Vanessa Ferguson

Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, educator, and author who wrote "A Sand County Almanac," which has inspired modern environmental change. Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation Buddy Huffaker and Executive Director of the Friends of The Sangamon Valley Angela Funk spoke to Community Voices about the life and legacy of Aldo Leopold, the function of the foundation, and pressing environmental challenges the world is navigating today. They also speak about an event in Springfield happening on April 12 which will celebrate Aldo Leopold.

Golden Bridges works with seniors and others who are overwhelmed with the task of downsizing or moving. The company serves Adams county and surrounding areas such as Springfield. Golden Bridges co-owner Suzanne Ellerbrock and the Springfield Liaison Terri Hempstead spoke to Community Voices about senior move management, empathy and the process they take in helping a person downsize. They also talk about repurposing and how senior move management helps the whole family.

Micah Bartlett recently received the 2024 UIS Alumni Achievement Award. He retired from the banking industry after a successful 33-year career. He was the President and CEO of Town and Country Bank before it merged with Heartland Bank. He spoke to Community Voices about the award, lessons he learned in his career, and what it was like running Town and Country Bank at the young age of 33.

Tim Totten is an expert on the life and career of Frank Lloyd Wright. His storytelling is compelling, and he will share his talents at the upcoming Dana-Thomas House Foundation fundraiser titled “Let’s Be Frank, Perfectly Frank” on April 13. Totten along with President of the Dana-Thomas House Foundation Cinda Klickna spoke to Community Voices about Wright’s tumultuous personal life and how he rebuilt his career in his later years.For more information about the fundraiser visit: https://dana-thomas.org/?event=lets-be-frank-perfectly-frank&event_date=2024-04-13

Dr. Karen Moranski is the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University, but prior to this role she spent 21 years at the University of Illinois Springfield as a faculty member and administrator. She spoke to Community Voices about her role in creating the Capital Scholars Honors Program at UIS. She also discussed higher education and ways to create a more inclusive experience.

Dr. Tabatha Wells is a physician in Springfield, Ill. with a direct primary care practice called Be Well Health. She spoke to Community Voices about the in-home services offered with direct primary care and her approach to helping her patients.

Tim Koschmann is the subject of the film “The Interaction Cowboy,” a documentary directed by his son Fred Koschmann. He spoke to Community Voices about the film and his journey to Ethnomethodology research at SIU School of Medicine. He also shared his thoughts on the state of the American education system and gives a brief history on the field of education research.

The Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois (WECI) are hosting the Women Entrepreneurs Showcase on March 6 from 4:30-7 p.m. WECI members Alyssa Furling and Robin Loftus spoke to Community Voices about the event and the various businesses featured.

The January Citizens Club of Springfield meeting examined the impact of the pending health professional shortage on the Springfield Community. The discussion featured Dr. Jerry Kruse, Dean and Provost of Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine and the CEO of SIU medicine. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Stephen Stone, professor emeritus at SIU school of medicine.

Rebecca Amato is the Director of Teaching and Learning for Illinois Humanities and Alexandra Sossa is from the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project. Illinois Humanities received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest to present The NEA Big Read: Reconsidering the American Dream. This is a series of free book groups, free public events, and hands-on workshops that explore and challenge our understanding of the "American Dream." Amato and Sossa spoke to Community Voices about the books featured in the Big Read, the changing ideology surrounding the "American Dream", and the event coming to Springfield on Feb. 22. They also spoke about different challenges and inequities immigrants and farmers face in Illinois.