Growing Belleville thru Community Chats

In this episode we sit down with Rolanda Finch of Its Your Birthday Inc. and discuss: - How she started having birthday parties for kids in shelters  - How that transpired into starting the organization - The joy people get from the parties - Where the currently host the parties - The corporate partners they have -  How people can get involved and more

In this episode we sit down the Honorable Judge Annette Eckert and discuss the positive effects that the Teen Court has provided including: - the concept and development of it - the incredible % of people who don't have a second offense - the impact it is having on the volunteers - the impact and outreach it is having on the student peer jury - and more 

In this episode we discuss: -Andria's boutique shop Circa - Her newest venture in downtown Belleville: Belle city Fitness Collaboration - Why she believes in Belleville  - and what makes downtown so special compared to other towns

In this episode we sit down with Tom Sipula and Kelly Norman from St Clair Country Club and chat about: - Everything going on at the club right now - The effect Covid had on the club - The legacy of Bob Goalby and his relationship with the club - The benefits of the Club compared to other Clubs - and much more.

In this episode we sit down with Jo Ann Di Maggio, Executive Director of the Small Business Development Center, to discuss an incredible asset to the business community in the metro east. We talk about - What exactly the SBDC does - How they can help small businesses in areas they might need assistance with. - The programs they offer such as Workshops, Advising, Referral Partners for certain resources (ie- Accounting, Layers, lenders, etc)  - How they run this at little to no cost to the business - Their relationship with SIUE - How they can help with Grants - Their annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge Business Plan Competition for a $25,000 prize. 

In this episode we catch up with Heather Freed and discuss: Her journey to becoming CEO  The importance BBBS is to the community Carrying on the torch handed to her by Barb Cempura  How to become a BIG The role of a BIG Other Fundraising aspects they do

In this episode we catch up with the founder of Soulcial Kitchen, John Michel and discuss: The idea behind Soulcial Kitchen The Process to get it started Their phenomenal Currency Of Caring Program  The difference between them and other food truck parks The story on the Space Shuttle Cafe How they are ramping up to open the Food Truck park in just a few weeks.

On this episode we sit down with Brett Baltz of Egyptian Workspace Partners and discuss: - the workspace environment pre and post covid - the long history of his 140 + year company  - How his company is always looking to the future trends to help grow - the family - work dynamic being the 3rd generation of his family to run the business - How being a mainstay in Belleville and big community advocate has helped them grow 

in this episode we catch up with Erik's good buddy and former teammate while in the Pirates Organization and discuss the following: How life in the Minor Leagues really is How Erik is good at leading daily stretches How playing with an amazing roster in Boston Brock discusses the day he hit for the cycle in the playoffs against the Yankees in 2018 and is still the only player to ever accomplish that The experience of winning the world series How special it was to play with David Ortiz The current MLB Lockout and the charity that is near and dear to his heart- The Jimmy Fund.

On this episode we sit down With Jenna Renner Graser of Renner Funeral Home. In this episode we discuss: The history of Renner Funeral Home Jenna's background and how she got started in the family business How covid forced them to shift The life of a funeral director and more

In this episode we sit down Dave Schoenborn of the Lincoln Theatre to cover: - The 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Theatre and their year long plans to celebrate - The history of the Lincoln Theatre - Current live shows coming up, Including Old Salt Union on NYE - Their famous popcorn - How they navigated the pandemic shutdown  - And the announcement of a great new show lined up for March 

On this episode, Erik and Stephen sit down with... no one. We actually decided that on this episode we would take the opportunity to kick off the holiday season by discussing all the fun activities for families to do in and around the Belleville Area and reflect on what these events have meant to us over the years and how important it is for everyone to get out and enjoy them since so many things did not occur last year due to the pandemic  In this episode we discuss: - Belleville Santa Claus Parade - The Christkindlmarkt  - The importance of Small Business Saturday - The Chambers Movie Nights with Santa - The Holiday Pops performed be the Belleville Philharmonic Society (the 2nd oldest, continuously ran Philharmonic in the country behind Boston) - The lights and The Shrine and WWT Raceway in Madison Link to the Flier of these events can be found here: https://www.belleville.net/DocumentCenter/View/8460/2021-Belleville-Holiday-Events-Calendar

In this episode we catch up with BTHS 201 Superintendent Dr. Brian Mentzer and discuss: The school districts recent purchase of Kings Point The districts amazing plans for Kings Point How the district has taken a stronger approach to the trades in the last few years The struggles over the past 19 months with the pandemic How sports, band and all other extra curricular activities have been an important aspect for students this past year

In this Episode we sit down with the President of Eckert's, Chris Eckert where we discuss: - the History and Background of the Family Farm and how it got to where it is today - How Chris got started in the family business - How they do such a good job drawing in people from MO and other bordering areas - Some of the exciting things they have planned for the future (including a new beer garden at the Belleville location)

In this episode we chat with Lisa Phillipson of Hospice of Southern Illinois.

In this episode we catch up Brandon McGraw, one of the owners of Belleville's Original NOLA inspired restaurant, The Quarter and discuss:  - Why they decided to invest in Downtown Belleville  - Why they decided to open their second restaurant during covid  - The HERO Beer Tab at their other restaurant in Fairview Heights, Signature Tap House  - How they, and all downtown Belleville restaurants, work together to help each other  - What the return of events such as the Belleville Oktoberfest and Chili Cook Off mean for restaurants downtown  - A special competition they are having between their two restaurants for the Belleville Chili Cook Off

With the return of events coming to Downtown Belleville. we sit down with the Cari Frick from Oktoberfest and Wendy Pfeil from the Belleville Chili Cook-off to discuss a few things including: - How excited they and the city are to have these events back this year. - How much work and time they (along with others) have had to put into this years events compared to past years. - The effects last year had on the events being cancelled.  - How the events have adapted due to covid and all the precautions they are taking - Much more

In this episode we sit down with Chris Blair, Executive Vice President of World Wide Technology Raceway to discuss a slew of things including: His background and how he got to where he is today How WWT Raceway has looked outside the box to bring people into their race weekends The impact that WWT Raceway has on the surrounding communities, including Belleville, with their events This weekends NASCAR Camping World and NTT IndyCar races

In this episode we sit down with Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory and discuss a slew of things including: her first 3 months in office/ her love for gardening/ the return of events to downtown Belleville this fall/ and what Belleville has learned and gained over the past year through Covid to name a few.