I was a counselor (girls period) at Phantom Lake Y Camp I took my goat, still a kid. The campers all joined the “Rocky Club” to keep Rocky out of trouble. They could not keep her from skidding out onto the dock during swimming, sometimes even falling in! The last night of camp when all the […]
Arts & Culture
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Take the family to the fair for a fair price
A trip to the Illinois State Fair can be an expensive endeavor, especially with family in tow. Thankfully, there are a multitude of ways to maximize value and get the most out of your fair experience. “We offer over 160 hours of free entertainment each day,” Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark explained. With so […]
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Three days of events commemorate 1908 Springfield Race Riot
The city of Springfield will honor the legacy of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot with a three-day observance next week at various locations. The event will feature presentations, walking tours, a film screening and ceremonies as city residents “reflect, reclaim and remember history.” The first day, Thursday, Aug. 14, begins at 9:30 a m. with […]
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Let’s build communities of creative love
With how many “trinities” are you familiar? Christian belief holds at its center the Father, Son and Spirit. Chefs might refer to a “trinity” of ingredients. For Cajun cooks its onions, green peppers and celery. Italians drop the peppers and add carrots. Preachers like to lead you through three points in a homily. Then there […]
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Miniature butter cows on display
Farm scenes, naturally, inspire each year’s new sculpture of the beloved butter cow at the Illinois State Fair. However, sculptors participating in the annual Miniature Butter Cow Contest sponsored by Illinois Times and Prairie Farms Dairy don’t have that limitation. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Even viral internet items. Just ask contestant Amy Hood of […]
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A growing passion for agriculture
When most people think of agriculture, they picture tractors, cows and endless fields of corn. I used to think that way, too, until I found myself standing in a hazelnut orchard in Italy, tasting freshly crushed hazelnut spread and listening to a farmer explain how pests and diseases are changing the way his family works […]
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Taron Egerton and Nick Rowland on the challenges of bringing Shotgun to the screen
In adapting Jordan Harper’s novel, She Rides Shotgun, a couple of happy accidents took place during its prolonged production. A change of locale and the discovery of a brilliant young actress helped transform this story of urban crime into something more meaningful and poignant. Charting the cross-country journey of recently paroled convict Nathan Mcclusky (Taron […]
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Bad night
My dad, a camper at Phantom Lake Y Camp, went on a “night-hike” with his tent mates. “We stood in a line,” said Dad. “Holding onto a rope in one hand and a blanket in the other. Our counselor led us for miles, to some field or other, told us to spread out our blankets […]
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Annual event features cruise, actor Erik Estrada and more
This annual car show, in its 12th year, begins with a classic car cruise at 6 p.m. Friday. The cruise will begin at the Horace Mann parking lot and travel to Cherry Hills Church, the site of the show. This year’s event features actor Erik Estrada, star of the television show CHiPs. The car show […]
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What I did for love
As a young woman, I saw the 1975 musical A Chorus Line. Set on the stage of a Broadway theater, the musical provides a glimpse into the personalities of 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on the chorus line as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers. […]
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Together a disturbing look at co-dependency, Gilmore 2 under par
Together a graphic look at love and dependency Curiously paced and at times a bit overt, Michael Shanks’ Together ultimately overcomes these faults to deliver an entertaining, albeit disturbing examination of co-dependency. Intimate in setting and scope, the couple at the center of this ever-devolving relationship enact a relatable situation for married viewers who find […]
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An intermission for change: Temporary closure brings much-needed refresh to UIS Performing Arts Center
The University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center is taking an intermission – and we’re preparing for something truly transformative. The Public Affairs Center building at UIS is undergoing a major plumbing replacement project that will temporarily close the UIS Studio Theatre and Sangamon Auditorium. While this may be disappointing news for the patrons who […]
