At Springfield's Boys and Girls Clubs, some 30 talkative girls aged 6-12 line up at the gymnasium wall. Athletic director Mattie Watson calls out "Ready. Set. On your mark." Some girls take off prematurely, so Watson starts the process again - and again.

His imaginary world is beset with gobos, gels and cycloramas. He dwells in the dark, watching shadows and colors. He sees the light.

Life can be like a symphony. A series of movements builds toward a finale. Circumstances are instruments of change.

The staff of Springfield's Own magazine asked people who have previously been featured in the magazine or The State Journal-Register, "What are you reading?" Here is what they said ...

March is the place where spring lives. We have earned a good and long season, warm and well. Let's enjoy, and let us begin with this March/April issue of Springfield's Own Magazine.

Dear readers,

The pages of the calendar fall away like so much confetti. These words always surprise when they come around again so quickly, but here goes: Happy New Year to you from all of us at Springfield's Own Magazine.

Dear readers,

This is the time of year when we dedicate ourselves to the vitally important subject of local medicine. We are in the fortunate position of living and working in a city with a strong and evolving medical tradition. With this issue of Springfield's Own Magazine, we salute the noble caregivers in our community and thank them for devoting their lives to the service of others.

There are any number of ways the game of golf can be introduced into a life. Maybe you remember the classic episode of "The Honeymooners," where Ralph Kramden has to learn how to play golf in just two days.

Every doctor needs an office, an exam room, some place to keep an eye on patients. Doctors have specialties, and their work environment is often a reflection of that specialty.

Did you ever read Michael Murphy's "Golf in the Kingdom," a popular book that came out in the early 1970s? It's mainly a work of fiction, with philosophy, myth, probably some memoir and a bit of whiskey thrown in. Oh yeah, golf, as the title indicates, is prominent as well. The main character is a Scottish pro with an unforgettable name, Shivas Irons.

When most Americans think of New Zealand, they tend to think of it as a clean, green land that is largely populated by sheep. While this is not far from reality, there is indeed a thriving wine industry as well. Wine is produced on both the north and south islands in regions with different climates and soil types. However, it was the early success of wines from the Cloudy Bay winery in Marlborough that really focused the attention of the wine world on New Zealand. Marlborough and Sauvignon Blanc have become synonymous with New Zealand wine, but there is so much more to discover.

As the holidays are here it's time to think of special wines that can be given as gifts for your discerning friends and family. This is always a challenge as budgets and tastes vary.

In November, I will be asked several hundred times: "What wine do I serve with turkey?" The answer is considerably more complex than the question, because while turkey is easy to pair with wine, all the other dishes that adorn the Thanksgiving table make wine pairing more challenging.

Forty years ago, he was just "Ken" - one of the many children growing up in the John Hay housing projects on 11th Street. Too often, young boys and girls are dismissed by society because of the social environment in which they exist, but IQ has never been a derivative of environment. This bright young boy was filled with an entrepreneurial spirit at the age of 9.

I have been on the hunt for a nice set of in-ear monitors that won't break the bank for a while now. I can't stand the cheap ear buds that come with the majority of mp3 players, including Apple's famous white ear buds. I swapped those out for a cheap set of Skullcandy Ink'd headphones the day I got my iPhone. Since then, I have managed to go through five pairs, and it's getting tiresome.

A co-worker and I have the Canon vs. Nikon debate all the time. I am the Canon fanboy, and he loves his Nikon. We, however, are talking about digital SLR cameras. When it comes to the more common point-and-shoot units, who cares, right? I sure didn't - until now, that is. Nikon has piqued my interest, and judging by the "sold out" on most Web sites, they have done so for many others, too. I am speaking of their newest innovation, the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj. It's a radically new point-and-shoot with a built-in projector.

The holiday season is here. It's time for food, family and giving.

While I love good food and family, the text that follows is going to focus on giving. Giving to loved ones during the holiday season can be a rewarding experience. Putting big presents under the tree for them to ponder over is a fun and playful form of torture that most enjoy. My personal favorites, though, are the stockings.