Innovate Springfield helps take ideas from concept to completion Gordon Davis, co-founder of Whimsy Tea. Photo by Tim Klasinski, Foto-Graphics BY CATHERINE O’CONNOR For nine local start-up entrepreneurs, graduation night on Oct. 30 marked the completion of the Co.Starters program, a series of weekly three-hour intensive seminars presented through Innovate Springfield, [...]
ARTICLES AND PHOTOS BY DAVID BLANCHETTE For 99 years, MJ Kellner Foodservice has been a respected family-owned Springfield business. As the company enters its 100th year in operation, it is positioned to continue its growth and success, according to owner Bill Kellner, who is also the CEO and president. Vice president and COO Dave [...]
BY KAREN ACKERMAN WITTER Inspiring better health was the motivation for Rusty Jones and business partner Tom Bushkie to create a high-quality beverage as an alternative to sugary drinks. They founded hellowater in 2017 in response to their research, which revealed that nearly 40% of Americans are obese, affecting over 18 million children, and 97% [...]
BY CINDA ACKERMAN KLICKNA It is 7:20 a.m. and 45 high school seniors file into a training room at Sikich. Some of the students razz each other about an upcoming soccer game; others grab a bottle of water or Pop Tart, laughing and engaging with each other. Their strong connection to each other [...]
PROFILES BY ERIC WOODS Presented in alphabetical order Previous 15 Under Fifteen selectees
Transitioning from the private sector to the nonprofit world BY WILLIAM LEGGE Before joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, most of my career was spent in sales and management for large corporations. It was a never-ending cycle, with hard work often rewarded with an increased quota. Sure, the commissions were great. [...]
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DAVID BLANCHETTE “There is always an activity at Senior Services. Our whole goal is to make sure that seniors are healthy and happy,” said executive director Carol Harms. “Our hope is to keep seniors independent for as long as they possibly can be.” Volunteers prepare Daily Bread meals before they [...]
The original entrance to Oak Ridge cemetery was restored in 2014 and plans are now in the works to reinstall a 1900s-era iron archway sign. Photo by Stacie Lewis. The recently restored front door of a 100-year-old home in Hawthorne Place. Photo by Stacie Lewis Historic Preservation Fund makes [...]
Professional help for professionals struggling with addiction Article and Photos By David Blanchette The Gateway Foundation is giving more people a choice that’s closer to home for addiction treatment. Gateway will open a new 22-bed professional men’s treatment unit on Sept. 1 that provides a local alternative to out-of-state programs, according to Kerry Henry, executive [...]
BY CATHERINE O’CONNOR The Illinois State Fairgrounds track, which is historically known for setting the world’s fastest flat track records, hosts two of the 18 events comprising the National Championship American Flat Track pro-racing circuit. The Springfield Mile 1 is held on Memorial Day weekend, with Springfield Mile 2 taking place over Labor Day weekend. [...]
