C.T. Vivian entered Macomb High School in 1938. “I never thought of using the term ‘institutional racism’ to describe the place,” he wrote in his posthumous memoir. “This wasn’t because such racism didn’t exist. Rather, I just didn’t know there was a term to describe what I experienced.” The book – titled, It’s in the […]
Books
Posted inArts & Culture
Brush up on baseball history
In February 2021 Major League Baseball returned to a semblance of normalcy as players once again traveled to spring training locations in Arizona and Florida. Players and fans returned to baseball as we remembered it before COVID swept the world. This year marks a complete 162-game season, the normal playoff and World Series format and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Springfield’s back yard
Is there any other place that figures so centrally in the social, recreational and erotic life of so many Springfieldians from so many backgrounds? A summer evening with a fishing line in the water, listening to the waves lapping on the old dam steps. Watching the moon rise over the water with a lover. Paddling […]
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It’s a long way from Guyana to Springfield
June Wood Agamah moved to Springfield in 1995 with her husband, Dr. Edem Agamah, and their three young daughters. It’s a long way from her Guyana homeland – where she was called Caryl. Edem was born in Ghana. Frequently Americans assume they are from the same country. They were born nearly 4,000 miles and an […]
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Compass Zooming Book Club
Every Thursday night around 93 children sign onto one of three Zooms happening simultaneously to participate in a book club. This is a new addition to Club Compass, one of the programs under the umbrella of Compass for Kids. In any other year, students in first through fifth grades would be meeting in person at […]
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The library that Dolly built
For several years there has been a waiting list in Sangamon County for children to receive free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), a program that helps get children ready for kindergarten, beginning at birth. This week United Way, which administers the program, announces that an anonymous donor has come forward with a donation […]
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A sampling of program offerings
In the months of March and April, no one will be able to say, “There’s nothing to do in Springfield.” The following programs and offerings are just a small sample of Big Read offerings to whet your appetite. Go to https://bit.ly/BigReadSangamonCounty for more details and registration information. Search events by date or by theme – […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Reverence for the office, respect for its power, awareness of the responsibility
A Promised Land is the first volume of Barack Obama’s presidential memoir. Although it’s 700 pages long, it is highly engaging and easy to read. The memoir is a fascinating reflection on significant events that dominated the news leading up to and during Obama’s first term. Obama takes readers on a deep dive into the […]
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A community that reads together grows together
After a year of struggling through the pandemic, it couldn’t be a better time for a community-wide, uplifting initiative. Get ready for the Big Read. Lab Girl, a compelling memoir by scientist Hope Jahren, is the book selected for the Big Read Sangamon County. Reading, nature, science, art and discovery will all come alive through […]
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Three signature events
There are three online signature presentations, in addition to the many other offerings by community organizations. Registration is required. For more details and to register go to https://bit.ly/BigReadSangamonCounty —- March 2, 10-11 a.m. Kickoff Keynote by Kathryn Harris, “Reading Science, Reading Together” Hosted by the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Lincoln Land Community College. Kathryn […]
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How to get a free copy of Lab Girl
Over 1,000 copies of Lab Girl will be available for free and distributed through curbside events and local libraries. For up-to-date information, go to https://bit.ly/BigReadSangamonCounty Curbside pickup: • Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield • March 1, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., Union Baptist Church, 1405 E Monroe […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Love and communism
Richard Gilman-Opalsky is a radical on the prairie. He came to teach at University of Illinois Springfield from New York City, where he earned a Ph.D. from The New School. He said upon graduating, he realized most universities were not keen on hiring political theorists and philosophers, and were “even less interested” in hiring ones […]
