Lashonda Fitch is the executive director of the Oak Ridge Cemetery. She spoke to Community Voices about what inspired her to work in real estate and how she transitioned to overseeing the Oak Ridge Cemetery. She also talked about the history of the cemetery and the diversity in it.

Ethelene Ferdinand is the president of the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club, and Penni Gebke is the past president. They spoke to Community Voices about craft making taught by the club members, and their artisan holiday boutique and sweet shop, which features hand-made crafts and homemade sweets and bakery items.

"Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic" will be performed at the Hoogland Center for the Arts Oct. 27-30. Director Mac Warren and Assistant Director Anna McFarland spoke to Community Voices about the play and how it may or may not have some similarities to a certain boy wizard. For more information visit www.hcfta.org.

Dan Diskey is the 2022 Real Men Wear Pink of Greater Illinois Chairman. He spoke to Community Voices about how his mentors and breast cancer survivors inspire him to participate in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.

Dr. Michael Nienast is helping to bring the program Walk with a Doc to Springfield, Ill. He spoke to Community Voices about the walk which invites anyone to attend to “walk and talk” with a local physician. More information can be found at https://walkwithadoc.org/

Dr. Nicole Sommer is the Director of the SIU Cosmetics Center. She spoke to Community Voices about the mentorship she received from her father. She also explained the differences between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Nicole Florence and Maria Ansley are the filmmakers behind the documentary “No Title for Tracey,” which tells the story of Florence’s sister who was not given the title of valedictorian due to her race. Florence and Ansley shared their inspiration for the film and other projects in the works.

Paul Fanning is the director of the Illinois State Military Museum. He spoke to Community Voices about leading the museum after a 32-year career in the Illinois National Guard. He also talked about how his staff tells a story with each exhibit it puts together. He also explained the misinformation around Santa Anna’s prosthetic leg which is cared for by the museum.

Erica Romines is the executive director of Community Child Care Connection. She spoke to Community Voices about how the organization provides training to child care providers and works with families to provide financial assistance and affordable child care. She also explained the services a quality child care environment should provide families.

Eric Anderson is the owner of 217 Comics Cards & Games. He discussed how his store allows game lovers to come face to face as opposed to playing online. He also shared which collectibles have passed through his store, and he explained the process of breaking.