Episodes

5 days ago
5 days ago
Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.
Episode 82:
A few weeks ago we announced Bri Haug of Electric Lady Lounge in Kankakee was going to tattoo me while I interviewed her for Kankakee Podcast. We let you vote on three different Kankakee inspired tattoo designs that Bri crafted. The design with the most votes was the one to be inked on me during the episode recording.
The choices were:
1. Shapiro Clock Tower.
2. State of Illinois Outline with the Kankakee River, train bridge, and dam inside of it.
3. Lupe Carroll's handwritten lyrics from the Kankakee Podcast Theme Song, "This river carries on.".
Over 260 votes were cast within a week. Thank you so much to everyone who voted!
So, which design do you think had the most votes? You'll have to listen and or watch to find out!
Special thank you to Bri for making this collaboration possible, The Daily Journal, and my Fiancee, Lizzie, for the extra help.
Learn more about Bri and her sister Ari at https://www.electricladytattoo.com/.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

6 days ago
6 days ago
Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.
Episode 82:
A few weeks ago we announced Bri Haug of Electric Lady Lounge in Kankakee was going to tattoo me while I interviewed her for Kankakee Podcast. We let you vote on three different Kankakee inspired tattoo designs that Bri crafted. The design with the most votes was the one to be inked on me during the episode recording.
The choices were:
1. Shapiro Clock Tower.
2. State of Illinois Outline with the Kankakee River, train bridge, and dam inside of it.
3. Lupe Carroll's handwritten lyrics from the Kankakee Podcast Theme Song, "This river carries on.".
Over 260 votes were cast within a week. Thank you so much to everyone who voted!
So, which design do you think had the most votes? You'll have to listen and or watch to find out!
Special thank you to Bri for making this collaboration possible, The Daily Journal, and my Fiancee, Lizzie, for the extra help.
Learn more about Bri and her sister Ari at https://www.electricladytattoo.com/.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

Monday Jan 23, 2023
#81: KVTA’s Jesus Christ Superstar with Director Pamela Rapelje-Trapp
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, and stitchprints.com.
Kankakee Valley Theatre Association's production of Jesus Christ Superstar is coming up February 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th! The Director, Pamela Rapelje-Trapp, joins us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to share some background information on this 1970s musical along with talking about the amazing cast and crew.
On a personal note, before Pamela came over to my house to record this episode, I didn't think we knew each other. As she walked up to my door, I realized I did know who she was! Pamela was the accompanist for the Bishop McNamara Catholic High School Choir when I was a freshman and sophomore. We haven't seen each other since then! So, it was truly a pleasant surprise reunion for both of us. Pamela was so great with the choir and helped me tremendously with my singing voice in high school.
Buy your tickets for KVTA's Jesus Christ Superstar now at https://www.kvta.org/.
It was great seeing you after all these years, Pamela. Break a leg everyone!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
#80: The Air Age Coming to Kankakee with the Kankakee County Museum
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com. and stitchprints.com.
Episode 80:
Believe it or not, The Greater Kankakee Airport used to offer passenger service from 1968 to about 1970. During those two years or so, Air Wisconsin provided the public with flights to O'Hare, Wausau, Appleton and other airports. Unfortunately, not many Kankakee area residents took advantage of the flights that were being offered and passenger service through Air Wisconsin ended in mid 1970.
Jack Klasey of the Kankakee County Museum shares this aviation story with us, along with several others, on this episode of Kankakee Podcast.
Upcoming events at the Kankakee County Museum:

Monday Jan 09, 2023
#79: Pamela Powell - Film Critic
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Things are about to get REEL on Kankakee Podcast as we welcome local film critic, Pamela Powell! Pam, originally from a small town in New York, now lives in Bourbonnais and has been a film critic for the last seven years or so. She's met and interviewed some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. So as you can imagine, Pam is filled with fascinating stories!
You can read Pam's movie reviews in The Daily Journal, watch them on WCIA in Champaign, hear them on 94.5 FM The Mix, or listen to her podcast, Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam.
Check out Pam's links here:
http://reeltalkwithchuckandpam.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ReelTalkChuckPam
Thanks for being on the show, Pam!
Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com. and stitchprints.com.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support Kankakee Podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

