UIS research highlights stakes for Illinois farmers amid changing hemp regulations
In November 2025, President Trump signed legislation to fund and reopen the federal government, ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. While many celebrated, Illinois hemp farmers were stunned. Buried in the legislation was a provision that fundamentally altered the federal definition of hemp, potentially making many hemp farming activities and products illegal once […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
She persisted
In November of 2018, on the 35th anniversary of my ordination as a minister of the word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I was well celebrated by Westminster Presbyterian Church, the congregation I served from 2013 to 2025. At the reception following worship, Associate Pastor Rev. Trajan McGill surprised me with the children’s […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
UIS to offer free tax preparation services
The University of Illinois Springfield is offering free tax preparation services for the first time through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, expanding access to professional tax help for eligible members of the Springfield-area community. The program is hosted by the UIS’ College of Business and Management. Through the VITA program, […]
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Healthy, Wealthy & Wise 2026
Trying to maintain or improve our physical health is an important aspectof being healthy, but certainly not the only one. Our annual health andwellness issue also looks at the importance of mental health and simplesteps we can take to improve not only our diet but our overall well-being. Related
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The effects of long COVID
Though COVID deniers still exist, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc in our communities in 2020 and beyond. Those unfortunate enough to catch the original strain were more likely to die or be seriously impaired, with over 100,000 Americans dying within the first four months of COVID reaching the U.S. Within a year, 400,000 Americans died, […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Take care of your mental health
Every January, a representative from my health insurance company calls to schedule my annual wellness visit. Hard to believe? I thought so too, but it’s true. The calls continue until I’m reached and make an appointment or decline the visit. A couple of years ago, two women wearing white coats and stethoscopes around their necks […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Eat more protein
Stroll down the aisles of any grocery store these days and you’re likely to see a bevy of protein-enhanced snacks, powders and drinks, cleverly packaged to catch your attention. While protein may be the nutritional buzzword of the moment, many people struggle to get the right amount of quality protein in their diets, especially those […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Tips to get through the winter
Winter is upon us and we are going to get through it. Here are ideas for ushering your family through the wintertime with some healthy habits that will hopefully promote peace and well-being in your homes. Indoor games The draw of the sofa/snuggle/screentime trifecta is strong this time of year. And while I have no […]
