Life on the Illinois Prairie Podcast (2025)

29/10/2025

My guest for the next episode of the Life on the Illinois Prairie podcast is from French Lick, Indiana. I love sharing stories of local interest, and interesting people, but occasionally I like to travel across the state line.

My Facebook friends know how much I love the French Lick Resorts, which invludes the West Baden SpringsHotel. . This summer Stacy and I attended a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert at French Lick Resort and we also visited the French Lick West Baden Museum. As we entered the museum, we were greeted by the gregarious director, Kenton Allbright, who was delightful and made feel as welcome as if we were visiting in his own home.

On the podcast, I learned that the museum IS like another home for Kenton, who is named after jazz performer, Stan Kenton, who had once performed at French Lick. If you have any questions regarding French Lick West Baden history, Kenton is your guy.

Kenton's enthusiasm is palpable and we both got very excited discussing the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus diorama that is in the museum! We shared our mutual love of his home town and all the charm and intrigue it has to offer.

The West Baden Springs Hotel, housing the beautiful Atrium, has undergone many changes in its storied history, but has been restored to its present magnificence by the generosity of Bill and (the late) Gayle Cook through the Cook Group.

Kenton is also a highly visible part of the French Lick Scenic Railway Polar Express Train Ride.

This episode will be published on Thursday, October 30.

Please join us at the link below or wherever you listen to podcasts.

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

23/10/2025

Maggie Grinestaff is the News Director at WCIA Channel 3, Champaign, Illinois. She is my guest on the next episode of Life on the Illinois Prairie on Thursday, October 23.

Maggie was curious even as a child growing up in Peotone, Illinois. She felt the pull toward working in broadcast news even before studying journalism at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Her experience at EIU was positive and built a firm foundation for the budding journalist.

Armed with a great work ethic and a solid educational experience at WEIU, Maggie did her internship at WAND Channel 17 in Decatur.

When an opening appeared at WCIA, Maggie applied and got the job as a reporter and anchor. After moving up to assignment editor, the news director job was open and Maggie was among many applicants from across the country. Maggie got the job and has proven to be a great team leader. She is also the first woman in the 70 year history of WCIA!

Maggie believes that it is important to support everyone on the news team, as well as mentoring others who may be drawn to broadcast journalism. Her approach to news is tempered with empathy and giving respect to families who may have suffered a tragic loss.

📷 WCIA page

Here is the podcast link or you can listen wherever you listen to podcasts!

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

15/10/2025

Chris Suerdieck returns to Life on the Illinois Prairie, much to my delight! Please join us for our discussion about the new book that Chris wrote about "The Big Dig" in Mattoon. Even as a native of Mattoon, I was surprised by some of the things I learned about the Big Dig from Chris during this episode. Growing up, it was often referred as "the subway" though it really wasn't that at all.

Humble, as always, Chris has devoted a big part of his retirement years to developing the Mattoon History Center, which is in the basement of the Mattoon Public Library. This passion project has made the history of Mattoon accessible and interesting to us all. Though researching history might be a tedious task to some, it has been a labor of love for Chris. The Big Dig was no exception.

After creating a display of "Big Dig" photos in a basement hallway of the Mattoon Public Library, Chris followed the suggestion of many people and developed his Big Dig information into a book.

His essays in the Good Old Days in Mattoon Illinois Facebook group, are fascinating history lessons enjoyed by many. Though he has no official capacity within the group, he has ready access to a wealth of data, and has had the last word in many discussions within the group.

I know I can't wait to buy a book and have it signed by Chris and I'm sure many of you will want one, too! The episode will be published on Thursday, October 16.

Here is the link to the podcast or you can listen wherever you get your podcasts!

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

08/10/2025

Mattoon native, Rob Farmer and his wife, Kasey, took Ancestry DNA tests that they bought on Black Friday, 2024. Many of us have done the same thing and found maybe a few cousins or perhaps some new great-great grandparents.

He had already begun building family trees through Ancestry, when things took a very unexpected turn in January of 2025. When he began to read the results and share them with Kasey, they began to put the puzzle pieces together. Even with a few puzzle pieces missing, a new picture began to come together. There are so many facets to this story and Rob tells it in the most calm, kind, and loving way.

He is very open in sharing how his faith in God has changed his life and helped nurture and strengthen his marriage and his family. His bedrock faith in God has helped him accept and reconcile many situations over the years and has helped him navigate through meeting new family members.

Rob shares his insights for others who might face a similar situation to his. He knows better than most that everyone's experience is going to be different, but it is crucial to temper your expectations and allow people to be themselves and have time for acceptance. Not all new relationships will work out, but it is important to embrace those that do.

This episode will be published October 9. Here is the link:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

01/10/2025

When he started out in his youth playing in garage bands in Brigham City, Utah, Jeff Clark had no idea that one day he would be the front man and lead singer of the best Bread tribute band around, called TOAST-the BEST of BREAD.

Jeff is my guest on the Thursday, October 2 episode of my Life on the Illinois Prairie podcast. He is soft-spoken and an admitted introvert, who, like many performers, comes to life when he steps on stage.

We talk about Jeff's start in music and how he never dreamed that he would end up performing some of his favorite music. After being complimented about sounding like David Gates, his band performed a free concert of Bread songs and soon they were performing in venues across the country, in high demand. Their shows are often sold out as word of their energy performances grew.

If you loved the music of the 70s era band, Bread (If, Diary, Everything I Own, Make It With You, Guitar Man), you should go see TOAST. This tribute band will blow you away with their perfect renditions of all Bread songs! With minimal promotion, word of mouth has spread about just how talented these guys are as they near 77,000 followers on Facebook.

Thank you to Trudi Clark for asking Jeff to be my guest. You two are the best!

Please listen to our conversation here:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

24/09/2025

My returning guest for the next episode of my Life on the Illinois Prairie podcast is Tara Reed. Tara is the manager of the Sullivan ReStore Habitat for Humanity in Sullivan, Illinois. She tells about the vital role that the store has for supporting the home builds that happen in Moultrie County every year.

It is so important that people realize that by either donating or shopping at the store, they are contributing to helping someone buy a home through Habitat for Humanity. As only one of eleven ReStores in Illinois, most of them near Chicago, the Sullivan location takes special pride in the quality of goods they accept as donations. They also offer pickup and delivery to and from nearby towns in addition to accepting items brought to the store.

Their biggest event hands down is the Christmas Open House, which takes place on Friday, October 10, from 4-6pm. Tara says it draws a crazy crowd of avid followers and loyal shoppers, who often wait outside in lawn chairs for the doors to be opened.

Tara and her devoted crew take great pride every day in how their store appeals to shoppers, not just for the Open House. Now, more than ever, it is so important to reach out and help our fellow man. When you shop at the Sulluvan ReStore you are helping a person or family, who may be struggling, achieve the American Dream of home ownership.

The store is located at 401 S Hamilton St, Sullivan, Illinois. Please checkout and like their page.

This episode will be published on Thursday, September 24. Here's the link:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

11/09/2025

My guest on the next episode of Life on the Illinois Prairie is Daphne Coffey, Executive Director of the Douglas County Museum in Tuscola, Illinois.

At just 21 years old, Daphne is equally at home waking up to a view of the Alps in France or discovering history in Douglas County. The Mooresville, Indiana native was raised with an appreciation of history and a love of museums. She landed her dream job in the same town where her boyfriend lived and soon she was putting her own stamp on the museum.

Stacy and I visited the museum this summer and we were blown away by the amount of antiques and history in the building. Daphne says there is still more to pull out and display. We were fortunate to meet Daphne the day we visited the museum and her enthusiasm is palpable. She is a delight and the community is certainly blessed with her fresh ideas and passion for history.

The photos are just a few I took during our visit.

The episode will go live Thursday, September 11. Here is the link:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

03/09/2025

Mark and Carol Lawson are my guests on the Thursday, September 4 episode of the Life on the Illinois Prairie podcast.

After driving past the closed and inactive Unity Church building near Charleston, Illinois many times, the Lawsons felt a yearning to not just save the building, but give it a new lease on life. The building held special family memories for Carol and when the opportunity arose, they bought the building and lovingly restored it to its former glory and turned it into an event space.

Using Mark's construction skills and sometimes recruiting family members, they repurposed the building which has recently been used for weddings, showers, family reunions and vendor fairs. The space is versatile and there are church pews that can be wheeled out of storage when needed. There is even a kitchenette.

The Lawsons are eager to share the place they have carefully restored and are glad to offer their space for most events. The quiet, rural setting offers a serenity and warmth not found in a meeting room of a business.

Please join us as we dig deeper into the hard work and determination that brought this dream to fruition.

Link to podcast is here: https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

Email for Unity Chapel Event Space: [email protected]

27/08/2025

My guest on the Thursday, August 28th episode of Life on the Illinois Prairie is Mattoon, Illinois native, Bernie deBuhr. The fifth generation of deBuhrs are now working at deBuhr's Feed and Seed Store 2001 Western Avenue. Bernie and I had a long discussion about his family history, his family's involvement in Mattoon, and how an ever-evolving business atmosphere has been enhanced by the help of the youngest family members advertising on social media.

Bernie's roots go deep in Mattoon and we reminisced about Bennett School, our old grade school. He shared happy stories and some incredibly touching ones, including the Wilb Walker Grocery store fire in 1998, as well as the loss to fire of Villa Pizza in 2010. Those losses were deeply personal to Bernie, since these weren't disasters that happened just to a business, they happened to his neighbors and good friends.

The building housing Debuhr's Feed and Seed has been expanded the times to accommodate all the types of seeds and feeds that anyone could want. They sell garden seeds and potting plants in spring and mums in late summer. Pet food, equine feed, livestock feed and lawn seed, and can offer help and advice on a multitude of common lawn and garden questions.

Bernie has been a long time committee member of Celebrate Downtown Mattoon, which has become famous for the large Trunk or Treat event for Halloween and the Lighted Christmas Parade, both held on Broadway Avenue to larger crowds every year. Bernie is always willing to help, though he is not likely to take credit.

