A podcast about the people and places of Kankakee County, IL. Hosted by, Jake LaMore.
Episodes
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Milner Media Partners began all the way back in 1983. Tim Milner and his brother Tommy were attending a Sox game together in Chicago. Before going to the game, they stopped at a bar nearby the stadium. The bar was playing 99.9 FM. The two brothers had been trying to buy their own radio station for awhile and really loved what they heard on 99.9 FM. They went to the payphone at the bar and called the station to ask who the owner was. Tim and Tommy found out the station was in fact for sale and eventually purchased it for a million dollars with the aid of their parents, Gene and Jackie. When the Milners took control of the station, the call letters were changed to WBUS The Bus. It was a rock formatted station at the time. Unfortunately, in 1985, Tommy Milner died in a tragic car accident. After Tommy's death, the format changed to Top 40 and had tremendous success. The station had a very large regional signal that reached not only Kankakee but into Chicago and parts of Indiana. Around 1994, the Milner family decided to sell 99.9 FM. The market was hot and the price was right. In March of 1995, Milner purchased 95.1 FM and that's when WVLI The Valley was born. Tim had what he thought was a brilliant idea for a format: Greatest Hits, Greatest Artists. An oldies station essentially but, with a twist. Many thought that this format would not go over well. However, Tim proved them wrong. Here we are 27 years later and The Valley has become a staple for many in Kankakee County. It's the number one most listened to radio station in our area. Not only that, Milner Media is also the home of two other successful radio stations, River Country 101.7 FM and WFAV 95.1 FM. River Country is also broadcast on 103.7 FM and locally in the Bourbonnais area on 96.1 FM.
On a more personal note, I'd like to thank Tim Milner and the entire Milner Media family for everything they have done to support me and Kankakee Podcast. Without the Milner family, I don't think Kankakee Podcast would have happened. They didn't create the podcast directly or anything like that. They did however give me my first job in radio back in 2014 and drilled into my brain just how important it is to make a positive impact on your local community. When I first started working at Milner Media, I didn't think being involved with the community was as important as they made it out to be. However, overtime I began to learn the importance of community. Tim Milner, his family, and my co-workers at Milner Media taught me that. So when I say Kankakee Podcast probably wouldn't have happened without Milner Media, that's what I mean. I have a career and a future that I love thanks to the Milner Media family. I hope they know how grateful I am for that.
Learn more about Milner Media's radio stations below:
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month:
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
The Great Inter-State Fair existed in Kankakee from 1911 to 1932 and took place in what is present day Old Fair Park. At one point, it was almost as large as the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Jack Klasey of the Kankakee County Museum joins us once again to share the incredible story.
Upcoming events at the museum:
The Geologic Story of Kankakee - Sat. Oct. 8th - 1pm
Artisan Faire - Sat. Nov. 5th
Learn more about these events at:
https://www.kankakeecountymuseum.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kankakeecountymuseum
https://www.instagram.com/kankakeecountymuseum/
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support Kankakee Podcast for as little as $1/month:
https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Sep 19, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
I've always wanted to learn more about the Greek community here in Kankakee County. We're finally diving into that subject a little bit here on Kankakee Podcast with Father Nick Greanias of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kankakee! Even if you're not a religious person yourself, please give this episode a try. The majority of the focus is more on the history surrounding the church and the Greek culture as a whole. I found everything Father Nick had to say to be extremely fascinating.
The 87th Annual Greek Festival is coming up Sunday, October 2nd, from 11am to 5pm, at the church on 296 North Washington Avenue in Kankakee. If you really want to submerge yourself into the Greek culture, this is the perfect place to do it. Everyone from all walks of life is welcome!
You can find more information about the festival on the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/807312553740607
Thank you for your time, Father Nick!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Sep 12, 2022
Monday Sep 12, 2022
We are on location once again for this episode of Kankakee Podcast! Except this time, we find ourselves at the most well known house in all of Grant Park, The Bennett-Curtis House. The owner, Scott Zizic, was kind enough to take some time out of his day to talk with me about the history of the house and the business he runs there.
Learn more by visiting https://bennettcurtis.weebly.com/
Thank you for your time, Scott!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month:
Monday Sep 05, 2022
Monday Sep 05, 2022
Locavore, pronounced like carnivore, is someone who's diet consists of mostly locally grown or produced food. At Locavore Farm in Grant Park, you can dine on the land at a 100 foot table eating food that was all organically grown just a few steps away from where you're sitting. Rachael Jones joins us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to share the story of how her family came up with the concept for Locavore Farm.
Learn more at locavorefarm.com.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @locavorefarm.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Rachael!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Monday Aug 29, 2022
What is economic development and what does it look like here in Kankakee County? Angela Morrey, the Director of Marketing and Business Attraction at the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, joins us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to answer those questions! I know I have a much better understanding of what economic development is after talking with Angela. I hope you have the same benefit!
Learn more about the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County: https://www.kankakeecountyed.org/
Contact Angela Morrey:
Thanks for being on the podcast, Angela!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
Monday Aug 22, 2022
Monday Aug 22, 2022
Long before the days of what is present day Beckman Park in Kankakee, stood Electric Park from 1894 to the early 1920s. Jorie Walters and Jack Klasey from the Kankakee County Museum join us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to give us the history of the once popular entertainment spot.
The museum's fall mums fundraiser is currently underway! Buy yours here: https://www.kankakeecountymuseum.com/product-page/fall-mums
or
Consider making a donation to the Kankakee County Museum here: https://www.kankakeecountymuseum.com/plans-pricing
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Monday Aug 15, 2022
His name is Redenius. Doug Redenius. And he takes care of 41 authentic vehicles from the James Bond 007 films right here in Kankakee County for The Ian Fleming Foundation.
View the complete list of Bond vehicles here: http://www.ianflemingfoundation.org/welcome-new.html
Email Doug: Redenius@ianflemingfoundation.org
As a huge James Bond fan, I truly enjoyed recording this episode. Thank you so much for your time, Doug!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Aug 08, 2022
Monday Aug 08, 2022
St. Anne country artist, Heather Wagner, joins us on this episode of Kankakee Podcast to talk about the newest version of her song, "Gone", that was just released this past Friday.
"Gone" Featuring ATG, can be found now on all streaming platforms as well as a music video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k8FWqiGvEik
Follow Heather Wagner on Facebook and Instagram @heatherwagnermusic.
Thanks for being on the podcast, Heather!
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: https://patron.podbean.com/kankakeepodcast
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Merchant Street Music Fest, the biggest music festival of the year in Kankakee County, takes place this Friday and Saturday in downtown Kankakee near the train depot. I thought it would be fun to give you an overview of the local acts that are playing the fest this year. That way when you go to the fest this weekend, you’ll know what bands or artists you won’t want to miss out on.
This episode includes interview clips and songs from Musa Man, Michael Rockert, Matt Shipley of The Strips, Matt Yeager of South Side Social Club, Hayli Martenez, The Simsons, Bluprint, and 1.21 Gigawatts.
Visit merchantstreetmusicfest.com for the full line up and details.
Much Love,
Jake LaMore
P.S. Support the podcast for as little as $1/month: