Episode 39: Garden Glories: Talking About the Peoria Garden Club

An interview with Susan Davis of the Peoria Garden Club about its upcoming fundraiser.

We introduce the show's topic, the Garden Glories tour of local gardens, the chief fund raiser...

Read more...

Reach For The Heights

Peoria Heights has Duryea Days and other events each summer

Peoria Heights has long been known for its quaint shops along its main drag of Prospect Road, a favorite spot for walkers to spend a quiet afternoon.

But its main event each summer has to do with an automobile, the only one ever designed and made in the region, called the Duryea.

The Duryea originally came out of Peoria Heights and each year the village...

Read more...

Episode 38: The New Riverfront Museum: Let the Collections Begin

An interview with representatives of the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

We introduce the show's topic, the new Riverfront Museum, and bring on Kristan McKinsey to discuss the collection...

Read more...

The Riverfront

The most happening place in Peoria all summer is along the Illinois River

It wasn't much more than 15 years ago that the Peoria riverfront had just two or three activities scheduled during the entire summer.

One of them was Steamboat Days, the other was Blues Fest, said Bill Roeder, head of riverfront activities for the Peoria Park District, which oversees most of what goes on along the Peoria riverfront. Read more...

Episode 37: Peoria's Wild Days: A Chat with Norm Kelly

An interview with Norm Kelly, local historian and author whose talks about Peoria's wild past are very popular.

We introduce the show's topic, Norm Kelly, and bring out the author, historian...

Read more...

Fresh Produce Here!

Farmers markets continue to be popular

Lillian Jacobs remembers being invited to be part of a local farmers market, to bring produce from her farm near Princeville to sell to the public. At the time she and her family had been taking produce to the riverfront on Saturday mornings. It was the only farmers market in Peoria at the time.

The invitation came from Marvin Goodman, owner of a new shopping center in the heart of Peoria...

Read more...

Episode 36: Do you scare easily? Want to tour the Peoria Insane Asylum?

An interview with Richard and Trish Weiss, co-founders of the Save The Bowen Foundation that soon will re-open to former Peoria State Hospital's Bowen Building for tours and paranormal investigations.

We...

Read more...

Summertime... Is in the air

It doesn't much matter what your tastes are, there is a good chance you will be able to find things to do in the Peoria region this summer.

With a riverfront that has become extremely active and music and arts venues scattered throughout the region, Greater Peoria has much to offer, especially on weekends, from May through September — the normal outdoor season around here.

Some of those activities will put you on the river...

Read more...

Episode 35: Under the tent: A look at Corn Stock Theatre's 2012 season

An interview with Cindy Hoey, manager of Corn Stock Theatre.

We introduce the show's topic, Corn Stock Theatre's 2012 season under the tent at Upper Bradley Park. Cindy and host...

Read more...

Episode 33: Think pink: Talking about the Race for the Cure

An interview with Gina Morss-Fischer, director of development for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Memorial Affiliate.

We introduce the show's topic, the Race for the...

Read more...

Episode 34: The New East Peoria: A conversation with Mayor Dave Mingus

An interview with Dave Mingus, mayor of East Peoria.

We introduce the show's topic, the construction of the new East Peoria downtown, which will combine government,...

Read more...

Episode 32: Full steam ahead: A chat with Philip Lockwood

An interview with the race director for the Steamboat Classic.

We introduce the show's topic, the Steamboat Classic and the training program leading to it called Building...

Read more...

Rock On!

Summer Camp music festival continues to grow; attendance nearing 20,000 people

Imagine throwing a big party for some friends with a band or two and suddenly finding it taking over three days with 100 bands and friends that decide to just camp out in your yard.

In a way, that's how Summer Camp at Three Sisters Park got started. It was a one-day event in 2001 and is now a...

Read more...

Episode 31: Keeping the Promise: A conversation with Tara Gerstner

An interview with the executive director of Peoria Promise.

We introduce the show's topic, Peoria Promise, and its executive director Tara Gerstner. We discuss the genesis...

Read more...

Race for the Cure

Peoria has a more personal stake in the drive to cure breast cancer

Every 67 seconds somebody dies of breast cancer. A gruesome statistic for sure, but one that would no doubt be far worse if not for a promise one woman made to her sister more than 30 years ago.

That promise from Nancy Brinker to Susan G. Komen has resulted in millions of dollars raised and a many advances made in learning how to treat the dreaded disease...

Read more...

Episode 30: A Real Sport: Jammin' with Peoria's Derby Dames

An interview with two members of Peoria Push, the local women's roller derby league.

We introduce the show's topic, the Peoria Push Roller Derby league, and then two members of...

Read more...

We're Getting There

Pimiteoui Trail through Peoria nearing completion

Bonnie Noble is looking forward to sleeping more restfully.

The executive director of the Peoria Park District for 20 years, Noble said she stays awake when she lets herself think about the growing Rock Island-Pimiteoui Trail that wends its way through the city.

It's all because of one spot in the trail — where it crosses Knoxville Avenue, just south of its intersection...

Read more...

Episode 29: A new season: A look at the 2012 Peoria Chiefs

A chat with Rocky Vonachen, president of the Peoria Chiefs, about the upcoming season.

We introduce the show's topic, the Peoria Chiefs' upcoming baseball season, and introduce team...

Read more...

Cruisin' Down the River

Spirit of Peoria ready to chug another summer

When it comes to entertainment along the Illinois Riverfront in downtown Peoria the variety is something many don't think about or realize is there.

But take a trip on The Spirit of Peoria, one of the few authentic paddlewheel boats taking the water today, and one realizes there is also unique entertainment, something you can't find just anywhere and that...

Read more...

Staging Your Home to Sell

As spring nears, sellers should put their best house forward

Whether you have thoughts of selling your home in the spring or you just want to preserve your home's value there are specific remodeling projects that will give you the best return on your home improvement dollars.

When you give the real estate market a close look, the conservative "Midwest mentality" has served us well during the national housing...

Read more...