My name is Roy Walton. I would like to start by thanking Illinois Times for providing this opportunity for organizations such as Faith Coalition for the Common Good to highlight its work in the community and for allowing me to share my story. With the right motivation, an open mind and a little faith, you […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
Musical drama tells story of family coping with crisis
Next to Normal is a musical drama that chronicles how a suburban family copes with the unpredictability of a mother’s worsening bipolar disorder. Written by Brian Yorkey, the play won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama and three 2009 Tony Awards. It takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character during the crisis, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
cam comments
My friend, Rodd Whelpley, has discovered various farm cams online but, he says the viewer can’t experience what you did growing up on the farm. “One can’t hear the whoosh of the milk as it leaves the udders, smell the cow patties that the animal drops, feel the hair on the backside of the cow, […]
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St. Francis of Dogtown returns to St. Louis
Nearly five years ago, readers of Illinois Times and residents of the Midwest met Francis Lenihan, affectionately known to his friends and acquaintances as St. Francis. Truthfully there is not very much “saintly” about Lenihan; his main job in the St. Louis Metro area is that of process server. He roams Missouri and parts of […]
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A playful title for an important cause
“That’s What She Said” is an empowering and entertaining night of storytelling where local, notable women share personal stories of strength, courage and inspiration. It is a one-night-only affair celebrating the resilience and triumphs of women in our own community. The proceeds will be used to directly support the Children’s Advocacy Center of Illinois. CACI […]
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The Amateur a stimulating spy thriller, Warfare an immersive experience, Drop ill-conceived
The Amateur: A spy in nerd’s clothing For the most part, James Hawes’ The Amateur eschews action set pieces, taking a more cerebral approach in this globe-trotting adventure that sees a tech analyst best the James Bond-types again and again. Combining the fish-out-of-water trope with a standard revenge thriller, the result is a film that […]
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The power of memory and healing
Due to its inherent nature, there’s always a bit of a remove between the viewer and what they see on the screen. Since the invention of cinema, filmmakers have been attempting to bridge the gap between fiction and reality, trying to make the movie-going experience as immersive as possible. Gimmicks such as 3-D and Sensurround, […]
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Celebrating student excellence at the UIS STARS Symposium
The 2025 Student Technology, Arts and Research Symposium (STARS) at the University of Illinois Springfield will take place April 10 and 11. This annual event will showcase the exceptional talents and scholarly achievements of our undergraduate and graduate students. It provides a dynamic platform for students from all academic disciplines to present their research and […]
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Telling the story of the deliverance from Egypt
This coming Saturday evening, Jews around the world will gather in their homes or at synagogues and other communal venues along with family members, guests and fellow congregants to celebrate the seder, the ceremony that inaugurates the weeklong Passover holiday commemorating the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt and their liberation from bondage. The seder is at […]
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Skylark
In England “ert” is pronounced “art” so I lived in “Barkshire” I lay on my back on a sunny hill listening to a skylark. Our eighth-grade teacher had us memorize Shelley’s Skylark poem, the first verse, not because she knew about “art” but because the last line contains a six syllable word, “unpremeditated,” remarkable by […]
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Arthur Miller’s classic 1949 play hits the stage for one weekend only
In 1949, Death of a Salesman won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and a Tony Award for best play. This weekend, the Spencer Theatre Company brings the classic tale to Springfield. Directed by John Sivak, Death of a Salesman stars Jim Leach as traveling salesman William “Willy” Loman. The play is set in the last […]
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The Friend a poignant pet tale, Nicole Kidman can’t save Holland and Jason Statham lacking in Working Man
Friend a testament to the power of pets I don’t have to tell those who have dogs as pets how wonderful their canine companions are. Studies have shown having one increases the owner’s life expectancy and helps relieve stress, while their presence is like having a live-in therapist. If you own one and your response to […]
