The Final Answer: Retirement party for Daily Citizen Columnist Steve Pokin

Join Steve Pokin, the Springfield Daily Citizen’s columnist and Answer Man, for a retirement party on his last day of work, Oct. 30, 2026.
About this Event

It all began in 1975 when Steve Pokin was hired at $126 a week as a prep sports reporter at Suburban LIFE in La Grange Park, Illinois. It ends Oct. 30, when Steve retires from his position as columnist and Answer Man at the Springfield Daily Citizen.

Simply Delicious will provide food (mostaccioli and Italian beef) and each person will get two drink tickets in return for a $25 donation to the Daily Citizen, a nonprofit news organization that started five years ago and which Pokin describes as the best place he's ever worked.

The night will include the world premiere of a 15-minute film noir called “Johnny Deadline and the Time Machine,” plus more fun, videos, games and interviews with Steve.

• WHAT: Steve Pokin Retirement Party
• WHEN: Friday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a program at 7 p.m.
• WHERE: BarrelHouse at Mother's Brewing, 215 S. Grant Ave.