Vanessa Ferguson

Camp Butler National Cemetery is a place to remembers soldiers of more than a century ago and honor the veterans of today. Christopher Webster is the assistant director at Camp Butler National Cemetery, and Commander Gael Kent is with the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. They spoke to Community Voices about the rich history of Camp Butler – from its origins as a Civil War prisoner of war camp to its present-day role as a solemn resting place for thousands of veterans.

Mike Griffin and Bob Cox are members of the Capital Area Woodworkers Guild, an organization that provides camaraderie and tricks of the trade for local woodworkers. They spoke to Community Voices about the organization, which recently began a new project of building urns for the cremains of unclaimed veterans at Camp Butler National Cemetery.For more information visit: www.cawspi.org

Desiree Logsdon is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Citizenship at Bunn-O-Matic. Logsdon spoke to Community Voices about how her early days in Bunn’s test kitchen led her to a career traveling the world. She also shared Bunn family history and explained the many types of products offered at Bunn-O-Matic. She also spoke about her work with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and gave wisdom for others wanting a career in leadership and service.

Plastics are everywhere and the concerns for how they affect our environment and our health are leading scientists to explore new ways to contend with plastic waste. Dr. Damien Guironnet, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Dr. Alexa Kuenstler, an assistant professor specializing in catalysis and polymer upcycling, spoke to Community Voices about their research.

Charlotte Alvarez is the executive director of The Immigration Project. With offices in Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, and now Springfield, this nonprofit provides legal and social services to immigrants across 86 counties in Illinois. Alvarez discussed the realities behind the phrase “come the right way,” the challenges immigrants face in Central Illinois and how her team works to provide dignity to those navigating a complex immigration system.

Anna Palmer is a venture capitalist, serial entrepreneur and Central Illinois native. At the 2025 New Venture Challenge hosted by Innovate Springfield at the University of Illinois Springfield, Anna shared insights from her journey building and investing in startups, her perspective on what’s hot in tech, and the challenges she faced as a co-founder of Boston Legacy FC. The conversated was moderated by Bruce Sommer.

Stewart McLaurin is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast and the president of the White House Historical Association. To mark the 160th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, McLaurin spoke to Community Voices about the recent episode of his podcast, which takes listeners inside Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was shot, and the Petersen House, where the president spent his final hours. McLaurin reflected on the emotional weight of standing where history unfolded and the surprising details of that fateful night.

What’s it like to hold a feathered friend in your hand? Lincoln Land Community College biology professor Tony Rothering knows the feeling. He spoke to Community Voices about bird banding in Central Illinois, and how local residents can take part as citizen scientists. He also explained how bird banding provides insights into avian life, the research conducted on the Saw-whet Owl and what may be behind the decline in bird populations.

The Springfield Choral Society is hosting a weekend of uplifting music with a festival titled “Hymnody of Earth.” Conductor Jacobsen Woolen and musicians Malcolm Dalglish and Carolyn Koebel spoke to Community Voices about the upcoming performances. Dalglish is also the composer behind “Hymnody of Earth.” The three share the inspiration behind the weekend of events and how they plan to blend music and nature in the experience.

Monica Zanetti Reed is the founder of the Springfield Cultural Arts Foundation and the owner of Wild Rose Artisans Gallery & Boutique. Kristen Chiaro is a board member of the foundation. They spoke to Community Voices about the mission behind the Springfield Cultural Arts Foundation and its magazine, which uplifts local artists. They discuss the magazine’s rich content—from artist interviews to recipes and skincare tips—and share plans for a cultural street festival. They also share an update on Wild Rose boutique and how businesses are faring in the downtown area.