MARY CATHERINE SCHWESKA
It was with a heavy heart that I plugged in our Christmas tree this year. I am certain that the lights are not nearly as bright as they were last year. Something is missing from the usual festivities. It is the first Christmas without my husband’s grandmother. Grandma Schweska shone especially bright this time of…
Vegetable stock
This recipe is the result of much experimentation. Though it’s easy to make flavorful vegetable stock, what’s usually missing is the body that the natural gelatins in meat bones provide. Finally I hit on it: okra! That and the potatoes give this stock its body, making it as good as, if not better, than meat…
‘He could win people over with a wink of an eye.’
The solemn drone of bagpipes fills the cold winter air as hundreds of pensive mourners shuffle into the towering white stone church. Inside sits a family coping with the sudden, unexplainable loss of a father, son, brother and friend. Between the wooden pews lay the body of Springfield mayor Tim Davlin, who served the city…
New Year’s news
It’s out with the old and in with the new as we hop on board the 2011 train to continue our wondrous trip through time and space. Every civilization develops a calendar of sorts and they all seem to like celebrating when another year rolls around. And why not, with human beings being the original…
Reading aloud
Reservations are required for this favorite children’s hour story time at the Dana-Thomas House. Three separate times have been made available for little ones to enjoy the fun of the mansion in much the same fashion as would have taken place during the days of Susan Lawrence Dana when she would invite children to the…
MALIK J. HINES
Malik Hines, a Springfield High School senior who, along with freshman Zena Garcia, died in a car accident in November, was known for his talents and for his unique sense of style. But what at least two of his friends will remember most is Hines’ smile. “I’m pretty sure that his job here [on Earth]…
‘I plan to live the rest of my life right here.’
Pauline and I met for the first time in 2004 at breakfast with other night shift nurses and assistants. “Oh my,” I said to myself as a large Pauline with a butch haircut joined us. Her pleasant voice revealed a strong Boston accent as she spoke. Easy conversation followed, and I found myself liking her…
‘Instead, my unending love’
It always seemed to take Albert Link a little longer than most to break down and make a part of his life the simple conveniences of everyday modern life. As often as he told his family, “I love you,” he also told them, “We don’t need it.” “But he would back that up,” said his…
Cowboy Randy Erwin
An accomplished musician on many levels, Randy Skalicky a.k.a. Cowboy Randy Erwin, found his niche several years ago as a yodeler of American western swing music. By learning tricky rope tricks (like lassoing stuff, dude), the Texas native developed an entertaining character who ropes and yodels some sweet old-fashioned tunes from the Wild West. Lest…
First-rate follies
The Springfield Area Arts Council plans a slew of musical, dance, theatrical and arts-related performances on New Year’s Eve at seven locations in downtown Springfield. There’s something for everyone in the family. Free activities for kids are planned from 1-4 p.m. at Springfield High School. The evening kicks off with fireworks at 6:30 p.m. at…
RAYMOND EDWARD OHL
Raymond Edward Ohl was born July 23, 1928, in Parkersburg, W. Va. Dad served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Robert H. Smith, and was awarded several medals for his efforts of which we were all very proud. He married Eulalia DuBeck Oct. 14, 1950, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Assumption. Of that…
‘The world hurts from her gifts being gone.’
For six years I’ve written poems for this publication. Many have included my daughter, Damaris Lee Jackson, born Jan. 15, 1954, in Oxford, England. She lived with me these past two years, while she was ill though seemingly well. She took her life Sept. 19. When Damaris was six she attended a children’s art class.…
RICHARD A. LUTTRELL
On Nov. 6, I lost my husband of 42 years, Richard A. Luttrell. He lived in Springfield his entire life. He was a proud member of the 101st Airborne Association, A Co 2/327 Brigade (Separate) and served in Vietnam in ’67-’68. He reconnected with many of his Vietnam comrades through the annual and biannual reunions.…
‘Honey, where’s the snowshoes?’