DeBuhr's also welcomes your pets and if you are lucky, Tim the cat just might let you pet him!

As much as Bernie loves his job, a perfect day after work includes spending a quiet evening relaxing at home with his wife, Diane, and their dogs. It would also have Bernie cooking up some tasty treats with his own brand of spices, Bayou Bernies, while listening to some smooth jazz music.

To hear the podcast click here:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

To learn more about deBuhr's click here: http://www.debuhrsseedandfeed.com/

22/08/2025

For all practical purposes fall is here and winter can't be far behind. Winter is the season I dread the most and with every passing year, I dread it more. This year, maybe not so much.

The Amish kids are back in school and public school buses are once again shuttling students into schools in town. By my rough calculations I spent 360 hours riding a school bus over 12 years. This picture was taken shortly before I started school, but judging by the scowl on my face, I must have been dreading the thought.

The truth is the sun was in my eyes. School was a scary prospect for this country kid, who had no close friends and whose only playmate was her younger brother.

I was luckier than many in that I had an intact nuclear family. Daddy was a tenant farmer and Mom was a homemaker, before the concept of "stay at home" mom was invented. Like any family, we had our issues, but Dad was a good, decent man. He was honest, hardworking and was respected by his peers.

Mom never held a job outside the home, unless you count the years she served as an election judge. I believe the most she was ever paid was $25. She worked so hard, though, at home. For years Daddy had to take her into town twice a week to do laundry. They hauled about 5-6 laundry baskets to a laundromat, because they didn't have a decent water supply until they hooked onto Sullivan Rural Water in the 80s. Prior to that Daddy hauled water from town and dumped it into a cistern.

What does all of this have to do with my current life?

Everything.

With the arrival of cooler weather and the snow and ice of winter, Stacy and I scale back our duo gigs. I have had a couple of projects in the pipeline, but sometimes the universe has other, even better ideas.

When talking to a representative from Audivita (thanks Erika) yesterday about a totally unrelated topic, I had an epiphany.

I am going to turn the Unknown Sister: How I Found My Voice And Lost My Family series into a book and an audiobook. Using transcripts (again thanks, Erika) from the Life on the Illinois Prairie podcast and adding journal entries that were not appropriate for the podcast, I can more fully tell the whole story. The book will have photos that were shared on Facebook plus Mom's spicier journal entries.

It will be a great wintertime project, in addition to a couple more that are in the works.

Your feedback is appreciated.

What do you think?

Podcast link:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

20/08/2025

My next guest on Life on the Illinois Prairie is a well known and familiar name and face to many of us in central Illinois.

With nearly 175,000 Facebook followers, Meteorologist Jacob Dickey is far more than a meteorologist. The WCIA3 staple and Gibson City native, is deeply immersed in numerous activities in central Illinois. Having his own cooking segments to highlighting hidden gems of well-known eating establishments in the area are just two of his areas of interest.

His involvement with the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois allowed Mattoon to be the beneficiary of funds distributed to area groups and businesses in the area following a recent DO NOT DRINK order was issued for the city. The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation also contributed funds.

With so many followers, Jacob and others at WCIA3, including Meteorologist Kevin Lighty and Amanda Brennan, were instrumental in getting the word out to the citizens affected in Mattoon and nearby communities serviced by Mattoon water.

We discuss all about the Mattoon DO NOT DRINK order as well as the involvement of the CFECI.

We also discussed the recent gathering of local educators at the station who exchanged ideas with Jacob and Amanda Brennan. Look for more on that soon from Jacob and Amanda.

He also explained the new WCIA 3+ streaming app for Smart TVs and the way news will be consumed in the future.

Lastly, no discussion with Jacob would be complete without asking him to share about his and wife Amy's adorable dog, Vinnie. You don't want to miss this one!

Community Foundation of East Central Illinois President and CEO, Allison Winter, is in the black dress in the donation photos.

Here is the link to the podcast:

https://app.redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

14/08/2025

Journalist Amanda Brennan, WCIA3, Champaign, Illinois, is my guest on the next Life on the Illinois Prairie.

Amanda returns to the podcast with updates on her move to the 4pm news show with Meteorologist Kevin Lighty. She is bursting with enthusiasm and is always eager to try a new idea or adventure. She shares insights on what to expect on the 4pm news show and how it differs from other news shows throughout the day.

Amanda is working with Meteorologist Jacob Dickey on a new program he created, involving local teachers throughout the community, sharing their concerns. We also discuss what a fine line a reporter has to walk when dealing with sensitive stories. Her compassion and empathy come through as we discuss some very serious recent news stories.

We also shared some laughs about her role as Aunt Amanda when dog sitting Jacob's dog, Vinnie!

Amanda's episode will be published on Thursday, August 14.

Here is the link:

https://redcircle.com/shows/5dc7f4c2-5444-4ca2-88d1-80100d3d5db1

Life on the Illinois Prairie Podcast