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FALL GUIDE
This year’s Fall Guide highlights what’s new at the Illinois State Museum and Historic Marbold Farmstead, classic car shows and motorcycle races, where to find covered bridges in Illinois and much more, plus a three-month calendar of upcoming events for the whole family to enjoy. Related Related Related Related Related Related Related Stories
When history doesn’t repeat itself
Since the 2022 election, far too many Illinoisans have been far too eager to pine for a repeat of the past. It started with non-stop rumors about Gov. JB Pritzker running for president. Every word he spoke, every position he took, every out-of-state trip he made was examined for signs of what everybody thought they…
Kamala Harris accepts presidential nomination at over-the-top event
It was meant to be over the top, and it was. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago amid a kaleidoscope and cacophony of balloons, waving signs, music and a roof-raising roar from the party faithful. A recurring theme throughout the convention has been the…
Illinois delegation focuses on the work ahead
The Illinois delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago met for breakfast one final time on Thursday as the hour drew closer to Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination for president. A new catchphrase was unofficially adopted at the breakfast, but it wasn’t specifically about the election. It came from remarks made during…
Strange Darling a clever thriller, poignant Between the Temples, Greedy People overdone
Strange Darling a nonlinear thriller When Stephen King refers to a film as “a clever masterpiece,” I can’t help but be a bit curious if he’s on to something or if this is just hyperbole, wisely placed on the respective promotional materials. Such is the case with J.T. Mollner’s Strange Darling, an independent thriller that…
SIU looks to Springfield for aviation school, law school
Southern Illinois University has committed to expanding its pilot-training program to Springfield, enabling future aviators to earn bachelor’s degrees without leaving the capital city, SIU President Daniel Mahony told Illinois Times. “Aviation is one of our most popular programs, but because of the space issues we have (in Carbondale) we really can’t expand that program.…
“Decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024”
At times it seemed more like a celebrity A-list party or Grammy Awards ceremony than a political event as the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago entered its third day. Wednesday evening was capped by Minnesota governor, former school teacher and football coach Tim Walz officially accepting the party’s vice presidential nomination, but not before…
Springfield 1908 Race Riot site designated as a national monument
On the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot, which devastated the city’s Black community, President Joe Biden designated the site of the tragedy as a national monument. “We can’t let these things fade,” Biden said before signing the proclamation at a White House ceremony held Aug. 16. He added, “I know this may not…
Too many deaths at the Sangamon County Jail
These are comments written and delivered by Sheila Stocks-Smith to the Sangamon County Board during the board’s meeting at the BoS Center Aug. 13. For decades I have been concerned about questionable tactics and inmate deaths at the Sangamon County Jail. A brief overview: Amon Paul Carlock, age 57, who died in 2007, had severe,…
Advocates for reform attend jail committee meeting
A Sangamon County Board member on Aug. 20 withdrew, for the time being, her formal proposal for a series of reforms that would increase scrutiny and oversight of the hiring of new sheriff’s deputies. Springfield Democrat Gina Lathan said the actions called for in her resolution – drafted in the wake of the July 6…
Fall music on the horizon
After a great summer of outdoor music fests, it’s time to bring the most of the shows indoors for the autumn and winter season. And, when indoor concerts take place on the grand curtained stage of the oldest theater in town, in a Greek Revival cathedral, under a sea of lights of a modern stage…
On the stage this fall
The entertainment on stage this fall includes magic, musicals, murders and a lot of comic relief. With shows for the whole family to those for more mature audiences, everyone will find a favorite on Springfield’s stages. The Muni Although summer is coming to a close, The Muni is giving us one more opportunity to enjoy…
Lincoln and political conflict
An NPR Morning Edition cohost and a California professor will be at University of Illinois Springfield to examine how Abraham Lincoln navigated political conflict and to apply those lessons to today’s America. They will make their case in presenting the popular Lincoln Legacy Lecture at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the UIS Student Union. Steve…
ISM closes for several months
Once again, the Illinois State Museum is closed, but this time only temporarily, unlike the shut-down implemented by former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2015. This time much-needed plumbing work, as well as asbestos removal, has required ISM to close its doors. Currently, it is expected that the museum will be closed for three months. Staff…
Visit covered bridges this fall
We may not need them to sneak a kiss away from prying eyes any more, but covered bridges can still be fun, especially in the fall when surrounded by colorful leaves. Once numbering more than 10,000 in the U.S., covered bridges have dwindled to 750 with the majority in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Vermont, Indiana, New Hampshire…
Classic cars, motorcycles, will draw crowds to Springfield
Three popular, ongoing annual events return to Springfield this fall and give the public an opportunity to see classic cars and motorcycles racing once again. Here are a few details about each event: Springfield Mile Illinois State FairgroundsSaturday, Aug. 31 Sunday, Sept. 1 The Springfield Mile is a prestigious motorcycle race on the Progressive American…
New life for a historic house
Vendors, food, music, interpreters, pies and even a bike ride will be part of the Historic Marbold Farmstead Association’s annual heritage festival Sept. 7 and 8. The association’s goal has been to restore the Marbold mansion located at the edge of Greenview, Illinois. A little more than a decade ago, the mansion was a rundown,…
Late summer’s fruit
This is the time of year when my heart feels like it belongs in two places. Mornings are crisp, the kids are back in school and I’m more inclined to crave a steaming cup of hot coffee rather than an iced cold brew. The air has the aroma of fall and I am all in…
August music making
There’s no doubt about it, after the big blast of State Fair action subsides, there seems to be a lull in all the happenings around town. But really, we’re just getting back to normal and that is something very good, full of mountains of music and piles of performers playing here, there and everywhere in…
Things are looking up in Lincoln
Balloons Over 66 Fri., Aug. 23, 1:30-11 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 24, 6:15 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun, Aug. 25, 6:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Lincoln and Open Arms Lincoln Up, up and away! See 34 hot air balloons rise to the skies starting Friday for the Balloons Over 66 weekend. All balloon flights and evening balloon “glows” will…
Editor’s note 08-22-24
Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter, working with state Sen. Doris Turner, has taken a good step by forming a Sonya Massey Commission to examine the underlying causes that led to Sonya Massey’s death. The county and its Republican-dominated board are often left out of serious discussions of systemic racism in law enforcement that…
Springfield doctor returns from mission to simulate Mars
Back from a 378-day NASA simulation of life on Mars, Dr. Nathan Jones says the mission at Johnson Space Center in Houston was a success, and he has no regrets about the time away from his family in Springfield. “I missed out on a lot, but I still believe it was worth it,” Jones, an…
Letters to the editor 08-22-24
VIOLATION OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT I am surprised that your article described the reason for the failure of Sam Cahnman’s elected officials recall referendum as a “technicality” (“Sangamon County Board blocks referendum to allow voters to oust future sheriffs,” Aug. 15). This “technicality” was a violation of the Open Meetings Act for which our respectable media…
