The Front Row Network, a Community Voices podcast partner, spoke with the organizers of the Route 66 International Film Festival. They spoke about the history of the organization and the quality of the films submitted into the Springfield-based festival.

The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the community to patronize Chatham businesses with their "$25 days of Christmas" initiative. President of the chamber Larissa Hansen spoke with Community Voices about the initiative that allows buyers to enter into a drawing for every $25 spent at participating businesses. She also shared details about other holiday events and special Christmas cards that are available in Chatham.

Darcy Darland won best bartender in the Illinois Times 2021 "Best of Springfield" contest. She spoke with Community Voices about her career in bartending. She also shared the importance of connecting with the people she serves and gives advice for those interested in bartending.

Monica Zanetti Reed and Jeremy Reed are the owners of Wild Rose, an artisan boutique in downtown Springfield. The store features hand-made items from local artists. The couple spoke with Community Voices about how they came to own the business and shared their passion for local art.

The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield has a new facility in Chatham, Ill. Dr. Kamal Chopra and Ramaa Raghuraman spoke with Community Voices about the opening of the facility and the welcome they have received from the community. They also invited the community to visit the new location and explained the many services the temple plans to offer.

This holiday season the Springfield Theatre Centre will present the show "Elf The Musical" at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The show's director Shawn Smith and leading man Ryan Croke spoke with Community Voices about the show. The musical is based on the holiday film "Elf," and Smith explained the differences between the stage show and the movie. Croke also shared his experiences playing the main character Buddy and how his family is helping him in the role as well.

Shatriya Smith is a poet and the executive director of the Garvey-Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center. She spoke with Community Voices about her family's history in Springfield and how she uses poetry to manage anxiety and frustrations. She also recited her favorite poem "home" and gave an update on her upcoming poetry books.

Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk is an annual tradition for families who enjoy holiday shopping and festivities. Decatur Area Arts Council Executive Director Jerry Johnson spoke to Community Voices about the event that features carolers, cookies, live holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus. The event takes places on Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m.

Alyssa Furling is the director of finance and franchisee at Fresh Fit Subs Incorporated. She runs nine Subways in the community. She spoke to Community Voices about her management style which includes leading by example. She also spoke about her program called "Learn with Alyssa," where she teaches others about aspects of running a business.

The University of Illinois Springfield UNI 101 class worked with the Community Voices team in the fall of 2021 to put together podcasts examining Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" from an ethos, logos and pathos perspective. Each podcast is posted on our Community Voices page.