Saturday Dec 31, 2022
#78: 10 Most Listened to Episodes of 2022
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
Happy New Year! Lizzie and I countdown the 10 most listened to episodes of Kankakee Podcast in 2022. What episodes do you think made the cut? Which one came in first? Listen to find out!
2022 has been an incredible year for Kankakee Podcast. I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart this year for all of your love and support. Without your support, this podcast would not be possible. I feel like this isn't my podcast but OUR podcast. Here's to a prosperous 2023!
An additional heartfelt thank you to our 2022 sponsors, patrons, and partners:
Adam Elroy, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, Allison Ascher of Coldwell Banker Realty, Chicago Dough Company, Noble Dairy Queen, King Music, Little Me Studio, Brenda Whittler of Thirty One Gifts, Kankakee Community College, Milner Media Partners, Main Street Pharmacy, D. Westphal Jewelers, True Heights Treatment, Kankakee County Museum, Karen Bishop, Jake Lee, Jesse Arseneau, Dave Baron, Darrell Damper, Samantha Rocknowski, Lake Iverson, Travis Garcia, Jane Bostwick, Dawn Harrison, Simon Topliss, Scott Wright, Kerry O’Connell, Jamie Race, JoAnn Barrie, Anthony Vieceli, Erik Olson, Nolan Bukowski, Natalie Flageole, Bill Yohnka, Allison Dyche, John Sullivan, Veronica Featherston, Carl Irps, Jeff & Rosa Carroll, Seth & Mary Burkey, Teage Drinnon, Sandee & Steve Twait, Rose Lucky, and so many others. If we forgot to include your name, please know it wasn't on purpose!
I'm also excited to announce that Puter Pros, Digital Word Design, and Stitch Prints will be our title sponsors for 2023! Thank you for Steve Regnier Jr. and his family for their support.
2023 is going to be an amazing year for Kankakee Podcast and it's because of all of you. Thank you!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. We're $112 away from reaching our $400 monthly goal in patron pledges! Pledge for as little as $1/month now: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast

Monday Dec 26, 2022
#77: Meet the Mayor of Hopkins Park - Mark Hodge
Monday Dec 26, 2022
Monday Dec 26, 2022
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends!
Our "Meet The Mayor" series continues on this episode of Kankakee Podcast with, Mark Hodge, who is currently the Mayor of Hopkins Park! Mayor Hodge and his family have deep roots in Hopkins Park. He's also lived a pretty interesting life outside of Kankakee County including his time as a United States Marine, followed by a lengthly career as a Corrections Officer in California.
Learn more about Mayor Hodge and Hopkins Park at https://www.hopkinspark-il.org/.
Thank you for your time, Mayor Hodge! It was an honor to have you on the podcast.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Fill out our survey for a chance to with a $50 Dairy Queen Gift Card, $50 Chicago Dough Gift Card, and a Kankakee Podcast hoodie: https://forms.gle/JTKEVN5dEUYHoq6f6

Thursday Dec 22, 2022
#76: Project Sun with Deb Baron & Rhonda Showers
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
You may have heard or read the name, Project Sun, sometime in the past few years here in Kankakee County. What exactly is it though? It is a Strong Unified Network that is dedicated to strengthening the children's behavioral health system of care in Kankakee County. Project Sun Director, Deb Baron, and Parent Liaison, Rhonda Showers, join me on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to dive deep into what the organization's mission is.
Learn more at https://www.projectsunkankakee.org/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectSunKankakee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectsun.k3/
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support Kankakee Podcast for as little as $1/month:

Monday Dec 19, 2022
#75: Gougar’s Grove - Kankakee County Museum
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
From 1883 to about 1915, Gougar’s Grove dominated the tourism industry in the Kankakee area. It was a beautifully wooded picnic area located about two miles upstream from Kankakee, just south of Baker’s Creek. Gougar’s Grove had several attractions to lure people in for miles around including a beach, shooting gallery, bowling alley, merry-go-round, dancing pavilion and more. The Grove was owned and operated by Captain William T. Gougar. Captain Cougar would shuttle people to his getaway grove on his steamboats, The Minnie Lillie and Margaret, starting at Schuyler Avenue and River Street in Kankakee. Jack Klasey of the Kankakee County Museum joins us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to tell us all about Captain Billy and his Grove.
The 44th Annual Gallery of Trees is now open at the Kankakee County Museum until December 30th! Learn more at https://www.kankakeecountymuseum.com/.
Read Jack Klasey's weekly column in The Daily Journal:
https://muckrack.com/jack-klasey/articles
Also on this episode is our latest installment of KCC Success Stories! This one features the Professor of Education at Kankakee Community College, Jessica Friedericks.
Please join Kankakee Podcast in donating to the KCC Foundation: https://foundation.kcc.edu/give/
Every donation helps a KCC student succeed.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month:

Thursday Dec 15, 2022
#74: Eric Urbanowski of Main Street Pharmacy in Manteno
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Let's say a woman goes to CVS Pharmacy to pick up her prescription. She gives the pharmacy tech her insurance card to see what kind of coverage she can get on her medicine. After running her information, the total for a three month supply of her medication comes to around $142.00. Now, the next time she needs more medication, she decides to have the prescription filled at Main Street Pharmacy in Manteno. The owner and pharmacist, Eric Urbanowski, noticed how expensive that medication is through her insurance. He takes his time to look up and see what the cash price would be without going through her insurance. It turns out, her prescription would only cost her around $13.00 for a three month supply WITHOUT going through her health insurance coverage. So, Eric gives her the cash price for the medication and she's on her way with more money in her bank account. This is a daily accurance at Main Street Pharmacy.
How is a small locally owned pharmacy able to do this? Eric Urbanowski explains in full detail on this episode of Kankakee Podcast. I think you'll be fascinated with what Eric has to say. I found it to be truly mind blowing.
Learn more about Main Street Pharmacy at https://yourmainstreetpharmacy.com/.
Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourmainstreetpharmacy
Thank you for sharing this valuable information, Eric!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: