REMEMBERING
About the issue Here, again, in our last issue of the year, we remember Springfield-area people who have died in the past year. Each has a story that could fill a book. None is more important than another. We gave our own writers freedom to do longer essays on a few; readers were asked to keep their tributes short so we could include more.

A leader for his faith and family
My father, Shaughneysy Small Jr., was born into humble conditions. Experiencing hardships after his father separated from his mother, he learned the importance for a man to keep commitments and honest work to provide for himself and family. He lived by the principle, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.

Restless spirit
It’s fair to say that curiosity was one of his defining qualities. He understood that life afforded boundless opportunities for discovery and that even those who during the course of time became accomplished could, by cultivating humility and attentiveness, stand to learn something new.

Neighborhood force to be reckoned with
Marilyn Piland was known for her work in many areas: the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, serving as its executive director for 17 years; the Democratic Party as a precinct committeewoman and secretary; Elliott Avenue Baptist Church and Kumler Food Pantry.

Poet
John Knoepfle: husband, father, grandfather, recipient of Purple Heart (shrapnel for proof!), poet, storyteller: 25- plus books that garnered many prizes – among them the “Mark Twain Award for Poetry” and “lllinois Writer of the Year” – professor,...

Boy centenarian
One of Ray Ackerman’s favorite sayings was, “Never leave a game early – you could miss something terrific.” Ray stayed in the game of life until it was fully played, one day short of his 101 st birthday – aged in body, but not in spirit. The preface to his three-volume autobiography, playfully entitled Grandpa.

“He believed in justice”
Consider photographs taken when Lawrence was in high school and college. More than once, he posed, fist raised, in the black power salute.

“That tall guy” – Basketball player, lawyer, activist
Bill Feurer was called “that tall guy” when he worked in the office of the Illinois Senate president, Cecil Partee, and later when he served as liaison to the press and speechwriter for Gov. Otto Kerner in 1962. His height (6 feet 2 inches) was useful when playing basketball, something he started at the age of 9 and played until he was 79.

“Where there is no man, strive to be one”
“Towfig Arjmand always bore himself with dignity. He even bore indignities with dignity,” says Rabbi Michael Datz of Temple B’Rith Sholom. A resident of Springfield for more than 50 years, Arjmand was born in Kermanshah in western Iran. He came to work at St.

Service, generosity and jokes
Guerry Suggs always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eyes and was quick to tell a joke. First Citizen of Springfield, philanthropist, volunteer, friend, mentor, champion, servant leader and avid baseball fan are a few descriptors of this beloved community leader.

Protector of his country
Frank Papp won the lottery twice, in more ways than one. His monetary winnings never amounted to more than $10,000, although he certainly enjoyed being able to share his good fortune with his grandchildren.

Devoted to her family and her faith
Born in 1926 in the town of Banzyville in Congo (currently known as Mobayi- Mbongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo), Giovanna and her brother were raised in Italy by their father. Giovanna experienced the horrors of bombings during World War II, and what she witnessed running for shelter never left her.

“She was smart as hell”
First female prosecutor in the Sangamon County state’s attorney’s office. First woman to become a Sangamon County Circuit Court judge, and the first woman appointed to the federal bench in the Central District of Illinois. She came from a family of lawyers, but Scott was no ordinary attorney.

He dared to speak out
As a young man, Paul Findley was a typical moderate Republican of the sort that mid- Illinois once produced like corn. A small-town boy born and bred in farm country, he was a Main Street Republican businessman who was imbued with that species’ innate distrust of “socialism,” meaning any government program the Republicans didn’t vote for.

HOLLY ANN LIDY
Holly Ann Lidy was a beautiful young lady inside and out. Her sparkly personality and quick wit would put a smile on your face every time. Holly would give 100% to every task she faced whether it was studying for a test, improving her volleyball spike or maneuvering her 4-H pig around the show ring.

WILLIAM PROTZ
Bill and Jackie Protz were extraordinary and unique on their own, but together, they were unstoppable.

JENNA PROTZ
Jenna Protz was excited for basketball season and being a freshman playing varsity for the Vandalia Vandals. She was a force on the court and known for her threepointers. Jenna also played volleyball and softball and qualified for state in discus in junior high.

In Memoriam
It didn’t matter that she didn’t know anybody where she was going, didn’t speak their language or was unfamiliar with the culture. She enjoyed connecting with locals and learning about their customs wherever she went, in addition to meeting many interesting fellow travelers.

Hoppin’ John for New Year’s Day
After weeks of holiday indulgence, a simple supper of slow-simmered beans has always been a welcome New Year’s Day custom. My great-grandmother would always make a pot of beans on the first of January, flavored with copious amounts of onion and the ham bone left over from Christmas Eve.

How to care for wild birds this winter
The arrival of winter forces everyone to confront the changes synonymous with the season, and local wildlife is no exception. Low temperatures, harsh winter storms and a scarcity of food can make it challenging for wildlife, including birds, to thrive throughout the winter.

Sandler shines in brilliant Gems
I’ve seen too many movies, so much so that I’m rarely surprised by anything. And yet, every once in a great while, something comes out of left field that knocks me back on my heels and reminds me of why I fell in love with cinema in the first place. Chalk up the Safdie brothers Uncut Gems.

Remembering to music
Welcome to our Remembering issue, celebrating the lives of those we lost in the last year. Sadly, we had more than a few musicians join the everlasting band in 2019. Let’s send these dearly missed music makers off with a round of applause for a job well done on this old earth.

PUB CRAWL
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Mojo Universe
This band of brothers in style and substance hail from the St. Louis area and play regularly in the metro scene and surrounding towns. We welcome them for a New Year’s Eve show and hope they bring their groovy grooves and danceable sounds back to Central Illinois real soon.

THE CALENDAR
28, 7-8:30pm. No coupons or passes accepted for this show.. $15 general; $17.50 VIP. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233..

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | An alcohol-free celebration of arts
Join the Springfield Area Arts Council for the 33 rd annual First Night Springfield celebration featuring regional and local artists and performers. The festivities begin with complimentary children’s performances and activities inside Springfield High School from 1-4 p.