The articles presented in our special section beginning on page 14 constitute the winter edition of REGEN, for “Grownups getting stronger.” Published quarterly by Illinois Times since 2020 as a standalone magazine, REGEN has highlighted active and energetic seniors (who don’t like being called seniors). The first issue explained, “We reject the notion that older […]
ReGen
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Coach and caregiver connect
Latasha Friarson is a caregiver with Abcor Home Health. For the past several months she’s been assisting Mike Suhadolnik, a health and fitness coach, to be more independent after a fall a year ago. Friarson goes to Suhadolnik’s home Monday-Friday, three hours each day. Having a caregiver does not come naturally for Suhadolnik, and he […]
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Old friends
George King and Dick Bilinsky didn’t know each other until they and their wives moved into Concordia Village around the same time in 2023. The couples happened to join each other at dinner one night and, as George says, “We just clicked.” Bilinsky adds, “I knew we were going to be friends when George revealed […]
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Mysteries of central Illinois
Sports, mystery, intrigue – two local authors have recently published novels that have similar ingredients but different themes. Mitchell’s book, Theory Markspurn, takes readers deep into the world of volleyball. Those who know little about the sport will quickly learn terms and rules. Mike Stutz, in his novel Murder in Athens (pronounced Ay-thens), spins a […]
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A museum for the right to vote
When El Paso, Illinois, high school history teacher Michael Melick decided to have his advanced class focus on local history, he didn’t predict it would result in a museum devoted to voting rights in this heart-of-corn-country town, population 2,730. El Paso is north of Bloomington, 87 miles from Springfield. But while Melick initially may not […]
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Explore Your Community
ONGOING Illinois Prairie Pastel Society “Pastel Play” member showThrough Oct. 7, 10am-5pm. Presented by the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society. An opening reception will be held from 3 to 5pm Sep. 21. Free. Athens Public Library, Athens, 410 E. Hargrove, 217-636-8047. Free Community BreakfastSundays, 7:30-8:30am. Through Dec. 28. Enjoy a breakfast and friendly fellowship. The mission […]
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Explore Christian County
Coal was king for generations in Christian County and a prince of a small museum pays homage to that heritage. The Christian County Coal Mine Museum is worth a short trip to Taylorville, but you also can take in an historical museum with ties to Abraham Lincoln and a surprising amount of water for such […]
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A 120-year history of serving seniors
Nestled in a lush, park-like setting in Girard, 30 miles south of Springfield, sits Courtyard Estates, a senior living facility that offers both independent and assisted living and boasts a story that spans 120 years. The origin of Courtyard Estates goes back to 1900, when the Church of the Brethren of Southern Illinois appointed a […]
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Pastel artist, lifelong learner and a teacher at heart
Tracey Maras loves to learn. And teach. She is a retired occupational therapist, highly accomplished pastel artist and engaged volunteer at Henson Robinson Zoo. She teaches pastel painting and is a volunteer animal handler with the zoo’s education department. Getting people to experience things they wouldn’t have done otherwise makes Maras happy. That might involve […]
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A message of peace from China
On a rainy Friday in Secor, Illinois, the quiet town of 300 just west of El Paso welcomed a rare diplomatic visit from the Chinese Consulate in Chicago. Consul General Wang Baodong, joined by four consulate officials, gathered with members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), directors of the Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS), […]
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Obesity is a chronic medical disease
My medical education began in 1992, at a time when there was still belief that obesity was a problem of self-control or lack of motivation. There was minimal training in obesity itself, let alone nutrition and its impact on health. As I practiced primary care, it became apparent that weight management impacted many other medical […]
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What does it take to be a man?
This feels like a dangerous topic and a forever question. My intention is not to create division or argue about biology and what someone should or should not do, but to bring light to some wisdom teachings and build discussion on the topic for all of us, whatever our age, gender and ways in which […]
