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.

Amanda Riggenbach was the project manager for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Tumultuous 2020 Oral History Project. She spoke to Community Voices about the process of interviewing people for the project and what she learned along the way.

Matt Scherer is the owner of Surf Springfield. He spoke to Community Voices about how he teaches people to surf using Lift eFoil electric surfboards, and he explained the safety and skill required to use them.

President of the downtown Kiwanis Club of Springfield Jack Dunn and Literacy and Foundation Director Amanda Brown spoke to Community Voices about the children’s libraries installed at local laundromats. They also shared the other services the Kiwanis club provides the community including golf training for children and teddy bears for children transported in ambulances.

Director of Culinary Programs and Operations at Lincoln Land Community College Sheridan Lane spoke to Community Voices about the culinary opportunities as well as the dining offerings at the LLCC campus. The Bistro to Go Café will be open Sept. 7 through Oct. 6, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then in October the café will transform into a dine-in restaurant open Oct. 25 through Nov. 17 (closed Nov. 1).