Attending a tech rehearsal of the compelling play, What the Constitution Means To Me by Heidi Schreck, I, and a handful of other invited guests entered the penumbra of a dimmed theater space, in the midst of final tech week adjustments, and emerged profoundly impacted. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, not being familiar […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
Mary Lincoln biographer to headline Conference on Illinois History
A complicated first lady, enslaved people starting new lives, women fighting for fair housing, even actors performing on horseback – all those stories and more will be told Oct. 1 and 2 at the Conference on Illinois History, presented by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The highlight of the first day will be […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
“Okies,” Angela Davis, hope and humanity
I recently re-read John Steinbeck’s deeply researched classic historical novel The Grapes of Wrath. I was reminded of a phrase often misattributed to another author, Mark Twain: “History may not repeat itself but it often rhymes.” It’s the story of families from across the U.S. in the 1930s who became economic migrants in their own […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Downtown YMCA to host Mobile DMV
The Secretary of State Office will be hosting a Mobile DMV and Vehicle Services event at the Downtown YMCA in Springfield, 601 N. Fourth St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. The following services will be available: • Renewing your driver’s license• REAL ID• State ID (free for seniors 65+ and homeless individuals […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Kidzeum presents first For the Kids Awards
Kidzeum hosted its inaugural For the Kids Awards at a sold-out fundraising dinner at the Inn at 835 on Sept. 10. The event was created to shine a light on people whose commitment, leadership and service are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across central Illinois. Community members nominated 24 […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Preparing for the journey
Not to be morbid, but have you thought about death lately? I’ve had plenty of opportunities to do just that recently, having said good-bye to three close Baha’i friends, a nephew and an admired acquaintance since May. That’s quite a tsunami of death, so there was no way for me to avoid thinking about it, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Free ‘Citizen City Learning Series’ begins Sept. 19
Children will be able to learn what it means to be good citizens and good neighbors in a new program offered by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as a prelude to its upcoming “Citizen City” exhibit. The “Citizen City Learning Series” consists of six sessions of stories, problem-solving and hands-on activities designed for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Honor Flight veterans receive a warm welcome home
Throngs of people stood, clapped and cheered to welcome home and thank 92 veterans and their guardians when the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight returned to Springfield’s Capitol Airport around 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 1. After a long and hot day in Washington, D.C., the veterans walked the length of the airport with people standing […]
Posted inFilm
The Runner and Runner both fall short, Fix lacks a purpose
Logic trips up The Runner You gotta give it to Gal Gadot. She can run, and do so in a variety of ways. If you need her to run with joy, she’s on it. If she needs to run with desperation, no one does it better. Throw in being able to commit this act in […]
Posted inPoetry
Intervention
I was at the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factoryin Vermont. I saw a small boy about to losethe scoop atop his cone; he was holding ittipped. I caught the scoop as it fell, pressedit hard into his cone, straightened the cone,and sent him on his way. His parents neversaw how a major catastrophe was […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rich Solomon receives Trailblazer Award
The Abraham Lincoln Council, Scouting America presented its prestigious Trailblazer Award to Rich Solomon, chair of the board and CEO of Solomon Colors, at a Sept. 8 dinner at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park. The Trailblazer Award was established in 2010 to honor a member of the central Illinois community who exemplifies the attributes the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Big Ten blood drive competition
If you have Big Ten school ties, you can donate blood while also helping your favorite institution. The Abbott Big Ten Blood Drive competition runs through Dec. 5, the end of its regular football season. For Illini fans, this is the opportunity to receive an orange Illinois T-shirt in exchange for their donation. Impact Life […]
