Beatrice Bonner

4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Amy Zepp and Youth Development Educator Carissa Davis spoke to Community Voices to discuss the role of the Illinois Extension 4-H program in Logan, Menard and Sangamon County. They also explained the self-driven learning that children engage in through the program. 4-H stands for head, heart, hands and health, and provides an opportunity for children to develop in all four of these areas.

Rodd Whelpley is an author and poet from Chatham, Ill. He also manages an electric efficiency program for 32 cities across Illinois. He spoke to Community Voices about what led him to poetry, his inspiration and his first full length collection of poetry "Blood Moon, Backyard Mountain."

“Stamps of Hope II,” showcases Syrian refugee artwork from the Zaa’tari Refugee Camp in Jordan. The exhibit will be at Lincoln Land Community College now through October 13, 2023, before it travels to other community colleges. Rihab Sawah Professor of Physics at LLCC and organizer of the "Stamps of Hope II" exhibit, spoke to Community Voices about life in the refugee camp, the artists/artwork, and what she hopes the exhibit will teach the public.

Award-winning artist Barb Mason is a Springfield native who now lives in Texas. She spoke to Community Voices about her start in the medical community, and then how she became an artist who travels the world. She also talked about the recent mural she created in Springfield for the Springfield Art Association and how it reflects the diversity in the community.

Athens native Aaliyah Kissick is Miss Illinois United States. She spoke to Community Voices about her experiences as a business owner, member of the Illinois National Guard, and student, as well as provided insight into the pageant world and beauty industry.

The Office of Engaged Learning (OEL) provides experiential learning opportunities to UIS students such as internships, study abroad, and more. New Director of OEL Dr. Jessica Flynn and Rob Weis Coordinator and Advisor for Engaged Learning and Partner Initiatives, spoke to Community Voices about what the departments provides to students and employers, innovation and changes to navigating internships, and about the Illinois Cooperative Work Study grant.

Reverend Doctor Bobbi Dykema is the pastor at the First Church of the Brethren in Springfield, Ill. She spoke to Community Voices about the upcoming Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, as well as the preceding events in Springfield on August 4 and 5, which are sponsored by the Liturgical Arts Festival board and the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association.

Brady is the newest member of the NPR Illinois team as a sponsorship account executive alongside our very own Cory Pitt. Bea Bonner sat down with him to get to know more about why he decided to join us and his interests in music, animals, and the science of fermentation.

The Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS, a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event on the Korn Ferry Tour (26 total events on the tour), is conducted annually at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Ill. This tour is an opportunity for professional golfers who are competing and seeking to earn their PGA Tour card. Aimee Daily, Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer of Memorial Health and Dr. Anna Richie, Medical Director of Memorial Urgent Cares, spoke to Community Voices about Memorial's involvement with the tour and the impact on the Springfield community. They also talk about the importance of health services they provide to the golfers and caddies.

Becky Williams is the pastor of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and Mel Neilson is the pastor of Centenary United Methodist church. They are a part of a new initiative called The Morgan County Partnership for Unmet Needs which brings together churches in the Jacksonville community to meet the gap for those in need. The group was modeled after the Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs. They spoke to Community Voices about what brought them to ministry and the process of how this new initiative will work. They also spoke about coming together with different churches and the importance of service.