It’s back-to-school time, and that means, in addition to buying new shoes and school supplies, families are making appointments with their doctors for kids’ physicals and immunizations. Yet a growing number of people are growing wary of vaccinations, and some are refusing to have their children vaccinated altogether. Mistrust of vaccinations exploded in 1998 when […]
Special Issues
Posted inSpecial Issues
SIU’s fertility center helped them have a baby
Ann Gemberling of Springfield always wanted children. “I wanted to get pregnant,” she said. “I talked about it all the time.” She and her husband, Jay, knew they would be great parents and would be able to provide a good life for a child. Both in their late 20s, the couple knew it was going […]
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Compassion lived, taught and increased
Children constantly learn from us parents – lessons we want to teach and those we don’t, whether we know they’re watching or not. Here’s how two Springfield mothers make lessons in compassion intentional, ongoing and heartfelt. A complete life For Mary Killough, compassion begins at home, with her sons, Jacob, Justin and Jeffrey, and […]
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A farm for teaching schoolkids
Agri-education is a word not found in the traditional dictionary, but Indian Creek Farmstead in Petersburg offers a vivid interactive definition. With the goal of teaching schoolchildren about life on the farm, Indian Creek offers presentations, exhibits and other focused activities. John Lyons, co-owner of the farmstead, defines agri-education as the education and knowledge sharing […]
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It takes a village, online
Ten years ago, Kim Leistner shared an email newsletter with 30 of her friends. It was filled with tips and upcoming events for area families to enjoy, with all the information in one convenient place. With some late nights, dedication and a little old-fashioned word of mouth, that newsletter grew to what it is today […]
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Find Carl Sandburg at his Galesburg home
The Carl Sandburg birthplace. PhotoS BY KEITH LADAGE You read his poems in school and you have heard his name all of your life. If you are curious like I was about this man who composed folk songs and wrote poems, books about Lincoln and children’s stories for his three daughters, along with a book […]
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Visit the home of Lincoln’s folks
A replica of the Thomas Lincoln log cabin, eight miles south of Charleston. Abraham Lincoln’s legacy is found not just in Springfield but throughout central Illinois, where he practiced law and traveled to many locations, including Coles County. While he was in Coles County, Lincoln was able to occasionally stop by and visit his father, […]
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Let’s go to the races
Kids race in the Sizzling Mile, a one-mile race around the Sacred Heart-Griffin track in Springfield. Photo courtesy of HardyBreed.com. When life gets busy, staying fit often takes a back seat. But there’s an easy way to stay committed to your workout: sign up for a race. Simply wanting to be in shape will only […]
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Exciting summer events
PHOTO COURTESY CHAD MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY Assumption Fest6-11 p.m. Thursday, June 26; 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday, June 27; 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28 Here’s a festival that’s been going on and growing for more than 80 years. Originally called Assumption Homecoming, Assumption Fest continues to expand. This year there’s a new large carnival, more […]
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An eclectic museum collection in Carthage
The Kibbe Museum PhotoS BY KEITH LADAGE Head west, young man or woman! About 100 miles northwest of Springfield there is an interesting museum, the Kibbe Hancock Museum, with the motto, “Where Local History Comes Alive.” The Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum is located in Carthage, across the street from the historic jail where Joseph Smith, […]
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Exploring French Colonial Ste. Genevieve
The Bolduc House, circa 1792. It was a weekend getaway for me as I decided to make my way down to southwestern Illinois and southeastern Missouri to get a little French history lesson. I didn’t know what to expect as I started driving south toward my destinations along and near the Mississippi River. My stops […]
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Regional theater offers summer options galore
Get happy feet with Footloose at New Salem’s Theatre in the Park in June. As ever, area theater companies are putting their best feet forward this summer, offering a large variety of productions, running the gamut from Disney to Mel Brooks, from historical drama to operetta, from horror to comedy, from epics to miniatures. Rest […]
