Are you someone who appreciates history, loves learning, enjoys meeting new people and is 50+ years old? If your answers are a collective and enthusiastic “yes,” I have the perfect recommendation for you. The Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) at Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) offers opportunities for all the above categories. With a membership of 530+ and growing, ALL is active, vibrant and welcoming. The organization offers more than 24 group activities spanning a wide range of interests including games, sports, book clubs, current events, bus trips, history and more. 

Did I mention history? I joined ALL for two reasons: first, to participate in History Hunters and second, to learn how to play pinochle, but that is a story for another time. History Hunters offers speaker presentations (second Tuesday of the month) with occasional field trips. In addition, Zoom is available for offsite viewing for folks who would rather participate from the comfort of their home. Here is a brief look back at the 2025-2026 offerings. 

The fall session began in September with Bill Furry, former director of the Illinois State Historical Society. Mr. Furry shared his PowerPoint images and stories about recently installed Illinois Memorial Markers. At the end of his program, he invited the audience to share stories about markers they had seen and to make suggestions for possible future placements. 

In October, yours truly presented a program titled “Black Hawk Lead Tablet.” The topic generated much interest as Black Hawk was involved in a significant part of Illinois' history. The unique artifact, found in Macoupin County, was on display for viewing. 

November featured Dr. Chris McDonald, professor of political science at LLCC, who spoke about World War I. Obscure facts and vivid letters written by Kent Hagler, a Springfield native who served as a volunteer ambulance driver in France, were shared. 

December continued the tradition of sharing. Members were encouraged to talk about family customs, recipes and, of course, celebrated friendships and holiday merriment. The December theme, centering around ALL members, is truly a special time to hear heartwarming and sometimes nostalgic stories from our friends. 

The January 2026 program immersed members in the intriguing, complex life of Albert Cashier, aka Jennie Hodgers. Through extensive research, ALL members Mary Disseler and Linda Canter, narrated the life of Cashier who joined the Civil War in 95th Illinois Infantry, Company G as a man. Incredibly, the regiment traveled 9,000 miles and engaged in approximately 40 battles without anyone discovering Cashier was a woman. 

ALL geared up in February for the centennial anniversary of Route 66 with an enlightening presentation by Erika Holst, curator of history, at the Illinois State Museum. Erika showed images from the 100-year history of the Mother Road. Additionally, she shared stories from people (including some ALL members) who were interviewed and recorded with their personal experiences with Route 66. The 100 interviews can be accessed at www.illinoisstatemuseum.org. The audience had even more stories to impart on that day! 

March brought speakers from the Illinois Department of Transportation who covered the history of mapping at IDOT. Current examples include the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 Map and online interactive maps. 

Members also participated in three field trips. Two excursions involved meetings at the Illinois State Museum where we were treated to private tours by museum staff. Featured exhibits included the “Minohsayaki ‘Painted Robes’” and “Indigenous Beadwork of the Great Lakes” with selections of rarely seen articles and beads from the museum’s permanent collection. ALL also viewed the current exhibition, “Land of Stories: America 250,” which is open until April 4, 2027. Included is “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” and “We the People of Illinois.” Later, a group met at the Jacksonville Museum for the Journey to “Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad” exhibit. 

History Hunters' 2026 fall lineup features the following topics. 

• Sept. 8 – Dr. Michael Wiant spoke on “The Impacts of the American Revolution on Native Americans in Illinois.” 
• Oct. 13 – Jim Marcacci and Carolyn Harmon discussed the books they authored, “Benld and the Booze Gang” and “Struggling to Survive.” 
• Nov. 10 – John Alexander will share “Early Governors of Illinois.” 
• Dec. 8 – Members of the History Hunters committee will characterize lesser-known Springfield natives through “Meet My Friend or Neighbor.” 

If you wish you had participated in past events and would like to engage in future ones, please consider joining ALL. While the focus of this article is History Hunters, there is a plethora of opportunities awaiting you. For more information, contact LLCC Community Education at Community.Education@llcc.edu or call 217-786-2432.