Cover Story
Children’s challenges
After being out of the classroom for 18 months beginning in March 2020, Elias Boone enjoyed and benefited from two different summer instructional sessions this year, his mother says. The 7-year-old first-grader at Springfield’s Black Hawk Elementary School made friends while learning during one week of Camp Invention at Franklin Middle School and four weeks…
Sangamon Songs brings history to life and music
When I wander through antique stores I’m always drawn to postcards, especially those of local scenes penned – and sometimes charmingly penciled – more than 100 years ago. They are portals to another time, and often the messages speak across the decades. “Daisy had six puppies last night,” or “We visited granddad in Salem last…
Governor outlines three new budget proposals
Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration recently used its annual Economic and Fiscal Policy Report to outline three new budget proposals. The report revised projected revenues upward by $3.69 billion for this fiscal year, but noted that most of the projected increase was from one-time sources, like an unexpected spike in the state’s Income Tax Refund Fund…
Wakanda Forever a tribute to Chadwick Boseman, Spirited a fresh Christmas Carol
Wakanda a noble tribute It’s no surprise that Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever is the most somber entry in the Marvel Films universe. The passing and absence of Chadwick Boseman loom large throughout the movie. His friend and colleague, director Ryan Coogler, pays homage to him during the opening moments and never lets us forget…
Making music rounds
As we prepare to be thankful officially next week (but it’s a good idea to keep some thankfulness on hand all the time), I see all kinds of fun stuff happening around our fair city this weekend and into the days ahead. In remembering the short work week a-coming and the early issue of Illinois…
Editors note 11/17/22
As Thanksgiving approaches, thank goodness we made it through the midterms. Election deniers lost; ballots won. Arizona and Pennsylvania redeemed themselves. Georgia is next. Work remains. Pritzker needs to slow the end of bail. Biden needs to find a graceful exit. Republicans need to dump Trump. Doris Turner needs to lead with confidence. We need…
The next chapter for Avery Bourne
“I don’t want a eulogy written. People keep coming up to me with a sad look in their eyes and saying, ‘You had such a wonderful career.'” At age 30, state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, says she has plenty of career still ahead of her. She is leaving the General Assembly in January after an…
A safety net for children
Safe Families for Children has a new building and a new director and the group, which provides short-term foster care, plans to expand to help more Springfield-area families. Hospital Sisters Health System recently donated office space at 700 N. Seventh St. in Springfield to the nonprofit. “They get the space rent-free. They don’t pay utilities.…
Rock Creek Presbyterian celebrates 200th anniversary
The day I ventured out to Tallula, Illinois, turning off Route 97 onto Rock Creek Road near Petersburg, I was awed by the brilliant oranges and reds of the leaves in the trees lining the road. I arrived at the Rock Creek Presbyterian Church to meet with some members of the congregation. When I was…
Backyard bird feeding
The Springfield Audubon Society was created in 1932 as the Springfield Nature League. Since its inception the society has offered nature hikes, classes and educational tours. It eventually affiliated with the National Audubon Society while continuing to sponsor nature-related events including spring bird counts. It also began working in conjunction with the Illinois Audubon Society…
Hog Heaven
on the dairy my dad’s farm manager was in charge of crops cows cream butter also milk routes but his specialty was swine he had his own drove of pigs that he tended with loving care: when occasionally he had to drive some distance to deliver seed corn or on some other essential errand he’d…
Letters to the editor 11/17/22
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. —- SPREAD THE WORD The stories Karen Witter wrote about The Outlet are simply beautiful (“Mentoring young men,” Nov. 10). Thank you for taking so much time to help The Outlet spread the word about…
Republicans struggle with fundraising issues
Rep. Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, made the classic blunder of not focusing on one election at a time. But, his flub does give us an excuse to look at a few fundraising issues. It’s been no secret that Ozinga wanted to be the next House Republican Leader. But he hasn’t really been involved in many House…
When voters lack options
Democracy is dying in this nation, and it’s being killed by entrenched interests in both political parties. I can’t say it any more bluntly than that. There are some things that I found encouraging in the recent midterm election: Trump Republicans in hotly contested congressional races took a shellacking. If I were to point to…
Pumpkin like you’ve never had it before
Gnocchi, pronounced N’YAW-kee, are little pieces of dough, usually round or oblong in shape, which are boiled in water or broth and tossed in a sauce. The word gnocchi is the plural of the Italian word gnocco, which means “little lump.” They are usually made from potatoes, but regional variants exist, including ones made with…
