iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Springfield is actually a great place to be a fan of "Rocky Horror." You can see it on the big screen at the Gillioz Theatre and on stage at High Tide Theatrical this month. They both offer an interactive, community experience.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I rarely get political, but this is my story. As luck would have it, I got assigned to cover the district where I live. I really enjoyed chatting with Stephanie Hein and Jacey Buckles and I hope this story aids fellow residents of HD 136 in deciding how to cast their ballots.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I got a story pitch email that ranks U.S. states by the number of reported Bigfoot encounters per million residents. Missouri is 11th. Just 26.8 Bigfoot sightings per million residents. Not great, gang. We gotta step it up.

072

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

More public art in Springfield! This time in the Grant Beach neighborhood, which I have a soft spot for after my teenage years working as the cashier at the public pool.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I wouldn't be mad about the Springfield Cobras. Funny bit of SGF history.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Always fun to see the team get recognized for the hard work put in every day. Very proud to be part of the Daily Citizen.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others." — Philippians 2:3-4

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"The problem isn’t you, or the thing — it’s expecting it to be enough. So many of us are chasing happiness, but what we actually want is meaning. They’re not the same." — Amanda E. White

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Great news for lovers of public art in SGF.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It was so lovely meeting Hannah Wilbers and learning about what led up to the creation of her first children's book, "What Do Kittens Dream About?" The illustrator, 2D animator and first-time author already has another book idea and is excited to bring that story to life, too.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Both of the chats I had for my stories that were published this week were so lovely and affirming, and are the kinds of things that make the stress of social media and journalism more tolerable. There are incredible people doing incredible things in your community, Springfield.

100

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I met Kenny Kabak at the end of Queen City Chorale's second season, and it was clear the group had high levels of aspiration and talent. QCC starts season 5 on Sunday. Here's more on "We Remember Them" and the other shows in the season.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It was a delight to meet Mari Moore-Mosby and learn all about Mudbug Creations. I want a chopstick bowl and mug with a thumb pad so badly now. This is Cider Days weekend, so get some cold — or hard — cider and find her at Booth 125.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Kelsey Vanderstine knows what it's like for a small theater company to scramble and find space to perform and rehearse. She's creating exactly that kind of space in downtown Springfield with the Playhouse Theatre. I'm intrigued to see how this impacts the city's theater scene.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to write about High Tide's "Ride The Cyclone" before interviews. But then director Imari Stout mentioned she's drawn to shows with a throughline of grief. Her connection to this musical and deft handling of tough subject matter are on stage through Sept. 12.

010

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I had a couple of friends reach out about a protest at the Greene County Sheriff's Office. Here's the Springfield Daily Citizen's story. I truly appreciate everyone who reaches out with questions, tips and more. 1/2

120

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Just put the finishing touches on Thursday's SGF A.M., which continues to grow its audiences beyond my wildest expectations. Want a free email newsletter with stories from across the Springfield area (and maybe a few puns and dad jokes)? Here's where you can subscribe. sgfcitizen.org/newsletters/

sgfcitizen.org

Newsletters - Springfield Daily Citizen

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Hamlet! Zombies! Booze! Queen City Shakespeare Co. continues to have the most fun sharing the Bard's work with the Ozarks — and there's more in store.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I am on vacation. See you in two weeks.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

One of my favorite things in the AI discourse is the steely resolve of my fellow em dash lovers as we refuse to cede that bit of beautiful punctuation to the bots. Courage, friends!

020

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

"We are like God when we choose to stretch out our hands in loving service, touching the untouchable, and bringing to them the healing, health, wholeness, and life which God desires for all humanity. In choosing to reach out and touch, Jesus invites us to do the same." — Br. James Koester

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It was kind of a last-minute assignment, but it was an interesting one. Heavy on patriotism, light on partisanship.

100

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I’m at the Historic Greene County Courthouse, where former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon will read the Declaration of Independence. Col. John Nixon, one of his ancestors, publicly read that document for the first time on the steps of Independence Hall in Philadelphia at noon on July 8, 1776.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Today I met a 14-year-old playwright. Eli Roberts is very excited to debut his musical, "Music Box," this weekend in the Devising Original Theatre Springfield Fringe Festival. I'm very excited to tell you about it later this week in the @sgfcitizen.bsky.social.

010

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Need any prayer this week? Reply here or send me a message.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Happy Independence Day! Today I am thinking of Solomon Kessinger, "Ol Sol," my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. The son of German immigrants Andreas and Susanna Kessinger fought in the Revolutionary War in the Virginia militia, serving under General George Rogers Clark.

010

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Last night Finn told me he likes Ronaldo better than Messi and I'm just trying to figure out where I went wrong lol

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I've been fascinated with the Midtown Victorian Drill Team since the first time I saw them. I'm so glad I finally got to learn more about the squad — which you can join. They've been a fixture in the July Fourth parade for all 35 years!

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I saw a commercial the other day, still in June, that told me "Back to school is back!" Um, no it is not, my guy. Save that nonsense for late July. Sheesh.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Finally getting to write about one of my favorite parts of Springfield's Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Celebration for the @sgfcitizen.bsky.social.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Kids growing up in Springfield today will never know the absolute joy of seeing this guy perform at a packed Hammons Student Center.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Three more heart stopping, heartbreaking games today. This World Cup has been magnificent.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I appreciate how hard Ryan Collins has worked on covering Andy's Frozen Custard and its request for $32 million in Chapter 100 Industrial Development Bonds. If you have questions about those bonds, how they work and if Springfield has used them in the past, check out this in-depth report.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

"Without a love relationship with God, religion doesn’t keep us moving or growing. It doesn’t keep transforming. It becomes a sideshow for elitism, that’s all." — Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

"We will live as beautifully, bravely, and kindly as we can as long as we can, no matter how ugly, scary, and mean the world becomes, even if failure and death seem inevitable." — Brian McLaren

130

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

"God is made visible in the world through love and through ordinary, imperfect people’s choices to say yes to love." — Br.Jamie Nelson, SSJE

010

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Tubarões Azuis!!!!!! They did it! 🇨🇻

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Let’s goooooo Cabo Verde! 🇨🇻

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Just an FYI — It is officially six months until Christmas Day.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

When I tell you I get to talk to the coolest people for my job, this is what I'm talking about. Spent some time at The Shoe Tree Listening Room for a story about this weekend's Midwest MidBEST Crankie Fest and spoke with Sandi Green-Baker and Abbey Waterworth.

010

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I’ve never worn a tie-dyed shirt. I’m not anti-tie-dye by any stretch of the imagination. I guess I just haven’t found one I really like yet. Maybe someday.

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

“Some days are like that. Even in Australia.”

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

All I want for Father's Day is for Cabo Verde 🇨🇻 to beat Uruguay. #WorldCup

030

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The forecast is looking great for Pops in the Park tonight, which is family-friendly and free. What a great addition to summer in the SGF.

010

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

"Either we see Christ in everyone, or we hardly see Christ in anyone. Either we are Christ to everyone, or we cannot be Christ to anyone." — Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM

030

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

They're right. The World Cup is a lot more fun when it's not your team playing. 😱

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

GOOOOOOOAL USAAAAAAA! Great start!

000

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I've seen some folks online pretty upset about Juneteenth the past few days. It reminds me of when I was a kid and people were pretty upset about Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

100

Jeff Kessinger @jkessingersgf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

You guys, I just remembered it's Thursday night, not Tuesday night. I am so pumped now.

000