Jeff Kessinger
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jkessingersgf.bsky.social
Jeff Kessinger
@jkessingersgf.bsky.social
200 followers 150 following 350 posts
Reader Engagement Editor, Springfield Daily Citizen | #OldHead | he/him/his | Opinions my own
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I'll be honest. I'm probably going to start the Christmas music this week, even with 70-degree weather in Springfield. Don't deny yourself a little joy if you need it. Life is hard and weird and you deserve to feel good.
I don’t usually dress up for Halloween, but this year I was feeling like a little stinker. 🦨
Weekday CUSA has been a lot of fun, mostly because the Bears are 2-0 on Wednesdays. Can they make it three in a row?
It's a Missouri State football game day, as the Bears host FIU at 7 p.m. in Weekday CUSA action. Get ready for kickoff with Ryan Collingwood's notebook. He says MO State's offensive line has exhibited fortitude in league play.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
We did it, babies. We made it to Winter Grind season!
From the inbox: A poll says Springfield's National Cemetery is the scariest graveyard in Missouri. "Civil War soldiers from both sides rest here, and legend says visitors sometimes hear murmured voices that sound like men swapping watch duty."
Keisha McMillen is hesitant to call herself a visual artist, so I'll do it for her. Her work is part of a cool new traveling exhibition called "Nevertheless, She Persisted." You can see it now, for free, at the new C-Art Gallery on Historic Commercial Street.
A new Springfield-based traveling exhibition is giving artists like Keisha McMillen a new avenue to share their work. Founders say "Nevertheless, She Persisted" is growing quickly and organically. Here's where you can see it.

Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Gonna try to stay up for all of this one, but we'll see.
It's a Missouri State game day, as the Bears visit New Mexico State for a Weekday CUSA showdown. Get ready for the 8 p.m. kickoff with preview stories, features and more from Ryan Collingwood.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/tag/missouri...
I am no longer on vacation.
Fun way to eeeeease back into things after a week off.
UPDATE: The Amazon Web Services outage has caused a delay in sending Monday's edition of SGF A.M. It will be shipped to your inboxes as soon as the outage is resolved. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
I felt so honored to be invited to a preview of Queen City Shakespeare Co.’s Shakespeare on Tap: Romeo & Julie-ale. I’m still laughing. There aren’t many tickets left for this fundraiser, so if you’ve been considering it, you’d better add to cart now.
When Springfield Contemporary Theatre closed earlier this year, I felt sad Springfield wasn't going to get to see Mosaic Arts Collective's version of "Hairspray." Shoulda known the forces of nature that are Amanda Snead and Nki Calloway would find a way to make it happen.
When Mosaic Arts Collective lost its partner in staging "Hairspray" this fall, it decided to push forward with the cult musical on its own. The community has rallied behind the production, which opens tonight at the Historic Fox Theatre.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
High Tide Theatrical's annual tradition is back: "The Rocky Horror Show" opens tonight. It's the last time you'll see Grace Billingsley play Janet. I appreciate her sharing with me what this character means to her and how her father helped encourage her on her path.
Grace Billingsley says High Tide Theatrical's 2025 production of "The Rocky Horror Show" is bigger and better than ever. It's also the last time she'll play Janet, a character that means so much to her.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
I had so much fun meeting Andrea Copeland and Lori Casey from I Love Springfield, MO! And learning about the 2025-2026 Ozarks Coffee Trail. There are 40 stops and some cool prizes. I’m looking forward to visiting some old favorites and trying out new spots!
Had to sneak downtown for a second to see how things are coming along on Overlay's 2025 mural. It's incredible how different that area feels now that some of the mural is up. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Artists Osiris Rain and Emily Ding are already at work on the six-story mural that is the centerpiece of this year's Overlay Fest, this Friday and Saturday in downtown Springfield. Here's what you need to know before you go to the festival.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Whoa!
NEW: The Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment will bring a concert series to Hammons Field as early as spring 2026. Ryan Collins has details on the partnership between the Gillioz and the Springfield Cardinals.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/economy-grow...
Thinking of all my LDS friends today.
I think of Overlay as SGF's scrappy, underdog festival. Meg Wagler and team have some fun things planned Oct. 3-4 and tickets are very affordable. I'm so excited to see the 6-story mural Overlay gives to the community.

Also, if you need a boost, Meg's a good one to chat with.
The second edition of Overlay, Oct. 3-4, will add a six-story mural to a downtown Springfield building. The block party also features local artists, a pop-up skate park and your chance to participate in a laser-guided community art project.

Learn more: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
Took a walking break today and bumped into Amaka Onyeka, who I wrote about last October. It was so lovely to catch up for a second and, as always, I was stunned anyone remembers me. I’m so grateful for all the connections my work as a journalist has helped me make.

sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
New web series from Missouri State students shares the experience of non-immigrants - Springfield Daily Citizen
Amaka Onyeka, a Missouri State University graduate student from Nigeria, has some big decisions in her future.
sgfcitizen.org
First half North Division Champions.
Second half North Division Champions.
Franchise record for wins.
Texas League Champions.

What a summer.
The Springfield Cardinals capped a historic season with a Texas League championship Wednesday night, routing Midland 13-1 in Texas. The Cardinals collected 19 hits off seven Midland pitchers.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...
“I love you. I would rather die than hate you.” — MLK
I’ll tell you this much: I don’t trust a porch swing.
Being so involved in news social media M-F gets heavy. Really heavy sometimes. I can't avoid it because it's my job. For my mental health I'm staying off most platforms on the weekend, but I do hang out on Instagram a bit. I'd love to connect with you there, too. My @ is queencityfamilyman.
A most incredible thing is happening in Springfield this weekend, as two very different casts launch productions of the same classic musical, "Annie." I would argue they're both very worth your time.
Two productions of "Annie" open in Springfield tonight and they could not be more different. But behind the scenes, the casts at Springfield Little Theatre and Theatre North of 60 are finding self-confidence and community.

Read it: sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...