Every winter, when the snowflakes begin to fall, I would love to bring tidings of good cheer to my fellow townspeople but I can’t, because so many of their sidewalks are buried under snow. As the city of Ann Arbor, Mich., reminds its citizens, “Clearing snow and ice from sidewalks should simply be looked upon…
IRMA RIDENOUR
I would like to celebrate the life of my mother, Irma Ridenour of Springfield. She was 88. Mom was a bookkeeper in Evansville, Ind., in the ’30s. She said that one of her accounts was Halliburton. (I guess they had oilwells in southern Indiana in the 1930s.) She told me once that she and some…
‘He loved the fire service.’
No one has had a greater impact on the Springfield Fire Department than Pat Ward, say his friends and family. The former city commissioner was behind every major leap forward in the city’s fire protection services from 1975 to 1991, they say, and on top of it all, “he was just a really great guy.”…
JOHN PAUL LUKA
John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, who served aboard the USS Otis, USS LaSalle and USS Bairoko. He attended seven reunions of the USS Bairoko. He received a replica of the ship’s bell, which hangs in our dining area. The children love to ring the bell. He was very proud to have served…
DR. JOHN HOLLAND
Dr. Holland was born in a small town in West Virginia, the only child of his loving parents. He moved as a small boy to Kentucky and grew up on a tobacco farm. In 1955, he moved to Springfield and began quietly working to make our community a better place. Dr. Holland helped to create…
What’s a school board to do?
This April, as they do every two years, the citizens of Illinois will elect about 3,000 of their neighbors to four-year terms on local school boards. About 1,300 are typically new to the board. The Illinois School Code lists two key eligibility requirements for school board members: They have to be U.S. citizens and residents…
‘His stunning museum exhibitions leave a lasting memory.’
On June 20 the community lost a valued colleague and friend. Joe Hennessy, exhibits design chief at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, shared his creativity and artistic talents with more than 4.2 million visitors since his arrival at the museum in 1989. His rich contributions to the arts extended beyond exhibition design to painting…
DENNIS FRUEH
This year, University of Illinois Springfield lost someone who has been with it from its inception. Denny Frueh was one of the first graduates of then Sangamon State University (Now U of I Springfield). He began his career as a rehabilitation counselor for the State of Illinois, before moving into an admissions counseling position for…
Obama to corporations: ‘I feel your pain.’
Guess who’s whining the loudest these days, wailing that they’re getting a raw deal from Barack Obama. Not the unemployed and barely employed – even though the White House has blithely ignored their critical need for a national jobs program. Not the poor, even though their ranks are swelling as millions of Americans fall out…
Remembering the lives they lived
About the issue In this last edition of the year, Illinois Times once again takes a loving look back at a few of the Springield-area characters who died during the past year. We say characters because each was unique, each had their own special spark, even four-year-old Joshua Lytle, who loved to sing “Frere Jacques”…
PAT HAUVERSBURK
I first met Pat Hauversburk of Springfield more than 12 years ago at the Illinois State Archives, where I spent my Saturday mornings researching my own family genealogy. Pat had the patience of a saint, but a funny quirky attitude that might not qualify her for sainthood. She took me under her wing. Over the…
Chicken soup with spaetzle
Soup 6 cups chicken stock 1/2 c. diced celery 1/2 c. diced carrot 1/2 c. diced leek or onion 1 – 2 c. cooked chicken 1/4 c. chopped parsley Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Spaetzle 2/3 c. all-purpose flour 1 large egg, beaten 1/4 c. hot water 1/4 tsp. salt Bring stock to…
gratitude poem, without number
we tried to keep track: this caring personcalled at the house this one sent flowers this one brought food this one wrote, e-mailed, phoned, this one prayed or chanted or arranged a meditation which literally circled the world this one hugged actually everyone huggedthough many from a distance whole groupsparticipated in helping we want to…
‘He made sure everyone who ate at the restaurant was satisfied.’
