Summerguide

Untitled Document One of the pleasures of summer vacations is a visit to the bookstore or library to pick out those special volumes you plan to take to the cottage or the beach. Pretending that I was about to embark, I did just that, and these are the ones that caught my eye. While perusing […]

Untitled Document Summer theaters are offering up the new, the old, and the tried-and-true, so there’s something for everyone on area stages this summer. Here are highlights: The Springfield Muni Opera has a big season that starts with the hit Broadway musical Miss Saigon (June 1-3, 6-10), followed by Peter Pan (June 22-24, June 27-July […]

Untitled Document Remember the day when some flights offered breakfast or lunch? At the least, a bag of pretzels and can of soda was standard fare on all flights. These days, even pretzels are a rarity. No-frills flights reflect the financial pressure that passenger airlines face everywhere. As Mark Hanna, executive director of the Abraham […]

Untitled Document This time of year, office flu is going around. If you’ve ever suffered this malady, you know how the disease progresses: You clock in, get some coffee, scan your e-mail, maybe return a phone call or two. Then you notice sunshine winking through your window. You see foliage swaying slightly, indicating a breeze. […]

Untitled Document Just a few hours from Springfield are hundreds of miles of floatable streams that offer an ideal natural playground for exploration, fishing, and relaxation. Many are crystal-clear, spring-fed, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including towering limestone bluffs and undisturbed forests. I was first exposed to some of Missouri’s Ozark streams nearly 30 years […]

Untitled Document It’s that glorious time of year when central Illinoisans whip out the sunscreen, find the bug spray, dig up the flip-flops, dust off the portable chair, and otherwise prepare for a delightfully fun-filled summer, complete with an abundance of outdoor live music activities. Downtown Springfield is one hopping place these days, and things […]

Untitled Document From far away, it might look like an ordinary field, but once you step inside, you realize that the prairie is alive with bees, birds, and butterflies — and although the prairie can be an allergy sufferer’s nightmare, it’s a photographer’s dream. Summer is the best time of year to shoot the prairies […]

Untitled Document The summer means blockbuster films, but for some reason the three biggest sequels were released in May. A little distance might have resulted in more money for all. Don’t worry, though — the studios have many more mindless releases to fill out the summer months. All dates are subject to change, and limited […]