Beatrice Bonner

Dr. Dana Crosby is chair, program director, and professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at SIU School of Medicine. She is also Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery as well as Director of Otolaryngic Allergy. She spoke to Community Voices about what drew her to this medical specialty, what all Otolaryngology encompasses, and how chronic issues with the senses impact quality of life. Dr. Crosby also talks about working with residents as they prepare to become surgeons.

Springfield Theatre Centre's production of RENT runs 12/6/24-12/8/24 and 12/13/24-12/15/24. RENT is a rock musical loosely based on Puccini’s opera La bohème. The musical tells the story of a group of starving artist bohemian friends living on Avenue A in NYC under the shadow of HIV/AIDS epidemic in the late 1980's. LaDonna Wilson is the director of this production and Jasmine French portrays one of the main characters Maureen Johnson. They spoke to Community Voices about their experience with theater in the Springfield community, the serious themes in RENT, and what people can expect from the production. They also discussed partnering with The Phoenix Center and IDPH to do a coat drive and have testing available during the run of the show. Find tickets and details here.

Bwayisak Tanko is a master’s student in the School of Communication at the University of Illinois Springfield. Her documentary film Accents and Acceptance, which is part of her research project for closure from the School of Communication and Media Studies, premieres November 22nd, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Brookens Auditorium. The film explores the communication experiences of international students from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East as they adjust to life in the United States of America, highlighting their stories and challenges within the context of communication. Bwayisak spoke to Community Voices about growing up in small town in northern Nigeria, the story behind wanting to use her voice to influence change, and some observations from the documentary.

Lanette French is a local author who released her book The Blended Family: My Bonus Mom. She spoke to Community Voices about the book, her blended family, and gives advice to others on how to navigate their own situations.

Gemma Long is co-founder of Illinois Local and Charlotte McCurdy is a senior dancer with Springfield Youth Performance Group. They spoke to Community Voices about the Illinois Local Holiday Market, vendors and performers that will be featured, and the significance of Small Business Saturday in our community. The Illinois Local Holiday Market is Saturday November 30th 9am-4pm in the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Details can be found here.

Duane Friend is the State Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Change Specialist with the University of Illinois Extension. He spoke to Community Voices about soil quality, weather and climate, and disaster preparedness. Duane also gives information about Illinois Extension's Master Naturalists program and the positive impact on the community.

Dr. Gabe Cagwin recently took on the role of vice chancellor for advancement at the University of Illinois Springfield. He also serves as senior vice president for the University of Illinois Foundation. Dr. Cagwin spoke to Community Voices about what led him to higher education and his vast experience with fundraising. He also shared what he is looking forward to in Springfield and at UIS.

Wooden It Be Lovely is a non-profit program that provides transitional employment and housing to women healing from lives of poverty, addiction and abuse. They are raffling off The Little House of Hope located at 1729 Dial Court in Springfield. The house was remodeled by women in the program and community volunteers. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support women survivors as well as purchasing a larger house for their transitional housing program. Wooden It Be Lovely Founder and Executive Director Margaret Ann Jessup and Board Co-Chair Jen DeJong spoke to Community Voices about the process of remodeling the house, the skills the ladies involved learned, and the response from the community. More information and raffle ticket information can be found here.

Hoogland Center for the Arts production of Sweeney Todd is coming up just in time for the Halloween season. The musical tells the story of Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber who returns to London seeking vengeance against the judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Sweeney to Mrs. Lovett, the crafty owner of a failing pie shop above which he opens a new barber practice. Local vocal teacher Stephanie Myre is portraying Mrs. Lovett in this production. She spoke to Community Voices about being a performer in Chicago and about the message behind Sweeney Todd. Find tickets and dates for the show here.

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO) begins its 2024-2025 season with “Festive Fanfare.” The concert, conducted by ISO music director Taichi Fukumura, will feature Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto with violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, and Dvořák's Symphony No. 8.The ISO performs in Springfield on Friday Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. and in Normal on Saturday Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information visit: ilsymphony.org