Country music is not my favorite genre. However, there is one country song that never fails to bring a smile to my face each time I hear it. That song, “(Always Stay) Humble and Kind,” is sung by Tim McGraw but it was written by Lori McKenna, a mother of five, and it’s easy to […]
Newsletter – Event
Posted inArts & Culture
United Way to host Community Listening Sessions
United Way of Central Illinois will be hosting Community Listening Sessions and a companion Community Survey to gather input directly from residents across Sangamon and Menard Counties. These efforts aim to better understand the challenges facing local families and identify where the greatest needs and gaps exist. Then, United Way can continue to direct grant […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Kidzeum holds ribbon cutting for Route 66 exhibit
Kidzeum of Health and Science is holding a seven-year anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20. The weekend will feature live performances, hands-on science programs, games, giveaways and the grand opening of the brand-new Route 66-themed exhibition, The Road to Adventure: Exploring Route 66. Admission is free on Saturday, while Sunday will […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Eddington examines divisions, Old Guard 2 a rote action film
Aster’s Eddington provides an uncomfortable reflection The first film to take a deep dive into how the Covid-19 crisis affected the U.S., Ari Aster’s Eddington is an uncompromising examination of the divisions that tore communities apart and its continuing repercussions. Though a piece of fiction, Aster and his cast capture the sense of angst that […]
Posted inWatch Public Meetings
Back-to-school events, meals and union contract negotiations
Free summer meals for kids, on-site physicals and immunizations, and a brand new back-to-school event with 70-plus community vendors and 500 backpack giveaways — there’s a lot happening as the new school year approaches. The board also shared key dates for registration and orientation, including special events for incoming 6th and 9th graders to help […]
Posted inWatch Public Meetings
Council calls for changes on derelict properties, urges support for downtown
A sign variance for a taller-than-approved billboard sparked debate at the council meeting. One member argued the owner acted in good faith and that safety concerns were inconclusive, while a resident pushed back, warning about driver distraction and urging limits on how often the sign changes. The council ultimately approved the variance. Frustration boiled over […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Oklahoma!: An old-fashioned treat at The Muni
Oklahoma! debuted on Broadway more than 80 years ago, and its celebration of small-town life and enduring American spirit has made it a cornerstone in the community theater repertoire. The Muni’s co-directing team, Ann Opferman and Gil Opferman, have been involved with four productions of Oklahoma! during their lifetimes. “There are still 700-plus productions of […]
Posted inMusic
Festival news and more
Holy smokes, things are flying high as we stroll into the next to last weekend in July for 2025. Before you know it, we’ll be wondering how in the world summer’s end came so soon. But for right now let’s go find what we have to enjoy in the musical moment. Just to shake things […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Popular Chatham event marks 50th year
Chatham’s big summer event celebrating that delicious, golden food staple just keeps going strong. The festival is celebrating its 50th year. The fun starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the honoring of past event chairs. Then it’s on to the Little Miss Sweet Corn pageant, games for children, more than 70 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ari Aster: Searching for an olive branch in Eddington
On the basis of his films Hereditary and Midsommer, it would be tempting to pigeonhole Ari Aster as a director of horror films. However, his third movie, Beau is Afraid, was an indication that his primary focus is human behavior, which is at times more inexplicable and terrifying than anything that might go bump in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Teaching antiracism is a practice of freedom
In June, the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network finished its last 2025 Healing Illinois funded antiracism trainings –this is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and United Way of Central Illinois. Our workshops focused on learning how to identify and interrupt anti-Black, anti-Immigrant prejudice, bias, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What good is prayer if we still suffer?
As of this writing, the nation keeps vigil with the Texas families whose loved ones were swept away by flood waters, the death toll north of 100 and climbing. According to media reports, over the Fourth of July weekend gun violence killed 189 people and injured 500 in our country. Last week I traveled out […]
