A podcast about the people and places of Kankakee County, IL. Hosted by, Jake LaMore.
Episodes
Monday Feb 20, 2023
Monday Feb 20, 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 86:
Momence resident and two time NFL Super Bowl Champion, Ted Petersen, returns to Kankakee Podcast! This time, I've passed the mic to Ted to guest host and have a conversation with another Kankakee area NFL football legend, Jimmy Smith.
Smith made a statement on the football field here in Kankakee in his younger years, which eventually led to him becoming a running back in the NFL starting in 1984 for the Washington Redskins, Los Angelos Raiders, and the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, turning to drugs and alcohol cut Smith's football career short.
Eventually, Smith became sober and returned to Kankakee to help kids steer clear of the path he led and to also help other addicts who are struggling with sobriety.
Around 2020, Jimmy opened up a halfway house and thrift store inside the old Homestead Restaurant in Kankakee called, We Stand For Christ Jesus Ministries.
There is actually a fundraiser for We Stand For Christ Jesus Ministries coming up this Thursday, February 23rd at 6pm at Van Drunen Farms on Route 17 in Momence.
If you would like to donate, but can't make the fundraiser, you can mail a check to 1230 South East Avenue Kankakee, IL 60901, Cash App $WSFCJM, or make a deposit at First American Bank in the Meadowview Shopping Center in Kankakee under We Stand For Christ Jesus Ministries.
A big thank you to Ted Petersen for guest hosting this episode and to Jimmy Smith for sharing his story with us!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Kankakee Podcast is presented by, Puter Pros, Digital World Design, and Stitch Prints in Bradley. Learn more at myputerpros.com, digitalworlddesign.com, andstitchprints.com.
Episode 85:
Nicole Gavin, the new Executive Director of the Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau, joins us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to talk about the CTAP Grants.
The Community Tourism Action Plan Grant Program is designed to help tourism-related projects that will foster and stimulate increased visitation and visitor spending within Kankakee County. This grant program is open to governments, businesses and community organizations on both small and large projects that will impact the county’s visitor economy.
There are two different levels of grants being offered through a competitive application process. The first offers grants in the amount of $5,000 - $24,999 that require a 25% applicant match. The second offers grants from $25,000 to $500,000, which require a 50% applicant match.
The application period is now open for the first cycle with applications due March 15, 2023. Applicants will be notified March 31, 2023.
The second cycle will begin August 1, 2023 with an application deadline of September 15,
2023 and applicant notification by September 29, 2023.
Download an application here: https://visitkankakeecounty.com/documents/Kankakee%20County%20CVB%20CTAP%20Grant%20-%20Final%20as%20of%201-30-23.pdf
If you have any further questions after listening to this episode, you can email Nicole Gavin at nicole@kccvb.com.
I'm really excited to see what types of tourism ideas get funded by the CTAP Grants!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
Thursday Feb 09, 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 84:
988, the new three digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crises, officially launched in Illinois in July of 2022. Here to explain how 988 works here locally in Kankakee County is, Eva Anderson, the Director of Crisis Care System at Iroquois Mental Health Center.
Learn more about 988 by visiting https://988lifeline.org/.
Contact Eva Anderson at eanderson@imhc.net.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Monday Feb 06, 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 83:
Everyone has heard of Nickelodeon, whether you have kids of your own that watch it, or even you yourself at some point as a child sitting down watching cartoons. What if I were to tell you that one of Kankakee's very own is now working as a Junior Executive Trainee with Nickelodeon? Giovanni 'Gio' McEastland got his start right here in Kankakee County, from studying arts at the Lincoln Cultural Center to finding himself in commercials for the Super Bowl and Olympic Games, join me on this episode of Kankakee Podcast and learn more about Giovanni McEastland's climb to success.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Jan 30, 2023
Monday Jan 30, 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 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 30, 2023
Monday Jan 30, 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 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
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
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
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
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