For years Albert Boyd floated from table to table laughing and joking as he greeted diners at Boyd’s Family Style Restaurant. After the first visit, customers quickly learned that Boyd’s warmth and humor were just as pleasing and satisfying as the smothered pork chops, fried chicken, collard greens and other soul food dishes served at…
Organized labor fights back
Organized labor is engaged in a furious multi-front legislative war in Illinois, and more skirmishes may be on the horizon. Trade and industrial unions are hoping to mitigate major damage from proposed workers compensation reforms. Teachers unions are trying to fend off what it considers to be some egregious education reforms. And public employee unions…
MARY FRANCES LAVIN
Mary Frances Lavin (affectionately known as Aunt Mary Fran) left an impression on thousands of young people in central Illinois over her 30-year teaching career. For 34 years she was a public school teacher at Fairview, Dubois, Washington and Lanphier schools. Then after retirement she substituted at Ursuline and Sacred Heart. Students who had Mary…
Chicken stock
This is a method rather than a specific recipe. Stock can be made with whole chickens or chicken parts – even the parts not normally eaten, such as wing tips and necks. It can be made from the bones when the meat, either cooked or raw, has been removed. Stock made from roasted chicken or…
Letters to the Editor 12/30/10
THE REAL ARMYI read with great interest the Illinois Times’ article on Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and their recent visit to Springfield [see “Iraq vets urge end to multiple deployments,” Dec. 23]. I have served in the Army for five years, and am still on active duty. My service has taken me to…
‘Medicine was doing God’s work.’
“He was the whole package” is Dr. Marc Shelton’s description of cardiologist Dr. James Dove, founder of Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, who died Nov. 7 at age 71, one year to the day he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “I’ve known one or two academicians who were as smart as Jim,” says Shelton. “But no one…
EDWARD ‘FAST EDDIE’ RUEBLING
When the radio is on, his familiar voice is absent. Ed Ruebling embodied all that was good about WQNA: Play lots of music and speak only as needed. It was an approach that harked back to his experience as a listener during the golden age of rock and roll. He would have been the first…
After the holidays, it’s good to have stock on hand
The holidays are almost over. As always, I’ve enjoyed the preparation, parties and celebrations, and the copious amounts of food and drink. But usually even before New Year’s, I’m ready for it to end. Right now, nothing sounds so good as a quiet evening at home and a simple meal. That’s why I’m especially glad…
The best films of 2010
While it’s no secret that the Hollywood studios save their best product for the end of the year, so that their films might be fresh in the minds that hand out year-end awards, never have I seen such an onslaught of quality movies during the last month of the year as I have in 2010.…
DR. CARYL TOWSLEY MOY
On Oct. 29, Dr. Caryl Towsley Moy, 78 years young, died as she lived her life – with dignity, grace, beauty and a profound love for others. The impact Caryl made extends beyond the Springfield community. In many ways, I feel I am writing on behalf of the multitude of people whose lives were touched…
FRANCIS RICHARDSON
Fran Richardson was known and loved by many. I personally knew Fran from working with her at the state comptroller’s office. She started there in 2004, and always said how lucky she was to get such a good job at her age. Fran grew up in New Jersey, and met her husband and best friend,…
KIM HEPWORTH
I’m not sure if Kim Hepworth could shatter a glass with her voice. To be sure, she had one of the most powerful singing voices I’ve ever heard. But even if she couldn’t pull off the feat with her voice, I have no doubt she could break the glass with the sheer force of her…
‘Flying away with the angels’
On Thanksgiving evening 2010, Rita and Ryan Lytle cradled their son at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They read his favorite books and sang his favorite song – “Frere Jacques” – as his life slipped away. Born on Halloween 2006, Joshua, whose journey began in Springfield, was plagued with multiple health issues, including heart and brain…
Replaying the past
“A Symphonic Suite of Music History,” presented by Richard A. Haglund, assistant conductor of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and adjunct professor at Blackburn College, is the first in a four-part series that begins this year at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Music aficionados, novices or anyone in between can learn more about the history…
