March 2 and 3 saw a snaking line of eager locals winding into the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Each with five dollars in hand, customers came hungry to taste some of Illinois’ finest handmade products at the Annual Illinois Product Expo, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year offering a venue for more […]
ReGen
Senior moments
We asked readers to give us essays of 300 words or less about Golden Senior Moments. Here are their contributions. The last sunset If you’re from central Illinois, you know the kind of night I’m talking about. I remember it because I was there. It was one of those nights, later in the summer, when […]
The Path of Yea and Nay
We are in a time of great divide with little common ground. If life were a pendulum it would be in the extreme forward or reverse direction, depending on one’s point of view. Every category of life seems to be up for regeneration in this edge state of cultural evolution. Change is already here and […]
Diversify your workouts
Everybody knows exercise is good for you, during all phases of your life. Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength as we age. Cardio workouts, balance exercises, and strength and resistance training are all part of many exercise regimes to help fight sarcopenia and maintain mobility, strength, endurance and balance. Any form of […]
Congratulations! What is your grandma name?
I am an ecstatic new member of the grandparent club! My daughter and her husband delivered a healthy baby boy, in their living room Jan. 12. As we awaited his birth, many seasoned members of this club would tell me that the love for a grandchild is like no other. Now I am experiencing what […]
Don’t forget western Illinois
It turns out Forgottonia isn’t so forgettable after all. Some western Illinois residents claim the region doesn’t get its fair share of funds and attention from the rest of Illinois, thus dubbing their area “The Republic of Forgottonia.” The largely rural landscape situated in the western bulge of Illinois boasts no huge cities or immediately […]
Welcome to heaven at the mall
HodgePodge Heaven is one of the newest establishments at White Oaks Mall, but it has a different business model from other retailers in the mall. It consists of a conglomerate of entrepreneurs who are not interested in establishing a brick-and-mortar store or found that path extremely difficult. In 2019 when COVID-19 hit, not only did […]
Explore Your Community
As events may be canceled or rescheduled at the last moment, please first check with the host or venue when making plans to attend an event. ONGOING Friday Night Jazz Every Friday, 5:30-7:30pm. Listen to some of Springfield’s finest jazz musicians with a different act every week. Sponsored by the Springfield Area Arts Council. Free, […]
If I could be like Dre
Like many of you, for Michael Jordan I drank Gatorade to “be like Mike.” I would do anything to attain his superhuman abilities. But realistically, few will ever experience the heights that professional athletes reach – physically, financially and socially. However, if given a chance to truly elevate one’s self, maybe we’d like to attain […]
This artist harnesses earth, wind, fire and water
Above are the words pottery artist Simon Levin uses to describe himself professionally on his Instagram account. He could easily add Innovator, Clay Lover, Mentor, Teacher, Award Winner and Wood-Firing Kiln Builder. Levin, 55, is a highly skilled and gifted creator of one-of-a-kind utilitarian pottery, including plates, cups, bowls, vases and jars. He explains that […]
Life after death
Many of us choose to live the rest of our lives alongside another. Two lives intricately and intimately woven together into a fabric of family, hopes and dreams. But what happens when one dies before the other? What happens to the one left behind to grieve not only the loss of their love, but also […]
Explore Your Community
As events may be canceled or rescheduled at the last moment, please first check with the host or venue when making plans to attend an event. Ongoing Jacksonville Festival of Lights Through-Dec. 31, 5-9pm. This magnificent drive-thru experience will be the festive highlight of the holiday season. Food pantry donations accepted. $10 per car. Morgan […]
