Trump explains Lincoln
Next month Springfield will mark the 208th anniversary of te birth of Abraham Lincoln. The city is familiar by now with the tributes that national and international Somebodies pay to our best citizen. Thanks to Nancy LeTorneau at the Washington Monthly, I can share with you the views of our departing president and of his…
‘A friend for life’
Scott Williams’ fingerprints are all over homes in Springfield. He helped family and friends. He finished basements, moved drains, changed garbage disposals, built smokers, added ductwork and unclogged toilets. He also contributed to these homes his gift of cooking, from strudel to brisket, chili to horseshoes, and even chicken and turkey, though he would not…
Idealistic thoughts
In 1922 a reporter from the Illinois State Journal dropped by the City Hall offices of Willis J. Spaulding at Seventh and Monroe. Spaulding was then the city’s Commissioner of Public Property. Citing Joshua Reynolds’ insight that a room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts (it was a very long time ago),…
What is the ‘Trump Fix’?
In Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, it was his frequent, unbridled slaps at Wall Street elites and arrogant, job-busting corporate executives that gave him the “populistic” patina he needed to win. But wait a minute: Who are those guys escorting The Donald into the Oval Office? Oh, my God, they’re Wall Street elites and arrogant corporate…
Want to govern effectively, Mr. Trump?
As Mario Cuomo said, politicians campaign in poetry but have to govern in prose. Now we have a president-elect who campaigned in tweets…but still will have to govern in prose. Donald Trump showed great skill as a campaigner, steering his campaign past a slew of professional politicians who underestimated him at every turn. Now the…
Sleeping booty
I’m a 32-year-old guy, and I want a real relationship. I am good-looking and charming and can get girls into bed pretty early on, but I’m beginning to wonder whether that’s hurting me. I think I end up starting relationships based on sex instead of common interests, personality, etc. Does it pay to hold off…
Passengers provides a bland journey
Is that all there is? That was my reaction to Morten Tyldum’s Passengers, a bloated space adventure that hopes to get by on its looks – those of its stars Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, as well as the stunning production design by Guy Hendrix Dyas – and little else. Without question, the film is…
New Year’s news
There’s something about the New Year beginning as the old fades away that requires some introspection and retrospection, along with an inspection of the process of getting from here to there. At least for most folks, this seems to be a time to take stock and make plans for new projects, be they resolutions, revolutions,…
Hipbone Sam Band
After nearly eight years of playing and racking up almost 1,000 shows, the Hipbone Sam Band is ceasing their seemingly ceaseless touring schedule with a final performance on New Year’s Day. During their tenure, the Hipbone Sam Band consisted of the “Let Me Hear Ya Say Yeah” dude himself, Kevin Hawkins (acoustic guitar, lead vocals),…
A man of the stage
While a high school student in Petersburg, Don Bailey performed in Forever This Land at Kelso Hollow Theatre (now Theatre in the Park in New Salem) and directed the junior class play at Petersburg’s Harris High School. Those were the first in a long list of theater credits that spanned 65 years. My first encounter…
A softer side of a larger-than-life player
When Denny Polk passed away of acute myeloid leukemia this past spring, he left behind a 30-year legacy in area real estate as well as an indelible impression on those who encountered him. By all accounts, Denny’s larger-than-life personality dominated any room he was in and his bold entrepreneurial spirit, sometimes described as bordering on…
Born with the heart of a healer
I wish you could have known him. But then again, perhaps you did … or perhaps he touched your life – or the life of someone you love – and you never knew it. For you see, Ben Hager was born with the heart of a healer. Ben spent his life helping others. He cared…
A force of nature
I got invited over for a cookout. We’re going to roast hot dogs over a bonfire, she said. Nothing fancy. Bring the kids. I’m not sure exactly what I expected; I just couldn’t imagine Julianne Glatz unzipping a plastic pouch of Oscar Meyer weiners and handing me a stretched out wire coat hanger to dangle…
‘I never felt better in my life’
T.J. lived by the motto, “I never felt better in my life.” Many people remember T.J. for his positive attitude toward life, his zest for learning, his active support of the community as a volunteer, and his interesting quips when he entered a meeting or social gathering. People react in different ways when they are told…
Driven to make a difference
“Everyone remembers something different about Bronwyn,” said her husband, Bill, “and everyone is going to miss her in a different way.” But whether they remember her as an art conservator, a mother, an aficionado of live music, a volunteer, or a friend, everyone who knew her will remember Bronwyn Eves as an extraordinary woman who…
A life devoted to history and its preservation
Jacqueline Wright’s devotion to history took on a life of its own when she began her 40-year teaching career at McClernand Elementary School in Springfield. The school is named for prominent Springfield politician and soldier John A. McClernand, the Union Civil War general and close ally to President Abraham Lincoln who played a prominent role in the president’s…
‘Pat Grady loved people’
Our dad, Patrick V. Grady, was one of a kind. He was our best friend, our favorite Irishman, hilarious (pee-your-pants funny), our mentor in the real estate business, and the best role model of teaching our children the meaning of family. It was never a question of how much he loved us, our mother Elizabeth,…
‘Unfaltering devotion to his faith and family’
I never met Raymond, but he was worth knowing. He didn’t run a business or have lots of money. He was worth knowing – or knowing about – because of his unfaltering devotion to his faith and family despite serious health problems. Most of what I know comes from monthly dinner nights with my twin-mom…
A dreamer who got things done
If Wally Henderson had had his druthers, he would have been an astronaut. The first person in his family to go to college, Henderson came home to Springfield from the University of Illinois in the spring of 1950 to proud parents who had invited friends over. What, he was asked, are you studying in college?…
‘He had a kinship with all veterans’
Daniel “Hud” Huddleston, Jr. departed this world on June 1, 2016. He was born on Sept. 15, 1955, and married his high school sweetheart on Aug. 2, 1975. When I first met Hud (as he was called by his family and friends), I wasn’t sure how to take him. He usually dressed in jeans, boots,…
The man with a signature grin
I always considered myself to be a practical, “no nonsense” person, one who didn’t believe in Prince Charming … until he showed up in my life driving a blue Ford pickup truck. This took place in February 1985, and we had a wonderful 31-year journey. I will never forget the day he was leaning against…
‘You were a good guy’
Dear Fred, You lived a good life filled with family – Kathy and your two daughters, Joan and Anne, their spouses, Tom and Bob, and your most loved grandchildren – and many friends. We will all miss you, but know that you want no maudlin tears, so I will just share a few memories. You…
Life in paradise
Jean Broquet was having a lousy day It was July, in Detroit, where she lived with her husband, Larry, and four daughters. The heat and humidity were oppressive. There was laundry to be ironed. The girls were screaming. She’d just washed the floors and was fighting to keep everyone from tracking in dirt. Right on…
Springfield’s Superbowl champ
Herbert Louis McMath, Sr., a 1972 Springfield Southeast High School graduate and 1976 Super Bowl champion, was born in Coahoma, Mississippi, and lived most of his life in Springfield. While attending Southeast, Herb played football and basketball as well as shot put for the track and field team. After graduating, he attended Morningside College in Sioux City,…
‘A man before his time’
My father, Elmer, passed away this past summer. He was a third-generation mason contractor (bricklayer), but was mostly known for his love of books and records. When I say music, it was not the typical Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley of his time. When I was young and my friends would come over, they would…
She changed bureaucracy
One day, Carol Merrill just up and left. A state worker since 1982, Merrill’s experience and knowledge at the Illinois Department of Revenue was such that she helped write the manual on how to process tax returns. When she walked out of the office forever with no warning in 2013, the state wrote up retirement…
‘A beautiful married woman with stature and poise’
Mitchell’s grandmother had a way about her. I remember it like it was yesterday. I couldn’t help but be in absolute awe of the way she wore her sunglasses, the way she served me her coffee, and the way she laughed at my jokes. She had a great laugh. I can’t remember the name of…
‘An important member of her church and community’
Helen Tuttle lived the American dream. More than 50 years ago she, along with her husband, started a business from nothing in Greenview that is still thriving. She was an important member of her church and community, always taking time to pray and check up on her friends and family when they were sick, hospitalized…
‘He loved people and service was natural for him’
Dad made a difference in countless lives and he inspired me. He was born the youngest of 10 children. His mother died soon after his birth and he was raised by his father and siblings. Moms seem to exhibit the ultimate level of service by raising their children. Even without his mom to lead the…
The gift of staying put
Mom had the quality of stability. She not only did things for a long time, she was content to be where she was and to do what she did. She was married to Dad for 51 years, until his death parted them. She lived in the same small town for 65 years, was a member…
He inspired people
John almost made it to see, from Earth, his beloved Chicago Cubs win the pennant this year. His family and friends believe that he saw it from his resting place, and perhaps had a hand in it. John Curtis was our family’s middle child, yes, the one who caused rules to be made. A tormenter…
‘Raised with farm values and a belief in God’
Bill Roth was born and raised on his family’s farm just a few miles west of Ashland. He graduated from Ashland High School in 1952. Bill was raised with farm values and a belief in God that guided him throughout his life. After graduation, he joined the Navy. He married Elaine Lynch in 1959, and…
The music man
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet, praise him with the psaltery and harp.Praise him with the timbrel and dance, praise him with stringed instruments and organs.Praise him upon the loud cymbals, praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. –Psalm 150 Silvester Walton, Jr. did not go gentle into that good night. He sang.…
‘Her friends will never forget her’
Beautiful, genuine, joyful, dedicated, unique, intelligent, devoted, inviting, traveler, family-oriented, spirited, driven, kind, cinephile, patient, loving, witty, adventurous and positive were words that each of Jill Buffington’s nursing school classmates chose to describe her during a vigil held on a rainy Friday evening in September. Within 30 hours of hearing that one of their own…
The athlete, teacher and coach
Larry Selinger was born and grew up in his beloved north end of Springfield, on a street that he affectionately referred to simply as “22.” It was on 22nd Street that his love and fierce loyalty to family and friends would grow along with his love for the value and power of athletics. It was in…
Remembering the lives they lived
Remembering the lives they lived About the issue It is our tradition to reserve our last issue of the year to remember some of the Springfield-area people who have died in the past year. Those we write about here are people who have come to the attention of our writers, and others brought to IT…
